Adkins, Billy
Funeral services for Mr. Billy Adkins, 76, of Grand Saline were conducted at 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, at Main Street Baptist Church with Brother Ron McCown, Brother Ron Cantrell and Brother Paul Henry officiating.
Interment followed in Silver Lake Cemetery under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.
Mr. Adkins passed away Dec. 16, 2007, in Grand Saline. He was born Sept. 4, 1931, in Van Zandt County to James and Lucille Ballard Adkins. He had lived in Grand Saline for the last 34 years where he was a member of Main Street Baptist Church, FAFF (Fun After Fifty-Five), Rejoicer’s Sunday school class and served on the Silver Lake Cemetery Association Board.
Billy retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jimmy Dale Adkins.
Billy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Adkins of Grand Saline; daughters and sons-in-law, Beverly and Tom Ryan of Garland, and Jane and Jim Via of Rowlett; brother, Carl Eugene Adkins of Wills Point; aunt, Allie Lewis of Grand Saline; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandsons.
Pallbearers were grandsons and grandsons-in-law, John Ryan, Chris Shirey, Tim Shirey, Chris Cates, Jonathan Teoli, Jacob Vrba, Mike McCown and David Hearn.
Memorials may be made to Silver Lake Cemetery, Fun After Fifty-Five, Main Street Baptist Church or any charity of your choice.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the funeral home. ~ ~ ~ The Garland News, December 29, 2007

Dessie Harris Collard, 87, was born March 13, 1920, in Dallas County and passed away Dec. 24, 2007, in Terrell, Texas.

She is survived by her daughter, Jerri Lynn Peeples; brother, Robert "Bob" Harris; grandchildren, Lynn and Scott Taylor, Shannon and Wayne Weaver, Angel Peeples, and Michelle Young; great-grandchildren, David and Jessica Taylor, Danielle and Chloe Weaver, Katelyn Beckett and MateoYoung; nephews, James "Buddy" Pullen, Donald Ray Harris, Don Wallace Harris, and Randall Blevins; nieces, Evelyn Renfro, Louise Myers, and Kathy Harris; numerous great nieces, nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Dessie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Robert Justin Collard, four sisters, and three brothers.