Henry Smith, at the age of 61, passed away unexpectedly at his home of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014.
A memorial service was held  Saturday, March 1 at White’s Azle Chapel.
Henry was born in Azle to the late Henry Thomas and Robbie Smith.
He was raised in Azle, went to Azle High School and had lots of friends in the area. He moved to Oklahoma in 2011, where, of course, he made more friends.

Survivors include; sons, Leslie Smith and Thomas Smith, III; daughter, Kamesha Smith; several grandchildren; and lots of loving friends.

The Azle News,
March 5, 2014 Edition

Tony Ralph White, 61, a loving brother and uncle, passed away, Friday, March 7, 2014 in Fort Worth.
Funeral services were held at Alexander’s Midway Funeral Home in Springtown, Monday, March 10, with burial immediately following in the Springtown Cemetery.
Tony was born Sept. 21, 1952 to Jack W. and Stella Harper White. They both preceded him in death along with one brother, Jackie Wayne White.

Left to cherish his memory are brothers, Leonard White and wife, Anita and Steve White and wife, Rhonda; sister-in-law, Annick White; numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

The Azle News,
March 12, 2014 Edition

Bruce Eric Washburn, age 61, passed away unexpectedly at home Friday, March 7, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Azle Troop 175 in his honor. Contact Patricia Washburn for more information.
Bruce was born Jan. 21, 1953 to Paul and Naomi Washburn. He was a 1971 graduate of Azle High School. Bruce was a loving husband to wife Patricia Washburn of 34 years and a loving father to son Eric Washburn and daughter Amanda Gann.

Bruce had a passion for gardening and telling stories of adventures and jokes he had with friends and family through the years. He and his wife Patty spent many years volunteering through Boy Scout Troop 175 in Azle. Bruce enjoyed the outdoors, camping and canoeing. He loved to take his trips to the coast to fish and enjoy life with his family. Bruce had a smile that brightened a day.
He was preceded in death by his mother Naomi Washburn.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Washburn; father, Paul Washburn; sister, Livia Reasoner and husband James Reasoner; brother, Arlon Washburn and wife Ann; son, Eric Washburn; daughter, Amanda Gann and husband Billy Gann; grandchildren; Gabrielle, Grace, Greenlee and Parker Gann, Garrett Washburn; many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and longtime friends.

The Azle News,
March 12, 2014 Edition

Linda M. Horton, 75, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014.
Service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at White’s Funeral Home, 401 N. Main Street, Springtown, 76082. Interment at Springtown Cemetery. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at White’s Funeral Home.
Linda was born June 11, 1938 in Muskegon, Michigan to Lloyd and Eunice Baker. She retired from Lockheed after 43 years of service. Linda had been an active bowler in the Swinging Senior League at City View Bowling Lanes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Horton; and great-grandson, Garrett Smith.
Linda will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include a daughter, Susan White and husband, Jesse; grandchildren, Bubba Short, Morgan White, Casey Short, Tiffany Short, Miki Smith and Brook White; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Terry Baker; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

The Azle News,
March 12, 2014 Edition

James C. Miller, 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014.
James was born Oct. 15, 1942 to James and Frances Miller. James lead a very carefree and colorful life. He enjoyed working on cars and the company of close friends.
Survivors include daughters, Tamanee Wright and husband Josh, Tamara Miller and husband Tye, Tiann Miller, Lori Mann; son, James Mitchell and wife Kristen; sisters, Ouida Harter, Paula Schubert, Frances Miller, Hassie Loffelholtz and husband Carl; 15 grandchildren and his uncle and best friend Don Crow and wife Shirley.

The Azle News,
March 12, 2014 Edition

Do you know the worst part of travel? Could it be the checklist? Have I packed everything? Clean underwear (as opposed to dirty?)…check. Passport (thanks to last minute reminder by Mrs. Sweetie)…check. Medications and CPAP machine (didn’t have to worry about those when I was young)…check.  OK, there’s the packing part!
Have I set my email auto response so people will have some patience with me when I don’t immediately answer (good luck with the patience part)…check. Have I done my weekly email newsletter so people know what is going on in our ministry this week…check. Have I written my newspaper column/blog so I don’t have to do it from my phone while traveling (done before, but not the easiest thing in the world)…check…ing.

The checklist is not the worst part. I am going to forget something. And it’s going to be OK. No, the worst part is glancing at the clock while I am trying to get everything finished so I can get out the door to the airport. Ahhh! I need to be gone in an hour and I’m still typing!
I talk to people all the time about trying to eliminate busyness and hurry from their lives. I try really hard to actually do what I say, but it is a constant struggle. I wrote a book a few years ago about cultural indicators. It is out of print now, but I am working on a revision to be released next year. (You can be sure that I will let you know when it rereleases). One of the cultural indicators I mentioned was the Adrenaline Culture. Our lives tend to move at such a pace that we have an almost constant flow of adrenaline as we try to keep up with the pressure. Ahhh!
When we slow down enough that the adrenaline slows, something doesn’t feel right. We miss the rush. We wonder what we have forgotten. Surely life can’t operate at a leisurely pace. Dude! We are junkies! (And I am down to 55 minutes!).
Although I can’t do much to fix this morning’s pace, I’m going to keep working on it and keep talking about it and keep on trying to – in the words of one of the greatest quotes I have heard in years – “ruthlessly eliminate hurry” from my life.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? …And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” (Matthew 6:26,30, New Living Translation).
Our lives matter so much to God that he wants our Ahhh! to have the tone of contentment rather than panic. I’m headed there. Are you?

Azle resident Dr. Gerry Lewis is director of
missions for the Harvest Baptist Association, which is headquartered in Decatur. He writes a blog at www.lifematterstoday.blogspot.com/

JoAnn Knighten Nicholson, 73, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, March 16, 2014 in Fort Worth.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday at The Church at Azle, 1801 South Stewart Street, Azle. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at The Church at Azle.
JoAnn was born Aug. 16, 1940 in Fort Worth to Jessie and Della Lou Letson Knighten. She was a loving mother, sister, granny and “GG”, who loved her family. She enjoyed garage sales, junk stores and goodwill, but most of all spending time with family.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; daughter, Brenda; siblings, Shirley, Barbara, Jessie and Doug.
Survivors include; children, Donna Klingenberg and husband, Nick, Kim Allphin and husband, Keith and John Nicholson; sister, Billie Conner; grandchildren, Jerry (Tami), Michael (Rachelle), Keith (Heather), Koy (Amanda), Kris (Jessica), Shannon (Ricky), Nicole (Emanuel), Heather and John; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

Gary Lynn Peters, 60, passed away Tuesday, March 11, in Weatherford.
Interment will be private. Family and friends will celebrate his life at 2 p.m., March 28, in the fellowship Hall of New Hope Baptist Church on New Hope Road.
Gary was born July 31, 1953, in Waltham, Massachusetts to Ima Mae (Hall) and Dennis Peters. He graduated from Lake Worth High School and served honorably in the U.S. Army. Gary was the father of three children; April, Jason and Jennifer.

He was preceded in death by April and Jason.
Survivors include; daughter, Jennifer; six grandchildren; mother and step-father, Ima and Lester Moreland of Springtown; sisters, Diane Goains of Azle, Debbie Grisham of Palestine and Kristy Coleman of Springtown.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

March 13, 2014, our daddy, Norvin Tennial Wright, went to be with Jesus and to join our mother and his wife of 69 years, Clara.
Funeral service was held Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 1602 S. Main Street,  Weatherford, Texas. Interment was at Veal’s Station Cemetery, Parker County, Texas. Visitation was held Saturday, March 15 in the Parlor of Central Christian Church from  4-6 p.m.

Services are under the direction of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford at 817-594-2747.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Silver Creek Heritage Society, Attn: Lana Chance, 6508 South FM 730, Azle, Texas 76020.
Norvin Tennial Wright, 89, was born on Sept. 6, 1924 to Claud and Fay Tucker Wright. Norvin and his wife, Clara Belle Haley Wright were dairy farmers throughout most of their adult lives.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; three brothers, Denzil, Virgil and Waymon Wright; two sisters, Gladys Gilley and Louise Robinson.
Survivors include; two daughters, Norlene Carter and husband Mike Carter of Weatherford, Twana Connors and husband Earl Connors of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri; granddaughter and caregiver,  Beth Robertson of Weatherford and Valerie Frangesch of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri; sister, Vonnie Holmes of Azle and brother, Harald Ray Wright of Weatherford.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

Edna “Nanny” Dildy, 88, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014.
Funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Olivet.
Edna was born March 15, 1926, in Nashville, Arkansas. Mrs. Dildy, or “Nanny” as most people knew her, will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family and friends. She and Sim were married for 57 years and worked very hard raising four boys and one girl. Edna loved to study her bible and her faith was strong for the Lord. She spent her life serving others without thinking of herself.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Sim B. Dildy; son, Joe Dildy; and daughter-in-law, Pam Dildy.
Survivors include; sons, Charles Dildy and wife, Sonja, Gene Dildy and Phil Dildy and wife, Cheri; daughter, Patricia Sewell and husband, Dell, of Boyd; daughter-in-law, Jackie Dildy of Azle; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; close cousin, Florene Wilson-Brown; and close friend, Joanna Royce.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

C. Lloyd Fitzgerald, 90, passed away peacefully, March 12, 2014 in the home he built for his family in 1970.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at his Azle home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Azle Community Caring Center.
Lloyd was born Dec. 15, 1923 in Fort Worth, Texas. He proudly served our country in WWII as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corp.

He married Dorothy Riviere Dec. 31, 1948 and together had three children. He was a dedicated husband and father. His career was in retail marketing and sales for S&H Kress and Ben Franklin variety stores.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy.
Survivors include; daughters, Terri Green and husband Charles Green, Kerri Craig and husband Alan Craig; son, Brian Fitzgerald and wife Laura Fitzgerald; grandchildren, Keely Cook, Austin Green, Johnathan Fitzgerald, Lindsay Wickersham, Joseph Green and Jason Fitzgerald; great-grandchildren, Noah Cook, Chloe Cook, Micah Cook, Luke and Zoe Wickersham, Madeline Fitzgerald and Eleanor Green and sister, Lois McCalaster.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

Alice Louise Beck, 86, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, went to be with her Lord, Sunday, March 16, 2014.
Service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20 at the First Baptist Church of Lakeside, 8801 Jacksboro Hwy, Fort Worth, 76135. Interment at Ash Creek Cemetery. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at White’s Azle Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Fund in care of The First Baptist Church of Lakeside.

Alice was born Sept. 21, 1927 in Beaumont to the late James and Maggie Fuller. She was preceded in death by her husband, R. W. Beck, Jr. in 1988.
Survivors include; daughter, Sherry A. Fry and husband, Don of Weatherford; son, John K. Beck and wife, Anne of Trophy Club; grandchildren, David D. Fry, Stephanie McKee, Deborah Loesch, Stephen Beck and Lisa Beck; great-grandchildren, Alex McKee, Jessica Fry, Baxter Loesch, Jenna McKee, Owen Loesch, Jack Fry, Joshua Fry, Joseph Fry and Tate Loesch; and many loving family.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

Grace Evelyn Simpson, 75, beloved mother, cousin and friend, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 at her home. Graveside service was held 12 noon, Tuesday at Johnson Cemetery in Dennis.
Visitations from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at White’s Funeral Home, 105 Denver Tr., Azle.
Grace Evelyn Simpson was born April 20, 1938 to Elvin and Beulah Brown Smethers in Buckner Community. They moved to Azle when she was a child and she attended school there. Evelyn graduated from Azle High School where she enjoyed playing basketball.

She worked a number of years for Jim Bob Nation Insurance. Evelyn was a member of Azle Church of Christ for nearly 15 years and was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #899.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon “Snake” Simpson; son, Randy Singer; and parents, Elvin “Slim” and Beulah Smethers.
Survivors include; son, Donald Simpson; several cousins; and many loving church family and friends.

The Azle News,
March 19, 2014 Edition

Mareen Whitmore Morrow (MiMi) 69, went to be with her heavenly father on March 15, 2014, at home surrounded by all her grandchildren, children and spouse of 50 years.
A memorial service will be held Friday, March 28, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, 200 Church Street in Azle, Texas at 4p.m.
She was born in Evansville, Indiana on Aug. 13, 1944 to Junior and Flora Nell Whitmore. She graduated from Lordsburg high school in Lordsburg, New Mexico in 1962. After attending two years of college at Central State, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she married the love of her life, Tommy and settled in Dallas, Texas. After starting her family they moved to Lubbock, Texas where they lived for 30 years.  She studied and became a medical transcriptionist. She then full filled her passion of decorating  and owned her own antique booth that she ran for years. Her ultimate passion was being a homemaker, mother and grandmother (MiMi).  She was a girl scout leader, bible school director and home room mother.  She volunteered for her church, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church by singing in the choir.  She gave countless hours of babysitting her three grandchildren.  In 2005 they moved to Springtown, Texas and attended First United Methodist Church of Azle, Texas.  She volunteered on the card ministries for a number of years and attended bible study whenever her health would allow her to.

They traveled many places but her fondest of memories were of Hawaii, where she has asked each grandchild to spread her ashes.
She was preceded in death by her father, Junior Whitmore and aunt, Mary Bell Williamson.
Survivors include; her loving husband, ‘hero’, and care giver, Tommy, to whom she was married for 50 years; mother, Flora Nell Whitmore of Weatherford, Texas;  daughters, Amy Morrow Gallacher of Lewisville, Texas, Adrian Morrow Askins and husband Darrin Askins of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren, Alyssa Gallacher, Cameron Gallacher and Caleb Askins; brother, Gary Whitmore and wife Carole Whitmore of Santa Fe, New Mexico; sister-in-law, Mary Morrow Alsobrook of Austin, Texas; dear cousins, Marietta Real and Bonnie Sue both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Azle News,
March 26, 2014 Edition

Richard “Dick” Thomas Pitney, passed away March 18, 2014.
Memorial service will be held at 11a.m. March 29, at the BJ Clark Community Center, 601 SE Parkway. Internment private.
Richard was born Dec. 30, 1946 in Connecticut, the second son of Norma and Louis Pitney. He lived most of his childhood years in Pacific Grove, California. He moved to Azle, Texas in 1965. He spent many years as a volunteer firefighter for Spillway and Azle fire departments until becoming a member of the Hurst fire department as a fireman and EMT. After his time with Hurst, he became Azle’s first paid fire chief. He truly enjoyed the time he put into helping others as a fireman. Later, he spent time at Blue Mound and Willow Park police departments as a reserve officer.

Richard will be remembered for his corny sense of humor, tenacity and friendship.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norma Lillian Burrell Pitney and Louis Arthur Pitney; brother, Michael Patrick Pitney.
Survivors include; wife, Frances; children, Lillian Oexmann and husband Chip,  Michael Pitney and Julie Pitney; step-daughter, Jennifer Adderley; grandchildren, Raigen Ruelas,  Sydney Hartsfield, Christopher Hartsfield, Brady Oexmann, Damian Pitney, Katie Adderley, Keri Adderley and Kyle Robinson; sister, Jane Roberts; brother, Brian Pitney;  four great-grandchildren; numerous sisters and bothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Azle News,
March 26, 2014 Edition

Robert Thomas Gorson III, 41, a driver for AraMark went to be with our Lord Thursday, March 13, 2014 in Houston.
Funeral service was at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Boyd with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family received friends from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Rev. Gary Sessions officiated. Pallbearers  included; Joshua Adam Gowins, Jeff Gowins, Royce Blanks, Jason Henderson, and B.J. Sides.

Robert was born on April 7, 1972 to Robert II and Paula (Slauson) Gorson in Fort Worth, Texas. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was united in marriage to Gina DeAnda on April 19, 2004 in Santa Anna, California.
Surviors include; wife, Gina Gorson of Houston; mother, Paula Slauson Gowins of Azle; father, Robert Thomas (Bob) Gorson II and wife Myglo of Hunting Beach, California; brothers, Ronnie Gorson of Missouri and Joshua Adam Gowins and wife McKenzie of Hurst; sister, Patsy Ann Gowins of Hurst; several nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles; extended family members and a host of friends.

The Azle News,
March 26, 2014 Edition

Earlene Doyle, 86, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2014.
Graveside services were held Saturday, March 29 at Ash Creek Cemetery under the direction of White’s Azle Funeral Home.
Earlene was born Oct. 23, 1927 in Rising Star to William Poe and Mary Violet Watson. She attended Decatur Business College. Earlene married the love of her life, J. W. Doyle in 1950 in Wichita Falls. She was a member of Ash Creek Baptist Church for many years. Earlene will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers.
Survivors include; husband, J. W. Doyle of Azle; children, Roger Doyle and wife, Rosemary of Weatherford, Rhonda Thomas of Azle, Randal Doyle of Azle and Raymond Doyle and wife, Krista of Azle; eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

The Azle News,
April 2, 2014 Edition

Lonnie Roy Corley went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 29, 2014.
Services were held Tuesday, April 1 at the Springtown Baptist Temple under the direction of White’s Funeral Home. Interment was in Jay Bird Cemetery.
Lonnie was born April 22, 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas.  He grew up in Azle and he attended Azle High School, where he became an outstanding football player. Lonnie’s first love was football and he admired his varsity football coach, Coach Don Hood, who he remained friends with for all these years. He worked at Tri-County Electric for several years and then he retired from Parker County Precinct 1. Lonnie loved to play golf, he loved his family and he loved his Savior Jesus Christ. He attended Springtown Baptist Temple, where he developed many friendships. Lonnie loved to fish, but he would always go back to football. If the TV was on that meant a game was on. He told his wife that there were three men in his life that left a lasting impression on him- his dad, Delbert Corley, his football coach, Don Hood and his father-in-law, Zack Leatherwood.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Lois Corley; mother, Marjorie Woodward; and sister, Billie Wright.
Survivors include; wife of 47 years, Nowanah; sons, Theron Corley and wife, Karen of Fort Worth and Richard Corley of Springtown; daughters, Charlotte Sisk and husband, Junior of Weatherford, Carla Sisk of Springtown; brothers, Tommy Woodward and wife, Greta of Alvarado, Gary Woodward and wife, Lori of Lake Worth and Stevie Woodward of Conroe; sisters, Sandy Young and husband, Danny of Sherman, Sammie Scott and husband, Scotty of Lake Worth; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews and his church family.

The Azle News,
April 2, 2014 Edition

Dennis Laban Lankford, 53, a delivery driver went to be with our Lord, Saturday, March 29, 2014 in Fort Worth.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Boyd Texas. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Rev. Mark Autry will officiate.
Dennis was born on February 1, 1961 to Claude and Anna (Ramey) Lankford in Phoenix, Arizona. He was a delivery driver for Solaris Hospice.

Suriovrs include; his daughters, Leanna Lankford of Casa Grade, Arizona and Tori Ray Monday of Whitt; his mother, Anna Lankford of Azle; his brothers, Claude Lankford and wife Shelly of Arizona, Rick Lankford of Granbury, Fred Lankford and wife Karen of Illinois, Art Lankford and wife Leann of Weatherford; his sisters, Cindy Lankford of Granbury and Ruth Ann Flow of Weatherford; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

The Azle News,
April 2, 2014 Edition

Doris W. Barnes, 91, of Andover, Minnesota formerly of Riverdale, Maryland and Azle, Texas has passed away.
Doris was born in Elmira, New York and moved to Washington D.C. as a teenager. After high school she worked as a clerk at the Pentagon.
Preceded in death by her parents; brother, Richard Bates and beloved husband, C.F. Lloyd Barnes.
Survivors include; sister, Joyce Magnum of Greenbelt, Maryland; daughters, Lynne (Tom) Yarbrough and Nancy Flury;  grandchildren, Eddie Yarbrough and Sue (Todd) Anderson; great-grandchildren, Charlie,  Alex, Taylor and Spencer. Memorials to the family preferred. Strike Funeral Home 763-444-5212.

The Azle News,
April 2, 2014 Edition