Obituaries

Rebecca Bennett
Services for Rebecca Suzanne Bennett, 44, Kemp, were held Dec. 5, 2009, at the Moorhead Epps Memorial Chapel in Gun Barrel City. Interment was in Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank.
Bennett was born April 27, 1965, to the home of Frances Munns and Birt Clark and died Nov. 30, 2009.
Survivors include her husband of 18 years Mark Daniel Bennett; children Elizabeth Wise, Tonja Sudduth and husband David; Tyler Wise, Mark Bennett Jr. and wife Stormy; parents Frances and Birt Clark; grandchildren Ryan Sudduth, Jaquelynn Sudduth, Shaylee Bennett; brother Tony Clark; father-in-law Alonzo “Boogie” Bennett; mother-in-law Bessie Bennett; numerous loving family members and a host of friends.

Billy Jo Schultz
Services for Billy Jo Schultz, 41, Canton, were held Dec. 8, 2009, in the Eubank Memorial Chapel with the Revs. Todd Storey and Mark Robertson officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Schultz was born Oct. 7, 1968, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. and died Dec. 3, 2009, in Canton.
He was a lifetime resident of Canton and was Christian by faith.
Survivors include his wife Leslie Schultz, Canton; sons Billy Jo Schultz Jr., Jeremy Brice, Trey Schultz and Tristan Jo Schultz, all of Canton; daughter Tessa Foster, Canton; brothers Todd, Mark, Donny, Brian Shultz and Junior Mixon; sister Barbie Gentry; five grandchildren; 13 nephews, 11 nieces; seven great-nieces and nephews; grandmother Loree Mixon and stepdad Yogi Mixon.
Pallbearers were Robert Burleson, Rex Morgan, Jerry Ray Morman, Jeff Rash, Bobby Doty and David Flowler.
Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie Mebane and Bryan Gentry.

Alan Wayne Atteridge
Mass of Christian burial and memorial for Alan Wayne Atteridge will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Malakoff with rosary service at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at the same location.
Interment will be in Tool Cemetery, Tool in Henderson County.
Atteridge passed away quietly at his home in Malakoff Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at the age of 49 years.
Alan was a career carpenter “extraordinaire.”
He possessed a natural, exceptional talent for creativity and design in his work with wood and his carpentry trade.
He “worked with his hands.”
He often reflected that “Christ was a carpenter and the son of a carpenter.”
He reflected passion and excitement in providing his “old school” quality work.
He described himself as being able to “fix anything but a broken heart and the crack of dawn.”
He was true professional in the field he loved and filled his heart and mind with love and pride for his children and grandchildren.
His construction career saw him work in the cold climate of Massachusetts, the Mohave Desert, to homes built in University Park and Highland Park areas in Dallas and to the rural countryside of Henderson County and Cedar Creek Lake in Texas.
His retirement pastime was spent in creating his unique oversize wood items he referred to as “Bubba Size.”
In keeping with his humorous nature, he had already referred to himself as being “50 years old” for the last several years.
Alan also took pride and enjoyment in being a very talented gourmet cook which he proved on occasion.
He had a special caring, generous nature and appreciation for what he referred to as “God’s creatures,” from the smallest to the largest of the animal species providing food as the opportunity arose.
Born Jan. 31, 1960, in Woonsocket, R.I., he grew up in Uxbridge, Mass.
He was of Italian ancestry and the son of Rose Atteridge Tessier and Thomas Atteridge, who both preceded him in passing.
He is survived by son Robert Alan Atteridge; daughter Amanda Rose; son Craig Wayne Atteridge; and daughter Lacy Atteridge, all of Massachusetts; grandson Nathan, grandson Cole; and granddaughter Cali, all of Massachusetts; sister Robin Emery, Utah; sister Debra Jacobs, Maine; and brother Marc Atteridge, Massachusetts; numerous nieces and nephews together with close and loving friends and acquaintances, who will miss his enthusiasm, talent, expertise and love of life’s adventures.

Bonnie Andrews
Services for Bonnie Gelean Andrews, 84, will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Malakoff Cemetery under the direction of Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff.
Andrews was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Crescent Heights to Ethel Anniebell Barnett and Jason Rice Featherston and died Dec. 2, 2009, in Athens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, children Jerry Gelean Andrews, Mackie Doyal Andrews, Daniel Lee Andrews, Garry O. Andrews and Wendell Wayde Andrews.
Survivors include her sister Virgie Savage; grandchildren Rachel Francis and husband Craig; and Brenna Andrews and husband Dustin; great-grandchildren Lilyann Francis, Alarice Andrews and Addyson Andrews.

Fred Harper
Services were held for Fred Lovell Harper, 93, of Kemp, Dec. 5, 2009, at the Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home in Kemp. Interment followed at the Kemp City Cemetery.
Harper was born Sept. 27, 1917, in Pocohontas, Ark., to Dolly Bell Ballard and William Harper and died Nov. 24, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his parents and loving wife Frances Shipley Watkins Harper.
He served his country in the Army Air Corps. during World War II and then worked as a chief of training and employee relations for the Veterans Administration.
In 1952, he was hired by Gifford Hill as a safety engineer and retired in 1985 with more than 30 years of service.
Survivors include his daughter, Melinda Harper Hackstaff, Denver, Colo.; son Paul Watkins Harper and wife Catherine, Dallas; grandchildren Natalie Hackstaff, Eleanor Hackstaff, Emma Harper and Charles Watkins Harper; sister-in-law Patty Watkins Herndon, Fort Worth; close family friend Jerry Francis, Kemp; plus numerous nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

Jose Morales-Elizalde
Interment services for Jose F. Morales-Elizalde, 52, Malakoff, were held at Sistema para El Dessarrollo Integral De La Familia, En Baja, Calif., Velatorios Dif En Tecate, BC.
He died Nov. 27, 2009, in Cross Roads.
Survivors include his wife Juana Morales, father Lucio Morales and mother Carmen Elizalde Ramirez Morales; sons Jesus Morales and Jose Morales; daughter Laura Valenzuela; five sisters; four brothers; and five grandchildren.

Betty Hunt
Services for Betty Joyce Hunt, 77, Gun Barrel City, were held Dec. 8, 2009, at the Moorhead Epps Memorial Chapel in Gun Barrel City. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Seagoville.
Hunt was born May 1, 1932, to the home of Ida Foster and Robert Loy Parrish and died Dec. 4, 2009, at her home in Gun Barrel City. Her bones are now healed and she can finally breathe with ease.
She is preceded in death by her husband Billy Hunt and her son Danny Ray Hunt.
She retired from Southwestern Bell in 1993, after 33 years of service.
Survivors include her daughters Donna Strange and her husband Tommy, Desoto; Janet Allen, Midlothian; and Christie Hoggard, Gun Barrel City; grandchildren Jenny Strange, Lee Strange, Melissa Allen, Aaron Allen and wife Anahi, and Angie Nall and husband Mike; great-grandchildren Jessica, Aubrey, Ariel and Haley; brother Robert Parrish, Waco; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends who knew of her love for horse races, Texas Hold’em and 42; and her dog “Sugar.”
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or your local food bank.

Paul Fugitt
Paul Edward Fugitt, 60, Gun Barrel City, was born Sept. 15, 1949, in Dallas and died Dec. 1, 2009, in Gun Barrel City.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
He resided in Gun Barrel City for the past 30 years and was Baptist by faith.
Survivors include his wife Susan Fugitt, Gun Barrel City; children Thomas Fugitt, Paul K. Fugitt, Billy Fugitt, Twana Dyer and husband Scott; Maggie Fugitt, Haley Reil; and Destiney Reil, all of Gun Barrel City; 10 grandchildren; sisters Janelle Evans, Dolly Marshall, Darlene Littwin, Patty Mae and Tina; father and mother-in-law Buck and Mary Grimes; and brother and sister-in-law.

Larry Johnson
Services for Larry M. Johnson, 61, Kemp, were held Nov. 28, 2009, at the Eubank Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Danny Dennie officiating. Burial was in Baker Cemetery under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Johnson was born Sept. 22, 1948, in Dallas and died Nov. 25, 2009, in Houston.
He was preceded in death by his father Floyd Johnson and sister Sandie Williams.
Survivors include his wife Sue Johnson, Kemp; sons Bryan Johnson, Kemp; and Gary Johnson and wife Rhonda, Kemp; mother and stepfather June and Jim Strange, Kemp; stepmother Vaudine Johnson, Rowlett; grandchildren Taylor Willeford, Chaney Johnson, Nicole Johnson and Landry Johnson; numerous other family and friends.

James Ferguson
Services for James Walter Ferguson, 56. Corsicana, were held Dec. 8, 2009, at the Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff with Derek Rogers officiating. Burial was in Post Oak Cemetery under the direction of Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff.
Ferguson died Dec. 5, 2009, in Dallas.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jim Bob Ferguson.
He was a welder for the Tarrant County Water District and enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife Pam Ferguson; mother Audrey Rogers Ferguson; daughters Jessica Ferguson, Conroe; and Kymberli Barrett and husband Paul, DeKalb; stepson Bryan Perry; brothers Bobbie Ferguson and wife Sylvia, Azle; and Billy Ferguson and wife Mary, Cayuga; sisters Brenda Luskie and husband Gary, Fort Worth; and LouAnn Ferguson, Dallas; aunt Jean Bost, Beaumont; uncle Reagan Rogers, Malakoff; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were John Newland, Donnie Ashton, Jeff Spivey, Owen Robertson, Bobby Graham and Phillip Surls.

Shirley Harrison
Services for Shirley Ann Harrison, 71, Wills Point were held Dec. 8, 2009, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point with Chaplain Raymond Neal Jr., officiating. Graveside services were at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Seagoville
Harrison was born Aug. 29, 1938, in Dallas to Connie Mae McWilliams and J.M. Wilson and died Dec. 5, 2009, in Wills Point.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Doyle “Blackie” Winston Harrison Feb. 10, 2005, whom she married April 8, 1962.
She was raised in Dallas She had been employed by Tom Thumb-Page Grocery in Dallas, retiring after 37 years service.
She lived in the Cedar Creek Lake area prior to moving to Wills Point four years ago.
She was Baptist by faith and enjoyed gardening, home shopping and supported the Humane Society.
Survivors include her daughters Cathy Bailey and husband Barry, Seagoville; and Jean Blacklock, Crandall; stepdaughter Penny Humes and husband Denny, Grand Prairie; brother Roger Wilson, Dallas; grandchildren Bradford Browning and wife Tracie, Brandi Norrell, Rocky Browning, Dana Rieger and David Humes; great-grandchildren Brooke Browning, Shelbie Browning, Danyale Roberts, Dylan Roberts, Valittie Garretson, Devin Garretson, Clayton Browning, Daniel Norrell Jr. and Derek Rieger.
Pallbearers were Steve Anthony, Joe Cavello, Joseph Roberts, Paul Pederson, Brock Bhatti and Daniel Norrell.

Richard Mixon
Graveside services for Richard Wayne “Rick” Mixon, 61, Palestine, were held Dec. 7, 2009, at Myrtle Cemetery in Ennis with John Marcum officiating under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine.
Mixon was born Jan. 15, 1948, in Mabank to Fern Duckworth and I.V. Mixon and died Nov. 25, 2009, in an automobile accident.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry Mixon and son Michael David Mixon.
He lived most of his life in Mesquite and moved to Cedar Creek Lake before settling in Palestine.
He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, where he was a sergeant, and completed Jump and Ranger schools.
Survivors include his son Rodney Wayne Mixon, Winnsboro; daughters Michelle Vasquez and Rick Lyn Sigford-Rainey, both of Palestine; and Kimberly Patterson, Silicon Valley, Calif.; brother Charles Mixon, Kemp; sisters Judy Plows, Mesquite; Janice Wright, Balch Springs and Janie Brockett, Seagoville; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Hubert Oxendine Jr.
Services for Hubert Oxendine Jr., 52, were held Dec. 8, 2009, in Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel in Seven Points.
Oxendine was born Sept. 18, 1957, in Pilot Mountain, S.C. and died Nov. 30, 2009, in Tool.
He was preceded in death by his wife Kelley Oxendine, parents Minnie and Hubert Oxendine, and brother James Oxendine.
Survivors include his children James Oxendine, Addie Ammon and John Meek; sister Barbara Hoffner; mother-in-law Sharon Covington; brother-in-law Tony Covington; nieces Desiree Oxendine, Kay Clay and Jenna Covington.

Richard York
Richard Wayne York, Houston, 58, died Dec. 2, 2009, in Houston. Arrangements were made under the direction of Anderson-Clayton Funeral Home in Kemp.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Martha and Robert York, maternal grandmother Grace Lee Taylor, brother Bobby York and nephew Brandon York. Many of his relatives are buried in the Baker Cemetery in Tolosa.
York was born Nov. 26, 1951, in Dallas to Betty Taylor and Melvin York.
He loved antiques and having a good time with friends. He was full of life and was a caretaker for family and friends. He was much loved and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his parents Betty and Melvin York, Fort Worth; son Richard York, Oregon; brothers Don York and wife Lisa, Denton; and Dana Joe York, Huntsville; sisters Marjorie Yeager and husband John Bartlett, Hurst; and Martha Hilsabeck and husband Doug, Fort Worth.

Dorothy Wilson
Dorothy Louise Wilson, 86, of Kemp died Dec. 3, 2009 in Kaufman.She was buried Dec. 7, 2009 in the Kemp Cemetary under the direction of Anderson-Clayton Funeral Home in Kemp.
She was born March 11, 1923, in Campbell to Annie Aiken and Buffalo Bill Chaffin.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Wilson, parents and daughter Rhonda Wilson.
She married Jack Wilson Oct. 12, 1946 in Brownfield.
She loved to go shopping and travel to Shreveport, La., and was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Association. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kemp.
Survivors include her daughter Dianne Brewer, Kemp; granddaughters Kim Haar, Kaufman; Kari Clasen and husband Donnie, Crandall; Kristie Brewer, Kaufman; and Kaci Brewer, Kemp; great grandchildren Tyler, Brianna and Deyton Haar, Brayli, Landon and Presli Clasen, Kyndall Harris and Ryder Brewer; numerous nieces and nephews.

Tommy Hinkle
A celebration of life service and reception for Tommy Lee Hinkle, 70, Gun Barrel City, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Mabank with the Rev. Brent Tucker officiating under the direction of Moorhead-Epps Funeral Home of Gun Barrel City.
Hinkle was born Jan. 22, 1939, in Dallas to Viola Ragsdale and Emmitt Hinkle and died Nov. 16, 2009, at his home in Payne Springs
Hinkle served for a short time on the Payne Springs City Council.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years Mary Hinkle; son Paul Hinkle and wife Nicoli, Trinidad; daughter Wendy Buster and husband Travis, Forney; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of friends.

Georgia Mahan
Services for Georgia Tripse Rachel Mahan, 86, Seven Points, were held Dec. 9, 2009, at the Chinquapin Cemetery with the Rev. Henry Lee Lusk officiating under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Mahan was born Aug. 5, 1923, in Payne Springs and died Dec. 4, 2009, in Seven Points.
She was preceded in death by her father George Delano White, and mother Creecie Hampton, and husband George Mahan.
She was a lifetime resident of Seven Points and was Baptist by faith.
Survivors include her son Charles Henry Brown, Kansas; daughter Mable Marie Berkley, Seven Points; brother Lonnie White, Gun Barrel City; sister Myrtle L. Dickens, Seven Points; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Virginia Kay
A “Celebration of Life,” for Virginia June Kay, 90, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church in Tool with the Rev. Chuck Weber officiating.
Kay was born June 14, 1919, in Morris, Ill., to Mary Marguerite and Sheridan Grunsted and died Nov. 20, 2009, in Dallas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, husband Forest Earl Kay Sr. and son Forest Earl Kay Jr.
She moved with her family at a young age to Iowa where she grew up on the family farm.
Nov. 4, 1939, she married the love of her life Forest Earl Kay Sr. in Des Moines, Iowa.
She was a loving and devoted wife to him while he was an active Navy officer during World War II.
They moved to Dallas in 1947 and she was a good mother to their two children Butch and Pam.
She was a charter member of the Oak Cliff Lutheran Church and member and president (1967-68) of the Cedar Oaks Garden Club in Dallas.
In 1980, she and her husband moved to Cedar Creek Lake and became active members of the community.
They traveled throughout the U.S., Japan and Costa Rica.
Kay was active in the Henderson County Shriners’ Club Lady’s Association, Sharon Temple Legion of Honor Legionettes, Cedar Creek Lake Women’s Club, Daughters of the Nile, Cedar Creek Lake Literary Club and many others.
She was a wonderful and beautiful woman with a heart of gold and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Whether she was your mom, NaNa, sister, aunt or friend, the memories of her will live on and bring smiles to the face of those who think of her.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Raymond Carr, grandchildren Cindy and Chris Singleton, Robyn and Thorsten Mauthe, Ginny and Billy King and Sean Kay; six great-grandchildren; three sisters; and numerous relatives and friends.