Obituaries - Issue of Oct. 25, 2007 - Henry E. Davenport Funeral Services Held October 20 Funeral services for Bro. Henry Davenport, 73, were held on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 2:00 pm. at Eighth Avenue Baptist Church. Interment followed the service at Greenwood Cemetery. Bro. Ron Jenkins, Bro. Darrel Beggs and Bro. Steve Cowart officiated. Bro. Davenport passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at his residence in Teague. Bro. Davenport was a Baptist Pastor all of his working life. He graduated from Baylor University and later from the Southwestern Baptist Seminary. He served as Pastor at Altoga Baptist Church and Valdasta Baptist Church both in McKinney, TX., First Baptist Church in Atkins, Arkansas, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX., First Baptist in Norphlet, Arkansas, and First Baptist Church in Teague. He also served as a Chaplain for T.D.C.J. for ten years, mostly with the Boyd Unit near Teague. He loved hunting and fishing. Bro. Davenport was a member of Eighth Avenue Baptist Church in Teague. He is survived by his wife, Allene Davenport; the mother of his children, Artie Davenport; two sons, Judson Davenport and Trozy Davenport & wife Melissa; three grandchildren, Stephen Davenport, Becca Davenport, & Ashley Davenport all of Teague; three step-sons, Wade Smith & wife Lauren of Paris, Tx, Troy Smith & wife Christal and Adam Smith & wife Misty all of Teague; eleven step-grandchildren, Stephen Smith, Cameron Smith, Grayson Smith, Michaela Smith, Madison Smith, Kaylee Smith, Audrie Smith, Kendall Smith, Sydney Smith, Piper Smith, and Declan Smith; two brother-in-laws, John Christian & wife Jerry of Teague and Charles Rikard of Kirvin; two sister-in-laws, Earlene Robertson & husband Bobby of Fairfield and Debbie Carter & husband Fred of Lake Limestone; other relatives and friends. Bro. Davenport was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Edward Davenport and his parents, Henry Edward and Clemmie Davenport. Memorials may be made to Eighth Avenue Baptist Church, 201 South 8th Ave., Teague, TX., 75860 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 791, Teague, TX., 75860. Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or leave a message for the family. Johnny E. Ray Funeral Services Held October 18 Johnny Edward Ray 88, of Mart passed away Sunday, October 14, 2007, after a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Funeral services were held Thursday, October 18, 2007 at the Ward Street Church of Christ in Marlin with Travis J. Smith officiating. Burial followed at Criswell cemetery in Falls County. The family was served lunch at the Mart Church of Christ following the graveside service. J.E. was born May 2, 1919 in Dibble, Oklahoma to Jesse and Odie Mae Williams Ray. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. He married Bobbie Louise Stone Ray on September 30, 1942. He was employed by the Veterans Administration for 25 years and resided in Marlin until 2001. He was a life long member of the Church of Christ. In his eighty eight years, he was a valiant warrior, a dependable friend, a loyal husband, a Godly father and a loving Grandfather. He was a hero and a blessing to his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Carolyn Ann Ray; his parents; three sisters: Oma Ray, Mina Ray Stone and Thelma Ray Morgan; two brothers, Murray Ray and William L. Ray. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Louise Ray; sons Bobby Ray and daughter-in-law Becky of Austin, Greg Ray of Edmond, Oklahoma and Stan Ray and daughter-in-law Crissy of San Diego, California: Two grandson, Charles Ray and wife Jennifer of Edmund, Oklahoma and Benjamin Hall of San Diego, California; four granddaughters, Jerri Grant and husband John of Carrollton, Nicki Arnold and husband William of Austin, Genifer Harrison of Dallas, and Lindsey Ray of Edmund, Oklahoma; four Great grand Children: Shannon and Andrew Arnold of Austin, and Michael and Sarah Grant of Carrollton. Pallbearers were Grandson Charles Ray; Great Grandsons; Andrew Arnold and Michael Grant; Nephews Steven Ray, Russ Jay Alcott, Keith Stone and Great Nephews Michael Milnes and Randall Brown. Honorary Pallbearers were Ernest Martinez, Tim Smith, Gary Smith, Aubrey Stone, Terry Stone, Winfred Stone, Gary Patterson, Harvey Patterson, Robert Ray, Beau Ray, Nicky Ray, Carlton Morgan, Kenny Ray, Dennis Ray, Jeff Brown and Benjamin Hall. Go to MEM.COM AND WATCH THE TRIBUTE AND SIGN THE GUEST BOOK. John Alton Willis Funeral Services Held October 20 John Alton Willis, 86, of Jewett passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2007 in Limestone Medical Center. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, October 20, 2007 in the Little Flock Baptist Church. Brother Billy Bob Evans officiated with interment following in Little Flock Cemetery. Mr. Willis was born May 26, 1921 in Alto, Texas to Clarence Bennett and Leona (Edgeman) Willis. He served four years in the U. S. Marines during WWII. Mr. Willis retired as a supervisor from (Union Carbide) now Dow Chemical in 1977. Mr. Willis is survived by his wife Dorris Willis of Jewett; son and daughter-in-law Rodney & Cynthia Willis of Richland, TX; grandson James Frank Willis; three step grandchildren: Chris, Angela, Dustin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Billie and Vernon “Pete” Slemp; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Wilburn “Pete” and Helen Rhodes. Pallbearers were Eugene Stone, Roland Kennedy, Tommy Crane, Ronald Crane, Donald Gresham, Christopher Dobson. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Sherrill, Dwayne Hancock, Vernon “Pete” Slemp, Wilburn “Pete” Rhodes, Dustin Brunson, Donnie Gresham. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book or leave a memorial message for the family. Funeral Services For Nathaniel W. Ray Held October 20 Nathaniel Wayne Ray, 44, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2007 at his residence in Grosebeck, Texas. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, October 20 at 1:00 PM at Head Branch Baptist Church 606 McClinic Dr., Groesbeck. Officiating was Rev. E. Bernard Cashaw, Pastor, Head Branch Baptist Church. Interment followed at Shady Grove Cemetery, Doyle. His Family: Father: The late Garland Ray, Jr.; Mother: Rosetta Forge Ray, Groesbeck, TX; Brother: Perry Joe Ray, Groesbeck, TX; Sisters: Rosie Lee West, Etta Fay Ray, Virginia Davis and Larry, Yvonne Ray, Anzetta Marie Ray all of Groesbeck, TX; Velma Jean Ray Thomas and Michael; Evelyn Norman and Ruby Newton, both of Mexia, TX; Step-Sisters: Gail Hines and Cheryl Ray both of Plainview, TX; Uncles: Sherman and Bobby Ray, Plainview, TX; and John Earl Forge, Dallas, TX; Aunts: Peggy Forge and Fannie B. Randall, both of Groesbeck, TX; Ruby Fay Ray and Dorothy Kress both of Plainview, TX; Special Friend: Raphael Brooks (Drick), Lancaster, TX; Nieces, Nephews and other relatives and friends Moore's Angelic Funeral Home of Teague Served the Ray Family. Wanda Gail Reed Funeral Services Held October 19 Funeral services for Mrs. Wanda Gail Reed, 72 of Mexia was held Friday, October 19, 2007 in Calvary Baptist Church. Rev. Rick Gray and Rev. Jeff Wright officiated with interment following in the Mexia Cemetery. Mrs. Reed was born February 13, 1935 in Mexia to Rondall O. and Mildred Gunn Briggs and passed away on October 16, 2007 in Waco, Texas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist Church. She is survived by her son, Randy Howard Reed of Waco, daughter, Tammie McKamie and husband, Bryant of Mexia, grandchildren: Jeff Noey, Brandon Noey, Shannon Noey, Adam Reed, Amanda Thomas, James Fewell, Jami Adams, and Colton McKamie; great grandchildren: Justin Noey, Michael Noey, Kaynce Adams, and Kennedy Thomas; sisters, Noretta Lane of Dew and Donna Hager of Fairfield, and Brothers, Gary Webb and Jim Webb, both of Mexia. She was preceded in death by her husband, H. C. (Pee Wee) Reed in February 2005, by a daughter, Debra Jean Noey, daughter in law: Linda Sue Reed, great grandson, Bradley Noey and sister, Pam Dean. Pallbearers were James Fewell, Adam Reed, Jeff Noey, Shannon Noey, Brandon Noey and Bubba Carter. Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the Guest book. Graveside Services Held Tuesday, Oct. 23 For Mrs. Willie O. Ward Graveside services for Mrs. Willie Odessa Ward, 89, of Mexia were held on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 in Mexia Cemetery with Rev. Brad Brittan, pastor of First United Methodist officiating. Interment followed in Mexia Cemetery. Mrs. Ward was born on January 22, 1918 in Trinidad, Texas to William Jarret and Minnie Pearl Stephens Stanfield and passed away on October 22, 2007 in Mexia. She was a retired telephone operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and Mexia State School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mexia. She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Maude Taylor, and a nephew, Tillman Stanfield. She is survived by a step-daughter, Rita Jo Burleson and husband, Don; granddaughter, Brenda Pailes and husband, William; grandson, Jim Burleson and wife, Evie; sister, Marie Mayo; nephews: Jimmy Mayo and wife, Judy, Jerry Don Mayo and wife, Teresa, Gwendel Stanfield; niece, Linda Griffin and husband, Ray, and great-granddaughter, Lacey Pailes. 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. 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