Obituaries

Stephen Nelms
A memorial service for Stephen Ray Nelms, 57, will be held at a later date.
Nelms was born July 13, 1951, in Honey Grove to the late Betty Ann Crossland and Herschel Ray Nelms and died May 22, 2009.
He had been a resident of Ben Wheeler since Oct. 2008, formerly living in Mabank for 14 years.
He was self-employed, specializing in tape and bedding.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years Jackie Nelms, Ben Wheeler; daughter Celena Duarte and husband Micah, Ben Wheeler; son Jason Nelms and wife Anisa, Payne Springs; brothers Roger Nelms, Mabank; and Mike Nelms, Dallas; and grandchildren Desaray, Harlie, Jason and Justin.

Dub McCarty
A memorial service and celebration of life for William C. “Dub” McCarty, 79, Athens, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at The Cain Center in Athens.
McCarty was born June 13, 1929, in Scurry County to Maggie Mae and Dorsey McCarty and died May 22, 2009, in Athens.
He was preceded in death by his parents Maggie and Homer Griffin and Dorsey McCarty, half-brother Dorsey McCarty and aunt Emma Roberta Harbaugh.
Throughout his life McCarty made community service and camaraderie an essential focus.
In 1985, he took early retirement from a career in corporate group insurance management in Dallas to begin a fire and casualty insurance business at Cedar Creek Lake, later, opening an additional office in Athens.
While at Cedar Creek Lake, he served as president of the Cedar Creek Chamber of Commerce and was a driving force in the establishment of The Library at Cedar Creek Lake, becoming a member of the initial library board of directors.
He also presided over the Cedar Creek Kiwanis Club and was Division 26 Lieutenant Governor for two terms.
The Cedar Creek Chamber of Commerce bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award to him for his dedication and service to the community. He chaired the Henderson County Republican Party for eight years until 2007.
In 1999, he and his wife JoAnn moved to Athens.
They were both active in the Athens community. He became the secretary-treasurer of the Athens Kiwanis Club and a member of the Athens Rotary Club.
He was a big supporter of the Kiwanis annual pancake breakfast and chili supper.
He was a member of the advisory committee for the recent expansion of the Henderson County Jail.
He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Eastern Star and a 32nd Degree Mason for more than 50 years.
He graduated from Lamesa High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
In Lamesa, he was involved in the retail clothing business, owning Mac’s Men’s Wear.
He also served the Order of DeMolay Dad in Lamesa and was a longtime Boy Scout troop leader in that community.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years JoAnn; daughter Cynthia Weatherby and grandson Cole Weatherby; Mary Lou Kromer, her husband Lanny and his children Kyle Kromer and Michelle Cummings and their children Kristen and Preston Kromer and Daniel Cummings; half-brother Dorval McCarty and his sons and daughters; his “babies” Dolly, a Schipperke, and two Miniature Schnauzers Cricket and Mitzi, the orphan of his recently deceased aunt.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to The Library at Cedar Creek Lake, P.O. Box 43165, Seven Points, TX 75143.

Peggy Parish
Services for Peggy Parish, 65, were held May 26, 2009, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla. The Rev. Cathy Hamrick officiated. Burial was in Park Grove Cemetery under the direction of Hayhurst Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, Okla.
Parish was born Feb. 9, 1944, in Idabel, Okla., to Norma Bozarth and Gilbert Gorden and died May 24, 2009, at her home in Broken Arrow, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her father Gilbert Gorden.
She attended Idabel schools and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from East Central State University in Ada, Okla.
She married Don Parish Feb. 19, 1961, in Idabel, Okla.
In 1980, they moved to Broken Arrow, Okla., from Tulsa, Okla.
She was a homemaker and taught elementary education for a number of years.
She enjoyed reading, going to the beach or being outdoors with her family.
She was a member of WINGS Cancer Support Group and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include her husband, Don Parish, Broken Arrow; daughter Jennifer and husband Charles Moll, Broken Arrow, Okla.; sons Philip and wife Nicole Parish, Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Derrik Parish, Claremore, Okla.; mother Norma Gorden, Idabel, Okla.; grandchildren Sarah and Rachel Parish, Aaron, Donnie and Angela Parish, Breanna Moll; sister Pat and husband Ben Akard, Wagoner, Okla.; brother Guy and wife Beverly Gorden, Enchanted Oaks; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials be sent to The America Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123.

Karl Anderson
Services for Karl W. Anderson, 89, were held at 10 a.m. May 28, 2009 (today), at the Arlington Funeral Home Chapel.
Anderson was born Dec. 1, 1919, in Cottonwood Falls, Kan. and died May 25, 2009.
Survivors include his wife Janet Anderson; stepsons Chris Hart and wife Donna; Tyler Hart and wife Dee Dee; and Jonathan Hart; stepdaughter Georgia Stanley and husband Everett; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nephew Brad Thomas and wife Michelle; niece Karen Rains and husband Steve; and brother-in-law Keith Thomas.

Damon Smith Jr.
Services for Damon Deshay Smith Jr., infant, Athens, were held May 23, 2009, at the Macedonia Church in Caney City with the Rev. La Wanda Robertson and Minister Shadenia Jones officiating. Burial was in Steen Cemetery under the direction of Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff.
Smith was born Jan. 13, 2009, in Athens and died May 17, 2009, in East Texas Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandmother Janie Richardson in 2003.
Survivors include his parents Brenda Joyce Richardson and Damon Deshay Smith Sr., Athens; maternal great-grandmother Anita Smith, Malakoff; maternal grandfather Isom Richardson, Caney City; paternal grandfather Roger Tarver, Malakoff; paternal grandparents Shelia and Arthur Smith-Thomas, Malakoff; brothers Devarrius Richardson, Athens; and Deondre Richardson, Athens; sisters Jamica and Jamia King, Birmingham, Ala; and Diajianna Richardson, Athens; uncles Jermichael Hart, Malakoff; and Isom Richardson Jr., Malakoff; aunt Janice Richardson, Malakoff.

Ruth Marie Williams
Services for Ruth Marie Williams, 87, San Antonio, were held May 26, 2009, at the Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery in Colleyville under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Williams was born Dec. 1, 1921, in Normangee to Mabel McGee and Aubrey A. Cox and died May 21, 2009, in San Antonio.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert Doyle Williams; daughter Judith Davault and sister Sybil Cox Stevens.
She grew up in Mexia and graduated from Mexia High School and attended Sam Houston State Teachers College.
While attending college, she married Gilbert Williams in 1942. He was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. She gave birth to Carol during this time.
After the war, they settled in Dallas and she had two more children, Judy and Allen.
She was a homemaker and proudly raised the three children.
In 1982, she went to work as a screening associate in admitting at Parkland Hospital.
In 1982, she and her husband retired to their home on Cedar Creek Lake.
She loved living on the lake and was active in the women’s societies in the Methodist Church. She and her daughter Judy, sang in the church choir for many years.
She loved sports and was a true hometown fan. You could always see her in front of the TV cheering for the Cowboys, Mavericks or the Stars. She was an avid fan of golf.
During the last six months of her life, she relocated to assisted living at Morningside Manor. Within a month she was on the welcoming committee, serving at many functions and was a cookie maker. She enjoyed attending many events with her family. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her sister-in-law Dixie Little, Duncanville; daughter Carol Rippa, San Antonio; son Allen Williams, North Richland Hills; granddaughters Jill Ammann, San Antonio; Wendy Brylak, San Antonio; Holly Weihl, Arvada, Colo.; Sarah Ohgushi, Portland, Ore.; Karen Gandy, Jacksonville; Jennifer Davault, Jacksonville; grandsons David Davault, Tyler; Todd Devault, Tyler; Danny Williams, Bryan; Nicholas Williams, North Richland Hills; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The family requests donations in her memory be made to Morningside Manor, 602 Babcock Rd., San Antonio, TX 78201.

Billy Don Harris
Services for Billy Don Harris, Emory, were held May 22, 2009, at the First Assembly of God Church in Malakoff. Interment was in Post Oak Cemetery in Malakoff under the direction of Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff.
Harris was born Nov. 26, 1945, in Gilmer and died May 19, 2009, in Dallas.
He was preceded in death by his parents Salley and James Parker Harris and his wife of 40 years Patricia in 2005.
He lived in Sunnyvale before moving to Emory, where he lived for the past 10 years.
Survivors include a special love Sherry Wright, Frisco; son Jimmy Harris and wife Teresa, Royse City; daughters Tammy and husband Jim Jenkins, Grand Prairie; Stacy and husband Richard Wiegel, Forney; brother Red Harris and wife Vera, Sunnyvale; sisters Lawana Bryant, Bridgeport; Sue Richardson, Diana; Shirley McDonald, Emory; and Eva Fleming, Garland; and six grandchildren.