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Jeanette Allard Hastings
February 1, 1919 ~ October 27, 2002
In the first wee hour of a Sunday morning, Jeanette Allard Hastings, 83, slipped away from this world as gently as she moved through it throughout her life. Here where the lives of the powerful and famous and infamous are recorded, hers is a quiet story of success that does not make front page news. She mastered the art of the life well-lived, built on a foundation of unwavering faith, fueled by a mission of be God's hands in the world, and distinguished by that rare understanding of what unconditional love looks like in human form.
Born at home on Feb. 1, 1919 to Phyllis Ragsdale and Ray Harpine Allard, a tenant farmer in Vienna, she was the first of five children. At the age of 13, she lost her father to a sudden illness. Her mother took the young family under her wing, and became a beloved schoolteacher until she retired at the age of 77, still 23 years before her death.
A summer with her Aunt Pearl in Hot Springs, Ark. was particularly cherished -- their days were filled with the music of her cello and Aunt Pearl at the piano. During these warm days, too, dreams of becoming a religious journalist formed in Jeanette's mind. But her uncle set a more "practical" course for her, paying for tuition at Hillman Junior College so she could become a teacher. Over the years, in journals and even on odd scraps of paper, it was clear that her instincts toward religious writing never left her. She thought and wrote in inspirational tones all her life.
While teaching elementary school in Harrisburg, Jeanette was also pianist at First Baptist Church. A handsome minister was called to the church, and much to their mutual embarrassment, a former pastor introduced them, saying, "Rev. Hastings, I'd like you to meet your future bride, Jeanette Allard." On June 30, 1942, the pastor's prediction came true when she married
Carroll Brownlow (C.B.) Hastings of Fort Worth. "I have been blessed these sixty years of marriage," Jeanette wrote this past June, "living with a theologian, my husband, whose life has been steeped in the study of the scriptures..."
Her husband took her from Illinois to live in Georgia during the war while he was a WWII chaplain. Seminary training took them to Kentucky; then our "Yankee" became a naturalized Texan, adopting Dallas as another hometown.
After 1970, the family moved to Atlanta and Memphis before returning to Texas four years ago.
She had five children, just enough to ensure neverending laundry, overflowing grocery carts, and reliable chaos on any given day. But it is to the task of mothering that her gifts shine brightest. She had a heart for children and even after hers were long out of the house, she continued to write about and study childrearing. She loved her children, each in their own peculiar way, but her love extended beyond blood ties. If you have crossed her path, she has brought you in to her concerns, worried about and prayed for you, loved you as much as anyone could.
Although a preacher's wife, and even one among the first women deacons in a SBC church, Jeanette knew what mattered most in God's eyes. "I'm not sure but what it's more important to care for neighbors in need than to attend one more church meeting," she'd say. Shortly before her death she wrote, "Perhaps the most effective witness is done unconsciously, coming naturally from a life lived." For one who loved this life as God has given it, who could see beauty at every turn or make beauty in the rough places, her effective witness was done unconsciously -- it was her breath, her being, and now our treasured legacy.
She is held in loving memory by her devoted husband, Dr. C.B. Hastings of Pflugerville, and her children: John Hastings of Austin, Texas; Larry Hastings of Dallas, Texas; Nancy Hastings Sehested of Clyde, N.C.; Abigail Hastings of New York City; and Roger Hastings of Dallas. Shizue Kaneko Fukuda of Tokyo, Japan is her daughter-by-heart. Also dear to her are daughters-in-law Helen and Marilyn and son-in-law Ken. Her rather adorable grandchildren are Jessica, Alayna, Trevor, Nate, Sara, Whitney, Allyson, and Julie. We are blessed by surviving members of her family: Gertrude (Trudy) Allard Taylor of Harrisburg; Mary Ellen (Sunny) Allard Wheeler of Glendale, Calif.; and Dr. George Allard of Flora, Miss. She was preceded in death by her brother Ray, and by her grandson Ryan.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, at Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Drive in Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Habitat for Humanity, Austin, Texas 78702-4450 or by making a donation to the Jeanette Hastings Memorial Fund at Highland Park Baptist Church.
William Brice Shewmaker
William Brice Shewmaker, 81, of Eddyville, died 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at Gaskins Funeral Home in Harrisburg with the Rev. Buddy Sork officiating. Burial will be in Lindale cemetery in Eldorado. Visitation is 10 a.m. to service time Sunday at the funeral home.
He was born Jan. 18, 1921 in Herod to Ward and Ida Mae (Williams) Shewmaker.
He married
the former Virginia Randolph, who survives.
He served in the Navy in WWII. He was a railroad car repairman and a member of Eddyville Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Irma Jane Taylor of Harrisburg and Doris Jean Shields of Mechanicsville, Ky.; a son, Brice Edward Shewmaker of Harrisburg; a sister, Mary Ann Morse of Harrisburg and several grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Beecher and Lowell Shewmaker and three sisters, Sylvia Lievers, LaVern Tucker and Hattie Johnson.
Myrtle Beatrice Arnold Flanigan
Myrtle Beatrice Arnold Flanigan, 80, of 269 Chitwood Road, Stonefort, died 6:34 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2002, at the Carrier Mills Nursing Home.
Services were held 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Stonefort with Father Jose Ancheril and Father Wilbert Iffert officiating. Burial was in Blackman cemetery in Stonefort. Visitation was 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, at Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills with a rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday.
She was born March 18, 1922, in Harrisburg to the late Clyde and Velma (Pritchett) Arnold. She married
Earl Flanigan, who survives.
She was retired from Illinois State Laboratory in Carbondale. She was a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church of Stonefort and was president of the Ladies Altar Sodality of the church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Arnold (Brenda) Morse of Stonefort and Earl (Kathy) Flanigan of Equality; four grandchildren, Summer Mayberry of Broughton, Kyle Morse of Stonefort and Sean and Scott Flanigan of Equality and two great-grandchildren, Justin and Tyler Mayberry.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Charles Arnold and two sisters, Beverly Arnold and Shirley Bynum.
The family requests instead of flowers, memorials be made for Masses to be said in her honor or to Blackman cemetery.
Jerry G. Gibson
Jerry G. Gibson, 70, of 19 N. Hickory St., Harrisburg, died 6:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2002, at his residence.
Services were held 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at Dorrisville Baptist Church with the Rev. Dewayne Taylor officiating. Burial was in Salem cemetery in Carrier Mills. Visitation was 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, at the church. Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg was in charge of the arrangements.
He was born March 31, 1932, in Eagle Creek to Mildred (Crick) and the late Whitson O. Gibson. He married
the former Verna L. Dobbelaire on June 14, 1952, and she survives.
He was a member of Dorrisville Baptist Church, where he was a deacon.
He was a retired design engineer for Caterpillar Diesel for 31 years.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War from 1952 to 1956 and a member of the National Rifle Association.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two daughters, Dianne (Daniel) Johnson of Chillicothe and Pamela Dace of Phoenix, Ariz.; a brother, Donald G. (Phyllis) Gibson of Sawyerville; a sister, Linda (Michael) Burkeen of Tennessee; three grandchildren, Monica S. (Drew) Sibbing of Florida and Nathan D. and Caleb O. Johnson of Chillicothe and a great-grandson, Jacob Andrew Sibbing.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by infant daughter Patricia Ann Gibson and a brother, Kenneth B. Gibson.
The family requests memorial contributions go to cancer research.
Christopher Michael 'Chris' Combs
Christopher Michael "Chris" Combs, 19, a resident of New Burnside, died Saturday morning, Dec. 14, 2002, near Stonefort, as the result of an automobile accident.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna with the Rev. Keith McDannel and the Rev. Gary Emery officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge cemetery near Delwood. Visitation is after 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at the funeral home.
He was born Oct. 11, 1983, in Kearney, Neb.
He was a 2001 graduate of Herrin High School and was employed in the detailing department of Alan Miller GM Superstore in Harrisburg and also worked as a stocker at the Harrisburg Mad Pricer Grocery. He was a member of the New Vision Church near Ozark. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and drawing.
He is survived by his mother, Tracey (Combs) Moore of Herrin; a sister, Michelle Steinmetz of Herrin; a brother, Philip Steinmetz of Herrin; his grandparents, Delbert and Carolyn Jeralds of New Burnside and Jack Combs of St. Louis, Mo.; aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Beatrice Cox
Beatrice Cox, 89, of Harrisburg, died 2:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, at her residence.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Gaskins Funeral Home in Harrisburg with the Rev. Leonard Largent officiating.
Burial will be in Sunset Hill cemetery.
Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at the funeral home.
She was born Nov. 30, 1913, in Rosiclare to Otto and Anna (Lamar) Hurford. On Nov. 6, 1943, she married
Merle Cox. He preceded her in death June 2, 1964.
She was a member of the First Christian Church in Rosiclare. She was owner and operator of the Shawnee Drive-In.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice.
Vivian Matthews
Vivian Matthews, 91, of Harrisburg, died 8:59 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002, at the Carrier Mills Nursing Home.
Private services were held Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, with the Rev. Dr. Roger Lyons officiating.
Burial was in Lindale cemetery in Eldorado.
There was no visitation.
Arrangements are in the charge of Gaskins Funeral Home.
She was born Aug. 20, 1911, in Beech Grove, Ark., to Charles Hickman McIntosh.
On Jan. 16, 1931, she married
Ronalldo Matthews, who survives.
She was a homemaker.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Ann (Kenny) Roberts of Harrisburg; two
sons, Ronald Matthews of Marion and John (Linda) Matthews of Harrisburg; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and two brothers.
She was preceded in death by a grandchild, a sister and a brother.
