Claud Lee Smith went west on July 16, 2014.
At his request, no services or memorials will be held.
He was born on Sept. 7, 1934, into a show business family who performed in rodeos and wild west shows all over the country in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
He was billed as the world’s smallest cowboy. At age 9 months, his father would tie him in the saddle on a big white horse and he would ride in the grand entry. He later became a trick rider and trick roper and also had a trained Brama Bull who would perform many tricks. He was a cowboy and a ranch hand as a young man.

After graduation from Diamond Hill High School in Fort Worth in 1953, his father helped him become a Union Iron Worker in Local 263 in Fort Worth. He worked all over the United States building bridges, TV towers and multi-story buildings. In the 1960’s, he spent some time in the Panama Canal Zone working on a bridge across the Panama Canal.
He retired from iron working after 32 years. He later worked as a construction inspector for the University System in Arlington.
He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1957 – 59.
He always had a lot of fun.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Barbara; a son, Lee; and two sisters.

The Azle News,
July 23, 2014 Edition

Linda Dodson passed away Friday, July 18, 2014 in Weatherford.
A memorial service will be Saturday July 26, 2014 at Crossroads Baptist Church at 10 a.m. Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Born Linda Susan Walker, Nov. 27, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to Clyde D. and Dolores Walker; Linda was one of four children. Linda was a creative person, she loved crafts and bingo. Woodworking was a passion; she really enjoyed wood carving. Linda was a motorcycle enthusiast. She loved her Harley Davidson motorcycle. Linda met and married Lemuel “Wayne” Dodson; they were together for 17 years before his death separated them. Together they raised their children and enjoyed their grandchildren.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Dodson; son, Jason Dodson; father, Clyde Walker and brother, Dale “Dooner” Walker.
Survivors include her daughters, Angela Sanborn and husband Heath, Sara Jones, Julie Landers and Steven Bell; her son Daniel Rogers; grandchildren, Heather Sanborn, Jason Dodson, Dustin Sanborn, Trevor Skelli, Kasey Jones, Tanner Dodson, Haylee Sanborn, Rachael Jones, Austin Bell, Darrin Bell and two other grandchildren in California; great-grandchild, Ryott Dennis; mother, Dolores Yoder; brother, Glenn Walker and wife Sandy; sister, Sherri Walker and sister in-law, Sharon Walker.

The Azle News,
July 23, 2014 Edition

Loyd Lee Bailey, 79, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 26, 2014, with his loving family at his side.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Biggers Funeral Chapel. Interment at Aurora Cemetery. Visitations from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, Box 11454, Alexandria, Va. 22312; American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, Md. 20852; or Trinity Baptist Church, 620 Churchill Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76114.

Over the course of his life, he was a brick mason, volunteer firefighter and police officer. He served the city of River Oaks as a police officer, the city of Keller as chief of police and, in his later years, he was mayor of Reno, where the city hall is named in his honor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.R. and Rushie Bailey; and his wife, Mary Ruth Bailey.
Survivors include sister, Patricia Langston of River Oaks; children, Vonda Head and husband, Michael, of Colleyville, Michael Bailey and wife, Amanda, of Flower Mound and Mark Bailey and wife, Jennifer, of Azle; grandchildren, Bryan Head, Collin Bailey, Charles Head, Kendall Bailey and Tristan Bailey; niece, Lisa Capers; nephew, Ricky Langston; stepdaughters, Chris Seely-Tepfer, Cathy Miller, Becky Diaz and Penny Sanders and their families; former wives, Charlene Faulkner and Mary Ann Austin; many friends; and other extended family.

The Azle News,
July 30, 2014 Edition

Shirl Ronald Johnson, 75, longtime resident of Azle and installer for Western Union Telegraph, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014.
A private service will be held at Azleland Cemetery. Arrangements are through Affordable Burial and Cremation of Fort Worth / Azleland Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his wife Carlene; his son, Tony Johnson; his father, S.O. Johnson and mother Estelle Hatcher-Johnson.

Survivors include his sons, Kelly Johnson and his wife Teresa of Fort Worth and Terry Johnson and his wife Trena of Magnolia, Arkansas and 13 grandchildren.

The Azle News,
July 30, 2014 Edition

Beulah Mae Johnson, 99, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014, in Fort Worth.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Biggers Funeral Chapel. Interment at Greenwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 2 p.m. until service time.
Beulah Mae Phillips was born Aug. 22, 1914, in Decatur to Earl and Mae Phillips. Her father passed away when she was quite young in a pneumonia epidemic. She graduated from high school in Decatur and she and her mother moved to Fort Worth where she attended Brantley Draughon Business College. While living in Fort Worth, she met and married Wayne Johnson, a union that lasted for 60 years. They had three children, JoAn, Bobby and Jack; she was a mother in the truest sense of the word, the kind everyone would wish to have.

Mrs. Johnson became a real estate broker for a number of years and later a legal secretary and office manager for attorney M.L. Dickerson. She lived in the Fort Worth area her entire life including 38 years in Azle. She made her home at The Stayton the last several years where she lived until her Lord called her home. She was a member of Faith Temple for many years and attended First Baptist Church of Lakeside with her daughter and son-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; son, Bobby; grandson, Clifton “Jerry” Hale; son-in-law, Clifton Hale; daughter-in-law, Ann Johnson; and brother, James O’Neal.
Survivors include daughter, JoAn Hale; son, Jack Johnson; brother, Ed Dicken and wife, Carol; grandchildren, Cathy and James Boucvalt, Christine Shaver, Debbie and Tommy Ingram; great-grandchildren, Clint Lang, Melissa Lang, Richard Shaver, Sarah Shaver and Rachel Alvarado; and great-great-granddaughter, Alexis Lang.

The Azle News,
July 30, 2014 Edition

Grace E. Jones, 91, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014.
Graveside services were held  Thursday, July 24th at Azleland Memorial Park under the direction of White’s Azle Funeral Home.
Grace was born Jan. 10,1923 in Noble County, Indiana, where most of her life was spent with beloved husband, George “Bill” Jones who preceded her in death in 2005.
After spending her working career in Indiana supporting a farming operation and working for General Electric Co. for 35 years, they retired to Azle for the remainder of her cherished life where they enjoyed the fellowship of friends, family and church activities.

Grace was also preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Dorthy Gause and brothers, George Gause and Burl Gause; daughter of Purl and Dorothy Gause.
Survivors include children, Phillip Jones and wife, Margaret, Karen Richter and husband, Richard, and Kevin Jones and wife, Lyn; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; brother, Murray Gause.

The Azle News,
July 30, 2014 Edition

Jimmie Jolene Dombrovski, 66, died Sunday, July 27, 2014, with her family by her side in Fort Worth. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at First United Methodist Church in Breckenridge, followed by burial at Harpersville Cemetery under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jolene’s name to the Stephens County Animal Shelter.

Jolene was born to parents Carson and Joann Dabbs on Dec. 7, 1947. She loved to spend summers with her grandparents, Albert and Mae Gentry, at their family home in Harpersville. Jolene carried that love of “The Ranch” with her and had a great affection for chickens, goats and dogs. She married her husband, Richard, in 1991 and enjoyed a happy, contented life. She retired from a long career as a nurse two years ago to be closer to her mother, sister, children and grandchildren. Jolene was not a huge sports fan, but loved to watch her grandsons play for the Buckaroos on Friday night. She loved watching her grandchildren participate in sports, dance recitals, plays or any activity. Jolene was an excellent cook and frequently hosted “Sunday Dinner” at the Ranch. She took care of everyone in the family, often putting her own needs aside. Her family was her pride and joy and was always her priority.
She was preceded in death by her father, Carson Dabbs.
Survivors include her husband, Richard, of Azle; her mother, Joann Dabbs of Breckenridge; her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Bruce Lampert, of Abilene; her daughter, Sandy Walker, of Breckenridge and son and daughter-in-law, Will and Amanda Mazel, of Eastland; grandchildren, Lane and Luke Morris, of Breckenridge; and Reese and Emily Mazel of Eastland; nephew and niece Blake and Desiree Kitchens and great-nephew, Bryce of Brenham.

The Azle News,
July 30, 2014 Edition

Jeffery Michael Fowler 53, passed away July 30, 2014 in Arlington, after a battle from a long term illness.
Memorial services to be held at a later date.
Jeff resided in Reno for many years before moving to Arlington. He was an avid fisherman as well as having a great talent with woodworking.
Survivors include two sons, John and Cody Fowler, two sisters, Tammy Blevins and Michele Cranford; parents, Charles and Barbara Fowler, the love and companion of his life Cindy Haxton; multiple grandchildren, cousins, aunts, uncles and a great amount of friends who will miss him dearly.

The Azle News,
Aug. 6, 2014 Edition

James “Ed” Ramsey, 69 passed away, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014 surrounded by those who loved him.
Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Springtown Cemetery.
Visitation from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Alexander’s Midway.
Ed was born March 27, 1945 in Sulpher Springs to James Glenn and Bonnie Bess Lunceford Ramsey. He was a carpenter by trade.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gloria and brother, Larry.

Survivors include wife, Tina; sister, Cindy and husband Santiago; son, Brian; mother-in-law, Vendetta; granddaughter, Tiffany; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Azle News,
Aug. 6, 2014 Edition

Betty Urbanek, 84, of Azle, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 3 at her daughter’s home in Canyon, Texas under the care of Southwest Hospice. Family members were present at her passing.
Services are scheduled at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Azle with Pastor Craig Schinnerer officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Burial will be in Azle Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Alexander’s Midway Funeral Home of Springtown.

The family suggests memorials be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1313 Southeast Parkway, Azle, TX 76020.
Betty was born August 4, 1929 to Frank and Bertha Peterman in Ellsworth, KS. She married Victor Urbanek in January 1948. They were married 66 years before his death in Jan. 2014.  Betty was a homemaker and Avon Representative for many years, earning the President’s Award many times. She played the piano and organ for both Lutheran and Methodist churches the family attended. Betty treasured and loved her family very much.
The family moved to Texas in 1953 and became Texans for the rest of their lives. They lived in the Midland area for 18 years, moved to Plainview and then to Andrews, where they lived until retiring and moving to Azle.
She was preceded in death by her husband; three sisters, Evelyn Mackenzie, Anita Holle and Irene Peterman; two brothers, Clarence Peterman and Leonard Peterman.
Survivors include children, Gerald Urbanek and wife Doris of Irving, David Urbanek and wife Lou of Maryville, Tennessee, Kathy Rogers and husband Bill of Canyon, Janet Avant of Big Spring and Todd Urbanek and wife Betsy of Azle; grandchildren, Chris Rogers, Kaci Powers, Katy Barnett, Jeffrey Urbanek, Amy Malcomesius, Michel Urbanek, TJ Urbanek, Alex Urbanek, Kim Avant and John Avant; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

The Azle News,
Aug. 6, 2014 Edition

Jerry Don Morrow, 69, passed away Friday, Aug. 8, 2014.
Jerry was born Nov. 12, 1944 to R.E. and Vivian Morrow. He grew up in Bowie and graduated from Bowie High School. He recently retired from Triumph Industries. In his spare time, he enjoyed raising and showing dairy goats.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include wife of 20 years, Ginger Morrow; children, Joel Morrow, Tommy Morrow and wife, Jamie, Cindy Bell and husband, Chad, and Karmen Wilkerson and husband, Tyler; 8 grandchildren; and sister, Wanda Cook and husband, Jack.

The Azle News,
Aug. 13, 2014 Edition

Lucy Barrier, 98, of Azle passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, at Azle Manor.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro with Mr. David Snipes officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  Condolences may be made at www.marshallandmarshallfd.com.

Lucy was born Jan. 4, 1916 in the Yates Community of Hill County to Reuben Sylvester and Ella (Grigsby) Keeton. During World War II, she was a welder working on the victory ships in the shipyard at Portland, Oregon.  She graduated from Texas Tech University with her Bachelors Degree in education and went on to receive her Masters Degree in Education from Texas A&I in Kingsville.  On August 12, 1940, she married G. C. Barrier.  He preceded her in death on August 21, 1972.  After mainly teaching first grade at Bishop ISD for many years, Lucy became Principal there and retired in 1992.  In her leisure time she enjoyed bird watching (especially hummingbirds), reading, and watching golf on tv. She was of the Methodist faith.
Also preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Jeanne Juanette Grimes; and two brothers, Everette Keeton and M. V. Keeton.
Survivors include one brother, R. S. Keeton, Jr. of Monroe, North Carolina; one sister, Della Rodgers of Azle; seven nieces, Jan Simnacher of Leveland, Billie Easter of Azle, Kay Evans of Mason, Mary Tom Middlebrooks of Chappell Hill, Laura Hutcheson of North Augusta, South Carolina, Linda Keeton of Thomson, Georgia, and Brenda Keeton Farriss of Thomson, Georgia; and three nephews, Ken Rodgers of Richardson, Carl Rodgers of Midland, and Lonnie Keeton of Montgomery, Alabama.

The Azle News,
Aug. 13, 2014 Edition

Merritt Bunyard, 69, went home Sunday, July 27 to be with his heavenly father.
A memorial will be held at a future date.
He was born in Roff, Oklahoma. His life was centered around his sister, Lora McGinty and his four-legged best buddies. He was a longtime employee at Russell Feed and Supply in Azle.
Surviors include his sister, Lora McGinty of Springtown; one daughter, Kathleen Chambers of Garland; two grandsons; two nephews (Packy McGinty and Jimmy Lorimer) and many friends and customers in Azle, Springtown and DFW metro area.

The Azle News,
Aug. 13, 2014 Edition

James David Smith, 60, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, Aug. 8, 2014 with his family at his side.
A memorial will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday at Outreach of Love Church, Springtown.
James was born, Sept. 24, 1953 in Winnsboro, Louisiana, to James Rudolph and Nell Brewster Smith.
He worked as a tool and cutter grinder with 38 years experience in the Oilfield industry, General Dynamics and retired from Bell Helicopter.

He was preceded in death by his, father; brother-in-law, Verdis Unnasch; and grandchildren, Jace David, Jasyn David and Asher Gannon Smith.
Survivors include wife, Gwen Smith; son, Jeremy Smith and wife, Stephanie; granddaughter, Alexys Smith; mother, Nell Poe; siblings, Carol Lightsey and husband, Charlie, Betty Unnasch, Steve Smith and wife, Patty and Sandy Webster and husband, Michael; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Azle News,
Aug. 13, 2014 Edition

Oleta Faye Miller, 92,  passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014.
Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. at Azleland Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 am Saturday at Jaybird Cemetery.
Mrs. Miller was born in Reno and graduated from Azle High School. She was in retail sales for department stores. She was a member of the Oddfellows.
Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her mother Maude and her father Emmett Cox and her daughter Shirley Carol Cox.

Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Lou Colley of Newark; one grandson four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

The Azle News,
Aug. 20, 2014 Edition

Bessie Lou Seaberry, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 in Azle.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 at Ash Creek Baptist Church under the direction of White’s Azle Funeral Home. Burial followed in Ash Creek Cemetery.
Bessie Lou was born June 18, 1923 in Parker County to the late Gussie Centennial and Bessie Woody Tucker. Lou, and her five sisters, Marguerite, Maureen, Ruth, Martha, and her twin, Sue were affectionately known as the “Tucker girls”. These six sisters remained close their entire lives and shared their cooking, stories, joy and laughter with all who knew them. Lou, being the last direct descendent of Moses Tucker, one of the original homesteaders in Parker County, participated in the Silver Creek Heritage Society’s historical dedication of the Tucker House in 2012.

Lou, as she was so dearly called, lived most of her life in Azle and Parker County. After graduating from Azle schools and attending TCU, Lou married the love of her life, John L. Seaberry. The couple raised their family in Azle and became active in school, community, and church life. After John’s death in 1987, Lou, who many would describe as quiet and unassuming, became a strong, steadfast rock, never wavering in her faith. She continued throughout her life unselfishly giving to her family, her church and her community.
Lou was an accomplished pianist and served as Ash Creek Baptist Church’s pianist for 17 years. She loved to sing in the choir, to play for children’s choirs, VBS, and to go on mission trips. She was the epitome of true Christian love, tirelessly giving of herself for the church she loved so dearly.
Bessie Lou is survived by her son, James Stephen Seaberry and wife, Anne of Aledo; daughter, Emily Ruth Magnuson and husband, Jim of Azle; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

The Azle News,
Aug. 20, 2014 Edition

Gracie Smith, 82, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014.
Services were held  Monday, Aug. 18 at New Hope Baptist Church, under the direction of White’s Azle Funeral Home. Burial followed in Pleasant Grove No. 2 Cemetery in Keeter.
Gracie was born Jan. 13, 1932, in Monterrey, Mexico, daughter of the late Jose Lopez Hickman and Eva Montellano De Lopez. She was a longtime resident of the Azle area and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church for many years. She loved to cook, shop and be with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren because they were her life. Gracie will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Gracie was preceded in death by her husband, J.H. “Buster” Smith; and sons, David “Rocky” Gaston, Terry Smith and Johnny Smith.
Survivors include daughters, Cindy Gaston and Kay Walsh and her husband, Bob; sons, Bill Gaston and wife, Julie, Robert Gaston and wife, Norma, Michael Gaston, Rickey Gaston, Ronnie Gaston and wife, Karen, and Jerry Don Smith; daughter-in-law, Angie Helms; 28 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; sisters, Elba Wyche, Magadalena Lopez, Martha Funky and Teresa Lopez; and numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of loving friends.

The Azle News,
Aug. 20, 2014 Edition

Shirley Jean Lowery, 72, passed away Aug. 1, 2014 at home.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 in Alexander’s Midway Chapel, Springtown.
Shirley was born Dec. 5, 1941 in Gatesville to Calvin and Vera Cooper Price.
They both preceded her in death along with her sisters, Linda and Chris; and granddaughter, Zotae.
Surviors include her husband, Wayne Lowery; daughter, Regina Alexander and husband, Robert; son, Craig Oliver; siblings, Ronnie, LaDonna, Brenda, Rhonda, Tommy and Terry; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of which will miss her deeply.

The Azle News,
Aug. 20, 2014 Edition

Hazel Lucille Carpenter, 82, passed away Thursday, Aug.  7, 2014, at her home in Springtown, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2127 Skyline Drive, Fort Worth, TX.
Memorial donations can be made to Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Disaster Relief Fund, 25 Columbia Heights, New York, NY 11201.
Hazel was born April 30, 1932 in Landis, North Carolina. She was a loving wife and mother, skillful homemaker, artist, business woman and author. She wrote several children’s books and a “Hillbilly Vittles” cookbook. Hazel was interested in a wide variety of things, including cooking, the mountains and beach, art, reading, music, and much more. Hazel obtained her general class Amateur Radio license when she was 77.  Most important to Hazel was her baptism of 47 years and being a full-time Bible teacher of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 25 years. She attended the Springtown Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Survivors include husband, David Carpenter; daughters, Debbie Smith and husband Don of Springtown, Dawn Bradshaw and husband Lee of Burleson, Delaine Hughes and husband Richard of Fort Worth; brother, Harry Menius of Georgia; sister, Margaret Shaver of North Carolina; 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter; many other relatives and scores of beloved friends.

The Azle News,
Aug. 27, 2014 Edition

Eddie Conkling, 77, of Azle took a rose to Jesus on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014.
A loving and private ceremony was held at Eddie’s bedside with scripture, prayer, and song. Cremation was provided by Alexander’s Midway Funeral Home, Springtown.
Eddie was born Sept. 9, 1936 in Burkburnett to Howard Edward Conkling and Helen Ruth King Conkling. He attended Wichita Falls High School and Midwestern University in Wichita Falls.

Eddie has been a resident of Azle since 1965 and retired from both Conkling’s Double K Construction Company and Miller Brewing Company in Fort Worth. During his life he enjoyed serving others.
He served as councilman for the City of Azle 1971-1979 and was a member of the Industrial Development Team. During this time the city saw many positive changes including the incorporation of the City as well as a new and improved sewer system.
Eddie was also a member of the Azle Jaycees and Sertoma Club, and it was Eddie’s suggestion for the first Fourth of July Azle Jamboree that took place at Roeser Park, patterned after a popular picnic in Corning, Arkansas.
He also served as Den Master for the Boy Scouts of America and was a member and frequent volunteer of Eagle Mountain Baptist Church of Fort Worth. He and Bonnie enjoyed traveling with the Heart of Texas Vintage Airstream Group. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, family weekend outings, riding motorcycles, golfing, was a model train enthusiast, and had an artistic talent of crafting and carving beautiful Kachinas, fabricating silver and turquoise jewelry treasures and was a western movie buff.
Eddie is remembered as a fun-loving and devoted husband, attentive and giving father, proud and doting grandpa, devoted brother, uncle and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his father Howard Edward Conkling, (and wife Rosa) mother Helen Ruth King, and daughter, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown, Ceslee Ann Conkling.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Bonnie Sue Robinson Conkling of Azle; sons, Bryan (Sheila) and Bradley; grandchildren, Brent, Erin and Heath; great-grandson Blane; sister, Sandra; and many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, other family members and many friends.

The Azle News,
Aug. 27, 2014 Edition