Obituaries

Betty Nash
Memorial services for Dallas resident Betty Knott Nash, 66, formerly of Kemp, were held at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010 (today) at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.
Nash was born July 21, 1943, in Kemp to Betty T. and Tom B. Knott, and died April 24, 2010, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She was known for her kindness, sincerity and beautiful smile.
She graduated as the Kemp High School valedictorian, where she was a cheerleader and played on the basketball team.
She attended the University of Texas. In 1961, she married her junior high sweetheart, Edward C. Nash Jr. of Kaufman.
In 1963, they settled in Dallas, where he pursued a career in banking, and raised three children.
She was active in the community and had numerous interests. She was an avid tennis player at Royal Oaks Country Club and Brook Hollow Golf Club.
As a member of the Junior League of Dallas, she worked on many charitable projects, including the Inner-City Day Camp.
She was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
She had a lifelong passion for gardening and landscaping and enjoyed renovating houses with her daughter Cindy.
After relocating to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in the 1990s, she became an enthusiastic horseracing fan and handicapper.
Returning to Dallas, she established a rewarding career in real estate as a vice president with Briggs Freeman Real Estate, where she received the company’s Rose Award in 2009.
She enjoyed helping young couples find their dream home, and formed lasting relationships with many families along the way.
Her life centered around family and friends and was greatly enriched by her five grandchildren, who called her “Honey.”
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Eddie Nash; sons Ted Nash and wife Dawn and Thomas Nash; daughter Cindy Nash Hughes and husband Tom; grandchildren Patrick, Andrew and Katherine Nash, and Eleanor and Nash Hughes, all of Dallas; sister Ellen Knott Abercrombie, Fort Worth; and several nieces and nephews.
She was truly “known by many and loved by all.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials for cancer research may be made to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Attention: Pat Mulkey, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030.

Eugene Ragsdale
Services for Eugene “Gene” O. Ragsdale, 89, Gun Barrel City, were held April 23, 2010, at the Eubank Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Eston Williams officiating. Burial was in Cedar Creek Memorial Park under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Ragsdale was born March 15, 1921, in Dallas and died April 21, 2010, in Mabank.
He was preceded in death by his parents Maude and Artie Ragsdale, one sister and five brothers.
Previously of Dallas, he had resided in Gun Barrel City for the past 40 years.
He retired from the Ford Motor Co. and was Methodist by faith. He was a member of the Boys Club of Dallas and was a staunch Republican.
Pallbearers were Larry Shelton, Walter Reaves, Matt Shelton, Arron Reeves, A.J. Amyx and Travis White.

Betty Shreves
Private services for Betty J. Shreves, 75, Payne Springs, will be held at a later date under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Shreves was born Aug. 26, 1934, in Dallas and died April 20, 2010, in Payne Springs.
Survivors include daughters Vicky Lynn Roberts, Tyler; Sherri Parks, Garland; Michelle Almond Afford, Arlington; special friend Peggy Ostrom, Payne Springs; uncle B.F. Hurst, Dallas; other family members and many friends.

Terry Bookman
Services for Terry Glenn Bookman, 53, Canton, were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010 (today), at the Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank with the Rev. Kenneth Hensley and John Dyer officiating. Burial was in Elm Grove Cemetery.
Bookman was born Nov. 2, 1956, in Athens to Bobbie Clark and Donnie Glenn Bookman and died April 26, 2010, in the Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.
He was preceded in death by his mother, and brother Tracey Don Bookman.
He was a retired builder in construction and Baptist by faith.
Survivors include his wife Catheryn Bookman, Canton; son Colby Bookman, Mount Pleasant; daughter Wendi Bookman, Mabank; stepdaughters Jennie Russell, Trinidad; and Amber Russell, Canton; brother Timothy Bookman and wife Donna, Canton; sister Robin Gore and husband Dennis, Edom; eight grandchildren; father Donnie Bookman, Canton; aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews and a host of loving friends.
Pallbearers were Erik Batie, Taylor Bookman, Jordan Rouse, Layne Gordon, Brent Hensley, Mark Spier, Jimmy Paul and Tim Phifer.

Thallas Raymond
Graveside services for Thallas Lavern Raymond, 74, Seven Points, were held April 26, 2010, at the Cedarvale Cemetery with Eston Williams officiating under the direction of Parker-Ashworth Funeral Home in Kaufman.
Raymond was born May 3, 1935, in Kaufman County to Lorene Venita Bardin and William Charlie Raymond and died April 22, 2010, in a Dallas hospital.
He was preceded in death by his wife Zelma.
He served in the U.S. Navy and was a truck driver most of his life.
He moved to Seven Points in 2005, where he was a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include his sons Kenneth, Freddie and William Raymond; daughter Alice Marie Stone; brothers Bryce, Donald, Harold and David Raymond; sisters Harvelee Raymond and Barbara Gearson; several grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Mary Hefner
Services for Mary Hefner, 84, were held April 29, 2010 (today), with Pastor Mike Adalian officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Kemp.
Hefner was born Nov. 12, 1925, and died April 25, 2010, in Arlington.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years A.Y. Hefner; daughter Maxine Snow and husband Mike; grandson Doug Snow and wife Caroline; granddaughter Holly Snow and fiancé Robert French; great-granddaughter Madison Snow; sisters Eva Jean Hill and husband Clarence; and Patsy Ratto and husband Jimmy; numerous nieces and nephews.