Obituaries

Pastor Gerald Walter ‘Jerry’ Peterman Sr. passed peacefully, from his home, into Christ’s loving arms on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 at the age of 85. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Jan K. Peterman of Graham; brother, Robert Peterman and wife Mary Ellen of Wisconsin; children, Valerie Peterman of Brooksville Fla., Gerald W. Peterman Jr. and wife Margie of Round Lake Beach Ill., John R.

Leighton Jared Shifflett, 24 of Graham, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 in Young County. Funeral services will be held Sunday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. at Faith Center. Burial will follow in Newcastle Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Leighton was born Aug. 26, 1992 in Mineral Wells, attended Graham High School and graduated in 2011. He played football and baseball for the Graham Steers. He went on the attend North Central Texas College and worked with his family in the oil business until he began attending and graduated from the Fire Academy in December 2016.

Velma Jo Gowens, 88, passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Graham. Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. in Salem Crestview United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Velma was born Jan. 16, 1929 in Young County, to the late John Willis and Maudie Velma (Shahan) Ford.

Carol Lesley Mahan, 65, passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 in Graham. Graveside services will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. in Loving Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Carol was born Oct. 25, 1951 in Knox City, to the late Harry Allen and Martha Jane (Lesley) Teal. She married Willie Wayne Mahan on Sept. 3, 1977 in Irving. Carol moved to Loving in 2003 from DeSoto and was senior buyer for Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

Clifford Junior Pruitt, 88, of Graham, went to join his beloved wife and our Lord Tuesday, Jan, 17, 2017 in Graham. His funeral will be held Friday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. at Faith Center. Burial will follow in South Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Cliff was an awesome Dad, Grandpa, PapPap, Pops and man. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. He has touched many lives with his infectious smile and his kindness to all. Cliff was born April 12, 1928 in Hazelgreen, Mo., to the late Clifford Claud and Imo Fairie (Carroll) Pruitt.

Frank Waller “Wally” Reddick, 80, of Chandler, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 in Tyler. Memorial services will be held at Tyland Baptist Church in Tyler on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m., with Rev. David Mahfood officiating. Wally was born June 3, 1936 in Shreveport, La., to Frank and Lucile Huey Reddick. From the age of 3, Wally was raised by his uncle and aunt, Roger and Hattie Huey Chauffe, of Graham. Wally was a graduate of Graham High School and Austin College. He frequently traveled the state of Texas with the help of his career in sales.

Opal E. Youngblood, 84, passed from this life to her heavenly home Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in Wichita Falls. Home going celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Opal was born Dec. 26, 1932 in Graham, to the late William Lewis and Ella Mae (Armstrong) Phillips. She married Joe H. Youngblood Jr., and he preceded her in death on May 6, 1989. She worked as a police dispatcher for 25 years at the Graham Police Department.

H.L. "Mitch" Mitchell, 79, passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 in Graham. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at 2 p.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Mitch was born July 29, 1937 in Tioga, La., to the late William Howard and Mary Katherine (Herrin) Mitchell. He married Betsy Ann Maberry on June 2, 1962 in McCaulley.

Jeffery Paul Mathis passed away Jan. 15, 2016 in Abilene. A graveside service will be held at noon, Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Newcastle Cemetery in Newcastle. Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home in Graham. Jeff was born Nov. 28, 1967 in DeLeon. He was a pipeline welder and had lived in Graham most of his life. Survivors include his parents, C.W.

On the morning of Jan. 9, 2017, Don Micheal “Mike” Jennings peacefully passed away at the age of 66 in Arlington. Mike was born July 14, 1950, in Wichita Falls. He was full of life and taught his family to spread love, laughter and joy to all without expecting anything in return. One of Mike’s favorite scriptures was "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.