Obituaries from
Navarro County, Texas
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Mary Z. "Polly" (Agnew) Westbrook
Oct 20, 1813 - May 25, 1896
Westbrook - Sister Mary Z. Westbrook was born in Edgefield district S.C., October 20, 1813; came to Texas forty-four years ago and settled in Navarro county. After a long and painful illness she died in sight of heaven may 25, 1896, aged eighty-two years, seven months and five days. She was converted and joined the Church at fourteen years of age. She has been a subscriber to the Texas Christian Advocate since its publication. She was faithful through near three score and ten years and God took her home. She leaves five living children -- one of whom is a faithful steward in the Methodist Church -- thirty-five grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren. Many others have passed on before her. God grant that all her children may follow her.
W. H. Crawford Kerens, Texas.
Wife of Zachariah Westbrook
Buried at Prairie Point Cemetery, Bazette, Kerens, Navarro Co., TX
Submitted by Jean Westbrook Gibbons.
From the Christian Advocate, 25 June 1896 - Aug 2002
Biography & Portrait
Zachariah Westbrook
WESTBROOK -- Bro. Zachariah Westbrook, was born in Chester District, South Carolina, Dec 25, 1829 (sic), where he was raised. When twenty-one years of age, in 1830, he was converted and joined the M.E. Church. In 1844, he went to the M. M. Church, South, in which church he lived an exemplary life and happy Christian. In 1835 he married Miss Mary Agnew. During the same year he moved to Mississippi, settling in Monroe County. here they continued eighteen years. In 1853 he removed from Mississippi coming to Texas. He located in the northeast corner of Navarro county twenty-five years ago. Here he watched the seasons come and go from 1855 to 1878. Here, too, he witnessed the rise of the excellent community at and about Bazett (sic) postoffice. He witnessed also the prosperity of the church he loved and to build up which he so earnestly labored. He was the father of eleven children, five of whom preceded him to the other world. Three sons and three daughters, together with their aged and sorrowing mother, and many relatives and friends remain to morn their loss. Bro. Westbrook was taken sick on the 26th day of January, 1878. In the evening of the first day's he became very happy, saying that he was prepared to witness the dissolution of soul and body. For some time before his death he seemed to be in an unconscious state. On either side of his bed sat a grown son. He roused up just before he breathed his last, looking upon his sons, he exclaimed: "Get on board, boys ! get on board!" "Get on board what, father? asked one of his sons. With his almost expiring breath he cried: "Get on board the ship and let us go to the promised land." Yes ! all ye children of Uncle Zachariah, get on the ship of Zion and sail for home! Bro. Westbrook suffered seven days with pneumonia. At four o'clock on the morning of the 1st of February, "he was not, for God had taken him." Thus a veteran soldier has fallen, and we are sad; but we rejoice to know that our momentary loss is his eternal gain. I would say to Sister Westbrook to cling to the cross a few more days and the battle will be fought with you. The summons will soon come, and with you all shall be well ! To his children, relatives and friends, I would say: "Get on board!" and sail for the "promised land." W. C. BRODIE
Buried at Prairie Point Cemetery, Bazette, Kerens, Navarro Co., TX (Dec 25, 1809 - Feb 1, 1878)
From the Texas Christian Advocate, 23 March 1878
Submitted by Jean Westbrook Gibbons - Aug 2002
John Ronald Johnson
May 13, 1940 - Aug 17, 2002
John Ronald Johnson, 62, of Corsicana, a beloved member of the community, died at his home Aug. 17, 2002.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Johnson home.
A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Honorary pallbearers will be Oliver Albritton, Dr. Tom Sheriff, Dr. Bob Kingman, Abe Stroud, Rodney Haedge, Darrel Johnson, Dr. Charles Biltz, Michie Akin, Mickey Hillock and David Manning.
Mr. Johnson was born May 13, 1940 in Oklahoma City, Okla. He graduated from El Paso High School and received his master's degree from Northern Michigan University. He also served in the United States Navy. John moved to Navarro County in 1972. For 30 years Johnson worked at Navarro Regional Hospital, where he served in many capacities, including Director of Human Resources and Marketing.
He was a dedicated member of St. John's Episcopal Church, where he was a soloist and member of the choir, a lay reader, chalice bearer and member of the Vestry. He was also a frequent tenor soloist in the choirs of First United Methodist Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Corsicana, the Cathedral de Santuario and Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Dallas, and the Dallas and Corsicana Arts Chorale. Every single day John's generous spirit touched the lives of many people. He was a mentor to all who knew him. His faith and good works supported all those who came to him with needs and concerns.
Mr. Johnson endeared himself to all who knew him through his countless contributions to the arts. He was active in the Warehouse Living Arts Theater, appearing in many of its productions (sometimes with a shaved head) and serving as president of the Board of Directors. A charter member of the "Fab Five," he was co-writer and producer of numerous Derrick Days' Revues, as well as two major productions benefiting Navarro College. Johnson also appeared in roles at the Lyric Theater of the Irving Center for the Performing Arts.
An active Rotarian, Johnson was named a Paul Harris Fellow and served as president of the local chapter. He was active in United Way, Project Pride, VOICE, Relay for Life, and a member of the Corsicana Library board.
Through the years John and his wife, Ann, served as host parents to foreign exchange students from Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Soviet Georgia and Japan.
Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. V. 0. Johnson, and his sister, Patricia Johnson Hubert.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Ruth Johnson; children Dr. Beth Claxton of Flagstaff, Ariz., Will Claxton of London, England and Katherine Johnson of Boulder, Colo.; brother, Rev. Dr. Don Johnson of Tulsa, Okla.; sister-in-law Missy Ruth Ivey of Little Rock, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. John's Episcopal Church Music Fund, 101 N. 14th Street; the Warehouse Living Arts Center, 119 W. Sixth Avenue; or the Navarro Council of the Arts (The Chorale or The Palace Theater Funds), 119 W. Sixth Avenue.
Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home.
Corsicana Daily Sun
Mary Jewell (Barnett) Kimes
Mary Jewell Kimes, 84, of Corsicana passed away Friday, Aug. 17, 2002 at her residence.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Paschal Funeral Home in Kerens.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Kerens Presbyterian Church with Rev. Charles A. Reese officiating. Interment will follow at Kerens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Donald Barnett, Billy Barnett, Mike Gallagher, Shawn Gallagher, George Kimes and Kirk Sellers.
Ms. Kimes was born Sept. 29, 1917 in Bazette.
She is survived by sons Harold Gene Kimes of Temple and Kenneth Edwin Kimes of Corsicana; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Paschal Funeral Home.
Lillian Mae (Phillips) Williams
Sep 7, 1912 - Aug 19, 2002
Lillian M. Williams
illian M. Williams, 89, of Blooming Grove passed away Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 at Navarro Regional Hospital.
Services are pending with Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home of Blooming Grove.
8/21 Obituaries
Lillian M. Williams, 89, of Blooming Grove passed away Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 at Navarro Regional Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove.
Services will be 4 p.m. Thursday at Blooming Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jonathan Speegle officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Don Barham, Roy Mershawn, Dusty Ledbetter and Larry Farrish.
Mrs. Williams was born Sept. 7, 1912 in Blooming Grove.
She was preceded in death by her husband, R. E. Williams; stepdaughter, Earnestine Watts; and stepson, Kenneth E. Williams.
Survivors include her son, Marcus Williams of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Phyllis Brown of Kerens; brothers, Will Roy Phillips of Grand Prairie and Doyle Phillips of Temple; sister, Clara Wilson of Blooming Grove; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a number nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home of Blooming Grove.
Married Rase Earnest Williams
Thelma (Brown) Rubell
Dec 3, 1916 - Aug 15, 2002
Thelma Brown Rubell, 85, of Corsicana passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 at her residence.
A wake will be held 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ross and Johnson Mortuary.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at First Independent Baptist Church, 703 E. Fifth Ave., with Overseer Robert Newsome officiating. Interment will follow at Samaria Cemetery.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Mrs. Rubell was born Dec. 3, 1916 in Kerens. She was a member of Church of the Living God PGT.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Will Brown and Carnia Rubell; daughters, Beulah Shafford and Linda Rubell; and son, Johnny Mack Brown.
Survivors include her daughters, Pinkie Tubb, Minnie Mae Washington, Ruby Baston, Peggy Daniels, Alice Faye Tubb and Virginia Brown; sons, Lewis Brown, Ruby J. Brown, W.T. Brown, Bobby Joe Brown and Jimmy Brown; brother, Otis Sanders; 200 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Arrangements by Ross and Johnson Mortuary
Chester Lee Thompson
Chester L. Thompson, 83, of Waco died Thursday, Aug 15, 2002, at his residence. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug 17 at Resthaven Cemetery in Corsicana. Services under the direction of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 1124 Washington Ave.
Mr. Thompson was born May 24, 1919, in Purdon, Texas, to Andrew and Clarence (Pool) Thompson. He served from 1942 to 1947 in the Naval Coast Guard. Chester was an electrician with Texas Power & Light for 23 years. Upon retiring, he opened Chester Thompson Real Estate and was a real estate broker until his death. He was a workaholic, loved the outdoors, included fishing and hunting, most all sports especially football, and country music. He danced a "mean" two-step. Chester enjoyed life in general. He was a good father and friends and will be missed greatly.
Survivors include son, Paul W. Thompson of Waco; grand children, Holly and David Thompson of Waco; special friend Linda Rowett of Waco; sisters, Catherine Acres and Dorothy McGraw, both of Corsicana; brothers Waylon Thompson of Purdon and Melvin Thompson of Sherman; and several nieces and nephews.
Anita (Wilson) Stone
Anita Stone, 63, of Bellmead went to be with our Lord Aug. 15, 2002, at a local hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at Belmead Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Lester Adams officiating. Burial will be at the Dresden Cemetery near Navarro Mills Lake.
Mrs. Stone was born Sept. 15, 1938 in Knox City, Texas where she was reared and went to school. She raised four wonderful children, Annette, Theresa, Dillard and Velta and step children, Fred Bridges and Shery Garrett. Her love for all of her children was the strength and foundation of her family. For a number of years, she was a wife and companion to J. W. Stone, who preceded her in death on Oct 3, 2001. They are together again for all eternity. Her eyes will surely light up with the gift of sight through cornea donation.
She is survived by her children, Annette Carroll, Theresa and Dillard White, all of Waco and Velta Babb of Georgia; a brother, Sammy Wilson of Abilene and two sisters, Sandra Abbot of Abilene and Juanita Elliot of Olney and six grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Keith Iraggi, Bob Groh, Wally Pattengill, Dennis Bridger, Ricky Bridger, Dillard White and Michael Montgomery.
She meant so much to all of us, family as well as friends; she will be dearly missed by one and all. Mom, you've always watched over all of us while you were here; we expect the same from you from heaven. Love from all of us, until we are together again.
Shawn Stanfield
May 27, 1972 - May 31
LARUE — Funeral services for Shawn Stanfield, 30, of LaRue, formerly of Malakoff, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home chapel in Athens.
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Burial was in LaRue Cemetery.
Mr. Stanfield died Friday, May 31, in Malakoff.
He was born May 27, 1972, in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Gary Don and Orlynne Marx Stanfield.
Mr. Stanfield lived in Malakoff prior to moving to LaRue in 1999. He graduated from Eustace High School in 1991 and from Oklahoma State Horse Shoeing School in 2000.
Mr. Stanfield was a police officer for City of Kerens.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Joey Collum.
Survivors include his wife, LeAnn Baron Stanfield, LaRue; daughters, Alexis Cheyenne Stanfield, LaRue, and Kendra Lynn Ward, Eustace; a son, Steven Wade Simmons, LaRue; father and step-mother, Gary Don and Earline Stanfield, Malakoff; mother, Orlynne Stanfield, Orville, Calif.; grandmother, Mary Marx, Orville, Calif.; step-sisters, Vivian Cooper, Tyler, and Barbara Barker, Kermit; step-brother, Cecil Collum, Crescent Heights; nieces, nephew and other relatives.
Pallbearers were Kalon Rollins, Cleve Maxey, Jeremy Kinman, Cecil Collum, Bud Barker, Dale Duggins, Wayne Duncan, Tommy Hyde and Devin Buckley.
Lola Mae Robinson
Lola Mae Robinson, 93, passed away Sunday, Aug. 18, 2002 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.
Wake services will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Cedar Crest Place Funeral Home, 4830 S. Lancaster, Dallas.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 3150 S. Loop 12, Dallas.
A native of Hester Grove, near Corsicana, and a resident in Dallas for 18 years, she was a loving wife and mother and devoted her life to her family. She was a faithful member of First Independent Baptist Church in Corsicana for many years. After moving to Dallas, she placed her membership at Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She served there faithfully until she became disabled.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Event Robinson Sr.
Survivors include her daughters, Lila Fay Roberson of Fort Worth and Pauline Robinson of Dallas; sons, Isaac Robinson and Event Robinson Jr. and wife Shirley Robinson of Dallas; grandchildren, Patricia Hardy, Sylvia Robinson, Paula Landry, Maria Birdwell, all of Fort Worth, Terri D. Smith and husband Gary of Oklahoma City, Okla., Lori Mosley and Tammy Robinson of Dallas; and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cedar Crest Funeral Home of Dallas.
Richard A. Haufe
Oct 23, 1933 - Aug 21, 2002
Richard A. Haufe, 68, of Corsicana passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002 at his residence after an extended illness.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church with the Rev. Peter Kolb officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Roy Norsix, Chris Lake, John Horton, David Nyquist, Dick James, Bob Harper and Gene Bullard. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Dobbs, David Bentz, Richard Washington, David Dycus and Melba Bower.
Mr. Haufe was born Oct. 23, 1933 in Wheeling, W.V. to William and Bernice "Betty" Haufe. He went to public schools in Peoria, Ill. and Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Hower High, a trade high school, with a four-year apprenticeship in printing. However, the Korean War was in progress and at age 18, Mr. Haufe entered the Marines. After nine years in the Marines, he transferred to the Air Force, where he spent the rest of his 22-year military service, including two tours of Vietnam. After 16 years in the military, while stationed in Texas, he met his future wife Myrna on a blind date. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 and they settled in Corsicana.
He worked for Jetco Chemical. He was avid reader, especially historical novels. He was well informed on history, especially related to battles, wars and weapons. He could discuss minor details not found in textbooks that made the information more interesting. Mr. Haufe enjoyed cooking and developed his own recipes, a favorite with family being spaghetti and meatballs.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1977 and his mother in 2002.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Myrna Haufe of Corsicana; daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Roy Lamb of Corsicana; son, Richard Arlen Haufe Jr. of Houston; grandchildren, Heather and Derek Lamb; brother and sister-in-law, William and Elinor Haufe of Tallmadge, Ohio; sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Art Mitchell of New Philadelphia, Ohio; aunt, Mildred Morgan of Akron, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Karen and John Queen of Mineral Wells, W.V., Gayle and Gary Gallupe of Richfield, Ohio, Christopher and Lisa Haufe of Stow, Ohio, Rebecca and David Morrison of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and Terry Bloom of Tallmadge, Ohio; and grandnieces and nephews, Megan, Kimberly, Matthew and Haley Queen, Malinda and Nathaniel Haufe, and Trinity and Victoria Morrison.
Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.
Edna Elizabeth (Butler) Ballew
Edna Butler Ballew
Edna Butler Ballew, 86, of Frost passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002 at her residence.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Frost Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Dowdy and the Rev. Johnny Singleton officiating. Interment will follow at Emmett Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Joe Brooks, Bobby Boucher, Andy Forman, Chris Pate, Wilson Tatum and Frank Allen.
Mrs. Ballew was born Aug. 14, 1916 in Roane to Floyd C. Butler and Mae Roberson Butler. She married Robert Lee Ballew Feb. 15, 1939. She was a member of Frost Baptist Church. She resided in the same residence in Frost for over 60 years. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her children Leah Greenup and husband Wayne of Canyon, Robert Ballew and wife Velma, and Elizabeth Singleton and husband Johnny of Rising Star; grandchildren, LeeAnn Ramsey and husband David, Nanette Forman and husband Andy, April Allen, Lowell Ballew and wife Shay, Johnna Boucher and husband Bobby, Beth Ann Singleton and Melissa Kay Singleton; great-grandchildren, Cd Ramsey, Caleb, Hannah and Noah Forman, Sarah and Emma Allen, Aiden, Liam and Jude Ballew, Benjamin and Bethany Boucher; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Submitted by Edward L. Williams
Daughter of Floyd Cornelieus Butler & Mertis Mae Roberson
Married Robert Lee Ballew on 15 February 1939, he died on 19 June 1955 and is also buried at Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
Photo of Headstone
Hazel Leta Gladys (Cockerell ) Gowan
Dec 29, 1912 - Aug 21, 2002
Hazel Leta Gladys Gowan
Hazel Leta Gladys Gowan, 89, of Corsicana passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002 at Navarro Regional Hospital.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Long Prairie Cemetery with George Proctor-Smith officiating.
Mrs. Gowan was born Dec. 29, 1912 in Kerens to Henry Rimpson Cockerell and Gussie Cherry Cockerell. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Wood Gowan; son, Edward William Gowan; daughter, Arlie Robinson; and grandson, Charles Edward Gowan.
Survivors include her grandchildren, Chris and Tammy Gowan and Andy Strickland, all of Corsicana, and Don Strickland and Tim and Teresa Strickland, all of Fort Worth; and great-grandchildren, Krista Gowan and Kayed Eugene Gowan, both of Corsicana, Kaitlin Gowan of Dallas, and Matthew and Jennifer Strickland of Fort Worth.
Doris Earline (Crim) Womack
Jul 18, 1918 - Aug 22, 2002
Doris Earline Crim Womack
Doris Earline Crim Womack, 84, passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002 in Corsicana.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. today at the Veteran II section of Laurel Land Memorial Park in Dallas.
Mrs. Womack was born July 18, 1918. She was a member of the VFW Marine Corps and the Cooties since the early 1970s. She was very active in the Red Oak schools, serving as past president of the PTA, coaching the drill team and boys soccer. She also volunteered for the VA Hospital of Dallas. One of her greatest loves was dancing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Womack in 1983.
Survivors include her children, Walter Spears and wife Sue of Phoenix, Ariz. and Mary Ruth Sharp and husband Will of Purdon; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Laurel Land Funeral Home of Dallas.
Matthew 'Matt' Glidewell
April 23, 1985 - Aug 22, 2002
Matthew "Matt" Glidewell
Matthew "Matt" Glidewell, 17, of Corsicana passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002 in Corsicana.
Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Griffin-Roughton Chapel with George Proctor-Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Rodney Bennett, Larry Tacker, Tony Ruiz, Jerry Glidewell, Chuck Tollison and Lee Tacker.
He was born April 23, 1985 in Corsicana. He was a junior at Corsicana High School.
Survivors include his father, Melvin Glidewell of Mineral Wells; mother and stepfather, Alice Tacker and David Keith Tacker of Corsicana; grandparents, Johnny and Kathy Glidewell, Antonio Ruiz, and Elaine Tacker, all of Corsicana; great-grandmother, Joyce Grothe of Corsicana; brothers, Jeff Glidewell of Twentynine Palms, Calif. and Josh Glidewell of Corsicana; sisters, Amanda Glidewell and fiance Eric Heaslet of Corsicana and Jennifer Tacker of Waco; nieces, Katie Heaslet of Corsicana and Lexy Tacker of Waco; six aunts, six uncles and a number of cousins.
Capt Richard Joseph "Jock" Sanders
CORSICANA, Texas, June 1 - R.J. (Uncle Jock) Sanders, 84, native Texan and pioneer resident of the Frost community, died Tuesday night at the family home two and one-half miles south of Frost and the funeral took place Wednesday afternoon from the First Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Diltz, pastor of the church, and the Rev. Oby Nelson, pastor of the Wortham Baptist Church, conducting the services. Burial was in the Frost cemetery. The Odd Fellows had charge of the body at the grave.
Coming to Navarro County many years ago, Mr. Sanders settled at what was then known as Cross Roads, which is now Frost. He was a member of the Methodist Church for many years.
Mr. Sanders is survived by his wife and eight children, as follows: Will Sanders, San Angelo; Steven Sanders, Hereford; Charles Sanders, Big Lake; I. A. Sanders, Frost; Mrs. Homer Whorton, Blooming Grove; Mrs. P.O. Moore, Ennis; Mrs. D. W. Johnson, Dallas; Mrs. W. A. Sims, Frost.
Submitted by Karen Rost
Death Prominent Frost Citizen Was Deeply Deplored
Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light - June 7, 1927
Capt Jock Sanders Had Lived Near Frost For Many Years The following article in connection with the death of Capt Jock Sanders, prominent Navarro county pioneer appeared in the Frost Enterprise of Thursday, June 2, and will be ready with interest by his many friends over the county. A pall of gloom settled over this entire community Wednesday morning when news that Richard J. (Jock) Sanders had passed away Tuesday night, May 31, at 9:15 o'clock after an illness covering a period of several years. Mr. Sanders was born in Mississippi, May 11, 1846 [or 1845?] moving to Texas with his parents at the age of two years and settled first in Anderson County, where they resided for two years, moving from there into Smith County where they lived for seven or eight years, moving from there to Kaufman county where at the age of 16 years, Mrs. Sanders entered the Civil War, serving in Col Dhishol'ms company in Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas for a period of over a year being released at Corinth, Miss, on account of his extreme youth. Mr. Sanders returned to his Kaufman County home but remained for a very short time as he went to Milford and re-enlisted and was dispatched to the border being stationed at Brownsville where he did ranger duty until the end of the war. At the close of the war Mr. Sanders again returned to Kaufman where in Feb 1866 he married Miss Liza Ann McPeters and in April of this same year, this souple in company with Mr. Sandters' uncle Roll Hightower, moved to Navarro County, making the trip in a covered wagon and bringing with them a small herd of cattle and they both located a few miles south of where Frost now stands. To this union ten children were born, eight of whom are still living, two dying in infancy. Those surviving are: Stephen J., Herefort; Wm J, San Angelo; Chas C, Big Lake; I. A., Frost; Mrs. May T. Simms, Frost; Mres. Sallie E. Johnson, Dallas; Mrs. Lucy A. Whirton, Blooming Grove; Mrs. Miltie Lorena Moore, Ennis. All were present except S. J. Sanders of Herford who was unable to attend. All of these children have made splendid and useful citizen in the communities in which they reside. Mr. Sanders had been married twice, his first wife dying in 1911. He was married to Mrs. Ona B. Highnote in 1912 who was a devoted wife and companion throughout his illness. The first few years of his life in this community were devoted to farming, cattle raising, and hauling supplies from Millican, Texas by ox wagon to Dresden, Milford and Fort Worth. In only a very short time he turned his entire attention to the cattle industry and even though each year when it came time to market his cattle he was forced to drive them to Shreveport and then ship by boat to New Orleans, it was not long until he became one of the most influential cattlemen of this section of the state. He continued in this industry until 1898 when he moved his cattle to a large ranch in Stephens county. In the meantime Mr. Sanders had entered the general mercantile business in 1883 on a large scale at Cross Roads, two miles south of where Frost now stand and it was while living at the same place where he died that Mr. Sanders proved that he was a man of vision for at this time, there was no railroad near this community and it was greatly through his untiring efforts that the Cotton Belt railway was prevailed upon to bring their branch line through this section, and after the road was built, Mr. Sanders moved his store to Frost but continued to live at the old home place. Mr. Sanders was one of those men who were the foundation of our present civilization one who was always for the upbuilding of his town and community. This pioneer man bought and sold a great deal of land in this section and for more than 50 years was a dominant factor in the upbuiliding of this country in both its civil and political affairs. Up until about 9 years ago, Mr. Sanders was active in all things pertaining to community building and even though in ill health for years, he kept up with every movement for the betterment of the community he had worked so hard to help establish and his many friends all over the country would come to him and seek advice on business and civic matters and his guiding hand has brought about many good things for all the people in the community. Several years ago, Mr. Sanders was elected vice president and a director of the First National Bank which position he held until his death. Mrs. Sanders also served six years at the State Orphans' Home as a member of the governing body and helped to secure many of the new buildings that make this institution one of which we are all proud. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the tabernacle, being conducted by Rev. Oby Nelson of Wortham and Rev. C. B. Diltz of this city. Interment was in the Frost Cemetery. One of the highest tributes ever paid to a citizen of this community was heard when Hon. Richard Mays of Corsicanan, a friend of Mr. Sanders for over 40 years told those present of the many fine traits possessed by the deceased and prominent among them was his love for his fellow man, always extending a helping hand and a word of encouragement. The members of Frost Lodge No 364, I.O.O.F. of which deceased had been a member for over 30 years assisted by many visiting members, had charge of the ceremony at the cemetery. The quantity of floral offerings at the home and cemetery showed the high esteem in which Mr. Sanders was held by all. Active pallbearers were: Ed J. Sheppard, Sanders Whorton, S. O. Hyer, J. A. Ledford, E. F. Melton, and A.F. Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers were: G.J. Bason, J. A. Tullos, R. L. Way, Louis Pevehouse, Jerry M. Scott, S. S. Hooser, D. A. Ponder, R. L. Templeton, T. S. Meador, G. A. Griffin, S. L. Jones, Joe C. Deitt, W. F. Osborne, B. L. (Kirk) Moore of Frost; J. N. Edens, E. J. Gibson, J. S. Callicut, Richard Mays, A. M. Milligan, R.L. Harris, Blooming Grove; J. V. Matson, Hubbard; G. P. Mitcham, Cisco; L. M. McCord, Ennis Among the out of town relatives attending the funeral were: J. H. Whorton and family, Blooming Grove; Hon B. H. Johnson, Dallas; C. L. Moore and family, Ennis. Among the out of town visitors were: A. M. Milligan, Hon Rufus Hardy, Hon. ---ard Mays, J. N. Edens, (here the right side of the paper is cut off)... C. C. ---ton, Judge Hawkins Scarborough, Hon LeGrand Woods, Hon - S. Callicut, E. J. Gibson, John - Steward, Judge A. P. Mays and __d Upchurch of Corsicana; G. - Mitcham of Cisco; J. V. Matson Hubbard; John Price, Italy; Mr. and Mrs. Jim McCleary and Mrs. - McCleary of Corsicana; Ed Percival, Crandall; Mr. and Mrs. R. Sellers, Midlothian; Mr. and Mrs. Otis Cody, Dallas; Mrs. Annie Hewitt of Grand Prairie. There were also numbers of friends from Blooming Grove, Italy, Irene, and Mertens present. Frost Enterprise. [Note: Richard J. Sanders was the son of Stephen N. and Teletha Hightower Sanders.]
Submitted by Virginia Crilley
Arthur E. Penney
May 24, 1903 - Dec 1978
Services for Arthur E. Penney 21 Dec 1978, unidentified newspaper clipping, from "Mama Nona's Collection."
Services for Arthur E. Penney, 75, of Athens were held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Judson Baptist church of Cayuga with the Rev Jerry Cotton officiating.
Burial was in the Union Cemetery with the Foster and Brown Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Born May 24, 1903 in Navarro Co, he was son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jason A. Penney. He had resided in the Cayuga area since 1911 and was a retired employee of Getty Oil Company.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Bonnie Penney of Athens; one son, Larry Penney of Athens; two daughters, Mrs. Joan Stephens of Mesquite, and Mrs. Yvonne Hopkins of Athens; four brothers, Neal Penney of Houma La; Fred Penney of Lafayette La; Clyde Penney of Angleton and Robert Penney of Athens; three sisters, Mrs Evelyn Parker of Chandler; Mrs. Lois Tolbert and Mrs. Alyene Reynolds of Carthage; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Billie (Admire) Hunter- Smith
Mar 20, 1919 - Jun 6, 2000
FAYETTEVILLE - Billie Hunter Smith, 81, of Fayetteville died June 6, 2000, at Medi-Homes in Prairie Grove.
She was born March 20, 1919 in Frost, Texas, to Sanford Burton and Annie B. Rachels Admire.
She was a homemaker and a former manager and music teacher at Hammond Organ and Piano Studio in Fayetteville.
She was a member of the American College of Musicians, the National Music Teachers Association and Free Will Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Cecil Hunter and Rillie F. Smith.
Survivors include one son, James Howard Hunter of Fayetteville; three daughters, Norma Lea Summers of Winslow, Margaret Carolyn Kilgore of Springdale and Gweneth Jean Reed of Douglas, Kan.; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville with Dr. A. P. Vohs officiating.
Burial will be in Brentwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Moore's. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, P.O. Box 349, Springdale, 72745, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 40, Fayetteville, 72702-0040.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Kilgore, Dan Carney, Dwane Summers, David Summers, Shawn Wright, Kenneth Britton, Cole Reed and Hunter Reed.
Honary pallbearers will be Archie Womkey, James Bean, Troy Admire, Johnny Brumley, wayne Admire and Christifer Page.
SSDI: BILLIE H SMITH; SSN: 432-64-5311; BORN: 20 Mar 1919; DIED: 6 Jun 2000; RESIDENCE: 72764 Springdale, Washington, AR
Services for Mrs. Parks
Funeral services for Mrs. M. J. Parks, aged sixty-six years, who died Saturday morning at a local sanitarium will be held Sunday afternoon at her home in Palmer, Texas. The funeral party will leave Loudermilk's chapel at 12 o'clock and will proceed by automobile to Palmer. On arrival in Palmer, services will be in Palmer cemetery. Mrs. Parks was born in Navarro County Texas and has lived in Texas all her life.
Dallas Times Herald Sunday Nov 5, 1916.
Maggie Jackson
Maggie Jackson, 54, of 2935 S. Ewing died Sunday at her home.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Full Gospel Holy Temple with burial in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.
The Corsicana native lived in Dallas 25 years. She was an evangelist at Full Gospel Holy temple and a sales clerk for 14 years at Sanger Harris Department Store.
Survivors all of Dallas include her husband, John W. Jackson, a daughter, Delores Johnson and a son Lorenzo Jackson
Feb 23, 1977 Dallas Times Herald
TXDI: Jackson, Maggie L.; 02-30-1977; Dallas; Female
SSDI: MAGGIE JACKSON; SSN: 454-30-3299; BORN: 17 Aug 1923; DIED: Feb 1977: LAST BENEFIT: DALLAS, TX
Elta M. Williams
Elta M. Williams, 98, passed away Friday, Aug. 23, 2002 in Fairview Heights, Ill.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Resthaven Memorial Chael with Bro. Bill Honea officiating. Interment will be at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Mrs. Williams was born July 20, 1904 in Sherman. She was an active member of First Baptist Church for 44 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George P. Williams.
Mrs. Williams is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, George P. and Phyllis Williams Jr. of Fairview Heights, Ill.; daughter, Jo Eloise (Williams) Harris of Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada; grandson and wife, Lee and Barbara Harris of Leawood, Kan.; granddaughters and husbands, Jean Ann and Ron Jones of Lexington, Ken., Cynthia Ann and John Jarrett of Raleigh, N.C., Paige Williams of Kirkwood, Mo. and Dawn and Ray Vitha of Kansas City, Kan.; great-grandsons, Joshua, Benjamin and Matthew Jarrett, Jerod Vitha, and Trevor and Phillip Jones; and great-granddaughters, Crystal and Charity Harris.
Lille Belle (White) Spracklen
Mrs. Lillie Belle Spracklen, 69, of Big Horn died Saturday at a local Hospital. She came to Sheridan county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.J. White, from Barry, Texas in 1884. They made the trip here in a covered wagon. They settled on the ranch now known as the Bar 13 which joins the present Spracklen place. Except for a period of two years after their marriage, she and Mr. Spracklen had lived on their ranch near Big Horn.
Her parents and one sister preceded her in death. Survivors include her widower, Frank R. Spracklen, route one; six children; Mrs. James Rinker, Sheridan; Wesley F. Spracklen, Van Nuys, California; Polly F. Spracklen, Sheridan; Harold C. Spracklen, Clearmont; Mrs. Paul Winland, Boyes, Montana; and Mrs. Harvey Walker, Sheridan; two sisters, Mrs. M.A. Lavell, Sheridan, and Mrs. William Potts, Buffalo. Four brothers, James M. White, Washington, D.C.; Tex White, Sheridan, Oregon; Reagan White, Sheridan, Wyoming; and Dave White, Los Angeles, California, also survive.
Fourteen grandchildren, James W., Charles M., Milo, David and Ross Rinker; three great grandchildren--Judy, Eugene and Gloria Rinker are also among the survivors Rex, Frank, Merle and Nelliebell Spracklen; Evelyn and Bob Spracklen of Van Nuys, California; and Dixie, Jimmy and Barry Walker.
Link to Family Outline
Bertha Lorene Yates
Bertha Lorene Yates, 89, of Corsicana passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002 in Corsicana.
Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. today at Corley Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Red Oak Cemetery in Red Oak.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Miller, Kerry Miller, Greg Yates, Brad Yates and Eric Yates.
Mrs. Yates was born July 10, 1913 in Olustee, Okla. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Amos R. Yates.
Mrs. Yates is survived by son and daughter-in-law, John and Carolyn Yates of Corsicana; daughter and son-in-law, Fern and Dennis Miller of Houston; grandsons, Ricky Miller of Channelview, Kerry Miller of Magnolia, Gregg Yates of Dallas, Brad Yates of Waxahachie and Eric Yates of Red Oak; great-grandsons, Brandon Miller of Houston, Aaron Miller of Channelview, Grayson Yates of Waxahachie, and John Greggory Yates of Dallas; and great-granddaughters, Kaily Yates of Waxahachie, Brooke Yates of Red Oak and Isabella Marie Yates of Dallas.
Leonard.T. Sawyer
June 11, 1918 - Aug 24, 2002
L. T. 'Buz' Sawyer
L. T. "Buz" Sawyer, 84, of Big Spring passed away Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002 at his residence.
Graveside services will be 3 p.m. today at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring with the Rev. Randy Cotton and the Rev. Mickey Loftis officiating.
Mr. Sawyer was born June 11, 1918 in Corsicana. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a medic in North Africa and in Europe. He was a part of the American forces which liberated the German concentration camp, Dachaw. Following the war, the married Jo Doolen April 6, 1946 in Corsicana. They lives at Crane for a number of years where Mr. Sawyer was employed by Gulf Oil from 1946 to 1977. They moved to Big Spring in 1985 from Crane. Mr. Sawyer was a member of American Legion Post 506 and was a member of the Baptist church.
He was preceded in death by his wife June 18, 1998.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and Bill Tarleton of Gail; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Becky Sawyer of Coppell; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 506, 3203 W. Highway 80, Big Spring, Texas 79720.
Arrangements by Myers and Smith Funeral Home of Big Spring.
Emmie Mae (Bonner) Bodily
May 2, 1914 - Aug 25, 2002
Emmie Mae Bodily
Emmie Mae Bodily, 88, of Corsicana passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002 at Navarro Regional Hospital.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin-Roughton Chapel with Dr. David Hale officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery.
Mrs. Bodily was born May 2, 1914 in Angus to James Elige Cox and Talitha Cumi Bonner. She was a telephone operator.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Bodily; brothers, Hubert Cox and Robert Cox; sisters, Violet Blue, Jimmie Scott and Jewell Holcomb; and nephews, Ronald Blue, Billy Chandler, Hal Scott and Gary Scott.
Survivors include her nephew, Wayne Scott of Corsicana; nieces, Cathy Leonard and Donna Black, both of Corsicana, and Rita Smithey of Italy; great-nephews, Chris Jones of Corsicana, Ryan Scott of Arkansas and Tim Scott of Dallas, and Tony Black, Tommy Black and Timothy Black, all of Arlington; great-nieces, Melissa Smithey of Italy, Paula Banks of Fort Worth, and Rachael Leonard and Ashley Leonard, both of Corsicana.
Edna Ruth (Horn) Hodge
July 29, 1926 - Aug 25, 2002
Edna Ruth Horn Hodge, 76, of Houston passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002 in a Houston hospital.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wade Funeral Home in Hubbard.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Andrew Still officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Hubbard.
Mrs. Hodge was born July 29, 1926 in Frost.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie Edwin and Nora Adella Woodall Horn.
Survivors include her husband, Ray Hodge of Houston; daughter, Sharon Rambo of Houston; grandchildren, Tamara Morton of Pearland and Lonnie Howard of Midlothian; and brothers, Alvin Horn of Pearland and Gilbert Horn of Waco.
Arrangements by Wade Funeral Home of Hubbard.
Robert 'Bobby' Johnston Sr.
Robert 'Bobby' Johnston Sr., 72, of Corsicana passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002 in Corsicana.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Corley Funeral Home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at DFW National Cemetery.
Mr. Johnston was born July 17, 1930 in Eureka. He was a telephone installer. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in Korea.
Mr. Johnston is survived by son, Robert Sidney Johnston Jr. of Corsicana; daughter Eva Ruth McCoy and husband Robert of Temple; grandchildren Kaitlin McCoy, Keenan McCoy and Kyle McCoy, all of Temple; sister Martha Eva Long; brother Henry W. Johnston and wife Bessie; numerous nieces and nephews and host of friends.
Gloria June Clark
Gloria June Clark of Corsicana passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002 in Bullard.
Services are pending with Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Rose Mound Cemetery in Waco.
Gloria June Clark, 61, of Corsicana passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002 in Bullard.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. Saturday until the service, which begins at 11 a.m. at Park Meadows Baptist Church with David Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Rosemound Cemetery in Waco.
Mrs. Clark was born Sept. 11, 1940 in Waco to Herbert John Clark and Opal Evelyn Pruitt Clark. She was active in her church, joyfully taking care of many duties with the heart of a servant. She had been employed at DTI-NeUventure in Corsicana after having her own business in Mexia and Midland for many years. She was diagnosed three weeks ago with a very fast growing form of brain cancer.
Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte Mitchell of Mexia and Marsha Jones of Tyler; brother, Clifford Clark of Waco; sister, Jerry Locke of Gatesville; eight grandchildren; and a loving church family at Park Meadows Baptist Church and many friends in Mexia and Corsicana.
Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home of Corsicana
Jennetta Marie Chaney
Apr 22, 1940 - Aug 23, 2002
Jennetta Marie Chaney, 62, of Corsicana passed away Friday, Aug. 23, 2002 at Mel-Haven Convalescent Home.
Quiet hour will be 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Scott Funeral Chapel.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Greater Wilgo Baptist Church with Revs. Aurthur Faulk and A.E. Bell officiating. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Eugene White, Edward Polk, Tim Polk, Authur Brewer, Ronnie Mitchell, Arnold Scott, Edward Polk, Charles Polk and Datric Dail.
Honorary pallbearers will be Homer Lee Chaney, David Chaney, Tim Chaney, Antonie Chaney, Steve Chaney, Emanuel Chaney, Chad Sterling and Jamiel Taylor.
Mrs. Chaney was born April 22, 1940 in Corsicana. She was a member of Greater Wilgo Baptist Church and a 1959 graduate of G.W. Jackson High School.
She was preceded in death by parents Dennis and Lena Chaney; brothers Harold Chaney, Eugene Chaney and Dennis Chaney, Jr.; sisters Jessie Lee Chaney, Bernice Chaney, Lela Mae Jackson and Dorothy Walker; and son-in-law Sam White.
Survivors include children Sherry Keeton and husband Tony of Corsicana, Sonya White of Gun Barrell City, David Chaney and wife Jewel of Corsicana and Tim Chaney and wife Sharon of Angus; brother Homer Lee Chaney of Houston; sisters Mable Robinson of Corsicana and Mozelle Caruth of Dallas; seven grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; friends Capt. Faith Holt and Prophetess Loyce Johnson, both of Corsicana; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Arrangements by Scott Funeral Home.
Michael Paul Zoch
Michael Paul Zoch, 37, of Corsicana passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 in Corsicana.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Davis Cemetery in Grapeland with Dr. Mark Chadwick officiating.
Mr. Zoch was born May 19, 1965 in Grapeland.
He was preceded in death by sister Sandra Zoch and brother Kenneth Lee Zoch.
Survivors include sons Mike Zoch of Ingham and Justin Zoch of Teague; daughter Brittney Zoch of Ingham; parents Otto and Gloria Zoch of Corsicana; brothers Terry Wayne Zoch and Douglas Glynn Zoch, both of Corsicana; sister Billie Jean Millin of Santa Fe, N.M.; grandmother Ann Weber of Houston; and a number of nieces and nephews.
8/29/2002 Zoch found dead of apparent suicide in jail cell
By LOYD COOK/Daily Sun Staff
Just more than an hour before his capital murder trial was to begin Wednesday, Michael Paul Zoch was found hanged in his cell in the Navarro County Justice Center Jail.
He apparently "sat down" to effect his own strangulation, a county law enforcement official said.
Zoch, 37, was accused in the abduction, sexual assault and strangulation of his 10-year-old former stepdaughter last summer. He was found at approximately 7:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Sheriff Les Cotten said Zoch had been fed between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and had his breakfast tray collected by guards by 7 a.m.
"Detention officers said he was in the same frame of mind (Wednesday) morning, that he was in (Tuesday) morning," Cotten said in a brief interview. "Hate that it happened. Regret that it happened. This is the first time I can remember (a successful suicide) happening in the years I've been with Navarro County."
Cotten has been with the sheriff's office in one capacity or the other for 20 years and in local law enforcement for about 30 years.
Zoch's trial was to have started at 9 a.m., just one hour and 15 minutes after the discovery of his body in his cell. Cotten said the accused murderer was kept in a disability cell by himself, so that he could be segregated from the rest of the inmate population, due to the severity of his crime.
Texas Ranger Sgt. Steve Foster conducted the automatic investigation into the suicide.
"I know that Steve said, in his opinion, that it's going to be (ruled a) suicide," Cotten said. "Of course, that's what everyone believed from the start but we have to by law check things out."
Cotten said that Zoch had tied "some kind of cloth -- a piece of a T-shirt, sheet or pillow case -- around his neck."
He then attached it to either a faucet or hand rail in the shower of the cell -- which was compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act -- and "then he just sat down," the sheriff said.
Cotten said he expects an autopsy will show death by strangulation -- that the cloth cut the circulation of blood to Zoch's brain, rendering him unconscious with the remainder of his relaxed weight furthering the strangulation process, the sheriff said.
Zoch's remains were transported by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences for the autopsy.
The sheriff also said that two FBI agents involved in last year's interrogation of Zoch -- special agents Michael Poche and Jim Kendall -- assisted Sgt. Foster in the Texas Ranger's investigation. The FBI agents were present to be witnesses in the trial that never happened.
Cotten said his office is conducting an internal investigation as well.
"We're looking at our procedures to make sure this can't happen again," he said.
He had not been on what the law enforcement community calls a "suicide watch." Zoch had been incarcerated in the county jail since his arrest on Aug. 6, 2001, the day he confessed after failing a FBI-administered polygraph test.
Cotten said Zoch was listed as a suicide risk upon his initial arrest and had been kept under surveillance for "a couple of weeks."
With no continuing indication of problems, Zoch was taken off suicide watch and had been a "model prisoner," the sheriff said, during the more than a year he had been jailed.
"Had there been any indication he was a suicide risk, he would have been pulled out (of the segregated cell) and put in the holding cell where he would have been under 24-hour visual watch," Cotten said.
Zoch was pronounced dead in his cell by Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Donna Murray. A jury of nine women and three men was to begin hearing testimony at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
April Bryant was home alone on a Saturday evening last August while her mother, Gale Zoch, was working at a country western dancing club. The mother said she last talked to the girl about 8:30 p.m. that night. She reported her daughter missing when she got home early Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001.
Zoch confessed and led local law enforcement to the girl's body on the evening of Monday, Aug. 6, 2001.
April Bryant's father was surprised, but not displeased, about Wednesday morning's events.
"I just wish he had done this before we went through all (the legal proceedings)," Allen Bryant said after arriving for what he thought was going to be the trial of his daughter's murderer. "He knew ... he knew all along what he did and now he's paying for it."
Attorneys gathered in and around the 13th Judicial District Courtroom of Navarro County were nonplused, stopped in mid-flight of their morning's legal preparations to begin legal wranglings Wednesday.
Court-appointed defense attorney Kerri Anderson Donica said she felt Zoch's history of clinical depression likely played a part in his suicide.
"He was a deeply troubled man," Donica said. "Whether or not he committed this offense, I'll never know, but clearly he was deeply troubled. (Co-counsel Damara Watkins) and I hurt for his family, who we've gotten to know very well. We hope this will eventually lead to peace for everybody."
District Attorney Pat Batchelor was less forgiving as he expressed his initial surprise about Zoch's death.
"As the day wore on, however, my thinking is maybe it's not as big a surprise as I first thought," Batchelor said. "What does shock me is that he waited to this late date to do anything.
"I certainly would not wish for anyone to commit suicide, but I certainly don't have any sympathy for Michael Paul Zoch considering the horrible death he put April Bryant through. I believe, right now, he's exactly where he should be and I am sure it's plenty hot."
Tola Trauenia
Tola Trauenia, 91, of Rice passed away Aug. 27, 2002.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday. Wake will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. H.L. Hollmon officiating. Interment will be at Teals Prairie Cemetery.
Mr. Trauenia was born July 11, 1911 in Caldwell in Burleson County. He was a farmer and a landscaper. He was a secretary and deacon for Greater St. Lake in Lubbock and a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by wife, Mattie Trauenia; and daughter, Marjorie Trauenia White.
Survivors include sons Roger Trauenia Sr. of Rice, Ray Arthur Trauenia Sr. of Milford and Tola Trauenia Jr. of Lansing, Mich.; daughters, Hazel Ford of Houston, Velma Roberts of Houston, Madlyn Mitchell of Abilene and Julie Williams of Dallas; 25 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements by Daniel and Son Funeral Home of Bryan.
Martha McCluney
Feb. 17, 1917 - Aug 26, 2002
Martha McCluney, 85, of Corsicana passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 at Baylor Hospital.
No services are pending. Private interment at Post Oak Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Mrs. McCluney was born Feb. 17, 1917 in Powell to James Emmett and Johnnie Burke McCluney.
Survivors include four nieces and nephews, Nancy Noller of Atlanta, Ga., Jed Heard of Midland, James Condron of Duncanville and Susan Davis of Austin.
Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home of Corsicana.
Harles B. Woods
Harles B. Woods, 87, of Corsicana passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 in Corsicana.
Private interment services were scheduled for today at Oakwood Cemetery.
Mr. Woods was born July 26, 1915 in Ennis. He was known to many as "Boatie." He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-'45.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary E. Woods.
Survivors include his daughters, Judy Heard and husband Bob of Frost and Mary Woods of Garland; and grandsons, Jason Heard of Arlington and Matt Heard of Richardson.
WWII Veteran
Wilma C. Reed
Wilma C. Reed, 85, of Barry passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 in Tyler.
Services will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Corley Funeral Chapel with Dr. David Hale officiating. Interment will follow at Dresden Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Miguel Beneitez, Calvin Dunaway, Juan Lopez, Scott Reed, Russell Reed and Jacob Reed.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Cobb and Tim Nicholson.
Mrs. Reed was born Sept. 15, 1916 in Blooming Grove. She was a postal assistant.
Survivors include godson Philip Briggs and wife Jennifer of Tyler and nephews Dennis Cobb of League City and Joe Reed and Jerry Reed, both of Barry.
Kenneth Walker, Sr.
Feb 3, 1932 - Aug 29, 2002
Kenneth Walker, 70, of Corsicana passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 in Plano.
Services are pending with Corley Funeral Home.
Mr. Walker was born Feb. 3, 1932.
Survivors include Deloris Walker of Corsicana; son Kenneth Walker, Jr. of Corsicana; and daughters Debbie Hardin and husband Charles of Coppell, Paula Cain and husband Monte of Corsicana and Jami Kemp and husband Jimmy of Lockney.
Kenneth Walker Sr.
Kenneth Walker Sr., 70, of Corsicana passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 at Medical Center of Plano, after fighting a hard and courageous battle against cancer.
Services will be 3 p.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Maurice LeGrand, Richard Skewes, Lee Guillen, Joseph McNally Sr., Gerald Rozelle, Jerome Havel, Alfred Schriefer and Dale Moe.
Mr. Walker was born Feb. 3, 1932 in LaCampte, La. to Thomas Jefferson and Eunice Oliver Walker. He attended schools in Alexandria, La. and Beaumont. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School and attended Stephen F. Austin University. He married Mary Doloris LeBlanc in 1951.
Mr. Walker graduated from the Texas Department of Public Safety Police Academy in December 1954. He served as a highway patrolman in Gregg, Harrison and Bowie counties. He also served as a safety education officer in Bowie County. Upon leaving the department in 1963, he was bestowed the honor of Special Texas Ranger by the DPS and the State of Texas.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 10 years and was honorably discharged in 1968. In 1968, he joined St. Louis Southwestern Railroad as a special agent. He joined Southern Pacific Railroad in 1972 and retired as general claims manager in 1992. After retirement, he worked throughout the United States consulting in accident analysis and investigations.
He was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Corsicana and at present an inactive member of Knights of Columbus, and in the past served as grand knight. He was a member of the Horizons Band.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Jefferson Walker; mother, Eunice Oliver Walker Hudson; stepfather, Monroe Hudson; brothers, Thomas Walker and Bobby Walker; and cherished granddaughter, Leslie Walker Hardin.
Survivors include his wife, Doloris LeBlanc Walker of Corsicana; son, Kenneth Walker, Jr. of Corsicana; and daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Charles Hardin of Coppell, Paula and Monte Cain of Corsicana, and Jami and Jimmy Kemp of Lockney; grandchildren, Kendall Walker and wife Jill, Rachel Walker, Brittany Walker, Amy Cain, Peyton Cain and Audrey Cain, all of Corsicana, Tiffany Ondrey and husband Joey of Lewisville, Kim Hardin of Irving, and Cameron Kemp, Walker Kemp and McKenzie Kemp, all of Lockney; and great-grandsons, Leslie Michael Ondrey and Julian Charles Ondrey, both of Lewisville.
The family requests contributions be made in his memory to American Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation or American Cancer Society.
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Edward L. Williams & Barbara Knox