Graveside service for Jerry Vessel, age 74, of Campbell, will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Tira Cemetery.  Mr. Vessel passed away Friday, February 24, 2017, in Greenville.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Mary K Barnhart, age 87, of Como, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Carriage House Manor. Arrangements are pending with West Oaks Funeral Home.

Memorial service for Jane Byers Alfaro, age 66, of Eustace, TX, have been scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Grace Fellowship Outreach at 5:00pm.  No visitation has been scheduled. Jane passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017 at her son’s residence.

Tapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Clyde Ray Alexander was born July 10, 1948 to the late Rev. Cleveland Alexander Sr. and Rosa Lee Harrison Alexander in Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs, TX. He accepted Christ at an early age and united with Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.  He attended public school in Sulphur Springs and graduated from Douglas High School in 1966. He then served his country in the United States Army. He later attended East Texas State University.  He was employed at Rockwell, International for many years. Clyde was a member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of Deacons, Church Treasurer, as well as serving in many other capacities when needed, including keeping the church clean each week, and picking up kids for VBS each summer. He was a man of great faith and loved the word of God.  God called him from labor to reward on March 19, 2017.

He was united in marriage to Silvesta Clayton, daughter of Dexter Clayton and Emma Jewel Vaden Clayton, on July 18, 1970. To this union three children were born. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  He loved all sports and it gave him great pleasure to mentor and coach sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, track, and football. He set the standard for what a Godly man should be.

He leaves to mourn his passing from this life to eternal life his wife, Silvesta Alexander, two sons, Marlon (Sonya) Alexander of Denton, Texas, and Keiston (Tamara) Alexander, of Crowley, Texas, one daughter, Ashanta Alexander, of Sulphur Springs. Five grandchildren, Kaylon Alexander, Ne’Kia Goodson Alexander, Jacob Alexander, Kennady Alexander, and Kash Alexander. Two sisters, Dollie (Jack) Foster of Dallas, Texas, and Lou Jean (Johnnie) Barrett of Little Rock, Arkansas. One Aunt, Lillian Childs of Sulphur Springs, Texas. He also has a beloved host of nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, the Rev. Cleveland Alexander Sr. and Rosa Lee Alexander, and brother, Cleveland Alexander Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017 at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow at St. Luke Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 23, 2017 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.

Memorial services for Tessa Nicole Skeen, age 6, of Sulphur Springs, are going to be held at a later date. Tessa passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017. She was born on February 24, 2011, the daughter of Anthony and Brandi Skeen.

Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral service for Gerald Hugh “Jerry” Cooper, age 78, of Weaver will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Chapel with Bro. Tom Friday officiating.  Interment with  military honors will follow at Weaver Cemetery with Cody Skelton, Corey Cooper, Ray Shockey, Russell Flannery, Randy Davison and Jimmy Don Goldsmith serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Mr. Cooper passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the VA Medical Center, Dallas, TX.   He was born on March 21, 1939, in Texarkana, the son of William Robert and Verna Ilene (Nix) Cooper.  He married Marjorie Blanche Turner (she survives), he then married Lynn Clover who passed away in 2007.    Jerry was in the Air Force as a Mechanic and had the distinction of being a Golden Glove Boxer.  He was a member of the American Legion and had a lifelong career as a truck driver.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Skelton of Shelbyville, MO; son, Scott Cooper and wife Jennifer of Bethel, MO; sister, Frances Rucker of Livingston, MT; grandchildren, Alyssa Cooper, Cody Skelton, Courtney Cooper, Brianna McColgan, Corey Cooper, Allie Skelton, Abby Cooper, Jill Ann Sinclair, Miranda Osornio Alkire, Jose Osornio, Matthew Clover; numerous great grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lynn Cooper; sisters, June Cooper and Louise Nation; brother, Wayne Cooper.

Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org .

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Funeral Services for Billie Lois Houston Sartin, age 97, of Sulphur Springs will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at League Street Church of Christ, Sulphur Springs with Travis Aven and Jerry Savage officiating and Brian McAlister assisting.  Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Tommy Panter, Carl Bryan, Gary Hill, Scott Taylor, Charles Dawson, David Bragg and Kevin Wilkes serving as pallbearers.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.   Mrs. Sartin passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at her home following a long illness.

Billie Lois was born October 26, 1919 in Winfield, TX, the daughter of Harris L. Sr. and Aubrey Frances (Hooper) Houston. She married Henry D. Sartin Jr. on August 21, 1949 in Sulphur Springs.  Mrs. Sartin graduated from Winfield schools and East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce.  She taught English in several rural schools including Gilmer and Betty as well as Sulphur Springs High School.  She was an active member of the League Street Church of Christ for almost 80 years, a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Standard Club, and the Lena Day Garden Club.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennie Ragan of Arbala; sons, Kevin Sartin and wife Cheri of Dallas, Sean Sartin; grandchildren, Dr. Dustin Ragan and Dr. Gwen Hoben of St. Louis, MO, William Ragan of Arbala, Tracy and Jared Raye of Aubrey, Leslie and Aaron LeBlanc of Sherman, Jordan and Kevyn Tubb of Dallas, Lance Sartin of Chico, Tye Sartin and Kayli Sartin of Sulphur Springs; great grandchildren, Kash Ballard, Aiden Sartin, Adelyn Sartin, Gabriel Ragan, Aaron Moore, Trey Barone, Dagan Raye, Addison Raye, Logan Tubb and Jackson Tubb.

Billie Lois was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Josephine Holmes and Montez Eastland; brother, Harris L Houston Jr. and son-in-law Ken Ragan.

Graveside Services for Ruby McQueen, age 93, of Sulphur Springs will be held at Peerless Cemetery on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 3:00 P.M. with Pastor Bruce Stinson officiating. There will be no formal visitation.

Ms. McQueen passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Rock Creek Nursing Home.  She was born on October 26, 1923 in Cumby, TX, the daughter of Floyd and Linnie May Fouse.  She married Allie McQueen and was a homemaker.

Ruby is survived by her granddaughters, Christy Boyer and husband Rudy, Michelle Martin and husband Joey and Joanna McQueen; great grandchildren Kayle McQueen, Dakota Martin, Dawson Martin, Gillan Boyer and Gracie Boyer; great great grandchildren, Maybree and Nixon Tedford; brother, Arthur Fouse.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Joe McQueen; grandson, Kevin McQueen; sister, Maggie Holder; brother Olie Fouse, Houston Fouse and R.E. Fouse.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Gene Leshe Sr., age 82, of Yantis, will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Chapel with David Brewer officiating.  Interment will follow with military honors at Rock Hill Cemetery with Chris Quick, Nick Mead, Jeff Tedford, Brent Killam, Gerald Killam, Wesley Killam, Darren Watson and David Anglin serving as pallbearers and David Behan, Kevin Gannon serving as honorary pallbearers.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Mr. Leshe passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at his residence. He was born on November 27, 1934, in Shreveport, LA, the son of Brooks Talton Leshe and Annie Ashford Henderson.  He married Mary Pew in Sulphur Springs on August 2, 1985.  He served in the Army, was of the Baptist faith, a member of the Masonic Lodge of Yantis, owned and operated a lawnmower repair shop and retired from Quality Control for the State of Texas, Human Services where he worked for 35 years.

Gene is survived by his wife, Mary Leshe; daughter Shawn Leshe; son, Gene Leshe Jr.; daughter, Lari Folmar and husband Mark Folmar; grandchildren, Brandy Quick and husband Chris, Candice Mead and husband Nick, Magen Leshe, Misty Leshe, Cory Armstrong, Rachael Folmar, Ryan Folmar; 10 great grandchildren; brother Wayne Leshe; sister, Beverly Schmedthorst.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Graveside service for William Frank Rettmann Jr., age 73, of Sulphur Springs will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Pine Forest Cemetery, Pickton, Texas with Rev. Pete Adrian officiating.  Although there will be no formal visitation, viewing will take place at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home on Friday, March 24, 2017 until 8:00 P.M.

Mr. Rettmann passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Sunny Springs Nursing Home. He was born on March 15, 1944 in Sulphur Springs, the son of William (Bill) Frank Rettmann, Sr. and Beulah Etta (Culpepper) Rettmann. He was a graduate of Pickton High School.  He was a member of Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, Sulphur Springs Lions Club, Sulphur Springs Country Club, Gold Wing Road Riders Assoc., local Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association and a faithful member of First United Methodist Church.  Frank was a long time employee of Johnson Ice Cream Co. and retired after many years as a Long Term Care Facility Administrator.  Frank held a private pilot’s license, was an avid model railroad layout builder, and most of all enjoyed riding his Gold Wing motorcycle, touring many states with longtime friend Albert McMullen.

He is survived by his cousins, J. Dale Pogue; Terry Pogue Waggoner, husband Jack Waggoner and sons Eric Jackson and Brett Waggoner; Tommy Pogue and wife Diane Pogue; Tracy Pogue Settimi, husband Ronnie Settimi and daughter Kennedy Settimi; and innumerable close friends and associates.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Albert McMullen and cousin Jerry Sue Pogue.

Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, 301 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Cleveland Frank “C.F.” Vititow, 84, of Emory went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in Sulphur Springs. Funeral services celebrating C.F.’s life will be held at 1100 A.M. on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Emory Baptist Church with Bro. Joe Perkins and Bro. Richard Piles officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Dougherty Cemetery in Emory. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Serving as Pallbearers: Justin Christian, Korey Young, Josh Knight, Shelby Bruhn, Will Miller, Lupe Diosdado, Paul Ray “Budge” Vititow and Chuck Vititow. Honorary Pallbearers: Bodie Watkins, Joe Rorie, Harold Thompson, Clyde Dennis, and The King’s Men Sunday School Class.

C.F. was born June 24,1932 in Sulphur Springs to the late Virgil Vititow and Ruby Lee Glenn Vititow. He married Georgia Potts Vititow on April 8,1977, she preceded him in death on February 1, 2011. Raised and educated in Sulphur Springs, he worked for Bevis Feed Store for several years. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began a local trucking firm as an independent owner operator. After a career as an insurance salesman with Bankers’ Life and Casualty, he began selling feed for Pilgrim Industries; while working for Pilgrim’s he also went into the dairy business. During all of his working years his true passion was working with cattle and horses.

C.F. enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Emory Baptist Church and The King’s Men Sunday School Class.

He is loved and will be missed by his children Charlotte Haygood (Raymond) of Sulphur Springs, Lisa Bruhn ( Dwight) of Lebanon, Missouri, Robert Vititow (Stacy) of Emory, Brenda Styron of Emory, Glenda Hinsley (John) of Tyler and Randy Knight of Emory; Grandchildren: Shannon Miller( Will), Shelby Bruhn (Katie), Brigette Colburn (Christina), Drew Vititow, Johnathan Vititow, Joey Coats (Annette), Jesse McElroy, Josh Knight (Robin), Danielle Young (Korey), Julie Kromer (Max), Jill Weddle, Jennifer Taylor (Mark), Kelsey Hardaway (Zach) 20 Great-Grandchildren, brothers Jerry Vititow (Jean) of Sulphur Springs, Larry Vititow (Wanda) of Sulphur Springs; brother-in-law Henry Potts (Maxanne) of Emory and sister-in-law Loretta Godwin (A.B.) of Emory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Paul Ray Vititow, Charles Vititow, daughter Karen Vititow, grandsons Russ Haygood, Brannon Haygood, Heath Haygood, great granddaughters, Aubrey Diosdado and Olivia Hardaway.

Family requests memorial donations be made to “The Kings Men Sunday School Class”

Graveside services for Jessie Baucum, 95, of Sulphur Springs, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Greenview Cemetery with Dr. Jimmy Henry officiating. There will be no formal visitation. Jessie passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Rock Creek Health and Rehab.

She was born on July 6, 1921 in Huttig, AR, the daughter of Will Jackson and Ozella White Hendrix. She worked as a seamstress for Howard Wolf Manufacturing for many years. She is survived by son, Douglas Baucum and wife Patricia of Mesquite, daughter, Jean Vititiow and husband Jerry Sr. of Sulphur Springs, one brother, four sisters, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Marion Jackson Baucum, and two grandchildren, Tina Michelle Baucum and Jerry Wayne Vititow Jr.

Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.

Ray Owens, age 93, of Sulphur Springs, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Carriage House Manor.

Arrangements are pending with West Oaks Funeral Home.

Janice Elaine Smith, age 76, of Sulphur Springs, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Carriage House Manor.

Arrangements are pending with West Oaks Funeral Home.

Jo Beth Dickerson, 71, of Quitman, TX passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Quitman, TX. She was born on Tuesday, May 1, 1945 in Sulphur Springs, TX to the late Drue and Margaret Jennings.

She is preceded in death by son, Robert Dickerson in 1994.

Mrs. Dickerson graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1963, then she would go on to receive her Bachelor of Education in 1968 and then her Master of Education in 1972 both from East Texas State University. She taught school for 32 years in Daingerfield, Commerce, Sulphur Springs, Henderson, Yantis and Quitman. Mrs. Dickerson also worked as a realtor at Century 21 in Sulphur Springs for 2 years and as an Interior Designer for 5 years. She was also the co-owner of Old Settlers Inn Restaurant in Quitman with her husband for 11 years where she had the reputation as the “pie maker”.

Mrs. Dickerson was the past President of Hi-King Club, member and officer of several other clubs throughout the years: Junior Waverly, University Women of America, Pilot Club, Palace Club, Women’s Forum, Women’s Golf Association and numerous bridge clubs, and served on several committees at the Mineola Country Club.
She enjoyed traveling throughout the world with her husband, friends and family, playing golf, cooking, playing bridge and decorating.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jack Dickerson; two sons, Phil Dickerson and wife Nicole of Tyler, TX, Chad Dickerson and wife Starr of Houston, TX; special daughter-in-law, Amy Dinger and husband Troy of Colmesneil, TX; brother, Jerry Jennings and wife Lequida of Sulphur Springs, TX; sister, Rose Giles and husband Terry of Tyler, TX; four grandchildren, Brayden Dickerson and Addison Dickerson both of Tyler, Ellory Dickerson and Juniper Dickerson both of Houston; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2017, at Beaty Funeral Home, Mineola, TX.
Graveside Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 11:00 am, Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Restlawn Memorial Park, Sulphur Springs, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that donations be sent to the Robert D. Dickerson Memorial Scholarship in honor of Jo Beth Dickerson. Donations can be made online at www.sfasu.edu/give, by phone at (936) 468-5406, or by mail to the SFASU Foundation, P.O. BOX 6092, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962 (check made payable to the SFASU Foundation) or to Wood County Healthcare Foundation, 117 N. Winnsboro St., Quitman, TX, 75783.

Graveside services for June Ann Jones, 72, of Sulphur Springs, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Peerless Cemetery with Janette Harris officiating. There will be no formal visitation. June passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Rock Creek Health and Rehab.

She was born on February 18, 1945 in Kilgore, TX, the daughter of Roland and Bertha Wood Crow. She was a homemaker and also worked at Furr’s for several years.

She is survived by son, Donald Jones of Sanders, AZ, daughters, Deborah Reimer and husband Bill of Longview, Deanna Jones of Sulphur Springs, Donna Roach and husband Daniel of Yantis, sister, Julia Flanery and husband Gerald of Sulphur Springs, grandchildren, Christopher Gessman, Jessica Pierson, Jeremy Jones, Constance Stieber, Robert Lynn White, Desiree Shadwell, Donald Jones Jr., Makesha Jones, Felicia Jones, Jonathan Jones, Jerimiah Jones, and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, David Jones.

Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral Service for Bruce Rogers, age 62, of Sulphur Springs will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Church of the Nazerene on League Street, Sulphur Springs.  Interment will follow at Memoryland Cemetery, Greenville.  There will be no visitation.   Mr. Rogers passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Rock Creek Health & Rehab.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

Our Sincere Condolences

Keron Perry, of Sulphur Springs, passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at her daughters residence in Little Elm. Arrangements are pending with West Oaks Funeral Home.

Dennis Griffin, age 57 of Mineola, passed away on Sunday, March 26th, 2017 in Winnsboro. He was born on October 3rd, 1959 in Rockwall, TX to Warren Griffin and Gaynell Moore Griffin.

He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Griffin.

He is survived by, mother, Gaynell Griffin of San Antonio; wife, Sandra Griffin of Mineola; sons, Walter Hall and wife Sherry of Garland, Charley Posey and wife Sherri of Flowermound and Sandy Ritchey and wife Mary of Mineola; daughters, Brenda Henderson of Winnsboro and Dollie Stewart and husband Chris Hawkins of North Richland Hills; brother, Jack Griffin of Corsicana; sister, Saleta Chatterton of San Antonio; 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, April 1st, 2017 at Beaty Funeral Home-Winnsboro 816 W. Broadway Winnsboro, TX 75494 at 2:00 pm, Rev. Billy Condrey and Rev. Ronny Higgins conducting.