Obituary: Donald L. Ellis

Donald L. Ellis of Athens passed away on Feb. 18, 2013 in Athens at the age of 75.

Donald was born on May 6, 1937 in Lyman, Iowa to Claude and Gail L. Hoyt Ellis. He was employed at Cross Roads Independent School District for 13 years.

He is survived by his companion, Carolyn Kuhn; sons, Eugene and wife Sharon Ellis of Murchison, Ronald and wife Lisa of Murchison, David and wife Betty Ellis of Groesbeck, Richard and wife Judy Ellis of McKinney, Mark and wife Jessie Ellis of Cross Roads; sister, Donna Blackwell; brother, Davis Ellis; 18 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laura Richards Ellis; brother, Dennis Ellis; grandson, Mickie Lee Ellis; and granddaughter, Lori Mae Ellis.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from noon to 2 p.m. at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home, Malakoff.

Service will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home with Bro. Frank Upchurch officiating. Graveside service will be Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at Post Oak Cemetery with Bro. Frank Upchurch officiating.

Online condolences can be made at www.tomlinsonfuneral.com.

Obituary: Martha Louise Graham

Martha Louise Graham
Martha Louise Graham

Martha Louise Graham was born the daughter of Paul Etheridge and Doris Suber Fountain on Jan. 30, 1945 in Houston. She married her husband, John Graham, on June 8, 1963 in Pittsburg, Texas. She later went on to become an R.N. serving 32 years with East Texas Medical Center in Athens as an Infection Control Nurse. Louise was a member of the Dogwood Church and was a dedicated servant of the Lord. She loved children and spent many hours teaching in the Children’s Ministry and with AWANA. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and of A.P.I.C. (American Professionals of Infection Control). Louise loved spending time with all of her family, but she had a very special place in her heart for her grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and Mimi and will be greatly missed by all she touched.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Fountain.

Mrs. Graham is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Graham of Athens; her mother, Doris Fountain of Pittsburg; her two sons, Jim and wife Karen Graham of Watkinsville, Ga., Don and wife Ricki Graham of Forney; one brother, Richard and wife Darlene Fountain of Mt. Pleasant; Sue Hart of Coyle, Okla. and four grandchildren, Justin, Taylor, Cameron and Reese Graham

In lieu of flowers the family would like for donations to be made to one of the following charities: The Dogwood Church Children’s Fund, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Obituary: Bill Bell

150x222-Bill_Bell
Bill Bell

Funeral services for Bill Bell of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 at the Sand Springs Baptist Church in Athens with Pastor Eric Graham officiating.

Mr. Bell passed away in Palestine, Texas on Feb. 15, 2013.

Billy Jack Bell was born the son of Harry and Cornelia Pearce Bell on Oct. 16, 1929 in Athens. He was a member of the Sand Springs Baptist Church and was a man with a strong work ethic and lived his life farming and working cattle. He enjoyed reading and spending time with his family. He was a loving father, brother and great grandfather and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Betty Jean Sipkins Bell and his parents.

Bill leaves behind two daughters, Sheryl Bonner of Allen, Texas, Lisa Garza of Athens; two sons, Scott and wife Julie Bell of Palestine and Wes and wife Adria of McKinney; two sisters, Dorothy and husband Kenneth Hensley of Mabank, Ann Costello of Forney; one brother, Tom Bell of Chandler; eight grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family would like for donations to be made to: Sand Springs Baptist Church, 1212 FM 1616, Athens, TX 75751.

Obituary: Travis Lee Perkins

Travis Lee Perkins of Flower Mound, Texas passed away on Feb. 13, 2013 at the age of 89.

Travis was born on Feb. 27, 1923 to Lem and Mary Essie Perkins in Baxter, Texas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Cheno Genivie Perkins; daughters, Sharon Genivie Beard, Brenda Joy Wells and Deborah Janice Perkins; son, Travis Duane Perkins; grandchildren, Sonja Brune Herrera, Sheree Brune, Clinton Williams, Bretton Hopkins, Bart Macmanus, Travis Macmanus, Sabrina Macmanus; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Lem Treman Perkins and sisters Mary Lou Tapley, Evelyn Dubberly, and Odie Vee Hickman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Veltus Perkins.

Visitation will be held on Feb. 19, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. at Huckabee/Tomlinson funeral home in Malakoff. Service will be held on Feb. 20, 2013 at 11 a.m. at First Assembly of God in Malakoff with the Rev. Tommy Hayes officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Wounded Warriors, Fisher House, or any charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be made at www.tomlinsonfuneral.com.

Obituary: Ina Lou Stephens

Ina Lou Stephens
Ina Lou Stephens

Services for Ina Lou Stephens, 87, of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday Feb. 17, 2013 at County Line Baptist Church of Athens, with Bro. Mark Parkerson officiating, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home, Canton.

Burial will be in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Athens.

She passed away Feb. 14, 2013 in Athens.

Mrs. Stephens was born Nov. 9, 1925 in Athens to R. L. and Luvester Loller Parrott.

She was a member of the County Line Baptist Church of Athens. She was married to Luther Stephens for 52 years before his passing in 1998. She loved baking brownies for her great-grandkids. She loved reading, her church and gospel music. She also enjoyed traveling and having her family around her.

Surviving are daughter, Shirley and Glenn Wallick of Amarillo; daughter, Marylin and Tom Elwood of Naples, Fla.; daughter, Cathie and Dan Godwin of Athens; sister, Colleen Parrott of Athens; five grandchildren, Kevin Wuest, Jeff Wallick, Scott Wallick, Leah Rayburn, Stacy Mills; five great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Ina Lou was preceded in death by her parents; husband Luther Stephens; daughter Glenda Aldridge; brother Buford Parrott; brother John Louis Parrott.

Family will receive friends Saturday 6-8 p.m. at the Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens.