MARGIE COOK BILLINGS

   Mrs. Margie Cook Billings was born May 14, 1925, at the Cook family home in the community of Sylvester, near Groveton, Texas. She was the daughter of William Alfred Cook and Celia Rushing Cook. She passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at the Willowbrook Nursing Center in Nacogdoches, Texas. 
  Mrs. Billings married the late Adwin Winston Dial, Jr., of the Josserand community Sept-ember 15, 1943, on the Cook family farm in a double ceremony shared with her older sister, Marie Cook Wallace and husband, Robert Wallace. Her stepfather, Robert L. Browning and his children also attended the ceremony. 
  Mrs. Billings attended the McGregor Baptist Church in Ft. Myers, Florida, with her children. She enjoyed sewing beautiful clothes for her three girls, Carolyn, Pauline and Alice Kay. She liked to watch her young son, Mark Winston, play in his sawdust box in back of her home. She also loved to plant flowers in her garden. 
  After her return to Texas, Mrs. Billings became Mrs. Elgin Baker and resided in Nacog-doches where she attended the Old North Church. After Mr. Baker passed away, she married the late Tommy Billings. 
   Mrs. Billings is preceded in death by her two sons, Grant Patton Dial (infant) and Mark Winston Dial, and her grandson John Eric Barratt. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Dial of Houston, Texas, Pauline Dial Ryan of Chambersburg, PA, and Alice Kay Dial of LaBelle, FL. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as stepsiblings, Bobbie Browning Godwin of Lufkin, Texas, Jane Browning Metcalf and Ollie (Pollie) Browning Thompson- both of Indiana-polis, IN, Lynn Ray Browning of Mesquite, Texas and her last sibling, Col. James Cook of McLean, VA.
   Mrs. Billings will be remembered with a Family Sing Celebration at a future date at the Old North Church in Nacogdoches. All members of the Cook and Browning families are invited to sing, play instruments and suggest songs for this remembrance. 
   If you would like to honor Mrs. Billings’ memory, please consider a donation to your favorite church or charity, including the Groveton Ex-Students Scholarship Fund.

JAMES RALPH BOOTH

   Mr. James Ralph Booth, age 81, of Groveton, Texas, formerly of Katy, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009 in the Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin.  Mr. Booth was born May 5, 1927 in Middleton, West Virginia, and had lived in Groveton, Texas since 1989, previous living in Katy.  He was a veteran of the United States Army and the United States Air Force having served during World War II.  Mr. Booth was a retired truck driver.
   Survivors include his wife of almost 57 years Alma Booth of Groveton; children Pamela Grayson and husband Michael of McKinney, James W. Booth of Oregon, Kathi Schramm of Westernport, Maryland, Michael Booth and wife Lynda of Missville, Virginia; Gary Booth and wife Joanne of Malibu, California; and Dee Due and husband, Myron of Possum Walk Community; grandchildren Candace, Kathie, Rachel, James II, April, Edward, Elizabeth, Jacquelyn and Stephen; great granddaughter Brandi; half sisters Janice, Myrtle, Jean and Sue of Essex, Maryland.
  Preceded in death by grandson Jon Grayson; mother and father, Ralph Elwood Booth and Maggie May (Barker) Booth; sister Virginia Edgi and brother, Charles Booth.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Assoc-iation, 7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 78251-1182.
Callaway-Allee Funeral Home

MORRIS PATON KELLY

  A memorial service for Morris Paton Kelly, 75, of Moscow, Texas will be held Tuesday April 21, 2009 at 10:00am with Bro. Lester McAdams officiating.
   Mr. Kelly was born January 16, 1934 and passed away Monday April 13, 2009 in Lufkin, Texas. He was a Retire d Security Guard.
   Survivors include his wife Wilma Kelly; son and daughter in law Bobby Jo and Dorthy Kelly of Groveton; step-grandchildren Richard Goins of Kirbyville and Buck Goins of Livingston; and twelve grandchildren.
Groveton Funeral Home

JOE BOB HESTER, SR.

   Mr. Joe Bob Hester, Sr., age 82, of Groveton, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at his residence.  Mr. Hester was born February 20, 1927 to Arthur Lee and Libbie (Morrow) Hester in Lovelady, Texas and was a lifetime resident of Groveton.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served on the U. S. S. WASP during World War II.  Mr. Hester was a volunteer fireman for many years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groveton since 1938 where he served on the Board and Stewards and was Chairman of the Building Fund and Memorials.  He had worked in his family business, Hester Texaco Service Station, during high school and after. Mr. Hester married Carol Faye Rich of Crockett on September 6, 1958 and one son, Joe Bob Jr., “Bobby” was born in 1960. He retired from the United States Postal Service in 1992 after 32 years of service as a rural letter carrier.  Mr. Hester was a devoted husband and father.
    Survivors include his 0wife Carol Faye (Rich) Hester of Groveton; son  Joe Bob Hester, Jr. and wife Rhonda of Durham, North Carolina; brothers:  Clayton Gene Hester and wife Anna of Groveton, Roy Lee Hester and wife Marie of Beaumont; sister-in-law Nancy Rich of Crockett; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives; and loving Pet Kitty Tom.
    Mr. Hester was preceded in death by parents Arthur Lee and Libbie (Morrow) Hester; brother James Arthur Hester; sister Eloise Hester Schubert and brother-in-law James E. “Buck” Rich.
     Funeral services for Mr. Joe Bob Hester, Sr. will be held Thursday April 23, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Groveton with Rev. Everett McCollum and Rev. Ben Bagley officiating.  Interment will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Park in Crockett.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church-Groveton Building Fund, 221 Church Avenue, Groveton, Texas 75845 or Alzheimer’s Association, Star Chapter-Nacogdoches, Texas.
Callaway-Allee Funeral Home

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