Amos Jackson Thompson, 75 of Brookston, Texas, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Dubuis Hospital.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Rogers officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday evening.

He was born June 26, 1933 to William Bryan Thompson and Ethel Lillian Scott Thompson. He attended Petty schools. He worked and retired from Babcock & Wilcox after 31 years as a bender-operator. He married Effie Jean Bohler on May 19, 1953 in Honey Grove, Texas at the Methodist Church.

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Jean, two daughters; Debra Lester and husband Ricky of Brookston, Diane Rickman and husband William of Brookston, two sons; Kevin Thompson and wife Beth of Blossom and Keith Thompson and Kenda Henry of Paris, 13 grandchildren; Jacqueline Graham, Brent Caffee, Chris and Robert Rickman, Brittany Thompson, Kolt Thompson, Colton, Cody and Chance Booker, Blake, Haley and Kyle Thompson and Kelsie Braden, 2 great- grandchildren; Mercedes Graham and Jesse Wayne Rickman, sisters; Willie Faye Banker of Self, Texas and Carolyn Rae Shelton of Sulphur Springs, Texas, brother; Ellis Thompson of Honey Grove, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; William Bryan and Ethel Lillian Thompson, brothers; Bobby Wayne, James, Eugene Thompson.

The family gives a special thanks to Platinum Home Health nursing staff Liz Williams and Rachel Woods as well as the nursing staff at Dubuis Hospital.

Pallbearers will be Brian Hooser, Clint McKnight, Micheal Canup, Steven Martin, Jeff Ensor and Bruce Ary. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ricky Freelen, Tiny Freelen and Danny Bramlett.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Brookston Volunteer Fire Department.

MICHAEL RAY ARMSTRONG 49, of Sumner, died Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Funeral services are set for 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 2, 2008 in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Armstrong was born November 26, 1958 in Honey Grove to Bobby Ray and Janice Welch Armstrong. He graduated from West Lamar High School and attended Paris Junior College. Mr. Armstrong was a catastrophic insurance adjuster with Allstate Insurance Company having worked many disaster claims such as Hurricane Katrina. He was a member of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Armstrong is survived by two sons, Josh and Jeremy Armstrong of Sumner; his parents, Bob and Janice Armstrong of Honey Grove; two brothers, David Armstrong and wife, Selena of Honey Grove and Clint Armstrong and wife, Bonnie of Sumner; four nephews, Luke, Cody, Cade and Dylan Armstrong; one niece, Meagan Armstrong; several aunts, uncles, cousins; and a host of friends.

Asked to served as pallbearers are Marshall Sugg, Will Armstrong, Jr., James Lloyd Armstrong, Jerry Springer, Buddy Burgess, and Greg Melasky.

Ruby Lee Crofford May, 89, passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at her home in Roxton.

Funeral services are set for 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 1, in the Crofford Pavilion at Hickory Grove Cemetery, south of Petty, with Rev. Richard Gilmer and Rev. Carey Robinson officiating. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the Crofford Pavilion at the cemetery.

She was born February 9, 1919, in Noble, to Garvin E. and Maggie (McBurnett) Crofford. She attended Noble and Petty schools. She married Joel A. May in Hugo, Oklahoma, on August 14, 1935. He preceded her in death in 2005. She was a homemaker and assisted her husband in the farming and ranching business. She and her husband owned May’s Antiques, operating a shop in Petty, Texas, and exhibiting at antique shows across the south and mid-west. She was a member of the Roxton United Methodist Church and several antique organizations.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Major Joel A. May, Jr., who was killed in Vietnam in 1969; her parents, sisters Virginia Gregory and Maxine Lowe, and brother Garvin Crofford, Jr.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Lou Carolyn and Phillip Rutherford of Roxton; grandchildren Dr. Phillip T. Rutherford, of Huntington, West Virginia; Kristopher and wife Karen Rutherford of Maumelle, Arkansas; Sam and wife Patti May of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Jennifer May and Krystee Dancer, both of Memphis, Tennessee; brother Jim and wife Lois Crofford of Roxton; sister Peggy Mathis of Midlothian; six great-grandchildren and several very special nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family gives special thanks to her two loving caregivers Zelma Henry and Hester Lawson.

Pallbearers are Jimmy Crofford, Kevin Mathis, James Mathis, Douglas Cooper, Jimmy Cooper, and David Griffin. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons Kris Rutherford, Phil Rutherford, and Sam May

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Roxton United Methodist Church, Dr. Lura Gregory Memorial Library (Roxton), or Hickory Grove Cemetery.

Ida Mae Golden Bonham, 97, died on Monday, July 28, 2008 at Paris Regional Medical Center surrounded by loving family members. Paris Oaks Assisted Living had been her home for the past three years.

Following a private graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery, Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has scheduled a memorial service for Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 am at Oak Park United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Cook and Rev. Van Lazaroff officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, August 1 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.

Ida Mae was born on August 26, 1910 in Howland to James Andrew Golden and Minnie Frances Redus Golden, the third of six children. She married James Morris Bonham on November 30, 1931 at the Methodist Parsonage in Brookston, Texas. She was a seamstress for Johnston Snowden and Hollywood Vassarette for many years, as well as sewing for her children and grandchildren. She was a member of Oak Park United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir and the Goodwill Sunday School Class. She had been a member of St. Joseph Hospital auxiliary. Her lemon pound cakes and millionaire candy were enjoyed by family and friends. She was very competitive and enjoyed wahoo, forty-two, bingo and Ranger baseball.

Ida Mae was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim, who died on Sept. 17, 1982. She was also preceded in death by her brother, John Golden, and four sisters, Mary Lee Jones, Irene Cheatham, Trudy McCollum Griffis, and Mildred Bailey.

Surviving cousins are Virginia Redus Clark, Jo Redus Parham, Billy Redus, and Vera Jo Redus Thompson.

Jim and Ida Mae were blessed with four children who with their spouses survive: Helen Katherine and J.C. Short of Powderly, Nancy Jane and Harold Rayburn Hill of Rockwall, Donald Morris and Janie Lou (Stewart) Bonham of Powderly, Harold Wayne and Shari Lynn (Strong) Bonham of St. Louis, MO. She was both blessed by and a blessing to her grandchildren and their spouses: James Marion Short and wife Kim of Euless, Laura Kay Dawson and husband Dennis of Powderly, Linda Carolyn Strong and husband George of Carrollton, Cheryl Jane Perry and husband Brian of Powderly, Vicki Denise Flenniken and husband Blake of Paris, Donald Brent Bonham of Salt Lake City, UT, Charles Bennett Bonham and wife Rebecca of Edwardsville, IL, Elizabeth Ann Bonham of St. Louis, MO, and Barbara Megan Bonham of Kirksville, MO. Three grandsons preceded her in death: Tony Scott Hill, Larry Bonham Short, and Harold Rayburn (Hal) Hill Jr.

Great-grandchildren are Amanda Lynne Bonham, Casey Jennifer Bonham, Sara Elizabeth Bonham, James Bennett Bonham, Katherine Grace (Kate) Bonham, Kathleen Rose Dawson, Kevin James Dawson, Colleen Mae Dawson, Caitlynn Brooke Hill, Nichole Michelle Perry, Chase Lee Perry, Jacob Larry (Jake) Short, Andrew James (Drew) Short, James Conner Short, Alyssa Ann Strong, Lindsay Kay Strong, and Alexis Carolyn Strong.

Pallbearers will be Brent Bonham, Dennis Dawson, Blake Flenniken, Brian Perry, Jim Short, Ben Bonham, and George Strong. If desired in lieu of flowers family requests memorials be made to Oak Park United Methodist Church or a favorite charity.

CLIFFORD DEWAYNE SELF 66, of Paris, died at 5:00 AM, Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Paris Healthcare Center. Funeral services are set for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July29, 2008 in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Patrick Cannon and Dan Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 PM Monday evening at the funeral home. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Dewayne was born November 7, 1941 in Paris to Grover Louin and Callie Ozella Casey Self. He graduated from Paris High School and served in the US Army Reserve in the early 1960’s. Mr. Self married Billie Jo Thorp Chamberlain on February 2, 1973 in Paris. He was employed by UARCO for 20 years and retired as site manager for Protection Technology at the local Kimberly-Clark plant after 19 years. He was a member of the Lamar Avenue Church of Christ.

Dewayne was an avid golfer and hunting enthusiast and enjoyed doing anything outdoors.

Mr. Self is survived by his wife, Billie Self of Paris; three children, Craig Self and wife, Nikki of Cypress, Texas, Grady H. Chamberlain of Dallas, and Annette Chamberlain Green and husband, Bobby of Granbury; six grandchildren, Amanda and Collin Whitley and Elizabeth Kerley of Paris, Casey and Devin Self of Cypress, and Levi Green of Granbury; his brother, Gayle Self and wife, Mary of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his special sister-in-law and golfing buddy, Kathy Thorp Cooper and husband, James of Roxton; a step-sister, Charlotte Brittain and husband, David of Waxahachie; and numerous extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Asked to serve as pallbearers are Gary McKnight, Drew McKnight, Billy Dicken, Timmy Harrison, Ron Mobley, Kelly Sanders, and Ron Jackson. Honorary pallbearers are John Henry Gentry, E.J. Griffin, Leroy Reaves, Eddie Thoms; and his golfing friends at the Delta County Country Club in Cooper.

HELEN CATHERINE MORGAN 88, of Paris, died at 1:15 AM, Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Legend Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Restland Cemetery in Roxton with Rev. Randall Scott officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Morgan was born December 12, 1919 in Roxton to George R. and Lillie R. Johnson Gentry. She graduated from Roxton High School and married James Creed Morgan on March 9, 1940 in Paris. He died October 15, 1957. Mrs. Morgan was a manager in the food service division of the Garland ISD for many years. She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church.

Mrs. Morgan is survived by two brothers, Billy R. Gentry and Randell W. Gentry and wife, Martha of Paris; one sister, Melonese Bonner of the Sylvan Community; and twelve nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, George Gentry, Jr. and J.D. Gentry; and two sisters, Edna Branum and Frances Gower.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mrs. Morgan’s nephews.

CHARLES EDWARD “Charlie” RAY 72, of Paris, died at 12:20 AM, Thursday, July 24, 2008 at his home with family by his side. A graveside service is set for 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the Antioch Cemetery with Bro. Ronald Barnett and Bro. Brandon Teague officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM, Saturday afternoon prior to the service at the funeral home. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Ray was born August 11, 1935 in Biardstown to Fred Chris and Lora Mae Ingram Ray. He married Florence Ellen Hayles on September 22, 1961 in Paris. Mr. Ray was a heavy equipment operator in the Lamar County area for many years and retired as a machinist with Southwestern Foundry Corp. He was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Ray is survived by his wife Florence Ray of Paris; one daughter, Sammie Sims of Fort Worth; and four grandchildren, Mathew, Tiara, Raven, and Angelina Sims. He was looking forward to the arrival of his first great-granddaughter, Jordan Nicole Sims. Mr. Ray is also survived by a brother, Jim Ray and wife, Exie of Paris; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold and Fred Ray; and two sisters, Allie Mae Ingram and Margaret Endsley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bubba Ray, Wayne Ray, Robert Relford, Mike Ray, Tim Ray, and Phillip Miller.

Patricia Ann Hancock Holmes, 68, of Paris passed away Tuesday July 22, 2008 at Paris Healthcare Center. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Saturday July 26, 2008 at Hickory Grove Cemetery with Rev. Bill Dickey officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday 7-8 p.m.

She was born in Petty, Texas a daughter of Wade and Frances Manuel Hancock. She was a LVN having worked at both hospitals in Paris and several nursing homes. She was a member of Petty Baptist Church.

Survivors include children, Ronnie Morgan and wife, Teresa, Tommy Sue Daniels and husband, Danny, and Wayne Morgan and wife, Barbara; her mother, Frances Hancock; 18 Grandchildren, 32 Great Grandchildren and 8 Great-Great Grandchildren; a brother, Danny E. Hancock and wife, Kay and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her Father and a sister, Carolyn Drake.

Pallbearers will be Paul Drake, Brad Drake, Kenny Hancock, Daniel Hancock, Matthew Morgan and Lucas Morgan.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Carolyn Drake Endowment Scholarship Fund for the North Lamar Education Foundation.

Carolyn Louise Dowd “Nanny” Golightly 64 of Forrest Chapel went to be with the Lord on Sunday July 20, 2008 at E.T.M.C. in Clarksville. She was born October 18, 1943 in Lamar County the daughter of Harvey Bee & Louise Viter “Franks” Dowd. She grew up in the Paris area being a waitress most of her life. She was a hardworking woman with a strong willpower. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday July 23, 2008 in the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mishayla Brewer and Rev. Mickey Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in the Chicota Presbyterian Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6 till 8 P.M. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Eddie Joe Wilkerson, her sister Dorothy Ausmus and stepsons Coye Heath & Thomas Golightly.

She is survived by her husband J.H. Junior Golightly; daughter Lisa Brown and husband Ronald; step-daughters Anna Jones and Pam “PK” Harris; stepson Doug Miller; daughter-in-law Donna Jo Babb and husband Jackie; Grandsons Eddie Pryor and wife Angie, Coy Nathan Pryor, Rusty Brown and wife Sarah, Colton, Heston, & Hayden Golightly, Brandon Whisenhunt and Jacob Jordan; granddaughters Tiana Reaves and husband Jared and Keely Wilkinson; great-granddaughters Natalee Wise, Hannah and Mallorie Brown; special niece Hollie Todd and husband Robert; nephews Harvey and Terry Miller; brothers and sisters-in-law Larry and Neda Golightly, Shug and Shirley Sessums, Earlene Cato, Shelia Golightly and Pat Reaves; numerous friends who will miss her dearly.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Todd, Joshua Todd, Randy Freeman, Gary Thompson, Billy Clark, and Danny Reaves. Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie Babb, Gene Miller and Paul Watson.

Col. Robert L. Stell USAF Ret. 92, of Waco, a Lamar County native passed away Friday July 18, 2008 in Waco.

Col. Stell was born on December 14, 1915 in Lamar County, Texas a son of James W. and Janie Hightower Stell. He was preceded in death by his wife Lois Oates Stell whom he married on January 1, 1942.

Col. Stell served in the United States Air Force for 22 years, veteran of World War II serving in the China, Burma, India Theatre (CBI). During his Air Force service and after retirement he worked for the United States Space Program in guided missile development. He was a part of the 7th Bomb (H) Historical Foundation and was inducted into the Paris Junior College Hall of Fame. Col. Stell was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Col Stell graduated from Paris Junior College, University of Texas, and earned a masters degree from Florida State University.

Surviving are his daughters Debbie Stell McAlister and husband Dane of Simi Valley, California, Jennifer Stell Frazier of Denver Colorado, and Susan Stell Smith of Waco; grandchildren Molly Gapol, Kelly McAlister, Nathan McAlister, Andrew Frazier, Bobby Smith, and Billy Smith; great granddaughter McKenna Gapol; sister Evelyn Stell Harris; brothers George (Buster) Stell and John Stell.

Funeral services will be conducted in the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Chapel Tuesday July 22, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. with Patrick Cannon officiating. Burial will follow at the Shady Grove Cemetery with full military honors provided by the United States Air Force Funeral Detail for Shepherd Air Force Base. In lieu of flowers if desired memorials maybe made to the American Cancer Society.