Idelia H. Lawrence, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 29, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Linden, TX, the daughter of Robert Franklin Humphrey and Lorena Wray Humphrey and is the last surviving member of their immediate family, including 7 siblings.
Deborah Ruth (Debbie) O’Neal, 67 of Hughes Springs, passed away on March 1 in Longview of cardiac arrest. Debbie was born in Alexandria, La. on Sept. 13, 1953 to Orval and Gloria O’Neal. A few years after Debbie was born, the family moved to Hughes Springs, where Orval began his career at Texas and Northern Railroad. The Austin Stone house on a corner lot in the “Williamson Addition” where the family settled became a hub of activity for many kids in the neighborhood. Debbie’s best friend for life, Trena Reid Kirby, lived just up Hickory Street; many other dear friends lived in the neighborhood as well. In school, Debbie loved being in the Hughes Springs Mustang band, was an excellent saxophone player, and was voted band sweetheart. She also enjoyed acting, and won best actress in the UIL one-act play competition as “the Old Crone,” which role became fodder for jokes for many years at her expense. Debbie attended Tyler Junior College where she was a proud member of the Tyler Apache Band and was thrilled to get to perform in the Cotton Bowl and in Cowboy Stadium on multiple occasions. One of her favorite band stories was the domino effect of band members behind her when she fell down during the Tyler Rose Parade; unhurt, she was able to get back up and carry on.
Johnny Lanelle (Rankin) Bloom was born Sept. 6, 1938 and passed away Feb. 26. A memorial service was held Sunday, Feb. 28, at Reeder-Davis Chapel.
Memorial services for Syble Ann Eames, 82 of Boerne, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at Lilley’s Chapel Church of Christ with Kenny Shaver officiating.
Services for Ora Belle Russell were held Feb. 27, at First Baptist Church with Bro. Danny Broughton officiating. Burial was in the Daingerfield Cemetery, with arrangements under the direction of Nail-Haggard Funeral Home.