Jane Jetton Griffis
DALLAS — Jane Jetton Griffis, 79, passed away Monday, April 7, 2003, in Plano.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Sparkman/Dickey Funeral Home in Dallas. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home will conduct graveside services at 2:30 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery in Paris.
She was born Dec. 15, 1923, in Paris to Clark Nelson and Isabel Smith Jetton. She married L.P. Griffis July 1, 1942. She graduated from Paris Junior College and Sam Houston University. She received her master’s degree from East Texas State University. While living in Ennis, she served the Ennis Independent School District as Communication Director. She retired as Librarian from Crockett Middle School in Paris. Her interests included Junior League, Jaycee Etts, Delta Kappa Gamma, Beta Sigma Phi, Modern Study Club, Texana Study Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Retired Teachers, North Texas Genealogical Society, Movin’ Up and was listed in the 47th edition of Who’s Who in America. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the couples Sunday School class, XYZs, Littleton-Hite Bible Club and the Sewing Group.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Nancy Wiggins of Richardson; and a brother, Scott Jetton of Richardson.
Survivors include her husband, L.P. Griffis; a daughter, Betty Jane Veale and son-in-law, Edward; granddaughters, Lacey and Laura; and nephew, Charles Hitt.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Hospice Care of your choice.

Alpha Patterson Lewis
Alpha Patterson Lewis, 101, of Detroit passed away Sunday, April 6, 2003, in the Paris Health Care Center.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, in the Martin Memorial Methodist Church with the Rev. Lee Everett and the Rev. Don Shovan officiating. Burial will be made in the Detroit Cemetery under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the funeral home.
She was born in Post Oak on Jan. 26, 1902, the daughter of John and Stella Johns Patterson. She was a member of Martin Memorial United Methodist Church in Detroit and attended Post Oak schools. She loved being with family and friends and there could never be enough of them around her. She also enjoyed cooking for family and friends and at Christmas pastries would be abundant. She loved to fish. She crocheted beautiful doilies and after entering the nursing home, would pass them out to the residents.
She married Paul D. Lewis on Nov. 26, 1917, in Post Oak. He preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sons-in-law, David Shelton and Clifford Ritchie; and three brothers.
Survivors include her children, Dorothy Ritchie, Virginia Coleman and husband, Paul, Marie Shelton, James B. Lewis and wife, Henrietta, Jerri Graves and husband, Clarence, and Paul K. Lewis and wife, Shirley, all of Detroit;13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews from California.
Pallbearers will be Glen Coleman, Stephen Lewis, Tony Graves, West L. Hall, Lee Tigert and Jamie Jackson.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Paris Healthcare Center for the care given to Mrs. Lewis.

Cleveland Reynolds
Cleveland Reynolds, 32, passed on Thursday, April 3, 2003, at his home in Cooper.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the New Birth Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronnie Brooks officiating.
He was born March 29, 1971, to Emma Doris Reynolds and the late Rev. Clayton Reynolds in Cooper. He was affiliated with the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cooper.
Survivors include his mother, Emma Doris Reynolds; a daughter, Alexcia R. Reynolds; a loving friend, Misty Wallace; sisters, Arlene Washington, Theresa Reynolds, Bonnie Reynolds, Ivy Reynolds and Gwen Edwards; and brothers, Joe Reynolds, Carlton Reynolds, Rodney Reynolds, Clayton Reynolds Jr. and James Hearn.

Lola Florene Wickersham
COOPER — Lola Florene Wickersham, 90, of Klondike passed away Monday, April 7, 2003, in Commerce.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Delta Funeral Home Chapel with Chad Barnes officiating. Interment will follow in the Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Delta Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the funeral home.
She was born April 8, 1912, in the Long Taw community of Delta County. She was the daughter of Virgil Doolin and Virgie Taylor Doolin. She was a homemaker and a member of the Independent Holiness Church.
On Dec. 24, 1929, she married Hubert “Bud” Wickersham. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1985. She was also preceded in death by a son, Daryl Wickersham, in 1988; a sister, Daphana Davis; and two brothers, Clarence Doolin and Eugene Doolin.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Hubert “Buddy” Wickersham Jr. and Nelia Wickersham of Garland; a daughter, Kaye Wickersham of Klondike; a brother, Doyce Doolin of Klondike; two sisters, Juanita Moore of Klondike and Martha Virginia Choate of Dallas; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Her grandsons will be the pallbearers.

Ruth Lee Jackson
Ruth Lee Jackson, 83, of Deport died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Deport Nursing Home at which time Bright-Holland Funeral Home received her into their care.
Services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Robert Myre and the Rev. John David Griffith officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the funeral home.
The daughter of Newt and Janie Long Warner, she was born April 25, 1919. She married Buddy Jackson on March 17, 1934. He preceded her in death. She was a member of the United Pentecostal Church and enjoyed her church and her work very much.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Hazel Melton; and one brother, Charlie Warner.
Survivors include three sons, Jack Jackson of Paris; Paul Jackson and wife, Doris, of Deport and Benny Jackson and wife, Roxie, of DeQuincy, La.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Estelle Elgin ‘Junior’ Maynard
COOPER — Estelle Elgin “Junior” Maynard, 77, passed away in Rogers, Arkansas.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, in the Delta Funeral Home Chapel in Cooper with Gary Regan officiating.
He was born in Cooper, the son of Estelle Elgin Maynard Sr. and Aileen Majors Maynard. He was a veteran of World War II and lived in Lead, S.D., for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Maynard; three sons, Gary Maynard, Glenn Maynard and Gregg Maynard; brothers, Jimmy Don Maynard and wife, Marilyn, and Leldon Maynard; sisters, Reva Jean Weddell and husband, Norman, and Estellene Banister; and several grandchildren.

Johnny Lee McLaughlin
Johnny Lee McLaughlin, 71, of Paris died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Temple at which time Bright-Holland Funeral Home received him into their care.
Graveside services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Evergreen Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Fangio officiating. 
The family will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David McLaughlin.
The son of Elmer Elie and Ruby Lee Roach McLaughlin, he was born June 13, 1931, in Saltillo. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was held as a P.O.W. by the Chinese. He came home totally disabled from the atrocities placed upon him during the time he was held as a P.O.W. His was another young life sacrificed in America’s wars for other peoples that do not show in statistics.
He was preceded in death by his mother; two brothers, Edwin E. McLaughlin and Bobby W. McLaughlin; and one sister, Lenore McLaughlin Richey.
Survivors include his father who lives in Sulphur Springs; one sister, Sherry Doyal and husband, Mike, of Fort Towson, Okla.; one brother, David McLaughlin and wife, Linda Lyn, of Paris; and several nieces and nephews.

Lurie Morgan
Lurie Morgan, 89, died Saturday, March 29, 2003, in Paris.
Graveside services are set for 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, in Biardstown Cemetery with the Rev. Samuel F. Evans officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Beasley Funeral Home in Denison.
Survivors include sons, Rodney Featherstone of Big Springs and Artlius Featherstone of Paris; brother, Eugene Bostic Jr. of Paris; three sisters, Maurine Martin, LaVera Duncan and Lillie Mae McCuin, all of Paris; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Lottie Pauline Murphy
DEPORT — Lottie Pauline Murphy, 88, of Minter died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Christus St. Joseph’s Hospital South.
Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, in Wood Funeral Homes Chapel with the Rev. C.G. Renfro officiating. Burial will follow in Minter Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Homes.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the funeral home.
She was born Aug. 17, 1914, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Mack and Ossie King Sorrells. On Dec. 26, 1931, she married Earl Lewis Murphy in Minter. He preceded her in death in 1978. She was also preceded in death by an infant son; two brothers, Howard Sorrells and Samuel Andrew “Sam” Sorrells; and a sister, Lillie Richardson.
Survivors include her son, Kenneth Murphy and wife, Joella, of Reno; one sister, Aline Rannals and husband, Jack, of Paris; two grandchildren, Kenneth M. Murphy and wife, Debby, of Joshua and Mary Murphy of Reno; two great-grandsons, Chase Murphy and Chance Murphy; one great-great-grandson, Dalton Murphy; two nephews, Bill Grider and wife, Joy, of Leonard and Bobby Newman and wife, Alfredia, of Paris; two nieces, Diana Sorrells of Jennings and Debra Kent and husband, Bobby, of Paris.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chase Murphy, Chance Murphy, Billy Ray Newman, Billy Grider, Kenneth Murphy and Bobby Newman.
She was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother and will be surely missed.

Colonel Jackie Porter
GRAND PRAIRIE — Colonel Jackie Porter, 69, of Grand Prairie passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2003.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home chapel in Grand Prairie. Burial will follow in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas. 
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the funeral home.
He was born March 16, 1934, in Chattanooga, Okla. He was a retired truck driver. He was a loving father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Minnie Porter; sons, Donnie, Kenneth, Ross and Harry; daughters, Rena Foreman and husband and Kayla Rodriguez and husband; 14 grandchildren; and numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Jimmy Schwartz
Jimmy Lorren Schwartz, 69, of Paris went to be with Jesus Christ in Heaven on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Christus St. Joseph’s Hospital South.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the Chapel of Gene Roden’s Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Evers officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of Gene Roden’s Sons Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the funeral home.
He was born Aug. 14, 1933, in Buffalo, Wyo. He was a long haul truck driver most of his life and a member of Pathway Church of God. He was a natural outdoorsman who loved to fish, especially for catfish. He was a very thoughtful, giving person, a wonderful husband and will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Neva Schwartz of Paris; daughter, Stacy Adkins Skeen and husband, Chuck, of Powderly; sons, Terry Johnston and wife, Jan, of Paris and Billy Johnston of Huntsville; grandchildren, Philip Johnston, Bradley Johnston, Jeffrey Johnston, Christopher Wilkins, Justin Johnston, Misty Johnston, Brandon Lorren Adkins, Brittany Adkins and Shawna Adkins; great-grandchildren, Kirstin, Brooklyn, Jordan, Autumn and Brodey; and numerous friends and family. 

Jay T. Woods
CLARKSVILLE – Jay T. Woods, 53, died Sunday, April 6, 2003, in Dallas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, in Siloam Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Nunley officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Brownrigg Funeral Home.
Survivors include a son, Marcus Hearn; four aunts, Josie Cary, Joyce Simmons, Mary Criddle and Beta Mae Fleeks; four brothers, Billy Love and wife, Clara, Robert Woods and wife, Lilly, Johnny Nunley and wife, Rose, and Kenneth Towsend and wife, Kathy; sisters, Martha Woods, Flordia Johnson and husband, Charles, Sandi Wilson, Barbra Johnson and husband, Eugene, and Wanda Johnson; mother, the Rev. Norma Woods; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Anthony Blake Duren
CLARKSVILLE — Anthony Blake Duren, 45, of Dallas, formerly of Clarksville, died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.
Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, in Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Sam Rice officiating. Clarksville Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
He was born in Clarksville Aug. 23, 1957, to Travis “Buddy” and Billie Kate Amerson Duren. He was a retired registered nurse.
He was preceded in death by his father, Buddy Duren; a sister, Amy Ritchey; and a nephew, Brody Duren.
Survivors include his mother, Billie Kate Duren of Lindale; brothers, Nick Duren and wife, Sheila, of Dallas and Brent Duren and wife, Nancy, of Corsicana; several nieces and nephews; and a special dog, Buster.

Charles M. Francis
Charles M. Francis, 80, of Paris passed away Monday, June 23, 2003, at Christus St. Joseph’s Hospital South at which time Bright-Holland Funeral Home received him into their care.
Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Thursday, June 26, in Bright-Holland Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Glenn Connell officiating. Burial will follow at Bridges Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the funeral home chapel.
He was born Jan. 16, 1923, in Celina to Marion Hubbard and Martha Elizabeth Myers Francis. He married Faye Irby on Aug. 30, 1942. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, serving with the Army in the Pacific.
He was retired as a food service salesman. He liked race cars and going to races; loved the outdoors and fishing and talking to everyone he met. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church and a longtime deacon in numerous Baptist churches.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jerry Lyndol Francis; one sister, Ruth Boyce; and one brother, Bill Francis.
Survivors include his wife, Faye; one daughter, Rita Francis Hailey of Fort Worth; one son, Larry Francis and wife, Vickie, of Detroit; one grandson, Jerry Charles Francis and fianceé, Shannon Bryans, of Arlington; one brother, Bob Francis of Bedford; lifelong family friends, Grace Smith and sons, Larry and Kenneth Smith; and numerous other family members and close friends.

Vivian Elizabeth Parsons Hood
Vivian Elizabeth Parsons Hood, 80, of Detroit died Monday, June 23, 2003, at her residence.
Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Topliff officiating. Burial will follow at West Post Oak Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the funeral home.
She was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Belk, a daughter of L.H. and Ruperta Cook Parsons. After her mother died when she was very young, she was lovingly raised by Oletha Parsons. She married Jack Hood Dec. 21, 1947, in Chicota. She was a teacher and a member of Martin Memorial United Methodist Church in Detroit.
Survivors include two daughters, Jacquline Scott and husband, Britt, of Burleson, Jan Woodall and husband, Curt, of Pattonville and a person she loved as a daughter and had an influence in her life, Jorene Carpenter and husband, Russell and children, Rusty, David and Karen; six grandchildren, Sean Scott and wife, Courtney, Jason Scott, Nicholas Scott, Mallory Woodall, Mandy Woodall and Blake Woodall; a brother, Lawerence Parsons of Belk; three sisters, Stella Wooldridge of Longview, Wanda Mooring and husband, Ben, of Belk and Lonetha Greer and husband, Cecil, of Victoria; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Blake Woodall, Sean Scott, Jason Scott, Nicholas Scott, Rusty Carpenter and David Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers are Mallory Woodall, Mandy Woodall, Randy Parsons, Kevin Parsons, Charlie Wooldridge, Chuck Minshew, Lonnie Minshew and Karen Bowmer.
If desired, memorials may be made to Martin Memorial United Methodist Church in Detroit or the American Cancer Society.

Opal Melverda Sanders
Opal Melverda Sanders, 88, of Paris passed away Monday, June 23, 2003, at Christus St. Joseph’s Hospital South in Paris.
Funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26, in the Chicota Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Griffith and the Rev. Mike Shupp officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the funeral home.
She was born on Dec. 12, 1914, near a logging camp in Fort Towson, Okla., a daughter of Robert and Lilly Baker McMahan. She was a homemaker and a member of the Nevilles Chapel Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. 
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Charlie Keller and Curtis Sanders; her parents; sisters, Ruby McMahan and Jackie Vickroy; and a brother, Clarence McMahan.
Survivors include children, Royce Keller and wife, Laura, of Powderly, Wanda Keller of Dallas, Merry Phillips of Tulsa, Gail Foster and husband, Charlie, of Powderly, Joan Sipes and husband, Paul, of Blanchard, Okla., and Dora Williams and husband, Michael, of Mesquite; a sister, Eunice Pearl Claborn of Kingston, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Robert Eugene Smallman
HUGO, Okla. — Robert Eugene Smallman, 75, of Hugo died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Hugo.
Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Thursday, June 26, in First Baptist Church in Hugo. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home in Hugo.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the funeral home.
Survivors include two sons, Joseph Smallman and Richard Smallman; five daughters, Marsha Stapert, Rebecca Hall, Bonnie Garrett, Belinda Garrett and Kathleen Rhodes; one brother, George Smallman; 18 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Bobby Wayne Allen
Bobby Wayne Allen, 62, of Blossom passed away Sunday, June 1, 2003, in Christus St. Joseph's Hospital South.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, in Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home Chapel with John Gilliam officiating. Burial will follow in the Knights of Honor Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at the funeral home.
He was born June 22, 1940, in Paris, a son of Morris and Martha Lane Calton Allen. He was a tree trimmer for Whitmire Tree Service in Pilot Point and served in the National Guard. He married Claudine Roland on Nov. 18, 1960, in Blossom. They were married for 42 years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Allen and a brother, Ronnie Allen.
Survivors include his wife, Claudine Allen; children, Mark Wayne Allen, Autumn Holly Rushing and Roland Duane Allen; grandchildren, Danny Shane Chennault, Joshua Wayne Newkirk, Ashley Ranea Chennault and Brandon Gage Allen; brothers, Roger Allen, Raymond Robertson, Earnie Robertson, Stevie Robertson, Chuck Allen and Rickey Allen; sisters, Janice Sutton and Sharon Watkins; and his mother, Martha Lane Allen Hardin.

Willie Ray Sims
HUGO, Okla. — Willie Ray Sims, 67, of Hugo died Sunday, June 1, 2003, in Paris.
Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, in Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home Chapel in Hugo with Bro. Joe Maple officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; one son, Gary Ray Sims of Honey Grove; one daughter, Brenda Sue Wells of McAlester, Okla.; one brother, James Henry Sims of Hugo; two sisters, Betty Lou Latham of Hugo and Ruby Dean Stockton of Choctaw, Okla.; three grandchildren; and two stepgrandsons.

Edward Lynn Sulsar
BOGATA — Edward Lynn Sulsar, 43, of Paris died Monday, June 2, 2003, after going into a diabetic coma from a long battle with diabetes.
Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, in Bogata United Methodist Church with Dr. Steve Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Bogata Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Homes of Bogata.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at the funeral home.
He was born June 3, 1959, in Alvin, the son of Howard Edward and Sue Arnold Sulsar.
Survivors include his parents, Howard and Sue Sulsar of Paris; one son, Jerred Sulsar of Dallas; one daughter, Jessica Sulsar of Paris; two brothers, Andy Sulsar of Denver, Colo., and Tony Sulsar of Sherman; two sisters, Sandy Tyler and Tammy Evans of Paris; grandmother, Pauline Sulsar of Paris; and a number of nieces and nephews.
His cousins will be his pallbearers.