Category: Obituaries

Martha Nell Franklin of Opelika went to be with her heavenly father on February 7, 2018 while surrounded by loved ones. Martha was born in Athens April 9, 1947 to Roy and Helen Featherston and was a lifelong resident of Henderson County.

On November 23, 1966 she married Emory “Totty” Franklin. They resided and raised their daughters in Murchison until retiring and moving to the Franklin homestead in Opelika.

Through her love and compassion for family and others, Martha spent many years as an LVN in the delivery room of Henderson County Memorial Hospital. Her nursing experience extended outside of the hospital as she unselfishly cared for loved ones and was heartbroken to have outlived many of them. Martha’s motherly role didn’t end with the deaths of her loved ones. She continued to be a mother figure to her nieces and nephews and their children, grandchildren.

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A wonderful father, grandfather, and friend entered into eternal rest on February 5, 2018. Jose Ochoa, age 83 of Trinidad, TX passed away in Athens.

Jose was born September 11, 1934 in Penitas, TX to Jose Ochoa and Beatrice Ramirez Ochoa.

At the age of 15 he started working at his Uncle’s restaurant “Gilbert’s El Charro Restaurant” in Tyler, TX. He had the opportunity to open his own restaurant in 1969. He moved his family to Payne Springs, where the first Ochoa’s Family Restaurant was established. Jose or “Poppa Joe” as known to the community moved the restaurant to Malakoff in 1973, where it still remains the favorite Mexican Restaurant in the area. All of his children worked in the restaurant as they were growing up. Ochoa’s now has three locations, Malakoff, Athens, and Canton.

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Hazel Denman of Dallas passed away on February 5, 2018 in Mesquite TX. She was born on September 28, 1919 to James M. Gray and Olivia Elizabeth Humphries Gray. Funeral Services will be At 11 a.m. Saturday at Autry’s Carroll-lehr Funeral home with burial to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, Athens.

Amanda “Mandy” Colleen Wilbanks passed away on February 1, 2018 in Fairfield, Texas. She was born in Dallas on July 22, 1974 to W.C. McWhorter and Anita Arnold McWhorter.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Bob and Lilian Arnold.

Mandy was a police officer for the cities of Tool and Kemp, Texas. She also worked for a time for Ivan Smith Furniture Store in Athens, where she gained many friends. Growing up, Mandy was an avid horse rider and she was a very creative and artistic person. Mandy will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

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Tommy Joe Rhodes passed away on February 4, 2018 in Tyler. He was born on March 6, 1940.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 59 years, Sylvia Rhodes. He is survived by a son Steve and wife Jenny Rhodes, and daughter Judy and husband Jack Thompson. He was also grandpa to Krystal Roberts, Joseph Rhodes, and Alicia Thompson and six great-grandchildren.
Tommy worked for the city of Dallas for 47 years and seven months. He was a member of the local Church of Christ in Athens. Tommy had a sense of humor that always kept those around him smiling as well as an uncommon patience. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 1-2 p.m. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. Graveside service to follow at Union Cemetery. Arrangements by Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.