Category: Obituaries

Funeral services for Wayne White, 79 of Athens, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Terry Thomison officiating. Burial will follow at Athens Cemetery.

Mr. White passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2013 in Tyler.

Jules Wayne White was born Dec. 19, 1933 in Marshall, Texas the son of Louis White and Johnnie Mae Sanders White. He was a simple, Christian man who enjoyed life. He loved doing yard work and spending time in the outdoors. He was a loving father, brother and grandfather. He was a giving soul, helping raise his grandchildren. He will be missed by all he knew and loved.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife Billie Jo White and his sister Melba Winkles.

He is survived by his two sons, Wayne White of Dallas, Morris White and wife Kelly of Athens; two brothers, Charles White and wife Sandy of Friendswood, Texas, “Doc” White and wife Janet of Plano, Texas; three grandchildren, Ashley White, Danielle Meaux, Lisa White and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, March 26, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

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

You may light a candle or write condolences to Mr. White’s family at: www.hannigansmith.com.

Mary Luta Thomas, 102, passed away from this life on March 21, 2013 in Malakoff. She was born on July 6, 1910 to Lee Humphrey and Mamie Haltom Humphrey near Nacogdoches.

Mary married Vernon Thomas on November 6, 1926. They were married 50 years before he went home to be with the Lord on March 14, 1977.

She is preceded in death by her husband Vernon, two sons Aubrey and Foster Thomas, parents Lee and Mamie Humphrey, and son-in-law Max Wayne Jordan.

She is survived by her daughter Eugenia Jordan and her son Bobby and wife Betty Thomas. Also surviving is nine grandchildren, numeous great-grandchildren, and great- great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home chapel. Service will start at 2:00 in the chapel with Bro. Casey Perry officiating.

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

Funeral services for Bernice L. Ross, 83, of Athens are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013  at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens, Texas with burial following at Willow Springs Cemetery near Athens.

Ms. Ross went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in Athens.

Bernice Louise Heitz Ross was born July 27, 1929 in Sheldon, Mo., the daughter of Ted Heitz and Winnie Mae Hieronymus Heitz. She was a member of the Willow Springs Baptist Church in Athens. She loved sewing, quilting and reading. She worked countless hours on genealogy loving the history her family has been through. “Nini” was a loving mother, sister and grandmother and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ronald Dalton Ross; her son-in-law James Leslie; and a brother Charles Heitz.

Bernice is survived by her children, Jeanne Leslie of New Boston, Texas, Wayne McGrath and wife Carol of Ft. Worth, Texas, Ronald Ross and wife Diane of Athens; four brothers, Edward, Lester, Bob, Paul Heitz; two sisters, Marilyn Malcom, Janice Preston; seven grandchildren, Shane Morgan, Ryan Leslie, Jason Leslie, Alesha Leslie, Amanda Meiners, Jeremy Blackmon, Elizabeth Cook, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held Friday, March 22, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens, Texas.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Cook Family.

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

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

Graveside services for Lois M. Crutchfield, 77, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Owen Cemetery in Athens with Chaplain Susan Detweiler officiating.

Ms. Crutchfield went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 18, 2013 in Athens.

Lois Mildred Pearce Crutchfield was born May 18, 1935 in Kennard, Texas the daughter of Jim Pearce and Fannie Adell Bairfield Pearce. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Athens and was a true matriarch of her family. She worked until her retirement at Curtis Mathis in Athens. “Shorty Avers,” as her father called her, was a feisty woman who loved her family. She also truly loved her longtime companion, a Chihuahua named Angel. Granny was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, she will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Elvin “Biggon” Crutchfield; two sons, Clifford McKinnon, Jimmy McKinnon; and two sisters, Willa Mae Pearce and Gladys Pearce.

Lois is survived by her five children, Evelyn McKinnon of Athens, Elizabeth Faye Crutchfield of Athens, Gloria Jean Irvin and husband Danny of Athens, Loretta Crutchfield of LaRue, Allen McKinnon of Malakoff; one brother, Tommy Pearce and wife Lois of Dibbles, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; Elkon Crutchfield, Dakota Crutchfield, LaChance Crutchfield, Ashley McKinnon, Ray McKinnon, Angela McKinnon, Marilyn Crutchfield, Eva Crutchfield, Shayvonne DeLois Johnson and numerous great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held prior to the graveside services from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23, at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Pallbearers will be Gene Julian, Tommy Chitty, Daniel Irvin , Joe Irvin, Danny Irvin, Ronnie Burden, Deke Crutchfield and Tracey Baggett.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

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

Jeanne Self, 80, passed away and entered into the presence of her heavenly father on March 20, 2103.
Jeanne was born on Oct. 3, 1932 in Dallas to William F. and Pearl T. Hilderbrand Broyles.

She married Bill Self on June 16, 1973. She and Bill loved to travel. They were a part of the Volunteer Christian Builders and traveled with them for many years serving the Lord. They were faithful members of First Baptist Church, Malakoff.

Jeanne is survived by her husband, Bill Self; son Phillip Gentry; step-son Mitchell Self; sisters, Alma Euler, Helen Ragsdale, Francis Bass, Bill Broyles; sisters-in-law Mattie Broyles, Blanche Broyles and Earlene Self; grandchildren, Curtis Gentry, Shannon Lane, Stephanie Giesecke; and six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents William and Pearl Broyles; brothers, Maurice Broyles, Sydney Broyles, Cecil Broyles, Alton Broyles; brothers-in-law, Houston Ragsdale, and Jim Bass; step-son Michael Self; and grandchild Amber Ray.

Visitation for Mrs. Self will be Friday, March 22, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Malakoff, located on 200 West Mitcham Street. Service will be Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Bro. Casey Perry officiating. Interment will be at the Malakoff Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Curtis Gentry, Mitchell Self, Jim Gilfillan, Reagan Rogers, Travis Robertson, and Jim Day.