All Obituaries

A woman who was destined to make her mark on education, touching the lives of thousands of youngsters both in and out of the classroom was born on May 10, 1922 to John Wesley and Vera Dillard in Harrison County, Texas. They named her Ella Ruth. She attended elementary school at a historic Rosenwald School and later Pemberton High School, both in Marshall, Texas. Staying close to home for her collegiate education, she earned a bachelor’s degree from a historic HBU,...

Debra Ann Adams Loyd was born, March 4, 1953 to the parentage of the late Levy and Irene Amey Adams, in Henderson TX. Debra grew up in the Friendship Baptist Church, and later rededicated her life to Christ, and became a member of Union Church of Christ. She attended Mayflower schools, and after integration, she graduated from Tatum High School in 1974.  She was a member of the Mayflower Pep Squad, and was a band member at Tatum High School, where she played the flute. Debra worked...

Annie Thomas was born on May 14,1956 to Annie and Henry Williams in Longview, TX, the 2nd of 9 children. She attended Longview High School. She moved to Houston, TX, and attended Prairie View A&M University after graduating from Longview High School in 1974. During college, she met David Thomas, whom she later married. From the union three children were born. After their marriage ended in 1991, she and her three children returned to Longview, Texas....

Clarence Eugene Bradford was born on April 3, 1954, to Wille Earlene Bradford. He was baptized into Christ at an early age and became a member of Harris Chapel Church of Christ. He graduated from Tatum High School in 1971 and continued his education at Kilgore Jr.  College. He then proudly served his country in the United States Army. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Army, he continued as part of the United States National Guard. When he...

Jason Dewayne Crosby aka “J-Roc” was born on January 22, 1982 in Houston, Texas to Clark Crosby Jr. and Maxine Crosby, the youngest of three children. At an early age, Jason accepted Christ at Northside Church of Christ in Hallsville, TX. Jason attended school at Pine Tree High School in Longview, TX. Jason coached little league football starting in 2001 to 2023, which was his passion until his health started failing him. He united in marriage to...