Sarah Nell Love Carroll, wife of the late Johnnie Carroll, died Monday, January 1, 2007 in Mansfield, Texas.  Burial will be in the Coleman Cemetery on Friday, January 5, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to favorite charities.

She was born March 3, 1915 in Coleman to the late Maggie Jameson Love and Lon H. Love.  After graduating from Coleman schools, she married the late Johnnie Carroll.  They lived in San Angelo, Texas but mostly in El Paso, Texas.  Johnnie is buried in Coleman.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda Knox and husband Paul of Granbury, Texas; one son, Jim, of Oklahoma; two grandsons of Granbury; and one brother, Lucien Love of Coleman.  Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Jeanie Akkerman passed away at the age of 63 in Palo Alto on January 1, 2007, and went home to be with the Lord.  Visitation will be 2-7 p.m. Monday at Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia.  Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel.  Burial will be at Visalia District Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Judes Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9929 or to the Visalia Rescue Mission, 306 NE First Avenue, Visalia, California 93291.

She was born December 17, 1943, in Coleman, Texas and was a homemaker most of her life.  She resided in Visalia for 38 years.  Jeanie served many years as an Instructional Math Aide for Mineral King Elementary School and later as a Teacher's Aide for Ivanhoe Elementary School.  In addition, she spent several years as a sales representative for Home Interiors.  Jeanie was actively involved in community and volunteer work.  She was a member of the Eta Alpha Chapter of Beta Tau Theta sorority, serving as president in 1990-1991; a life member of the Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild, serving as president in 1993-1994; a member who served on the board of directors of the Tulare County Women's Trade Club; a member of the Visalia Woman of the Moose; and a member of the Red Hat Society's "Red Hot Flashes" chapter.  She loved her family, especially the six grandchildren, and her family was a priority. Jeanie was a great hostess to all the kids' friends during their growing-up years and had many friends that knew her as a great listener.  She loved to communicate with people and to socialize.  Jeanie loved to volunteer her talents and had a special love for children.  She shared many loves, including bowling in her earlier years.  She later she enjoyed traveling and sailing, especially in the British Virgin Islands.  Jeanie attended the Visalia United Methodist Church.  She was a Christian with a deep belief in God.  Having been raised in a military family, she had a great respect for the phrase "God and country."

Jeanie is survived by her husband, Joe Akkerman of Visalia; her daughter, Terri LeAnn Esser, and her husband, Michael, of Paso Robles and their daughter, Sydnie; her son, David Akkerman, and his wife, Shani, of Visalia and their children, Katelyn and Joshua; and her daughter, Christie Coyne, and her husband, Blake, of Visalia and their children, Luke, Kelsey and Emily. She is also survived by her mother, Ruth Benner of Coleman, Texas; her sister, Suzanne Burda and her husband, Glen, and their children, Jennifer and Greg; along with several cousins and other relatives around the country.

Warren Neill Martin of Brady passed away at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, January 2, 2007 at his residence in Brady.  Funeral service was held at 4 p.m. on Friday, January 5th at the First Baptist Church in Brady with burial following at Rest Haven Cemetery.  Services were under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home of Brady.

Warren was born in Santa Anna to Almon and Aubyn Martin on September 30, 1928.  He married Nelda Rae Williams of Doole on May 20, 1950.  He served in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.  He later returned to his heritage of farming and ranching in the Doole area where he farmed for over 50 years with his brother, J. A. Martin.

He is survived by his wife, Nelda, of 56 years; three sons, Curtis Martin of Coleman, Grant Martin of Brady and Bryan Martin of Dallas; two granddaughters, Tana and Heather Martin; three grandsons, Marshall, Paxton and Bradley Martin; a brother J. A. Martin and wife Becky, of Brady.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Almon and Aubyn.

Martha "Marty" Powell, 50, a fantastic wife and great mother, passed away Friday, January 5, 2006, in Fort Worth.  Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 9, at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3740 Birchman Avenue, Fort Worth.  Graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Glen Cove Cemetery near Coleman.  Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Funeral Home.  Memorials can be made to Christ Chapel Benevolence Fund, 3740 Birchman Avenue, Fort Worth 76107.

Martha "Marty" Powell was born November 5, 1956, in Coleman.  She was a kindergarten teacher at Fort Worth Academy.  She graduated from high school in El Paso and graduated from UT at El Paso.  Marty was a longtime member of Christ Chapel Bible Church.  Marty was preceded in death by her father, Donald Coursey.

Survivors include her husband, Timothy Powell; children, Aaron Powell and Anne Powell; mother, Mary Ann Coursey, all of Fort Worth; sister, Donna Morgan and husband, Wayne of Baytown; and brother, Bud Coursey and wife, Dorinda of Corsicana.

Marcia Louise Morris age 75 of Santa Anna, Texas passed away Saturday at 12:59 p.m. at her residence in Santa Anna.  Services will be Wednesdy at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Santa Anna with Rev. Bruce Hess officiating.  Interment will follow at the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna.  The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home.

Marcia was born January 24, 1932 in Princeton, Indiana to the late Bill and Mary Helen Whittaker Montgomery.  She was raised in Princeton where she graduated from High School.  In 1954 Marcia married Willis Morris, Jr. in Lovington, New Mexico and they celebrated fifty-two years of marriage.  Together they spent many years traveling while Willis served in the U.S. Army.  She worked as an employee in the commissaries and in the restaurant industry while moving around the county.  They moved back to Santa Anna in 1972 where they have spent many years enjoying their family.  One of her most enjoyable times was working with and watching her cattle.  Marcia worked several years at the Red Wagon Restaurant in Brownwood as a cashier and was a carrier for the Brownwood Bulletin in the Coleman area for many years.

Survivors include her husband, Willis Morris, Jr. of Santa Anna, Texas; one daughter, Willa May and husband Robby Puckett of Santa Anna, Texas; a step daughter, Cathy Hausenberg of Fort Stockton, Texas; three sons, Michael and wife Terry Smith of Nolanville, Texas; William Joe and wife Pam Morris of Santa Anna, Texas; Gary Wayne Morris of Santa Anna, Texas; a stepson, Rickey Morris; two sisters, Connie S. Turpin and Mary Alice Aldridge both of Princeton, Indiana; 12 grandchildren, Michael Lee and wife Stephanie Smith of Killeen, Texas; Paul and wife Cheyenne Morris of Santa Anna, Texas; Justina Ruth Morris of Henderson, Texas; Kevin and wife Wendy Morris of Santa Anna, Texas;
Keith and wife Karla Morris of Red Oak, Texas; Justin Morris of Santa Anna, Texas; Kerry Adams of Santa Anna, Texas;  Angela Adams of Austin, Texas; Jerry Mack Smith, Jr.; Stephanie Fain, Jason Fain, Jeremy Fain; 15 great grand children; numerous nieces and nephews.

Marcia was preceded in death by her son Jerry Mack Smith in 1986.

Mr. John Walker, age 75 of Texline, Texas, passed away Monday, January 8, 2006 at Coon Memorial Hospital in Dalhart.  Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Texline Methodist Church and burial will follow at the Texline Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm at the Texline Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Son of the late Hardy and Tommie Beatrice Hill Walker, he was born March 30, 1931 in Des Moines, New Mexico.  On August 12, 1972 he married Faye Caldwell in Texline.  A lifetime Texline resident, John was a graduate of Clayton High School and a Member of the Texline Methodist Church.  He was the owner operator of Texline Gas and Oil Company.

He is survived by his wife, Faye of Texline; two brothers, Tom and his wife Lillian Walker of Coleman, and Glenard (Skeet) and his wife Wanda Walker of Cross Plains.  Also surviving are four nephews Tim, Tommy, Todd, and Mike Walker.

John was preceded in death by one brother, Herbert Albert Walker and one nephew, Randy Walker.

Mosell Helberg, age 97 of San Angelo, passed January 9, 2006 in Colorado.  Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the Walker Funeral Home Chapel of Coleman.  Burial to followed in the Burkett Cemetery, Burkett, Texas.

Daughter of the late Gather Aaron and Nancy Mamie Williams Swafford, she was born May 11, 1909 in Loriane.  On December 16, 1925 she married Don Helberg in Brownwood.  He preceded her in death in 1982.  A Coleman County resident from 1945 until 1985, she was a housewife and member of the Lake View Baptist Church.

Audie William Cathey, 72 of Coleman, died Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Coleman County Medical Center.  A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2007 at the Central Texas Fine Art Museum (formerly the CCMC Wellness Center), 219 Commercial Avenue, Coleman, Texas.  The body will be cremated.  The body will lie in state all day Thursday, January, 11, 2007 at Stevens Funeral Home.  Memorials may be sent to the Gideons, c/o Keith and Donna Phillips, 1500 FM 568, Coleman, Texas 76834.

Mr. Cathey was born April 19, 1934 in Brownwood, Texas, the son of Sam C. Cathey, Sr. and Fannie Belle McLaughlin Cathey.  He grew up in the Owens Community and graduated from May High School.  He graduated from Howard-Payne University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Knowledge.  He did a World Tour and spent 10 days in the Holy Land, preaching a revival in India where over 600 people were saved.  He preached in various churches in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah and Texas, including, Union Baptist Church in Rising Star, First Baptist Church of Zephyr, Novice Baptist Church and most recently Northside Baptist Church in DeLeon.  He was a Member of the Southern Baptist Association in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and California; member of Northside Baptist Church in DeLeon and attended Bible Baptist Church and Fellowship Baptist Church in Coleman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, June Greenwood, two brothers, Joe Cathey and Sam Cathey, Jr. and a son-in-law, Marvin Ratliff, Jr.

J. L. Stewardson, 72, Stewardson and Cindy of San Saba County, Texas passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2007 in Brownwood.  Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday. January 12th at the Howell-Doran Funeral Home Chapel with Rocky Whitely officiating.  Interment followed at the San Saba Cemetery.  The family requests that memorials be made to the donor’s favorite charity.

He was born May 6, 1934 in Coleman County, the son of Hardy Ellis Stewardson and Birdie Barton Stewardson.  On June 25, 1952, J. L. Stewardson and Lige Ann Miller were married in San Saba County.  They made their home on the family ranch, where they invested their lives in the care and maintenance of the land and the cattle.  As their two sons, James Lee and Hardy Thomas became active in the family operations, they kept J. L. busy with their agriculture activities and the 4-H Club.  He was an active supporter of the 4-H Club activities and enjoyed the children he helped along the way.  He was a member of the Second and Wallace Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Lige Ann Stewardson of San Saba;two sons and their wives, James Lee Stewardson and Cindy of San Saba and Hardy Thomas Stewardson and Landran of Clarksvilie; grandchildren, John Landon Stewardson and his wife Myia of San Saba, Stephanie Ann Stewardson of Cimarron, New Mexico, Lige Anna Stewardson and Landra Beth Stewardson, both of Austin and Hardy Winston Stewardson of Clarksville; one brother, Boyd Stewardson and his wife Dee Dee of San Saba; two sisters, Elizabeth Barker of San Saba and Frances Skiles of Weatherford; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mary Lu Webb, 82, of San Angelo passed away Thursday, January 11, 2007 in a local facility.  Graveside services were 11 a.m. Saturday, January 13, in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with Rev. David Henry officiating.  Arrangements were by Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mary Lu was born on January 15, 1924 to William Henry and Ruby Anna Ridings of Santa Anna, Texas.  She was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Eleanor Stinson.  She worked in banking for 53 years.  She began her banking career in 1941 at the First National Bank in Ballinger.

Mary Lu retired from the Iraan State Bank in 1994.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Iraan for 34 years where she enjoyed singing in the choir and Sunday morning specials.

Survivors include two daughters, Jo Anne Webb and Mike of San Angelo and Charlotte Stuard and husband Ron of Sheffield; two sisters, Glenn Board of San Angelo and Sarah Baker of Plano; four granddaughters; a step- grand daughter; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Lu’s obituary and memorial guest book may be viewed online at RobertMassie.com

Vesta May Marshall died January 12,2007 at Bayou Manor, Houston, Texas.  The funeral service will be conducted at ten o’clock this morning (Tuesday, January 16th) in The Morrow Chapel at The Settegast Kopf Co. in Houston with Rev. Max Hickerson officiating.  Private family interment In Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Mrs. Marshall was born in Coleman County, Texas on March 5, 1907, the second eldest of seven children of John and Alma May.  As a graduate of Howard Payne and Sul Ross Colleges, she was certified as a teacher.  She began teaching at the age of 18 in Van Court, Texas and other country schools.  After her marriage to Harry E. Marshall in 1934, she moved to Houston where she taught for nearly 40 years at Roberts Elementary.  Many will remember her as their second-grade teacher.  All of those students learned to read, write, have good manners and went onto achieve much in later life.  After a quiet retirement of travel, companioned by Ray Walling, she moved to Bayou Manor in 2000.

She is survived by her sister, Velma Mills Kail, also of Bayou Manor and several nieces and nephews.

Henry C. Griffith, 87, died Friday, January 12, 2007 in Stephenville.  Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Brown Ranch Cemetery in Coleman County.

Henry was born January 15, 1919 in Coleman County to Luther and Lena Morse Griffith.  He served in the U. S. Army during World War II and was an oil field rough neck.

Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews.

Allen Bishop of Winters died Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Coleman County Medical Center.  A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. Ferris Akins officiating.  The body will be cremated.  Arrangements are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.  Family visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2007 at Stevens Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hopewell Baptist Church.

He was born James Allen Bishop on November 12, 1932 at home in Runnels County, the son of Tilmon Bryant Bishop and Winnie Ethel White Bishop.  He grew up and attended school in Winters and married Pat Curry on August 10, 1967 in Ballinger.  He was a stock farmer, former officer of the Runnels County Farm Bureau, member of the Coleman County Farm Bureau and a member of Hopewell Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Pat Bishop of Winters, two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Sabrina Bishop of Stanton, Page and Monica Bishop of Blooming Grove; two granddaughters, Skye Bishop of Stanton and Parys Bishop of Blooming Grove and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by three sisters.

Patsy Weirich, 63, of Coleman died Sunday, January 14, 2007 at Coleman County Medical Center.  A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Wings As Eagles Church in Burkett with Joe Burkett officiating.  The body will be cremated.  Arrangements are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

She was born Patsy Ann Caraway on February 4, 1943 in Houston, Texas.  She grew up and attended school in Houston.  She moved to Coleman three years ago from Conway, Arkansas.  She worked as a cashier at Wal-Mart in Conway for 12 years and was a volunteer for the Loaves and Fishes and a member of Wings As Eagles Church.

Survivors include two sons, Clark Anthony (Tony) Weirich of Coleman, William Allen Weirich of Missouri; one brother, Jimmy Caraway of Austin; one sister, Betty Caraway of Austin; five grandchildren, William Allen Weirich of Freeport, Nicole Weirich of Louisiana, Kelly Jo Weirich of Missouri, Brenda Michelle Weirich of Missouri; Johnnie Renae Weirich of Missouri; one great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Diane Weirich of Houston, Shelia Weirich of Houston, Jena Weirich of Houston, Cathy Caraway of Austin and Sam Weirich.

Claudean Cervenka graduated to her heavenly home on January 15, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel in Coleman, Texas, with James Bailey officiating.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.  Claudean will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.  Family visitation will be Thursday, January 18, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Big Country or the Beyond Belief building campaign at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.

Claudean was born August 8, 1931 to Osa Calahand Towery and Hazle Glover Towery in Brownwood, Texas.  She graduated from Brownwood High School and Howard-Payne University.  In 1950, she married the love of her life, Joe K. Cervenka, and they were married almost 52 years.  He preceded her in death on June 27, 2002.

Claudean taught school in Coleman High School and Mozelle High School for a total of 27 years.  She was a regional officer and state board member for Texas Professional Educators, now called Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE).  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Karen Cervenka Kemper and husband, Martin of Waco, and their children, Kelley Ann Kemper Messer and husband, Jeff of Abilene, Grant Joseph Kemper of Grand Prairie, Ross Martin Kemper and wife, Bridgette of Waco and Annaliese Vanessa Kemper and her finance, Will Scoggin of College Station.  Also surviving is her daughter, Debra Cervenka Cox and husband Terry of Granbury, their children, Paige Cox Taillett and husband, Bob of Potosi, Lindsey Cox Sturlin and husband, Mark of Granbury and Lauren Cox Solomon and husband, Chad of Granbury.  There are nine great-grandchildren; Kathlyn, Melia and Reid Messer, twins, Ryland and Sterling Kemper, Lexi Free, Alex Arce, Joseph Arce and Payton Solomon.  She is also survived by her sister, Nadean George and husband, John, nephew Ben David Orton, all of Brownwood and niece Mary Kay Orton of Waco.

(Coleman Chronicle and Democrat-Voice, Coleman, Texas, January 18, 2007, page 12.)

George Ray Simpson, age 90, of Brownwood and formerly of Coleman, died Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at Brownwood Regional Medical Center.  Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20 in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

George Ray Simpson was born December 4, 1916 in Coleman, Texas, a son of Albert and Nannie Jane Simpson.  He grew up and attended school in Coleman.  Mr. Simpson retired from the Army and Air Force Exchange where he managed gasoline service stations on military bases in California, Oregon and Nevada.  He lived in Coleman for a number of years and moved to Brownwood twenty years ago.

Survivors include one daughter, Ruby McCullough of Brownwood; one sister, Lillian Templin of San Angelo; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren.