Obituaries for the week of Nov. 27, 2014

       John Lee Willis 

John Lee Willis was born July 22, 1963, to John Herren and Wynnell Redfearn Whitecotton and later adopted by Ronald Kenneth Willis.  He went home to be with his Lord on Nov. 16, 2014.

       John attended fourteen schools in three states before graduating from Hughes Springs High School in 1981.  After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy.  He was stationed aboard a submarine tender, the USS Hunley, in Holy Loch, Scotland, and an aircraft carrier, the USS Saratoga out of Mayport, FL.

       After active duty, John attended college at The University of Texas at Arlington and worked as an air conditioner service technician until he and Sandra married the Saturday after Thanksgiving on November 26, 1988.

       John and Sandra moved to College Station where he enrolled in Texas A&M University.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology in May 1992.

       After graduating from Texas A&M, John worked in various aspects of the power industry at Bath Electrical Systems in Houston, fleet management and engineering at Lone Star Steel, and plant engineering, electrical maintenance and asset management at Luminant Power.

       He has been very active in his church, First United Methodist Church in Hughes Springs, for the last 17 years where he served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Board of Trustees and youth leader.  He also served on the Hughes Springs ISD School Board for the last 14 years and was the current president. John enjoyed home improvement projects and outdoor activities, such as hunting and fishing.

       John was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, Alvis and Tessie Redfearn, John L. and Rosalie Herren Whitecotton, Grover Kenneth and Kate Ellis Willis, and uncles, Alvis Redfern, Jr. and Thomas Redfearn.

       He is survived by his wife, Sandra Willis; daughter, Nicole Willis; son, John K. Willis; 4 brothers and sisters-in-law, Alan and Dawnett Willis of Marshalltown, Iowa, Tim and Mandi Whitecotton of Abilene, Texas, Tommy and Carrie Whitecotton of Baird, Texas, Calvin and Ydaner Taylor of Athens, Texas; 4 sisters and brothers-in-law, Rhonda and Greg Skiles of Athens, Texas, Carolyne and Doug Norman of Boyd, Texas, Jannell and Tracy Dunnington of Athens, Texas, and Holly Whitecotton of Azle, Texas; parents-in-law, Mike and Kaye Jenkins of Hughes Springs and Ann and Gary Evers of Royse City, Texas; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Llaura Jenkins of Hughes Springs and Clark and Krystyl Turner of Dallas, Texas; stepbrother, Shane Taylor; stepsister, Shanna Taylor; aunts and uncle, Martha Whitecotton and Danny Davis of Nash, Texas, Annette Redfern of Athens, Texas, and Julian and Charissa Redfearn of Longview, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers, life-long and special friends.

       Services were held at  2:00 p.m. Nov. 19, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Hughes Springs. Burial followed at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home.  Visitation was held at the church from  Tuesday evening.

  Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hughes Springs ISD, or Texas Oncology Foundation at 1221 Merit Dr., Dallas, TX 75251.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.reeder-davis.com.

Edna Poole 

Graveside services for Edna Poole, 74, of Hughes Springs were held at 10 a.m. Nov. 19, 2014 at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home of Hughes Springs. 

Mrs. Poole was born July 14, 1940 in Hughes Springs and passed away Nov. 16, 2014.

 Lesley Jenkins 

Lesley Ray Jenkins, 46, of Linden, passed away Nov. 15, 2014 in a Longview Hospital.  Mr. Jenkins was born Feb. 6, 1968 in Linden. 

 

Edgar Knox 

Funeral services for Edgar Allen Knox, 88, of Diana, were held Nov. 22 at Reeder-Davis Funeral Home Chapel in Ore City. Mr. Knox was born Sept. 30, 1926 and passed away Nov. 18, 2014.