Arlan S. Clemmer, 84, of Blossom, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2014, at his home. Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 9th, at First Christian Church with The Rev. Charlotte Coyle & The Rev. John Burton officiating. Burial, with military rites, will follow in East Post Oak Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Clemmer, the son of Linford & Hannah Shoemaker Clemmer, was born May 16, 1929, in Souderton, PA.
He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a radio operator and proficient in Morse Code. Arlan was stationed on Kwajalein Island and was part of the military group that tested the first Hydrogen Bomb. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Education and Music. He taught school for fifteen with years with many of those years spent at Travis Middle School. Following his retirement he continued to work on his cattle ranch north of Blossom.
From a young age he helped in his father’s barber shop and by the age of sixteen he was a Master Barber.
Arlan was a member of First Christian Church where he was choir director for fifteen years. He also volunteered several thousand hours with the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary.
Survivors include his wife, Jody, whom he married on April 10, 1954, building almost sixty years of family and memories, a son, Brian Clemmer & wife Kathy of Blossom, daughters, Becky Johnson & husband Johnny of Blossom and Rita Chestnut of Dallas, grandchildren, Coy Johnson, Cole Clemmer, Clay Clemmer, Lara Martinez, Shawn Wooldridge and Jason Wooldridge, great grandchildren, Nicole Martinez and Eric Martinez, a daughter-in-law, Mary Wooldridge of Boston, MA, two brothers, Vernon Clemmer & Merle Clemmer both of Souderton, PA, sister, Betty Kropf of Phoenix, AZ along with numerous nieces, nephews and a plethora of friends.
He was preceded in death by a step-son, Lynn Wooldridge and a son-in-law, Bill Chestnut. Casket bearers will be: Eric Stewart, Joe Malarky, Joe Barnett, Bobby Lane, Jeff Gibson and Kevin Gillie. To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
Syble G. Ridens Alexander, 97, formerly of Powderly, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2014, at Lindan Park Care Center in Richardson. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 1st at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with David Ballard & Nolan Butler officiating. Burial will follow in Long Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Mrs. Alexander, the daughter of Ballard & Etta Perkins Coble, was born June 23, 1916, in Fulbright.
She married Leon Ridens, and he preceded her in death on March 4, 1968. She then married James A. Alexander, and he passed away in December of 1981. She was active at the Powderly Church of Christ until she moved to Paris at which time she joined the College Church of Christ.
Her career in the cafeteria of L. P. McCuistion Regional Medical Center spanned many years before her retirement. She was preceded in death by a son, Tommy Ridens in May of 2009, a granddaughter, four brothers and a sister.
Survivors include two daughters, Janette Hervey & husband James of Plano and Pamela Daniels of Paris, a son, Larry Ridens of Longview, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, several great great grandchildren, a brother, Richard Coble of San Antonio, a special granddaughter, Jana Mitchell of Paris and her special friend, Mildred Craver. Casket bearers will be: Dale Hicks, James Hervey, Chase Howland, Brad Hervey, Mike Ridens and Brian Rayburn.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
Nellie Cornelia Deese, 96, of Blossom, Texas, formerly of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2014, at her home. Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 2nd at the Southern Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Grimes & Pastor Brad Michael officiating. Burial will follow in Webb Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 – 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family visitation in Texas was from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home, Paris, Texas.
Mrs. Deese was born to Rome & Maude Brown on July 9, 1917, in Dothan, Alabama, where she lived most of her life. She was a member of Grandview Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harvey B. Deese, son, Sonny Beechum Deese, brother, James Brown and sisters, Jewel Deese, Pearl Johnson and Maedell McCallister.
Survivors include her daughter, Emma Nell Deese Willard (Lloyd) of Blossom, Texas, where she resided her last years, granddaughters, Rhonda Rasberry (Randy), Karen Kraft (Rodney) and Renea Smith (Travis) all of Texas, a special grandson, Todd Deese (Drina), Todd’s mother, Pam Woodham all of Webb, Alabama, great grandchildren, Wesley Deese, Maggie Brackin (Jonathan), Sandra Rasberry, Ethan Rasberry, Cade Kraft, Kaleb Long, Abigail Long, Jackson Smith, & Allie Smith, great great grandson, Easton Brackin, sister, Mildred Perry, sisters-in-law, Ethel Deese, Thelma Knowles, Blondell Raybon and Lillian Deese. Others surviving are Abigail & Kaleb Long’s daddy, Stephen Long, special friends, Hilga McKee and Ann Cain.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
Maxine Roberts Wallace, age 96, of Paris, TX, and formerly of 1808 N. Wilmar Ct., Quincy, died Friday, March 28, 2014, at 1:45 am in Paris, TX.
Maxine was born October 11, 1917 in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, the daughter of George Garfield and Minnie Agnes McClelland Roberts. She married Loraine L. “Wally” Wallace on May 29, 1941 in Quincy. He preceded her in death on February 11, 2010
Maxine was a graduate of Mt. Sterling High School and she graduated from Blessing Hospital School of Nursing with a Registered Nurse Degree. She had worked as a Registered Nurse in Blessing Hospital and at the offices of Dr. Ralph McReynolds and Dr. James Rouner.
Over their married life Maxine and Wally lived in Quincy, Illinois; Vincennes, Indiana; Tama, Iowa; and Evanston, Illinois while Wally worked for Central Fiber Products Company /Packaging Corporation of America, finally retiring to Quincy in 1980. Maxine always made a warm and comfortable home for her family in each city. She especially enjoyed welcoming and entertaining friends and families for dinners and parties and hosting business and church functions in her home. She also enjoyed entertaining for picnics at their farm in Pike County. She loved to travel and often traveled with Wally on business, and after retirement they enjoyed many trips in the U. S. and overseas cherishing the trips to and with her grandchildren and great grandchildren the most. Maxine enjoyed gardening and was a golfer and an avid bridge player often playing several times a week until she was 91.
Maxine was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church where she was active in United Methodist Women. She also chaired several committees over the years, including communion, Cradle Roll, and Bible School. Maxine was a 60 year member of PEO, having served as president and several other offices, and as a two time delegate to International Convention. Maxine was a former member of Quincy Country Club, Quincy Art Club, Cheerful Home Board, and Women’s City Club. She had also been a Girl Scout & Brownie Troop leader and Properties Chairman for several seasons for Quincy Little Theater.
While in Evanston, Maxine had been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette. She also served on the board of Illinois Children’s Home and Aid Society in Chicago. She was a former member Evanston Women’s Club, Westmoreland Country Club, and several bridge groups.
Survivors include: daughter, Jo Anne Wallace (Wilson Ragan) Rodgers of Paris, TX, sister, Florence R. Bottorff of Rushville, IL, sister-in-law, Charlotte Roberts of San Diego, CA, grandson, Thomas Wallace (Laura) Rodgers of Des Moines, IA, granddaughter, Katherine Anne (Paul) Rodgers Fagan of Dallas, TX, five great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katherine, and Noma Jane Rodgers of Des Moines, IA, Jackson and Wilson Fagan of Dallas, TX
In addition to her husband, Maxine was preceded in death by: her parents; two brothers, George Leon and William Melvin Roberts; and two sisters, Mary Louise Roberts and Norma Jean Wittner.
Services: 10:30 am Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at Vermont Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dr. Scott Grulke officiating. Burial: Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation: 9:00 am – 10:30 am, Tuesday April 1, 2014 at Vermont Street United Methodist Church. Memorials: Vermont Street United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice www.hansenspear.com. l Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Ellen Driggars Cayton 95, of Paris, died at 4:10 AM, Friday, March 28, 2014 at Paris Regional Medical Center. A graveside service is set for 2:00 PM, Monday, March 31, 2014 at Meadowbrook Gardens Cemetery with Bro. Tiny Freelen officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00-4:00 PM Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Ellen was born July 11, 1918 in Glenwood, Pike County, Arkansas to James F. and Claria Boswell Bartlett. She was a certified nurse aide and worked at several area nursing homes. She was affiliated with the Baptist Church.
She is survived by two sons, James Driggars and Larry Driggars and his wife, Sally; two daughters, Mary Haley and husband, James and Patricia Reynolds and husband, Ray; ten grandchildren, Tracy Bourgeois and husband, Tad, Dameon Driggars and wife, Denise, Joshua Driggars, Shawnee Bartlett and husband, Bryce, Crystal Haley, Robert Haley, James (Jim) Driggars Jr., Shanel Ausmus, Vanessa Carroll and husband, Beau, and Shashi Byram and Traye Moses; 23 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Omega Smith and Jewel King. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Driggars on June 15, 1970.
Online condolences may be made to Mrs. Cayton’s family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.