Lois Chapin



Lois Chapin, 88, died Sept. 15, 2009, surrounded by her family.

Funeral service was at 2 p.m, Sept. 18, at First Baptist Church in Commerce with Rev. Johnnie Henderson officiating. Interment followed in Restlawn Cemetery in Sulphur Springs.

Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Lois was born July 21, 1921, in Hopkins County to Walter Adams and Bessie Spangler. She was married to Jack Chapin on Dec. 24, 1940. Lois was an antique dealer and was a member of First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; a son, Eddie Jack Chapin; a great-grandson, Ritchie Iles; and her brother, J.T. Adams.

Survivors are a daughter, Janet Duncan and husband Danny of Commerce; daughter Deborah Harris and husband Terry of Commerce; seven grandchildren, Christopher Harris and wife Stacy, Lana Harris, David Duncan, Jennifer Duncan Pierce and husband Jeff, Amy Doster, Carin Chapin; five great-grandchildren, Amelia Clancey, Abbie Duncan, Katie Duncan, Evan Chapin and Ethan Doster; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Commerce Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to 1st Choice Home Health, Dr. Richard Selvaggi and Estella Brown.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or Commerce Schools Enrichment Foundation.

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Lloyd Wilkins



Services for Lloyd J. Wilkins were held at 11 a.m., Sept. 19, in the Jones-Walker and Son Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed in Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce with David Gibson, Jerry Speight, and Terry Holley, officiating.

Lloyd passed away Sept. 15, 2009, in Commerce.

He was born to William David (Dave) and Golda Fannie Hindman Wilkins on Oct. 1, 1915, in the Riley Grove Community near Commerce.

On Oct. 24, 1936, he married Bonnie Valera Luna, who preceded him in death after 54 years of marriage.

Lloyd graduated from Commerce High school in 1934. In 1941 he earned his B.S. degree in vocational agriculture from East Texas State Teachers College. During college and after graduation, Lloyd worked on the college farm and continued there until 1946. Lloyd was deferred from serving in World War II because farmers were needed at home.

Due to the fact that Lloyd was such a successful farmer, the State Veterans’ Land Board hired him to teach agriculture to veterans returning from the war. Many of the men or their heirs still farm in the Commerce area.

In 1947 he completed his M.A. from Sam Houston State College with a Smith Hughes Vocational Agriculture Certification. This led to his teaching vocational agriculture at Commerce High School from 1951 until his retirement in 1977. In addition to his teaching duties, he was advisor to the Future Farmers of America and the Young Farmers of Texas.

During his teaching career, he received many achievement awards including Vocational Honorary Chapter Farmer, two awards for distinguished service from Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Vocational State Farmers, and Honorary State Future Farmers. He was also a member of Commerce Classroom Teachers, Texas State Teachers Association, Retired Teachers Association, Vocational Agricultural Association of Texas, Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce.

One of his most cherished memories was when he was presented a plaque by the Commerce High School Tigers for running the athletic clock for 26 years with only one absence, which was due to the birth of his daughter.

He was honored with another plaque from the entire student body for his continuous support of their endeavors. His co-workers and former students remember him for his hard work, sense of humor, twinkling eyes, ready smile, a prayer when the need arose, and his three-foot paddle.

To most men, being a husband, father, teacher, and farmer would be fulfilling enough, but not for Lloyd. God called him to preach. From childhood he attended Riley Grove Congregational Methodist Church, was baptized at age 15 and remained a member there. Lloyd became a licensed preacher in 1950 and was ordained in 1974. He balanced his teaching duties through the week and preaching on Sunday. He and his family traveled many miles and he was pastor at Daniel’s Chapel in Naples, Lone Star in Bogata and Liberty in Aubrey. On occasion he also preached at Riley Grove Church in Commerce. During these years he served as president of the North Texas Annual Conference for Congregational Methodists (1974-1984), and 15 years as the president of the district conference. He retired in 1995, but continued to conduct wedding ceremonies (the last of which was his granddaughter’s) and funerals. Lloyd never faltered in his love of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bonnie; a son Lloyd Don; great-granddaughter Megan Fayeth Minter; a sister, Rose Joyce Stinson; niece Ann Stinson Adams; stepson Doug Riddle; stepdaughter Maurine Ansley and brothers-in-law R.D. “Bub” Kinser and Cecil Stinson.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Arlene; a sister, Marie Kinser of Commerce; son Gary and wife Toopie of Blossom; daughter Betty Hardman and husband James of Dublin, Ohio; stepdaughter Diane Houghton and husband Chuck of Golden; stepdaughter-in-law Melba Riddle of Mineola; grandson Matt Wilkins and wife Becky of Blossom; granddaughters Ginny Minter and husband Ashley of Detroit, Texas, Brandi White and husband Aaron of Dublin, Ohio, and Brooke Skinnell of Plano; stepgrandsons David Ansley of Royse City and Bobby Riddle and wife Danna of Tennessee; stepgranddaughters Stephanie Joslin and husband Gregg of Royse City, Melissa Hartsell and husband Clay of Longview and Leah Houghton of Denver, Colo.; four great-grandchildren; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Neoma McKinney and Wanda Tate of Oklahoma and Ouida Luna of Garland; and special nieces and nephews Wanda Crowell and husband Mike of Commerce and David Stinson and wife JoAnne of Sulphur Springs. Other nephews and nieces include Harold Handke, Teresa Handke, Connie Delno and husband Jeff, Terry Tate and wife Kim, Vicki Mathison and husband Spinner, and Sheri Welch and husband Archie; special friends Mike McCloskey of Tuttle, Okla., and Charles Ansley of Royse City, as well as numerous great- and great-great-nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Pallbearers were Matt Wilkins, Ashley Minter, Aaron White, Tony Delno, Greg Joslin and Tommy Stailey.Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Rick Selvaggi, Conner John, Alvis Alderman, Charles Wilson, Kenneth Ryan, Tommy Dodd, Randy Manning, Dr. Bill Fowler, David Huffman, Dr. James Conrad, Patti Arrington Doster, Suzanne Kizer Carter, “Little Bit” Johnson Williams and Linzy Harland.

Memorials may be made to the Congregational Methodist Church, Division of Mission Ministry, P.O. Box 9, Florence, Miss. 39073; or Commerce Church of Christ, Mission Ministry, P.O. Box 611, Commerce, Texas 75429.

Visit and sign the guest book at www.jones-walkerandson.com or www.heraldbanner.com.

Ruth Wilson



Ruth Juanita Abbott Wilson, 87, passed away Sept. 22, 2009, at her home.

Ruth was born Nov., 13, 1921, in the Peniel Com munity, Hunt County, to Robert Lee and Mattie Patterson Abbott. She married James Wilson on Aug. 28, 1971, in Pittsburg, Texas. She attended the Horton School.

Survivors include her loving and devoted husband, James of Commerce; a daughter, Judy Mills and husband Clovis of Saltillo; 11 grandchildren, Terri Thompson and husband Larry of Klondike, Tammi Fergerson of Cooper, Traci Oliver and husband Lance of Honey Grove, Shannon Moreland and wife Evette of Canyon, Jana Redington and husband Dave of Sulphur Springs, Tony Moreland and wife Valerie of Dallas, Marlanea Lane and husband Paul of Saltillo, Shawna Blackburn and husband Loren of San Antonio and Yancy Mills of Saltillo, Brandon and wife Brandi of Washington D.C., Kelli and husband John of Commerce and Shani Lawther and husband Chad of Caddo Mills; 29 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sons Larry and Bobby Moreland; a daughter, Vickie Talley; a grandson, Marvin Dwain Moreland; great-grandsons Montana Moreland and Anthony Moreland; her brothers, L. V. and Vernon Abbott; and a sister, Lola Mae Scally.

Funeral services were conducted at 12 noon, Sept. 25, at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home. Burial followed at Horton Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jeff McKay, Jeff Moreland, Bruce McKay, Dewayne Miller, John Talley and Anthony Kelley. Honorary pallbearers were grandsons, grandsons-in-law and granddaughters.

Online condolences may be made at www.jones-walkerandson.com or www.heraldbanner.com.



Michelle Skinner



Michelle Allene Skinner, 45, of Trenton passed away on Sept. 25, 2009.

Michelle was born Jan. 7, 1964, in Longview to Lonnie and Jeanette Harris. She attended school at Cooper Indep endent School Dist rict.She also attended college, earning a degree in medical billing and coding.

She was a homemaker who enjoyed nothing more than taking care of her beautiful grandchildren. Michelle enjoyed working in her yard at home. She loved watching NASCAR on television.

Michelle often cooked large dinners, inviting the entire family over to eat. Whenever possible, Michelle spent weekends in the San Antonio are or around the coast. She also enjoyed taking camping trips with the family.

Her days were spent doing what she loved the most; keeping her grandchildren. Whether it was keeping them at home, taking them to a park to play, to the zoo, or taking them on a weekend trip, Michelle was always involved with “her boys.”

Michelle also spent countless hours of her life watching her daughters at various high school activities. From basketball games to cheerleading events, Michelle was always there to support her children, camera always in hand.

She is survived by her mother, Jeanette Harris of Commerce; her husband, Larry Skinner of Trenton; her daughter and son-in-law, Stefanie and Tracy Foster of Anna; and daughter Tamra Skinner of Ector; and four grandchildren, Jarret Foster, Zander Fite, Zaiden Fite, and Stryker Foster.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lonnie Harris, and brother Michael Harris.

Viewing was 2 until 3 p.m., Sept. 27, at the Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home in Commerce. Burial was in the Shiloh Cemetery following the viewing.

The family appreciates your continued prayers and support. Online condolences may be made at www.jones-walkerandson.com or www.heraldbanner.com.



Monty Dugan



Monty L. Dugan, 53, of Commerce passed away in Greenville on Sept. 25, 2009.

Monty was born Dec. 8, 1955, in Commerce, Hunt County, Texas, to Alonzo and Viola Harper Dugan. Monty attended the Commerce schools and was a member of Disciples of Faith Church.

Survivors include his mother of Commerce; a brother, Larry and spouse Linda of Commerc;, three sisters; Linda Love and spouse Rickey of Wichita, Kan., Brenda Harris of Commerce and Ava Dugan of Sulphur Springs; seven nephews; six nieces; and a special friend, April Soonier.

He was preceded in death by his father, two uncles, an aunt, a nephew, and a niece.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m., Sept. 29, at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at jones-walkerandson.com or visit www.heraldbanner.com.



Walter B. Milam



Walter Burt Milam, 82, of Commerce passed away at his home on Sept. 26, 2009.

Milton was born June 8, 1927 in Newburn, Tenn., to Paul and Ola Barker Milam. Burt retired from the Paris Indep endent School District and was an auctioneer for 50 years. He married Snowda Snowden on Oct. 5, 1963, and was a member of the Fairlie Baptist Church.

Survi vors include his three sons; Burt Milam Jr. and wife Lynne of Memphis, Tenn., Rick Milam and wife Paulette of Harvey, La., and Randy Milam of Commerce; two daughters, Rhonda Milam of Commerce and Rita Krodle and husband Robert of Commerce; a brother, Bud Milam of Yaba City, Calif., six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His wife preceded him in death.

Pallbearers are Justin Milam, Dustin Milam, BT Brown, Dalton Krodle, Jake Vann, and Colton Anderson. Honorary pallbearers are LCPL Brandon Brown, Billy Julian, Sonny Moore and Ron Lovelace.

His funeral service is at 11 a.m. today in the Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home chapel. Burial follows at Sonora Cemetery in Fairlie. The family requests donations be made to Fairlie Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at jones-walkerandson.com or