Everything Nac

Mrs. Lucy Elizabeth Simmons, age 98, of Melrose, Texas, died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at Stallings Court in Nacogdoches.

Mrs. Simmons was born April 30, 1915, in Melrose to parents Gerald Matthews and A Tossie Blakey Matthews.

She was married to Buck Simmons on May 12, 1937, and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2001. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Gerry Irvin, in 2001; a son-in-law, Mike Pace, in 2008; and her brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Eloise Matthews.

Her survivors include a daughter, June Pace of Melrose; a son-in-law, Jim Irvin of Estes Park, Colorado; grandchildren, Stacy Triana and husband James of Melrose, Alan Pace and wife Debra of Wilksboro, North Carolina, Jeff Pace of Melrose, and Charise Carl and husband Bruce of Nacogdoches; ten great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, with Bro. Bob Whitehead officiating. Interment will follow at Lower Melrose Cemetery, located off Hwy. 21 in Melrose.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, at Cason Monk-Metcalf.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Pace, Alan Pace, James Triana, Bruce Carl, Josh Triana, Isaac Triana, Jeff Pace Jr., and Trent Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Micheal Arriola and Kaleb Pace.

Memorials may be made to Melrose Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 88, Chireno, TX 75937.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.

Gayla McLain Sanders passed away July 1, 2013. She was born June 1, 1926, in the Nat Community of Nacogdoches County, Texas, to William Albert (Willie) and Susan Louella Whitaker (Ella) McLain. Gayla was the youngest of nine children. She attended schools at Nat, Cushing, and Stephen F. Austin State University, where she graduated in 1956.

She married William R.E. (Bill) Stegall in 1944; Richard C. (Dick) Wright in 1947; Buster Harber in 1972; and Fred B. (Buck) Sanders in 1984. She was baptized into the Nat Baptist Church at an early age and later joined Westminister Presbyterian Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, First United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin. She was active in church women’s, garden club, art league, and quilters clubs.

She is survived by her children, Richard Wright, Malinda Wright, and Sandy Wright Smith; also grandchildren, Jesse Wright, Andrew and Natalie Pruitt, and Carli and Casey Smith. Also surviving are a sister, Buene Sitton, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, officiated by Bro. Dale Weir, pastor of Nat Church. Interment will follow at Nat Cemetery, located on FM 343.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cason Monk-Metcalf.

Pallbearers will be Casey Smith, Jesse Wright, Mike Smith, Gary Liles, Mark McLain, and Buzz McLain. Honorary pallbearer will be Andrew Pruitt.

Memorials may be made to Nat Cemetery Association, c/o Darrell Trawick, 156 County Road 848, Cushing, TX 75760-5749.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.