Month: August 2013

Memorial services for Bill Oliver, 71 of Mabank are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Athens with Pastor Mike Dean officiating.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Bill received his perfect healing on Aug. 21, 2013 in Mabank.

William Burnett Oliver was born Sept. 21, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Okla. the son of John William Oliver and Ruth Johnson Oliver.

Bill was a faithful husband to Elizabeth for exactly 52 years and 11 months. Elizabeth honored her marriage vows to love one another til death do we part, as she held his hand as he was ushered into heaven.

Bill loved his family and looked forward to every ball game, dance recital and school function that he and Elizabeth could attend for their grandchildren, great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews that he loved so much. He was a husband, father, PaPa Billy, Uncle Bill, Mister Bill and loyal friend to many. He was blessed with family and friends.

Bill was passionate about serving the Lord by serving others. He was a deacon and a constant fixture at Fellowship Baptist Church where you might find him mowing, fixing something or lending a helping hand. He especially loved the children he worked with in AWANA’s.

Bill was an avid sportsman and competitor, a legacy he passed down to his family.

Bill loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and strived to live a life that would point others to Christ.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Elizabeth Oliver of the home; two daughters, Tammy Kesterson and husband Terry of Grapevine, Texas, Julie Sanford and husband Kelly of Wills Point, Texas; one son, Tim Oliver and wife Pydi of Lindale, Texas; one sister Sandra Winans of Tahlequah, Okla.; eight grandchildren, Aimee Kesterson, Taryn Kesterson, Hunter Sanford, Jarred Sanford, Jacob Sanford, John and wife Kathryn Oliver, Randall Oliver, Colt Oliver; great-granddaughter Lauryn Songer and numerous brothers and sisters in law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m.  Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Athens,.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be John Trent, Tom Denton, Ronnie Raines, the deacons at Fellowship Baptist Church Continue reading “Obituary: William ‘Bill’ Oliver”

Mary Louise Burks Jackson was born on June 5, 1930, in Corsicana to Sarah Thelma Curry and James Louis Burks. She was their only child.

During her childhood, the family lived in several towns, including Roane and Corsicana. When Mary was 12 years old, they settled in Mankin, and she began attending school in Malakoff. She graduated from MHS in 1947 and began attending Texas Women’s University in Denton. In 1950, she married Walter Louis Jackson. For the next 20-plus years, she was a full-time wife and mother to their four children. In her 40s, Mary decided to complete the education that had been interrupted when she married. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Texas Eastern University (now UT Tyler) in 1977 in the same month that her first grandchild was born. Mary taught at Malakoff Elementary School for all 25 years of her career. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, she ascended to heaven on Aug. 26, 2013. Mary was a devout Christian and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Athens. Continue reading “Obituary: Mary Louise Burks Jackson”

Billy was born on June 30, 1940 in Sulphur Springs, Texas to parents Doris Fay Covington and Joseph Wally Kimbrell and entered into eternal rest on Aug. 24, 2013 at the age of 73.

Billy was known as “Boo” by his siblings and “PePaw” by his grandchildren. Billy loved his sons, grandchildren and his deer lease. He loved hunting, watching John Wayne movies and square dancing. Billy enjoyed cooking and loved entering chili cook offs. He worked in the construction business for over 50 years. Billy was Baptist by faith and a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church in Tool, Texas, where he kept the grounds. He was a caring man, who will be missed by all whom knew him.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents; brothers J.W. Kimbrell, Guy B. Kimbrell and Bobby Kimbrell.

He is survived by his wife Jeannie Bane of Payne Springs; sons Bruce Kimbrell of Nacogdoches, Brad Kimbrell of Trinidad, Brian Kimbrell of Jacksonville, Brent Kimbrell of Mabank; stepsons Joe Bane and wife Misty of Payne Springs, John Bane of Payne Springs; grandchildren Brandy Kimbrell, Gavin Kimbrell, Raylee Kimbrell, Tommi Jo Bane, Taylor Russell; one great-great grandchild on the way; sisters Peggy Tipping, Becky Pace, Sandra DeFord, other loving family members and many more friends.

Graveside service was 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013 at Posey Cemetery in Sulphur Springs, Texas.