Thomas Harlan Smith of Groesbeck passed away Friday, February 26, 2016 at Groesbeck LTC. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Bob Harr officiating., and Mrs. Barbara Walker was vocalist. Burial followed in the Ft. Parker Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Kenneth Wietzikoski, Mike Wietzikoski, Mark Lynd, Terry Stewart, David Tawater, Bob Coffee, Ron Fritz, and Dennis Wilson. Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Walton, Dwain Popejoy, Rand Bates, Kyle Schrader, Marcus Ray Hanna, Robert Tawater, Sammy Tawater, the DQ “coffee bunch”, and the GHS Class of 1959. Thomas, known by all as Tommy, was born January 12, 1941 to William Earl Smith and Vivian Virginia Gillmore Smith in Groesbeck, Texas. Tommy graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1959. After graduation he drove the delivery trucks for Mrs. Baird’s Bread and Pure Milk, where he met long-time friend Raymond Wietzikoski. He was a cattle rancher until 1978. He sold insurance with National Life for several years and retired from Lance, Inc. Tommy loved to socialize with his friends around Groesbeck and was a favorite at the hospital cafeteria and the Dairy Queen. Until his health deteriorated in early 2015, he had a typical daily routine. He started every morning at the hospital cafeteria, stopped by Raymond’s Shell, and then went back to his house for a while; but once 2:00 neared, he was sure to be headed to Dairy Queen and visited there until he left to go to his girlfriend Linda’s house for dinner. Tommy was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed any college football game that was on. He also liked to play 42 and go dancing. His hobby was picking up aluminum cans; his friends jokingly claim he spent more on gas to stop and pick the cans up. Preceding Tommy in death were his father, mother, and brother, Earl David Smith. Survivors include one son, Thomas Smith, Jr. and wife Paula of Houston; two daughters, Kimberly Burrough and husband Don of Sherman; and Betsy Lockhart and husband Michael of Groesbeck; three grandchildren, Dalton Burrough of Sherman; Michaela Burrough of Sherman; and Josh Lockhart of Groesbeck. He is also survived by his loving companion of fifteen years, Linda Bassett of Thornton. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Johnnie Ree (Cobb) Bennett of Jacksonville, passed away at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. A Memorial service was held on Saturday, March 5, 2016, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bill Wright of Mexia officiating, and burial followed in Fort Parker Memorial Park. Johnnie Ree was preceded in death by her parents, William Atward Cobb and Johnnie Lou (Locke) Cobb; three sisters – Mary Helen Burke, Nita Pope and Shirley Armstrong; and three brothers – Kenneth Cobb, Clyde Cobb, and Deryl Cobb; a son, Timothy Wright (of Ft. Towson, OK.); and great grandson, Devin Wayne Wright. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Pat Wright of Hugo, OK.; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Bobby Lenamon of Mexia; son and daughter-in-law, Jackie and Martha Wright of Ft. Towson, OK.; son, Randy Wright of Jacksonville; and daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Edward Cameron of New Summerfield. Her survivors include her twelve grandchildren: Stephanie, Sam and John Wright, Rhonda Hummel, Bobby Lenamon II, Monica Gates, David, Johnny, Christy and Randy Joe Wright, Jr., April Maldonado, and Kari Matthews; twenty-seven great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. She also leaves behind one sister, Vivian Henry of the Dallas area; and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. A special thank-you to her son Randy, granddaughter, Christy, and daughter, Donna for caring for our mother daily with un-measurable love. Also, thank-you to the Jacksonville Fire Department for their many years of compassionate and respectful care when transporting our mother. We are grateful to Hospice of East Texas for taking excellent care of our mother and our family to the very end. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome .com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Elmer Shepperd, 93, a resident of Waco since 1945, died February 28, 2016. A memorial service was held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Road, in Waco. Elmer was born July 21, 1922 in Thornton, Texas to Thad and Ollie Shepperd. In 1941, Elmer married Geneva Beard, who was also a native of Thornton. Elmer was wellknown for his love of car racing and as a quality home builder. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Geneva; his daughter, Donna Shepperd Mitchell; six brothers; and two sisters. Elmer is survived by his grandson, Rusty Mitchell and wife, Missy of Waco; great-granddaughter, Mariah Mitchell Kilbride and her husband, Thomas; and great-great-grandsons, Tyson and Tate Kilbride. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Smith, Bill White, Danny Randolph, Bill Osborne, Dale Osborne, Dan Tate and Tater “Thad” Tate. Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.LakeShoreFH.com

Jimmy Odell Cobbs passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Mart. Graveside services were held at the Pavilion at Faulkenberry Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, with Rev. Tracy Sims officiating. Jim was born on June 18, 1969 to David Eugene Cobbs and Linda Lou Shugart Cobbs at Waco. He grew up and attended school in Groesbeck. Jim grew up on a horse, and lived with one goal – to be a cowboy every day of his life. In fact, he always said he was the last of a dying breed, who lived by the old-fashioned standards of working with his hands, his horse and his dog. He grew up loving to ride bulls at a young age in the local rodeos and also worked as a rodeo clown. Riding, roping, breaking horses and penning cows were good days in his life. He was good at many kinds of work, including welding that he learned in high school, but his love was working on a horse. His Dad said “if it couldn’t be done horse back or on a tractor, he didn’t want any part of it.” Even to dig a post hole, he first had to catch and saddle a horse. Jimmy married Wendy Gail Whitby on June 3, 2004 in Las Vegas. She had been the love of his life since 1987. Jim was a very involved father with his two sons, and starting with T-ball age he was cutting the ball field and coaching their baseball teams through Little League. He was involved with them in all their school activities and sports and rodeos and he especially enjoyed when they went with him to work cows. Their home was the gathering place for the friends of the boys, and he claimed all of their friends as “his kids.”
Jim worked for Berry Barnett Wholesale in Mexia and at the Groesbeck Livestock Auction, and then worked for many years on the Tippie Ranch. He was a volunteer fireman at Prairie Hill. Jim was kind and friendly and outgoing, and would help anybody, day or night. He will be remembered as the reason God loves cowboys. Jimmy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leonard Shugart, Charlie and Tommie Cobbs, and Helen T. O’Trupcak; and his brother, David Lynn Cobbs. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Cobbs of Mart; two sons, Cody Lynn Cobbs and Thomas Lane Cobbs of Mart; mother and step-father, Linda and Ellis Duke of Splendora, TX.; father and step-mother, David and Juanice Cobbs of Groesbeck; brother and sister-in-law, Russ and Tina Cobbs of Cleveland; niece and husband, Meagan and Maurice Rivard of Mexia; niece, Aimee Cobbs of Cleveland; sister; Brandi Masterson of New Caney; niece, Kaitlyn Masterson of Splendora; nephews, Jacob and Joey Masterson of Splendora; uncles and aunts, Gary and Judy Shugart of New Caney and Carl and Deann Shugart of Groesbeck; grandmother, Jackie Shugart of Splendora; and great nephew, Brazos Orum of Cleveland. Extended family includes his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dwain and Lauren Caldwell of Mart; aunts and uncles, Susan and John Bigham of Killeen and Mark and Katy DuBroc of Killeen; and cousins, Misty and Scott DuBroc of Killeen; his dog, Superman! and numerous cousins, loved ones and good friends. Visit groesbeck funeralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

John David Kelly, 94, of Midwest City, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 23, 2016 at Windsor Healthcare Nursing Center in Groesbeck, Texas. He was a member at Forest Glade Baptist Church in Mexia, Texas at the time. John David Kelly was born August 1, 1921 to Christian parents, Susie Melvina Atwood and John Joseph Kelly. John Kelly accepted Christ as his Lord and savior at the age of 10. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, John Kelly was readily enlisted in the US Navy on 12/9/1941. He started basic training in San Diego, California on 12/16/1941 and completed his training on 12/28/1941. While serving in the Navy, John found the love of his life, Ione Gertrude Boneck. They were married on March 19, 1945 and they enjoyed 53 wonderful years together until Ione’s death in 1998. John Kelly was honorably discharged on Dec. 13, 1945, in Norman, Oklahoma after 4 years of service and attaining the rank of Seaman 1st Class. After his discharge, John Kelly served as a peace officer at the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, California. In about 1950, he and Ione moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma to raise their family and start his career in law enforcement serving as a police officer at Tinker Air Force Base. After retiring from Tinker in 1978, he continued serving in law enforcement by working briefly as a police officer at the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum (now known as the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) until he was hired on by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety where he served in the Capitol Patrol Section of the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol. John Kelly Retired in November, 1987 at the rank of Sergeant. Also, throughout his career John Kelly provided security as a police sergeant for the Oklahoma State Fair for over 40 years. As a resident of Midwest City, John Kelly was a longtime member of Crossroads Cathedral where he served as a greeter. John David Kelly is survived by his 3 daughters, Gloria and her husband Robert Steele of Jacksonville, Florida, Cynthia and her husband Paul Keeler of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Ann and her husband Gilbert Ash of Groesbeck, Texas and one son, John II and wife Lorri Kelly. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Gregory Steele, Angela and her husband Casey Hall, Eric Keeler, Lucinda Keeler, Jason Ash and his wife Dalyn, Jacob Kelly, Samuel Kelly, Melissa Kelly, and Lorri Ann Kelly Stire. He is survived by 9 great grandchildren, Michael Hall, Taylor, Erica and Abigail Keeler, John and Jadon Ash, Serenity, Keely and Michael Stire. He is survived by his brother Bill and wife Marie Kelly of Muskogee along with numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife, Ione Kelly, 2 brothers, Bob and Will Kelly and 3 sisters, Beulah Beck, Mary Oden and Mae Greer, 2 grandsons, Corey Ash and John David Kelly III, and 1great grandson, Matthew Keeler. John Kelly’s funeral services was held in Midwest City, Oklahoma with burial @ Sunnylane Cemetery on February 27, 2016.

J.T. Sandifer, 90, of Mexia, passed away quietly after a short bout with pancreatic cancer at his home on Thursday, March 10, 2016. J.T. was a lifetime resident of Limestone County, attending Groesbeck High School. He was drafted during WW II and assigned to the Army in 1943, to serve in the Pacific Theatre. He was stationed first in New Guinea and later in the Philippines, around Manila. His duties included the 236th AAA Search Light Battalion and a member of the Military Police, which frequently involved transporting and guarding Japanese POW’s. Honorably discharged, in 1946, at the rank of Corporal, he returned to Limestone County to resume civilian life. After returning to Limestone County, he met and married Violet Gardner in 1947. They built a small house on Shiloh Rd., outside of Mexia, where they raised their five children. During the last 30 years of his employment, he worked for the Texas Highway Department, retiring in 1985. J.T. was a Charter Member of Temple Baptist Church, helping establish it first as a Mission and then as a Church in 1962. Until his death, he served there faithfully in many different positions, including the office of Deacon. J.T. enjoyed hunting and fishing. His passing will leave a great void in the lives of many people. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Bobbie; son, James Sandifer and wife, Vicki of Mexia, daughter, Kay Cook and husband, Leslie of Axtell, son, Marcus Sandifer and wife, Sandra of Bivins, Texas; stepson, Gene Thomas of Mexia, stepdaughter, Lou Chrisner and husband, Raymond of Mexia. He had 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren with two more in waiting. His marriage to Bobbie added another five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Violet Gardner Sandifer; and sons, Leonard Sandifer and Joseph A. Sandifer. Pallbearers were Mark Ballard, Donald Berry, Ronnie Thornton, Troy Sandifer, Marcus (Mark) Sandifer and Jason Sandifer Memorial service was held at Temple Baptist Church on Tyler Street in Mexia on Sunday, March 13, at 2:00 pm with private graveside services at Prairie Grove Cemetery as weather allows. Services were conducted by Rev. Michael Vestal and Rev. Gaylan Henry. In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 719 S. Red River, Mexia, Texas 76667. Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a memorial message..

Alice Jean Etta Short was born April 7, 1925 to Thomas Amon and Willetta Short in Rochester, Texas. Her father was a band director, and music was a vital part of her upbringing. She played both the cornet and the trumpet and entered many competitions. At the age of 9, she won first place in the South Division music contest in West Texas. Graduating from Mathis High School at age 16 in 1941, she joined musical friends for a long concert tour to several states. Jean Etta, as her family called her, changed her name to Jean as an adult. During the war she worked as a secretary between two Army Air Corps bases: Aloe Army Airfield and Foster Army Airfield. That was a wonderful memory for her because she loved to dance. Jean went to college at the University of Texas where she met and married another musician, Melvin King. Mel played the trombone and the baritone horn. They were married January 26, 1947 and both completed their BA in music a few months later. Mel and Jean had four daughters, Thalia Freamon, Andrea Flores, Docia McMenamy, Sonja King, and ten grandchildren. In 1960 the family moved to Seattle, Washington, where Jean completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, working as a sixth grade teacher, and later as a high school guidance counselor. Jean was a fearless decorator, and even had a swing in her living room. The grandkids loved to go to the big house in Shoreline, Washington for many memorable afternoons and holiday celebrations. Mel died in 2006 and Jean moved back to Texas, living for a few years with Docia and Dennis McMenamy in Groesbeck, Texas. She had Alzheimer’s, and as the disease progressed, she moved into the Windsor Healthcare Residence where she received wonderful care until her death on February 16, 2016 at the age of 90. People remember Jean for her beautiful singing voice, for her great love of her extended family, and for her excitement about new adventures. “Goodbye Granny” Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook

Mary Alice Coffee Zeman was born in Frost, Texas, on May 17, 1940. She was the sixth child born to Sally Ellen Deatherage Coffee and George Newton Coffee, Sr., and the only girl. Mary grew up in West, Texas where she graduated from West High School in 1958. She attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for a short time before moving with her mother to Washington State to live by her oldest brother, ET, and his family.
It was there that she met the love of her life, Bob Zeman. After knowing each other for six months, they married on March 19, 1960. Soon after, they moved to Chicago, IL, and lived with Bob’s mother, Rose. While living in Chicago, they were blessed with their first two children, Robin Renee and Mark Robert. They moved to Waco, Texas, in the spring of 1967. In October of the same year they had their third child, Dale Anton.
The family moved to Groesbeck in 1968. Mary was a stay-at-home mother until 1971, when she started working at Groesbeck Middle School as a teacher’s aide. Her friends, Mary Nan and Joyce, along with Principal Troy Thomason convinced her that she needed to return to school to become a certified teacher. Bob and Mary took their advice and the family moved to Belton, where Mary returned to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and graduated with the class of 1974. She remained active as a proud Crusader alumna.
The family returned to Groesbeck where Mary began teaching English at Groesbeck Middle School. Her teaching career spanned 38 years and included three generations. She loved all her students and remembered them all by name.
Mary was very active in the Groesbeck community. She belonged to the Groesbeck Study Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Youth Advisory Council for the City of Groesbeck, the Cynthia Ann Garden Club, the National Society of the American Revolution, and the First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Edmond Taylor and George Newton, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Bob; her brothers, Carl (and Evelyn) Coffee; Cecil (and Janie) Coffee; her children, Robin (and David) Cable; Mark (and Penny) Zeman; Dale (and Lynn) Zeman; and eight grandchildren, Morgan (and Jeff) Henneman, Roseanna Cable, Sterling Cable, Brock Zeman, Rebecca Lambert, Mason Zeman, Zackery Zeman, Presleigh Zeman, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, Mary would love that memorials be made to the Groesbeck Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund in her honor.
Funeral services were held at the Groesbeck Funeral Home on Monday, March 28, 2016, with a graveside service held immediately following at Faulkenberry Cemetery.
Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Funeral services for baby, Miles Owen, were held Wednesday, March 23, 2016, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home, with Reverend J. R. Tapley officiating. Burial followed in the Prairie Grove Cemetery, with Matt Reid serving as the pallbearer. Miles Grayson Owen was born February 27, 2016 (at 24 weeks gestation) in the Medical Center of Arlington, and lived there for the next twenty-three days. He was an incredibly strong spirit - the single strongest little being his mother ever knew. However, he lost his fight a little after 8:00 A.M. on Monday, March 21, 2016. His mother, Molly Owen, was assisted by his aunt Samantha Owen and his uncle Art Grossman in staying by his side continually throughout his struggle. The whole family was in support of his fight to live. They know that his grandmother, Sylvia Owen, who passed away in 2014, was waiting for him, to greet him, scoop him up, and give him all the kisses she would have wanted to give him in life. He taught his mother so much in such a small amount of time. Patience, that “not being in control” is OK, STRENGTH, and an insane amount of love, and the desire to be a better version of self. In addition to the love and support of his family, Miles had an amazing nursing staff at the Medical Center NICU who loved and cared for him as if he were their own. He is survived by his mother, Molly Owen of Fort Worth; his uncles and aunts, Terry and Debbie Owen of Minnesota, Jerry and Kristy Owen of Rockwall, Tracy and Tommy Owen of Corsicana, Kevin and Michelle Henderson of Rockwall, Karen Bailey of Rockwall, Samantha Owen and Matt Reid of Fort Worth, and Art Grossman of Fort Worth; his “Crazy Papa” grandfather Doc Owen of Personville; and numerous cousins. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook. 

Mary Alice Coffee Zeman was born in Frost, Texas, on May 17, 1940. She was the sixth child born to Sally Ellen Deatherage Coffee and George Newton Coffee, Sr., and the only girl. Mary grew up in West, Texas where she graduated from West High School in 1958. She attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for a short time before moving with her mother to Washington State to live by her oldest brother, ET, and his family. It was there that she met the love of her life, Bob Zeman. After knowing each other for six months, they married on March 19, 1960. Soon after, they moved to Chicago, IL, and lived with Bob’s mother, Rose. While living in Chicago, they were blessed with their first two children, Robin Renee and Mark Robert. They moved to Waco, Texas, in the spring of 1967. In October of the same year they had their third child, Dale Anton. The family moved to Groesbeck in 1968. Mary was a stay-at-home mother until 1971, when she started working at Groesbeck Middle School as a teacher’s aide. Her friends, Mary Nan and Joyce, along with Principal Troy Thomason convinced her that she needed to return to school to become a certified teacher. Bob and Mary took their advice and the family moved to Belton, where Mary returned to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and graduated with the class of 1974. She remained active as a proud Crusader alumna. The family returned to Groesbeck where Mary began teaching English at Groesbeck Middle School. Her teaching career spanned 38 years and included three generations. She loved all her students and remembered them all by name. Mary was very active in the Groesbeck community. She belonged to the Groesbeck Study Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Youth Advisory Council for the City of Groesbeck, the Cynthia Ann Garden Club, the National Society of the American Revolution, and the First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Edmond Taylor and George Newton, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Bob; her brothers, Carl (and Evelyn) Coffee; Cecil (and Janie) Coffee; her children, Robin (and David) Cable; Mark (and Penny) Zeman; Dale (and Lynn) Zeman; and eight grandchildren, Morgan (and Jeff) Henneman, Roseanna Cable, Sterling Cable, Brock Zeman, Rebecca Lambert, Mason Zeman, Zackery Zeman, Presleigh Zeman, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, Mary would love that memorials be made to the Groesbeck Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund in her honor. Funeral services were held at the Groesbeck Funeral Home on Monday, March 28, 2016, with a graveside service held immediately following at Faulkenberry Cemetery. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Funeral services for Betty (Eakin) Hahneman were held on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Kosse. Rev. Dr. Rita Sims officiated and her grandson, Ramsey Rabie assisted. Burial followed in the Kosse City Cemetery. Betty Frances Stone was born in 1927 in a small Arkansas town, the only daughter of Leona and Lester Stone. She grew up in Glenwood, Arkansas, surrounded by family and the foothills of the Ozarks. She was an excellent student and graduated High School at 16 years old. Growing up with three brothers had taught her much she needed to know to be confident in herself and very independent. She convinced her parents to agree to declare her an emancipated minor and she started working at 16. Her first big job took her to work at the Atomic Energy Commission as a secretary. Betty married her high school sweetheart Billy Jim Eakin in 1945. They eventually moved to Orange, Texas where he was stationed in the Navy and she continued to work as a secretary. The majority of her next decades were spent in the Houston area working as the Assistant to Ted Bowen, President, at The Methodist Hospital for 35 years. She was a pioneer of sorts, having a career long before it was fashionable. She thrived at Methodist Hospital and played a huge role in helping to make it the world renown hospital it is today. Her friends included Dr. Michael DeBakey and Leon Jaworski, and she met many dignitaries, as well as film and movie stars who traveled to Houston for the best in heart surgery. She was brilliant in her own right, beautiful, and fiercely independent. Those who knew her then would also describe her as hard working, loyal, and meticulous. Both she and her husband valued personal integrity over all and instilled that value in their children. In the early 1960’s, Betty and Bill purchased land about halfway between Marquez and Kosse and began creating their dream cattle ranch and future retirement home. They spent every weekend at the property building fences, killing mesquite and learning about cattle ranching. At 51, Betty’s husband of 34 years died of lung cancer. Her work at Methodist Hospital and maintaining the ranch with her son, then a teenager, kept her busy and she began to overcome the heartbreak of losing her high school sweetheart. One of her employees at Methodist Hospital, Gloria Hahneman, died a few months later. Both couples had been good friends and when Betty reached out to console Gloria’s husband, Ken, a romance eventually blossomed into a marriage that lasted 28 years, until his death. During their marriage, Betty retired and she and Ken pursued the dream of living at the ranch. They lived in Groesbeck while their house was being built and lived there together on the ranch until his death. They were very happy in the Robertson County community and loved the country lifestyle. After Ken’s death, Betty moved to The Woodlands area to be near her daughter and son, where she remained until her death on March 30, 2016. She was the wife of two, mother of two, grandmother of five and great grandmother of ten. Her generosity, integrity, loyalty, and work ethic will remain a huge part of her legacy. She was a practicing Christian who loved the Lord and has surely been united with him in Heaven. Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome. com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.