Obituaries

Mary Doss
Services for Mary Alice Doss, 86, Kemp, will be held March 24, 2011 (today), at the Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home in Kemp with the Revs. Dub Henry and Russell Bryan officiating. Interment will follow at the Kemp Cemetery.
Doss was born Sept. 20, 1924, in Keechi to Rebecca and Tom Danford and died March 21, 2011.
Upon completion of a degree in education, she met and married Raymond Doss of Kemp.
The couple settled down and made their home in Kemp. They were married more than 50 years until Raymond’s death in 1999.
She became a beloved teacher in the Kemp Independent School District, where she taught for most of her professional career. She greatly impacted the lives of many of her students.
Doss was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Kemp, a member of the El Progresso Book Club and an avid domino player.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Survivors include son Danford Doss and wife Maureen; grandson Michael Danford Doss and wife Megan; granddaughter Kaydee Doss; brother-in-law Charlie Doss and wife Helen; nephew Doug Doss and wife Lisa; cousin Ruth Huston; lifelong cherished friends Ernest Ferguson and Harvey McDougald; numerous nieces and nephews; friends and neighbors.
Pallbearers will be Strike Franklin, Harvey McDougald, Doug Doss, Sammy Johnson, Vidal Jones and Joe Chambliss.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to all those who have expressed sympathy, support and encouragement to them during this difficult time.

Johnnie Gaddis
Services for Johnnie B. Gaddis, 94, Mabank, were held March 22, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Mabank with the Rev. Milton Spears Jr. officating. Interment followed in the Elm Grove Cemetery, under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home of Mabank.
He was born Nov. 7, 1916, in Quitman to Almeta Moseley and Arch A. Gaddis and died March 19, 2011.
Gaddis was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Mineola.
He owned and operated Gaddis Construction, working at the Trade Mart. He started his business in 1960.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Winnie P. Gaddis; daughter Wanda Gaddis; eight brothers and one sister.
Survivors include daughters Joyce Colegrove and husband of Mineola; Virginia Kidwell, Mabank; Jeanette Spears, Kaufman; Brenda Hardin and husband Tony, Mabank; Betty Nickelson and husband Robert, Mabank; sons Jimmy Gaddis and wife Becky, Mabank; Lanny Gaddis and wife Cindy, Mabank; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws Louise Stephenson, Mabank; Odelia Gaddis, Mesquite; Dorothy Gaddis, Quitman; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Richard Gaddis, Jeff Gaddis, Tony Hardin Jr., Jimmy Horton, David Horton, Randy Colegrove, Johnnie Colegrove, Travis Kennedy and Taylor Kennedy.

Patricia Herrman
Services for Patricia June Herrman, 81, Eustace, will be held at the family’s residence on Saturday, March 26, 2011, with the Rev. Chris Schoolcraft officiating.
“Pat” Herrman was born June 10, 1929, in Coldwater, Kan., to Myrtle Francis Hucklebridge and Herman McIntyre and died March 20, 2011, in Eustace.
After attending North High School in Wichita, Kan., she worked in the oil industry as a secretary and as an Avon district manager.
She was a gardener, as well as a seamstress. She also loved dancing.
Herrman was Methodist by faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Terrance Herrman; her parents; and granddaughter Jennifer Tennis.
Survivors include son Gregory L. Hoffman and wife Yeong Jee; daughters Karen McLarty and husband George; Sandra Carson and husband Robert; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.
She was loved by her family, many friends and Cocoa.
Memorials may be made to the National Reyes’ Syndrome Foundation, P.O. Box 829, Bryan, Ohio, 43506.

Sonseeahray Mathis
Memorial services for Sonseeahray Shoemake Mathis, 54, Gun Barrel City, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Payne Springs Baptist Church at 9720 St. Hwy. 198 South in Payne Springs.
Mathis was born Oct. 27, 1956, in Dallas to Margie Mae and Robert Jack Shoemake and died March 19, 2011, in Gun Barrel City.
She was a loving caretaker and devoted wife of 36 years to Raymond Ross Mathis Jr.
Mathis has joined her mother, father, older brother and several family members to be with the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband; sons Bobby Mathis and wife Connie; Buddy Mathis and wife Quiana; daughter Siseeahray Mathis Widener and husband Andy; all from Gun Barrel City; 16 grandchildren; three brothers and three sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

Rev. James Howard Sr.
Services for Rev. James E. Howard Sr., 67, of Eustace were held on March 22, 2011, at the Christian Life Fellowship in Gun Barrel City, with his five sons, the Revs. Jamie Howard, Keith Howard, Tim Howard, Morris Howard and Andy Howard officiating. Interment followed at the Zion Hill Cemetery in Athens, under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home of Mabank.
Howard was born Nov. 30, 1943, in Haskell to Maggie and Maurice Howard and died March 18, 2011.
He was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, pastored five churches over the course of his life. He most recently served at the First Assembly of God in Eustace for 25 years, until his retirement in August, 2010.
Prior to that, he pastored in Sweeny, Mexia, Bryan and Waco.
Howard was a loving husband and father, as well as a gentle shepherd and pastor to the community.
He was an avid sports fan, particularly of his grandchildren and Baylor University athletics.
He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Elizabeth and Odell Dalrymple; brothers-in-law, Vaughn and Clarence Dalrymple; sisters-in-law, Janice Dalrymple and Reva Gilmore; and nephew, Richard Gilmore.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Bobbie Dalrymple Howard, Eustace; sons Rev. Jamie Howard and wife Cara; Highland Village; Rev. Keith Howard and wife Stephanie of Buckeye, Ariz.; Rev. Tim Howard and wife Shelley, Eustace; Rev. Morris Howard and wife Leah, Stephenville; Rev. Andy Howard and wife Tiffany, Kaufman; brothers Lawson Howard and wife Mileene, McKinney; Ben Howard and wife Linda, Waco; Clayton Howard and wife Francis, Waco; grandchildren, Danessa, Zakary, Caleb, Nikolas, T.J., Elizabeth, Ethan, Sydney, Payton and Selah; 17 nieces and nephews; a loving extended family and countless friends.
Pallbearers were Rev. Ed Dittfurth, Rev. Mickey Ellis, Rev. Ken Jones, Rev. Jonathan Lilly, Dr. Richard Plunk and Rev. James Shephard.
Honorary pallbearers were Ministers of the Trinity Valley Section of North Texas Assemblies of God.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Prayer Garden Fund, c/o First Assembly of God-Eustace, P. O. Box 117, Eustace, TX 75124.

Shirley Benefield
Services for Shirley Ann Benefield, 76, Walton, were held March 20, 2011, at Eubank Memorial Chapel in Mabank with Elder Troy L. Allen officiating. Interment followed at the Payne Cemetery in Eustace.
She was born March 11, 1935, to Peggy Ann Heaton and Norman “Jack” Emory and died March 16, 2011, in Athens.
Benefield was a retired LVN and was Baptist in faith.
She was married to her husband, Tommy L. Benefield Sr., for 32 years.
Benefield had a big family that always came first in her life. She also had many hobbies.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Charlene Heaton; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Survivors include her husband, Tommy L. Benefield Sr.; children Donna Reid and husband Terry, Grand Prairie; Danny Cook and wife Mary, Mabank; stepchildren Barbara Cornelius and husband Johnny, Eustace; Dianna Briggs and husband John, Payne Springs; Mona Bell and husband Wayne, Walton; Tommy Benefield Jr. and wife Katherine, Payne Springs; sisters Norma Heaton Carlin and husband Paul; Gloria Heaton Fortner and husband Mike; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pauline Reeves
Services for Pauline Estelle Reeves, 91, Tyler, were held March 19, 2011, at the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home chapel in Lindale with the Rev. Mark Trammell officiating. Interment followed in the Sabine Cemetery.
She was born Feb. 15, 1920, in Lindale to Nevada Poole and Obie Lee Jordan and died March 17, 2011, in a Tyler nursing center.
Reeves was formerly of Dallas before returning to the Tyler and Lindale area.
She was a member of the Lindale First Baptist Church.
Reeves was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, C.A. Reeves; and sons Clarence and Jerry Reeves.
Survivors include sons Terry and Steve Reeves, both of Dallas; daughters Mary Brewer and Betty Harmon, both of Tyler; Paula Reeves, Dallas; Rhonda Reeves, Gun Barrel City; brother Troy Dan Jordan, Hideaway; sister Joann Kinsey, Tyler; numerous grandchildren; great-and great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were John E. Harmon, Edgar H. Little, Garrett Reeves, Brad Witherspoon, Michael Wright and Bryan Smith.

Lerlean Burch
Services for Lerlean Burch, 84, were held March 20, 2011, at Eubank Memorial Chapel in Mabank with the Revs. Byron Jones, Dan Hawkins and Bro. Teddy King officiating. Interment followed at Coldwater Cemetery.
She was born April 24, 1926, to Zula Varnado and Otto Crowe and died March 18, 2011, in Rowlett.
Burch was Baptist in faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carey Burch; her parents; and son Caron Burch.
Survivors include daughters Annette Biendit and husband Peter; Jane Smith and husband Larry; granddaughters Michele Richards and husband Jason; Laura Smith; Jana Parker and her husband A.J.; Christina Smith; great-grandchildren Abigail Parker, Lily Smith and Mason Richards; numerous nieces and nephews; and close personal friends.

Timothy Tedder
Services for Timothy Paul Tedder, 56, Kemp, were held March 19, 2011, at the Anderson-Clayton Brothers Funeral Home in Kemp. Interment followed at Pyle Prairie Cemetery in Kemp with the Rev. Tim Boles officiating.
Tedder was born Nov. 4, 1954, in Dallas to Pauline Dillon and Earl Wilson Tedder and died March 13, 2011, in Kemp.
He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and doing things with his hands.
Tedder was employed by the City of Dallas for many years.
He is preceded in death by his father and his brother, Earl W. “Ted” Tedder Jr.
Survivors include his mother Polly Hallmark; son T.J. Tedder and wife Misty; daughters Margie Pauline Tedder; Geania Mai Swan and husband Ricky; sisters Vicki Michele McCann and husband Mark; Mary Elaine Gatlin; grandsons Dylan and James Christopher, Tristen, Jared and Kevin; granddaughters Brittany and Katherine; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends and neighbors.

Carla Morris
Services for Carla Jean Morris, 51, Kemp, were held March 23, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Kemp, under the direction of Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home in Kemp.
She was born Dec. 31, 1959, in Greenville, S.C., to Dorothy and Carl Palm and died March 19, 2011, in Kemp.
Morris was an active member at First United Methodist Church in Kemp.
She enjoyed gardening, reading and spending time with her first granddaughter.
Morris was a dedicated band booster at Kemp High School.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include daughters Stephanie Morris, Forney; Rebecca Law and husband Johnny, Kemp; sisters Debi Patel, Kemp; Felicia Ramsey and husband Donnie, Mesquite; brother George Evanko and wife Jennifer, El Paso; grandchildren Alyssa and little Johnny Law, Kemp; nieces Talitha, Spencer and Vanna; nephew Sean and wife Linsey; and special friend and soul mate, Herb Braswell.

Pauline Wattner
Services for Pauline Miller Wattner, 91, Canton, were held March 23, 2011, at Eubank Chapel with Bro. Steve Glosup officiating, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Canton. Interment followed at the Four Mile Lutheran Cemetery in Van Zandt County.
Wattner was born June 19, 1919, in Wharton County to Ellen Glen Tabler and Henry M. Miller and died March 21, 2011, in Dallas.
She was Methodist by faith.
Wattner was married 50 years to her husband, Victor Wattner, until he died in 1992.
She graduated from Texas Women’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree from North Texas University.
Wattner taught fifth grade for more than 15 years at the Mabank Independent School District.
She enjoyed sewing, traveling and gardening. She was a great cook.
Wattner was a founding member of the Darlin Damsels Red Hat Club in Wills Point.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor E. Wattner; her parents; and brother Albert T. Miller.
Survivors include daughter Judy Nelson and husband Charles, Richardson; grandson Paul Nelson and wife Alicia, Dallas; and sister-in-law Sybil Wattner of Hamilton.
Pallbearers were Bill Freeman, Bill Blessing, Don Sorrells, David Travis, Dale Roseberry, Jim Fuller and Jerry Raz.

Tommy Johnson
Services for Tommy “T.J.” Johnson, 76, Mabank, will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011, at J.E. Foust and Son Funeral Home in Grapevine.
He was born Oct. 12, 1934, and died Feb. 16, 2011.
Johnson was a loving son, brother, father and grandfather.
He never knew a stranger and was loved dearly by his friends and his family.
Johnson proudly served in the U.S. Navy and the Reserves.
He worked hard all of his life. He had a career in purchasing with Sperry Rand, and Braniff Airlines.
He worked for the Texas Criminal Justice System until 2009, when he retired at the age of 75.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Clark Johnson; and brother Asa Johnson.
Survivors include his daughters LaZette, Rio and Melba; sister LaPat Brewer and husband Graham; sister-in-laws Charlotte Johnson and Mary Lee Sifford; nephews David, Eric and Todd Brewer; Sonny and Jon Johnson; and grandson Jason Pfleiderer.
He is also survived by his “four-legged” family Starr, Paris, Molley, Maxx, Calico and Echo. He loved these “kids” so much.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the local humane society.