Category: Obituaries

Obituary: Evelyn Lucy Hughes Stevens

Funeral services for Evelyn Lucy Hughes Stevens 86, Athens have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jason Smith and Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Evelyn was born on May 31, 1931 in Roseland, Louisiana to the late Johnnie Elmer and Floy Brumfield Hughes and went to be with the Lord on Nov. 23, 2017, in Athens. She was the oldest of seven children and after their mother passed away she helped her father care for her siblings, Wanda, Frances, Alton, Isabelle and Wilton. In 1958, she left Roseland and moved to Baton Rouge to work as a telephone operator for South Western Bell. It was in Baton Rouge that she met Jasper Jones (Steve) Stevens at the Half-Past Niners Sunday School Class. They were married on April 9, 1960, and were together until Steve’s death in June 2015.

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Obituary: Bruce Morris

A celebration of the life of Bruce Morris, 72, of Athens will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Athens First United Methodist Church with Rev Jason Smith and Bro. Grady Manning officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Crandall Cemetery.

Bruce Roy Morris died at home Saturday, November 25, 2017, after a very short battle with cancer.

Bruce graduated from Crandall High School, Crandall, Texas. He attended Henderson County Junior College (TVCC) and earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in Agriculture Education from East Texas State University (Texas A&M Commerce). He was married to Donna Stover Morris on July 11, 1969 in Monticello, Florida.

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Obituary: James ‘Big Dawg’ McKee

Funeral services for James “Big Dawg” McKee, 67, of Athens are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens with Bro. Tony Romans officiating.

James passed away November 16, 2017, in Athens, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

James William McKee was born September 14, 1950 the son of William James McKee and Jane Brooks McKee. He was known as a hard-working man and the giver of the biggest hug you’d ever receive. He owned and operated Jim’s Tires in Athens for many years before his retirement, as well as laying flooring all over the county. He was a huge sports fan who played fantasy football, was in a bowling league with his brother Kevin and his sister Janet. One of his greatest joys was being out at Country Oaks golf course surrounded by his buddies. Papa enjoyed spending time with his family; cooking out and watching sports. He especially enjoyed watching Paiton’s soccer games and he was certainly her greatest and loudest fan. He was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather and brother who will be greatly missed by all he knew.

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Obituary: Donnie Elaine Gimlin Gwaltney

Donnie Elaine Gimlin Gwaltney was born October 14, 1936, in Doniphan, Missouri to Vera Clauise King Gimlin and Ivan Amos Gimlin and went to be with the Lord November 14, 2017, in Athens, Texas.

When she was in elementary school, the family moved to Sikeston, Missouri where she grew up and graduated from high school. It was there that she met Charles Franklin Gwaltney, Jr. They married April 6, 1957, and began a lifelong ministry and loving marriage. Donnie served alongside Charles in Southern Baptist churches in Kennett, Missouri, Jonesboro, Arkansas, San Antonio, Texas, Athens, Texas, Albany, Georgia, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, back to San Antonio and then back to Athens in 1996 to retire on Lake Athens. She enjoyed serving at the Food Pantry, FBC homebound ministry, Meals of Kindness, Literary Guild, and FBC Clothing ministry. She served in children’s ministry, music ministry, cradle roll, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir. She had many gifts and passions. A faithful, supportive wife for 42 years, she loved Charles more the day he died than the day she married him. Donnie and Charles raised 3 children, Jennifer, Julie and Peter with a true and real love for the Lord. They welcomed and loved as their own, in-laws, John Margeson, Chuck Byrd, and Ginny Sills. My Donnie to 12 grandchildren and 9 ¾ great-grandchildren, she prayed for, loved and adored them all. Her greatest gift was her love for Jesus, her spirit of joy, enthusiasm for life, confidence in her faith, and hugs. It was hard to pass by her without getting a hug. Her smile shined brilliantly with the love of Christ. She prepared her family and her friends for her home going with anticipation and joy. She made her home at Arabella of Athens Assisted Living for the last 3 years where she found a ministry and called it her happy place.

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