William N. (Bill) Warren
12/17/2006
William N. Warren, 75, of Longview, Texas formerly of Coleman passed away December 16, 2006 in a local hospital. He was born on December 26, 1930 in Aline, Georgia to Lewis and Ella Mae Harrel Warren. He served our country in the U.S. Navy stationed aboard the U.S.S. Boxer. He owned and operated Warren Motors in Coleman, Texas where his children graduated from high school and he served as past president of the Coleman Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Blue Cats Booster Club and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Atlanta, Georgia. He is survived by his wife Jean Brooks Warren of Longview, one son; Bill Warren and his wife Debbie of Longview, one daughter; Susan Carpenter and her husband Odis of Longview, four grandchildren; Cody Carpenter, Lacy Carpenter, Molly Warren, Abigail Warren, one sister; Mildred Thomas of Cottageville South Carolina and 6 nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2006 in the chapel of Lakeview Funeral Home in Longview, Texas. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6~8 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2006 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Lemuel Byron Allen, 65
12/16/2006
A Memorial Service for Lemuel Byron Allen, 65, will be held at the Church of the Annunciation in Luling, at 11:00am Tuesday, December, 19. Visitation will be held at O'Bannon Funeral Home in Luling Monday, December 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Lem passed away at his home in Guadalupe County on Thursday, December 14, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Luling, on March 4, 1941, to Louis Fulshear Allen and Frances Gardien Allen. He was a graduate of Luling High School and attended Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech University. On August 17, 1963, he was married to Susan Rogers in Coleman, Texas. A fifth generation Rancher, Lem was owner of the Lazy Eight Ranches in Coleman and Guadalupe Counties and, for the past four years, had expanded the ranching interests to Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. He was a member of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and was a member and past Director of the Texas Hereford Association . He was very active in the ABBA F-1 program. He was very active on the political scene for 40 years and served as the 2nd Chairman of the Texas Democratic County Chairmen's Association in the 1970s. During this time he was elected to the National Democratic Executive Committee as one of the Representatives from Texas. He also served on the Texas Election Code Revision Committee. Lem was appointed to the Texas Ethics Commission in 1994, as a Republican representative, and served two terms. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Commission in 2001 and as Chairman in 2002. He was very active in community affairs, and was well known by many Thumpers for the challenging and entertaining Car Rallies he helped put together for many years. He served several terms on the Vestry at the Church of the Annunciation 'Episcopal. Lem was the epitome of a 'family man'. Of all the things he did and was proud of, he should always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and son. He never met a stranger, and always had a kind word for everyone. For this, he was blessed with a list of friends too numerous to count. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Susan; his sons, Lemuel Byron 'Lembo' Allen, Jr. and wife, Kelly, of Luling, and Zachary Fulshear Allen and wife, Cathy, of Coleman; his mother, Frances Allen, of Seguin; and his granddaughter, Abigail, Allen, of Coleman. The family requests that memorials be made to the Church of the Annunciation in Luling, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of one's choice.

William R. "Bill" Laws, 78
12/15/2006
Bill Laws of Glen Cove died Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 17, 2006 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Kinder officiating, assisted by Rev. Burlie Taylor. Burial will be in the Glen Cove Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home. He was born William Robert Laws on April 29, 1928 in Coleman, the son of William Bryan Laws and Rubye Lee Copeland Laws. He attended school in Glen Cove and Centennial and graduated from Wichita Falls High School. While attending Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, he worked for General Mills. He graduated from West Texas State, now West Texas A&M in Canyon with a Bachelor of Science Degree. During the Korean War, Bill was a civilian instructor in the Air Force at Amarillo Air Force Base. He married Linda Lee Hall on September 21, 1974 in Houston. Bill worked in the oil service business for over 30 years, first working as an engineer for Schlumberger, then moving into middle management positions for Dresser Industries. In 1976, Bill was hired as Vice-President of Operations of Geosource, Inc. and later became President and CEO of Geosource, which by then was a Fortune 500 Company. Bill restored old military aircraft and opened the Coleman War Bird Museum. In November, 2003 the Coleman Airport Terminal was named in his honor. In 2004 he was named Rural Citizen of the Year. Bill also served as the president of the Rotary Club, served on the Holiday Hill Board, Coleman County Medical Center Board, Central Colorado River Authority Board. He attended Glen Cove Baptist Church and Tuscola United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Linda Lee Laws of Glen Cove; three sons, William Robert Laws, Jr. of Houston, John Randolph Laws of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Orrin Thomas Laws of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; one daughter, Linda Jo Maxwell of Santa Anna; one brother, John B. Laws of Amarillo; one half-brother, Glen Ray Laws of Tucson, Arizona and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Family visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be sent to Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 353, Crosswicks, New Jersey, 08515 or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605.

Ricky Wells, 59
12/15/2006
Ricky Wells, born October 1, 1947 in Brownwood, passed away December 13, 2006 in Amarillo. He was reared in Richardson and served his country proudly in the United State Air Force where he received an honorable discharge. On July 31, 1982 he married the love of his life, Karen McAlpine, in Lubbock. He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 32 years and was highly respected in his career. He received several awards and recognitions, several from Washington D.C. He enjoyed animals, loved the outdoors and was an avid coin collector. He was a loving husband and touched countless lives with his kind heart. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his birth father, Marvin Wells, and his parents, Charles and Thelma Zellner. He is survived by: his wife, Karen, of Amarillo; one son, Mathew Mark Wells of Eldridge, Iowa; a sister, Brinn Well-Walker of Comfort; two brother, Rodney Zellner of Caddo Mills, Texas and Jim Bowen of Northcross, Georgia; 3 grandchildren, Brianna, Daniel and Braden of Eldridge, Iowa. Local survivors in Coleman include Sonny and Mert Wells and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services for Ricky Wells will be at 11:00am Saturday at the South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo with Lance Herrington, Associate Minister from the Paramount Baptist Church officiating. The family will have visitation at Walker Funeral Home in Coleman from 7:00pm to 8:00pm Saturday, December 16. Local services will be at 2:00pm Sunday, December 17, at the Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion, under the direction of Walker Funeral Home.

Albert "Wallace" McKee, 91
12/14/2006
Albert "Wallace" McKee, a long time Coleman County resident, passed away in Austin, Texas on December 13, 2006. Wallace was born on October 23, 1915 in Fisk, Texas to Pearl and James Walter McKee. He attended school in Brown Ranch and was in the first class of the newly organized Mozelle School in 1931. He married Idell Estes on June 12, 1937. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this past summer. Wallace and Idell owned and operated McKee Cleaners in Coleman and Santa Anna for 22 years. The have lived in Austin for the past 36 years. Wallace is survived by his wife, Idell, his daughter Glenna Smith and husband, Steve; Kay Bitter and husband, Triple and his son Jerry McKee and wife, Shirley. He was preceded in death by his oldest son Gwin McKee. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Services celebrating the life of Wallace McKee will be held at Stevens Funeral Home on Saturday, December 16th, 2006 at 11:00am. Interment will be at the Brown Ranch Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will be hosting a visitation at Stevens Funeral Home on Friday, December 15, 2006 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels or any Hospice organization.

Colonel Bruce E. Wallace, 83
12/15/2006
Colonel Bruce E. Wallace passed away on December 13, 2006, at his home in Midland, Texas. He was born in Bangs, Texas, on December 4, 1923. He graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas, in 1943 where he excelled in athletics lettering in football and track, and garnering honors as a Golden Gloves boxing champion. Colonel Wallace went on to have a remarkable and distinguished career in service to his country. One of this nation's most decorated soldiers, Col. Wallace served his nation in three wars. He served as a tail-gunner with the 8th Air Corp in World War II, flying 46 missions over Germany. He was shot down three times. The third time was a bombing mission over Berlin on February 3, 1945, where, after crash landing behind enemy lines, he was captured by the enemy. While being transported to a second prisoner of war camp, Col. Wallace dispatched his captors and escaped, making it safely back to England. After the war, Col. Wallace returned home to Texas and entered Texas A&M University where he played quarterback on the Texas Aggie football team. In 1948 he married Janie Decker, his high school sweetheart. In December 1949, he served in Korea as a platoon leader with the 187th Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. He made both combat jumps in the Korean Conflict. In 1957, Col. Wallace graduated from the Ranger Course and became Chairman of the Training & Special Projects Committee where he introduced the 'pugil stick' and wrote the narration as Principal Instructor of the Ranger Demonstration presented to the President of the United States. In 1960, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College and was selected to be a staff officer in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff and was also selected as a principal action officer for the National Military Command Center. Twice a week, he briefed the assembled Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. In August of 1963, Col. Wallace was assigned to a tour of duty in Ethiopia during the reign of Haile Selassie where he was the only military liaison allowed in the country. In December 1966, Col. Wallace entered into his third war in service to his country. He was the Deputy Brigade Commander of the 1st Infantry Division at Cu Chi. He also served as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division before being transferred to the 9th Infantry Division as the G2 and G3. In July of 1967, he became the commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 47th Infantry. During this tour, he was severely wounded, and returned home. From 1968 to 1970, Col. Wallace served as Operations & Plans Officer on the staff of the Commander, Joint Unconventional Warfare Task Force Atlantic at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, before returning for his second tour of duty in Vietnam. There he was assigned as the Senior Advisor to the Vietnamese 25th Infantry Division, and concurrently as the commander of the 25th Division Combat Assistance Team. During this time, his command and control helicopter was shot down by an SA-7 missile during the siege at An Loc. He evaded capture for more than a week, before rejoining his unit. In 1972, Col. Wallace assumed the duties of Chief of the Pacification Operations Branch of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While there, he served as the Deputy Director for Operations of Counterinsurgency and Special Activities. In 1974, he served as President of the Airborne & Communications Electronics Board. In 1978, he retired to Midland. He joined the High Sky Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, where he greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow military historians. He was honored to be inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in 2000. He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl E. Wallace and Camille Shield Wallace. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Janie D. Wallace; daughter Sharon McMains and husband, Joel, of Jacksonville, Florida, and their children, Neely and J.P.; son Steve Wallace and wife, Lee, of Midland, and their children, Mark and Matthew; daughter Valerie Hale and husband, Alan, of Midland, and their children, Tyler, Ryan, and Megan; and siblings, Beryl Wilkinson, Karl Wallace, Jr., Lynn Bass of Midland, Wayne Wallace, and Niki Dameron-Smith, and their families. In celebration of his life, a service will be held on Saturday, December 16th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Glass Chapel of the First Methodist Church in Midland. Interment will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Anna Cemetery in Santa Anna, Texas. The family requests that memorials be directed to the High Sky Wing of the Commemorative Air Force or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.

Carl H. Mathews, 96
12/13/2006
LAWN - Carl H. Mathews of Lawn died Monday, December 11, 2006. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 14, in Lawn Baptist Church with Reverend Price Mathieson officiating. Burial will be in Midway Cemetery in Runnels County, directed by Fry-Bartlett Funeral Home in Tuscola. Visitation will be 5:30 -- 7:30pm, December 13, 2006, at the funeral home. Carl was born October 1, 1910, in Coleman to Will F. and Bettie Jane Wright Mathews and moved to Goldsboro at an early age. He was an avid baseball player while in high school and later played on semi-pro teams in the area. He married Mary Jeanette Hamon June 28, 1930, at the Hamon Ranch in Goldsboro. He farmed and worked in the oil fields, moving to Albany in 1953, where he worked for J. D. Sandefer. While in Albany he and Jeanette were active members of the Albany Riding Club. In 1963, they returned to Lawn. In 1964, he opened and operated Carl's Caf' and Laundrymat. He sold these businesses in 1970 and went to work for Taylor County. In 1980, he was elected constable of Taylor County and served for twelve years, retiring in 1992. He also worked for Fry-Bartlett Funeral Home until 1996. He was a 50 year member of the Lawn Masonic Lodge and was a member of the First Christian Church. Survivors include one son, Billy J. Mathews of Goldsboro; one daughter, Jeanenne Jones and husband Allen of Abilene; one granddaughter, Teresa Harp and husband Randy of Euless; one grandson, Jimmy Jones and wife Kathleen of El Dorado, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Amy, Mathew and Michael Harp, Shayla Swope, and Ashley Jones; several nieces, nephews and many friends. Memorials may be made to Midway Cemetery Fund, c/o Glen Sansom, P. O. Box 206, Lawn, Texas 79530 or to Sears Methodist Hospice, 3233 S. Willis, Abilene, Texas 79605.

Bessie Parish, 98
12/11/2006
Bessie Parish of Santa Anna passed away Saturday at 10:20 PM at the Bangs Nursing Home. Services will be Monday at 2:00 PM at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Howze officiating. Interment will follow at the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction to Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna. Bessie was born September 19, 1908 in Santa Anna, Texas to the late Doc Lindsey and Minnie Bess Martin Wallace. She attended the Leedy and Santa Anna Schools and was a member of the Assembly of God Church of Santa Anna. In 1928 Bessie married Everett John Parish in Santa Anna and they celebrated thirty six years of marriage. John preceded her in death in 1964. Bessie was a homemaker. SURVIVORS - 2 Daughters - Bobbie and husband Tom Howard of Zephyr, Texas and Patsy Bible of Houston, Texas; 2 Sisters - Gladys Fletcher of Artesia, NM; Inez Rouse of Center Point, Texas; 2 Brothers - Joe Wallace of Santa Anna, Texas and Morris Wallace of Jal, NM; Daughter-in-law - Johnnie Parish of Tucumcari, NM; 8 Grandchildren; 17 Great Grandchildren; 3 Great Great Grandchildren. Bessie was preceded in death by her son Billy Joe Parish, Grandson Monty Bible and 3 Brothers - D. L. Vernon & Martin Wallace

M. D. Dean, 78
12/10/2006
M.D. Dean of Coleman died Saturday, December 9, 2006 at Coleman HealthCare Center. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 12 in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Joe Hailey officiating. Interment will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in Lometa Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman. M. D. Dean was born January 17, 1928 in Lometa, Texas, a son of Dayton Dean and Annie May Watson Dean. He grew up and attended school in Lometa. He joined the Merchant Marines, served two years, and then joined the United States Army where he served an additional two years. On August 22, 1974 he married Faye Windham in Altus, Oklahoma. M. D. had lived in Coleman since 1974, was a truck driver for 49 years, and a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Faye Dean of Coleman; his mother, Annie Dean of Lometa; two sons, Randy Dean and Ted Dean both of Brenham; two daughters, Nikki Dean of Buda and Jan Dean Mattox of Houston; three step-sons, Richard Hubbard of Coleman, Mike Hubbard of Coleman, Vince Hubbard of Grapevine; 17 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Rex and Wayne. Family visitation will be held on Monday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home.

Jane Brymner, 83
12/8/2006
Jane Brymner of Santa Anna, Texas passed away Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 1:50PM at Redstone Park Retirement in Brownwood, Texas. Services will be Saturday at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. H. Ray Box officiating. Interment will follow at the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna. The family will receive friends Friday from 6 till 8 PM at Henderson Funeral Home. Jane was born November 17, 1923 in Englewood, California to the late William George and Willetta Lamar Eidson Williams. She was raised in California and was a resident of Brownwood most of her life. She graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco and attended Daniel Baker College. Jane was a Navy Veteran of World War II and a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Baptist Church. She worked as a bookkeeping supervisor with Wells Fargo Bank and owned a Drapery Shop. Survivors include: Close Personal Friend - John Hensley of Santa Anna, Texas; Daughter - Willetta and husband Norman Anderson of Santa Anna, Tx; Son - Donnie and Joanna Thompson of Brownwood, Texas 10 Grandchildren; 25 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great Great Grandchild Jane was preceded in death by her son Michael Thompson in 1995.

Jeanette Arnold, 73
12/4/2006
Jeanette Arnold of Bay, Arkansas, died Saturday, December 2, 2006 at Coleman County Medical Center in Coleman, Texas. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at Roller-Farmers Union Chapel in Jonesboro, Arkansas with Rex Holt, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was born Perri Jeanette Holt on December 27, 1933 in Bay, Arkansas, the daughter of Troy Holt and Hattie Spurlock Holt. She grew up and attended school in Arkansas. She married Bob Arnold and he preceded her in death. She was a homemaker and a member of Bay United Methodist Church. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Kerry and Lisa Hall of Bronte, Texas, Kevin and Sherry Hall of Kingsland, Texas, Steve and Cindy Hall of Coleman, Texas; three sisters, Nina Morrison of Arkansas, Betty Sue McInturf and Isabel Thompson, both of California; one brother, Joe Holt of Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Brian Hall, Kim Graves, B.J. Hall, Zac Hall, Cody Evans, Tina Hall, Troy Hall and one great-grandson, Tatum Hall. Family visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Arkansas. Memorials may sent to Holiday Hill Nursing Home, 245 State Highway 153, Coleman, Texas 76834. Local arrangements were handled through Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman, Texas.

Mosell Helberg, 97
1/12/2007
Mosell Helberg of San Angelo passed January 9, 2006 in Colorado. Daughter of the late Gather Aaron and Nancy Mamie Williams Swafford, she was born May 11, 1909 in Loriane. On December 16, 1925 she married Don Helberg in Brownwood. He preceded her in death in 1982. A Coleman County resident from 1945 till 1985, she was a housewife and member of the Lake View Baptist Church. Family visitation on Saturday from 6:00 p. m. until 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the Walker Funeral Home Chapel of Coleman. Burial to follow in the Burkett Cemetery, Burkett, Texas.

Audie William Cathey, 72
1/11/2007
Audie William Cathey, of Coleman, died Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Coleman County Medical Center. A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2007 at the Central Texas Fine Art Museum (formerly the CCMC Wellness Center), 219 Commercial Avenue, Coleman, Texas. The body will be cremated. Mr. Cathey was born April 19, 1934 in Brownwood, Texas, the son of Sam C. Cathey, Sr. and Fannie Belle McLaughlin Cathey. He grew up in the Owens Community and graduated from May High School. He graduated from Howard-Payne University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Knowledge. He did a World Tour and spent 10 days in the Holy Land, preaching a revival in India where over 600 people were saved. He preached in various churches in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah and Texas, including, Union Baptist Church in Rising Star, First Baptist Church of Zephyr, Novice Baptist Church and most recently Northside Baptist Church in DeLeon. He was a Member of the Southern Baptist Association in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and California; member of Northside Baptist Church in DeLeon and attended Bible Baptist Church and Fellowship Baptist Church in Coleman. Survivors include his wife, Betty Cathey of Coleman; daughters, Sandra Ratliff of Early, Melody Thames and husband Randy of Early, Robin Black and husband Doug of Coleman, Genna Cathey Long of Brownwood; grandchildren, Phoebe Hicks, Heather and Michael Goode, Owen Ratliff, Victoria Thames, Jamie and Rich Downey, Shawna Thames, Glenn and Christa Black, David and Kate Black, Brent, Austin and Kyle Cathey; great-grandchildren, Justin and Ryan Hicks, Logan Goode, Monica, Caryssa and Jaiden Downey, Nicolas Thames, Scotty and Devin Black. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, June Greenwood, two brothers, Joe Cathey and Sam Cathey, Jr. and a son-in-law, Marvin Ratliff, Jr. The body will lie in state all day Thursday, January, 11, 2007 at Stevens Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to the Gideons, c/o Keith and Donna Phillips, 1500 FM 568, Coleman, Texas 76834.

John Walker, 75
1/10/2007
Mr. John Walker of Texline, Texas passed away January 8, 2006 at Coon Memorial Hospital in Dalhart. Son of the late Hardy and Tommie Beatrice Hill Walker, he was born March 30, 1931 in Des Moines, New Mexico. On August 12, 1972 he married Faye Caldwell in Texline. A lifetime Texline resident, John was a graduate of Clayton High School and a Member of the Texline Methodist Church. He was the owner operator of Texline Gas and Oil Company. He is survived by his wife, Faye of Texline; two brothers, Tom and his wife Lillian Walker of Coleman, and Glenard (Skeet) and his wife Wanda Walker of Cross Plains. Also surviving are four nephews Tim, Tommy, Todd, and Mike Walker. John was preceded in death by one brother, Herbert Albert Walker and one nephew, Randy Walker. Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 pm at the Texline Methodist Church and burial will follow at the Texline Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 pm at the Texline Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Martha "Marty" Coursey Powell
1/8/2007
FORT WORTH -- Martha "Marty" Coursey Powell, 50, a fantastic wife and great mother, passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, in Fort Worth. Funeral: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3740 Birchman Ave., Fort Worth. Graveside service: 2 p.m. Wednesday in Glen Cove Cemetery, Coleman. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Funeral Home. Memorials: Christ Chapel Benevolence Fund, 3740 Birchman Ave., Fort Worth 76107. Martha "Marty" Powell was born Nov. 5, 1956, in Coleman. She was a kindergarten teacher at Fort Worth Academy. She graduated from high school in El Paso and graduated from UT at El Paso. Marty was a longtime member of Christ Chapel Bible Church. Marty was preceded in death by her father, Donald Coursey. Survivors: Husband, Timothy Powell; children, Aaron Powell and Anne Powell; mother, Mary Ann Coursey, all of Fort Worth; sister, Donna Morgan and husband, Wayne of Baytown; and brother, Bud Coursey and wife, Dorinda of Corsicana.

Marcia Louise Morris, 75
1/8/2007
SANTA ANNA - Marcia Louise Morris of Santa Anna passed away Saturday at 12:59 PM at her residence in Santa Anna. Services will be Wednesday at 11:00 Am at the First Baptist Church of Santa Anna with Rev. Bruce Hess officiating. Interment will follow at the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 till 7 PM at Henderson Funeral Home. Marcia was born January 24, 1932 in Princeton, Indiana to the late Bill and Mary Helen Whittaker Montgomery. She was raised in Princeton where she graduated from High School. In 1954 Marcia married Willis Morris, Jr. in Lovington, New Mexico and they celebrated fifty-two years of marriage. Together they spent many years traveling while Willis served in the U.S. Army. She worked as an employee in the commissaries and in the restaurant industry while moving around the county. They moved back to Santa Anna in 1972 where they have spent many years enjoying their family. One of her most enjoyable times was working with and watching her cattle. Marcia worked several years at the Red Wagon Restaurant in Brownwood as a cashier and was a carrier for the Brownwood Bulletin in the Coleman area for many years. Survivors include: Husband - Willis Morris, Jr. of Santa Anna, Texas; Daughter - Willa May & husband Robby Puckett of Santa Anna, Tx; Step Daughter - Cathy Hausenberg of Ft Stockton, Tx; 3 Sons - Michael & wife Terry Smith of Nolanville, Tx; William Joe & wife Pam Morris of Santa Anna, Tx; Gary Wayne Morris of Santa Anna, Tx; Step Son - Rickey Morris; 2 Sisters - Connie S. Turpin & Mary Alice Aldridge both of Princeton, IN; 12 Grandchildren - Michael Lee & wife Stephanie Smith of Killeen, Tx, Paul & wife Cheyenne Morris of Santa Anna, Tx, Justina Ruth Morris of Henderson, Tx; Kevin & wife Wendy Morris of Santa Anna, Tx;, Keith & wife Karla Morris of Red Oak, Tx; Justin Morris of Santa Anna, Tx; Kerry Adams of Santa Anna, Tx; Angela Adams of Austin, Tx; Jerry Mack Smith, Jr.; Stephanie Fain, Jason Fain, Jeremy Fainn; 15 Great Grandchildren; numerous Nieces and Nephews. Marcia was preceded in death by her son Jerry Mack Smith in 1986.

Claudean Cervenka
1/17/2007
Claudean Cervenka of Coleman graduated to her heavenly home on January 15, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel in Coleman with James Bailey officiating. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco. Claudean was born August 8, 1931 to Osa Calahand Towery and Hazle Glover Towery in Brownwood, Texas. She graduated from Brownwood High School and Howard-Payne University. In 1950, she married the love of her life, Joe K. Cervenka, and they were married almost 52 years. He preceded her in death on June 27, 2002. Claudean taught school in Coleman High School and Mozelle High School for a total of 27 years. She was a regional officer and state board member for Texas Professional Educators, now called Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE). She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi. After she retired, she was a volunteer for Hospice of the Big Country and Meals on Wheels. While in Coleman, she was a member of the United Christian and Presbyterian Church. Claudean moved to Waco in 2003, where she was active in Calvary Baptist Church and the Red Hat Society. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Karen Cervenka Kemper and husband, Martin of Waco, and their children, Kelley Ann Kemper Messer and husband, Jeff of Abilene, Grant Joseph Kemper of Grand Prairie, Ross Martin Kemper and wife, Bridgette of Waco and Annaliese Vanessa Kemper and her finance', Will Scoggin of College Station. Also surviving is her daughter, Debra Cervenka Cox and husband Terry of Granbury, their children, Paige Cox Taillett and husband, Bob of Potosi, Lindsey Cox Sturlin and husband, Mark of Granbury and Lauren Cox Solomon and husband, Chad of Granbury. There are nine great-grandchildren; Kathlyn, Melia and Reid Messer, twins, Ryland and Sterling Kemper, Lexi Free, Alex Arce, Joseph Arce and Payton Solomon. She is also survived by her sister, Nadean George and husband, John, nephew Ben David Orton, all of Brownwood and niece Mary Kay Orton of Waco. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Jeff Messer, Bob Taillet, Ross Kemper, Grant Kemper, Will Scoggin, Chad Solomon, Mark Sturlin and friend, Mat Kemper Gaines. Claudean will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Thursday, January 18, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Big Country or the Beyond Belief building campaign at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.

GEORGE RAY SIMPSON, 90
1/17/2007
George Ray Simpson of Brownwood, formerly of Coleman, died Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at Brownwood Regional Medical Center. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20 in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home. George Ray Simpson was born December 4, 1916 in Coleman, Texas, a son of Albert and Nannie Jane Simpson. He grew up and attended school in Coleman. Mr. Simpson retired from the Army and Air Force Exchange where he managed gasoline service stations on military bases in California, Oregon and Nevada. He lived in Coleman for a number of years and moved to Brownwood twenty years ago. Survivors include one daughter, Ruby McCullough of Brownwood; one sister, Lillian Templin of San Angelo; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jo Ann Simpson; a granddaughter, Debbie Gregory; a brother, Clifton Simpson; a sister, Lela Templin.

Patsy Weirich, 63
1/15/2007
Patsy Weirich of Coleman died Sunday, January 14, 2007 at Coleman County Medical Center. A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Wings As Eagles Church in Burkett with Joe Burkett officiating. The body will be cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home. She was born Patsy Ann Caraway on February 4, 1943 in Houston, Texas. She grew up and attended school in Houston. She moved to Coleman three years ago from Conway, Arkansas. She worked as a cashier at Wal-Mart in Conway for 12 years and was a volunteer for the Loaves and Fishes and a member of Wings As Eagles Church. Survivors include two sons, Clark Anthony (Tony) Weirich of Coleman, William Allen Weirich of Missouri; one brother, Jimmy Caraway of Austin; one sister, Betty Caraway of Austin; five grandchildren, William Allen Weirich of Freeport, Nicole Weirich of Louisiana, Kelly Jo Weirich of Missouri, Brenda Michelle Weirich of Missouri; Johnnie Renae Weirich of Missouri; one great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Diane Weirich of Houston, Shelia Weirich of Houston, Jena Weirich of Houston, Cathy Caraway of Austin and Sam Weirich.