Obituaries

Billie Conner

1931-2015

Services for Billie Jean Banks Conner, 84, of Canton, were held Nov. 30, 2015, at the Eubank Funeral Chapel in Canton with Dr. Mike Burns and Pastor Rob Conner officiating.  Burial was in Cool Springs Cemetery. 

Mrs. Conner died Nov. 27, 2015, in Athens.  She was born Aug. 22, 1931, in Talco to Leonard Charles and Mary Lee Banks. 
She was a member of the Victory Church in Canton.  She grew up and graduated high school in Mt. Pleasant.  After marrying Bob Conner, they raised their family in southeast Texas.  After retirement, they moved to Canton 15 years ago. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sharon Gay Conner; and brother, Harold Banks.

Marie Lewis

1920-2015

Services for Marie Barlow Lewis, 95, of Texarkana were held Nov. 23, 2015, at the Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with the Rev. Jon Thornsbury officiating. 

Burial was in Haven of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Lewis died Nov. 20, 2015, in Texarkana.  She was born July 13, 1920, to Bert and Myrtle Hall Barlow. 

She was married to her faithful husband, Newton, for 43 years.  They were married on Christmas Day.  She was a Methodist by faith. 

Mrs. Lewis was a teacher in grade school for 35 years in Texas, Arkansas and Virginia.  She enjoyed traveling, cross-stitch and needle point.  She enjoyed holidays and having her family and friends around. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Newton Edward Lewis; and her sister, Billie Hooper.

Julia Cunningham

1920-2015

Services for Julia Dorine Cunningham, 95, of Brentwood, Tenn., are scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Bill Polley officiating.

Interment will be at Haven of Memories Memorial Park in Canton.

Mrs. Cunningham died Nov. 18, 2015, in Franklin, Tenn.

She was born May 1, 1920, in Chillicothe to Claudius Melvin and Sarah Lottie Lance.

She was a principal in the field of education with a special interest in deaf education. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by her precious family.

She is preceded in death by her father, Claudius Melvin Lance; mother, Sarah Lottie Mulkey Lance; sister Etta Mae Lance Gibson; brothers, Claudius Mulkey (CM) Lance and Clarence Ray Lance and spouse, Claudie Preston Cunningham.

Jerry Bonsal

1943-2015

Services for Jerry Wayne Bonsal, 71, of Canton, were held Nov. 21, 2015, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.  Bro. Steve Glosup officiated.

Mr. Bonsal died Nov. 19, 2015, in Canton, after a short battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 15, 1943, in Eustace.

He graduated from Eustace High School in 1962.  He joined the U.S. Navy out of high school and served his country for three years aboard the USS Passumpsic while touring Japan during the Vietnam War. 

He married Patty Ann Francis, the first love of his life, in 1964 and was married until her passing in 1990.  He then met the second love of his life, Dianne Lynn Dewees and married her in 1991.  He retired from TXU in 2000.  After retirement, he moved to Canton and was employed with Eubank Funeral Home until his death. 

Elizabeth Boyanton

1931-2015

Elizabeth Wylene Boyanton, 84, of Emory, died Nov. 5, 2015 at Carriage House Manor in Sulphur Springs.  She was born in Falfurrias May 15, 1931.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home of Emory.

Earlene Brock

1934-2015

Graveside services for Earlene Jackson Brock, 81, of Canton were held Nov. 22, 2015, at Haven of Memories Memorial Park in Canton, with Bro. Steve Glosup officiating, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home.

Mrs. Brock died Nov. 19, 2015 in Tyler.  She was born Oct. 19, 1934, to Earl John and Chloe Sides Anderson. 

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Canton.  She grew up in Canton.  She attended Tyler Junior College and was an Apache Belle before marrying her husband and starting her family.  She helped her husband with his construction business and Charolaise Cattle business. 

She worked for Charles and Linda Page at the Page Nursery and was an expert orchid grower.  She was a very creative and talented person, a great cook and seamstress.  She volunteered at the Van Zandt County Library and enjoyed genealogy. 

Danny Ray

1959-2015

Services for Danny Lee "Beaver" Ray, 56, Hawkins, were held Nov. 23, 2015, at Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline, with Bro. Donnie Herring and Sister Delana Wheeler officiating.

Burial was in Riverside Cemetery.

Mr. Ray died Nov. 20, 2015, in Tyler.  

Merrell Bass

1925-2015

Merrell Hudon “Don” Bass, passed away peacefully Nov. 9, 2015, at the age of 89.  He was surrounded by his loving family that absolutely adored him beyond measure.

Mr. Bass was born Dec. 1, 1925, to Dewey Roscoe and Vera Barber Bass.  He grew up in Martins Mill where he met and married Connie Phillips, the love of his life. They were married almost 65 years. 

He served his country in World War II, graduated from SMU with honors and obtained his CPA license.  He and Connie soon started a family – they had four daughters.  He worked very hard to provide for his family and became a successful and very well respected real estate developer.  He loved spending time with his family and large circle of friends.  

He is preceded in death by his wife, Connie; his beloved daughter, Betty Bass Moore; his parents; brothers, Wayne and Felix; and sister, Sue. 

Mary Driskill

1944-2015

Services for Mary Driskill, 71, of Fruitvale, were held Nov. 13, 2015, at Fruitvale Church of Christ with Carl McCann and Matt Driskill officiating.  Interment followed at Parker Cemetery, Grapevine.

Mrs. Driskill passed away Nov. 11, 2015, at her home in Fruitvale.  She was born Sept. 1, 1944, in Dallas. 

On the 18^th of this month, November, will be one year since my beloved wife, Ethel Marie Sanders, passed away.  I never put her passing in the paper.  I really wasn’t thinking too clear at that time.  But it’s never too late to do what you might have done.

She was survived by her husband, Edward Sanders; two daughters, Brenda Cory and Connie Sykes and three grandchildren.

We had a sweet 56 year old marriage.

We came to Canton in 2005, we found just the house we liked, and being in church for 60 years, we found the church we loved.  The fellowship at Lakeside Baptist has a warm welcome for everyone and we were made to feel welcome.