Obituaries

Anna Ruth Ward Rutledge, age 93, of Rockwall, TX, died on June 5, 2021, in Rowlett, TX. She was born in Elmo, TX, on July 14, 1927, to Edgar and Annie Ward. Ann grew up in Elmo and graduated from Terrell High School in 1945. She married Robert B. Rutledge of Terrell, TX in 1948. They had three children: Robert Michael (Mike) Rutledge; Judith Ann (Judy) Rutledge; and Kimberley Sue (Kim) Rutledge Wynn. During their marriage, they lived in Terrell, Atlanta, Waco, and Athens, TX, where Robert passed away in 1963. Following her marriage to Bill Poston, Ann lived in Dallas and Garland, TX. She worked for the Garland ISD for 5 years and for Prudential Insurance until her retirement in 1991. Ann's retirement coincided with the birth of her first grandchild, and she easily transitioned from working woman to doting grandmother. When asked how retirement suited her, Ann could easily say she was "living the dream". She played golf and traveled the world. On each trip, she made new friends with whom she corresponded for years. Ann joined the Red Hat Club and enjoyed entertaining Senior Citizen groups with skits and songs. She loved music and, oh, how she could dance. Whether Ballroom dancing or country western dancing, her grace and beauty shined. Her final dances were with her two grandsons, Kyle and Corey, at Corey's wedding on November 23, 2019.

David W. Gardner, gone to soon but never will he be forgotten, passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2021. He was born in Gilmer, Texas on October 20, 1968 to Charlie and Brenda Clemmons Gardner. David was a 1987 graduate of Terrell High School and attended both Eastfield College and Navarro Jr. College. He excelled in baseball during high school and college. Mr. Gardner loved to fish even though he might not haul too many in on those trips, cheering on his Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. David also enjoyed watching NASCAR races on television. He retired from Yellow Freight as a truck driver in 2000, after 11 years with the company because of a disability. David never let that event keep his spirits down. He was a proud member of Local 745. David is survived by his wife of nearly 18 years Vicky Calhoun Gardner; son William Gardner; daughter Katelyn Gardner; parents Charlie and Brenda Gardner; brother Scott Gardner; grandchildren Ryleigh and Jaxson; sister-in-law Sandra Mayhew and husband Duane. He was preceded in death by a brother Ty Gardner. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 1st at Beaty Funeral Home in Winnsboro, Texas. David will be buried at a later time in Blackjack Cemetery in Kaufman County

Fred D. Strickland, 77, of Amarillo, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Memorial services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive with Chaplain Ira Purdy officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

Rovilla Beaty, 93 years young, passed away to be with her Lord and Savior on May 22, 2021. Rovilla was born March 31, 1928 in Mt. Carmel, Ill. and she was a resident of Terrell for 42 years where her smile was well known and well loved. She lived in Terrell with her late husband, John Ewing Beaty, who passed in 1988. Together, they built the small community of Ewing Lane in Terrell where she resided until her passing, making many friends amongst the neighbors, all of whom will miss Rovilla greatly. She was also a member of the Oddfellows for over 50 years. Rovilla loved Terrell so much and made sure to support local businesses including American National Bank, where she began baking in 1979 and made many great friendships and relationships.

Bobbie Mae Roycroft Williamson, passed away to the presence of the Lord on Friday, April 16, 2021 in Terrell, Tx. Bobbie was born October 8, 1928 in Elmo to Robert McKinley and Hazel Mae (Samples) Roycroft, both of whom preceded her in death along with her beloved husband, James M. Williamson, wonderful step-father, L.O. Meador, her son-in-law, Richard Crow, brother, Kenneth Roycroft and sister, Amanda Jane Koets.

Brenda Sue Perry went to be with Jesus on April 13, 2021 in Athens, Texas, at the age of 62, after a long battle with Lymphoma/cancer. Brenda was born on December 21,1958 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Carl and LaVonne Caughron. The family moved to Terrell, Texas in 1971, where Brenda would graduate as a member of the Terrell High School class of 1977.

Bobby J. Littleton, 81, of Rockport, Indiana passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Rockport, Indiana.