Obituaries

Ima Jo Matthews

1926-2016

Services for Ima Jo Matthews, 90, Grand Saline, were held Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, at Main Street Baptist Church under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home.

Interment followed at Union Chapel Cemetery in Van.

Mrs. Mathews passed away Nov. 21, 2016, in Grand Saline.

Patricia Reid Cooper

1959-2016

Memorial services will be held at a later date for Patricia Reid Cooper, 57, of Wills Point.

She passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at her residence.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home.

Karen Kay Forester

1961-2016

Memorial services for Karen Kay Forester, 55, of Wills Point, were held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Wills Point, under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home.

Her memorial was a celebration of life to remember the joy she brought to those around her. Mrs. Forester passed away Nov. 15, 2016.

She was born April 1, 1961, in Atlanta to James Roy and Mary Carolyn Solley. She was raised in Garland and graduated from Garland High School in 1980. She married Rick Forester in Garland, Jan. 5, 1979, where they lived until moving to Wills Point 25 years ago. She was very involved in the community and was known by her grandkids as “Nena.”

Gordon Deen Allen

1937-2016

Services for Gordon Deen Allen, 78, of Grand Saline, were held Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton. Interment followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

He passed away Nov. 18, 2016, in Athens.

He was born on Dec. 14, 1937, in Wills Point to Andrew and Norine Wilson Allen.

He graduated from Wills Point High School where he played football and basketball. He married his loving wife, Novell, on Jan. 16, 1957. 

Mr. Allen worked at NL Shutte Drilling Company for 42 years. After he retired, he enjoyed working on his farm and tending his cows. He loved his family and his granddaughters were his pride and joy.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Fred Allen; mother and father-in-law, Inez and Leroy White; brother-in-law, Vernon Walls; and sister-in-law, Cleta Shelton.

Bert Turner

1935-2016

Funeral services for Bert Turner, 81, of Wills Point, were held Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, at Wills Point Church of Christ with Mark Turner and Bobbi Byford officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point. She passed away Saturday evening, Nov. 26, 2016, in Canton.

LaWanda Lyons

1954-2016

A celebration of life for LaWanda Lyons, 62, Wills Point, is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at True Believers Baptist Church in Wills Point.

Ms. Lyons passed away Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, in Wills Point.

Clyde A. Thomas Sr.

1920-2016

Services for Clyde A. Thomas, Sr., 96, of Canton, were held Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Mike Roberson officiating. 

Interment followed in Haven of Memories. 

Mr. Thomas passed away Nov. 19, 2016, in Canton. 

He was born July 7, 1920 in Trinidad to Johnny and Tommie D. Stroud Thomas. 

While serving in the Army, he was in the Cavalry.  He lived most of his life in Canton where he was a member of First Baptist Church. He served over 40 years with the Canton Volunteer Fire Department.  He sold real estate for many years and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He especially loved his "Ruthie" and his family. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; sons, Clyde Jr. and Larry Thomas; and grandchildren, Mitzi, Bret and Tye Thomas. 

Wanda Jean Nation

1952-2016

Wanda Jean “Jeannie” Nation, 64, of Wills Point, passed away Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.  No services are planned.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point.

She was born March 2, 1952, in Hico, to Leslie Hugh Whitaker and Rose Lee Haynes Whitaker. 

She was raised in Wills Point and attended Wills Point High School.  She married Ronnie Nation, Oct. 23, 1991, in Garland.  They were married for 25 years. 

She was a hospice nurse for Baylor Hospital in Dallas.  She enjoyed reading, playing with her grandchildren and taking care of her birds and dogs.  She was a member of Edgewood Church of Christ. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie Hugh and Rose Lee Whitaker.

Nickie Ron Housewright

1958-2016

Memorial services for Nickie Ron Housewright, 58, of Wills Point, were held Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point with Pastor Wesley Ward officiating.

He passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, at Hospice of East Texas surrounded by his family.

Nickie was born Oct. 13, 1958, in Dallas to Winfred Duane Housewright and Ruby Dell Johnson Housewright. He was raised in Garland and graduated from South Garland High School in 1976.

He married Tamara Lynne Combs, Sept. 12, 1993, in Fruitvale. 

He worked for Printing by Buck as a printer in Cockrell Hill for 24 years.  In his spare time, he enjoyed working on cars, especially Chevys, and he was a great handyman who could do anything.  He lived in Garland prior to moving to Wills Point 15 years ago.  He was of the Baptist faith.

Todd Phillips

1964-2016

Services for Todd Phillips, 52, of Pickton, were held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Chapel in Canton, with Bro. Mike Haun and Rudy Fernandez officiating.  Interment followed in Haven of Memories.

He passed away Nov. 9, 2016, in Sulphur Springs.

He was born May 10, 1964, in Dallas to James and Dianne Phillips. He grew up in Combine and Wills Point. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing softball and watching his nieces and nephews activities. He was a Baptist by faith.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Phillips; and grandparents, Walter and Sella Martin and Thomas and Jo Etta Phillips.