Obituaries

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.

David Eugene Townsend, a lifelong resident of Forney, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2021. David was born May 28, 1932 in Forney, Tx. to James Columbus and Ettie Mae (Nash) Townsend, and was the youngest of nine children.

Caleb Brandon Couch, son of Brandon Couch and Jessica Crawford, was born on January 15, 2004 and passed away on July 15, 2021.

Ariel Shelby Hood was born May 23, 1999 in Dallas, Texas and was freed from Myotonic Dystrophy July 7, 2021.

Bobby Clyburn Sr., passes away July 10, 2021. He was born September 9, 1938, in Alief Texas to J. H. and Effie Clyburn. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, for four years. He retired from the IRS after more than 20 years. Bobby was a member of the First Baptist Church in Forney, Texas, for many years

Nikki Sue Grant was born March 11, 1959, in Bourn, MA to Robert E. and Shirley A. Holler and passed away July 1, 2021 in Forney, TX. Nikki is survived by her husband of 39 years, Brian D. Grant; sons, David Al-lan Holler & Philip Joshua Grant; 9 grandchildren, Christine Holler, Sean Holler, Alexander Donawho, Margaret Holler, Micah Holler, Evelyn Holler, Joshua Tate Holler, Elliot Grant, and Emmet Grant; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jeff Holler.

John’s amazing life journey began in Waurika, Oklahoma, being born to Willis Jerry Morrison and Offie Belle Bryant Morrison, and then moving to Dallas at age two in a buckboard wagon with his mother and four siblings. He grew up in “old Dallas” and saw the city develop from a depressionera cow town to a major international hub during his life. He graduated from Crozier Tech in 1942 and joined the Navy at age 17 to fly PBYs during World War II. He returned from the war and worked his way through the University of Denver. He practiced accounting for Sun Oil in California and returned home to Dallas to work for the original Frito Lay Company in its early days. While doing so, he met a stunning dark-haired beauty on his walks to the office each morning. He finally convinced Vincenza “Virginia” Macaluso, to not only go to lunch with him, but to marry him and have four children and a 52-year marriage which ended with Virginia’s death in 2006.

Roberta Mae (Thomas) Carroll confidently went to her final resting place on June 19, 2021. Roberta, born on March 2, 1917 to Clifford Adell Thomas, Sr. and Annie Mae (Josselet) Thomas, was one of eight children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers (John, Adell, Clifford, Lewis and Raymond Lee) and by her sisters (Helen and Marie).

Gail McWhorter Fisher of Forney, Tx passed away peacefully at home in Forney, Tx on 6/18/2021. She was born 11/4/1921 in Farris, OK. to Bessie Crowley and Tandy Stiles. She was raised by her mother and stepfather Joseph Smith.

Margaret (Sammon) Yates Miller went home to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, May 23, 2021, at her home in Quitman, Texas. She was born September 14, 1935 to Brady and Florence Sammon, both of whom have preceded her in death, along with her sister, Carol Curtiss, and a brother, John Marvin Sammon.

James Coleman (JC) Mitchell born September 19, 1932. Died peacefully at his home, on May 03, 2021. Survivors include: His daughters, Kimberly Mitchell Brooks of Forney, TX and Sherry Lynn Mitchell of Terrell, TX. His son-in-law Ken Brooks of Forney, TX. Grandchildren: Chase Humphrey and Casey Humphrey. Great Grandchildren: Rylan Humphrey and Caleb Humphrey. Brother, Lee Roy Mitchell and sister-in-law Tandy Mitchell. Nephews: Roy Lee Mitchell, Kevin Mitchell and Douglas Pregrove. Nieces: Vicki Roberts, Kathy and Kelly Lee. 7 grandnieces and 1 grandnephew. Caregiver and dear friend: Leticia Segura (Lettie). Cousins: Nita Rea Rector, Roy and Robert Snyder. Longtime friend and business partner Ken Menard.

Steven Wayne Martin was born in Dallas, Texas, on February 4, 1947. He grew up in Forney, Texas, graduating from Forney High School in 1965. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Lerlene Kinsey, on September 4, 1965 in Forney, Texas, with Brother Jerry Griffin officiating. Steve and Sharon had two children, Steven Dale born December 23, 1966, and Sharon Denise born June 12, 1969.

Laura Mae Simonek, 75, of Forney, TX went home to be with the Lord on April 18, 2021. She was born on August 3, 1945 to Donald Udell and Valta Aline Parsons at the Naval Air Base in Norman, OK. She moved many times when she was young. She lived in Florida, Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii; and Midwest City, Oklahoma. Laura graduated from Midwest City High School in 1963.