Obituaries - Issue of Sept. 20, 2007 - Archie E. Gantt Funeral Services September 13 Archie Elmer Gantt, 85, of Groesbeck went to be with his Saviour and Lord on September 11, 2007. A celebration of his life took place at First Baptist Church of Jewett on Thursday, September 13 with Bro. James Engle and Bro. Billy Bob Evans officiating. Burial followed at New Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers were dear family friends Bill Hughes, Bob Gigowski, Larry Sloan, Randall Crane, Rondall Crane and Tommy Crane. Honorary Pallbearers were Newman Shorter, Joe Grubbs, Billy Turner and Donnie Turner. Archie was born July 4, 1922 in Farrar, Texas to Walter and Emma (Walker) Gantt. He attended school at Farrar and Fairoaks and graduated in 1940. He bravely served in Europe during WWII first in the 84th Infantry Division and later in the 83rd, H Company. After the war, he attended OCS school in France. During the war, he was a mortar section leader in the Siegfried Line in Belgium and Central Europe. Upon returning to the United States in 1946, he met his neighbor, the love of his life, Marceline Wilson. They married November 9, 1947. Archie farmed for a while, then worked in the oil fields in Mississippi in 1952 and 1953. Upon returning to Limestone County, he resumed farming and then began ranching. In 1968 he worked as bus and maintenance supervisor. Afterwards he became a carpenter until 1979 when he suffered a stroke. His greatest love, next to Marceline, was his cows. It has been said "Archie Gantt has the prettiest, fattest cows around." He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Emma Gantt, a brother Raymond Gantt and infant son Kyle Gantt. Survivors are his loving wife Marceline; sons, Gary and wife Linda of West Columbia, TX, and Keith and wife Cheryl of Jewett; granddaughters Jennifer, Coleen and husband Ronnie, Jana and husband Keith, Kristie and husband Dennis; grandson, Brian; two sisters, Elsie Hall of Dripping Springs and Agnes Blalock and husband Lester of Groesbeck. Also left to carry on his legacy of faith, love and patriotism are great-grandsons, Austin, Tyler and Cash. A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Jewett, Archie will be remembered by all who knew him as an amazing, Godly man. The family extends a special thank you to Bob and Glenda Gigowski and the staff at Jackson Plantation as well as Providence Hospice and Chaplain Amber Essicks and Nurse Jamie Price. To sign the guest book or leave a memorial message visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com Johnnie Johnson Funeral Services Held September 17 Johnnie Velton Johnson of Mexia passed away September 14, 2007. Funeral services were held on Monday, September 17 at Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Doug Anderson officiating. Burial followed at Lost Prairie Cemetery. Johnnie was born October 27, 1931 to Andrew Jackson Johnson and Ruth McGemcy in Hugo, Oklahoma. On August 28, 1948 he married Norma Johnson in Paris, Texas. On September 6, 1977 he married Janis Johnson in Groesbeck. Johnnie was a self employed truck driver at the time of his death. Survivors include his sons: Larry Johnson of Dallas, Johnny Johnson of Tyler, Jerry Johnson of Lakeland, FL, Rob LaFoy of Groesbeck, Mikal LaFoy of Teague; daughter, Barbara Johnson of Atlanta, GA; sister, Myrtle Johnson of Balch Spring and special friend Melba Atwood. Johnnie was preceded in death by Norma and Janis Johnson along with four brothers and four sisters. To sign the guest book or leave a memorial message visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com. Ray Carter Funeral Services Held September 17 Ray Carter went to be with his Lord after his third bout with cancer. Funeral services were conducted at Faith Lutheran Church on Monday September 17, 2007 at 2:30 with Pastor Dale Lehfeldt officiating. Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Ray Carter was born in Ganado, Texas on October 21, 1941. He is the son of the late Rex Carter of Mineola and Jimmie Carter of Mineola. He lived for short periods of time in Hobbs, New Mexico; Monahans, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Loving, New Mexico; Terminal, Texas and Odessa, Texas. Before moving to Mexia he lived for seven years in Maryland and Virginia. Ray attended several West Texas schools and graduated from Wink High School in 1960. He was a member of the 1960 State Tract Team from Wink. He attended North Texas State University where he graduated with a BBA in 1964 and a MBA in 1966. While attending the university he was elected and served on the Student Senate. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Ray was a Vietnam Veteran. He served during Tet of 1968 with the 525th Military Intelligence Group stationed just north of Saigon. He received the Army Commendation medal for his service in Vietnam. Upon his return to the states he worked five years for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D. C. as a researcher and writer. Ray served as chairman of the Limestone County Democratic Party from 1978 to 1992. He attended the Democratic National Convention in 1984 in San Francisco. He set up an elected precinct system and was active in the Limestone Democratic Club. In December 1993 the Limestone County Democratic Club honored him and his wife with a plaque for their many years of active service. For his active participation in politics he has been listed in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN POLITICS. Ray was owner and operator of Tejas Fabrics from 1973-2004. He and his wife also owned a fabric store in Corsicana from 1976-1992. In 1992 they added a JCPenney Catalog Merchant Store to the fabric store in Mexia. Ray served as a director on the founding board of Habitat for Humanity, was a PTA officer, was an active member and officer of the Mexia Jaycees, served as President and Board Member of the local Lions Club, was chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission in Mexia and he was president of Tejas Fabrics, Inc. from 1973-2003. Ray was a charter member and past president of the church council of Faith Lutheran Church in Mexia. His other interests included reading from his very extensive 3000 book collection, writing letters to the editor, playing dominos, attending Mexia High School sports events, traveling and especially spending time with his wife and family. Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was loved by all those who truly knew him. He shall be missed by all those who were lucky enough to have had him touch their lives in some way. Ray was preceded in death by his father Rex Carter of Mineola and his birth mother Martha Eunice Guin Carter in 1945. Also uncles Laud Carter of Hawkins and James “Chick” Bean of Odessa. His survivors include his dearly loved wife of forty three years, Myrna Lou Riedesel Carter of Mexia; son, Brian Michael Carter and wife Pam and their children Jordan and Chase of Frisco, Texas; son Glenn Andrew Carter and wife Stephanie and their children, Jacob and Morgan of Pearland, Texas; and daughter Rachel Elizabeth Carter Herbrich and husband, Christopher of Pearland, Texas, his mother, Jimmy Carter of Mineola, his brother, James Robert Carter and wife, Brenda of Mineola, his sister Rebecca Janis Carter Jesse and husband, Stuart of Germantown, Tennessee, and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins. Pallbearers were Jimmy McGilvary, Dick Flatt, Johnnie Rogers, Joe Cannon, Tom Fisher and Matt McGilvary. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Bartlett, members of the Mexia Lions Club and members of his biweekly therapy group from the Waco VA. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church or Mexia Academic Sweater Scholarship Fund. McKinley Averhart Funeral Services Held September 15 McKinley (Regular) Averhart, 82 of Fairfield passed away Friday, September 7, 2007 at his residence with his devoted wife at his side. Viewing began Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM and the family was present for the Wake Service from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Funeral Services were held Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 11:00 AM in the Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church, 326 Huckaby Street, Fairfield, Texas. Pastor A. L. Thibodeaux officiated. Interment was in the Hopewell Cemetery in Fairfield. Survivors include: His wife, Vernon Lavada Averhart; Step-Son, Willie Roy Rogers and wife, Celestine; Grandchildren Willie Roy Rogers, Jr., and wife, Serina, Chris Horn and wife, Trina and Tina Godfrey and husband, Alvin; Great-Grandchildren: Leah Rogers, Timothy Rogers, Nathan Rogers, Peyton Godfrey, Matthew Rogers, Reilly Godfrey, Preston Godfrey and Christina Horn. Pallbearers will be Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church Deacons. Moore's Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, Teague, served the Averhart Family. Graveside Services Held September 11 for Carl Sims Graveside services for Carl Sims, 87, of Mexia were held on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 in Prairie Grove Cemetery. Rev. Clifton Jones, pastor of Prairie Grove Baptist church officiated with interment following in Prairie Grove Cemetery. Mr. Sims was born April 20, 1920 in Lindale, Texas to E.J. and Opal Dale Spencer Sims and passed away in Haven Nursing Home in Mexia on September 9, 2007. He served in the army during World War II and was wounded near Rome and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church and retired as aircraft mechanic at Kelly Air Force Base. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a grandson, Keith Mays, Jr. Mr. Sims is survived by his wife, Margaret Doris Burkett Sims of Mexia; children: Ruth Anne Sims Eberle and husband, Richard of Mexia, Wayne Eugene Sims and wife, Kathy of Adkins, Nancy L. Sims Mays and husband, Keith of Taylor, Deborah Kaye Sims Brooks and husband, Danny of Mexia and Gary Allen Sims and wife, Carol of Gouldbusk; grandchildren: Frank Eberle, Christopher Mays, Randal Eberle, Carl Wayne Sims, Melissa Day, Jennifer Lansford, Becky Fullenwider, Sherry Wiggins, Laura Samples, Kimberly Young, Kristy Rhodes, Wendy Weidner, Brandy Smith, and Heather Bolen and 27 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Frank Eberle, Christopher Mays, Randal Eberle, Carl Wayne Sims, Josh Lansford, Justin Day and Ace Eberle. Honorary pallbearers were Brandon Lansford, Keith Wiggins, Austin Eberle, Jordan Lansford, Joshua Sims, Thomas Weidner III, Caleb Rhodes, Brett Bolen, William Weidner and Matthew Bolen. Memorials may be made to the charity of choice. Visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the guest book. Services Pending for Mrs. Sammie McBay Mrs.Sammie McBay of Mexia passed away Monday, September 17, 2007 at the Manor Healthcare Residence, LTD in Mexia. Services are pending at Moore's Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe St., Teague. 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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