James Dobbs ,88, of Pattonville, Texas went to be with our dear Lord in heaven on November 29th, 2014 in Plano, Texas. James was born in Covington, Texas on June 28th, 1926 to James Milton Dobbs Sr. and Myrtle Christine Manly Dobbs.
James served in the Navy from 1944-1948 and was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Clardy, Texas. James was the founder and owner of D&S Tool in North Dallas before retiring to East Texas to fulfill his dream of ranching. After retiring from ranching, he loved camping, dancing and playing dominos and cards with friends and family.
His core values were his faith and his family. He was a very gentle and caring man, he loved his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids dearly.
James is survived by daughter Barbara Shipman and husband Gary Shipman, son Jimmy Hankins and wife Lydia, daughter Jeanie Birdwell and husband Gary, and daughter Sherri Hankins; sister Haddie Smith; grandchildren Loren Goethels, Kim Shipman and Sayle Shipman; and 7 great-grandchildren.
James was preceded in death by the love of his life, Billie Laverne Dobbs, his son Billy Joe Dobbs, and grandchildren Lisa Dobbs and Billy Wayne Dobbs; sisters Christine Sudbury, Pauline Fulmer, Irene Fulmer, and brothers JE Dobbs and James Dobbs.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in the Bethel Baptist Church at Clardy with Rev. Jodie Vandeaver officiating. Burial will be in the Leesburg Cemetery near Pittsburgh, Texas. Family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home where online condolences may be sent by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
Sam B. Kelsey, D.V.M., of Deport, passed away at Paris Regional Medical Center, on Saturday, November 29. He was eighty-seven years old.
Dr. Kelsey was born in Deport on August 12, 1927, to Joe B. Kelsey and Reecy Bell Kelsey. He attended school in Deport. He graduated in 1948 from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and worked for one year in Paris at a veterinary clinic before returning to Deport, where he practiced in his own clinic for fifty-five years before retiring. He married Dorothy “Suzy” Hughes on March 26, 1948, in Deport, and they had two children, Connie and Joe Travis. Working from his clinic and often from the back of his jeep, he traveled far and wide “making calls” throughout parts of Lamar, Delta, Red River, Franklin, Bowie, Morris, and Hopkins Counties. He was a member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and served for several years as Deport School Board president. He was a life-long member of Deport United Methodist Church and the grandson of one of its founders.
Dr. Kelsey was preceded in death by his parents; a baby brother, James B.; and a grandson, Joseph.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Suzy; his daughter, Connie Dodd, and husband, Travis, of Paris; his son, Joe T. Kelsey, and wife, Kim, of Bogata; his grandson, Philip Dodd, of New York City; his grandson, Carter Kelsey, of Deport, and his fiancee, Keely Wilson; his sister, Martha Glover, and husband, Duane, of Deport; his brother-in-law, Dr. Gaylon Hughes, and wife, Mary, of Alvin; his nephew, David Glover, of Dallas; his nieces, Marilyn Glover, and Betsy Chapman, and husband, Jerome, of Deport; and several other cousins and grand-nieces and nephews.
Services are set for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, at Deport United Methodist Church with Rev. Debra May and Rev.Vivian Crowson officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Deport under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at Fry-Gibbs.
Pallbearers are Tom Webb, Morris Foster, David Glover, Jerome Chapman, Ty Merritt, and Frank Norwood.
John Richard Toppings, 76 of Paris, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2014.
A graveside service has been set for Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at Providence Cemetery with Rev. Steve Cook officiating. No visitation has been set. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
He was born in Paris, Texas to A.R. and Cora Toppings on January 26, 1938. He served in the United States Air Force and National Guard. He married Patsy Joann Jackson in Paris on October 1, 1960 and retired from Exxon Mobil as a Seismic Technician.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patsy Joann Toppings; daughters, Cathy Merritt and husband Phil, Debra Bailey and husband Pat; son, John Patrick Toppings; grandchildren, Trevor Toppings, Waylan Merritt, Christal Dillard, Elizabeth Watson, Candace Toppings; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Sandra Rowe. Wanda Wright and husband James.
He was preceded in death by his parents A.R. and Cora Husk Toppings; sisters, Dorothy Baty and Rinda Hodges; brother, Thomas Toppings. Online condolences may be sent to the Toppings family at www.fry-gibbs.com
Opal Aline Allen, 79, of Paris, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014, at Paris Regional Medical Center.
Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Myre officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 – 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Allen, the daughter of Bill & Nina Stephens Fleming, was born April 18, 1935, in the Slabtown Community of Lamar County. She was a patient assistant and caregiver. Aline was a faithful member of the United Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include her husband, Rev. James Weldon Allen, two daughters, Marsha Knight and Darnell Knight both of Paris, grandchildren, Eric Strange & wife Whitney, Kendra Shaffer & husband Kenneth, Kelly Ferguson & husband Chuck and Amy Samis & husband Edwayne, great grandchildren, Eric Reagan Strange, Bailey Wayne Samis and Reiley Palmer, three step-sons, Rickey Allen & wife Sharon, Billy Ray Allen and Harold Dean Allen along with numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son, Norman Lynn Knight, two step-daughters, Rita Archibald and Debra Grimes, two brothers, Jay Fleming & wife Robbie and Charles “Chock” Fleming, and five sisters, Wanda Konkle, Nadine Gage, Lavern Sides, Lorain Fleming and Evelyn Logsdon.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
Phillip John Prichard, Sr., 62, of Reno, passed away Friday, November 28, 2014, at his home.
Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 2:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1st, at the Mausoleum of Meadowbrook Gardens.
Phillip, the son of John William & Billie Lura Longley Prichard, was born Sept. 16, 1952, in Terrell.
He graduated from McArthur High School in Irving, Paris Junior College, East Texas State University and The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He retired following a career as a funeral director. Many of the years were spent at Bright-Holland Funeral Home.
Phillip was a member of Oak Park United Methodist Church. He was an avid hunter & fisherman. He was a member and served on the board of the National Wild Turkey Federation – Red River Valley Chapter.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Survivors include his wife, Lana Norwood Prichard, whom he married on June 25, 1989 in Paris, his mother, Billie Prichard of Paris, one son, Phillip John Prichard, Jr. & wife Jennifer of Webster Groves, MO, a grandson, Jack Prichard along with other extended family members and a host of friends.
Members of the National Wild Turkey Federation – Red River Valley Chapter will serve as honorary casket bearers.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
MARGARET L. NORTH, 80, of Paris, passed from this life on Tuesday November 25, 2014 at Heritage House of Paris. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 PM on Saturday November 29, 2014 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home, with Rev. Mark Young and Rodney Rogers officiating.
Margaret was born in the Rockford community of Lamar County on September 9, 1934. She attended County schools, then spent a career of over thirty years with Westinghouse, later Phillips Lighting. She enjoyed needle work such as crocheting and embroidery, and watching television, but her grandchildren and her canine companions were her greatest joys.
Tipper and Skipper were referred to as “Memie’s Girls;” her two beloved pets that she raised. Tipper passed away in 2013 and Skipper in 2014. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her mother Ruby King, and by a brother, Bobby Steve King.
She is survived by two children, Al Calvery and wife Carol, of Bastrop, and Carolyn Gifford Barnett, of
Paris; five grandchildren, Tom Calvery, Anna Fowler, Kenda Fortner and husband Earl, Bradley Gifford and wife Jenica, and Jon-Michael Barnett and wife Cassie; eleven great-grandchildren, Kenyon Fortner, Kason Fortner, Ky Fortner, Aidan Gifford, Adleigh Gifford, Kris Fortner, Spencer Smith, Austin Fortner, Rachel Barnett, Caleb Barnett, and Jon-Lee Barnett; a great-great-granddaughter, Kyli Fortner; two brothers, Jack King and wife Ruth, of Honey Grove, and John W. King and wife Patsy, of Murray Kentucky; and a sister Bettie Smith Desha and husband Danny, of Tyler.
Named as honorary pallbearers are grandsons Kenyon Fortner, Kason Fortner, Ky Fortner, Aidan Gifford, Seth Rogers, and Nathan Rogers.
Margaret’s family wishes to thank the third floor cardiac care staff of Paris Regional Medical Center, and the staff of Heritage House for their excellent care in helping to make her last days peaceful, comfortable, and filled with love. Extra special love and thanks to her niece Cathy Rogers for her miles of travel and care during her illness.
Friends may register in Margaret’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com
VIRGINIA ARLENE CLARK, 93, of Paris, passed from this life Thursday November 27, 2014 at Paris Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday November 29, 2014 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home, with Rev. Fred Fangio and Rev. Don Parker officiating. Private burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Virginia was born October 28, 1921 in the Howland community, a daughter of Hubert B. and Jimmie Mildred Denton Redus. She was a graduate of Lamar County schools and attended college at North Texas State University at Denton. She worked in the lab at Campbell Soup Company for seventeen years. Virginia lived as a Christian, and looked forward to attending Sunday School at Springlake Baptist Church and the Church of Christ Bible Study Classes on Sundays at Springlake Assisted Living, where she made her home.
Virginia married B. F. Clark on September 10, 1941 in Paris. He preceded her in death on January 5, 2008.
Surviving is her sister-in-law, Billie Martin; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and a host of friends, including those at Springlake Assisted Living Center.
Friends may register in Virginia’s Book of Memory at www.starrettfunerals.com
