Category: Obituaries

Funeral services for Brenda Faye Ward, 58, of Larue, are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 at Lake Athens Baptist Church in Athens with Bro. Mike Curry officiating. Interment will follow at Davis Cemetery in Athens.

Brenda became “victorious” with her Lord on Dec. 14, 2013 in Athens.

Brenda Faye Miller Ward was born Oct. 3, 1955, in Athens to Floyd and Fayrene Richardson Miller. She married David Ward, and during their 38 years of loving marriage they raised their two children in the Baxter Community. She loved being a mother, but nothing compared to the light in her eyes when she became “Nana”. Brenda lived, loved and served God abundantly. Her ability to inspire others to be their best selves was only surpassed by her willingness to accept and love people exactly as they are. The warmth of her smile and gentleness in her eyes drew people to her and created lifelong friendships. In her family, Brenda was always considered the “glue” that binds them together. Her house was the natural gathering place for family get-togethers – both planned and spontaneous. Beneath the big live oak tree out front was the perfect spot for creating fun, and fun was important to Brenda.

Brenda’s other family was established during her 26 years of service with AISD. She was often the first face that welcomed visitors upon their arrival to campus or the voice that answered the phone, and the caller could actually hear the smile in her voice. She was blessed with a servant’s heart, and others were blessed by her gifts.

Brenda was preceded in death by her daughter, Shannon Mills, and her parents Floyd and Fayrene Miller.

She is survived by her beloved husband, David Ward of LaRue, Texas; one son and
daughter-in-law Kevin and Amber Ward of LaRue, Texas; three grandsons, Kole, Kastin and
Kannon; brothers and sisters-in-law Wayne and Linda Miller of Athens, Texas, Darrell and Sherri Miller of LaRue, Texas; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Louise and Larry Richardson of LaRue, Texas, Steven and Mary Ann Ward of Willow Springs, Texas, Tina and Joe Weaver of Chapel Hill, Texas, Aubary and Kim Ward of Athens, Texas and Gene and Sally Ward of Brownsboro, Texas; many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Joey Wallace, Steve Radcliff, Daryl Starkes, Don Kirkland, Jim McPherson and Danny Partridge. Honorary Pallbearers will be R.B. Richardson and Butch Boyd.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 from 6-8 p.m.at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, it was Brenda’s request that donations be made to:

Lake Athens Baptist Church Parking Lot Fund
5151 F.M. 2495
Athens, TX 75752
(903) 675-4008

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family in Athens. You may write condolences or light a memorial candle at: www.hannigansmith.com

Funeral services for Marie Henson, 72, of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens with Pastor Jim Duncan officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens..

Ms. Henson went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Dec. 8, in Tyler.

Marie Reed Henson was born July 7, 1941 in Athens, the daughter of Joseph Weldon Reed and Mable Pearl Johnson Reed. She was a member of the Baxter Baptist Church and loved Southern Gospel music. Marie was an office manager at J.C. Penny for over 30 years. She loved reading and spending time with family and friends. She was a loving sister and aunt and will be greatly missed.

Ms. Henson was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Louise Wilson.

Aunt Rhea is survived by her sister, Diane Harris and husband “Buck” of Athens; three nieces, Dorothy Scruggs, Deborah Ramsey, Shellie Wheeler and husband Shane all of Athens; two nephews, Jody Wilson of Hondo, Texas, Kirk Harris and wife Christy of Pataskala, Ohio; 10 great-nieces and nephews, Christi, Jason, Jeremy, Hannah, Brandon, Brittany, Emily, Ashley, Jordyn and Josh.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jody Wilson, Kirk Harris, Shane Wheeler, Jeremy Scruggs, Jason Ramsey, Jim Bob Warren and Daryl Starkes.

A visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 9, from 7-9 p.m. at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

You may write condolences or light a memorial candle at: www.hannigansmith.com

Funeral services for Linda Boyd, 64, of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013 at Lake Athens Baptist Church in Athens with Bro. Mike Curry officiating. Interment will follow at Rome Cemetery in Athens.

Mrs. Boyd went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 in Tyler.

Linda Sue Till Boyd was born April 7, 1949 in Athens to Bud Till and Isabell Wilbanks Till. She was a member and faithful servant to Lake Athens Baptist Church and a devoted member of the Joy Seekers Sunday School Class. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her cooking and hospitality. The true love in her life was her family. Linda loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a faithful wife, loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Mrs. Boyd was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers.

She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Alvin “Butch” Boyd of Athens; son, Eric Mills of Athens; two daughters, Kristi Stanfield and husband Shane of Athens, Tina Pearson and husband Paul of Trophy Club, Texas; four sisters, Marie Watson of Athens, Mert Goodgame of Athens, Sherry Samuelson and husband Carl of Longview, Peggy Adair and husband J.W. of Athens; one brother, David “Hoby” Till and wife Beverly of Montalba, Texas; six grandchildren, Megan Bynum, Bailee Stanfield, Kenzi Stanfield, Maddy Stanfield, Lauren Brewer, Preston Pearson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made to: Lake Athens Baptist Church Parking Lot Fund, 5151 F.M. 2495, Athens, TX 75752.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

You may write condolences or light a memorial candle at: www.hannigansmith.com.

Funeral services for Bruce Odom, 71, of Athens are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 at St. John Lutheran Church in Athens with Pastor Fred Rogers officiating. Burial will be held at Zion Hill Cemetery in Farmerville, Louisiana at a later date.

Mr. Odom passed away Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 in Tyler.

Leonard Bruce Odom was born on Sept. 17, 1942 in Panama City, Florida to Leonard Odom and Vivian Ferguson Odom. He was a devoted member of the St. John Lutheran Church and a family man. He enjoyed a 35 year career with Trinity Valley Community College as a Government Instructor because of his love for politics and current events. He also enjoyed studying family history as well and was very proud of his recent induction into the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a loving husband, father and son and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father Leonard Odom.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Karla Becker Odom of Athens; two daughters, Stephanie Odom of Tyler, Texas, Hilary Odom of Chicago, Illinois; three brothers, Gerald Odom of Tallulah, Louisiana, Bob Odom and Kevin Odom both of Farmerville, Louisiana; three sisters, Brenda Britton and husband Richard of Houston, Texas, Bonnie Singleton and husband Tommy of Ruston, Louisiana, Jeannine Powell of Calhoun, Louisiana and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: St. John Lutheran Church; 451 Lila Ln.; Athens, Texas, 75751; (903) 675-9598; or the Scholarship Fund at Trinity Valley Community College.

Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family.

You may light a candle or write a condolence to the family on www.hannigansmith.com

Billie Ann Boyd of Malakoff  passed away on Nov. 21, 2013 in Ft. Worth at the age of 53. Billie was born on Feb. 12, 1960 in Dallas to Billy Boyd and Shirley Harrison Boyd.

She is survived by her mother, Shirley Ward; brother, Edgar Boyd; niece, Misty and husband Brandon Ruff; great nieces, Keely and Brittany Ruff, other family members Jessie Boyd and family, Laura Russel and family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Billy Boyd; uncles, George Harrison, Elvin Chapman, Jackie Lewis and Ralph Boyd; aunt, Dorothy Lewis; grandmother, Maurine Chapman.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Huckabee/Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff. Service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Huckabee/Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff. Interment will follow at Wilson Chapel Cemetery.