Obituaries

Johnny Shoemake Sr.
Service for Johnny Linn Shoemake, Sr., 61, of Gun Barrel City, were held Feb. 11, 2012, at the Payne Springs Baptist Church.
Shoemake was born Dec. 13, 1950, to Margie and Robert Shoemake and died Feb. 6, 2012.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and great friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ricky Shoemake of Dallas, sister Sonseeahray Shoemake Mathis of Gun Barrel City and several other family members.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Brenda Gentry; daughters Latessa Shoemake Barr of Gun Barrel City, Latrina Shoemake Diggs and her husband, Johnny C. of Gun Barrel City; son Johnny Linn Shoemake, Jr., of Gun Barrel City; grandchildren Charlie and Britney Barr, Madison and Alexis Vest Shoemake and Cody Diggs; three sisters; two brothers; many other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ray Bennett
Services for Rev. Ray Earl Bennett, PhD, 75, were held Feb. 8, 2012, at the Greenvine Baptist Church, in Burton under the direction of Moorhead-Epps Funeral Home in Gun Barrel City.
Bennett was born June 27, 1936, in Corpus Christi, to Flora Beatrice and Earl Rayford Bennett and died Feb. 3, 2012, in Hillsboro, after a short illness.
Bennett received bachelor’s of arts, master’s of arts and PhD degrees from Baylor University and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
During his long career in the ministry, he served churches in Texas, California, and Hawaii. He also served as a professor of history at Howard Payne University of Brownwood.
Bennett also served as an adjunct professor of religion and history at Wayland Baptist University of Hawaii and Dallas Baptist University of Dallas.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Frances Jeane Havard Bennett; children Barton Ray Bennett of Houston, Belynda Kay Bennett of Giddings.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Glenda Lou Crowl and husband Ken of Tempe, Ariz., Wanda Sue Altom of Hillsboro, Nelda Ruth Burney and husband Jerry of Mabank;brother-in-law Harold W. Havard and his wife, Janice; sister-in-law Lois Havard Carey and husband Mike; many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
Pallbearers were Dr. Jon DeShaw, Matthew Barrera, Stephen Barrera, Brent White, Gary Bennett, and Jerry Burney. Honorary pallbearers were Kevin Bennett and Brandon Bennett.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greenvine Baptist Church for cemetery care and building repairs at 5010 FM Road 2502, Burton, TX 77835-5138.

Edna High
Services for Edna Ann High, 77, of Kemp, were held Feb. 10, 2012, at Tomlinson Funeral Home in Seven Points with Rev. Clark Weber officiating.
High was born Jan. 19, 1935, in New Haven, Ind., to Evelyn Ellison and Oscar Vanwald and died Feb. 3, 2012.
She worked 30 years at day care facilities and WhataBurger in Gun Barrel City.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Ronald L. High; sons Richard High and his wife, Sue, Daniel High and his wife, Gina; daughter Carrie Vandenbark and her husband, Carl; grandchildren Jeremy and Kristen High, Stacey and Kelly Vandenbark; great-grandson, Conner Griffen; great-granddaughter Kalleigh High; sister Dorothy Harris.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX, 75284-1125.

Arcilla Richards
Services for Arcilla Ruth “Nana” Richards, 55, of Peel Town, were held Feb. 9, 2012, at Moorhead-Epps Funeral Home in Gun Barrel City with Rev. Greg Richards officiating.
Richards was born Oct. 1, 1956, in Dallas, to Daphna Irene Cole and Richard Eugene Coffelt and died Feb. 3, 2012, at her home in Peel Town with her family at her side.
Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Jesse Richards; children Joshua Richards and wife Carrie, Amanda Vining, Misit Brewer, Sonia Martinez and husband Johnny, Jesse Eugene Richards III, Luke Vining and wife Cassie, Maranda Vining; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous other family members; her Life Church family and many friends.