Obituary: Gary L. Howell

Memorial services for Gary L. Howell 71, of Larue, Texas are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens.

Mr. Howell passed away Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 in Panama City, Florida.

Gary Lee Howell was born on Sept. 10, 1942 in Coalinga, California to Claude Howell and Margie Rena Ferrill Howell. He was a Baptist and a family man. Farming and family was his life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Eugene Howell.

He is survived by his loving wife Sheryl of Larue, Texas, one daughter; Shelly Matkin and husband Charles of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, three sons; Gary Howell Jr. of Larue, Texas, John Howell and wife Vicki of Lindale, Texas, Jason Howell of Ketchum, Idaho and nine grandchildren.

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

Obituary: Dewayne H. Alvis

Dewayne H. Alvis, age 69, passed away Oct. 24, 2013 in Atlanta, Ga. He was born Jan. 20, 1944 in Palestine, Tecas. He is preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Morris S. Alvis, longtime residents of Malakoff.

He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Perez; grandson Josh Hall both of Pineville, La.; sisters Mary Alvis of Malakoff, Patsy Duncan and brother-in-law Pat Duncan of DeSoto, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dewayne was retired and enjoyed outdoor sports and technology. He served in Vietnam in the Air Force as an Air Policeman.

Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2013 at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home, Malakoff.

Obituary: Carol Ruth Bragdon

Carol Ruth BragdonServices for Carol Bragdon are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Leagueville Baptist Church in Athens with Pastor Tom Bragdon and Pastor Mike Bragdon officiating. Burial will be in Leagueville Cemetery.

Carol went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 in Tyler. She was born Oct. 22, 1934 in Crayne, Kentucky the daughter of the late Thomas A. Perryman and Willie Mae Sunderland Perryman.

Mrs. Bragdon married her Crittenden County High School sweetheart William Bragdon on February 23, 1954. Bill moved from Kentucky to Gary, Indiana in May of 1953 to start his career with U.S. Steel. Carol joined him in 1954 after they married. After nearly 40 years of service they retired and moved back to Kentucky in 1992. Having both their sons and all their grandchildren in Texas proved to be too much to handle and they moved to Henderson County in 1998. They have been faithful members of the Leagueville Baptist Church where Bill is a Deacon. She truly loved being involved with the Good Timers Group. Carol was a loving mother, housewife and housekeeper extraordinaire. She took great pride in three things; her Lord, her family and her home. She was proud of her husband who is a Godly leader and proud of her two sons and their ministries. She was proud of her grandchildren who are serving the Lord and proud of the Church in which she served. She was an inspiration to her family and to her friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Jerry, Lynn and Gene Perryman and sisters; Helen Cole and Donna Young.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 60 years; Bill Bragdon of Brownsboro, two sons; Tom Bragdon and wife Lynnetta and Mike Bragdon and wife Resa both of Murchison, Texas, ten grandchildren; Justin Bragdon and wife Beth of Brownsboro, Texas, Jason Bragdon and wife Keri of Columbus, Ohio, Joshua Bragdon of Mt. Enterprise, Texas, Jill Bragdon of Dallas, Texas, Jared Bragdon of Murchison, Texas, Luke Bragdon and wife Alison of Athens, Texas, Autumn Doring and husband Jeff of Athens, Texas, Nathan Bragdon of Murchison, Texas, Chloe Bragdon of Murchison, Texas, Micah Bragdon of Murchison, Texas, three great grandchildren; Gabriel Bragdon of Athens, Texas, Lyndon and Meryl Bragdon of Columbus, Ohio, one brother; Oliver Perryman of Evansville, Indiana, three sisters; Phyllis Nichols and husband Ollie, Jenny Webb and Doris Kirk all of Providence, Kentucky.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 12-2:00 P.M. at the Leagueville Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd Tyler, Texas 75701.

Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Obituary: Rayburn B. Henderson

Funeral services for Rayburn B. Henderson, 80 of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens with Bro. Roy Benefield officiating. Interment will follow at Davis Cemetery in Athens.

Mr. Henderson passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 in Athens.

Rayburn Bankston Henderson was born Feb. 6, 1933 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, the son of James Thomas Henderson and Dorothy Taylor Henderson. He married Virginia Rushing in Columbus, Mississippi on May 14, 1955. He was a Baptist and attended Lake Athens Baptist Church. He was a member of the Painters Union # 53 and worked in construction, later owning and operating R.H. Painting and Construction. He could fix or build anything he wanted. Rayburn was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing and trapping anything he could. He was a family man, a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather and will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Mr. Henderson was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Preston Dee Henderson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Virginia Rushing Henderson of Athens; two daughters, Pamela Rae Anderson and husband Ed of Ector, Texas, Kimberly Faye Baker and husband Dillon of Kaufman, Texas; four sons, Marty Ray Henderson and wife Pam of Combine, Texas, Terry Glynn Henderson and wife Shelia of Athens, Texas, Gary Lynn Henderson and wife Tracey of Lucas, Texas, Thomas Franklin Henderson and wife Brenda of Kemp, Texas; three brothers, Billy Henderson and wife Winnie of Winfield, Alabama, James Turner Henderson and wife Lucille of Foreman, Arkansas, Robert Joseph Henderson and wife Janet of Broken Bow, Oklahoma; two sisters, Nell Henderson Graham of Fernbank, Alabama, Barbara Grisson and husband David of Athens, Texas; 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and his trusty dog Purdis.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Serving as pallbearers are Kasey Henderson, Kodey Henderson, Korey Henderson, Holden Henderson, Hunter Henderson, Seth Henderson, Brandon Henderson, Blake Henderson, Jake Evans and Dylan Evans.

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

You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com

Obituary: Harold Lloyd Wilbanks

wilbanksGraveside services for Harold Lloyd Wilbanks, 72 of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Carroll Springs Cemetery in Athens with Bro. Mike Drinkard and Scott Dishman officiating.

Mr. Wilbanks passed away on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 in Palestine, Texas.

Harold Lloyd Wilbanks was born May 18, 1941 in Anderson County, Texas, the son of O.C. Wilbanks and Gracie Pearl Ingram Wilbanks. He joined the Air Force in August 1962 and was honorably discharged in August of 1968 after a tour in Vietnam. He was a Life Member of the Athens VFW Post 7103 and the Disabled Veterans Chapter in Palenstine, Texas. Harold was a member of Bois D’ Arc Baptist Church and enjoyed competitive shooting for disabled veterans, leatherwork and a good game of dominoes, bingo or horseshoes. He was a loving father, brother and grandfather and will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William Jesse Wilbanks, Donnie Wilbanks, Clovis Wilbanks; and step-daughter, Susan Benton.

He is survived by his son, David Harold Wilbanks and wife Lisa of Rusk; daughter, Stephanie Strunk of Cobb, California; two sisters, Evalyn Roberts of Bradford, Texas, Linda Smith and husband William “Beri” of Palestine, Texas; two brothers, Paul Wilbanks of Athens, Danny Wilbanks and wife Myra of Athens; six grandchildren, Ashley, Jeremy, Christina, Tyler, Coby and Madison.

Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 4, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Serving as Pallbearers are Terry Willingham, Kevin Clary, Chad Glenn, Calvin Smith, Donald Roberts, Keith Wilbanks.

Honorary Pallbearers will be George Blailock, Jason Tatum, Jeremy Miller, Michael Davis, Chase Glenn, Colby Glenn.

In Lieu of flowers please send memorials to: Operation Christmas Child Fund of either:

Dogwood Church – 6467 FM 2494, Athens, TX 75751 – Phone: (903) 677-3185

Or Bois D’ Arc Baptist Church – 310 A.C.R. 445, Palestine, TX 75803 – Phone: (903) 549-2373

The family would like to give special thanks to Greenbrier Nursing staff and the Hospice of East Texas.

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

You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com.