Category: Obituaries

Tommy Gerald Smith of Athens, Texas, devoted husband, father, and grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ October 3, 2014 after a lengthy illness.

Born on September 25, 1932 in Mountainair, New Mexico, Tommy met Katie Homer, his soul mate of 63 years while in school in Cortez, Colorado. They were married on June 15, 1951. Tommy was in the building and lumber business in Midland, Texas until 1967 when he founded Smith Lumber Company and his home building business in Seven Points on Cedar Creek Lake. He relocated his businesses to Athens, Texas in 1969.

Tommy felt it was important to find ways to give back to the community that had supported him and his family over the years. He served as Mayor of Athens for eight years from 1975 to 1983 and subsequently held the office of Henderson County Judge for 11 years from 1990 to 2001. His leadership in business as well as in public office was characterized by integrity and the desire to honor the faith the people he served had placed in him. Tommy was well known for his sense of humor and the pleasure he found in playing practical jokes on friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hayden and Opal Smith and brother Bobby Smith. Continue reading “Obituary: Tommy Smith”

Funeral services for Leisa Harris, 48, of Murchison are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brownsboro with Bro Danny Sandifer and Bro. Danny Cotton officiating.

Ms. Harris went to be with the Lord on Sept. 29, 2014 in Athens, Texas.

Leisa Dean Starkes Harris was born Jan. 16, 1966 in Athens, Texas the daughter of James Starkes and Mary Lou Walker Starkes. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Brownsboro and loved singing and music. She enjoyed flowers and being pampered. Her most special time was spent with her children, grandchildren and her dog Tinkerbelle. She was a loving, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister and will be missed by many family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Lou Starkes, a brother Ricky Lynn Harris, and two grandchildren, Dawson Chandler Teer and Remington Williams.

She is survived by her loving children, Christy Templin, Meagan Templin, Ricky Harris all of Murchison, Amber Lewis of Pampa, Texas; one brother Johnny Vaughn of Lufkin and two grandchildren, Hunter Williams and Joshua Templin.

Visitation will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brownsboro from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Continue reading “Obituary: Leisa Harris”

Funeral Services for Donald Toney, 65, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens with Bro. Curtis Chandler and Bro. Jeff Godwin officiating. Interment will follow at Zion Hill Cemetery near the Walton Community.

Mr. Toney passed away on Sept. 30, 2014 in Athens, Texas.

Donald Wayne Toney was born August 1, 1949 in Magnolia, Arkansas the son of Hilton C. Toney and Ruby Jewel Eubanks Toney. He joined the Army in June of 1969 and served in the Vietnam War, earning many service awards including the Bronze Star Medal. He later worked for Century Link Telecommunication Company and retired after 42 faithful years of service. Donald was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be missed very much.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, H.C. and Mable Reed and Clifford Eubanks, his mother Ruby Schmidt, his birth mother Edith Janell Wiley, his father Hilton Toney and his grandson Joseph “JoJo” Huff. Continue reading “Obituary: Donald Toney”

Graveside services for Virginia Dare Rhodes Davis, 85, Athens have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Athens Cemetery with Lavelle Layfield and Rev. Paul Duckett officiating.

Mrs. Davis died Sunday Sept. 28, 2014 in Athens.

She was born Nov. 1, 1928 in Anderson County, Texas to the late Hermon Reba and Maggie Grace Maguire Rhodes. Virginia had been a resident of Athens for 69 years. Virginia worked at Athens Furniture for 17 years and was a member of First Baptist Church in Athens. She loved the outdoors doing all kinds of things. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, her biggest joy was her family and she always put them first.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years Billy Davis, Athens, son and daughter-in-law; Barton Davis and wife Kathryn, Athens; daughter, Cynthia Dare Williams, Athens; grandchildren; Eric Davis, Athens, Heather Davis, Athens, Maggie Grace Williams, Russellville, Arkansas, Luke Williams, Athens, great grandchildren, Hali, Hannah and Heidi Davis all of Athens, brother, Charles Hermon Rhodes, Frankston, sisters, Dell Lott, LaRue, Bobbie Bristow, Brownsboro, Elouise Moore, Athens, numerous nieces and nephews. Continue reading “Obituary: Virginia Dare Rhodes Davis”

Graveside Services for Elsie Darden, 92, of Athens are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 at the Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.

Ms. Darden went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 25, 2014 in Athens, Texas.

Elsie Ophelia Brooks Darden was born Aug. 15, 1922 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma the daughter of John C. Brooks and Emily Hearne Brooks. She was a faithful member of the Landmark Baptist Church in Athens. She was a loving, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving Husband Horton M. Darden; two sons, James K. Darden, Alfred M. “Butch” Darden; sisters, Cathleen C. York, Louise Standridge, Virgie Brooks, Vera Simpson and her brothers, John Brooks and Thomas Brooks.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Bonnie Graham and husband Paul of Chandler; two sisters, Dorothy Collins of Harlingen, Hattie Reavis of Porterville, California; three grandchildren, Vickie Coody and husband Devin, Cheryl Belson, James Darden and five great grandchildren, Michelle Rist, Tricia Belson, Amy Belson, Skylar Darden and Aspen Darden. Continue reading “Obituary: Elsie Darden”