Charles T. (Tommy) Davis
Charles T. (Tommy) Davis, 70, of Denton passed away on Monday, February 6, 2012. Services are pending through DeBerry Funeral Home.
Jane Bartts Jane Bartts
Jane Bartts, a lifelong resident of Denton, passed away at age 67 on February 4, 2012.She resided at The Vintage, Denton, Texas.Jane was born in Amarillo, Texas on January 24, 1945.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Bartts; daughter, Latisha Bartts; and a sister, Glenda Sweeney.She is survived by daughter, Maddison Coleson of Ponder; son, Tim Bartts of Denton; son, Mark Bartts of Slidell; borther, Buddy Harlan of Sanger; sister, Kay McKinney of Willburn, Georgia; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11am at Slidell First Baptist Church in Slidell, Texas.Bobby Cates will officiated the service.
Ema Ruth Russell Ema Ruth Russell
Ema Ruth Russell, died peacefully, on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at the age of 103. She resided at Lake Forest Good Samaritan Village in Denton, Texas.She was born Ema Ruth Lindsey on March 18, 1908, in Texoma, Texas, to Walton Howard Lindsey and Ethel Fannie Jackson. Her great grandfather was Matthew B. Donald, founder of the Flower Mound Presbyterian Church.
She was raised in Memphis, Texas, and moved to Denton in the early 1920's. She graduated from Denton High School in 1925 then attended College of Industrial Arts (now Texas Woman's University). She received a double Bachelor's degree in Music and Music Education. She later completed her Masters in Music Education at Texas State College for Women (now TWU). Her first teaching position was as a music teacher in New Gulf, Texas. Several years later she went to Columbia School of Music in New York City where she met her future husband Lawrence (Larry) G. Russell. They were married in Denton in 1942 and made it their home. She began teaching in the Denton ISD after her daughter, Marie, was born. She taught 4th grade at Stonewall Jackson Elementary from 1950 until 1956. That year, Superintendent Chester Strickland requested that she consider starting a choral program in the high school. She accepted and in her first year she had only one class with 28 students.She retired from that position in 1971. Her choir numbered well over 225 students each year. Her choirs exceeded expectation, winning numerous awards in University Interscholastic League Divisional, Regional, and State competitions. She had several students that earned positions to the All-State Boys and Girls Choirs.She was a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, and a patroness of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Iota Omega chapter at TWU.
Following her retirement, Mrs. Russell became an active participant, patron, supporter, and leader of the arts in Denton for over 40 years. She was founding Member of the Denton Community Chorus and The Greater Denton Arts Council, as well as co-founder of The Arts Guild. She worked diligently in raising funds for the Center of the Visual Arts. In later years she served two terms on the Denton Public Library Board.
In 1981, she was awarded the Greater Denton Arts Council Community Arts Recognition Award and in 1982, the Delta Sigma Phi Award for Outstanding community Service. The rehearsal space at the Center of the Visual Arts was named The Ema Ruth Russell Rehearsal Hall in her honor in 1985.
She is a member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian church.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Mike Lewis of Carrollton, Texas A Memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 300 West Oak on Wednesday, February 9, 2012 at 3 P.M. A reception will immediately follow the service.There will be visitation on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M.at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. LocustDenton. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation instead to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, The Greater Denton Arts Council, The Denton Public Library, or your charity of choice.
Rev. Charles Jackson McClendon
Rev. Charles Jackson McClendon, 96, passed away February 4, 2012, at Good Samaritan Village after struggling with congestive heart failure.He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 24, 1915 to Charles Davis and Edna Earle Jackson McClendon.He was the third of eight children.He married Juliette Jane Canfield on June 25, 1940 in Gladewater, Texas.
Jack attended public schools and graduated from Brownwood High School and Daniel Baker College in Brownwood, Texas.He attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.In 1942 he served a small church in Kilgore, Texas, then he and his wife and two baby girls departed in January, 1943, for Mexico, where they served as missionaries of the Presbyterian Church, U.S., for 20 years.He returned to this country and served several churches in Texas until his retirement in 1977.
From 1980 to 1982 Jack and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers in Paraguay, South America.Upon returning to the United States he enjoyed working with his sons in their automotive shop. From 2000 to 2003 they were stationed in Hidalgo, Texas, where they served as volunteers in the Border Ministry of the Presbyterian Church, USA. The couple enjoyed some travel in the U.S. and in several foreign countries.The last trip was a Baltic Cruise in celebration of his 95th birthday and their 70th wedding anniversary.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings (Sarah, Mickey, and Bill), one daughter (Patty), and a one month-old grandson.He is survived by his wife, Dr. Juliette C. McClendon, of Denton, TX, four siblings: Mary N. Engstrom, of Denton, TX, Dudley M. Arrington, of Wichita Falls, TX, Pat Colehour, of Fort Worth, TX, and Bob L. McClendon, of Fort Worth, TX. and by six children: Dr. Joanna E. McClendon, Puerto Escondido, Oax. Mexico; C. Davis McClendon, Ponder, TX; Delos C. McClendon, Corinth, TX; Samuel J. McClendon, Crossroads, TX; William T. McClendon, Nevada City, CA; and Miriam L. McClendon, Richmond, TX. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A service of remembrance and of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1114 W. University, Denton, Texas.
Bret Harold Burleson Bret Harold Burleson
Bret Harold Burleson, 50, of Sanger, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at his home.He was born on August 25, 1961 in Newbury, Berkshire, England to David Carold and Victoria Patricia (Shaw) Burleson.On April 25, 1987, he married Lori Kay Thomas in Richardson. He worked for Alan Ritchey, Inc. as the Sign Shop Manager.
Bret was taken from us way too soon due to a tragic accident Saturday night. He was the best Husband, having been married almost 25 years. He was kind and loving, always willing to help a stranger. He was a dedicated employee, with a wonderful work ethic and drive. He was also very loyal to his friends and family. But his most important role was being a Father to Breanne. He loved her with all of his heart, and so enjoyed coaching her soccer teams, and more recently, cheering her on at her competitive cheer events. She belongs to C/X at Buzy Body and he loved nothing more than filming her competitions and supporting his daughter. Driving to San Antonio for away competitions was nothing to him. He most recently let Lori shave his head into a Mohawk and had the letters C/X on the back of his head, which we spray painted with pink hair color, to match the cheer team colors.He will be greatly missed and we will never forget the impact he had on all of our lives.Since his death was so unexpected to us all, in lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made at either Buzy Body Gym, Gage Dental, or Coker Funeral Home to help cover expenses.
A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Coker Funeral Home, 403 Pecan Street, Sanger, Texas.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, February 9, 2012, at the New Life Church on Milam Road with Jim Mann officiating the services.
Survivors include his wife, Lori, of Sanger; daughter, Breanne of Sanger; parents, David and Vicky Burleson of Lake Dallas; two sisters, Lorrie Michelle Colonna of Valley View and Melissa Cherie Burleson of Aubrey; father and mother-in-law; Ed and Penny Thomas of Anna, Texas; sister-in-law, Kelley Connell of Frisco; brother-in-law, Kraig Thomas of McKinney.
