Obituaries

Willie B. Mullinax of Cameron went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016.  She was born to Nathan and Dena Ayers Elliott on July 16, 1925.

After graduating from C. H. Yoe High School in 1943, she was a secretary for the Milam County Extension Office.  During World War II, her brother, J.K., encouraged his friend in the U.S. Air Force to write Willie B. back home.  After the war, she married her pen pal, Alvin Mullinax, on March 17, 1946.  God blessed them with 64 years together.

A life-long member of the First Christian Church, Willie B. spent countless hours assisting with church services, bible classes, visitation and fellowship dinners.  She will always be remembered for her strong devotion to Christ and to her congregation. 

Roger E. Stuart, 74, of Cameron, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, at his home.  

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron with Rev. Steve Cochran officiating.  

Burial will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.  

Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Mr. Stuart was born Nov. 29, 1941, in Houston to Aubrey E. and Jane Marie (Wells) Stuart. He married Sharon Odneal.  

Mr. Stuart retired from Maxwell House and then worked for six years at Grocers Supply. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cameron. 

He was preceded in death by a brother, Tim Stuart.  

He is survived by: his wife, Sharon Stuart of Cameron; daughter    , Shari Smitherman and husband Joe of Cameron; and three grandchildren.

Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron is in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Ann Bowen Patterson, 75, passed away Oct. 2, 2016, at Scott & White hospital in Temple.  

Patricia graduated from Yoe High School in 1959.   

She devoted her early life to rearing her siblings - Jerald, Larry, Lynda, Janice, and David Bowen. ,Pat eventually moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she married Harry “Bud” Patterson. Pat began her family in Cleveland, but eventually settled and opened a home day care business in Tempe, Ariz. She devoted her life to her family and friends and the many children that she cared for. 

She was known for her quick wit, humor, compassion, love of music, fierce independence, and devotion to her loved ones. 

She is preceded in death by her two sons, Timothy Sean Patterson and Daniel Patrick Patterson.  

She is survived by her husband, two brothers, two sisters, and many nieces and nephews who mourn her loss.

Brenda Gail Mayeux, 69, of Thorndale died Sept. 15 in a Cameron nursing facility. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Thorndale V.F.W.

Ms. Mayeux, a retired E.R. Registrar, was born May 4, 1947, in Texarkana, to Wilburn and Ellen (Freeman) McInvale.  

She is survived by her daughters, Nikki Hansford of Kilgore and Amber Griffith of Thorndale; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Faye Cummins, 82, of Caldwell, departed from this world to be with the Lord on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. 

Visitation will be held at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m on Thursday, Oct. 6, in the First Baptist Church of Caldwell. Brother Steve Johnson will preside over services. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Rockdale.

Mary Beth Thomas, 58, of Cameron died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, in a Temple hospital. 

Memorial services will be 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron

Ms. Thomas was born July 10, 1958, in Milwaukee, Wis., to William James and Virginia (Schwartz) Kreil. She had worked as a dental assistant for many years and currently had been employed at Harlan’s Market in Cameron.  

She was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.  

Survivors include her daughter, Kirsten Cronk of Killeen; mother, Virginia “Ginny” Kreil of Cameron; companion, Richard “Bear” Sanders, step-son, John James Sanders of Cameron; step-daughter, Amanda Sanders of Cameron; and grandchildren, Madilyn Grace Humphries, Aiden Scott Humphries, Evelyn Nicole Duncan, Alexandra Sanders, Esten Sanders, Lucas Sanders and Candence Sanders.

Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron is in charge of arrangements.

Joyce Katherine Provasek, 86, of Cameron died Tuesday, Sept. 20, in a Cameron nursing and rehab facility.  

Rites of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday with the Rev. John Kelley officiating at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery.  

Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Provasek was born Jan. 9, 1930, in Cameron to John Edward and Pearl M. (Witt) Busker. She married Ernest J. (E.J.) Provasek on Jan. 7, 1950.  

Mrs. Provasek had worked at the Milam County ASCS office for 37 years.  

Almarie Brady Smith was born on Feb. 18, 1929, in Cameron,  and passed away on Sept. 16, 2016, in Dallas.

Almarie was preceded in death by her father, Charles Abner Brady; mother, Esther Hilsberg Brady; stepmother, Louise Brady Highers; brother, Charles Brady Jr.; and husband, Lester Goree Smith.

Almarie is survived by daughter, Becky Long and her husband Richard Long; son, Steve Smith; grandson, Rich Long and wife Kelly; great-grandchildren, Kylie and Cartter; grandson, Ryan Long and wife Sarah; great-grandchildren, Brady and Kendall; grandson, Brett Long; brother, Ed Brady; sister-in-law, Dixie Brady; sister, Andrea Brady and families of Ed and Dixie Brady and Andrea Brady.

Almarie graduated from Cameron Yoe High School, class of 1946. She was class secretary, voted by her classmates, as “Best All-around Girl.” Almarie attended Texas Women’s University.

Alfred “Buddy” Oscar Wernli, 88, of Thorndale, passed away peacefully at Granger Villa Nursing Home on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016.

Buddy was born Sept. 8, 1928, to Fritz and Elsie Wernli.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Church in Coupland. He attended Mager and Coupland Schools. 

Buddy married Esther Lehmann on Sept. 27, 1952. He was co-owner of Lehmann-Wernli Garage in Thorndale.  

He enjoyed deer hunting, loved listening to polka music, playing cards and dominos and spoiling his dogs.  He especially enjoyed decorating for Christmas and visiting with friends and family.

He is survived by his sister, Delphine Ging and husband Calvin of Coupland; brother Don Wernli and wife Sandra of Coupland; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Esther Wernli; parents, Fritz and Elsie Wernli; and brother, Reuben Wernli.  

Marian Eanes, 86, of San Antonio, left this world on Aug. 9, 2016.

She was reunited in heaven with her husband, Jimmy, and daughter, Leanne.

Holding her memories at heart are her sons, James and Alan; and daughter, Paula; three grandchildren; and four great-grandsons, as well as many other relatives and friends.

She is missed by all, especially her four-legged friends Holly and Brandy.

A private memorial will be attended by family at a later date.