Category: Obituaries

Darel Wayne Terry age 69 of Athens, Texas passed away on June 2, 2018. He was born on September 7, 1948 in San Saba, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Darel Thomas Terry; his aunt, Jean Westerman. Darel graduated from Tarleton State in 1971 and went on to start the first Ag program in Trinidad. He touched a lot of lives as he taught them countless life lessons. After working for Trinidad ISD for many years, Darel worked for Texas Power and Light in Trinidad and then would go on and work for Big Brown in Fairfield where he retired from. Darel did a lot of things in his life and built many strong relationships, but the strongest bond he shared was with his family. His loving wife, of 50 years, Betty Terry whom he cared for and truly was devoted to the vows that he said to her 50 years ago, his daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Jody, and the light of his life, Case Wayne. Little Case idolized his “Papa” and will greatly miss him.

Continue reading “Obituary: Darel Wayne Terry”

Funeral services for Hazel M. (Ricks) Webb, 75, have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2018 at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens with Donnie Ricks officiating.

Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park, Athens.

Mrs. Webb passed away May 30, 2018 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born October 2, 1942 in Palestine, Texas to the late Horace Henry and Allie May Bowman Ricks. Hazel was Valedictorian from Maydelle High School in 1960 and a graduate of Henderson County Junior College in 1971 and Texas Eastern University in 1979. She was a longtime resident of Athens and a member of Landmark Baptist Church where she served as treasurer. She retired as an officer from First National Bank in Athens. She loved to be outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Continue reading “Obituary: Hazel M. (Ricks) Webb”

Margie Claudine Chastain fought a long hard game and won the grand prize of going to meet her Lord and Savior on May 31st, 2018 at the age of 87. Her prizes included a lasting journey to “Heaven”, she will be reunited with her father and mother W.F. Green and Maude, her first and only love Lynn Chastain, sister Jody Meeker, son Donnie Chastain, and great-grandchild Jayce McGee. She left behind still playing the game to the fullest, her daughter Sandy Cobb, son-in-law Charles “Bud” Cobb, her beloved Sister Joyce Watson Jezek and husband Jim Jezek; grandchildren: Claudia Jo Rebel, Christina Sample, Nicole McGee, Garry McGee, Tori McGraw, and Lucas Cobb; and multiple great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Continue reading “Obituary: Margie Claudine Chastain”

Funeral services for Thurman Powell, 94, Athens have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday June 2, 2018 at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home with Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating.

Private family burial will be held at a later date at Athens Cemetery.

Thurman was born November 21, 1923 in the Unity Community near Murchison to the late Albert Franklin and Lola Cranford Powell. He was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and lifelong Baptist by faith. He attended school in the Unity Community and finishing in Athens. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the III Infantry Division and was awarded several medals including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Medal. In his early years, Thurman was owner and operator of the Texaco station in Murchison. He moved to Athens in 1957 and started his 50-year career in automobile sales at Kinabrew – McGuffy Chevrolet. In those years Thurman had tenures at Eaton Motor Company, Bill Neal Ford Mercury and finally retired with Elliott Chevrolet. He then became a local historian and greeter at Benson’s Eats and Treats.

Continue reading “Obituary: Thurman Powell”

Dita Bell Thomas age 90, of Athens, passed away to her heavenly home on May 29, 2018 in Tyler. She was born on July 29, 1927, to Richard Wade and Dita Mae Coons Cowan in Alexander, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon Lee Thomas.

Dita was a loving and dedicated wife to her sweetheart of 69 years, before his homegoing in 2015. While Gordon worked for Shell Company for many years, she stood by his side and went with him wherever his company took him, supporting and encouraging him. Being the oldest of 8 children while growing up, she learned to be hard worker while caring for her brothers and sisters. Dita was known for her love for her family and for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She served Him all her days. She was always very active in her church home where she sang in the choir. Her family remembers her as truly a Virtuous woman.

Continue reading “Obituary: Dita Bell Thomas”