Funeral services for Lillian "Lil" Hipp, 88, of the Phalba Community, were held March 10, 2025, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Brent Williams officiating. Interment followed at Haven of Memories Memorial Park.
Lil passed away March 5, 2025 in Athens. She was born February 28, 1937 in Pavo, Ga., to Noah Etheridge and Mabel Ethel Fretwell Mims.
Wanda Jean Vent was born June 3, 1955, in Dallas and passed peacefully into the loving arms of the Lord March 4, 2025. She was the daughter of Austin Lee, Jr. and Joan Modean Briggs Vent.
During her childhood, Wanda enjoyed camping on the Arkansas family property and attending the Aley Texas picnic with her grandpa.
After receiving her master’s degree in library science from Texas Woman’s University, Wanda embarked on a long and fruitful professional journey.
Betty Steddum, a beacon of love and devotion, went home to be with the Lord Feb. 27, 2025, at the age of 99. Born Dec. 2, 1925, in Plainview, Betty lived a life filled with faith, family and unwavering kindness.
She married Joe Steddum Oct. 27, 1944, in Los Angeles, Calif. and together they shared 50 beautiful years of marriage until Joe’s passing in 1994.
As a pastor’s wife, Betty was instrumental in her husband’s ministry, serving faithfully through the Ladies Auxiliary, teaching Sunday School classes and providing steadfast support to her family and community.
William Allen Ewing Jr., fondly known as “Wild Bill,” brought joy to those around him and a spirit of adventure that was infectious. He dedicated his career as a Maintenance Manager at Days Inn and later served the community as part of the maintenance team at Mabank ISD, proving himself to be a capable builder and fixer of anything that needed attention.
Ricky Dane Curtis, 71, was born Aug. 23, 1953 to Jerome Curtis and Natalie Baker and passed away Feb. 18, 2025.
Rick served in the United States Navy for 20 years and retired in 1997. After retiring from the Navy, he worked in the IT department at EarthLink and later bought a barbershop in Whitney, where he worked for many years.
He met the love of his life, Emma, while he was stationed in Millington, Tenn. They later married in 1981 and together raised four children.
Edith Louise Horton Stephenson, 98, of Mabank, was born June 18, 1926. She married Elmer “H” Stephenson in 1948. They had one son Herstel Lynn, who was tragically killed in a tractor accident at age 16.
Louise passed away Feb. 11, 2025 in Mabank.
Daniel "Danny" James Litts, 66, passed away Feb. 11, 2025, in Mabank. He was born April 19, 1958, in Menominee, Mich., to parents John and Marie (Rabideau) Litts.
Danny was preceded in death by his parents John and Marie Litts.
Celebration of life services for Tama Ernesteen Orman Myrick, age 101, of Kemp will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank.
Ernesteen, a devoted follower of Christ, entered God’s Kingdom Feb. 1, 2025. She was born Oct. 30, 1923, in the Arcadia Community in Kaufman County to Ira and Ollie (Matthews) Orman.
She graduated as class valedictorian from Kemp High School. She married Travis Myrick in 1941.
Janelle Lewis Seabourne, fondly known as Moppy, was born Nov. 25, 1939 and died peacefully at Hospice Homeplace in Tyler Feb. 3, 2025, at the age of 85.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend and lived a life full of love for family and her church. She was a force of nature, inspiring those around her with her energy and vibrant spirit.
Leslie Carter Lowery, 63, passed away Jan. 30, 2025, in Tyler. He was born Nov. 2, 1961, in Baton Rouge, La., to parents John Leslie Lowery and Ruth Estelle (Rawls) Parkerson.
Carter graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge, La. and was a member of St. James Episcopal Church.
He worked as a designer with John Prince Originals in Dallas. He retired to Gun Barrel City in 2009. Carter enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
