Obituaries

James Parks

1944-2016

James Oliver Parks, 72, of Wills Point, passed from this life at his home with his family by his side on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.  He was born Oct. 25, 1944 in Cooper.  He worked as an auto technician for more than 40 years at the Freeman Dealerships in Dallas/Irving before retiring to Wills Point.  James, also known as “Jimmy” was a lifelong fan of auto racing, car enthusiast and music lover.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Marla Shipp and husband, Gary, of Midlothian; son, James “Clint” Parks and wife, April, of Red Oak; grandchildren, Christopher Shipp, Brittani Villatoro and Grace Parks.

A memorial was held Dec. 1, 2016, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Hwy. 64 in Canton.

Dianne Byrd

1949-2016

Services for Dianne Marie Byrd, 67, of Ben Wheeler were held Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. James Nickle and Bro. Bill Parr officiating.

Mrs. Byrd passed Nov. 30, 2016, in Tyler. She was born March 2, 1949, in Mt. Pleasant to Mart and Julia Freeman Barnett.

She grew up in Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. She then attended Business College in Dallas. As a member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, she was awarded the Assistant Degree in Rainbows.

Clyde Thomas

1920-2016

Services for Clyde A. Thomas, Sr., 96, of Canton, were held Nov. 22, 2016, at the Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Mike Roberson officiating.  Interment was in Haven of Memories. 

Mr. Thomas passed away Nov. 19, 2016, in Canton.  He was born July 7, 1920, in Trinidad to Johnny and Tommie D. Stroud Thomas. 

While serving in the US Army, he was in the Cavalry.  He lived most of his life in Canton where he was a member of the First Baptist Church and served over 40 years with the Canton Volunteer Fire Department.  He enjoyed selling real estate for many years, hunting and fishing.  He especially loved his "Ruthie" and his family. 

Mr. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; two sons: Clyde Jr. and Larry Thomas; and three grandchildren, Mitzi, Bret and Tye Thomas. 

Clarice Baldwin

1922-2016

Clarice Baldwin, 94, of Tyler, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 2, 2016.  She lived in Ben Wheeler for over 30 years, and for the past two years was a resident of Providence Park in Tyler. 

Clarice was born Feb. 11, 1922, in Stephenvill to Sam and Susie Boase.  Her love for God was demonstrated through her love and devotion to her family, as well as her faithful service at the First Baptist of Ben Wheeler and Eastern Star of Texas. 

Clarice is survived by two daughters, Ann Thomas (husband Lilburn) of Tyler and Doris Hawkins (husband C.D.) of Tyler; sister, Eloise Bills (husband S.R.) of Stephenville; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one great, great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Thomas Eugene Purvis

1940-2016

Graveside services for Thomas Eugene Purvis, 76, of Canton, were held Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at Haven of Memories Memorial Park with Bro. Steve Glosup officiating.

Mr. Purvis passed away Nov. 13, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born Feb. 11, 1940, in Newellton, La. to Walter and Lois King Purvis.

He enjoyed hunting, the outdoors, John Wayne movies, bluegrass and country music.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Edward Ervin Purvis.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Sue Purvis; daughter, Lori and Darren Kirby; son, Thomas Walter and Tracy Lynne Purvis; grandchildren, Bailey Priebe and Shawn Kirby; great- grandchild, Adaline Priebe; and sister, Evelyn O’Neal and JoeMac; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Patricia Reid Cooper

1959-2016

Memorial services will be held at a later date for Patricia Reid Cooper, 57, of Wills Point.

She passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at her residence.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home.

Michael Lynn Norman

1958-2016

Services for Michael Lynn Norman, 57, Canton, were held Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.

Graveside services followed at Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

Mr. Norman passed away Nov. 21, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born Dec. 23, 1958, in Belton to Oswald and Sarah Oldfield Norman.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sue Parks.

Survivors include his wife, Julie Norman; sons, Michael Lynn Norman Jr. and wife, Mindy, Albion Norman and wife, Nicole, and Jimmy Mosley; daughters, Jamie Malone and husband, Mike, and Joni Oats; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lois Mildred Curry

1938-2016

Funeral services for Lois “Joni” Mildred Curry, 77, of Emory, formerly of Bonham, were held \ Nov. 23, 2016, at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Bonham.

Interment followed at Arledge Ridge Cemetery.

Mrs. Curry passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Azalea Trail Nursing Home in Grand Saline.

Lois “Joni” Mildred Powell Curry was born in Bailey, Dec. 25, 1938, to James “Buss” William and Alva Mae McKelva Powell. She married Earl Duane Curry in Bonham Dec. 25, 1983. She worked for Raytheon in assembly and was a member of the Church of Christ. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who had enormous love for her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Lisa Ann Huffman; sister, Nell Thomason; brothers, James Weldon Powell, and Joe Paul Powell.

Keri Robin Slaughter Chambers

Graveside services for Keri Robin Slaughter Chambers, of Drumright, Okla., formerly of Canton, were held Friday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Marshall.

 Mrs. Chambers passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Drumright.

Joy Davis Rogers

1933-2016

Services for Joy Davis Rogers, 83, of Tyler, were held Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Brandon Holiski officiating.

Interment was at Haven of Memories Memorial Park in Canton.

Mrs. Rodgers went to be with our Lord on Nov. 25, 2016, in Tyler.

She was born on June 4, 1933, in Van Zandt County to Aubrey and Gladys Ashley Davis.

She attended school in Martins Mill before moving to Canton where she graduated in 1950 at the age of 16. She married her high school sweetheart, Goode Rogers, of Canton Aug. 26, 1950, and had daughters Debra Kay in 1951, and Susan in 1954.