Rocky McLean of Groesbeck passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Limestone Medical Center. Funeral services wire held Friday, November 6, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck with Rev. Tracy Sims and Brother Richard Williams officiating. Burial followed at Fort Parker Memorial Park, with a solo sung by Mrs. Wendy Wilson. Serving as pallbearers were Randy O’Bryant, Michael McGilvray, Richie Wilson, David Jones, Bubba Foley, Daniel Perry, Dwain Tatum, and Lee Garrett., and Steve Hunt, Mike Sutton, Braydin McLean, John K. Kilpatrick, and Pat Goodman were honorary pallbearers. Rocky was born November 21, 1959 in Mexia to Spike Lamar McLean and Marjorie Janet White McLean, a household of three active boys of which he was the oldest. Rocky graduated from Groesbeck High School, Class of 1978. He was #21 on the Groesbeck Goat football team where he was an outstanding player. He made his Dad especially proud in his senior year game where Groesbeck beat Mexia with Rocky making the winning touchdown and kicking the extra point. Rocky and the boys grew up playing baseball as soon as they were old enough, and he played softball after he was out of school. He spent a lot of time with Terry Don and Angie Roach’s children, Robin and Randy Roach, playing baseball (and one memorable cold winter day snow sledding.) Dawn Wilson was also the next-door neighbor, friend and the sister he never had. And she was right there with him in his battle with cancer as a nursing friend. Rocky spent a lot of his life in the company of friend John K. Kilpatrick, who held him in his arms at the hospital when he was born, spent many hours watching him grow up and play ball, and many days camping and fishing with the McLean family and the Pat Goodman family. Rocky and his brothers spent many happy hours with their grandparents, and when old enough they enjoyed tromping through the woods with their guns at Old Union and at Papa McLean’s land at Honest Ridge. Rocky worked for Nucor in Jewett, retiring after twenty years. During his life, he loved camping, and fishing, and riding motorcycles and especially loved riding horses. While the boys were growing up, the family each had a motorcycle. All five of them would ride each Sunday afternoon to the grandparent McLean’s at Honest Ridge. Except Mom Janet would not try to keep up with the guys who rode too adventurously for her. Rocky passed his love of riding horses on to his kids, putting them on a horse before they could walk. He enjoyed watching Rockcey ride with the Prime Time Express drill team and perform in rodeos, and also loved to go see her playing volleyball and softball. And he and Justin spent some good times especially in recent years riding around spotlighting hogs. Family meant everything to Rocky, and one thing he really loved to do was cook and feed them. His specialties were ribs and steak, but also crockpot meals, and he believed in always cooking a lot to have enough for whoever showed up. He had a generous spirit, and wanted the family to eat with him and take leftovers home. Rocky was a man who dearly loved his family, and was a very loving son, brother, father and grandfather. He knew sorrow in losing his father to a long illness, but the hardest time of his life was when he lost his daughter, Jessica in a car wreck in 2003. Rocky was baptized as a young boy at the Church of Christ in Groesbeck, and he attended the Central Baptist Church in Thornton the past few years. Rocky was preceded in death by his father, Spike McLean; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Buddy McLean and grandfathers, Olen White and Riesel Cox; and his daughter, Jessica McLean. He is survived by his mother, Janet McLean of Groesbeck; his grandmother, Edith Cox of Groesbeck; his son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Amanda McLean; daughter, Rockcey McLean; brothers and sisters-in-law, Darrell and Carol McLean and Flint and Denise McLean; grandson, Braydin McLean; granddaughters, Alyssa McDonald and Callie Mae McLean (all of these of Groesbeck); and his nieces and nephews, dear aunts and uncles, cousins and many more extended family. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made the American Cancer Society. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Peggy Yvonne Mason Barnes, age 76, of Rocky Face, GA passed away Monday, April 20, 2015 at her residence. She was preceded in death by her parents, Truman Talmadge Mason and Mary Lou (Lenamon) Mason; brother, William Patrick Mason. She was born at Box Church on Nov. 14, 1938 and moved at a young age to the Gulf Coast of Texas. She was a member of Tunnel Hill United Methodist Church in Tunnel Hill, GA and was coowner of Barnes Barn Bar-B-Que in Rocky Face, GA. She was an avid bowler & was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She is survived by her husband, Garland Ralph Barnes of the residence; son, William Cody James of Summerville, GA; step sons and wives, Ralph Ashby Barnes & Laura Suzanne Creekmore of Nashville, TN, and William Ladd (Billy) Barnes & Anna Honorata (Puzdrowski) Barnes of Locarno, Switzerland; sister & brother-in-law, Marilyn (Mason) & Leonard Valka of Huntsville, TX; brother and sister-in-law, Michael Talmadge Mason & Vicki Mason of Fairfi eld Glade, TN; grandchildren, Ashley Maureen (James) & Christopher Alan Cooper, William Eric James, Ellis Betts Aaron, Virginia Camryn James, Jacob Coleman Creekmore, Ian Oscar Barnes, Harper Corley Barnes, Lillian (Lily) Helena Barnes; great grandchildren, Landon Alan Cooper & Jordyn Elise Cooper; and many friends, including special friend, Bobbie Nell Higgins of Brazoria, Texas. A memorial service for Peggy Mason Barnes will be held on Sat., Nov. 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at The Old Union Church and Cemetery with Ashby Barnes officiating. Following the services there will be a reception at the adjoining pavilion (weather permitting) or at the Community Center near the church. Funeral arrangements are by the Julian Peeples Funeral Home, Westside Chapel, Rocky Face, Georgia.

John Willard ( “J.W.” or “J”) Wellman, of Lake Limestone, passed away at Providence Hospice–St. Catherine’s in Waco, on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at age 72. A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at the Prairie Grove Baptist Church, with Reverend Clifton Jones officiating. John was born in Mart on November 30, 1942, to John Wellman and Hulda (Schmidt) Wellman. After some of his early life in Mart, the family moved to Waco, where he attended La Vega high school, class of 1961. J.W. enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserves, and spent the most of his adult life working in construction, and installing swimming pools. John was united in marriage with Doris Christine Williams when she was seventeen years old. They had a long life together until she passed away on January 25, 2008. John and Doris moved to Lake Limestone about twenty-five years ago. They built a home right on the lake and enjoyed living there even though he fought the yaupons for years. He worked the last few years as a security guard at the Kosse Mine, until retiring after health problems a few years ago. Hunting and fishing were a vital part of John’s life. In fact, the family predicted his daughter would be born on the deer lease or the river bank. She did grow up at both places. John looked forward to every November and the beginning of deer season, and had even been wishing he was able to hunt this year. John was a member of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church, and Pastor Clifton Jones was his neighbor as well as his pastor. John was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Wayne Wellman and Tommy Wellman. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Wellman and her friend as well as friend of the family, James Brem of Groesbeck; granddaughter, Heather Graham and husband Chris of Groesbeck; grandson, Tyler Inmon and wife Jackie of Groesbeck; granddaughter, Carly Keith and husband John of Laramie, WY;eight great grandchildren(all of Groesbeck): Cayden Graham, Sterlin Graham, Brent Graham, Holly Graham, Cali Inmon, Zethan Inmon, Maybree Inmon, and Paisley Keith; and he also leaves behind two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Pam Wellman of Seven Points and Mike and Brenda Wellman of Ballinger, and sister and brother-in-law, Florence and Jerry Black of Sommerville, and nieces and nephews. Visit www. groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

John Estle (Kink) Ridge, 92, of Groesbeck, passed away November 20, 2015. Funeral services were held Monday, November 23, 2015, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Richard Williams of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck officiating. Burial followed at Old Union Cemetery. Pallbearers were Johnny Kent, Cody Sunday, Justin Vickery, Tim Barco, Kenneth Shields, and Lewis Garner. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Kent, Herbert Gene Wilson, and Earl Leonard. J.E. (Kink) was born September 18, 1923, to Luther and Eva Boid Ridge, at Box Church, where he spent his early years. He served overseas in World War II. After his discharge from military service, Kink was a mechanic, truck driver, butane gas deliveryman, and convenience store owner. After the sale of his convenience store, he shredded pastures with his Dad and son, Bobbie, and cut many, many cords of wood. In later years, before he moved back to Groesbeck, he could be seen walking several miles each day around his home in Mexia. On May 17, 1943, he married Dena Henderson, and she passed away on October 20, 1972. On May 3, 1978, he married Louise Sunday and moved to Mexia. After she passed away on November 26, 2010, he moved back to his old home in Groesbeck where his children had grown up. He was a member of the Church of Christ and attended services all of his adult life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Eva Ridge; wife, Dena Henderson Ridge; wife, Louise Sunday Ridge; sons, Bobbie Ridge and Charles (Buddy) Sunday; grandson, Barry Winn; and twin brother, Vestle (Buck) Ridge. Kink is survived by children, Janice Ridge Winn and husband, Curtis, of Groesbeck; Billie Ridge and wife, Janet, of Groesbeck; Judy Vickery and husband, J.T., of Lost Prairie; Brenda George and husband, Steve, of Corsicana; Mike Sunday and wife, Doris Ann, of Mexia; daughter-in-law, Patsy Sunday, of Mexia; grandchildren, Kali Ridge Barco and husband, Tim, of Waco; Melanie Koudelka and husband, Allan, of Bryan; Lisa Garner of Mexia; Laurie Murphey and husband, Robert, of Mexia; Brandi Fatkin and husband, Zack, of Temple, PA; Cody Sunday and wife, Val, of Mexia; Justin Vickery and wife, Chaun, of Crowley; 17 greatgrandchildren; 7 great-greatgrandchildren; brother, Dean Ridge and wife, Barbara, of Odessa; sister-in-law, Venita Ridge, of Bedford; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Visit www. groesbeckfuneralhome. com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

James D. “Brother” Gilliam passed away at home on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at age 79. Funeral services were held on Friday, November 20, 2015, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Richard Williams of the Church of Christ officiating. Burial followed in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gary Varner, Michael Gilliam, Derek Harrison, Terry Varner, Greg Smith, and Jerry Gilliam. Honorary pallbearers were Willie Johnson, Morris Beaver, Joe Brown, Joe Dugger, and Larry Duke. James who was known to all as “Brother,” was born May 3, 1936 to James Lucas Gilliam and Willa Faye (Archibald) Gilliam in the Box Church community. He attended Groesbeck High School, Class of 1954. James was united in marriage with Glenda Joyce Favors on August 31, 1962 in Groesbeck and made their home here the rest of his life. He was a truck driver for the majority of his life, and worked at rock crushers and drove heavy equipment, retiring in June 1993 from Gifford Hill. He also had a private dump truck service for a couple of years after his retirement. Brother loved to hunt deer and squirrels (except the squirrels in his yard were protected.) He worked on vehicles and small engines and enjoyed teaching his grandson some of his skills. Brother was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 354 of Groesbeck and a member of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck. James was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Faye Gilliam; brother, Dave Gilliam; sisters, Lula Evans and Louise Kohler; and sonin- law, Mike Harrison. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Joyce Gilliam of Groesbeck; son, Jerry Wade Gilliam of Groesbeck; daughter, Melinda Gail Harrison of Groesbeck; five grandchildren: Candice Dawn Gilliam of Groesbeck, Jerry Wade Ginsel of Fort Worth, James Michael Gilliam of Groesbeck, Hailey Jo Gilliam of Corsicana, Derek Trey Harrison of Groesbeck; six great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He also leaves behind his sisters and brothers-in-law, Peggy and Sam Franklin of Mexia and Mona and J.C. Strouhal of Canyon Lake; sister-inlaw, Lois Gilliam of Dallas; sister-in-law and brother-inlaw, Robbie and Joe Dugger of Waxahachie; special family friends, Jeff Sharp, Larisa and Jody Goodman, and Tyler Merenda; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends. Visit www. groesbeckfuneralhome. com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook. 

Bobby George Golden, of Groesbeck, passed away at his home on Thursday, November 19, 2015, at age 65. Funeral services were held on Monday, November 23, 2015, at the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck, with Dr. Tod Tanner and Rev. Clayton Griggs officiating. Music was provided by Charlyn Stacy, niece, accompanied by JoAnn Stone. Burial followed in the Thornton Cemetery with JeffHutcheon, nephew officiating. Pallbearers wiere Robert Ledlow, Garland Braune, Mike Williams, Johnny Wilson, Jim Hunter, and Ron Bates. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Wayne Golden, Joe Rosas, Ron Franks, and Jim Tubbs. Bobby George Golden was born January 28, 1950 in Meridian, TX. At that time, his family was living on a ranch at Cranfills Gap, and they moved to Clifton when he was two years old. He graduated from Clifton High School in 1968. Although Bobby played all sports, football was a big part of his high school years. He was an All-State Center on the 1967 CHS football team, played middle linebacker on defense, and was the kicker when the team went to the State Finals. He was also named to the Super Centex Football Team. Bobby graduated from Tarleton State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1972. After graduation, Bobby went to work for Texas Farm Bureau as a Claims Adjuster. During the same time, he also played on the Semi-Pro football team, San Antonio Eagles. Bobby married Karon Beard on June 30, 1979 in the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck. Bobby was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Clifton in 1962. He joined the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck after moving to Groesbeck. Bobby served as a Deacon for First Baptist Church in Groesbeck. He also served on the Groesbeck ISD Board of Trustees and the Groesbeck Housing Authority Board. After working a few years for Walls Mfg., he went back to work for Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Co. He accepted the Claims Adjuster position in the Groesbeck offi ce, where he worked until his retirement in January 2005. Bobby remained active in sports at Groesbeck by playing softball, tennis, and golf. He loved the game of golf and the time he spent on the course with his friends. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Howard West “Sonny” Golden and Bama Maurice “Reecie” Golden; in-laws, Horace and Neva Beard; and brothersin- law, Donald Bearden and Charles Carr. He is survived by his loving wife, Karon Golden of Groesbeck; sister, Sue Bearden of Aurora, CO.; niece Sherri Hutcheon and husband Jeff and great niece, Lindsey Hutcheon and great nephew, Pete Hutcheon, all of Castle Pines, CO.; aunt, Jo Robards and her family. Bobby is also survived by his extended family of three sisters-in-law: Betty Thompson, Judy Carr, and Sharon Potter and husband Don. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Terry Thompson and children, Blake Thompson, Charlyn Stacy and husband Murray and girls, Bradley Carr and wife Rebecca and children, Chad Carr and wife Amanda and boys, Jamie Colvert and husband Jeremy and children, and Greg Potter and wife Maddie and children. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church (306 N. Ellis, Groesbeck, TX 76642) or Thornton Cemetery Association (P. O. Box 157, Thornton, TX 76687.) Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome. com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Sandra Smith, 79, of Mexia, passed away Nov. 22, 2015 at the Windsor nursing home in Groesbeck. Graveside services will be held Saturday, Nov. 28, at noon at Mexia Cemetery, with Pres. Andrew Thompson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officiating. Visitation was held Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home. Sandra was born April 20, 1936 in Minneapolis, Minn., to Charles Wesley Smith and Marion Josephine Smith Stuart. She married the love of her life, Jesse Smith, in 1952. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a graduate of Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in education. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jesse Thomas “Mickey” Smith; her son, Mark Alan Smith; sister, Kay Ferguson; and brothers, Ray Smith and C.D. Smith. She is survived by her children, Sherry Johns and husband Dale of Colorado, Bruce Smith and wife Linda of Oregon, Steve Smith and wife Kristi of Lake Limestone, Todd Smith and wife Doris of Mexia, Heath Smith and wife Kim of Shiloh, Aaron Smith and wife Vicki of Vidor, Matthew Smith and wife Kristen of Groesbeck, and Neal Smith and Jared Smith of Mexia; her sister, Ardy Johnson and husband Don; 38 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be her sons. Visit porterfuneralhometx.com to sign the guestbook and leave a message for the family.

Quinton Elijah Bozeman, of Groesbeck, at age 25, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Visitation will be held at Groesbeck Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 17, 2015, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Jerry Fulton officiating. Pallbearers will be Wesley Woitena, Joshua Woitena, Kevin Woitena, Nathan Vaughn, Eric Vaughn, and Stephen Young. Dustin Bozeman and Joshua Schoen will be honorary pallbearers. Quinton was born in Mexia on May 9, 1990 to Samuel J. Bozeman and Sharon K. (Rains) Bozeman Schoen. He grew up in Groesbeck, attending Groesbeck High School, where he played on the Groesbeck Goat football team, ran track, and especially enjoyed his welding class. Quinton graduated in the Class of 2009, and he also earned his Welding Certification in 2009 from Panola College. He continued to love welding as an occupation for some years. Quinton spent a lot of his youth with his grandparents, Gilbert and Linda Rains in Center. After his graduation, he worked in various welding jobs, including some jobs in Center and Lufkin while living with the Rains. He also lived in Oklahoma during a time his mother was living there, working with Quad Graphics as a pressman assistant with his stepfather. All his life, Quinton’s big love of life was hunting and fishing and being outdoors. He spent countless hours with his father, both grandfathers, and big brother Seth, hunting, year-round. He loved to fish–anywhere there was water, even in a mud hole as a little boy. Digging in the dirt was always a part of Quinton’s life. As a little boy, the grandparents at Center gave Quinton and Seth some digging equipment toys, and they proceeded to use these to dig a hole big enough to be their “cave” under the edge of the house. They grew from there to digging their own swimming pool; between five kids with shovels, they dug a hole 4-1/2 feet deep, 11 feet wide and 15feet long, and his dad lined it was plastic and filled it with water. The kids had a blast in the sandy water, coming out covered with sand but having fun. For the past few months, Quinton was back to digging in sand, being employed at Superior Silica south of Kosse as an equipment operator. He absolutely loved this job and told his family he was a “grown kid in a big sandbox.” Quinton was friendly and outgoing and never met a stranger; he was loved by all his family and many friends. Quinton knew his Savior. He accepted Jesus at seven years old, at the Lost Prairie Baptist Church while Reverend Jerry Fulton was the minister. He read his Bible and kept one with him at all times, and never missed an opportunity to share his testimony and discuss the Bible with others. He moved his membership to Lake Limestone as a teenager, but also attended White Rock Missionary Baptist Church while in Center and also the Prairie Grove Baptist Church. He has now gone to live in his eternal home with the Lord and Savior. Quinton is survived by brother, Seth Bozeman of Groesbeck; his mother and step-father, Sharon and Jeffrey Schoen of Lufkin; his father, Samuel Bozeman of Groesbeck; maternal grandparents, Gilbert and Linda Rains of Center and paternal grandparents, Delmer and Jane Bozeman of Groesbeck; aunts and uncles, Karen and Archie Hayley of Mt. Vernon, TX, Sheila and Ronnie Vaughn of Bayou Vista, TX, Michael Rains of Austin, Thalia Woitena of Texas City, and Delmer and Laura Bozeman of Alvin; numerous cousins, and many friends. Donations in Quinton’s memory may be made to the volunteer fire department of choice or the Limestone Sheriff’s office fund for a monument to fallen law enforcement officers. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook. 

Robert Randall Sims passed away on November 16, 2015 in Houston. He was born March 13, 1934 in Lost Prairie, Texas to Buck and Erna Sims. He graduated from Fair Oaks High School in rural Limestone County and served in the Army from 1954 to 1957 where he was a paratrooper with the 11th and 82nd airborne divisions. After the service he enrolled in the University of Houston and graduated with an accounting degree. After working for a large firm he opened his own CPA practice which gave him many years of enjoyment and fulfillment. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Sullivan Sims; his son Randy Sims and wife, Malinda; grandchildren, Trey, Cal and Samantha and daughter Juleigh Holley and husband, Gary; grandchildren Lee and Barbara. A private graveside service will be held at Lost Prairie Cemetery at a later date.