Obituaries

Michael Henry Harris, longtime resident of Forney, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2022 at his home surrounded by family. He was born January 15, 1939, in Dallas to Henry Francis and Nada Amelia (Willingham) Harris. Michael grew up in the Dallas area and enlisted into the Texas National Guard on Feb. 22, 1956, right after his 17th birthday. During the initial 4 years of enlistment, he exhibited many skills in leadership and planning and attained the rank of Sergeant. Michael then completed Officer Candidate School in August 1960. He continued in faithful armed forces service for another 36 years, achieving the final rank of Brigadier General. During his meritorious service, Michael held numerous positions as an officer including Tank Platoon Leader, Battalion Officer in Communication, Electronics, Operations and Training, Brigade Intelligence and Operations, Brigade Commander and Executive Officer, Chief of Training for State Area Command (STARC) as well as Assistant Division Commander for both Support and Maneuver. Michael was also awarded several medals for his service to his country including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Army Achievement Medal.

Peggy Martin Black, lovingly known as “Nanny” to so many who adored her, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2022. She was born in Terrell, TX on November 15, 1936 to W.C. Martin and Fairy Eldis Martin, both of whom preceded her in death along with her husband Wayne Black, Sr, brothers: Royce Dean Martin, Steve Martin, Randall Martin; sister, Betty Martin and great grandson, Kaisen Lyle Sparks along with several other close family members and friends. While her family greatly grieves, they are comforted with the knowledge that Peggy was swept up in a great big hug by all who have gone before her to Heaven!

Betsy Helen Garner, age 95, (born August 11, 1926) passed away peacefully on November 30, 2021. She was the widow of Marion Marshall Garner, Jr. They shared 61 years of marriage together.

Richard Lee Houston II of Forney, Texas was born September 27, 1975 in Dallas, Texas to Richard Lee I and Debra Houston. He married Shelley Penn on May 11, 2001 in Dallas.

Sam Tanner was born on March 23,1936 in Forney, Texas to John B. Tanner and Velma Ruth Lindsey Tanner. He was raised in Forney and graduated from Forney High School in 1954.

Guy Edward Helms passed away on Nov. 4, 2021, at the age of 51. The Dallas-area native was born June 10, 1970, to Ross Junior Helms and Sharon (Matthias) Helms and graduated from MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. Guy Helms held a series of jobs before beginning his career in law enforcement with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. He met his future wife, Susie Crawford, five years later, and they married in August 2000 -- about the same time he graduated from the academy and was sworn in as a deputy. He left the sheriff’s office in December 2002 to join the Rowlett Police De-partment as a patrol officer. He advanced to detective in the department’s Criminal Investigation Division. He was a sergeant in the department’s Patrol Division at the time of his death. Guy was known to family, friends and colleagues as a kind man but with a wicked sense of humor. He was always able to lighten a tense day with laughter. Guy and Susie had two beautiful daughters, Lauren and Alyssa, and he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He liked to work out, play golf, ride his motorcycle and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, and fish with his girls. His daughters had only recently interested him in TikTok, and he could be heard in the other room as he laughed over some of the comments posted there. His parents preceded him in death. Besides his wife and children, he is survived by three sisters, Lea and Amanda Helms and Laura Lawson; his grandmother, Mickey Matthias; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces ... and his Blue Family.

Ronald Gene Chandler (Ron) was born to Vernon and Geneva Chandler on November 19, 1937 in Lawton, OK and left this earth on October 26, 2021 at the age of 83 years 11 months and 7 days.

Charles Bruce Benedict, 58, of Forney, Texas; son of Charles Millard Benedict and Florence Lee Fewell Benedict, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 11, 2021. Bruce was born on Dec. 16, 1962 in Dallas, Texas. He was raised in the Dallas area until 1977 when his parents decided it was time to move to Forney, Texas, his hometown for the last 44 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Forney.

Services for Lewis Clifton Pierce, Jr. of Forney, TX, were held 2 pm Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Pastor Jeff Garrett officiating. Interment was held in Haven of Memories. Visitation preceeded the service at 1 pm.

Dr. Robert Lamar Woodham (Lamar), lifelong professor and teacher, passed away on October 4, 2021, at the age of 81. Lamar’s life did not come to an end with his death. His teachings and influence, both in life and school, will continue to live on through his family, friends, and students, who were able to learn from his knowledge and experience. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Sunnyvale, Texas.

Lottie Mae Harper Kent was born January 12, 1935 and passed on September 25, 2021. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and a friend to so many. She was a born again believer and had attended Brother Jerry Griffin’s Sunday school classes and the 1st Baptist Church of Forney.

Audrey Goode Stinson, 46, of Wills Point, Texas, passed away on September 19, 2021, in Tyler at Mother Francis from effects of Covid-19 after fighting for 5 1/2 weeks. She was born February 16, 1975, in Dallas, Texas, to Shirley Jean Goode and the late Earle Henry Goode.

Gloria Fay (Allred) Eacret, 87 of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2021 at Highlands of Bella Vista. She was born on July 12, 1934 to Sam and Lela (Palmer) Allred, in their home near Clarksville, Arkansas. She was raised in Fort Smith. She worked as a secretary to the principal of Forney High School in For-ney, Texas. Later, she started her own business, The Calico Goose, in the historic district of downtown Van Buren, selling handmade crafts.