Obituaries - Issue of December 20, 2007 - Nettie L. Blakeley Funeral Services Held Dec. 15 Ms. Nettie Blakeley, 87 passed away Friday, December 7, 2007 in The Life Care Hospital, Dallas among loving family and devoted friends. Funeral Services were held Saturday, December 15, 2007 in The First United Methodist Church, Walnut and 6th Streets in Teague. Rev. Joshua Fields and Dr. Charlie Wade Gillespie officiated with interment in the Grove Island Cemetery in Teague. Ms. Blakeley was the oldest daughter of the late Peter (Pete) and Hallie Mae Livingston Blakeley and was born on August2, 1920 in Coolidge, Texas. She grew up in the Furney Richardson Community just outside of Teague, and graduated Valedictorian of the Furney Richardson Class of 1937. She earned the Bachelor Of Science degree from Huston-Tillotson College, Austin and the Master of Education Degree from Prairie View A&M University. For more than forty years, Ms. Blakeley was a classroom teacher and also a Visiting Teacher for the Freestone County and Limestone public schools and County Schools. She was a faithful member of the Titus Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as secretary, treasurer, trustee, announcing clerk, adult class Sunday School Teacher, a Recording Secretary for the Teague Circuit Charge Conferences. Additionally, she was Worthy Counselor of Jonquil Court #262, Teague Court of Calanthe; Faculty Representative for the Furney Richardson Alumni Association, past vice-president of the Freestone County retired Teachers Association and president of the Union Christian Aid Burial Association. Preceding her in death are: Her parents; A son: Pierre Blakeley, niece, Nettie Ruth James, and a sister: Helen Blakeley Mitchell. Left to mourn her death are: Her sister: Ella Savannah Yarbrough, Ft. Worth; Her Nephew-Son: Willie Perry Love and wife, Dorothy, Dallas; A Nephew: Romie Lee Edwards, Jr., Ft. Worth; Nieces: Phyllis Martshal, Ft. Worth; Hattie Mae Smith and husband, Greg, Ft. Worth; Antoinette Mitchell-Morgan and husband, Michael, Dallas; Jacquline Mitchell Conner, DeSoto; 6 Great-Nieces; 2 Great-Great Nephews; other relatives and many friends. Pallbearers were Romi Edwards, Jr.; Dwight Glasco, Rickey Heggar, James Heggar James Jackson, and Greg Smith; Honorary Bearers were Arzo Burnim, Don Glasco, McKenzie Jackson, Rufus Jackson, Sr., Charlie Ray Johnson and Michael Love Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home 406 Monroe Street, Teague, Texas served the Blakeley Family. Funeral Services Held Dec. 14 for Keith Brzymialkiewicz Funeral services for Keith "Breezy" Brzymialkiewicz were held December 14, 2007 in Willis, Texas. Keith "Breezy", a 1981 graduate of Groesbeck High School, was born August 11, 1963 in Houston, and passed away Dec. 11, 2007, in Montgomery County, Texas. Keith lived in Willis, where he was a successful business partner in Americom. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Cindy "CK" Brzymialkiewicz, of Willis; two sons, Preston Hopper and Ryan "Breezy" Brzymialkiewicz, both of Willis; mother, Elma Pollard of The Woodlands; sisters; Venita Riddle of Spring, Pam Draper of Dripping Springs, Brenda Meuth of Rosanky, Iva Womack of Spring and June Schmidt of Spring; brother, Roy Brzymialkiewicz of Colorado; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Adell Etie of Willis; a very special business partner, Dewayne Pennington of Willis and numerous other relatives and friends. Keith is the nephew of Joe and Gayle Pennington of Thornton and a very dear and close cousin to Lisa Ingram of Thornton and Teresa Theiss of Groesbeck. Keith will be greatly missed! He was loved by everyone who ever met him! Graveside Services Held Dec. 14 for Janie Crocker Graveside services for Mrs. Janie Pauline Crocker, 90 of Waco were held Friday, December 14, 2007 in Lost Prairie Cemetery. Mrs. Crocker was born April 4, 1917 in Groesbeck to Andy and Mary Rosemond Taylor and passed away on December 11, 2007 in Lake Shore Village in Waco. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her daughters: Norma Jean Sission and Barbara Knoll, both of Houston, Lois Vrba, Linda Bracewell and Catherine Cox, all of Waco, 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 2 sisters and a brother. Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the guest book. Funeral Services Held Dec. 19 for Stephen D. Ferrill Services for Stephen Douglas Ferrill, 87, of Temple were held Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 at the First Christian Church of Temple. Dr. Jerry Kirkpatrick and Rev. Clyde E. Nichols officiated. Cindy Kirby, daughter, and Melissa Curtis, granddaughter, provided the music. Mr. Ferrill was born in Box Church near Groesbeck, June 24, 1920. He graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1937 at the age of 16 and earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree from North Texas State Teachers College. He completed post graduate studies and courses at Southern Methodist University, North Texas, Baylor, and the University of Texas at Austin. He received two National Science Scholarships, the first to North Texas and the second to the University of Texas. In 1949, he married Ruth Jackson, who preceded him in death in 1992. He married Marjorie Schwertner on January 2, 1994. After 14 years of marriage, Marjorie states, “He was a perfect gentleman, my best friend, a romantic, and ideal companion that resulted in a beautiful life together.” His service with the U.S. Army during World War II included two years in Iceland as a pharmacist and manager of the Post Exchange and later as an ambulance driver in England and France. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a bombing raid while on duty in Paris, France. Mr. Ferrill began his college career majoring in agriculture. He soon realized that his future was in teaching. He began his teaching career in 1940 at age 20 as an elementary teacher, taught mathematics at Temple High School for 12 years, and retired as Dean of Continuing Education and Evening School at Temple Junior College. He completed 36 years in education. Temple Kiwanis club recognized Mr. Ferrill as the “Educator of the Year” in 1989. Temple High School Class of 1957 dedicated the school annual “The Cotton Blossom” to him. Also, the 1968 “Templar” was dedicated to Mr. Ferrill. He was recognized in the 1970 edition of Outstanding Educators of America for his contributions to the advancement of education and service to community, state, and country. Mr. Ferrill was also commissioned by the governor as a Texas Colonel. He was recognized by the Piper Foundation as an outstanding Texas educator. In December 2003, Temple College named the Douglas Ferrill Computer-Aided Math Lab in his honor. Mr. Ferrill’s gifts enabled the Temple College Foundation to create one of the most technology advanced computer aided classrooms in central Texas. Mr. Ferrill stated on many occasions throughout his career and often when honored publicly, “I would rather be thought of as a teacher than any thing else. I cannot think of any other career that would have been more enjoyable are provide more opportunities to meet people.” “I enjoyed my years of teaching as well as filling the role of student. To me, life is continuing education, and we never stop learning. The greatest reward and a humbling experience for a teacher are to have your students succeed in their fields and thank you for the impact you have had on their lives and careers.” He was a long standing member of the First Christian Church in Temple where he served as Sunday School teacher, board member, and on numerous committees. He was a member of Texas and TemBel Retired Teachers Associations. He greatly enjoyed national and international travel, golf, fishing, reading, and a challenging game of 42 or dominoes with his friends. Survivors are his wife; three children, Kay Psencik of Houston, Ray Schwertner of Garland, and Cindy Kirby of Temple. Mr. Ferrill is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Melissa Curtis, Russell Schwertner, Michael Kirby, Annette Jones, Brandon Schwertner, Natalie Nelson, Erin Psencik, and Cody Schwertner, 8 great grandchildren, and 2 nieces, Sandra Smith and Dorothy Dyer. Pallbearers were grandsons, Michael Kirby, Russell Schwertner, Brandon Schwertner, and Cody Schwertner; and nephews, Dr. Thomas Eller II, Kelly Isbell, Bryan Dyer, Randy Smith, and Rodney Smith. Honorary Pallbearers were R.L. Bulls, Joe Camp, Dean Clifford, H.C. Farrell, Murray Ham, Henry B. (Sonny) Hutka, Clarence Strange, and Cecil Wells. Memorials may be made to the Douglas Ferrill Scholarship Fund at Temple College Foundation, 2600 S. 1st Street, Temple, Texas 76504 or First Christian Church, 300 N. 5th Street, Temple, Texas 76501 or to one’s favorite charity. Obituary and guest book at www.scanioharperfuneralhome.com Funeral Services Held Dec. 15 for Geneva B. Johnson Mrs. Geneva B. Johnson, of Teague, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the Teague Nursing Home. Funeral Services were held Saturday, December 15, 2007 at Moore’s Angelic Funeral Chapel. Rev. Joshua Fields and Rev. Roger Hunter officiated with interment in the Antioch Cemetery. Geneva was the second child of John Henry Burke and Sallie Carrie Lou Barrett and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Glassboro, North Carolina and attended the public schools there. She was baptized in Psalmist Baptist Church by Rev. William Harkenson. Geneva was married to James Johnson and has been employed as a nurse’s aide. In New York, she was a member of The Order Of The Eastern Star and The Order Of The Elks. At the time of her death, Mrs. Johnson was a faithful member of St. James United Methodist Church in Teague where she worked with The United Methodist Women, the Sunday School, and was a member of the Prayer Breakfast Circle. Mrs. Johnson leaves to cherish her memory: Her son: Gerald L. Burke and wife, Ricarda, Teague; A Nephew: Harry Burke, Trenton, New Jersey; A Niece: Marion Smith, Houston; a Special Friend of The Family: Janet Walker, Mexia; 6 grandchildren; 5 Great-Grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. Pallbearers were: Richard F. Price, Julius Vickers; Terrell Mighty; Garvis Vickers; Roger Nealy; Sosthene Fuselier; Ivory Castee; and Henry Owens Honorary Pallbearers: St. James United Methodist Church Stewards; The Prayer Breakfast Circle; Teague Nursing Home Staff and Providence Hospice Staff Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, Teague, Texas served the Johnson Family. Funeral Services Held Dec. 19 for Mary Zell Little Mary Zell Little, 79, of Groesbeck passed away Sunday, December 16, 2007 in Windsor HealthCare Residence. Funeral services were conducted at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel with Greg Sackett officiating. Mrs. Little was born November 30, 1928 in Carpenter, Mississippi to Jesse E. and Lona Lee (Story) Strong. She was a member of the Methodist Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, 2572 and American Legion Post 3. She married J. W. Nicholson on February 17, 1945 in Jackson, MS and married Ralph D. Little on April 14, 1974 who preceded her in death on October 30, 1977. She worked 30 years at sewing factory and was owner of White Way Cafe. Survivors include her two sons Robert Nicholson and Larry Nicholson of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law Zac Ward and Tammie Campbell of Kill Devil Hills, NC; two daughters and sons-in-law Danice Bond and Bob Barrington and Diane Sanders and Henry Sanders all of Utica, MS; daughter-in-law Dianne Nicholson of Groesbeck; grandchildren Tammie Nicholson of Groesbeck, Janice Nicholson of Groesbeck, Larry Nicholson, Jr. of Winston Salem, NC, Debbie Messer of Groesbeck, Chris Bond of Mexia, Jordan Bond and wife Pauline of Utica, MS, Stephen Bond of Utica, MS, Ocean Weaver and husband Paul of Pearl, MS; great grandchildren Faith Nicholson and Alec Nicholson both of Groesbeck, Searra Odom Jadah Magness, Rowdy Weaver all of Pearl, MS, Cody Bond, Morgan Bond, Megan Bond all of Utica, MS, Megan Brooks of Memphis, TN, Chris Taylor of Memphis, TN, Joshua Messer of Groesbeck; step-granddaughter Lindsey Sanders of Franklin, TN; two sisters Marjorie Moody and husband Tom of Utica, MS, Gladys O’Hara of Heber Springs, AR; two brothers Walter Norris Strong and wife Sue of Pearl, MS, Joe Tom Strong and wife Willestine of East Alton, IL; Very Special Friends Larry and Darla Dempsey of Groesbeck, TX; host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents, Jesse E. And Lona Lee (Story) Strong; husband Ralph D. Little; brothers Luther Jim Strong, Jessie Lee Strong. Pallbearers were Alan Holmes, Jay Sanders, Neil Clay, Jr., Larry Dempsey, Henry Sanders, Bob Barrington. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book or leave a memorial message for the family. Lillie Bell Tanner Memorial Service Held Dec. 15 Lillie Bell (Wilson) Tanner, 70, was born on February 14, 1937 in Corsicana, Texas. She passed away on December 9, 2007 at home in Union High following a twelve year struggle with cancer. Lillie grew up in Corsicana and attended Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth. A long time active member of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Lillie was involved in the efforts of the Union High Volunteer Fire Department, was an avid of the Texas Rangers baseball organization, and enjoyed traveling to bluegrass music festivals across the south. After years of working in the ASCS office in the Navarro County Courthouse, she began a career in the field of MHMR of Texas in the records department of the Mexia State School then supervising the Centex Community Living. Mrs. Tanner is survived by Lewis William Tanner, her husband of 49 years; one brother James D. Wilson of Dallas; daughter Laura Boecker and husband Brian of Groesbeck; daughter Lesley Lambert and husband David of Robinson; and son Lonnie W. Tanner of Houston; eight grandchildren Morgan, Jordan, Lauren and Logan Boecker of Groesbeck, Whitfield Tanner of Corsicana, Tyler Tanner of Hillsboro, and Hillary and Drew Lambert of Robinson along with a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by one son Lewis Wilson Tanner and one brother Fred Oliver Wilson. A memorial service for Lillie was held Saturday December 15th in the chapel of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana with burial following at the Pursley Cemetery. An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com by selecting Lillie Tanner obituary. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Tanner Memorial Scholarship fund through Corsicana National Bank. Monetary donations to this fund or the American Cancer Society are encouraged. Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana, Texas. Eva Watts Funeral Services Held Dec. 15 Mrs. Eva Watts, 89 of Teague passed away Friday, December 7, 2007 at Crestview Court Residential Facility in Dallas. Funeral Services were held Saturday, December 15, 2007 in the First Baptist Church, 209 N. 6th Street in Teague. Officiating was Rev. C. J. Wiley and Rev. Fred Lampkin with interment in the Avant Cemetery. Eva was the first child of Elijah and Minnie Felix and was born in Freestone County, Texas. She grew up in Freestone County and attended the Public Schools there. Mrs. Watts was baptized in the Jerusalem Baptist Church by Rev. Holmes. She married Oscar Brown, Sr. and Cicero Watts and was employed by Mexia State School and Teague ISD. At the time of her death, Mrs. Watts was a faithful member of First Baptist Church South Teague where she has served on the Usher Board, choir member, Missionary Society and the Sunday School. She will best be remembered for her skill in cooking and for always being fashionably dressed. Those who will cherish her memory most are: Her sons: Douglas V. Brown, Teague; Oscar C. Brown, Jr, Ft. Worth; and Cicero Watts, Jr., Dallas; 11 Grandchildren; 22 Great-Grandchildren; 2 Great-Grandchildren; Nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers were: Nathaniel Brown, Jr; Billy Brown; Cleophus McDonald; Homer R. Brown; Charles Henderson and John W. Henderson; Honorary Pallbearers were: Deacons of First Baptist South Teague and Staff of Crestview Court, Dallas Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, Teague was in charge of arrangements. Memorial Services Held Dec. 15 for Arlene V. Wilder Memorial services for Mrs. Arlene Violet Wilder, 85 were held Sunday, December 15, 2007 in New Life Tabernacle, 5 miles east of Mexia on Highway 84, with The Rev. J. L. Hall officiating. There was a reunion dinner at the church following the service. Mrs. Wilder was born February 7, 1922 in Green Township, Michigan to Alich and Florence Harvey Keetch and passed away on December 12, 2007 in Palestine, Texas. She was a homemaker and member of the New Life Tabernacle. Survivors include her children: Robert Wayne Wilder of Mexia, Judith Elaine Wilder Cohoon of Phoenix, Arizona, Ruth Carol Wilder Gardner of Thayer, MO, Kathryn Sue Wilder Budqisz of College Station, Texas; Debra Ann Wilder Myers of College Station, Richard W. Wilder of Palestine, Texas and Clara Jane Wilder Stuck of Tehuacana, 24 grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and a brother, Stanley Keetch of Florida. Memorials may be made to the New Life Tabernacle, 1679 W. Highway 84, Mexia, Texas 76667. Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the guest book. This is an on-line publication of Groesbeck Journal P.O. Box 440 Groesbeck, TX 76642-0440 254-729-5103 For comments or questions, email Publisher: Thomas Hawkins thawkins@groesbeckjournal.com The Web Site contains material which is protected by international copyright and trademark laws. No material may be copied, reproduced, republished, broadcast or distributed in any way or decompiled, except that you may download one copy of the Materials on any single computer for your personal, non-commercial home use only, provided you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices. On-line publication, Copyright 2000, Groesbeck Journal. Web page design, Copyright 2000, EZ Edit Web Publishing.