Week Ending 08/27/2004

WANDA MASON DECKER
Wanda Mason Decker, 63, of New Iberia, Louisiana died August 19, 2004 at her residence. Burial was in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center. Ms. Decker was a retired licensed practical nurse. She was married first to Henry Dry, and then to Marion O. Decker, both preceded her in death. Survivors include son, Richard Dry, Sr. of Austin; daughter, Anita Viator of New Iberia; stepdaughter, patty Decker Thibodeaux of New Iberia; stepsons, Larry Decker of Denver, Colorado and Bob Decker of Carthage, David Funeral Home New Iberia, Louisiana.

STEVEN DELANE SMITH
Steven Delane Smith, 34, of Logansport, Louisiana, died August 20, 2004 in San Augustine County. Burial was in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center. Born May 2, 1970, in Shelby County, he was the son of Jerry Smith and Dianne Rogers Smith. He was self-employed, owner of Steve Forestry Service. Survivors include his wife, Jana Smith of Logansport, Louisiana; daughters, Shana and Savana Smith, both of Logansport, Louisiana; parents, Jerry and Dianne Smith of Joaquin; and sister, Shelly Naquine of Joaquin. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

LANE ROGERS PORTER
Lane Rogers Porter, 52, of Center died August 21, 2004 in Center. Burial was in Folsum Chapel Cemetery. Born September 11, 1951, in Big Springs, he was the son of John and Dorothy Lane Porter. He was a construction worker. Survivors include daughter, Candace Dickerson of Center; sons, Chance Porter of Center and John Rogers Porter, III of Dallas; father, John Porter of Center; sister, Dee Dee Wood of Vidor. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

DOUG TYLER
Doug Tyler, 66, of Joaquin died August 21, 2004, in Center. Burial was in Strong Cemetery. Mr. Tyler was born February 14, 1938. He was retired from Texas Eastern and was a Army veteran of Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Margie Tyler of Joaquin; daughter, Lesa Parmer of Center; sisters, Helen Bixler of Gilbert, Arizona and Juanita Beasley of Joaquin. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

ATRON D. GARDNER
Atron D. Gardner, 32, died August 19, 2004. Burial was in Westview Cemetery. Born January 14, 1972, he was the son of Betty Sanders and Robert Ayers. Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his father Robert Ayers; brother, Charles Gardner and sister Taukie Ayers. Survivors include his wife, Nicole Gardner; daughters, Kiara and Tkeyah Gardner; Stepson, Jay; mother, Betty Sanders; step-father, Johnny Sanders of Center; sisters, Atoshia Ayers of Tenaha and Valerie Hudson of Abilene; brothers, Sugarman Williams of Center, Dennis Gardner of Houston; stepbrothers, Jamie Sanders of Center and Johnny Sanders of Kansas. Hicks Mortuary.

W. L. GREER
W. L. Greer, 82, died August 17, 2004. Burial was in Smyrna Cemetery. Born March 27, 1921, in Timpson, he was the son of Will and Caroline Young Greer. Mr. Greer was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. Mr. Greer was preceded in death by his son Charles Victory Greer. Survivors include his brother, Bland Greer of Ft. Worth; children, Glenda Martinez Greer and Johnny Lee Greer of Center, Carol sue Greer and Willie Glyn Greer of Houston and Peggy Greer of Nacogdoches. Hicks Mortuary.

MAXCINE SWINDLE
Maxcine Swindle, 62, died August 13, 2004. Burial was in Bennett Chapel Cemetery. Born June 16, 1942, she was the daughter of C.D. Cartwright and Beulah Garrett Cartwright. Mrs. Swindle was preceded in death by her mother Beulah Garrett Cartwright and son, Bobby Ray Swindle. Survivors include children, Ronnie, Dennis an Rodney Swindle, all of Shelbyville and Cassandra Swindle of Lufkin; father, C.d. Cartwright of Center; sisters, Lola Phillips, Loriane Osby, both of Center, Gwendolyn Singh and Vera Brown, both of Nacogdoches and Jessie Bolton of Palestine; brothers, Billy Earl Cartwright and Henry Cartwright. Community Funeral Home.

EARLENA WILSON MURRAY
Earlena Wilson Murray, 97, of Center died August 24, 2004 in Center. Burial was in Mt. Herman Cemetery. Born August 20, 1907, in Shelby County, she was the daughter of James Washington and Ella Polvadore Wilson. She had been a nurse. Mrs. Murray was married to J. Walter Murray and he preceded her in death. Survivors include Verna Mills of Center. Mangum Funeral Home.

CLARICE MCCRARY SOBOTA
Clarice McCrary Sobota, 91, of Center died August 26, 2004 in Center. Burial was in Strong Cemetery. Born December 20, 1912, in Downsville, Louisiana, she was the daughter of Eugene Warren and Ella Stephens McCrary. Mrs. Sobota was married to Jack Sobota and he preceded her in death. Survivors include brother, Quintin McCrary of Cheniere, Louisiana; sister, Theada Barber of Cheniere. Mangum Funeral Home.

BILLY ANDERSON
Billy Anderson, 71, of Joaquin died August 25, 2004 in his residence. Burial was in Jackson Cemetery. Born November 20, 1932, in Sextion, he was the son of Jeff and Aleene Williamson Anderson. Mr. Anderson was Justice of the peace for precinct 3. Survivors include his wife Margie Anderson of Joaquin; sons, Billy Wayne Anderson and Charles Ray Anderson, both of Joaquin; brother, Wade Anderson of Center. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.