Category: Obituaries

On Friday morning, September 1, 2017 an angel arrived to escort Christina “Chris” M. Belew Lippert to her heavenly home. She passed peacefully in her sleep after a valiant battle against cancer.

Chris was born on June 16, 1925 in Dallas County, Texas to Jessie Ernest Belew and Cleon Ward Belew.

Chris was proceeded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, her son Michael Lippert, and a daughter Rebecca Ann Lippert Darlin-Wilson.

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Memorial services for Shelia Hall, 64, of Athens are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2017 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home with Bro. Kurk Laney officiating and will be under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Ms. Hall passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in Tyler.

Shelia Ann Summerall Hall was born December 28, 1952 in Corsicana, Texas the daughter of J.F. Summerall and Anna Floriene Richards Summerall. She attended First Baptist Athens and enjoyed crafts of all kinds, including sewing and woodwork. Shelia loved sports; especially softball and bowling, where she was a member of the Women’s Bowling Association. Memaw had a great love for her children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed by all she knew.

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Graveside services for Kerry Mills, 64, of Athens are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, August 28, 2017 at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens with Pastor Jonathan Lilley officiating. Services are under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Mr. Mills passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in Athens.

Kerry Cornel Mills was born June 26, 1953 in Athens, Texas the son of Colonel “C.G.” Mills and Joyce Cook Mills. He Graduated Athens High School in 1972 and later joined the Navy in 1974. He served on the USS Enterprise and was Honorably Discharged in 1979 where he joined the United States Army National Guard and served until 1981. He received his diesel mechanic certification from Ryder Technical Institute and worked until retirement at the Goodyear Plant in Tyler. Kerry was an avid outdoorsman who loved riding four-wheelers, camping and hunting.

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Funeral Services for Joyce Baker, 74, of Malakoff are scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens with Chaplain Stacy Sanders officiating.

Mrs. Baker went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 17, 2017 in Tyler.

Velta Joyce Baker was born December 7, 1942 in Malakoff, Texas the daughter of Doc Evans Abbott and Bertha Leona Hollifield Abbott. She was valedictorian of her class at Malakoff High School where she also played basketball and volleyball.
Mrs. Baker was a longtime member and treasurer of the Parkview Missionary Church in Malakoff and served as the treasurer for many years. She worked at the Acme Brickyard for more than 20 years and she managed Athens Laundry and Cleaners for over 15 years. Joyce served as the president of the American Business Women’s Association in Malakoff. Mrs. Baker coached the Little Dibblers of Malakoff and loved sports; enjoyed watching the Texas Longhorns and Texas Rangers play. She enjoyed working in her flower beds, visiting First Monday Trade days and loved spending time with her grandkids. Nana was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be greatly missed by all she knew and loved.

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Mary Arnold Murray, 78, passed away August 13, 2017 in Athens. Mary was born June 6, 1939 in Ben Wheeler, Texas. Services are under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Mary attended TVCC and then on to Stephen F. Austin University where she received her bachelor’s degree. Mary taught elementary school for 22 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Nora Arnold, her brother, Harold Arnold, sisters, Shirley Coalson and Mabel Arnold.

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