MARGARET PARX HAYS

Margaret Parx Hays, 95, passed away on May 8, 2008, at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Margaret was born in Gainesville on November 3, 1912, the daughter of Parx Orr and Ianna (Jones) Hays. Margaret graduated from Newsome Dougherty Memorial High School in 1929; Gainesville Junior College in 1930; and North Texas State Teachers College in 1931. She later received an M.A. in education from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

After graduating from North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas), Margaret worked at the college for eleven years. Then after a short stint with the Civil Service, she accepted an offer from the State Department as a Foreign Service Clerk.

Margaret’s first overseas appointment from 1943-45 was in Buenos, Aires, Argentina, where she first did cryptography and then transferred to the political section. During the next two years, she served as vice-consul in Bogota, followed by a two-year appointment to Rio de Janeiro.

In Manila from 1956-58, Margaret held the position of Consul. Additionally, she took the foreign-service exam and achieved the position of Foreign Service Officer in 1955. By that point, she had made it an annual tradition while overseas to cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal for invited guests. In 1954, she asked the USO to bring four sailors as guests and unexpectedly had a Gainesville native among them.

She also served in Mexico City; Washington, D.C., where her love of and interest in historic preservation developed, and in her favorite location, Hong Kong.

After retiring from the Foreign Service, Margaret returned to Gainesville where she pursued her interest in historic preservation by becoming involved in the effort to save the 1884 former city hall-fire station-jail from destruction. She said it sounded “like a good fight”. That effort proved successful and the Morton Museum of Cooke County opened in that location. Margaret remained involved with the museum for decades, serving as a member of the staff, as a volunteer, and on the Board of Directors. The Margaret Parx Hays library inside the museum is dedicated to her.

She also helped with the establishment of the Cooke County Historical Commission and over the years devoted hours of service to the Commission.

Margaret also assisted in the organization of the Cooke County Mental Health Clinic, where she took on a full-time position as a counselor in 1973. She retired from the clinic in 1978. Never one to ever really retire, Margaret ran for and was elected Mayor of Gainesville, becoming the first and still only female to serve in that position.

For twenty years, Margaret was involved with the Historic Preservation Foundation’s effort to raise the funds to restore the 1902 Santa Fe Railroad Depot in Gainesville. Her grant writing skills eventually brought in the necessary funds to help complete that project.

Many awards came her way over the years, including the naming of a dormitory at North Central Texas College in her honor.

She was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest. To the end, she continued to be interested in education, believing that no one was ever too old to learn something new. She also continued to be involved in projects such as planning exhibits of her weavings from her various travels, so they could be enjoyed by the residents of her retirement center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Her humor and her unwavering loyalty and support will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues.

Her passing marks an end of an era in Gainesville, but her legacy lives on in the buildings she helped to preserve, the history she saved from being lost, and the people she mentored to follow in her footsteps.

She is survived by her nephew, Wesley M. Wallace, M.D., and his wife, Raine Lee of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; her nephew, Wendell Hays Wallace and his wife, Mary of Centennial, Colorado; her nephew, Joe Piott and his wife, Jeanette of Puyallup, Washington; her niece, Mary Lou Piott O’Neil and her husband, Denny of Waco, Texas, and several great-nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Lou Anna Hays Piott and Dorothy Estelle Hays Wallace.

Private interment will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2008, at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at Whaley United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Denny Hook. A reception will take place afterward at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the Cooke County Historical Commission; c/o Cooke County Judge Bill Freeman; Cooke County Courthouse; Gainesville, Texas.

ADV.



KADENCE LEEANN MITCHELL

LAKE KIOWA — Graveside service for Kadence Leeann Mitchell, newborn, is set for 3 p.m. today at Fairview Cemetery with David Gray, Church of Christ minister, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Kadence Leeann Mitchell was born and died May 8, 2008, at Denton Regional Hospital.

Survivors include her parents, Sara Tweedy and Robert Mitchell Jr.; brother, Christian Gage Mitchell; grandparents, Robert and Amanda Mitchell Sr.; great-grandparents, Jerry Mitchell and Sharon Earl; and seven cousins.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.



WYNEMA MITCHELL

Services for Wynema Mitchell of Gainesville are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Clement-Keel Funeral Home Chapel with David Gray of Hillcrest Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Clement-Keel Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mrs. Mitchell died May 8, 2008, at her residence.

She was born in Gainesville to Robert and Cordia (Greenwood) Scott. On June 4, 1948, she married C.W. Mitchell in Gainesville. She was a member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Gainesville, retired chief operator with Southwestern Bell Telephone here in Gainesville, Texas, after over 25 years of service.

Survivors include her special friend, Robert McElreath of Gainesville, Texas; sister-in-law, Sue Dennington of Gainesville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, C.W. Mitchell on Aug. 16, 1981; brother, Claude Scott; and sister, Kathryn Rector.

Pallbearers are nephews and friends.

Visitation will be at the Clement-Keel Funeral Home from 9 to 10 a.m. before the service.

ADV.



JEDEDIAH THOMASON

VALLEY VIEW — Memorial services for Jedediah Thomason, 30, of Valley View are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Gainesville with Ben Willingham, minister, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mr. Thomason died May 6, 2008, at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

He was born July 1, 1977, in Sherman to Terry Thomason and Patsy Patrick.

Survivors include his father and step-mother, Terry and Karen Thomason of Forestburg; mother and step-father, Patsy and Tom Sparkman of Bowie; child, Alexus Thomason of Valley View; grandparents, Thelma Thomason of Gainesville and Freddie Sr. and Betty Patrick of Burkburnett; brother and sister-in-law, Bredger and Gina Thomason of Gainesville; and step-brothers, Marty, Devin, Rick, Derryl and Scott Sparkman, all of Valley View.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Archie Thomason.

Visitation will be at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

Memorial contributions may be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County; P.O. Box 936; Gainesville, TX 76241.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.



JOSEPH FRANK VOTH

Mass of Christian burial for Joseph Frank Voth, 93 of Muenster is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Sacred Heart Church in Muenster. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Fr. Ken Robison will officiate and McCoy Funeral Home will direct the services.

Mr. Voth died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at his home.

Born Aug. 4, 1914, in Muenster to the late Barney and Mary Trubenbach Voth, he grew up and attended school in Muenster. He and Alvina Fette were married on Jan. 3, 1938, in Sacred Heart Church. They lived and worked their first 11 married years on one of the Dangelmayer farms north of Muenster. Joe then tackled many different jobs, including oil field work where he and his brother, Lee, became owners and operators of a rig with which they drilled numerous wells in the Muenster area. He then decided to become a tractor mechanic, initially working for J.I. Case in Muskogee, Okla., and traveled back to Muenster on weekends to be with his family. After retiring with Case, Joe rented and operated a tractor mechanic shop that he operated for many years.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Jim O’Brien of Irving, Lola Kindiger of Whitesboro, and Joan McGilvray of Muenster; sons and daughters-in-law, Jerome Voth of Gainesville, Robert and Peggy Voth of Gainesville, James and Fran Voth of Muenster, Mark and Carol Voth of Arlington; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sisters, Katherine Kubis of Muenster and Rita Dixon of Muenster; and brothers, Tee Voth of Muenster and Ray Voth of Muenster.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Alvina Fette Voth on May 24, 2000; daughter, Sheila Voth on Feb. 3, 1968; daughter-in-law, Jean Voth on April 30, 2008; sisters, Sister Agnes Voth, Theresa Vogel, Lena Zimmerer, Marie Kappas, Francis Voth and Gertrude Lawing; brothers, Henry, John, Ben and Leo Voth; and son-in-law, Joe Kindinger.

Pallbearers will be Steve Armstrong, Keith McCormick, Colby Voth, Leroy Voth, Dennis O’Brien and Joseph Cowden.



LARRY D. BUTLER

Services for Larry D. Butler, 60, of Gainesville are set for 2 p.m. today at Temple Baptist Church with Dr. Eddie Chennault officiating. Burial will follow in High Point Cemetery under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mr. Butler died May 5, 2008, at his residence.

He was born Nov. 11, 1947, in Gainesville to Albert and Helen Capps Butler. On June 2, 1974, he married Melinda Baugh in Gainesville. He was a heavy equipment operator in Cooke County’s Pct. 1, and had been employed in oil production operations in Alaska and off-shore locations. He rode with the “Glory Riders” and was a member of the National Barrel Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Association. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church and raised and showed registered Dairy Goats.

Survivors include his wife, Melinda Butler of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Helbert Barion of Aubrey; daughter, Jennie Butler of Gainesville; father, Albert Butler of Haskell; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Vicky and Donald Miller of Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Mary Ann Foster of Woodbine; parents-in-law, Burl and Marion Sanderson of Gainesville; several cousins; and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Foster on July 2, 1978.

Pallbearers are fellow co-workers in Pct. 1.

Memorial contributions may be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County; P.O. Box 936; Gainesville, TX 76241.

You may sign the online registry by visiting our website, www.geojcarroll.com.



GARY LYNN TURNER

Services for Gary Lynn Turner, 50, are pending with the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mr. Turner died May 1, 2008, at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.



PHYLLIS REBECCA KITTRELL

BOWIE — Funeral services for Phyllis Rebecca Kittrell, 67, are set for 2 p.m. today at Southside Baptist Church with Ray Payne officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery under the direction of the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Mrs. Kittrell died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, in Wichita Falls.

She was born March 21, 1941, in Overbrook, Okla., to Hardy Elisha and Delma Lea (Daily) Williams. She attended high school in Thackerville, Okla. She married James Kittrell on Aug. 15, 1956, in Gainesville and worked for Kittrell Tong Service until she retired in 1986. She was a member of the PTA, a member of her church, past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, and secretary of the Bowie Chamber of Commerce. She enjoyed bowling and won numerous trophies.

Survivors include her husband, James Kittrell of Montague; daughters and son-in-law, Phyllis Elaine Tate of Sunset, Janet Leigh Sappenfield of Everton, Ark., and Teresa Lynn and John Guerieri III of Henrietta; son, Jonah Ray Kittrell of Bowie; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Vivian Cummings of Winston-Salem, N.C., and LaRue and Miller Beal of Gainesville; and brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Linda Williams of Woodbine, James and Alicia Williams of Woodbine and David Lee and Vickie Fine of Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Rebecca Diane Kittrell; sons, James Ray and John Ray Kittrell; sister, Mertle Bailey; son-in-law, Archie Sappenfield; and brother-in-law, Willie Cummings.



JOYCE MAE MATHIS

COLLINSVILLE — Funeral services for Joyce Mae Mathis, 83, are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Whitesboro with Dr. Joe Patterson officiating. Interment will follow at Collinsville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Mathis died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at the Homestead Care Center in Collinsville.

Joyce was born on June 16, 1924, in Collinsville to Nathan and Jessie (Wilson) Skaggs. She married Charles Mathis on July 3, 1958, in Durant, Okla. Joyce has been a long time member of the Central Baptist Church in Whitesboro.

She is survived by sons, Charles Rollins of Sadler, Richard Rollins of Van Alstyne, Jerry Rollins of Luella, Timmy Mathis of Whitesboro and Jimmy Mathis of Whitesboro; daughter, Bonnie Sue Sloan of Sadler; sisters, Patsy Morriss of Odessa and Myrtle McAnally of McKinney; brothers, Jack Rollins of Sherman, Lloyd Rollins of McKinney and Floyd Rollins of Shepherd; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Mathis; daughter, Barbara Stevens; and seven brothers and sisters.

Pallbearers are Bruce Stevens, Brian Stevens, Chris Mathis, John Nix, Victor Smith and Jake Jones.

Honorary pallbearer is Tim Reed.

To sign the online registry, go to www.meadorfuneralhome.com.



JO MARGARET HARBERT

WHITESBORO — Graveside dervices for Jo Margaret Harbert, 88, are set for 2 p.m. today at Macomb Cemetery with Rev. Rick Carney officiating. Services will be directed by Meador Funeral Home in Whitesboro.

Mrs. Harbert died Monday, May 5, 2008, in Denton.

She was born Sept. 9, 1919, in the Lloyd Community, Denton County to Perman Cain and Willie (Cantrell) Cain. She married Matt Harbert and was a homemaker.

Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Sarah Norris of Whitesboro.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Matt Harbert; and her parents, Perman and Willie Harbert.

Memorial contributions may be made to Macomb Cemetery; c/o Dale Alsup; 305 Texoma Dr.; Whitesboro, TX 76273

To sign the online registry, go to www.meadorfuneralhome.com.



SALLY COMBS

Memorial Mass for Sally Combs of Sherman is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Ms. Combs died May 2, 2008, at her residence.

Sally was born in Houston, Texas, Sept. 5, 1938, to John M. and Ruth Mary Ward.

She is survived by her sister, Eileen Fisher and husband, Francis “Butch”; two nephews; three nieces; six great-nieces; five great-nephews; one great-great-nephew; two aunts; and sister-in-law, Donna Ward of El Lago, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and John Ward; brother, John Ward Jr.; and husband, Kenneth Combs.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Dominican Convent; 6501 Almeda Rd.; Houston, TX 77004.



RUSSELL ANSLEY

Memorial services for Russell “Buddy” Ansley, 76, of Mt. Vernon, Texas, are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville. Arrangements are by Geo. J. Carroll Funeral Home in Gainesville.

Mr. Ansley died Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Tyler.

Russell Leon Ansley was born Feb. 24, 1932, in Frederick, Okla., to the late Leo and Bessie Ansley. He had lived in Mt. Vernon for 9 years after retiring and moving from Dallas. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Survivors include his sons, Cary Ansley of Marietta, Okla., Barry Ansley of Temple, and Robert Ansley of Howe; brother, William “Boze” Ansley of Garland; sisters, Marjorie Jones of Dallas and Phyllis Griffin of Denton; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute; One Exchange Plaza; 55 Broadway, Suite 1802; New York, NY 10006.