Melba Whitecotton Clapp

December 20, 1931

October  29, 2024

Melba Whitecotton Clapp was born on December 20, 1931, to Beulah and ZT Whitecotton in Uvalde, TX, where she met her future husband at the age of 16.  She was a young schoolgirl, and he was a handsome Lackland Air Force man based in San Antonio. He came to Uvalde with a friend for the weekend.  It was love at first sight.  She went home and told her mother she was going to marry “that” man.  Months later they were married, and the rest is history.  Together they had three boys, David, Don and Andy.

Melvin Maddux

June 28, 1967

October 24, 2024

Melvin Maddux, born on June 28, 1967, in Temple, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on October 24, 2024, in Salado, Texas. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend whose vibrant spirit and unwavering commitment to his family left behind an indelible mark on all who were fortunate to know him.

Judy Echols Lazarus

December 30, 1944

October 18, 2024

Judy Echols Lazarus passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at her residence in Belton, TX.  She was born on December 30, 1944, in Big Spring, TX.  She was raised with a great Christian family in Coahoma, TX.  She had a brother, W. Ray Echols, and two sisters, Amy Lee Purcell and Janie Phinney.  Judy graduated from Coahoma High School and attended Howard College in Big Spring, TX.

Debra (Debbie) Ann Charbonneau

March 11, 1955

October 13, 2024

Debra (Debbie) Ann Charbonneau nee Wadsworth joined the dance with the angels early Sunday morning, October 13th, 2024 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 69 years old.

Sandra “Joyce” Vannatta

October 6, 1940

September 16, 2024

Sandra “Joyce” Vannatta died on September 16, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was born in San Antonio on October 6, 1940, to Joseph Charles Love and Lesley Francis Grover Love.  

Donald Franklin “Don” Simonton

October 22, 1941

August 27, 2024

Donald Franklin “Don” Simonton, 82, passed away on August 27, 2024. A visitation with the family will be on Friday, September 6, from 4:30pm until the Celebration of Life service begins at 6:30pm. The services will be held at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple, TX.

Doris Laverne Blair, 65, of Belton passed away on August 26, 2024 in Temple.

She was born July 24, 1959 in Pineville, LA to Issac Biddy and Jessie Laverne Pruitt.

Evelyn Rae Lane

June 10, 1930

August 16, 2024

Evelyn Rae Lane, 94, of Salado, passed away on August 16, 2024.

Joe Thomas Cassady

January 26, 1939

August 18, 2024

Joe Thomas Cassady, “Joe T” to his friends, went to be with his Lord on August 18, 2024, at the age of 85. Joe was born January 26, 1939, to Burton J. Cassady, Jr. and Elvina Roesler Cassady in Charlotte, NC.

Billie Sue Hutton Scales

Billie Sue was born in Dallas to Batista and Bill Shaw. She grew up in north Dallas in Highland Park. Billie Sue attended Hillcrest High School where she was a homecoming nominee. Following high school, Billie Sue attended Tyler Junior College and was a member of the prestigious Apache Belles.  As an Apache Belle, Billie Sue performed at numerous Dallas Cowboy football games, marched in the New Year’s Day Parade, and was part of the team that presented Bob Hope and Buzz Aldrin as honorary Apache Belle Beaus.  Billie Sue had the honor of being selected as Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader only to turn it down in order to continue her education.  After two years at Tyler JC, Billie Sue transferred to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM.  She chose this school in order to be close to Taos where she grew up skiing with her family.