Obituaries

John Clark Keller was born January 15, 1940, in Atlanta, the older son of John G. Keller Jr., and Catherine Louise (McClung) Keller. He attended Terrell public schools, where he excelled in athletics. In 1957–58, his senior year as a Terrell Tiger, he played end, on offense and defense, on a team that won the 2A state high school football championship. He was the leading scorer on the basketball team, which went several rounds in the playoffs. He won state championships in the discus and as a member of the mile relay team. He attended Texas A&M on a basketball scholarship, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education.

Martha Joan Price, better known as Joan to her friends and family, passed away December 30th, 2021, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Born to Mother Ida Davis (Crawford), & Roy Davis on March 3, 1934, Joan was the second child out of six children.

Ruth Tankersley Flory passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2021, 19 days before her 94th birthday. Hers was a life well lived and she passed knowing she would be reunited with loved ones who preceded her in death.

Audrey Delores Porter, 91, passed away Dec. 17, 2021, with her granddaughter and niece at her side. She was born September 25, 1930, to Hildegarde Bolling Hallmark and Orby Hiram Hallmark in Waelder, Texas. Audrey was born three months premature and weighed 1.5 pounds, and family and neighbors cared for the newborn who slept in a shoe box. She was a tom boy as a child and rode her horse, named Pet, all around town with her pigtails flying while her sister, Jeannine, took to playing the piano and sewing. Younger brother, David, who was 9 years younger, was wagged around by his older sisters. Audrey attended Waelder schools where she graduated as valedictorian of her Class of 1948. She was very active in high school participating in student council, volleyball, softball, annual staff, pep squad leader, class president, captain of the girl’s basketball team and choral club. Audrey went to Texas Lutheran College in Seguin as a business major and went on to work at the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in Austin as a secretary.

Aleta Berry, of Terrell, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2021, in Tyler. She was born October 4, 1936, in the Poetry Community to Clede and Faye Littleton Watkins and she was met in heaven by her parents and her husband G.E. Berry, Jr. Aleta was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Terrell where she served faithfully in many ministries until her health began to limit her mobility. As a young woman, she loved to sing and her voice will always be remembered as beautiful. She worked many years and retired from DART, after which she loved to spend her time traveling. No matter the destination, be it near or far, Aleta was always ready to go! Her smile was a wonderful beginning to so many friendships and her ability to put people immediately at ease as they talked made instant friends out of all who met her. Although Aleta had a quiet personality, her strong devotion to her family and her Lord was easily recognized in all she said and did during her lifetime. A wonderful woman who showered others with kindness, Aleta will be missed but never forgotten.

Jack Kenneth Rymer, age 75, passed away peacefully at his home on Possum Kingdom Lake, Saturday, November 20, 2021. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 11th, at Westlake Chapel at 2 p.m. McMillian-Satterwhite Funeral Home will oversee the arrangements.

Maxine Rae (Smoots) Olsen, age 78, of Terrell, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Maxine was born on December 5, 1942, in Aitkin, Minnesota, to John Raymond and Dorothy Mae Smoots. She graduated in 1960 from Aitkin High School. She worked for AT&T for many years before retiring.

James Robert Wynne, of Poetry, was called into the presence of his Lord and Savior on November 29, 2021. Robert was born on November 29, 1968, in Irving, TX, to Jim Bob Wynne and Sue Epperson Wynne. He grew up in Terrell and graduated from Terrell High School in 1987. During Robert’s school years, he created, and cherished, many lifelong friendships. After graduation, he attended college and went to work for Refrigerated Transport Inc., where he worked for many years amongst family and friends. Robert was a member of Rockwall and Brin Church of Christ and an endowed member of Scottish Rite. Robert’s heart for serving the Lord, and others, was readily seen in the many activities that he shared in and supported. Because of his pride and love for Poetry and his family homestead, Robert found blessings in walking many happy and peaceful hours alongside his faithful companion, Bull. When not working on the farm or enjoying long walks, gardening with his Dad had been another of Robert’s treasured joys. Through the collaboration of their clever green thumbs, delicious vegetables were often shared at the family table, frequently accompanied by spirited bantering and Robert’s charming quick wit. There were not many subjects that he did not have an interest in and his well versed knowledge on many varied topics enabled Robert to be a great conversationalist. As an avid reader, Robert’s most cherished book, his Bible, could always be found next to his bed, at home on his nightstand.

Dr. Horace Perry Flatt passed away peacefully on November 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. He was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on August 28, 1930, to John Horace Flatt and Myrtie Mae Johnson Flatt, the second of their three children. He attended the public schools of Terrell, Texas, graduating as valedictorian of his class. Subsequently, he attended Rice Institute (now Rice University) where he received a bachelor’s degree in physics, as well as masters and doctorate degrees in mathematics.

Larry Richard Jones, known by his friends as Rick, and lovingly by his family as “Pops”, 74, passed away November 23, 2021 surrounded by his family. Rick was born December 12, 1946 in Terrell, TX to Ben Duval Jr. and Mildred Jones.