Services for Dale Christopher, 71, Athens, were held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 in Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel with Pastor John Wilson and Billy Cissell officiating.

Burial followed in Malakoff Cemetery.

Mr. Christopher died Oct. 20, 2012 in Athens.

He was born Jan. 22, 1941 in Athens to John Reagan and Myrtle Lane Christopher and had been a lifelong resident of the community. He had a 35-year career as a barber and was an ordained minister. He was a member of Athens Praise and Worship Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William Glenn Christopher and W.R. “Chief” Christopher.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Christopher, Athens; sons Jimmy Dale Christopher and wife Jennifer, Hallsville; stepchildren Shelley Howard and husband Kim, Eustace, Jerry Lantz and wife Verna, El Paso, Robert Matthews and wife Megan, Conroe, Sabrina Barrow, Athens; brothers Nelson Christopher and wife Carol, Athens; grandson Jimmy Lee Christopher; 10 step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Barbara Christopher, Irving, Rita Christopher, Brownsboro.

Pallbearers were Michael Christopher, Tim Howard, T.J. Howard, Jason Burch, Robert Matthews, and Ray Graham.
Visitation for family and friends was 6-7 p.m. Monday.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Children’s Ministry, Athens Praise and Worship Center, P.O. Box 1442, Athens, Texas 75751.

Services for Florence Pierce Jumper, 79, of Malakoff were held 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Cross Roads with the Rev. Frank Upchurch officiating.

Burial followed in Post Oak Cemetery under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
Mrs. Jumper died Oct. 21, 2012 in Tyler.

She was born March 4, 1933 in Cross Roads to the late Ed Roy and Beatrice Waller Pierce and was a 1950 graduate of Cross Roads High School. Following graduation she attended St. Paul School of Nursing in Dallas. She later worked for Dr. Nash, a dentist on the Courthouse Square in Athens. While employed for Dr. Nash, she met and married the love of her life, Howard T. Jumper, Jr. They resided in Houston 26 years, moved to Bellville for eight years then returned to Malakoff in 1994. She was a member of First Baptist Church Cross Roads.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Billie Louise Heidelberg.

Survivors include husband Howard T. Jumper, Jr., Malakoff; sons Mike Jumper, Sugar Land, Randy Jumper and wife Sonia, Houston; daughters Becky Renee Morton, Tina Dupree, Tanya Jumper, all of Malakoff; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Luke Jumper, Kevin Jumper, Justin Lindley, Jeremy Jumper, Shane Jumper, and Rick Sadler.

Visitation for family and friends was 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

You may leave a message or light a memory candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com.

Funeral services for Henderson County Pct. 1 Judge, the Rev. Henry Ashford, 65, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, Athens, with the Rev. Frank B. Mosley officiating.

Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Tyler, under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co.
Rev. Ashford died Oct. 20, 2012, in Waco.

He was born July 7, 1947, in Calvert and graduated from Jackson High School in Tyler. He was a 29-year resident of Henderson County where he served as Henderson County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1. He was pastor of New Beginning Ministries, Athens.

He served as president of Athens Housing Authority, past president of Henderson County Black History Committee, member of Henderson County Ministerial Alliance, Henderson County NAACP and various other committees. He served in the U.S. Army and was preceded in death by his parents, Montgomery Ashford and Katherine Lusk, and one brother, Andrew R. Lusk.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Cassie Williams Ashford, Athens; two sons, Antwoin Smith (Renee), Fort Worth, and Henry Ashford Jr. (Katrina), Burleson; two daughters, Sonya Ashford of Waco, and Kathryn Simmons (Stevie) of Burleson; four brothers, Lincoln Ashford, Chicago, Ill., Aaron Ashford, Abilene, Lawrence Young, Copperas Cove, Ernest Young, Mount Holly, N.J.; two sisters, Harold Ann Prince, Fort Worth, and Mona Ekpunobi, Abilene; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Viewing will be Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 837 N. Prairieville, Athens.

James Arlen Wilson was born Sept. 2, 1935, in Goosecreek, Baytown. He died Oct. 10, 2012 at his home in Kaysville, Utah.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon McGaha Wilson; George A. Wilson, of Bountiful, Utah, Lee Jamison Wilson of Seven Points, James (Jimmy) Wilson, of Seven Points, Jay A. Wilson, of Seven Points, and former wife Nona Faye Wilson of Seven Points.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Smallwood.

He was blessed with seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, on Belmont St., in Athens. Visitation will precede the service.

Virginia Lillian Bradley Robertson went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 with family at her side.

She was born in Trinidad on May 6, 1922 to TT (Truman) and Lille Bradley, and celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by family on May 6, 2012.

Mrs. Robertson was delighted by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was member of the Malakoff First Baptist Church and served by teaching Sunday school, helping with VBS, and being an active member of the Ruth Class for many years. She worked in Seagoville for Gibson’s payroll department and served as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. She worked at Kirby’s in Malakoff and helped her husband, Rollen, with his business throughout their married life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rollen Carlton Robertson, and brother Chester Bradley.

She leaves behind son, Don Robertson and wife Johnnie; daughters, Barbara Gunnels and husband Bill, and Rhonda Wilcox and partner Donna Rinn; grandchildren Jesse Robertson and wife Kim, Pebbles Knight and husband Roy, Teri Gunnels, Wendy Yates, Koen Rinn and fiancé Codi Huebner, Ryan Rinn and wife Kirstie, Laura Rinn, Jill Keel and husband Brad, Buddy Cox and wife Shelley, Theresa Bancroft and husband Bodine; great-grandchildren Rendi and Amanda Knight, Rollen, Riley and Rachel Robertson, Tyler, Ellie and Carson Rinn, Peyton Keel, and Jonathan, Bailee and Hanna; great-great-grandson Chase Hollingshead; niece, Markey DuBose, Bruce DuBose, and many more loving extended family members and friends.

Mrs. Robertson’s life will be honored at a memorial service at Malakoff First Baptist Church 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, with Bro. Casey Perry officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Virginia Robertson Downtown Malakoff Beautification Fund c/o Malakoff Chamber of Commerce PO Box 1042, Malakoff, TX 75148.