DOWNING CEMETERY OBITUARIES
Compiled by Aline Loudermilk Jones
Web Page 9
Compiled by Aline Loudermilk Jones
Web Page 9
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| Survivors are daughters
Beverly Wood and husband Bill and Carolyn Copeland and husband Robert
of El Paso; five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren; brother
Harold Grissom and wife Audrey of El Paso; sisters Jeanette Damron and
husband Tex of De Leon; Mary Waldie of Stephenville; Sammie Booth and
husband Robert, and Reta Booth and husband Joe both of El Paso; and
numerous family members and friends. She was preceded in death by
her husband, Edgar “Tuffy” Sturdivant and grandson Shawn
Copeland. Memorial services were in El Paso, Texas at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2003 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Dr. Thomas Broom officiating; graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday January 11, 2003 at Downing Cemetery in Comanche County with Lisa Neslony officiating. Family visitation will be Saturday morning, January 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Nowlin Funeral Home in De Leon. Memorials may be made to St Paul’s United Methodist Church Music Ministry, 700 Edgemere, El Paso, Texas 79925. [MARKER] [PHOTO] ARTHUR LEROY TARPLEY Arthur Leroy Tarpley, 5705 Cowden, Fort Worth, Texas died 31 Jan 1984 at his home in Fort Worth. He was born 12 Sep 1926 to Artie and Esther Tarpley. Survivors: Wife, Barbara Tarpley, Fort Worth; sons Roy Dale Tarpley, Dublin, Ronald Dean Tarpley, Azle, daughter, Teresa Jean Tarpley, Fort Worth; parents Mr. and Mrs. Artie Tarpley, Downing; six brothers, Kenneth James Tarpley, Merkel, Henry Tarpley, Georgetown, Melvin Tarpley, Lipan, Robert Lawrence Tarpley, Mansfield, Samuel Fred Tarpley, New Mexico, David Aaron Tarpley, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters, Esther Belle White, Abilene, Eva Mae Letterman, Stephenville, Anna Mae Wylie, Abilene, Francis Fussell, Rising Star, Texas; Betty, Loraine Grandstaff, Shreveport, Louisiana; Caroline Stewart, Merkel; three grandchildren. Services 9:30 a.m. Friday, Shannon’s North Chapel. Rev. Jesse Leonard and Rev. Kelly Mosley officiating. Interment 3:30 p.m. Friday, at Downing Cemetery, Downing, Texas. Arrangements by Shannon’s North. 624-2191 [MARKER] [PHOTO] [SERVICE] ARTHUR ROY TARPLEY (Abilene Reporter -Downing) - Arthur Roy Tarpley, 87, father of Esther Bell White of Abilene, died Saturday 9 Jan 1988 at a De Leon hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Northside Baptist Church with the Rev. Wade Lackey officiating, assisted by the Rev. Mike Patterson. Burial will be in the Downing Cemetery, directed by the De Leon Funeral Home. Born in Inola, Okla. 13 Nov. 1900, he moved to Downing 56 years ago. He was a retired farmer and a deacon of the Northside Baptist Church. In addition to his daughter of Abilene, he is survived by his wife, Esther L. Cooper Tarpley of Downing; five other daughters, Eva Leatherman of Stephenville, Francis Fussell of Lake Brownwood, Anna Mae Wylie of Tuscola, Betty Lorene Grandstaff of Comanche and Carolyn Steward of Tye; five sons, Melvin Tarpley of Lipan, Kenneth Tarpley of Tye, Bob Tarpley of Mansfield, David Tarpley of Moore, Okla., and Fred Tarpley of Silver City, N.M.; 43 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren. (De Leon Free Press) Arthur Roy Tarpley, 87, of Downing passed away at 11:40 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 1988, in De Leon Hospital Services were at 2 p.m. Monday in Northside Baptist Church with Rev. Wade Lackey officiating, assisted by Rev. |
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| Mike Patterson. De Leon
Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Burial was in Downing
Cemetery. Born in Iona, Okla, on Nov 13, 1900, he lived the past 26 years in the Downing community. On Nov. 4, 1923, he married Esther Cooper in Enid, Okla. A retired farmer, he was a member of the Northside Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Survivors include his wife; five sons, Kenneth Tarpley of Tye, Melvin Tarpley of Lipan, Bob Tarpley of Mansfield, Fred Tarpley of Silver City, N. M., and David Tarpley of Moore, Okla; six daughters, Esther Bell White of Abilene, Eva Letterman of Stephenville, Frances Fussell of Lake Brownwood, Annie Mae Wiley of Tuscola, Betty Lorene Grandstaff of Comanche, and Carolyn Steward of Tye; 43 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Dewayne Tarpley, Leland Tarpley, Lawrence Tarpley, Don White, Ray White, Mike Tarpley, Aaron Tarpley, and Ronnie Gene Douglas. Honorary pallbearers were Dale, Dean, and Curtis Tarpley and Guy White. Music was provided by the Northside Church Choir. [MARKER] [PHOTO] BARBARA JOANN TARPLEY Barbara JoAnn Tarpley, 53, former Stephenville resident, died Monday, June 5, 1989, at her home in Austin. Services were at 2 p.m. Thursday at Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carey Womack officiating. Burial was in the Downing Cemetery. Born in Alexander, she lived in Stephenville, and moved from Lewisville to Austin two years ago. She worked with Exodus International Organization, was a student at Austin Community College and a member of the University Baptist Church. She was the widow of Henry C. Tarpley. Survivors include two sons, Curtis Tarpley of Seattle, Wash., and Clifford Tarpley of Chicago; three brothers Louis Lowery of Stephenville, Dennis Lowery of Port Lavaca, and Donald Lowery of Grand Prairie; and four sisters, Lillian Whitehead of Dublin, Lelia Surber of Stephenville, Evelyn Stamford of Bisbee, Ariz., and Muriel Cunningham of Grand Prairie. [MARKER] [PHOTO] WALTER D. TARPLEY Walter D. Tarpley, 73, of Baytown, Texas, formerly of De Leon, Texas passed away Monday, April 11, 2005 in a Baytown hospital. He was born March 15, 1932 in Dallas, Texas the son of the late Samuel Gideon Tarpley and Anna McDaniel Tarpley. Mr. Tarpley was a retired petroleum engineer. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He had lived in the De Leon area most of his life, having previously lived in Cross Plains and Comanche County. He had most recently been a resident of Baytown for about one and one-half years. He was a Baptist. Survivors are his son, Bill Tarpley of Baytown, Texas, daughter, Patricia Rainwater of Pasadena; four grand children and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Ricky Tarpley. Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2005 with Minister Carl Mauldin officiating at the |
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| graveside in Downing
Cemetery. Burial followed at Downing Cemetery in Comanche County, Texas. [MARKER] [PHOTO] DEXTER OLA TIMMONS Funeral services for Mrs. Jake (Dexter Ola) Timmons, 75, Comanche, were held at 2:00 o’clock Friday afternoon, October 7, at the Eastside Baptist Church in Comanche. Officiating was the church pastor, Rev. Marvin Donnell. Burial was in the Downing Cemetery. Pallbearers were Donald Feist, Tim Cornado, Darwin White, Junior Sanchez, Larry Graham, and Dean Summers. Arrangements were by Comanche Funeral Home. Mrs. Timmons died at 9:45 o’clock Wednesday morning, October 5, 1988, at her Comanche home. Daughter of the late Jim and Jettie Davis, she was born January 8, 1913 in Comanche County. She married Jake Timmons on November 13, 1935. She was a member of the Eastside Baptist church, Comanche. Mrs. Timmons is survived by 2 sons, Dale Timmons of Goldsmith and Gale Timmons of LaRue; 2 daughters, Mavis Feist and Claudine Hutchins, both of Comanche; 3 sisters, Mrs. Orval Timmons, Mrs. A. J. Henry, and Mrs. R. J. Arms, all of Proctor; 11 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren. [MARKER] GALE TIMMONS Funeral services for Gale Timmons, 46, of LaRue, Smith County, former Comanche resident, were held at 10:30 o’clock Tuesday morning, December 17, 1991, in Comanche Funeral Chapel. Officiating was Tommy Johnson, minister of the North Pearl Church of Christ. Burial was in the Downing Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dendy Feist, Donald Feist, Dwight Biggs, Chris Biggs, Laren Janes, and Mark Drews. Mr. Timmons died Saturday, December 14, in LaRue. Son of Jake and the late Oda Lane Timmons, longtime Comancheans, he was born December 29, 1944 in Ysleta. Mr. Timmons is survived by a daughter, Tammie Coufal of San Antonio; 2 sons, Jerry Timmons of Nacogdoches and Wesley Timmons of Comanche; his father, Jake Timmons of Comanche; a brother, Dale Timmons of Goldsmith; 2 sisters, Mavis Feist of Comanche and Claudine Hutchins of Proctor; 3 step-daughters, Debi Bailey of Brownsboro, and Denisa Richardson and Diane Blaylock, both of Irving; and 9 grandchildren. [MARKER] [PHOTO] JAKE TIMMONS (Comanche) Jake Timmons, 86, retired, died Tuesday, Oct 3, 2000, at a Comanche hospital. Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday at Comanche Funeral Home Chapel. Burial: Downing Cemetery in Comanche County. Visitation: The family will receive friends at Comanche Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Lunch for the family will be at the home of Mavis Feist at 216 Pinto in Comanche, following the service. Jake Timmons was born Oct 7, 1913, in De Leon. Survivors: Daughters, Mavis Feist and Claudine Hutchins; son, Dale Timmons; 11 grandchildren; 28 great- |
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| grandchildren; sisters,
Doris Mosley, Frances Gray, Norma Brady, Marjorie Morris; and
sister-in-law, Ione Henry. Comanche Funeral Home Comanche (915) 356-2531 [MARKER] [PHOTO] STELLA PEARL HASLEY WARNER Stella Pearl Hasley Warner, age 73, of 318 Bowles, Kennedale, passed away July 21, 1984, in a Fort Worth Hospital. She is survived by a son, Elvis W. Warner of Corpus Christi; a sister Willie Allen of El Paso; a brother, Bob Hasley of Tomball; and grandchildren, Billy, Barry, and Bobby Warner, all of Corpus Christi, and Brad Warner of Portland; 3 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Warner was a member of the South Hills Christian Church in Fort Worth. Services were at 10 a.m. Monday at the South Hills Christian Church in Fort Worth, with burial in the Downing Cemetery, under the direction of Hugh M. Moore and Son Funeral Home in Fort Worth. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. [MARKER] [PHOTO] J. R. WARREN Joseph Robert Warren, 66, longtime resident of De Leon, died at 2:40 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 1981, in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Temple. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, at Northside Baptist Church, De Leon, directed by Nowlin Funeral Home, De Leon. Rev. Elmer Whitehead officiated. Burial was in the Downing Cemetery. Born May 28, 1914 in Comanche County, Mr. Warren was a Retired Master Sergeant, serving in the U. S. Army in World War II.. He was a member of De Leon Masonic Lodge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a Baptist. Survivors include two sons, Nicky Warren and Bryan Warren, both of De Leon; two daughters, Rita Grelle of Priddy and Niota Warren of Round Rock; two brothers, Alvie Warren of Carlsbad, New Mexico and H. L. Warren of Beaumont; three sisters, Doris West and Dayle Davis, both of Dublin, and Huldy Pounds of De Leon; and one grandchild. [MARKER] [PHOTO] [SERVICE] NORA ANNIE WARREN Nora Annie Warren, died 13 June 1981, age 80, in the Western Hills Nursing Home, Comanche, Texas. [MARKER] JOE B. WHITAKER Joe B. Whitaker, age 67, of Olton, Texas died on Tuesday, August 8, 2000 at the Running Water Draw Care Center in Olton, Texas. Mr. Whitaker was born March 20, 1933 in Big Springs, Texas, to the late Tom Whitaker and Ola Hulsey Whitaker. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he was a farmer and served in the U.S. Air Force. He had resided in Olton |
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| for 12 years, having
previously lived in De Leon and Brownwood. Funeral services were at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2000 at graveside. Burial followed in the Downing Cemetery. Rev. Stephen Schmidt officiated with Nowlin Funeral Home of De Leon in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Jim Weatherby, Jerry Weatherby, Hyram T. Williams, and Steve Lee. He is survived by one sister, Betty Williams of Houston; niece Julie Christiana Nash of Houston; nephew, Hyram T. Williams of New York City; 2 great nephews, James Douglas Nash and Isaac Williams; one great niece, Megan Nicole Nash. [SERVICE] OLA H. WHITAKER Mrs. Ola H. Whitaker, 87, of De Leon passed away Tuesday, April 3, 1979, at 5:05 p.m. in Tom Ball Hospital. She was born June 28, 1891, in Downing to the late Zach and Mattie Hulsey. She was a member of the De Leon first United Methodist Church and was a retired school teacher. Her husband, Tom, preceded her in death February 14, 1979. Funeral services for Mrs. Whitaker were held Saturday, April 7, at 2:00 p.m., in the Nowlin Funeral Home with Brother Charles McClure officiating. Music was under the direction of Homer Hafford, C. L. Mohon, Jr., Curly West, and Ambrose Morgan. Pallbearers were Dave Fox, Jack Williams, Hyram Thomas Williams, Jerry Francher, Jim Weatherby, and Bobby Simpson. Honorary pallbearers were Ewell Adams and Cloys Francher. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Berry Sue and Jack Williams of Houston; one son, Joe Whitaker of Houston; one granddaughter and husband, Christina and Dave Fox of Huntsville; one grandson, Hyram T. Williams of Houston; a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Burial was in the Downing Cemetery. [MARKER] [PHOTO] MYRTLE OLENA WILKERSON Myrtle Wilkerson, 75, longtime resident of Comanche County, died at 8 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 1989, at her home in the Downing Community. Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Mike Patterson officiating. Music was provided by Vickie Robinett and soloist, Nancy Stewart. Burial was in Downing Cemetery under the direction of Nowlin Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Jim Hilliard, Gene Hilliard, Ronald Wilkerson, Joseph Wilkerson, Rowdy Wilkerson, Nicky Wilkerson, Tim Beaty, and Robert Zint. The daughter of Joseph Oscar and Myrtie Ann Butler Jones, she was born in Young County on March 20, 1914. She was married in Comanche County on October 30, 1937, to L. D. Wilkerson. She was a homemaker and a member of Northside Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, L. D. Wilkerson; two sons, Gayle Wilkerson of Meridian and Robby Wilkerson of De Leon; a daughter, Jo Ann Hilliard of Irving; a sister, Beulah Elliott of Comanche; nine grandchildren: Jim Hilliard of Allen, Ray Gene Hilliard of Irving; Cindy Beaty of De Leon, Teri Zint of Irving, Ronald Wilkerson of Meridian, Joseph Wilkerson of Eastland, Rowdy Wilkerson of Merkel, Nicky Wilkerson of De Leon; and two great grandchildren, Staci Beaty of De Leon and Matthew Hilliard of Allen. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd Jones and Clarence Jones, and two sisters, Katie Fagan and Gracie Francisco. [MARKER] [PHOTO] |
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| WAYNE WILLIAMS (Comanche) Wayne Williams, 84 years, 2 months and 3 days, of Comanche, TX, a retired baker, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2001, at Comanche Community Hospital in Comanche, Texas. Funeral services were held February 24, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at the Comanche Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gerald Burns officiating. Burial: Downing Cemetery in Comanche County. Lunch will be at the family home at 400 E. Grand, Comanche. He was born on December 20, 1916 in Comanche, TX to Tom Williams and Mamie (Wilson) Williams. He had been a baker at the Comanche Cookie Shop and a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Williams was married to Myrle Gunn on March 18, 1934 in Fairview, Texas. He is survived by wife, Myrle Williams; daughters, Myrlyn Howell, Aleycia Wysong, all of Comanche; daughter, Brenda Warren, Irving, TX; daughter, Joleane Jennings, Denver, CO; son, Bill Williams, Garden Ridge, TX; son, Bennie Williams, Early, TX; twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Lillian Johnston, Comanche, TX; brother, Dwight Williams, Comanche, TX. He was preceded in death by three sons-in-laws, sister and parents. [MARKER] [PHOTO] GLADYS WILSON Graveside services for Gladys Wilson, 88, Comanche, were held at 4:00 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, June 12, 1991 in Downing Cemetery. Officiating was Rev. Kenneth Wilson. Arrangements were by Comanche Funeral Home. Mrs. Wilson died at 2:50 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, June 11, 1991, in Comanche Community Hospital. Daughter of the late Henry and Ann Dendy Scott, she was born October 4, 1908 in Comanche County. She was married to the late Lester Wilson, who died August 7, 1989. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mrs. Wilson is survived by a brother, Bozy Scott of Comanche, and a sister, Neppie Scott of Comanche. [MARKER] [PHOTO] VOLENTINE WILSON Volentine Wilson, 72, of San Saba, passed away at 4:20 Saturday, April 18, at the San Saba Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 20 in the Comanche Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Leroy Woolsey officiated. Interment was in Downing Cemetery. Pallbearers were Franklin Loudermilk, Johnny Scott, Jake Sledge, R. L. Flanagan, Jerry Hulsey, and Gene Sledge. He was the son of the late Frank Wilson and Eula Powers Wilson, having been born December 26, 1908 in Comanche County. He married Millie Scott on June 11, 1923 in Gorman. He had resided in San Saba since 1939. He was a retired mechanic, and was a Baptist. |
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| Survivors include his
wife, Mrs. Mollie Wilson of San Saba; one sister Mrs. Mae Hulsey of De
Leon; and three nephews. [MARKER] [PHOTO] DONNA KAY WINKLES Donna Kay Winkles, age 45, of Fort Worth, Texas passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2002, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born on February 28, 1957 in De Leon, Texas to Bobby G. Winkles, Sr. and Robbie Scott Winkles. She was a student and resided in Fort Worth for a short time, moving there from De Leon. She was a Baptist. Funeral services were on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. at Nowlin Funeral Home Chapel in De Leon with burial at Downing Cemetery. Rev Jackie Auvenshine officiated the service. Survivors are her parents, Bobby G. Winkles, Sr. and Robbie Winkles of De Leon; two brothers, Bobby Gail Winkles, Jr. and wife Tami of De Leon and Roger Alan Winkles and wife Connie of De Leon; grandmother, Pauline Hafford of De Leon; two nephews, Tanner and Mitch Winkles of De Leon; niece Brittany Winkles of De Leon and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Pallbearers were Jim Bob Wofford, Jackie Lawson, Clay Scott, Ricky Roberts, Brandon McDonald, and Jeff Timmons. [MARKER] [PHOTO] EVA UTYCIE YATES Mrs. Eva Utycie Yates, 85, Downing, died at 7:50 o’clock Wednesday night, October 26, in De Leon Hospital. Funeral services for Mrs. Yates were held at 2:00 o’clock Friday afternoon, October 28, at Nowlin Funeral Home in De Leon. Rev. Charles McAfee, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, De Leon, officiated. Burial was in the Downing Cemetery. Born December 29, 1897, in Alabama, she married James P. (Tiller) Yates November 9, 1913, in Alabama. He died May 7, 1976. She was a homemaker and a member of the Downing United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by a brother, L. B. Champion, and two sisters, Lesell Rogers. [MARKER] [PHOTO] |
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This page was updated on August 9, 2007
c2007 Aline Loudermilk Jones