Gloria Manon Seawell Jack, 87, of Dallas, died peacefully Monday, December 31, 2012 at Medical City Hospital, with Ollie, her husband of 66 years and two sons in loving attendance.
Funeral services will be conducted by Starrett Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Friday January 4, 2013 at the Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas with Dr. David Matthews and Rev. Ray Vickrey officiating. Interment will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday January 5, 2013 at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, Texas, with Gene Stallings officiating.
Gloria was born August 29, 1925 in Ft. Worth, a daughter of Albert and Manon Seawell. She grew up in Dallas and Ft. Worth with brothers Marshall, Bill and Albert Jr. She was the granddaughter of F.M. McConnell, a well-known preacher, writer and longtime editor of the Baptist Standard. She graduated from Paschal High School in Ft. Worth and received an academic scholarship to Baylor University. At age 20 she graduated Cum Laude with a double major in Spanish and English. She then taught Spanish and English at Baylor University.
While at Baylor she met Ollie Jack and they married in 1946. After Ollie’s graduation they lived in Dallas and New Orleans while he worked on degrees at Tulane University. In 1954 they left New Orleans for Caracas, Venezuela. They also lived in Amway, Venezuela, Bogota, Colombia, Miami, Florida and Kingston, Jamacia, before moving to Dallas in 1969 where they lived until the time of her death.
She was an active member of the Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, where she taught Sunday School for many years, was President of the Women’s auxiliary and headed the Library and Kitchen committees. Contesting was her hobby and she won numerous big prizes. She was a two-time finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off in New York and Hawaii, and assisted many friends and family members in becoming winners, also.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by two brothers, Marshall and Albert Seawell.
Gloria is survived by her husband Ollie, two sons, James Marshall Jack and Robert Oliver Jack of Dallas; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann Jack Stallings and husband Bebes (Gene) Stallings of Paris, and Martha McGinty of Houston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Named as honorary casket bearers is the Faith Formations Class, her Sunday School Class at Royal Lane Baptist Church.
She loved her family and wrote the following quote: “I am most proud of my good husband and two fine boys.
Friends may register in Gloria’s Book of Memories at www.starrettfunerals.com.
Jim Childers, 64, of Roxton passed away January 1, 2013 at his residence.
He was born in Oklahoma the son of Boyd and Nell Billingsley Childers on May 15, 1948. He was in pest control working for over 30 years for Protex Service Inc.
He is survived by sisters Karen Crossland and Emily Sue Childers; nephew and nieces Shane Crossland, Michelle Bryant, Cindy Fullbright; extended family Sonny Slayden, Susie and Troy Miller, Pam and Brett Woodard, Ryan Miller, Kody and Blair & Rhett Christensen, Lynsey Woodard and Cole Woodard.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. January 4, 2013 in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Restland Cemetery at Roxton with Shane Crossland, Ryan Miller, Cole Woodard, Luke Sargent, Troy Miller, and Brett Woodard serving as pallbearers. Family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. Thursday. Online condolences may be sent to www.fry-gibbs.com.
Juanita Caldwell Whitaker, 79, of Paris passed away December 27, 2012 in Rockwall, Texas.
She was born on November 10, 1933 in Blossom, Texas a daughter of William Owen and Elizabeth Sutton Caldwell. She worked in the office at Westinghouse for 7 years and then she was office manager for Paris Hide & Fur Company for 14 years before retired. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she was active in Senior Adult 1 Sunday School Class. Juanita was a member of Torchbearer Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi for 47 years and was also a member of the Good Earth Garden Club.
She married Elmer Neil Whitaker on February 12, 1954 in Paris. He preceded her in death on July 2, 1998. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother Earl Caldwell.
Daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends were the joy of her life. Renee` and Jonee` were her best friends. She and Mr. Whitaker were philanthropic to many clubs and organizations.
Juanita is survived by her daughter Renee` Wright and husband Johnny of Paris; granddaughter Jonee` Shifflet and husband Shane of Rockwall; grandson John Wright and wife Carrie of Euless; great granddaughter Devyn Shifflet of Rockwall; sisters Faye Welch and husband Jack of Paris, Vivian Sayler and husband Roy of Dallas, Marilyn Harvey and husband Dick of Paris; sister-in-law Nan Rose of Paris; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins her aunt Jo Weast of Joshua, Tx and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 7, 2012 in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Dr. Tommy Turner and Rev. Ken Cannon officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. till 4:00 P.M. Sunday, January 6, 2013 at the funeral home where online condolences may be sent by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Living Legacy fund of First Baptist Church Paris, Texas.