Betty J. Cochran
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Betty J. Cochran, 73, were held Monday, May 19, 2003, from the First Baptist Church of Coldspring, with the Rev. Don M. Shannon officiating. Mrs. Cochran died Thursday, May 15, at her residence in Coldspring. She was born Oct. 1, 1929 in Purcell, Okla., the daughter of Alfred and Myrtle Blevins. She was preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and one sister. Survivors include her husband, Kirk Cochran of Coldspring; son, Bill Brooks of Huffman; daughters, Kay Hardesky of Willis, Karla Bryant of Panama City, Fla., Janet Brown of Dallas and Teresa Widdonson of Walnut Hill, Calif.; eight grand-children and seven great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Cochran, Neil Cochran, Coyle DeFoor, Jim Baumhardt and Robert Paskey. Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Yuvonne LaVelle Robbins
LIVINGSTON - Yuvonne LaVelle Robbins, 56, of Livingston died Saturday, May 17, 2003, in Houston. She was born on July 15, 1946 in Victoria, the daughter of Arthur Forrest and Edna Lean Lamb, both of whom preceded her in death. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Livingston. She is survived by her husband, Joe D. Robbins of Livingston; daughter, Ronda Odefey of Tomball; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Kathryn M. Carroll of San Benito; two grandsons and one granddaughter, Justin Odefey of Tomball and Samantha Carroll and Colin Carroll, both of San Benito; sister, Wanda McKey of Victoria; two brothers, Arthur Lamb of Livingston and Mark Lamb of Boerne and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Jim McKey, Kenneth McKey, Terry McKey, Jonathan Lamb, Larry Robbins and Kerry Robbins. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Robbins, Jimmy Robbins and James Robbins. Funeral services were held Monday, May 19, from the First Baptist Church in Livingston, with the Rev. Lee Poe officiating. Burial followed in Restland Memorial Park. Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joettia Richey
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Joettia Richey, 74, of Livingston were held Wednesday, May 21, 2003, from the Coch-ran Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. J.E. Murphy officiating. Burial followed in Camp Ruby Cemetery. Mrs. Richey died Monday, May 19, in Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital in Jasper. She was born Aug. 14, 1928 in Hardin County, the daughter of Jett and Josephine Collins Murphy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Richey; her parents and brothers, Bill Murphy and James Murphy. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Alice and Harry Hebert of Livingston and Amanda and Stephen Bumstead of Jasper; son and daughter-in-law, Bubba and Melissa Richey of Olney; grandsons, Michael Hebert, Doug Richey, Shane Bumstead and Tyler McMorris; granddaughters, Jullie Jackson, Crystal Shultz, Amber Bumstead, Ashley Bumstead and Cassidy McMorris; great-grandsons, Brett Hebert, Grant Richey and Taylor Rushing; great-granddaughters, Chelsey Hebert, Brandy Weatherford, Misty Weatherford, Tara Weatherford, Tyler Richey and Shelby Rushing; brothers, J.E. Murphy of Jas-per, Doc Murphy of Grapeland and Fortune Murphy of Houston and sisters, Myrtle Sheffield of Dayton and Ester Thornton of Dayton. Pallbearers were Roy Jones, Bubba Jackson, Matt Shultz, James Spears, Kenny Taylor and John Spinks.

R.P. Chandler
LIVINGSTON - Graveside services for R.P. Chandler, 79, were held Wednesday, May 21, 2003, from Union Spring Ceme-tery in Corrigan, with the Rev. Don Willis officiating. Mr. Chandler died Monday, May 19, at his residence in Goodrich. He was born May 30, 1923 in Corrigan, the son of Willie and Julia Jones Chandler, both of whom preceded him in death. Survivors include his sister, Jeain Holcombe of Goodrich; half-sisters, Lillie Kidd of New Caney and Jewel Lawlis of Woodville; nephews, Jimmy Wayne Chandler of Corrigan and Charlie Chandler of Corrigan and nieces, Jullie Bergman of Livingston and Helen Smith of Jasper. Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Sasse
LIVINGSTON - Ruth Sasse, 82, of Livingston died Monday, May 19, 2003, in Livingston. She was born Sept. 21, 1920 in Sheffield, Ala., the daughter of Span Grover Eubanks and Mary Evie Lewis Eubanks, both of whom preceded her in death. A memorial service is pending. Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jodie Caraway
ORANGE - Jodie Caraway, 80, of Livingston died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at his daughter's home in Deweyville. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 24, at the Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange, with the Rev. Darrell Orange, pastor of Deweyville United Pentecostal Church, officiating. Burial followed in King Cemetery in Hartburg. Military graveside rites were under the auspices of the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group. Mr. Caraway was born on Sept. 28, 1922 in Silsbee to Enoch and Mamie Caraway. He was a former and longtime resident of Deweyville and had lived in Livingston for the past 15 years. He worked as an outside machinist for American Bridge and also worked for Inland Company, both located in Orange. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served his country during World War II. He is survived by his son, Joe Caraway Sr. of Deweyville; two daughters, Dorothy Rheel of Deweyville and Sandra Caraway of Livingston; stepson, Clarence Curl and sister, Callie Stroud, both of Deweyville; two brothers, Virgil Waldrep of Brooke-land and Jimmy Waldrep of Franklin; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Roy "Woody" Hester
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Roy Woodrow "Woody" Hester Jr., 51, were held Thursday, May 22, 2003, from the Church of Christ in Livingston, with Bro. Lindell Mitchell and Ed Smith officiating. Burial followed in Bluff Creek Cemetery. Mr. Hester died Monday, May 19, in Livingston. He was born Dec. 6, 1951 in Livingston, the son of Roy Woodrow Hester Sr. and Melba Lorene Harrell Hester, both of whom preceded him in death. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Heather Hester Lee and Brandon Lee of Livingston; son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Stacy Hester of Shepherd; granddaughter, Trista Hester of Shepherd; grandson, Justin Washburn of Shepherd; one "grandbaby on the way" of Shepherd; sister and brother-in-law, Melba and Jim McKelvy of West Columbia; niece and nephew-in-law, Cindy and Chris Johnson of Angleton; great-niece, Bailey Johnson of Angleton and special friends, Patty Brat-ton of Livingston and James Smith of Livingston. Pallbearers were Adam Hester, George Harrell, James Smith, Paul Harrell, Chris Johnson, Dan Burrows, Keith Hester, Jim McKelvy, Randy Bright and Brandon Lee. Honorary pallbearers were Lester Oliver, L.C. Johnson Sr., Gerald Black, Gerald Ray Black, Kenneth Ross, George Ross, Jimmy Ross, Alvin Ross, Morris Platt, Benny Cude, Danny Moseley, A.C. Casas, Kenneth Yarbrough and Gene Bush. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial fund at First State Bank (account number 169961) or the Church of Christ Hymnal Fund. Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Elwood "Jackie" Thomas III
LIVINGSTON - Elwood Jack "Jackie" Thomas III, 54, died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at his residence in Livingston. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 24, at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel. He was born Sept. 8, 1948 in Houston, the son of Elwood and Avis Cameron Thomas II. He was a member of the Scenic Loop Volunteer Fire Department during the mid 1980s and was awarded Fireman of the Year/Scenic Loop in 1984. He was a member of the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department from January 1987 to August 1990. He attended the A&M Fire School several times while with the Scenic Loop and Livingston fire departments. He was also a member of the Livingston Fire De-partment Pumper Team. Survivors include his mother Trixie Prewitt of Jasper; stepfather, Charles Prewitt of Jasper; stepmother, Martha Thomas of Marble Falls; sister, Pam White of Livingston; son, Jack Thomas of Bryan; daughter, Jill Thomas of Bryan; nieces, Stephanie Miller of Livingston and Tracia Parks of Las Vegas, Nev.; nephew, Bryan Damon of Las Vegas, Nev.; great-nephews, Cam-eron Delahoussaye of Livingston, Kelan Miller of Livingston, Brandon Parker of Las Vegas, Nev. and Jeffrey Parks of Las Vegas, Nev.; great-nieces, Kylie Miller of Livingston and Regean Parks of Las Vegas, Nev. and great-aunt and great-uncle, Sam and Katy Humby of Troup.

Elton J. Winemiller
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Elton J. Winemiller, 73, were held Tuesday, May 13, 2003, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Clifton Labbe officiating. Military honors were provided by the VFW Post 8568 Honor Guard. He died Tuesday, May 6, at his residence in Livingston. He was born Oct.8, 1929 in Linn, Kan., the son of George Elton Winemiller and Erma Shipman Winemiller, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Maria Tackner Winemiller on July 16, 1955 in Germany. He retired as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army after 27 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Maria; daughter and son-in-law, Doris and Charles Gauldin of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Elton and Diane Winemiller of Katy; grandsons, Richard Cavnar of Houston, Christopher and wife Erika Cavnar of Houston and James Winemiller of Spain; granddaughter, Lisa Wright of Katy; great-granddaughters, Kayla Cavnar, Kinsey Cavnar and Delanie Cavnar, all of Houston; great-grandson, Dylan Cavnar of Houston and aunts, Hazel Cook and Mildred, both of Ne-braska.

Mrs. Neilous Collins Rutledge
METTER, GA. - Mrs. Neilous Collins Rutledge, 80, of Cobbtown died Thursday, May 8, 2003, in Candler County Hospital. She was born in Emanuel County and moved to Cobbtown 18 years ago from Texas. She was a homemaker, craftsman, doll collector and traveler and a member of Cobbtown Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Marion Louis Rutledge of Cobbtown; sons, John Taylor of Ace, Texas and William Taylor of Monroe, La.; daughter, Renee Johnson of Cobbtown; brother, Junior Collins of Cobbtown; sisters, Ouida Haines of Moultrie and Mary Wilson of Odessa, Texas; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday at Kennedy-Morgan Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, with burial in Sunlight Ceme-tery.

Teresa Ann Dibbern
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Teresa Ann Dibbern, 68, were held Monday, May 12, 2003, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. James Frazier officiating. Burial followed in Mt. Rose Cemetery. Mrs. Dibbern died Thursday, May 8, in Memorial Medical Center - Livingston. She was born July 22, 1934 in Marietta, Okla., the daughter of H.O. and Hazel Forbes Womack, and graduated from Lamar High School. She married Robert D. Dibbern Sr. on May 30, 1953 in El Paso. She enjoyed square dancing, sewing, gardening, birds, shopping, cooking and painting. She was preceded in death by her mother and sister, Velma Faye Urbanek. Survivors include her husband, Robert Dibbern of Livingston; father, H.O. Womack of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Chuck Nagel Sr. of Stafford; son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Deb Dibbern of Spring; daughter and son-in-law, Melody and Mark Bounds of Tyler; grandchildren, Melisa Nagel, Brian Nagel, Stephanie and husband Robert Leaman, Charles Nagel Jr. and Mary Ann Dibbern; great-grandson, Thomas James Dorssom; brothers, Gene Womack of West University Place and Milton Womack of Katy and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers were Brian Nagel, Chuck Nagel Jr., Robert Leaman, Randy Dibbern, Dwayne Dibbern and Chris Dibbern. Hon-orary pallbearers were Melisa Nagel, Stephanie Leaman, Mary Ann Dibbern and Thomas Dorssom. Donations may be made to the SAAFE House, Polk County Mission and SPCA.

Robert Wayne Gray
WEBSTER - Robert Wayne Gray, 66, died Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at his residence in Leggett. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sandra Gray; daughters, Janine and husband Gary Dawson and Theresa and husband Barnie Edge; sons, Gary and wife Kathryn, Robert and wife Julie Gray and Paul and wife Cheryl Butler; three sisters; five brothers; 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Chapel services were held Friday, May 9, at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Interment followed in Forest Park East Ceme-tery.

Earnest Lee Jefferson
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Earnest Lee Jefferson, 49, of Corrigan were held Saturday, May 10, 2003, from Mace-donia Baptist Church in Corrigan, with the Rev. C. Menefee officiating. Interment followed in Kibbiefield Cemetery in Mar-ston. Mr. Jefferson died May 2 in Memorial Health System of East Texas in Lufkin. He was born Jan. 11, 1954 in Livingston, the son of Clarence L. Allen and Loraine Jefferson Barnes. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Christine Jefferson; son, Earnest Elijah Jamarcus Jefferson; two stepdaughters, Jennie Barlow and Ravella McQueen; mother, Loraine Barnes; two sisters, Beverly Brown and Mary Elizabeth Allen; four brothers, Roose-velt Barnes Jr., Clarence Allen Jr., Edwin Allen and Jonathan Allen; aunts, Emma Johnson, May F. White, Lola B. Jones, Ber-tha Ross, Lacressie Freeman, Berniece Freeman and Juanita Jones; uncles, Marcus Parker Sr., John H. Franklin, Joel Freeman, Lennie Johnson and Gene Lee; brothers-in-law, Dennis Wyatt, Clarence Colquitt, Edward Thompson, Henry Williams Jr. and Albert Williams; sisters-in-law, Alice Thompson, Bertha Colquitt, Kimmie Whittaker, Emma Williams, Maggie Dosia and Mattie Pearl Vaughn and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers were Victor Botley, Kent Botley, Arron Stedley, Joe Johnson, Mario Johnson and Chris Botley. Honorary pall-bearers were Artis White, Roosevelt Barnes Jr., Earnest White, Marcus Parker Jr. and Cleveland Berry. Duncan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.