Dorothy Lou Meadlin Bridges, 78, died peacefully on Thursday, April 25 surrounded by her family.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate the gift of her life in a service scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27 at Oak Park United Methodist Church. Leading the service will be Rev. Steve Cook, pastor of Cooper United Methodist Church, and Rev. Judith Brandt, pastor at Oak Park United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Cemetery. The family will greet friends and family at a gathering at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home on Friday, April 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
She was born in Paris, Texas on December 8, 1934, the only child of Leonard and Bess Johnson Meadlin. Dorothy attended Paris schools and marched in the Paris High School Band where she met Jesse Bridges, the love of her life. They married in 1953 and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August. From their union were born three children: Vicki Bridges Matustik, Jesse Bradley Bridges, and James Alan Bridges.
She was a life-long member of First United Methodist Church but was also delighted to worship her Lord in community with fellow believers at Immanuel Baptist Church and Oak Park United Methodist. She loved to play piano and shared her gift within her church community.
She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother. She was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young, but as they grew, she forged her own career, finding a place to extend her gifts of love and compassion to broader fields. For more than 30 years she was the school secretary and welcoming presence in the offices of East Paris Elementary and later Aiken Elementary. During those years, she was greeted wherever she went about town by hugs, smiles, and greetings from the youngest members of the community.
She was a proud daughter of her cherished hometown where she loved attending community events and was active in garden, music, quilting and church activities. She shared many Thursday and Friday lunches and Saturday breakfasts with a group of life-long friends, and, with Jesse, loved to entertain cherished friends and extended family at the Ponderosa and in their home.
Dorothy leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Jesse; daughter Vicki and son-in-law David of Austin; son Brad and daughter-in-law Wendy of Dallas; and grandchildren Rachel and Adam Matustik of Austin and Alex Bridges of Dallas. We know that she was greeted at the gates of heaven by her Lord Jesus and was reunited with family members who went before her including her parents, son Alan, and grandson Matthew Matustik.
Pallbearers will be David Matustik, Adam Matustik, Alex Bridges, Carl Pierce, Bob Johnson, and Floyd McCoin. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Jack Mason and Lewis Sheridan.
Wendell “Red” Tallant, 87, of Paris, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at his home.
Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27th, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Graham, Rev. Eric Moore & Rev. Steve Gunter officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Meadowbrook Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 – 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Red was born February 18, 1926 in Biardstown to Thomas Jefferson & Ollie Lula Huggins Tallant. In 1944, Wendell joined the United States Navy and served his country in World War II and the Korean War. In 1948, Wendell married the love of his life, Ella Sikes, marking the beginning of 64 years of family and memories. Together, they shared friendship, and love with their family, community and church.
Wendell was the first male employee hired in Paris by Westinghouse in 1952, retiring in 1984. That same year, Wendell and Ella, along with Immanuel Baptist Church members, went to South Dakota to build (and start) a church. After retiring, he did contract work using his bull dozer. He served as chairman for the construction of the new gym and office building at Immanuel Baptist, where he also served as a deacon and worked on many committees. Red always gave of his time, talent and treasure when it came to his church with Ella always right by his side. When not serving others, Red and Ella enjoyed traveling and visited every state in the United States except Hawaii. They also enjoyed bluegrass with friends.
Red was a fisherman and hunter and loved the outdoors. He always had a backyard garden and was a true handyman. He always seemed to know just how to do things. But above all this, he was a family man. He taught by example and loved spending time with his family. There were always lots of laughs around the family table with food and games.
Red loved the Lord and spent his life serving Him.
Wendell is survived by his wife, Ella; children, Brenda Davis and her husband, Charles, of Copeville, TX; Gail Dorough of Tyler, TX; and Curtis Tallant and his wife, Rhonda, of Grand Prairie, TX; Grandchildren Dacia Edmonson and her husband Chris, of Bullard, TX and Trent Dorough and his wife, Johnna, of Sims, NC; four great-grandchildren; Benjamin and Zachary Edmonson and Connor and Natalie Dorough; one sister, Wanda Waters and her husband, Earl, of Paris and a sister-in-law, Mary Tallant of Paris along with many nieces, nephews & a host of friends.
Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and three brothers.
The Tallant family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Troutt, Dr. Wilcox, On Call Home Health & Rehabilitation Services and Legacy Hospice for their love and care for Wendell.
Casket bearers will be: Royce Tallant, JaJuan Tallant, Chester Tallant, Wesley Tallant, Mark Dicken, Howard Dicken and Bobby Smith. Deacons of Immanuel Baptist Church will serve as honorary bearers.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
Deborah Cobb Spencer, 61, of Sumner went to be with her Lord Wednesday April 24, 2013 from her home. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Sunday April 28, with Jeff Cummings and Wade White officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 5 until 7 p.m.
She was born July 19, 1951 in Bonham, Texas the daughter of John F. and Leta Joy Simpson Cobb. She married Gary Lee Spencer August 31, 1973 in Bonham. She was a homemaker and a member of the Lamar County Women’s Bowling Association serving as President of the Association and a member of the Ladies Bass Anglers. She devoted her life to volunteering for others in several youth organizations, coaching softball, volleyball, and where ever she could help.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Brea Spencer; and a stepbrother James Holder.
She leaves behind her husband Gary Spencer; daughter Adrienne Tucker and husband Mike of Paris; grandchildren Emily Johnson and Nikki Johnson; brother, Jeff Cummings and wife Sandy and their 4 children of Texarkana; step-sister Patricia Holder and step-mother Marteen Cobb of Quinlan.
Online condolences may be made at www.fry-gibbs.com.