Obituaries-Henderson County Now

Obituary: Nelda Louise Donehoo Crecelius

Graveside services for Nelda Louise Donehoo Crecelius, 69, of Malakoff are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at The Athens Cemetery with Larry Fondren officiating.

Mrs. Crecelius went to be with her precious Lord and savior on Saturday, March 9, 2013 in Tyler.

Nelda was born May 13, 1943 in Athens, the daughter of Horase Donehoo and Zepher Skaggs Donehoo. She lived in this area all of her life and married Tim R. Crecelius on July 10, 1965. Mrs. Crecelius was a devoted member of the Living for the Brand Cowboy Church in Athens. Nelda retired from Henderson County Tax Office. She loved to cook, read, and travel to the Hill Country in the spring and to the Ozarks in the fall. Nelda was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all she knew and loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Nelda is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Tim R. Crecelius of Malakoff; two sons, Kelly Crecelius of Burleson, Texas, Kelvin Crecelius and wife Leah of Athens; one brother, Glenn Donehoo of Wink, Texas; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Obituary: Alma Elmire Creswell

Funeral services for Alma Elmira Creswell, 84, of DeSoto formerly of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel with Rev. Johnny Morgan officiating.

Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Athens.

Mrs. Creswell was born Aug. 15, 1928 in Kilgore, to the late Buddy D and Maggie Viola Wilbanks Walker.

Alma was a homemaker, and a very loving mother, grandmother, and aunt. She loved cooking and socializing.

She is preceded in death by husband AB Creswell; daughters Judy and Sandy; five sisters and one brother.

Survivors include sons, Ricky Vaughn and Cathey, Billy Vaughn, Randy Vaughn; sister, Kitty Irene Creswell; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful friends.

Pallbearers will be Glenn Speake, Brad Lindsey, Joe Lee Holt, Mike Rutledge, Scottie Vaughn, Christopher Irwin and Ronnie Thomas.

Alma’s additional grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Obituary: Bessie Lois McGee

Graveside services and interment for Bessie Lois McGee, 86, Athens have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Goodgame Cemetery with Pastor Denny Sanderson officiating.

Mrs. McGee died March 9, 2013 in Athens.

She was born Oct. 11, 1926 in Columbia, Miss. to the late Samuel Franklin and Ida Joyce Ward Height. Bessie was a long time resident of Athens and a member of Livingstone Fellowship Church. She loved to cook and go fishing, She was a very loving mother who devoted her time supporting and participating in every aspect of her children’s lives. She was an avid Dallas Cowboy and LSU tiger fan , and had a passionate love for pets.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wiley McGee, in 1976 and a grandson, Wiley Darnell LeBleu, in 1999.

Survivors include sons, James R. McGee, Chandler, Joseph D. McGee, Malakoff, Waymond D. McGee and his wife Christine, Moore, Okla.; daughters, Tammy Renna’ McGee, Athens, Sherry Shepherd, Athens; grandchildren, Anthony LeBleu, Jennings, La., Levi LeBleu, Athens, Benjamin LeBleu, Beaumont, William LeBleu, Athens; three great-grandchildren, special friends that have become part of the family, Sue Ann Roquemore, Nieves Rodriquez and Shirley Burns all of Athens; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Byers, Darrell McGee, J.T. Trammell. Terry McGee, John Gahagan and James Pepper.

Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

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

Obituary: Naomi ‘Nana’ Harton Henning Cogdell

Naomi “Nana” Harton Henning Cogdell went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ March 7, 2013.

She was born May 28, 1919 in Anderson County to the late Clinton Walker and Ethel Gertrude Wright Harton. In 1936, Naomi married Willard D. Henning. They lived in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. When Willard passed away in 1959 Naomi moved with her daughter, Ethelene, back to Athens. Naomi went to beauty school and became a hair dresser. In 1967 Naomi married Bill “Papa” Cogdell. They were married until his death in 2008. Naomi and Bill were active members of First Baptist Church. They won yard of the month two times.

Naomi and Bill had a strong sense of community. If there was a need from a neighbor or friend, she wouldn’t just bring a dish, but prepare the whole meal. Nana and Papa had a special spot in their hearts for their lovely great-granddaughter, Courtnie Lynn, always preparing her favorite holiday food, Chop Suey.

Mrs. Cogdell is preceded in death by her two husbands Willard Henning and Bill Cogdell; sisters, Captola Turlington and husband Jerome and Dorothy Marie Harton.

Survivors include daughter, Ethelene Herrington, Plano; grandchildren Rob Herrington and wife Krystal, Plano, Rhonda Herrington, Grand Island, Nebraska; and very special great-granddaughter, Courtnie Lynn Herrington, Athens; brother, C. W. Harton and wife Lora, Cross Roads; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2013 at Cross Roads Baptist Church.

Burial will follow in Athens Cemetery.

If desired, memorials may be made to Henderson County Food Pantry, P O Box 2062, Athens, Texas 75751.

Obituary: Brenda Hogan Boyd

Services for Brenda Hogan Boyd, 62, of Athens are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday in Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Gerald Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Shelby Chapel Cemetery.

Mrs. Boyd died March 7, 2013 in Athens.

She was born Feb. 3, 1951 in Merkel to the late Amos Jackson and Ella Ray Walter. After receiving her high school accredidation, Brenda earned a degree as a Registered Nurse from Trinity Valley Community College. She served as a nurse at University of Texas Medical Branch in Palestine and was a nurse manager for Austin State School. Brenda had been a resident of Athens 20 years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers David Morris, Stanley Morris; sisters Rosie Chase, Joyce Boan, Jean Holte.

Survivors include husband of five years James Alan Boyd, Athens; son Scott Harbuck and wife Tamey, Raeford, North Carolina; brothers Larry Morris, Trent, Clifton Morris; sister Anna Mae Bren.

Visitation for family and friends will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com.