Surrounded by his loving family, Ray Love Starnes, long-time Methodist minister who served in this community for almost 40 years, died at his home on January 16. After retiring from the United Methodist Church in 1991, he served as the first Protestant chaplain for St. Joseph’s Hospital for nine years.
Ray was born July 8, 1927 to Ray Anderson Starnes and Iva Mae Love Starnes. He graduated from Stark (West Orange) High School in Orange, Texas, then from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he met and married Mary Lynn Webb Starnes who predeceased him in 1960. They had three children, Charles, LeAnn, and Jeff. He later attended Southern Methodist University and became a diaconal minister in the United Methodist Church. This training prepared him for his many years of service as a youth and education minister.
Ray served the First United Methodist Church of Paris on several occasions, finally settling here in 1976. He also served the Lord at Methodist churches in Florence, Corsicana, Waco, Austin, Temple, Longview, and Denison.
Ray was known as someone who could be counted on to be there for those in need, and to provide comfort. His contributions went far beyond the Methodist Church, as he served as an interim pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Paris, and even acted as Cantor at the Jewish Synagogue in Longview. He was also sought after by many families to provide services at both weddings and funerals. He served on the board and volunteered at Co-Ministry.
Throughout his life, Ray loved music. Publicly he would sing solo or with others, or he would lead the choir and congregation. Privately, he liked to slip into the Sanctuary of the churches he served on quiet weekday afternoons to enjoy playing the pipe organ.
He is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Carroll Moore Starnes; children Charles Wesley Starnes and Pamela Joy Starnes of Ingleside, Illinois; LeAnn Elizabeth Starnes Barbee of Paris; and Jeff C. Starnes and Missy Starnes of Paris; grandchildren Aaron Starnes, Alexander Starnes, Erin Barbee, Ethan Barbee and his wife Caroline Barbee, Caitlin Barbee, Ellen Starnes, and Carol Ann Starnes; great-grandchildren are James Alexander Starnes and Titus Paul Starnes; and many friends and relatives.
Services will be at First United Methodist Church, Monday, January 20 at 11:00 am, with interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
Angela Denise Huval, 55, of Paris, went to her heavenly home at 7:45 AM, Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Paris Regional Medical Center. Burial will at 2:00 PM, Monday, January 20, 2014 at Hopewell Cemetery with a memorial service following at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church at 4:00 PM Monday with Rev. J.W.T. Spies officiating. No formal visitation will be observed. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Angela was born October 29, 1958 in Sulphur, Louisiana to Russell John and Neva Odessa Benningfield Huval. She graduated from Paris High School and Paris Junior College with further study at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She was a nurse aid and substitute teacher. Ms. Huval was a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.
Ms. Huval is survived by two children, Brenna Schlow O’Neal and Ashely Shay Ragains; five grandchildren, Robert Arrington Jr., Levi Arrington, Tristian Arrington, Samuel O’Nolan, and Haley O’Nolan; one brother, Greg Baker; and four sisters, Patricia Newman, Kathy Coker, Laura Towers, and Marlene Hocutt. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Gaither, Billy Newman, Michael Smithey, Brock Towers, Greg Baker, Connie O’Neal, Henri Boyce, and Rodney Hocutt. Online condolences may be made to the Huval family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Hester M. Moser passed from this life on Jan. 17, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gary Redd officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Hester was born in Lufkin, Texas, on July 21, 1922, to A. M. and Florence Mantooth Ford. She attended Lufkin schools and two years at Angelina County Business College. She married William Henry Moser on Dec. 4, 1949, in Lufkin, Texas. Together they built W.H.M. Materials, an aggregate materials plant, where she was bookkeeper for the business.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William H. Moser; sisters Edna Risinger, Joan Redd, and Tommie Ford; and brothers John Ford and Buddy Ford.
Survivors include son, Bill Moser; daughters Karen Sacks and husband Richard, Patricia Rea and husband Marcus, and Cheryl Floyd and husband Damon, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, Ava Layton Sacks.
Named as pallbearers are Hester’s grandsons, Jonathan Marc Rea, Leighton Blace Floyd, Joshua Cade Rea, Madison Payne Floyd, William Jacob Rea and Andrew Joseph Sacks.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the A.S. P.C.A. Friends may register in Hester’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com .
Philip Alan Wardlow, 66. On Saturday, January 18, 2014, the Earth lost a precious angel the Lord had blessed us with for 66 years. Funeral services are set for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 21, 2014 in the chapel of Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Russell Hathcock, Rev. Rusty Hathcock, and Angalee Hathcock officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 PM at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas on Tuesday. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time at the funeral home on Tuesday prior to the service. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Philip Alan Wardlow was born February 23, 1947 in Dallas to Harvey E. and Dorothy Davis Wardlow. He brought us unconditional love, laughter, and a contagious smile that will be forever missed. Phil was our special angel, sent by God to bless and enrich the lives of everyone he touched. He loved music, especially Lawrence Welk and the Welk musical family. He was so excited to be invited to come back stage and meet all the musicians when they appeared in Dallas. He had every published recording of the Welk group. One of his favorites was “Calcutta”. He would listen to and clap his hands with the beat. Phil loved his Sunday school class at First Baptist Church and rarely missed.
Phil is survived by his parents, Harvey and Dorothy Wardlow; his sister, Alana Wardlow of Houston; and numerous cousins, adopted family and friends.
Online condolences may be made to the Wardlow family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Mr. Jack T. Tharp, 82, of Paris, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Paris Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Bright-Holland Funeral Home.
