WANDA LEE BROWN , 86, of Reno, Texas, passed from this life unexpectedly on Friday September 12, 2014 at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday September 17, 2014 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home with Wade White officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Wanda was born May 26, 1928 in Brookfield, Missouri, a daughter of Ernest Oliver and Hazel Viola Christian Morris. She attended school at the Pacific Christian Academy in Graton, California. She married Irving Elmo Brown on April 22, 1967 in Reno, Nevada. She and Irving were members of the Cowboy Church.
Among the most meaningful people in Wanda’s early years was her grandfather, Oliver Samuel Morris, known affectionately as “Daddy Jim.” Wanda loved to travel, and enjoyed flying their private plane to most every place in the West, including ventures into Canada and Mexico. Her love of airplanes was shared by her husband Irving, and together they enjoyed many points of beauty and interest, often referring to themselves as “The Wing Nuts.”
She loved children, and would take time to greet most every child whose path she crossed. Wanda lived life to the fullest and enjoyed each day, accepting both the good and bad things that life brought her way. She loved the beauty of flowers, and knew well the lesson taught by the rose: lovely blooms and sweet fragrances are sometimes accompanied by thorns.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a grandson, Andrew Farmer.
Wanda is survived by her husband Irving E. Brown, of Reno, TX; a son, Lawrence R. Farmer, of Santa Rosa, California; a daughter, Karen Ann Hayes, of Reno, TX; seven grandchildren , Aaron, Michael, Chrissy, Kelly , Jason, Matthew, and Torrey; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Friends may register in Wanda’s Book of Memory at www.starrettfunerals.com
JOHN DOUGLAS “J.D.” WHITE, SR. 69, of Petty, died at 7:00 AM, Sunday, September 14, 2014 at his home. Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Hickory Grove Cemetery with Rev. Ben Read 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.
J.D. was born July 26, 1945 in Paris to Bill and Christine Hobbs White. He graduated from Paris High School and Paris Junior College. Mr. White married Polly Frances “Chi” Reid on August 18, 1967 in Paris. She died November 1, 2008. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church.
J.D. loved sports and it was a big part of his life from an early age playing baseball on teams coached by his dad. He followed in that tradition by coaching each of his kids’ teams and being involved with Optimist baseball. Most recently, he has been in the stands as his grandchildren’s biggest fan.
After college, J.D. worked in many places including B&W and Campbell Soup until he went into business as a realtor with his parents at Bill White Realty. When people would see him, they were always met with a smile and a long talk.
Survivors include three children, Jennifer Bryant and husband, Hank of Paris, John Douglas White, Jr. of San Antonio, and Jason White and fiancé, Shamere Jackson of Petty; two grandchildren, Morgan Jean Bryant and John Ryder Bryant of Paris; one brother, William “Bill” White and wife, Carolyn of Paris; a special friend, Gail Bryan of Petty; a niece, Becky Brown and husband, Chad of Paris; and a nephew, Stephen White and wife, Katherine of Austin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara Jean White.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Hickory Grove Cemetery Association, the North Lamar Education Foundation or Calvary United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be made to the White family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Roscoe L. Branum, 92, of Paris passed away Monday, September 15, 2014 in Paris Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Branum was born on June 11, 1922 in High, Texas a son of Louis and Linnie Moore Branum. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was a member of Roxton Baptist Church, and was retired from B&W Steel. He married Edna Earle Gentry on December 28, 1940 in Paris, Texas. She preceded him in death on May 19, 1996. Mr. Branum was also preceded in death by parents, grandson Brad Martin, 9 brothers and four sisters.
Survivors include daughter Anna Martin and husband James; grandchildren Amy Hines and husband Todd, Katy Jameson and husband Jeff; great grandchildren Kailey DeMedio and husband Dwayne, Macy Hines, Lauren Hines, Megan Jameson, and Caleb Jameson; great- great grandchildren Kenlie DeMedio, Dax DeMedio and Macyn Hines; and a sister Louise Weiss.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday September 17, 2014 in Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. Randall Scott officiating. Services are under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home where online condolences may be sent by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.