Obituaries

Billy Nichols

1938-2016

Memorial services for Billy Ray Nichols, 77, Canton, were held Jan. 16, 2016, at Hilliard Funeral Home with Bro. Marshall Wesson officiating.

Mr. Nichols died Jan. 13, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born Feb. 20, 1938, in Dalton, Okla. to the late Tom Nichols and Bessie McNeil Nichols. He worked as a truck driver and enjoyed fishing.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Wilma Foster (his twin), Paulette Barrett, Leona Hunter, Patsy Thomas and Hazel Hall.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Nichols of Canton; son, Chad Nichols of Dallas; three brothers, Lee Nichols and wife, Evelyn of Garland, Jack Nichols of Nevada and Butch Nichols of Rowlett; and two sisters, Mildred Woods of Garland and Pauline Dalton of Phoenix, Ariz.

Willa Lewellyn

1938-2015

Willa Taylor Lewellyn, 77, of Canton, died in Houston Dec. 23, 2015, after a lengthy illness. 

Mrs. Lewellyn was born Nov. 12, 1938, in Amarillo to William Milton Taylor and Violet Dorene Reed Taylor.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at the Chapel at High Cemetery in Canton with the Rev. Dennis Lewellyn officiating.  Visitation will begin at noon.

She was a devoted mother and homemaker to her eight children. 

In her younger years, she was active in supporting her children’s school activities and at one time served as secretary at Canton Jr. High School.  She enjoyed quilting, needlework, cooking, and football.  She was devoted to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her fur baby, Shivers. 

She was affectionately known to her family as “Hero” and “Granny Lew.”

Troy McFarland Sr.

1943-2016

Troy J. McFarland Sr., 72, died Jan. 4, 2016, in Tyler.

Visitation was held Jan. 9, 2015, with funeral services following at Burks-Walker-Tippit Funeral Home in Tyler. Interment was at Pinecrest Cemetery in Troup.
Mr. McFarland was born March 3, 1943, in Paris, to Albert and Hautie Mae McFarland. His father was a dairy farmer and his mother was a homemaker. 

He married his wife, Pat in 1988. He devoted much of his time and energy to his family.  

His other interests included raising quail, training dogs and playing dominoes.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; son, Troy Jr. and wife, Kelly; daughters, Vanessa Baker, Heather White and husband, Todd; and grandson, David White.

Ronnie Buffington

1942-2016

Ronnie Gene Buffington, 74, of Emory, died Jan. 3, 2016, at ETMC in Tyler.

Funeral services were held Jan. 3, 2016, at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home Chapel in Emory. Bro. Bill Cooper Jr. officiated. Interment was in Woosley Cemetery. 

Robert Glover

1940-2016

Robert “Bob” Lee Glover was born Dec. 16, 1940, in Van Zandt County to Leo and Adene Glover.

He died peacefully surrounded by family Jan. 1, 2016, at the age of 75.

The family held a Celebration of Life Service Jan. 9, 2016, at Chapel of the Hills Baptist Church, 19135 E Hwy 29, Buchanan Dam.

Donations can be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, 79174-0001, Mason County 4H, P.O. Box 247, Mason, 76856-0247, Lake Victor 4H, 1701 E Polk St, Burnet, 78611, or Lake Buchanan Conservation Corporation, P.O. Box 217, Buchanan Dam, 78609.

Funeral arrangements made under the direction of Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Homes, Inc. Kingsland.  E-mail condolences may be sent to whhfuneral1@verizon.net.

Nora Duran

1933-2016

Nora Namoni Duran, 82, of Emory, died Jan. 4, 2016, at Senior Suite Care and Rehab in Emory.

Funeral services were held Jan. 8, 2016, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Emory.  Father Victor Hernandez officiated. 

Interment followed in the Emory City Cemetery. 

Ms. Duran was born March 14, 1933, in San Diego.

Maurice Rasbury

1948-2016

Maurice Rasbury, formerly of Terrell, died Jan. 2, 2016, in Arlington. 

Mr. Rasbury was born Sept. 9, 1948, in Terrell.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wilford Maurice Rasbury; stepfather, Charles Meeks; grandparents; four uncles; and two aunts. 

Mr. Rasbury was a proud veteran of the Navy when he enlisted at the age of 17 and he served in Vietnam. 

Katie Brittain

1923-2016

A memorial service for Katie Philen Brittain, 93, of Canton was held Jan. 9, 2016, at the Holly Springs Methodist Church with the Rev. Roy James and Rev. Wade Harman officiating.

Mrs. Brittain died at her home Jan. 4, 2016.  

She was born Oct. 30, 1922, in Ben Wheeler to Olin and Thelma Pennington Philen. 

She was a lifetime member of the Holy Springs Methodist Church.  She traveled the world in her lifetime, but considered Texas her home.  Her constant passions were education, reading and gardening as well as her family and her church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Theron Weaver Brittain; and two sons, Theron Weaver Brittain Jr. and Larry Mark Brittain. 

Kimberly Chance

1993-2015

Memorial services for Kimberly Rebecca Chance, 22, of Hawkins, formerly of Canton, were held Jan. 4, 2016, in the Eubank Funeral Chapel in Canton with Justin Boone, Stephanie Chance and Stan Morrow III officiating.

Ms. Chance died Dec.30, 2015, in Tyler.  She was born Sept. 20, 1993 in Harlingen.

She attended the First Baptist Church in Hawkins.  She graduated from Canton High School in 2012 where she was in the band.  She worked at McDonald's in Tyler.  She enjoyed soccer as a child and officiated games.  She loved kids, dogs and cats. 

She is preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Byron and Lois Leonhart and Steve and Mary Dobecka; aunt, Mary Malone; cousins, Hayleigh Simpson and Alydia Murphree; and her dear friend, William Tyler Grant.

Horace Womble

1937-2015

Graveside services for Horace W. Womble, 78, of Walton were held Dec.12, 2015, at Haven of Memories Memorial Park in Canton with Denny Burris officiating.

Mr. Womble was born in Walton on Nov. 11, 1937 and died after a short illness on Dec. 8, 2015 at his home in Walton.

After being honorably discharged from the army after four years of service he worked primarily in the retail business sector.

 He and Nelda purchased Gilmer’s store in Walton in 1979 and was owner operator of Womble’s Grocery and Feed for 36 years. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Madison and Tommie Ruth Womble; and brothers, Pete and Avery Womble.