Obituaries

Ray Batson
Garveside services for Ray Batson, 68, will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, March 5, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank, under the direction of Harper-Talasek Funeral Home.
Batson was born Dec. 15, 1943 in Crane to Minnie Mae Branam, and R.R. “Dick” Batson. He died Feb. 29, 2012, after a long struggle with colon cancer.
He is preceded in death by his father, a brother, Robert Batson, and his son, Marcus Batson.
He served 50 years as a music minister and youth minister in various churches across Texas including Farmers Branch, Howe, Corsicana, Malakoff, Mabank, Memphis and Academy. Many youth came to know the Lord under his ministry. He was loved and respected.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Temple, daughter Karen Turnbo of Grants, N.M., son James Batson of Temple, five grandchildren, his mother Minnie Mae Batson of Burnet, sister Connie Osborne of Burnet, brother Don Batson of Grand Prairie, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service were set for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at First Baptist Church Academy.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to Hope for Hurting Hearts, P.O. Box 1245, Pittsburg, TX 75686.

Carroll Jones
Services for Carroll “C H” Jones, 84, of Log Cabin, were held March 3, 2012, at Caney Creek Baptist Church, in Log Cabin with Bro. Allen Hobgood officiating under the direction of Tomlinson Funeral Home, in Malakoff. Interment followed at Payne Cemetery, in Eustace.
Jones was born Aug. 28, 1927, in Collins Worth County to Viola Lookadoo and Rufus Darby Jones and died Feb. 28, 2012 in Athens.
He was a truck driver for Merchants Freight and drove a school bus for Malakoff and Wellington ISDs.
He also served in the United States Army as a para-trooper.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margie Jones, brothers Lloyd and Boyd Jones, and sisters Nell Charlton and Beatrice Hamby.
Survivors include his sons, Claude Jones and wife Connie, Jacky Jones and wife Cathy; grandchildren Crystal, Monty, Brandon, and Michael Jones, Sarah Netek, Ryan and Randy Allen, April McAllister and Johnny Simpson; and10 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Douglas Caison, Monty, Brandon and Michael Jones, Randy and Ryan Allen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be posted online at www.tomlinsonfuneral.com.

June Pitchford
Services for June Pelham Pitchford, 81, of Gun Barrel City, were held March 3, 2012, at First United Methodist Church of Payne Springs with Rev. Jim Atkins officiating.
Pitchford was born June 14, 1930, in Corsicana, to Lena Roberts and Vibert Pelham and died Feb. 28, 2012.
She worked at Southwestern Bell for 35 years and enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Harold Pitchford.
Survivors include her brother, James Pelham and wife Gladys of Bedford; nephew Larry Pelham of Grand Prairie; nieces Lana Pelham of Grand Prairie and Reba Lynn Dupler and husband Roger of Hurst; her cat Patty; numerous other family members and a host of friends.
A personal tribute may be posted online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com.