Everything Nac

     Mr. Carl W. Byars, was born on October 31, 1936, in Garrison, Texas to Ollie Lambert Byars and Robert Carl Byars and went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 29, 2011, after a lengthy illness. He was married for 24 and a half years to Carol Painter Byars, who was devoted to giving him the best care possible throughout his illness. Our precious Carl is now free of pain and suffering and we can rejoice for him that he has everlasting life and is at rest.

     Carl served his country in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant in the 3rd Armored Division, stationed as Border Patrol in Germany before the Berlin Wall was built. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service, worked as an independent contractor, raised cattle, did custom hay baling and finally owned and operated his own salvage yard business. Carl worked hard all of his life, was very intelligent as well as gifted with so many talents such as concrete finishing, electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, carpentry and auto-mechanics just to mention a few. Carl and Carol spent many wonderful hours in their boat on the lake fishing, a hobby they shared passionately. They both also enjoyed playing 42, with Carl winning some tournaments. Carl loved being with people, helping them, and telling funny stories. He was loved by so many and will be missed by all, most of all by Carol, who loved him with all her heart. He was also a long standing member of Gravel Ridge Baptist Church.

     Carl is survived by his loving wife, Carol Painter Byars of Nacogdoches; daughter, Lesha Byars of Nacogdoches; sons, Scott Wayne Byars of Dallas and Robert Morgan Byars of Austin; daughters, Brittany Ann Byars of Austin and Carla Rae Hodge of Conroe; grandchildren, Matthew Byars, Christian Byars, Brendan Byars, Lacy Byars, Jennifer Byars, Jennifer Kiely and husband, Darren and Tiffany Ratliff; great-­grandchildren, Jyliane & Myah Kiely, Chay and Greenley Ratliff; brother-in-law, Jake Henson, mother-in-law, Edith George of Granbury; nephews, A. L. Henson and wife, Dana, Elvin Ray Henson and wife, Jo Beth, and many others; great-nieces, Jennifer Hayden and husband, Rowdy, Stephanie House and husband, Mark, and special great-nephew, Adam Henson and wife, Andi-Lynn and many others; special niece by marriage, Sherri Loeffler and husband, Manfred of St. Hedwig, Texas, who helped to care for him at home with tender loving care the past 3 months.

     In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sisters, LaVerne Henson, LaMerle Henson, and Joy Henson.

     Pallbearers will be Ricky Collins, Dewey DeShazo, Marc DeShazo, Richard Johnson, Morris Ray Fuller, and Steve Cox.

     Honorary pallbearers will be A. L. Henson, Elvin Ray Henson, Don Collins, and Chuck Clark.

     Special thanks to Ricky Collins, brother-in-Christ, his wife, Becky Collins, sister-in-Christ, A. L. and Dana Henson, Adam and Andi-Lynn Henson, Dr. Larry Walker, Dr. Ahammed Hashim, the entire Staff of The Hospice of East Texas (especially Robin Kirk, R.N, Ann Campbell, R.N., and Ryan Arwine, R.N., Shay Von Jenkins, LVN, and Nurses Aids Dee Holcomb and Pam Griffith, all who demonstrated the true meaning of “angels of mercy”. Also, thanks to the compassionate staff at Walgreens pharmacy, Shelley, Gwo, Cheree, Merlina, and Kyle.

     John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Matthew 11:28. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

     Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 3:00 pm at Laird Funeral Home with Rev. Dock Lazarine officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

     A graveside service for Mr. Edwin Leon Pierce, 82, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2011, at 2:00 pm at Spann’s Chapel Cemetery in Shelby County with Chaplain Richard Harris officiating.

     Mr. Pierce was born on July 9, 1929 in DeBerry, Texas, the son of Robert Donald Pierce, II and Metta Lee Pierce.

     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 5-7 pm at Laird Funeral Home.

     A memorial service for Mrs. Faye Johnson Lucas, 76, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at 2:00 pm at Evergreen Cemetery on North FM 2022 in Percilla, Texas.

     Mrs. Lucas was born on May 27, 1935, in Waneta, Texas to the late Archie Johnson and Ella Mae Peterson Johnson. She passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2011, in Nacogdoches.

     Faye had been employed by Walmart stores for 10 years as a door greeter. Mrs. Lucas was and will always be remembered for her kindness and love of life.

     In addition to her parents, Archie and Ella Mae Johnson, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Lucas.

     She is survived by three brothers, Frank Johnson and wife, Maxine, Johnny Johnson and Tommy Johnson; children, Dennis Sanford and wife, Sherry, Denise Langley, Harrison Sanford and wife, Tammy, Carrie Sue Calloway and Lonnie Lucas and wife, Wendy; and 13 grandchildren.

     A graveside service will be held for McCoy Micky Choate, age 89, at Sunset Memorial Cemetery, at 2:00 pm, Sunday, November 6. Mr. Choate was born in Lilbert, Texas, on January 17, 1922, and died in a local nursing care facility on October 30, 2011.

     After graduating from Cushing High School in 1941, Mr. Choate worked three years at the North American Aviation Plant in Grand Prairie, supervising a crew that made cockpits for the new P-51 fighters. After foregoing the opportunity to keep continuous draft deferments, Mr. Choate entered the U. S. Army in 1944. After receiving his basic training at Camp Fannin in Tyler, Mr. Choate served in the 35th Infantry Division in France and Germany. He was in continuous combat for 69 days and ultimately was wounded and captured on December 12, 1944, in a river crossing into Habkirchen, Germany. Private Choate suffered from untreated frost bite to both feet, 17 shrapnel wounds, and near starvation, losing more than 100 pounds before being liberated on April 14, 1945. He received five battle stars, a bronze medal, an infantry badge, good conduct medal, marksmanship medal, and purple heart. After returning to Nacogdoches after World War II, he met and married Priscilla Mercer, and they enjoyed 64 years together. Mr. Choate was a mail carrier 33 years with the U. S. Postal Service, and was a lifelong vegetable gardener and devoted neighbor to all who lived near him.

     Mr. Choate was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Mary Choate, and his two sisters, Imogene Denson and Inelle Weaver. He was also preceded in death by his son Larry Choate.

     He is survived by his son Mark Choate and his wife Lorinda, of Austin, Texas, and their three daughters, Kendall, Heather, and Laura. He is also survived by two grandsons, Robert Choate and his wife Amy, of Frisco, Texas, and Scott Choate, of Clovis, California, as well as six great-grandchildren.

     The family would like to extend a thank you to Hospice of East Texas and Lexington Place Nursing facility, for the kindness they showed to Mr. Choate in his final days. The family also is deeply grateful for the devotion showed to Mr. Choate by three very important special friends, Pot Mercer, Jack Gardner, and Bob Melton. Visitation will be held at Laird Funeral Home between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 5. Pastor Dock Lazarine will conduct the memorial service.

     A prayer service for Myrtle Marie LaBoyteaux will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 1:00 Pm at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.

     Mrs. LaBoyteaux was born on March 3, 1912 in Dayton, Ohio. She passed away on October 29, 2011 in Nacogdoches.