STRAWN - Services for Randy Bennett, 59, of Thurber will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the First United Methodist Church in Gordon.
Burial will be in Thurber Cemetery.
Family visitation will be after the service in the church fellowship hall.
Bennett died Sunday, May 14, at Harris Methodist Erath County hospital.
He was born Oct. 4, 1940, in Dallas. He married his wife, Andrea, on June 1, 1974. He was a graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in ranch management. He owned and operated the Smokestack Restaurant in Thurber.
Survivors are his wife, Andrea Bennett of Thurber; one daughter, Mollie Bennett of Thurber; two sons, Robbie and Rusty Bennett, both of Thurber; his mother, Elizabeth O'Beirne Bennett of Dallas; one brother, Carrol M. Bennett Jr. of Dallas; and two sisters, Barbara Bennett Gibson of Columbus, Ohio, and Betty Bennett Goldsberry of Allen.
Edwards Funeral Home of Strawn is in charge of arrangements.

William B. Lee

COMANCHE - Services for William B. Lee, 71, of Comanche will be 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at Comanche Funeral Home with the Rev. Louie Jones officiating.
Burial will be in Newburg Cemetery in Comanche County.
Family visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 16, at the funeral home. Lunch for the family will be at noon at Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Lee died Sunday, May 14,  [2000] at Western Hills Nursing Home in Comanche.
He was born Oct. 23, 1928, in Newburg to Herbert Allen Lee and Ollie Couch Lee. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. He was employed with the Comanche Independent School District for 16 years in maintenance. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was a farmer and rancher. He married Virginia Ruth Robertson on Sept. 26, 1953, in Newburg.
Survivors are his wife, Virginia Lee of Comanche; two sons, Louis Allen Lee and Tommy Edward Lee, both of Comanche; one daughter, Judy Ann Hodges of Rigalatvia, Russia; two grandsons, Micah Hodges of Lewisville and Jonathan Lee of Comanche; two granddaughters, Jennifer Lee of Comanche and Kimberly Hodges of Michigan; and two brothers, Marvin Lee of Newburg and Henry Lee of Waxahachie.
Memorials may be made to the Newburg Cemetery Association, c/o Evelyn Lee, 201 North Clark Street, Comanche, Texas 76442.
 
Sibyle Sidney Smith

FORT WORTH - Services for Sibyle Sidney Smith, 81, of Fort Worth and formerly of Alexander, will be held at noon today, Tuesday, May 16  [2000], at South Hills Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
Burial will be in Laurel Land Memorial Park.
Smith died Friday, May 12, at her home.
She was born Sept. 7, 1918, in Alexander. She was a member of South Hills Baptist Church and the Friendship Sunday School class. She was a member of the Ionian Club, an avid golfer and a homemaker.
Survivors are her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Diane Smith of Hurst; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Kenneth Barnes of Granbury; one sister, Grace Greer of Brennan; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to South Hills Baptist Church or any charity.
Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth is in charge of arrangements.

Bonnie C. Haley

Stephenville  
Graveside services for Bonnie C. Haley, 90, of Stephenville will be held at 2 p.m. today, June 26, at the Mt. Olive Memorial Park Cemetery in Big Spring with the Rev. Dudley Mullins officiating.
Services will be under the direction of Lacy Funeral Home of Stephenville.
Haley died Sunday, June 25, at the Stephenville Nursing Home.
She was born Sept. 22, 1909, in Tarrant County. She married Carl Haley in 1946 in Big Spring. He preceded her in death in 1963.She was a member of Valley Grove Baptist Church in Stephenville. She was a retired nurse with the state hospital in Big Spring and Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.
Survivors include one nephew, Floyd Bennett Moore of Garden City; one niece, Peggy Carver of Stephenville, and several other nieces and nephews.
Stephenville Empire-Tribune
Published June 26, 2000

Vera Mae Burns

Pilot Point  
Funeral services for Vera Mae Burns, 73, of Pilot Point will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Oakwood Cemetery in Comanche with Terrell Bennett officiating.
Services will be under the direction of Comanche Funeral Home.
Burns died Saturday, Sept. 16, at her residence.
She was born April 2, 1927, in Bernice, La., to Willie Denham and Annie (Lovelady) Denham. She married Elmer Henry Shirey in 1944 in Hope, Ark. She later married William A. (Bill) Burns in Springhill, La., on June 5, 1959. He preceded her in death in 1994.
She is survived by three sons, Bill Burns Jr. of Lubbock, Dale Burns of Maryland and W.A. Shirey of California; six daughters, Linda Bennett of Pilot Point, Donna McCarty of Marshall, Janis Richards of Aubrey, Pam Poole of Longview, Ruby Burns of Frisco and Taresa Clark of Aubrey; one sister, Bettye Fontenot of Lafayette, La.; one aunt, Delores Jackson of Wichita Falls, 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Published Sept. 18, 2000
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Frankie Drake Blair

De Leon  
Funeral services for Frankie Drake Blair, 70, of De Leon were Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11:30 a.m. in the Comanche Funeral Home chapel with Sam Starr officiating. Burial followed in the Downing Cemetery in Comanche.
Visitation was at Comanche Funeral home from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Lunch was at the home of Frank Moore in Promontory Park.
Bennett died Thursday, Nov. 9, at the De Leon Hospital.
She was born Aug. 25, 1930, in Midland to Frank E. Drake and Arrie Jennings Drake. She married James "Jim" Edward Blair on May 8, 1948, in Midland. He preceded her in death on Aug. 18, 1999. Blair was a nurses aid at Platners Hospital in Grand Prairie until her retirement. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and Dalton Morris of Grand Prairie, Jamie and Don Welch of Mansfield, Lisa and Ronny Schweyher of Cedar Hill; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Gayle Blair of Grand Prairie; son Ward Blair of Grand Prairie; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother Robert Drake of Roscoe; sister Joan Moore of Promontory Park.
She was preceded in death by her husband and by one brother, William Drake.
Memorials may be made to the Promontory Park Fire Department, P.O. Box 191H, or the De Leon Library.
Published Nov. 12, 2000
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Paul Bennett

Costa Mesa, Calif.  
Private funeral services for Paul Bennett, 79, of Costa Mesa, Calif., are pending with the family. A burial at sea is planned.
Bennett died Sunday, Oct. 29, at Hoag Hospital in New Port Beach, Calif., of a stroke. 
He was born Nov. 29, 1920, in Dublin to Bud and Stella Collinsworth Bennett. He was a 1936 graduate of Dublin High School, a 1938 graduate of John Tarleton College and a 1942 graduate of the University of Texas. He served as a lieutenant in the Coast Guard in the Pacific Region during World War II and had lived in California since World War II. In 1944, he married his wife, Tess. He earned a masters degree from the University of California in 1947. In the late 1930s he worked as a radio announcer at Baxter's Radio Station and Mr. Snead's Drug Store to help pay for college. He taught school and was a superintendent of Banning High School in Long Beach, Calif., for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Tess Bennett of Costa Mesa, Calif.; his daughter, Ann Bennett of San Francisco; son John Bennett of Honolulu; two granddaughters, Summer Bennett and Jessica Bennett; a brother, Burnell Bennett and his wife Nesbitt of Fredericksburg.
Memorials may be sent to Tess Bennett, 3015 Club House Circle, Costa Mesa, Calif., 92627 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Published Nov. 14, 2000
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

John M. 'Buck' Little

JOHNSVILLE  
Funeral services for John M. "Buck" Little, 90, of Johnsville were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Stephenville Funeral Home chapel with Ralph Starling and Pete Pharis officiating.
Burial was held in the Johnsville Cemetery in Erath County.
Little died Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Harris Methodist Erath County hospital in Stephenville.
He was born March 20, 1910, in Somervell County. He married Cloyce Bennett on Oct. 6, 1930, in Stephenville. He was a member of the Church of Christ and had lived most of his life in Erath County. He was a farmer.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Herbert Little of Houston, Dennis Little of Johnsville and Larry Little of Johnsville; one sister, Gladys Maybar of West Monroe, La.; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Richard, and seven brothers.
Published Dec. 17, 2000
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Purnia Faye Smith

GORMAN  
GORMAN - Funeral services for Purnia Faye Smith, 81, of Gorman will be at 2 p.m., today, Feb. 12, at the Church of Christ with Paul Denton and Durward Webb officiating.
Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Higginbotham Funeral Home.
Smith died Saturday, Feb. 10 in the De Leon Hospital.
She was born April 1, 1919 in Carbon to Lawson Asbury Bennett and Sarah Ellen Layton. 
She married B.F. Grice on Nov. 21, 1936 in Eastland County. She later married Elroy Smith of Jan. 31, 1972 in Eastland County.
She was a housewife and a member of the Gorman Church of Christ.
Survivors include two sons, Max Grice of Stephenville and Jackie Grice of Gorman; one daughter, Sue Ross of Ranger; one step-son, Lee Elton Smith of Alexandria, Va.; and one step-daughter, Janice Smith of San Carlos, Ca; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; and one daughter, Sarah Widner.
Published Feb. 12, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Pauline Bills Brotherton

STEPHENVILLE  
Private graveside services for Pauline Bills Brotherton, 94, of Stephenville will be Wednesday, May 9, at the Dodd City Cemetery in Dodd City.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, May 8, at the Stephenville Funeral Home.
Brotherton died Sunday, May 6, in Stephenville.
She was born Aug. 28, 1905, in Paris, Texas. She married Hubert Vannoy Brotherton Sept. 17, 1929, in Durant, Okla. He preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 1987.
Brotherton was a member of the Church of Christ and a retired dispatcher for TXU electric. 
Survivors include one daughter, Sarah Miller and her husband, R. Ben, of Stephenville; one brother, Billy Bills of Waxahachie; two grandchildren, William B. Miller of Cleburne and Kathy Smith of Possum Kingdom, and two great-grandchildren, Kassie Smith and Blake Smith, both of Possum Kingdom.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune
 
B.C. Holden

COMANCHE  
Funeral services for B.C. Holden, 92, of Comanche will be at 10 a.m. today, May 8, in the Hall and Sons Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Dean Bradley officiating. 
Burial will follow in the Baggett Creek Cemetery.
Lunch will be today, May 8, at the family residence on Highway 377.
Holden died Sunday, May 6, in the Comanche Community Hospital.
He was born Nov. 14, 1909, in Gustine to Willis Victor and Italla Mae Stephens Holden. He married Linda Thompson Jan. 21, 1929, in Comanche.
Holden was a horse trainer, working on the Lightening C Ranch outside of Dublin. He was a veteran of WW II, serving in the Navy. 
In addition to his wife, survivors include four sons, Jack Holden and his wife, Laurel, Eddie Holden and his wife, Pat, all of Comanche, Lynn Holden of Dublin and Ricky Holden of Sealy; two daughters, Brona Brown of Coleman and Ginger Shaffer and her husband, Alex, of Andrews; four sisters, Willie Mae Woolsey of Abilene, Dorothy Scott of Abilene, Thelma Faulks of Fort Worth, and Oleta Voss of Monday; 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Baggett Creek Cemetery Association.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Albert Shannon

WACO  
Memorial services for Albert Shannon, 62, of Lake Whitney will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, at the Cedar Shores Baptist Church on Lake Whitney.
Shannon died Sunday, May 6, at a Waco hospital.
He was born Oct. 14, 1938, in Stephenville to Frank and Hazel Jameson Shannon. He married his wife Joyce in 1969.
In addition to his wife, survivors include one son, Jameson Randolph Shannon, and one sister, Kate Roderick.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Billy Sheppard

STEPHENVILLE  
Graveside services for Billy Sheppard, 74, of Stephenville will be at 2 p.m. today, May 8, in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Cartright officiating.
Burial will be under the direction of Lacy Funeral Home.
Sheppard died Sunday, May 6, at Harris Methodist Erath County. 
He was born July 6, 1926, in Wortham. He married Dovie Creacey Feb. 14, 1991 in Stephenville. 
Sheppard was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and he was a retired truck driver.
In addition to his wife, survivors include one son, Joe Sheppard of Grapevine; one daughter, Helen Childers of Orlando, Fla., two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Wallace Smith

STEPHENVILLE  
Funeral services for Wallace Smith, 80, of Stephenville are pending at Lacy Funeral Home. 
Smith died Monday, May 7, in Stephenville.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Edward Fischer Stark

COMANCHE  
Graveside services for Edward Fischer Stark, 92, of San Saba will be at 3 p.m. today, May 8, at Oakwood Cemetery in Comanche with the Rev. Paul Cornelius officiating. 
Burial will be under the direction of Hall and Sons Funeral Home.
Stark died Sunday, May 6, in a San Saba nursing home.
He was born June 12, 1908, in Jonesboro to Thomas William and Laura Boyd Stark. He married Mary Love Dec. 26 1933, in Comanche.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, James Stark and his wife, Joan, of Midland, John Stark and his wife, Peggy, of Phoenix, and Thomas Stark of Austin; one daughter, Maryanne Taft and her husband, Mack, of San Saba; one sister, Venita Roberson of Comanche, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Comanche Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 360, Comanche, Texas 76442.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Shaun Wilson Turner

HICO  
Graveside services for Shaun Wilson Turner, 29, of Euless will be at 11 a.m. today, May 8, at the Country Oaks Cemetery in Hico with the Rev. Mike Fritscher officiating.
Burial will be under the direction of Rutledge Funeral Home.
Turner died Saturday, May 5, in Forth Worth.
He was born Jan. 25, 1972, in Mansfield to Howard and Marilyn Turner.
Turner was a plumber and a Baptist.
Survivors include his parents; his grandmother, Daisy Turner of Arlington; one daughter, Shaylee Turner of Hico; three sons, Jordan Turner, Dylan Turner and Lane Turner, all of Hico; one sister, Shannon Elizabeth Turner of Euless; six brothers, Johnny Lee Robinson of Longview, Howard Turner of Colorado, Gene Turner and Lon Turner, both of Longview, and Harry Turner of Fort Worth, and by the mother of his children, Lisa Nunley of Hico.
Published May 8, 2001
Stephenville Empire-Tribune