Ms. Patsy Black, 88, of Gun Barrel City, went peacefully into the night July 22, 2023 at home.
Patsy was born in Handley Feb. 21, 1935 to her loving parents Benjamin and Alice Jones.
At a young age Patsy was active, she played baseball and volleyball. Rode bikes and skated from downtown to Marsales Zoo. In High School Patsy would march in parades from Downtown to Fair Park.
Heaven gained another angel July 8, 2023. Lukas “Luke” Ryan Charles McKee born in Athens July 18, 1991, to Jim and Jill (McRae) McKee.
Luke was a sweet, caring and loving son, brother and father who had a huge heart. He loved fishing, hunting and hanging out with his family and friends.
He was a BIG time sports fan. There was no baseball, football or basketball game that he did not watch. Of course, his number one teams were the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks.
Veretta Kuykendall, 81, beloved mother, grandmother and sister passed away July 4, 2023. She was born Dec. 19, 1941 in Dallas to William Earnest Puckett and Bessie Mae (Ellis) Puckett.
Veretta was preceded in death by husband Rex Kuykendall, daughter Deena Soliz and son Kerry Allsup.
She is survived by son Christopher Kuykendall, granddaughter Vanessa Soliz, grandson-in-law Glen Nicholas, great-grandchildren Rae'lynn, Bryer and Oakland, sister Ineta Archer and nephews Alan and Robert Archer.
Carl Reagan Kellar, 69 of Mabank passed away June 22, 2023. He was born Sept. 30, 1953 in Dallas to Carl Adren Kellar and Wanda June (Avant) Kellar.
Carl was a retired mechanic. He was a member of Assembly of God.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by son Carl Allen Kellar and wife Ginger, grandchildren Falon and Jada Morris, brothers Benny Kellar and wife Ruth Ann and Rocky Kellar and wife Laurie, sisters Rhonda Stapleton and husband Gary and Sophia Shelton and a host of other family and friends.
Vivian Iris Scott Trout passed away June 30, 2023 at home with her family at the age of 75 after her two year battle with cancer.
Vivian was born and raised in Kemp with her parents and two siblings. She met Dan, her husband, at the skating rink in Mabank when she was 16 and they were married two years later.
Her ultimate goal in life was to be the perfect wife. Everyone aspired to have a relationship like Dan and Vivian and Dan can attest to just how perfect she was.
James Ray Lewis of Mabank was born July 22, 1957 in Ennis to James and Christine Lewis. He was called home to be with the Lord July 1, 2023.
James Ray was a man of few words but was respected and loved by his family and friends. He was always present and had a way of sharing his quiet wisdom that made others know how he felt.
James was Papa to his grandchildren and was known to be the “baby whisperer” in the family; he would be seen at gatherings holding a grandchild who was napping away quietly. James was also a proud Mason and served his lodge well.
Gene left this earth the same way he lived his 80 years, working hard and doing things his way.
He was a radiator repairman for most of his life, he loved his work and customers. Gene started his own business, A1 Radiator, around 1989 in Mabank and it was open for business right up to the end.
Gene had a colorful life with many stories he loved sharing with friends and family.
He never met a stranger and went out of his way to make people feel comfortable, with a joke, a story or a helping hand when and wherever he could.
At the age of 90, Frank Delano Donovan had his promised homecoming with our Savior June 13, 2023 with his family by his side.
Frank grew up on a farm in Clanton, Ala., with his parents and two older siblings. Prior to farming, his father had been a pharmacist and both of his parents had been teachers. Education was very important in his family. He was a 1950 graduate of Chilton County High School.
Phyllis “Jean” Callaway Calkins, born Feb. 15, 1929 in Dustin, Neb., to parents Margaret Bruns Callaway and Connie C. Callaway, passed away peacefully in her sleep June 20, 2023 in Baton Rouge, La.
Jean graduated from O’Neill High School in 1947 and in August of that year she married Harold. They spent 61 years together moving from O’Neill to Sioux Falls, SD to Sioux City, Iowa to Spencer, Iowa to Bossier City, La., to Baton Rouge, La., with Harold’s career with Wonder Bread.
Mary Katherine Hinkle was delivered peacefully into the hands of God June 14, 2023.
She began her journey on this earth Jan. 28, 1941, to Philip and Chestine Howard in Corpus Christi. Mary was one of the four Howard children.
On May 30, 1960, in Midland, Mary married her childhood sweetheart Tommy Lee Hinkle. They began their married life in Aurora, Mo., but returned to Irving for the family life.
Tom and ‘Tootsie’ enjoyed cards with the neighbors, camping, skiing and of course fishing at Grapevine Lake.
