Darrell White passed away on January 4, 2015, at Baylor Hospital in Plano after a ten-day illness. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 at Fry-Gibbs. A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 at Fry-Gibbs, with Dr. LC Stout and James Barnes officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.
He was born on November 7, 1940, to Alta and Otis White and was a life-long resident of Lamar County. Darrell attended Powderly schools, Paris Junior College, and Sam Houston State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a Master’s degree in education. He later received his Mid-Management certification in educational administration from East Texas State University.
Darrell spent his entire career at North Lamar Independent School District, where he served as Teacher/Coach, High School Principal, Special Education Director, and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance. He retired in 2001. Darrell’s loyalty to the district was unwavering, and his blood truly ran blue and gold. He was extremely proud that his identity was, and always will be, tied to his being a “school man”.
In 1964, Darrell married Sandra Randle, and they had 50 wonderful years together. In 1973, they welcomed their only child, Wade. Darrell cherished his family life more than anything else and was a loving husband to Sandra, an incredible father and mentor to Wade, and an adoring grandfather. He left this world with Sandra and Wade by his side.
The family shared a love of golf. After his retirement, Darrell often played six days a week. He thoroughly enjoyed his morning golf group at Paris Golf & Country Club and his “traveling” rounds on Mondays at Legacy Ridge.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Randle White, son Wade White and wife Leah, grandchildren Colt White, Shayla Marvin, Lane Marvin, and Grant Burrage. He leaves behind a brother, Kerry White and wife Kathy, and sisters-in-law, Betty White and Elke White. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Alta and Otis White, by brothers Orville White and Dwayne White, and by a sister Patricia Juhlin. He leaves behind nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.
Pallbearers will be Leslie White, Joe David White, Brent White, Ryan White, Eric Juhlin, and Cade Stone.
Honorary pallbearers will be his morning golf group from Paris Golf & Country Club, his Monday Legacy Ridge golf group, Wayne Beard, Paul (Skip) Glover, James Graves, Frankie Green, and Paul Trull.
Darrell was a member of First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the North Lamar Education Foundation.
John Henry Coomer passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
John Coomer married Shirley Ann Humphrey on July 12, 1971 in Fannin County. He served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his children Jerry Wayne Shores and wife Debra, Angela Mae Jackson, Lee Ann Fisher, Roxanna Kay Shores, Sharon Renee Woods, Maudie Marie Hernandez and husband Walter and Lavada Murphy and husband Mel. He had numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, sisters Faye Whitehurst, Becky Bridgers, Mary Ann Hogan, Betty Coomer, sisters-in-law Kathy Henry, Joann Hess, Cletta Mathis, Pam Humphrey, and brothers-in-law David Humphrey and Floyd Humphrey, Roger Mathis, and James Hess as well as numerous nieces and nephews and special friends Sid White, Jerry Sparks, Jeff Smith, Gary Thompson, and numerous others.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years Shirley Ann Coomer, mother Lillie Kate Coomer, father Ernest Coomer, brother Richard Coomer and sister Betty Coomer.
He was known as Daddy and Paw-paw. He was also known as “hon and baby” by his wife. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a hard worker and provider for his family. He loved God, his family and friends unconditionally.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fry-gibb.com.
Betty Stephen Spencer 81, precious mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, joined her Heavenly family Saturday, January 3, 2015. A graveside service is set for 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Aiken Grove Cemetery near Clarksville with Patrick Cannon officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 PM Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Betty was born June 20, 1933 in Fulbright, a daughter of Joe and Lona Mae Elliott. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Amos Aaron Spencer on February 2, 2013; her parents; two sons, Stephen Spencer and Lyndon Spencer; three brothers, Joe Lee Elliott, Billy Royce Elliott, and Edward Wayne Elliott; and one sister, Willie Mae Campbell.
She is survived by her daughter, Jackie O’Dell and husband, David of Paris; two sons, Bruce Spencer of Clarksville, and Randy Spencer and wife, Barbara of Lubbock; five grandchildren, Kimberly Wright, David O’Dell, James O’Dell, all of Paris, Erin Hooker of Lubbock, and Mallory Langston of Kansas; ten great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Judy Dial of Princeton; and her very special dog, T.J. whom she loved dearly.
We love you Mom and you will be greatly missed.
Online condolences may be made to the Spencer family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
The memorial service for Cecil E. Handley, 74, of Enid, OK, will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Powderly Baptist Church, Powderly, TX. Reverend Mike Jones will officiate. A private burial will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 14, 1940 to “Grady” and Ruby (Porterfield) Handley in Arkansas and passed away on December 30, 2014 in Enid, OK.
He was raised in Deport, TX. He attended Paris High School. He went to work in the Civil Service as an inspector in Tracy, CA. In 1976 he moved to Kodiak, Alaska where he owned and operated several businesses. He married Shirley Katelnikoff in 1978 in Kodiak, Alaska. In 1982 they moved to Enid, OK where he worked in the oil field.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Enid, OK; daughter, Donna (Handley) Vincent and husband, Tracy of Longview, TX; sons, Cecil Edward Handley Jr. and wife, Lona, of Powderly, TX and Brandon Handley, of Enid, OK; sister, Nelda (Handley) Haire and brother, Charles Duncan Handley; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, “Grady” and Ruby (Porterfield) Handley; daughter, Cynthia Ann Handley; sisters, Anna Ruth (Handley) Deason and Genell (Handley) Cross.
Memorials may be made to the Powderly Fire Department with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds. Condolences may be shared with the family online at Brown-Cummings.com.
eParisExtra.com does not charge to run obituaries. Email obituaries and photographs to: jenny@eparisextra.com