Obituaries

John Aldama
Services for John Aldama Jr., 60, of Eustace will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday (today), March 29, 2012 at Eubank Cedar Creek Memorial Chapel with Father Dan Daugherty officiating.
Aldama was born June 25, 1951 to Julia and John Aldama.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his mother Julia Grando, sister Mary Lue, brothers; Ramon, David and Albert Jerry; and Julia.
He was a beloved son and brother, who will be deeply missed.
A personal tribute may be made online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com.

Jonathon Nutt
Services were held for Jonathon Dwayne Nutt, 27, of Eustace, on March 28, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City, with Bro. George Yarger officiating, under the direction of Tomlinson Funeral Home of Malakoff.
Interment followed at Cedar Creek Memorial Park in Mabank.
Nutt was born in Athens on Nov. 28, 1985 to Pam Wood and Wayne Nutt and died March 24, 2012.
He is preceded in death by his grandfathers Wilbert R. Nutt and Travis Roberts; grandmother Jennie Richecky and great-grandmother Retha Hines.
Affectionately known as “Bubba” to his brothers, Jonathon was a Hero to so many. He was a quiet, humble and honest man, a proud soldier, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, and a proud and very devoted father, who saw the sun rise and set in his daughter Alaina.
He was a son we love very much and are so proud of, a loving husband, a terrific brother and a favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews, who were so loved by his family and countless friends.
Jonathon served in the Army for six years, stationed in Iraq from August 2007 to September 2008 and again in June 2009 to June 2010. He received the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, army Commendation Medal, two army Achievement Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism service medal, army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his wife Katy Reed Nutt of Gun Barrel City; daughter, Alaina Nutt; father, Wayne Nutt and wife Dana of Eustace; mother Pam Nutt of Gun Barrel City; brothers Wayne Jr. and wife Sarah Nutt of Gun Barrel City, and J T Nutt of Tyler; sister Shawntel and husband Aaron Chamberland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Wayne Nutt Jr., J T Nutt, Clay Godby, Jason Vines, Jacob Vines and Ryan Sparr.
Honorary pallbearers are Aaron Chamberland, Shawn Miller, Barrett Ball, and J D Yarger.
Condolences may be posted at www.tomlinsonfuneral.com.

Ida Thomas
Services for Ida Mae Dollins Thomas, 79, of Enchanted Oaks, were held March 24, 2012, at the Starrett Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Benny Joe Dollins officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Thomas was born May 25, 1932, in Paris, to Rosie Bell Hignight Dollins and Benjamin Harrison and died March 21, 2012, in Mabank.
She attended Rosa Pearson School and graduated from Paris High School.
She married J.E. “Brad” Thomas Sept. 5, 1947, in Paris and spent her working years as his business partner in the photography business.
She was preceded in death by her husband and five brothers and sisters.
Survivors include daughter Sherry Young and husband Don, of Enchanted Oaks; son Gary Martin Thomas and wife Micky, of Paris; grandchildren Tamijo Butcher, of Gun Barrel City, Cheri’ Brakefield, of Denton, and Crystal Thomas, of Denton; great-grandchildren Beaux Holley, Kimberly Duckworth, Christina Lazard, Brant Burel, Beaux Scott and Kaylee Kim Brakefield, Karley, Katelynn and C.J. Pierce; six great-great-grandchildren; brothers James Dollins and wife Maryanne, of Port Neches and Harrison Dollins and wife Doris, of Paris; sister, Patsy Green, of Paris.

Cliff Duckworth
Services for Clifford “Cliff” Dewayne Duckworth, 57, of Kemp, were held March 23, 2012, at the Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home chapel. Interment followed at Baker Cemetery with Bro. Hamp Manning officiating.
Duckworth was born Dec. 19, 1954, in Dallas, to Willie and Billie Duckworth and died March 20, 2012, in Tyler.
He was Pentecostal in faith and read the Bible daily. He never met a stranger and was never at a loss for words.
Duckworth earned a criminal justice degree and worked as an immigration information officer before retiring as a heavy equipment operator with the City of Dallas.
He was a proud Mason and loved to fix all things mechanical from small engines to lawn mowers.
He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 20 years, Sabrina, his parents and great nephew Cameron Duckworth.
Survivors include daughter Christy Duckworth Dent; sons Steven and Joshua Duckworth; grandchild Zachary Dent; brothers Dickie, Jerry and Chad Duckworth; sister Brenda Gandy; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close personal friends.

Katy Stokes
Services for Katy Jennings Stokes, 87, were held March 23, 2012, at DaySprings Baptist Church, in Waco, with a private family interment ceremony at Oak Lawn Cemetery
Stokes was born July 3, 1924, in Mabank, to Pauline Rice and Thornton Lamar Jennings and died March 18, 2012, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, Miss.
She graduated from Mabank High School in 1941 and attended Texas Woman’s University until 1945.
She worked at the headquarters of the Baptist Student Union and continued her education at Baylor University graduating in 1947.
She married George Mitchel Stokes Aug. 25, 1946, and were married for 54 years until his death in 2001.
In 1953, they moved to Waco, where he joined the Baylor faculty.
While in Waco, she was involved in local churches, ordained as a deacon at Seventh Baptist Church and James Baptist Church. She was a charter member of DaySprings Baptist Church.
She enjoyed writing and wrote a regular article “To the Store and Back” for her parents’ newspaper, The Mabank Banner.
Stokes wrote articles for The Baylor Line and the Seventh Baptist Church Sunday School Board of which she was one of the first women trustees.
She completed two institutional biographies titled “Paisano: Story of a Cowboy and a Camp Meeting” and “City of Angels.”
She loved to travel and received the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award in 2006.
Survivors include her daughters, Polly Barnes and husband Dick of Brandon, Miss., and Chris Berger and husband Ric of Dallas; grandchildren Kate Marian Stokes Thomason, Dylan Keeler, Kelsey Christina Mullens Taylor, Chris, Martha Elizabeth Stokes Thomason, Cameron Stokes Mullens and Kaitlyn; step-grandsons Jeffrey Barnes and wife Elaine, Grant David Berger and wife Angel Yau; step-granddaughters McKinley Barnes and Megan Riley and husband David; great-grandchildren Cullen Stokes Taylor, Lydia Jane Mullens, John Henderson Taylor II, and Matthew Stokes Mullens; step-great-grandsons Joseph Alexander and Benjamin Kai Barnes; step-great-granddaughter, Lillian Moira Riley.
In lieu of flowers, donations and gifts may be sent to Madison Chapel Waystation Ministry, P.O. Box 57, Madison, Miss., 39110.

Frank Wells
Services for Frank Rex Wells, 72, of Payne Springs, were held March 28, 2012, at Eubank Cedar Creek Memorial Chapel with Art Harkins officiating. Interment followed at Restland Cemetery in Dallas.
Wells was born Feb. 17, 1940, in Groesbeck and died March 24, 2012.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and hunting. He was a fisherman, gardener and enjoyed visiting with his neighbors. He was a machinist in the steel industry for 36 years.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents and son Kenneth Wells.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jean; son Lonnie G. Wells and wife Becky of Carrollton; grandchildren Stephanie Wells of Lewisville and Kristina Nance of Carrollton; four great-grandchildren; brother Harry Wells Jr. and wife Sue of Louisiana; sisters Jean Jackson and husband Glenn of Rankin and Ruth Bomer of Teague.
A personal tribute may be posted online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com.

James Blackburn
Services for James L. Blackburn, 73, of Mabank, were held March 24, 2012, at Mabank Church of Christ. Interment followed at Oaklawn Cemetery with Rev. Denny Burris and Bob Patterson presiding over the service.
Blackburn was born March 19, 1939, in Commerce, to Mary and Newnun Blackburn and died March 22, 2012.
He was the Deputy Chief of the Dallas Fire Department, where his firefighter brothers called him “Blackie.”
He was also the chief of the Temple Fire Department for five years.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, RVing, traveling, building and was a “Jack of all trades.”
If he wasn’t hunting he was working in his shop. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Mabank.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Joann, of Mabank; daughter Tamara Wimmer of Denton; son James Mark Blackburn and wife Melinda of Mabank; grandchildren James Michael Blackburn and Tessa and Trent Wimmer; sister Peggy Burns and husband Robert of Jacksonville; nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.
A personal tribute may be posted online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com.

Shelia Cheatwood
A graveside service for Shelia Derane Cheatwood, 62, of Tool, was held March 20, 2012, at King Cemetery, with James Jennings Jr. officiating.
Cheatwood was born Sept. 10, 1949, in Tallapoosa, Ga., to Grace Huffstetler Irvin and Eugene Cheatwood and died March 18, 2012, in Tyler.
She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents Alice and George Dave Cheatwood and Lois and James H. Irvin.
Survivors include her mother; brothers Perian L. Cheatwood and wife Betty and Eugene Thomas Cheatwood and wife Leslie; sisters Janie Cheatwood and Deborah Grinstead and husband Gary; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Condolences may be posted online at www.tomlinsonfuneral.com.