Obituaries

2005
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WALKER

Curtis Milton Walker, age 82 of Cleveland, Texas, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2005. He was born in Fostoria, Texas to Marshall Edward and Cennie Walker on October 17, 1922.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alta Opheila Walker; children, Cennie Gomez, Gloria Acosta and Husband Gilberto, Paula Pescina; sisters, Lillie Copley, Betty Smith; sister in law, Eva McDaniel; grandchildren, Michelle Spears, Paul Acosta, Erika Montesnieto, Robert Gomez; great-grandchildren, April Spears, Patrick Spears, Lexie Montesnieto, Stacie Montesnieto and many other beloved family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edd and Cennie Walker; brothers, Edward and William Walker and his sister, Jewel Lavada Walker.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 6, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at Cross Roads Baptist Church, Cleveland, Texas. Bro. Chester Burt and Bro. Jack Therell conducted the service with interment at Morgan Cemetery.

Everitt

Emmitt Bertram Everitt, age 80, of Cleveland, Texas, passed away, Sunday, September 4, 2005. He was born in Magnolia, Texas to Emmitt Benjamin and Ruby Everitt on May 14, 1925. He is survived by his loving wife, Jo Ann Everitt; three children; four step-children, four brothers, two sisters, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren with many other loving and caring family members and friends and all of the V.F.W. Post 1839. A memorial service was held Wednesday, September 7, 2005, 2:00 p.m. at V.F.W. Post 1839, Cleveland, Texas.

Norcross

Carl Truett Norcross passed away Friday, September 05, 2005 at his home after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 28, 1931 in Dayton, Texas, graduated from Dayton High School and served in the US Air Force as an aircraft mechanic from 1950-1954. A local businessman, entrepreneur, and volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Institute (27 years service), Truett will be missed by those he volunteered with weekly and those whose lives he touched over many years working in surgical waiting area with families of patients.

Services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 5, 2005 at The First United Methodist Church in Dayton, Texas with Rev. Thomas White of Winthrop, Massachusetts and Rev. Jon Stouffer of Dayton, Texas officiating. Burial will be in Linney Cemetery following the service.

He was predeceased by his parents Milton Frank Norcross and Nellie Julia (Wright) Norcross.

He leaves behind a daughter, Zoë Norcross of Dayton, Texas and a son, Jay T. Norcross and daughter-in-law Louise Therrien of Notre-Dame-Du-Laus, Quebec, Canada. Eight grandchildren, Jennifer Lawrence Wolffart and husband Shawn of Dallas, Texas; Lindsay Lawrence Chakrabarti and husband Neil of Webster, Texas; Todd Lawrence of Austin, Texas; and Lara Lawrence of Winthrop, Massachusetts; Melissa Norcross of Houston, Texas; Stephanie Norcross of Austin, Texas; Jordan Norcross of Kingwood, Texas; and Dylan Norcross of Kingwood, Texas; one great-grandson, Kade Chakrabarti of Webster, Texas; one sister, Nell Whittington and brother-in-law, Bowen of Liberty, Texas; two nephews, Scott Whittington of Dayton, Texas; Michael Whittington and wife Marilyn of Dayton, Texas; and one niece, Wendy Whittington of Alexandria, Virginia.

Pallbearers are Scott Whittington, Michael Whittington, Hillary Lawrence, Coley Wright, Bobby Sanders and Carl Sanders.

The family will receive friends 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, September 4, 2005 at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at www.mdanderson.org. or The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486.

A memorial service at MD Anderson Cancer Institute is planned at a later date.

Spencer

Janice “Jan” Marie Spencer, age 55, of Shepherd, Texas, passed away Monday, September 5, 2005. She was born in San Diego, California to Donald Wayne and Sally Ann Sulek on June 9, 2005.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Spencer; parents, Donald And Sally Sulek; daughter, Marcia Duncan; son, Matthew Needham; sister, Marcia Turner and husband, Jim; grandchild, Tanner Whitmire; nephew, Christopher Turner; niece, Elizabeth Turner and many other loving and caring family members and friends. Jan’s special pals; her animals, Navare, Bella, Aires, Duke, Mikey and IzaBo.

Memorial services were held Friday, September 9, 2005, 2:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, Texas.

Baukman

Sherry Baukman, age 47 of Hearne, Texas, passed away, Wednesday, September 7, 2005. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Clyde and Clela Miller on June 2, 1958. She is survived by her husband, Paul L. Baukman; mother and step-father Clela and Robert Standfield; daughter, Amber L. Fox and husband, Michael son, James E. Kelley and wife, Jacy, step-daughter, Denise White and husband, John; step-son, Joshua Baukman; grandchildren, Trey Hollinger, Jack Fox, Alyssa Fox, Dylan Baukman; sister, Deborah Sipult, Cara Hill, Sara Hutchison; brother, Mark Marino, III; nephews, Mark Marino, IV and Keegan Marino; nieces, Leaona Marino and Katie Marino; step-father, Aunt Patricia; numerous other loving family members and a host of friends beyond measure. She is preceded in death by her father, Clyde Miller; brother, Clyde Allen Miller.

Funeral services were held Friday, September 9, 2005, 4:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Coldspring, Texas. Pastor John White officiated with interment at Harrell Cemetery, Stephen Creek, Texas.

SNODGRASS

Gary Lynn Snodgrass, age 52, of Splendora, Texas, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2005 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. He was born in Benton, Arkansas to Floyd and Ruby Snodgrass on June 13, 1953.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jo Ann Snodgrass; daughters, Kari Lynn Snodgrass and husband, Michael B. Martin, Rachel Michelle Toczek and husband, David G. Toczek, Rebekah Rachelle Matthews and husband, William C. Matthews; brother, David Allen Hicks; grandchildren, Lorie Latham, Chad Latham, Austin Toczek, Hailey Matthews, Dylan Matthews, Lauryn Toczek, Brooklynn Martin and many other loving and caring family members and friends. He will surely be missed by all that knew and loved him.

Family and friends shared this heartfelt moment on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 2:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. Rev. Jerry Lyons conducted the service followed by a graveside gathering at Splendora City Cemetery, Splendora, Texas.

SMITH

Hattie Mae Smith, age 70, of Shepherd, Texas, passed away at her home Sunday, September 11, 2005. She was born in Lacon, Illinois to David and Maura Mae Baldwin on November 5, 1934.

She is survived by her sons, Jeff Smith, Sr. and wife, Angie, Bruce Allen Smith; daughter, Tracy Smith Renteria; brothers, David Baldwin, Frank Baldwin, Glen Baldwin; grandchildren, Jeffrey Smith, Jr., Jacob Wayne Smith, Tammy Jo Smith, Maggie Mae Renteria; daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Kelly and Matt Johnson and many other loving and caring family members and friends.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 5:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, Texas.

CARSON

Alfred Sylvester Carson, age 63, of Shepherd, Texas, passed away September 12, 2005 at the Cleveland Regional Medical Center. He was born in Independence, Missouri to Albert S. and Daisy Irene Carson on September 24, 1941.

He is survived by his wife, Belinda Joyce Carson; six daughters, Margie Arnold and husband, Robert, Martha Humbird and husband, Gene, Kim Howard and husband, Barney, Wenona Wilder and husband, J.R, Jocelynn Carson, Daisy Carson; six sons, Mike Carson, Doug Carson, Dwayne Carson, Marcus Carson, Bert Carson, Lewis Carson; sister, Joyce Carson; brother, Bob Carson and wife, Edie; thirteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; countless nieces and nephews and many other loving and caring family members and friends.

Memorial services were held Friday, September 16, 2005, 2:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, Texas.

LANGLEY

Charles Kenneth Langley, age 84, of Coldspring, Texas, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 15, 2005 at the VA Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Sydney and Falba Langley on October 9, 1920.

He entered the U.S. Army November 2, 1942. and served until February 28, 1948. He participated in WWII and was wounded in action in Sicily. He retired from Brown & Root after many years of faithful service.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Cleo Moore Langley; daughter, Margaret Rose and husband, Dewey of Livingston, Texas; son, Albert Zoellner of Houston, Texas; sister, Shirley Doane of Coldspring, Texas; brothers, Ed Langley and wife, Mary of Denver, Colorado, Boyd Langley and wife, Norma of Fresno, California; grandchildren, Michael Zoellner, Connie Hughes, Brian Zoellner, Chris Sutton, Carleen Keen-Siry, Teresa Siry, Susan Upshaw; sixteen great-grandchildren, four nephews and three nieces and many other loving and caring family members and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sydney and Falba Langley; brothers, Avery Langley and Hillard Langley.

Friends and family will gather for visitation Monday, September 19, 2005, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Coldspring Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, 14250 Hwy 150 West, Coldspring, Texas. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at the Coldspring Pace-Stancil Chapel with interment following at Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen Community, Cleveland, Texas.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 Am, Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty with burial following at the Liberty Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 Pm to 9 Pm, with rosary services at 7 Pm, Monday, at the church. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Jim was born April 4, 1930 in Devers, to parents; Ezrael and Armance Arabie Blanchard and has resided in the Raywood area for the past 62 years. He was a retired driller from G & G Well Services of Raywood, a former employee of Shivers Well Service and Texas Gulf Sulphur, and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening, and will be remembered as a jack of all trades, but master of none.

Mr. Blanchard was preceded in death by his parents, sons: Robert Blanchard and Jerry Blanchard, grandson: James Lee Blanchard, son-in-law: Kenny Cross, sister: Belle Thibodeaux, and brothers: Lawrence Blanchard and Clenny ‘Poncho’ Blanchard. He is survived by his wife of 18 years: Tonyia Sue Kelley Blanchard of Raywood, sons: Tommy Blanchard and wife Robbi of Saratoga, Brandon McClure and wife Krystal of Hardin, and Billy Wayne Meadows and wife Christina of Groveton, GA, daughters: Delores Ann Cross of Oakdale, LA and Kolynda Sigle and husband Brian of Raywood, sisters: Dorothy Rogers of Raywood and Shirley Collins and husband George of Bevil Oaks, brothers: Clarence Blanchard and wife Myrtle of Hardin and Adam Blanchard and wife Laura Nell of Batson, sisters-in-law: Vera Blanchard of Saratoga and Susie Blanchard of Moss Hill, 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

JOHNSTON

Elsie Mae Johnston, age 76 of Cleveland, Texas, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2005. She was born in Livingston, Texas to Walter Lee and Annie M. Dobbs on March 7, 1929.

She is survived by her children,

Jo Ann Butcher, Marie Myrick and husband, Jimmy, Frances Walters, Ruby Wells and husband, Royce, Leon Johnston and wife, Diane, Roy Johnston and wife, Sherry, Shirley Thrasher and husband, Kevin; step-children, Billy Joe Johnston and wife, Frances, Raymond Johnston, Peggy Inez Ray; sister, Muerl Whiddon; countless grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren and other loving and caring family members and friends.

Family and friends gathered for funeral services held, Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. Bro. Monty Odem conducted the service with interment at New Salem Cemetery, Cleveland, Texas.

GATTON

Joyce Ann Gatton of Cleveland, Texas, passed away, Friday, September 16, 2005 at the age of 62. She was born in Center, Texas to Mahon and Ella Graves on June 30, 1943.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Joe Gatton of Cleveland, Texas; children, Carolyn Partridge, Kathy Eshelman and husband Jack, Donna Scott and husband, Dickie, Sheila Bowers and Larry Gatton; sisters, Jean Kendrick and Barbara Whitton; brothers, Mahon Graves, Jr. and Wayne Boozier; grandchildren, Larry “Chris” Gatton II, Brandon Partridge, Danny Eshelman, Ash-Lee Gatton, Monica Scott, Christopher Partridge, Jeremy Partridge, Robert “BO” Bowers, Timmy Esheleman, Airika Bowers, Blake Scott, Ryan Tyler, Elizabeth Eshelman and Makayla Scott; great-grandchildren, Bryan Partridge, Ryan Eshelman and Tyler Eshelman; numerous nieces and nephews and other loving and caring family member and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents: Mahon and Ella Graves; son: Charles Ray Partridge; sisters: Mary Ross, Marie Hopson and brother: Buster Graves.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 19, 2005, 3:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Pace-Stancil Memorial Rest Gardens.

Kalenda

John Louis Kalenda, 56, of Dayton, died Friday, September 23, 2005, at his residence.

Graveside services will be held at 10 Am, Thursday, September 29, 2005, at the Eastgate Protestant Cemetery in the Eastgate community. Visitation will be held from 5 Pm to 8 Pm, Wednesday, at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

John was born September 24, 2005 in Dayton, to parents; John and Frances Skopal Kalenda, and has resided in the Dayton area throughout his life. He was a C.P.A. for Seaberg Rice Company, graduate of the Dayton High School class of 1966, had obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Houston in 1971, a member of the Crosby Brethren Church, and enjoyed the stock market, the outdoors, and BBQ’s.

Mr. Kalenda was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his father: John Kalenda of Dayton, sister: Frances Thonsgaard of Dayton, fiancé’: Janice Bodenhamer of Dayton, aunt: Doris Skopal of Victoria, and numerous other relatives, and friends.

Thompson

Jim F. Thompson, 74, of Daisetta, died Wednesday, September 28, 2005, at the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown.

Memorial services will be held at the family residence at a later date. Cremation services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Jim was born September 12, 1931 in Success, Arkansas, to parents; Lee and Mary Quigley Thompson, a former resident of Dayton and has resided in the Daisetta area for the past 20 years. He was a retired truck driver for Tanner Construction of Dayton, a jack of all trades, and enjoyed working on lawnmowers, watching westerns, fishing and BBQ’s.

Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parents, son: Gary Gipson, and brothers: Bob and Sidney Thompson. He is survived by his wife of 45 years: Levern Justice Thompson of Daisetta, sons: Jimmy Gipson of Batson, Randy Thompson and wife Billie of Hull, Durwood Thompson of Daisetta, Bradley Thompson of Purdy, MO, Marshall Thompson of Liberty, and Christopher Thompson of Romayor, daughters: Sondra Burson and husband John of Birmingham, AL, and Crystal Thompson of Houston, brother: David Thompson and wife Karen of Colorado Springs, CO, sisters: Geneva Kinnard of Fairview Heights, IL and Mary Mensch of Gatesville, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Richard

Thelma M. Waggoner Richard, 81, of Tarkington Prairie, died Wednesday, September 28, 2005, at her residence.

Graveside services will be held at 10 Am, Friday, September 30, 2005, at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Houston. Visitation will be held from 5 Pm to 8 Pm, Thursday, at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Thelma was born June 5, 1924 in Barker, to parents; George and Gladys Waggoner, and has resided in the Tarkington area for the past 25 years. She was self-employed and operated Liberty County Bail Bonding and Past Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star at Oak Forest Lodge, Houston.

Mrs. Richard was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Freddie Richard, Sr., and brother: Faye Waggoner. She is survived by her son: Freddie Richard, Jr. of Tarkington Prairie, daughter: Sharon Winkle and husband Johnny of Tarkington Prairie, grandchildren: Justin and Taylor Winkle, brother: Cecil Waggoner of Morris, OK, and numerous other relatives, and friends.

Clark

John W. ‘J.W.’ Clark, 81, of Liberty, died Tuesday, September 27, 2005, at the Sabine County Hospital in Hemphill.

Funeral services will be held at 10 Am, Saturday, October 1, 2005, at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel in Dayton with burial following at Guedry Cemetery in Batson. Visitation will be held from 5 Pm to 8 Pm, Friday, at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

J.W. was born August 14, 1924 in Trinity to parents; Henry and Rosa King Clark, a former resident of Batson, and has resided in the Liberty area for the past 24 years. He was a retired Production Supervisor for Gulf Oil of Liberty after 38 years of employment, member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Liberty, veteran of the US Army with service during WW II, Present and Past Worthy Patron of the Liberty-Dayton Order of Eastern Star #634, Past Master of Batson Masonic Lodge #974, member of Liberty Masonic Lodge #48, President of the Arabian Temple of Past Masters, Commandry of the Legion of Honor Arabian Center, Commander of the Kenedy Commandry, Ambassador to the Lufkin Shrine Club, and President of the W. Hardin Ex-students Association. He also enjoyed singing, directing music for church, and carpentry.

Mr. Clark was preceded in death by his parents and sister: Bernice Sims. He is survived by his wife of 54 years: Kathryn Gore Clark of Liberty, sister: Ethel Mae Mehl of Batson, nieces: Fonda Butaud of Baytown, Kathy D. Loggins of Silsbee, and Debbie Courts of Silsbee, nephews: Larry Mosley of Batson, John R. Mosley of Batson, Jerry Creel of Silsbee, and Larry Creel of Silsbee.