Obituaries

After a courageous battle with cancer, Thomas Allen Wolford, 61, of Burleson received the gift of being welcomed Home by his Lord and Savior on Christmas Day.
Thomas was a fiercely independent man and a hard worker throughout his life. From a young age, he had a deep love for the outdoors—especially fishing—so much so that he was once known to skip school just to be at the lake. Nature was his refuge, and one of his greatest joys in life was simply sitting on the porch, smoking and quietly watching the world go by.

Wilma Adams Peterson, 94, of Crowley passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
Born Nov. 8, 1931, in Windom, Wilma was a daughter of the late Herman Henry Adams and the late Temperance Etta Early Adams.
Wilma was a strong believer in the Lord Jesus Christ all her life. She worked at Pro Line Cap Company for more than 30 years. 
She lived in Mabank for more than 30 years and lived in Crowley for the last ten years. She loved her dogs Chico Jack, Killer, and Beau. She was a Dallas Cowboys fan, win or lose. She was happiest when spending time with her grandchildren.

Gerald Don Phariss passed away Dec. 18, 2025, at the age of 86, in Mabank. Gerald was born Sept. 16, 1939, at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, to parents Alex and Sarah Phariss.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Gregory Don Phariss, sister Carol Sue Carroll and her husband Jimmy Carroll and grandparents Granny B Butler and Frank.
He is survived by his wife Emma Phariss, daughter Barbara Galofaro and her husband Ricky, granddaughter (Angel) Melissa Galofaro Knight and her husband Cory, grandson Matthew Galofaro, great-granddaughter Audrie Knight and sister Louetta Schwab.

Patricia Ann Gilmore, born Jan. 29, 1943, passed away at the age of 82, Dec. 7, 2025.  
Patricia was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Gilmore, parents Fred Dee and Grace Lee Guthrie, brother Robert Guthrie, sister Sandra Kay Recio and grandson Johnathon Combs.
She is survived by daughters Debbie and husband Keith Voyles, Sherrie and husband James Bynum and Julie Olson, sons Ronald and Richard Gilmore, numerous grand and great-grandchildren, sister Laura Collier and brothers Rubert and Edward Guthrie.
Her Strength Was Its Own Kind of Light (by Julie Olson)

James "Jim" R. Laney, 82, passed away Dec. 5, 2025 in Bedford. He was born Feb. 15, 1943, in Stephenville to parents Raymond E. and Mary L. (Stasey) Laney. 
Leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness and cherished memories. Jim's journey through life was marked by a profound dedication to both his family and his career that will forever be treasured by those who knew him.

Keith Norton Phillips, born Sept. 22, 1950 in Omaha, Neb., to David Norton and Ramona Ruth (Poe) Phillips, passed away peacefully at his home in Kemp Nov. 2, 2025.
As a proud patriot, Keith served his country in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Ranger from February 1971 until June 1976, embodying the values of service and sacrifice that defined him. 

It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Lorene Sands Jenkins, age 83, of Mabank. Lorene passed away peacefully Oct. 15, 2025, in Wylie surrounded by the warmth of her family and the love that marked her beautiful life.
Born Jan. 15, 1942, in Canton, Lorene was the cherished daughter of Elry Davis Sands and Lena Holt Sands. 
From a young age, she embodied the values of kindness, generosity, and quiet strength that would define her life and legacy.

Martha Jane Wilson, 91, of Mabank passed away Oct. 16, 2025. She was the wife of Clarence Henry Wilson, Jr.
Born Feb. 27, 1934, in McKinney, Jane was a daughter of the late William Henry Combs, Sr. and the late Violet Ione Webster Combs.
Jane graduated high school in San Francisco, Calif., in 1951. After graduation she attended secretarial school to improve her skills and was later hired by Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco.

Norman Clay Thomas, 87, of Mabank, passed away Oct. 14, 2025. He was the husband of the late Vonda June Black Thomas.
Born Jan. 16, 1938, in Aley Norman was a son of the late Virgil Thomas and the late Willie Eleanor Jones Thomas.

James Kenneth (Ken) Fling, 103, of Gun Barrel City passed away Oct. 10, 2025. He was born Sept. 7, 1922, in Blue Ridge to Joe Allen Fling and Rosa Lee Walker Fling. 
He was a man of faith, a Deacon in the Baptist Church and was known as a consummate gentleman and a dapper dresser.