Obituaries

Patsy Sue (Bailey) Hale was born Dec. 31, 1932 in Newport. She was the daughter of Hugh H. and Juanita M. (Ball) Bailey. Patsy married the Late Billy Hale Sr. Sept. 17, 1949 in Graham. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Patsy loved to crochet and cross stitching and playing the mandolin. She also loved singing the old hymns and was often called upon to sing at funerals, weddings and other occasions. Patsy also loved old western movies, especially if John Wayne was featured. Patsy passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 in Willow Park at the age of 87 years old.

Donald Joe Lewis, 84, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Wichita Falls. He was born June 18, 1935 in Stamford to Joe Lewis and Clara Bell (Clyburn) Lewis. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Wichita Falls. Donald was an alumnus of Hardin Simmons University. He enjoyed traveling for business throughout his career, which he started as a reporter for the Abilene Newspaper. Don served as the manager of the Chamber of Commerce of Arlington, he also served on the team that brought the Texas Rangers baseball team to Arlington.

Tommie Jean Hart, known to her friends and family as “TJ” was born Feb. 26, 1957 in Jacksboro. She was the daughter of the Late Thomas Linzy and Janice Marie (Erwin) Hart. She passed away, Saturday, April 11, 2020 in Jacksboro. She was 63 years old.

TJ would help anyone who needed assistance, many times placing their needs above her own.

Ted Burns, 90, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Mineral Wells.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, May 7, at Coker Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. The Funeral Service will be Friday, May 8, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Perrin with a private burial to follow at Bluebonnet Hill Cemetery in Colleyville. With limited space due to COVID-19 distancing protocols for the funeral service, the family strongly encourages those who attend Wednesday’s visitation to refrain from attending the service on Thursday.

Joe Lake was born in Graham on Aug. 5, 1941, and he went to be with Lord on April 28, 2020. Interment will be in Cottonwood Cemetery in Bryson and a Celebration of Life service for Joe will be announced at a later date.

Joe was the last cowboy remaining from the 1963 Bryson cattle drive from Bryson to Breckenridge. 

Anna Belle Cotton passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 at a local hospital. She was born March 18, 1925 in Mangum, Okla. Anna was a member of Rock Creek Road Baptist Church. She taught for 35 years in the Whitt and Perrin School Districts. She was a great mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a dedicated teacher who will be greatly missed. 

Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Cotton; mother, Grace Tipps; and two daughters, Patricia Kay Cotton and Bonnie Prochaska.

Carley Neil Jackson was born on June 4, 1953, to Troy and Betty (Martin) Jackson in Jacksboro. He joined an older brother, Billy Odell, and stepsister, Ruth Anita (Duree). Neil went to his heavenly home on April 4, 2020, as a result of metastatic lung cancer.

Formerly of Jacksboro, Henry Delzon “Possum” Elenburg, 83, went to be with our Lord Sunday, April 5, 2020 in Bridgeport.
Graveside Service was 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro. Open Visitation was 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Tony Elenburg officiated. Pallbearers include Mike Thornton, Wes Karawasek, Gene Bolton, Blake Bowen, Rusty Weirline, Carl Smith, Lane, Gunter, Kane and Kagen Elenburg.

Rosie Lee (Jane) Smith Spradling went to be with her Lord, Monday, March 30, 2020 in Jacksboro. Jane was born Sept. 7, 1926 in Joplin to Alfred and Iva Jennings Smith. She was married to J.A. Spradling on June 2, 1944 in Jack County. He preceded her in death in 1979.

Jane was a long-time member of Liveoak Baptist Church. She was treasurer of her class for many years. All of the women in her class were very special to her.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Haron, A.L. and Billie Joe.