|
Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home.
Mayor Whitehead died Aug. 13 at ETMC Tyler after an extended illness.
Mr. Whitehead was a longtime newspaper publisher and was honored by the Texas Press Association in 1998 for 50 years of service.
He purchased the Rusk Cherokeean in 1950, at the age of 24. Subsequently, he established radio stations KTLU/KWRW, purchased E-Z Vision Cable Co. and the Alto Herald.
He also operated a farm, raising Hereford cattle.
He held offices including Chamber of Commerce president; mayor of Rusk, 14 years; county judge, four years and member of the Texas House of Representatives, eight years.
Mayor Whitehead was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rusk and a World War II veteran.
His record of service to the Rusk State Hospital, the securement of TDCJ facilities in Rusk and the establishment of the Texas State Railroad head a long list of accomplishments during his lifetime.
The most recent was reflected in last week’s announcement that the East Texas Regional Health Care System will build a $4 million facility north of Rusk on US 69.
Mr. Whitehead was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Cisco.
He was the son of Tommie Cole Whitehead and Emmett H. Whitehead Sr. He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Elizabeth Whitehead.
He is survived by his wife, Marie; daughters and a son-in-law, Dr. Wendee Whitehead of Austin and Terrie and Robert Gonzalez of Jacksonville; and three grandchildren, Chris Gonzalez of Austin, Sandy Gonzalez of Cambridge, Mass., and Lauren Gonzalez of Jacksonville.
Other survivors include sisters-in-law, Bonnye Ivy of Houston, Shirley Roberts and husband, Dave, of Dallas; nephews, Stu, Scott and Steve Roberts and Randy Ivy, and their wives, Karen, Jenny, Cindy and Brenda respectively; also a great-niece, Leslie Roberts, and a great-nephew, Matt Roberts.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Whitehead Heritage Park in care of the Rusk Main Street at 408 N. Main, Rusk 75785 or to a favorite charity.
Services for Venice May McLendon, 90, of Jacksonville, will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Renfro Memorial Chapel at Boren-Conner Funeral Home with the Rev. Sara Barberee.
Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery.
Mrs. McLendon died Saturday at a Tyler Hospital. She spent several years in a Rusk nursing home.)
She was born July 20, 1912 in Jacksonville and was a lifelong Jacksonville area resident.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, and served 31 years with the Jacksonville ID Food Service Department.
She was preceded in death by her husband, R.T. “Dick” McLendon.
Survivors include son, David McLendon of Jacksonville; daughters and son-in-law, Janice and Richard Green of Waco and Betty Babaa of Mt. Pleasant and Dallas; sister, Florence Darling of Beeville; five grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Services for Bonnie Smith, 64, of Frankston, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.
Burial will be at the Wofford Cemetery in Frankston.
Mrs. Smith died Monday at her residence.
She was born Sept. 22, 1938.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include son, David Williams of Seagoville; daughters, Donna Reynolds of Palestine, Linda Stanley of Seagoville, Betty Locklin of Seagoville, Deborah Christy of Frankston, Janet Farmer of Seagoville and Nelda Meeks of Seagoville; 19 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Locklin, Ray Everett Farmer, Michael Locklin, Ray Farmer, Brian Stanley, David Williams, Stephen Williams, Christopher Williams, and Todd Williams.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.