Hortense W. Miller, age 83, of Arlington and former long-time resident of Coleman, died Monday, December 2, 2002 at Arlington Memorial Hospital.  Graveside funeral services were 2 p. m. Wednesday at the Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion with Dr. G. Dean Coultas officiating.  Services were under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Hortense W. Miller was born on November 8, 1919 in Parker County, Texas and was a daughter of J. J. and Sarah Ann Walker.  She grew up in Mineral Wells where she graduated from high school.  She received a B. A. from Texas Wesleyan College and an M. A. from Howard Payne University.  In 1942, she married Andrew Foster Miller in Miami Beach, Florida and he preceded her in death on September 23, 1998.  She moved to Coleman in 1955 and was a retired school teacher from Coleman Independent School District.  She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Retired Teachers Association, Coleman Country Club, Chapel Sunday School Class, Alpha Chi and the United Methodist Women.  She had lived in Arlington for the past several years.

Survivors include one son, Andy Miller of Santa Rosa, California; one daughter, Ann Clausen of Arlington, Texas; two grandchildren, Tammy Victors of Chandler, Arizona and Ryan Miller of Santa Rosa, California; one great-grandchild, Austin Victors of Chandler, Arizona; two nieces, Frances Laferney of Euless and Mellie Gambrell of Piano; two sisters-in-law, Jean Adkins of Austin and Dorothy Norris of Canyon, Texas.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Mr. Leslie S. Tabor, 93 years of age, passed away December 2, 2002 in Aransas Pass, Texas.  Funeral services have been set for Friday in Corpus Christi at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home Chapel.  The remains will lie in state at the Tom G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc. in Coleman Sunday morning until services 2 p. m. Sunday at the Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion.  Interment will follow under the direction of Tom G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc. of Coleman.

He was born August 22, 1909 in Brown County, Texas and had been a resident of Aransas Pass since 1952.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Aransas Pass and had retired from the Carbon Black Plant.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lou Tabor; three sisters; one brother and one son.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Cason Tabor of Aransas Pass; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Dale Durbin of Corpus Christi, Texas; one brother; three sisters; three grandchildren, Joe Gordon Tabor, Jr. of Coleman, Chuck labor of Winters and Denice Durbin Phillips of Corpus Christi; and three great-grandchildren, Candice and Samantha labor, both of Coleman and Cody Phillips of Corpus Christi.

Virgie A. Herring, age 70, of Coleman (formerly of Ballinger) passed away Sunday, December 8, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Graveside funeral services were 2 p. m. Monday at Garden of Memories Cemetery at Ballinger with Lynn Smith officiating.  Services were under the direction of Rains-Seale Funeral Home of Ballinger.

Born June 5, 1932 in Coke County, Texas, she was the daughter of J. F. Cornelius and Cora Lee Hammock.  Her husband, Jack B. Herring, preceded her in death on July 10, 1985.  She was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church of Ballinger and the AARP.

Survivors include a son, Jeffrey Lynn Key and wife, Cheryl, of San Angelo; a daughter, Cindy Harding and husband, Troy, of Gouldbusk; a sister, Lois Thornton of San Angelo; step-children, Jackie Shannon, Debra Herring and Jimmy Herring, all of Ballinger; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Foy Gordon, age 97 of Coleman died Sunday, December 8, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Funeral services will be held 2:00 p. m. Wednesday in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with The Rev. Joan Rudolph officiating.  Interment will be in Midway Cemetery under direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Foy was born October 1, 1905 in Gobdsboro, Texas and was a daughter of Matt and Hattie Warnacia McKinney.  She grew up in Goldsboro and Oklahoma and graduated from high school in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  In 1924 she married Sam Houston Gordon in Sweetwater and he preceded her in death November 3, 1962.  She had lived in Coleman County most of her life and attended First United Methodist and First Christian Churches.

Survivors include two daughters, Gloria Gordon of Winters and Dixie Lee of Coleman; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Family requests no flowers and that donations be made to church or charity of your choice. Family visitation will be held today (Tuesday) from 4:00 p. m. until 5:00 p. m. at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Houston Lee, Christopher Lee, Philip Lee, Neil Hudson, Dan Edington and Dale McKinney.

Funeral services were held in Brady for former Santa Anna native Billy Joe Scott, 70, December 12, 2002 at the Heritage Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Blake O’Dell and Rusty Kwast officiating.  Burial was in the Rest Haven Cemetery. Mr. Scott died Tuesday, December 10, 2002.

He was born November 6, 1932 to the late James Leo and Bernice Russell Scott.  He attended the Santa Anna schools graduating from Santa Anna High School with the class of 1950.  He married Joyce Rowe on December 19, 1951 in Santa Anna and they celebrated 50 years of marriage.  Mr. Scott was a Veteran of the Armed Forces during the period 1950-54 and a member of the Santa Anna Masonic Blue Lodge #661 and a 33rd degree Shriner in the Arabia Temple . He was plant manager for the sand company in Brady until retirement.

Survivors include his wife Joyce Rowe Scott of Brady; one son, Gary Scott of Llano and one daughter, Peggy Scott Edmiston of Brady; two sisters, Betty Scott Henderson of Midland; Patsy Scott Granad of Carlsbad, New Mexico; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchildren; and several nieces.

Mrs. Opal P. Newman, age 55, died Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at her residence in Goldsboro, Texas.  Funeral service was 2 p. m. Sunday at Walker Funeral Home with Butch Kendrick of Winters officiating.  Interment was at Midway Cemetery in Goldsboro, Texas.

Born May 17, 1947 in Winters, Texas, she was the daughter of Kelley Harmons Chitwood and Opal Inez Bates.  A lifetime resident of Coleman County, she was employed by Concepts of Care as a nurses’ aide.  Mrs. Newman was a Baptist.  She and August E. Newman were married in 1971 in Mt. Grove, Missouri.

She is survived by her husband, August F. Newman; her mother, Opal Inez Bates Archer of Novice; one daughter, Myrta Leaette Newman of Goldsboro; two sons, Sam Newman of Michigan and John Newman of Georgia; two sisters, Kelley Ozane Kaufman of Novice and Sissy Chitwood of Houston; two brothers, Charles R. Chitwood of Jewett and Kelley H. Chitwood, Jr. of Houston; and four grandchildren.

Curtis S. “Smitty” Schmidt, age 83, of Coleman died Friday, December 13, 2002 in Abilene.  Funeral services were 2 p. m. Monday at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Stanislaw officiating.  Burial followed in the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mr. Schmidt was born January 12, 1919 in Mason County, a son of Felix H. and Gertrude Teague Schmidt.  He attended school in Coleman and served in the 9th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.  He married Mary Allene Hardy on February 11, 1940, in Santa Anna.  She preceded him in death on February 28,1981.  He later married Mozelle Brister Stewart on June 26, 1983, in Coleman.  She preceded him in death on November 17, 2000.  He owned and operated a laundry and dry cleaning business in Coleman and was a distributor for the Abilene Reporter-News.  He was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Don Sterling and Beverly Schmidt of Dallas; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Kenny Fairchild of Abilene; one brother and sister-in-law, Felix H. and Betty Schmidt of San Angelo; two brothers-in-law, C. Q. Billings of Abilene and B. R. Gibbs of Natchez, Mississippi; four step-children, Ann Ogles of Wichita Falls, Adna Clevenger of Conroe, Ronald Stewart of Coleman and Willie Stewart of Conroe; four grandchildren, Cody Reams and Cristy Reams, both of Abilene, Ashlyn Schmidt and Justin Schmidt, both of Dallas; seven step-grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews, including Richard Schmidt and Tony Schmidt, both of San Angelo.

Pallbearers were Richard Schmidt, Tony Schmidt, Cody Reams, David Reams, Randy Reams and Ronald
Stewart.  Honorary pallbearers included Lucien Love and Glenn Thomas.  Memorials can be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601.

Hazel S. Beaty, age 80, of Abilene (formerly of Coleman County) died Saturday, December 14, 2002 at an Abilene medical center.  Graveside services will be 3:00 p. m. today (Tuesday) in Elmwood Memorial Park with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory, Abilene.

Hazel was born December 24, 1921 to John and Maggie McClellan Skelton in Coleman County, Texas.  She attended Coleman and Mozelle schools and business college in Fort Worth.  Hazel married Richard H. Beaty in Hope, Arkansas on November 15, 1949.  They moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Abilene in 1951.  Hazel was a housewife and belonged to Crescent Heights Baptist Church.  She volunteered for many years with the Hendrick Auxiliary.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (1982), and a granddaughter, Mindy Langston (1984).  Survivors include daughters Carol Corley and husband, Vic, of Abilene and Linda Langston, of Abilene; two grandsons, Clay Corley and Cade Corley, both of Abilene; four granddaughters, Lindsay Langston, Megan Langston, Jordan Langston and Calli Corley, all of Abilene.

Memorials may be sent to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1242 North 19th Street, Abilene, Texas 79601 or Cancer Service Network, P. O. Box 2026, Abilene, Texas 79604.

George Marquez, age 53 of Coleman died Saturday, December 14, 2002 at his residence.  Funeral service will be held today (Tuesday) at 2:00 p. m. at Walker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kermit Sorrells officiating.  Burial will follow in the Burkett Cemetery.

Mr. Marquez was born December 1, 1949 in Clayton, New Mexico, the son of the late Jose Sabina Marquez and the late Sidia Marquez.  He was a Catholic.

Survivors include his wife, Lena Marquez; two sons, Clifford Marquez and Devin Marquez both of Coleman; five sisters, Nancy Selinas of Arlington, Nora Trajello of Dalhart, Sabina Cisneros of Clayton, New Mexico, Virginia Martinez of Keyes, Oklahoma and Emma Salazar of Dalhart; four brothers, M. C. Marquez of Grapevine, Pete Marquez of Boise City, Oklahoma, Manuel Marquez and Joe Marquez, Jr.

Mildred Simmons Kinney, age 85, of Coleman, died Sunday, December 15, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Funeral services were held at 11 a. m. Monday at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Stanislaw officiating.  Burial followed in the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mildred was born June 23, 1917 in Valera, a daughter of J. Warnock and Ruby Forman Simmons.  She attended school in Valera and Draughn’s Business College in Abilene.  She married Harold Kinney on July 30, 1943 in Coleman.  He preceded her in death on December 31, 1999.  She worked at Coleman County State Bank for many years and retired from Coleman Production Credit.  She taught Sunday school and was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Bamba Kinney of Round Rock; two sisters and brothers- in- law, LaVerne and Hardy Parrott and Lorena and Arvel Cullins, all of Coleman; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Howard and Helen Kinney of Fort Worth; three grandsons, Hal Kinney of Fort Worth, J. Courtney Kinney and Ethan Kinney of Round Rock; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and one sister Donnie Rae Simmons.

Pallbearers were John Gregg, John Casey, Simon Martinez, Carlos “Red” Koenig, Ted Taylor, Donald Walker and Nance Campbell.  Honorary pallbearers included C.M. Huckabee, Charles Hickman, Bill Dick Hickman, Louis Pittard and “Cotton” Puckett.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 200 East College Avenue, Coleman, Texas 76834 or the donor’s favorite charity.

Frances W. Locke, age 56, of Dothan, AL died early Monday morning, December 16, 2002 at her residence.  Funeral services were 2:00 p. m. Wednesday at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating.  Burial was in the Gardens of Memory with Southern Heritage Funeral of Dothan, Alabama in charge of arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Missions Fund, 2569 Brannon Stand Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303.

Mrs. Locke was born November 27, 1944 in Georgetown, Georgia where she lived the early years of her life.  She moved to Dothan in 1956.  She was a homemaker for many years before attending college to pursue her education.  She attended Wallace Community College where she obtained her LPN and RN degrees.  She worked for 13 years at Jackson County Convalescent Center in Graceville, Florida where she served as Assistant Director of Nursing.  She was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church and the teacher of the Frances Locke Sunday School class.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, James G. and Effie Ellis Whitaker.  Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Mack McLain of Newville, Lee and Kenny Parker of Dothan; three grandchildren, Katie Marie McClain, Michael Robert Parker and Hannah Elizabeth Parker; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Pauline and Herbert Morrison of Dalzell, SC, Gussie and Mickey Smith of Coleman, Mary and Bill Lisenby of Dothan; a brother and sister-in-law, George and Martha Whitaker of Coleman; several nieces, nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.

Dorotha “Iola” Johnson passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2002 at Graham Regional Hospital.  Graveside services were 11:00 a. m. Friday at the Buffalo Gap Cemetery with Dr. Steven Williams officiating under the direction of Girdner-Brown Funeral Home of Abilene.

Mrs. Johnson was born March 7, 1918 in Munday, Texas.  She married Paul L. Johnson on April 24, 1937 in Albany.  Mrs. Johnson was a member of Brookhollow Christian Church.  She was instrumental in helping develop the Rose Park Senior Citizens Center.  Mrs. Johnson also worked as a social editor of the Coleman newspaper and had a radio show on KSTA.  She was the manager at Graham Country Club where her husband, Paul, was the golf professional.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents, Marcie and Carrie Pruitt; her brothers, George and J.  D. Pruitt; a sister, Ruby Purvis; and a granddaughter, Lindsay Ann Johnson.  Survivors include a daughter, Charlotte Downing of Clyde; a son, Barry Johnson and wife, Linda of Possum Kingdom Lake; grandchildren, LeAnn Cumby and husband, Dennis of Clyde, Kristi Downing of Albany, Jason Johnson of Wichita Falls, Justin Johnson and wife, Kim of Beach Creek, Pennsylvania, Jaclyn Johnson of Possum Kingdom Lake; great-grandchildren, Kendra and Katelyn Cumby of Clyde.

The family requests memorials be made to the Lindsay Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Graham Savings, P. O. Box 1490, Graham, Texas 76450.

Barney Martin, age 29, of Coleman, Texas died Thursday, December 19, 2002 at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.  Memorial service was held at 3:00 p. m. Saturday at the Ray E. Martin house at SH 206 and FM 2806 near Burkett with Rev. Jeff Robinett officiating.  Visitation was Friday evening from 6:00 p. m. until 8:00 p. m. at Stevens Funeral Home.

Barney was born June 10, 1973 in Coleman and was the son of the late James Perrie and Brenda Martin.  He grew up in Coleman and graduated in 1991 from Panther Creek.  He attended Tarleton in Stephenville.  He had worked in Weatherford for the past several years as a computer technician for Crown Valley Development Corporation.  He was a member of the United Christian and Presbyterian Church in Coleman.

Survivors include his mother, Brenda Martin of Coleman; step-father, Wayne Forbess of Brownwood; two sisters, Jamey Bowles Hamrah of Grapevine and Candy Bowles Herring of South Lake; grandmothers, Mrs. Ray E. (Lucille) Martin of Coleman and Dale Pernie of Lake Brownwood; aunts and uncles, Jim Martin of Weatherford, Terry Jordan of Weatherford, Rodney Martin of Odessa, Pam Martin of Lake Brownwood, Randy Martin of Comanche, Tammy Driskill of Arlington, ShelIy Martin of San Antonio, Tip Matthews of Burkett and Mike Pernie of Lake Brownwood; four great-aunts, Delma Matthews, Geneva Newman and Bobbie Martin, all of Coleman and Betty Neff of Lake Brownwood; numerous cousins and a host of friends.

Memorials may be made to Matthew 25 Ministries, 6010 FM 2131, Coleman, Texas 76834.

Leonard Wesley Smith, age 80, of Coleman died December 19, 2002 at Abilene Regional Medical Center.  Funeral services were Saturday at 2:00 p. m. at Walker Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Joe Hailey of Elm Street Church of Christ officiating, assisted by Sam Wilson.  Burial followed in the Brown Ranch Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Home. 

Son of the late Thomas Lee and Vida Love Smith, he was born in Shields, Texas on October 22, 1922.  Mr. Smith grew up in Coleman County and was a graduate of Mozelle High School.  On June 17, 1951 he married Mary Frances Anderson in Coleman.  Mr. Smith served in Civil Service in the Azor Islands where he helped to build airstrips during World War II.  He was a member of the Elm Street Church of Christ and was instrumental in the construction of the Hillcrest Church of Christ and the auditorium at the Elm Street Church.  He was also a member of the Coleman Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Frances of Coleman; two daughters, Marilyn McKinley and Sallie Smith, both of Coleman; one sister, Nora and her husband Roy Smith of Coleman; one brother, Virgil and his wife, Tollie of Abilene; one grandson, Jayton McKinley; a sister-in-law, Pat Smith of Lamar, Colorado; mother-in-law, Mrs Juanita Anderson of Coleman; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.  His parents and one brother, Tom, preceded him in death.

Pallbearers were Raymond Carnes, Mac Anderson, Pete Floyd, Archie Nettles, Howard Childress and John Wayne Anderson.

M. R. (Bud) Simmons, age 86, of Coleman passed away Thursday, December 19, 2002 at 12:20 p. m. at Coleman Care Center.  Services were Friday at 2:30 p. m. at First Baptist Church of Santa Anna with Rev. Raymond Jones, Rev. John Stanislaw and Sam Wilson officiating.  Interment followed at the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna.

Bud was born in Mangum, Oklahoma on March 19, 1916 to the late Ed Martin and Gertrude Maloney Simmons.  He was reared in Mangum, Oklahoma where he attended school.  Bud married Laverne Lackey on June 27, 1934 in Coleman and they celebrated 53 years of marriage.  Laverne preceded him in death in 1987.  On November 18, 1988, he married Ernestine Keeney in Snyder, Texas and they had celebrated 14 years of marriage.  Bud was a member of the First Baptist Church of Santa Anna and the Santa Anna Mountain Masonic Lodge.  He served in law enforcement until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Simmons of Coleman; daughter, Shirley Crawford of Lampasas; three sons, Donnie Simmons of Windom, Pete Simmons of McKinney and Terry Simmons of Dallas; two step-daughters, Joyce White of Early and Loyce Conway of Leavenworth, Kansas; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  A daughter, Reta Joyce Simmons, preceded him in death in 1963.

Pallbearers were Adam Simmons, James Simmons, Jeff Simmons, Jordan Simmons, Keith Crawford, Phillip Urofsky, and Donnie Neff.

Mary Ann Jackson, age 68, of Coleman, died Saturday, December 21, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Funeral services were held 2:00 p. m. Monday at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Jenkins officiating.  Burial followed in the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mary Ann was born February 28, 1934 in Santa Anna, Texas and was a daughter of Troy and Cora Lee Martin Evans.  She grew up in Santa Anna and attended school at Buffalo.  On November 3,1951, she married Edward Earl Jackson in Elizabeth, New Jersey and he preceded her in death on June 23, 2000.  She was a housewife and a mother. She was a Baptist.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Susan Jackson of Coleman; one brother and sister-in-law, Loranzo and Jackie Evans of Cross Plains; one sister, Edith Rose Evans of Coleman; her “other children” Edith Ann Evans of Albany, Guy Evans, Cathy Evans, Michael Barkemeyer and son, Joshua, Pam Jones and husband Randy, and Barbara Villarreal, all of Coleman; ten grandchildren, Brian, Shaun, Scotty, Cory, Nikki, Brandi, Christy, Bobbie, Misty and Adam; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by one son, Tommy Jackson, on August 31, 1996.

Pallbearers were Brian Reeves, Shaun Reeves, Scotty Reeves, Gory Reeves, Guy Evans, Robert Barkemeyer, Randy Jones and Adam Jackson.

Mrs. J.B. (Sybil Cole) Reagor, age 89, of Brownwood, Texas passed away Saturday, December 21, 2002 at the Oak Ridge Manor Nursing Home.  Graveside services were Sunday at 2:00 p. m. at the Bangs Cemetery with Rev. Ryan Kiblinger officiating under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna.

Sybil was born February 6,1913 in Brown County, Texas to the late Samuel Sidney and Helen Leona HaIIum Cole.  She was a lifetime resident of Brown County where she attended the Claber Hill and Concord Schools and graduated from Bangs High School.  Sybil married J. B. Reagor in San Angelo, Texas on October 5, 1934 and they celebrated 55 years of marriage.  J. B. preceded her in death in 1989.  She was a homemaker and seamstress and a member of the Mountain View Quilting Club and the Tnickham 84 Club.

Survivors include four daughters, Lawana Weathers and Lurlene Ratliff, both of Bangs, Nona and husband Conice Homer of Grosvenor and Deedie Farmer of Coleman; a son, Tommy Jay Reagor of Bangs; two sisters-in-law, Nova Cole and Moya Cole, both of Bangs; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.  Sybil was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Joyce Weathers, in 1996.

Barney Carroll Klutts, 80, of Lockhart, formerly of Smithville, passed away December 26, 2002.  Funeral services were 2:00 p. m. Saturday at Marrs-Jones Funeral Chapel in Smithville with Brother Richard Pruitt officiating.  Interment followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.

He was born November 8,1922 in Dressy, Callahan County, Texas to Carl Klutts and Jessie Long Klutts.  Barney graduated from Burkett High School and attended John Tarleton State College in Stephenville, Texas.  Most knew Barney best from his many years of selling real estate, but in his young years his adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit took him to the copper mines in Bisbee, Arizona; to Mexico with his own import-export company named appropriately “Little Amigo;” and to making a recording of “Georgia.”  He was a decorated World War Il veteran, having enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of the war in 1941.  He served in the Pacific Theatre with the 43rd Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 169th Infantry Regiment, II Company where he saw 426 days of active combat.  After the war he returned to Callahan County to farm and ranch, and to marry Joyce, not only his wife, but also his business partner who worked side by side with him in his every endeavor.  When the drought hit in the late 40’s and early 50’s, they headed for the Texas coast where he worked for Phillips Petroleum in Sweeney for seven years.  In 1958 he bought his first tract of land, a ranch in Fayette County.  The selling of that ranch marked the beginning of a career in real estate sales and development that spanned four decades.  He loved the land and he loved meeting and talking to people.  Many of his buyers became lifelong friends.  Barney treasured his friends and his many nieces and nephews.  He enjoyed raising Longhorn cattle and working outdoors.  His proudest achievement and greatest love was his family.  His grandchildren valued his ability to deal with life’s challenges with a sense of humor, and his belief that there is goodness in everyone.

He was a member of the Lockhart Church of Christ, the Cross Plains Masonic Lodge, and the Smithville American Legion.  He had served as a Director of the First State Bank of Smithville and the Lost Pines National Bank of Smithville.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his sister Goldia Edington, his daughter Vanita Joy Klutts and his son Jimmy Carroll Klutts.  He is survived by his wife of 54, Joyce Helms Klutts; a son, Carlos Klutts and wife, Cindy of Austin; grandchildren, Tiffany Klutts Brumley and husband, Wayne of Austin, Brandt Klutts and wife, Kim of Boerne and Clayton Morgan Klutts of Austin; great-grandchildren, Buddy and Ellie Brumley and Brooks and Molly Klutts; brother Fred C. Klutts and wife Wynell of Benbrook and sister, Wilda Edington of Abilene.

Serving as pallbearers were Ryan Branch, Sammy Edington, Russel Fuqua, Steven Fuqua, Scott Fuqua, Bob McGee, Will McAdams, Mike Odom and Scott Odom. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Ken Blaschke, Grover Shade and his buddies from the Lockhart Dairy Queen “Medicare Corner’.  The family received friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p. m. Friday, December 27 at McCurdy Funeral Home in Lockhart.

W. J. Kizer, age 82, of Big Spring died at 4:19 p. m. Friday, December 27, 2002 at University Medical Center in Lubbock.  Funeral services were 10 a. m. Monday at Myers and Smith Chapel in Big Spring with Rev. Dwayne Wheat officiating.  Burial followed at Trinity Memorial Park.  Arrangements were by Myers and Smith Funeral Home, Big Spring.

He was born April 14, 1920 at Coleman, Texas.  He was a member of the East Fourth Baptist Church.  Mr. Kizer began work for Reef Gasoline Corporation.  The company was later sold to Skelly Oil Company, Getty Oil Company and eventually Texaco.  He retired after 33 years with the company.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Pauline Kizer of Big Spring; one son, Bobby Kizer of Odessa; one daughter, Sherry Everett and her husband, Bill, of Big Spring; one sister, Mable Fletcher of Hansford, California; two brothers, Charles Kizer and his wife, Charlie Mae, of Brownwood and Fred Kizer of Midland; three grandsons Tanner Kizer and his wife, Leslie, Brad Everett and Jaylan Everett; and one great-granddaughter, Tyler Kizer.

Pallbearers were Tanner Kizer, Brad Everett, Jaylan Everett, Richard Read, Roy Hester and Bo Anderson. 

Funeral services for J. D. Stiehl, 83, of Big Spring (formerly of Coleman) were held at 4 p. m. Monday, December 30, 2002 at Myers and Smith Chapel with Rev. Randy Cotton officiating.  Burial was at Trinity Memorial Park.  Mr. Stiehl died Friday, December 27, 2002 at the VA Medical Center following a sudden illness.  Arrangements were under the direction of Myers & Smith Funeral Home.

Born on September 23, 1919 in Healdton, Oklahoma, he married Bonnie Slate on February 2,1947 in Big Spring.  He lived in Coleman from 1929 until when he went into the service.  He had been a resident of Big Spring since 1947.  He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.  He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater. He was a 50-year Mason and a Shriner.  Mr. Stiehl had been a driller for Robinson Drilling, retiring in 1985. After  retirement, he worked part-time for Sharp Image and WesTex Energy.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Stiehl of Big Spring; one son, Freddie Stiehl of Venezuela; one daughter, Jimmie Stiehl of Big Spring; one sister, Helen Wright of Coleman; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Murry Lynn Spears, age 60, of Brownwood, passed away Friday, December 27, 2002 at Brownwood Regional Medical Center.  Funeral services were held Monday at 3 p. m. at Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Early with Rev. Ruben Packer officiating.  The body will be cremated. Services were under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home in Early.

He was born in Bisbee, Arizona on October 13, 1942, the son of Eugene and Dixie Warren Spears.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a construction superintendent, having worked on the refurbishing of the Regency Bridge on the Colorado River.  He was also a truck driver and had worked for Food Plaza.  On May 12, 2000, he married Lavonda Thompson in Brownwood.  He had been a resident of Brownwood for the last three and a half years, formerly of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Survivors include his wife, Lavonda Robby Spears of Brownwood; son and daughter-inlaw, Murry and Brenda Spears of Brownwood; stepsons, Jerry Lobstein of Zephyr and Brandon Bartee of Brownwood; step-daughter, Teresa Stambridge and friend Stephen Nichols of Coleman; brother, Wayne Spears of Wicomico Church, Virginia; and three grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Darlene Spears; and a brother, Don Spears.

Carol Marlene Mitchell, age 66, of Abilene died Friday, December 27, 2002 at an Abilene medical center.  Graveside services will be 2:00 p. m. today (Tuesday) in the Coleman Cemetery with Reverend Kenneth Coates officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory, Abilene.

Carol was born on August 31,1936 to Enich and Lennie Clarice Reis Day in Coleman, Texas.  She moved from Crane, Texas in 1972 to Abilene.  Carol worked in retail sales and then retired.  She was a Baptist.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Billie Louise Baldock.  Survivors include two sons, Tony Heiser and wife, Shelly, of Abilene and David Heiser and wife, Lynn, of Abilene; two daughters, Teresa Adams and husband, Eddie, of Trent and Tracie GalIe and husband, Kenny, of Abilene; 11 grandchildren, Adam, Nicholas, Scott, Michael, Stephenia, Justin, Jonathan, Brandie, Keelee, Kurtis and Jeffrey; nine great-grandchildren, Michael, Alex, Brandon, Gaige, Kenzie, Kody, Casey, Sara and Shelby; a brother, Sam Day of Abilene; two sisters, Gertrude Bronner of Odessa and Dean Green of Rising Star.

Pallbearers will be Adam Heiser, Scott Heiser, Jonathan Campbell, Justin Heiser, Kenny Galle and Shane Priddy.

Carl W. Smith, age 70, of San Angelo passed away Friday, December 27, 2002.  Funeral services were 10 a.  m. Monday at Johnson’s Funeral Home in San Angelo with burial following at 2 p. m. in the Coleman Cemetery.

Carl was born in Coleman, Texas on April 5,1932, to Annie and Levi Smith. He married Joyce Anderson on April 18, 1952.  He graduated from Coleman High School in 1949.  After graduation he joined GTE where he was employed for 38 years.  He served in the United States Army.  Carl was a member of Glen Meadows Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Joyce; two children and their spouses, Teresa E. Scott and husband, Dale, of San Angelo, and David and wife, Tana, of The Colony, Texas; and four grandchildren, Craig and Cadye Ellwanger and Jeff and Jennifer Smith.

Pallbearers were John Anderson, Everett BedelI, Tommy Bedell, Alex Papoutsas, Roy Blair and Lawrence Wright; and honorary pallbearer, Doc Nichols.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to a favorite charity or the Glen Meadows Baptist Church building fund.

Era (Pete) Reis, 96, of Rising Star died Saturday, December 28, 2002 at Rising Star Nursing Center.  Graveside services were 2:00 p. m. Monday at the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mrs. Reis was born January 26, 1906 in Callahan County, Texas, a daughter of Samuel Joseph and Susan Jane Beeler Day.  She attended school at Echo.  She married Charlie S. Reis on February 6, 1924 in Coleman.  He preceded her in death on June 30, 1981.  She moved to Rising Star from Coleman in 1964 and worked at the Rising Star Nursing Center.  She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Rising Star.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Robert Grider of Rising Star; two grandchildren, Alan Grider of Lucas, Texas and Claudette Grider Flynn of Dallas; three great- grandchildren; and three great- great- grandchildren.  Mrs. Reis was preceded in death by her parents, husband, six brothers and one sister.

Theatus Johnston LeMay, age 95, of Lewisville and former long-time Coleman resident, died Sunday December 29, 2002 in Lewisville.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p. m. Thursday January 2, 2003 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Pat McClatchy officiating.  Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Theatus was born June 9, 1907 in Chalk Mountain, Texas near Glen Rose.  When she was five months old her family moved to Coleman.  She became a member of the Methodist Church when she was seven, attended public school in Coleman and graduated in 1925.  In 1937 she received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas State Teachers College at Denton, now University of North Texas, and in 1954 she had earned a Master of Arts Degree from Hardin- Simmons University.  During World War II on November 26, 1943, Theatus married Ed LeMay who was working for Consolidated Aircraft Corporation near Fort Worth.  He preceded her in death on March 7, 1970.  Theatus was soon at work helping to care for the young children of mothers who worked at the aircraft plant.  The war was declared to be over in about a year, and Theatus and Ed moved back to Coleman.  Theatus again taught school until 1973.  When she retired, she had taught thirty-eight years, three in a consolidated school in Longworth, Texas and thirty-five in Coleman.

Theatus was a member of First United Methodist Church, Nichols Bible Class, Aldersgate Guild, Coleman Retired Teachers Association, Texas State Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, American Association of Retired Teachers (national and local), Friends of the Library and Triple L Club.  Theatus lived in her home in Coleman until the age of 90 when she moved to Lewisville to be near her daughter, Nancy.

Survivors include her daughter, Nancy A. LeMay of Lewisville, Texas; two grandsons, Geoffrey Noll of Dallas, Christopher Noll of San Marcos; several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 500 W. Liveoak Street, Coleman, Texas 76834. Family visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 a. m. until noon at the funeral home.

Maurine Ewing Bradley, age 81, of Coleman, died Sunday, December 29, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p. m. today (Tuesday) at the Coleman Cemetery Pavilion with Rev. Paul Smith officiating.  Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bradley was born April 7, 1921 in Coleman.  She was a lifelong resident of Coleman.  She married Floyd Murry Ewing in 1936 in Ballinger.  He preceded her in death on August 19, 1979.  She later married Thurman Bradley in 1964 in Coleman and he preceded her in death on August 18, 1993.  She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Jonita Mann of Coleman; three grandchildren, James Alex Rabon of Coleman, Amanda Buck of Bastrop and Sally Sneed of San Angelo; four great-grandchildren Jamie Maurine Rabon of Irving, James Bradley Rabon of Coleman, Gehrig Alan Buck and Hunter Buck, both of Bastrop.  She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and one sister.

Hardy Zimmerman Parrott, age 83, of Coleman died Monday, December 30, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a. m. today (Tuesday) at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Boyd officiating, assisted by Rev. John Stanislaw.  Burial will follow at the Valera Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Hardy was born in Ballinger, Texas to the late Dixie Parrott and Clara Bennett Parrott.  He was the third generation of early day pioneer families of the Valera community -the B. H. Bennett family and the H. Z. Parrott family.  He was a life-time resident of Coleman County.  He was the last surviving member of a family of six.  He grew up near Valera and attended Valera schools and graduated from Centennial High School in 1938.  On March 3,1940, he married LaVerne Simmons, his high school sweetheart.  They celebrated 62 years of marriage.  Hardy was a member of First Baptist Church of Coleman and the Auditorium Sunday School Class.  He was a former member of Breeder-Feeder and Farm Bureau.  He was a stock farmer and rancher and he retired from Texas Highway Department in 1982.

Survivors include his wife, LaVerne Parrott of Coleman; son, Tim Parrott of Coleman; grandsons, Cody Parrott of Austin and Trent Parrott of Irving; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Lane Parrott of San Angelo and Lorena and Arvel Cullins of Coleman; several nieces and nephews; a local survivor, cousin Bill Bennett and wife Laverne; and special friends: classmates of Valera and Centennial Schools.

Visitation will be held this morning (Tuesday) from 9:30 to 11:00 a. m. at the funeral home.  Pallbearers are John Walthall, Neil Hudson, Sammy Pate, Jimmy Hemphill, Carroll Hinds, Lucien Love and Paul Wheat.  Honorary pallbearers are Louis Pittard, Chubby Brooks, Lowell Johnson, Bill Bennett, Charles Wyatt, and David Wyatt.

S