MARTHA BROCKMAN

Martha Brockman, 78, of Buna passed away Saturday, February 6, 2010 at CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 8 at Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Buna with burial at Antioch Cemetery.

A native of Kirbyville, she had lived most of her life in the Old Laurel Community near Buna.

Survivors include her husband, Wesley Brockman of Buna; children, Will Brockman of Kirbyville, Daniel Brockman and Donald Brockman, both of Buna and Karen Laughlin of DeQuincy, Louisiana; brother, Ernest Hall of North Carolina; sisters, Bonnie VanPelt of Kirbyville and Shirley Ray of Houston; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

GRACIE LEE LAMB

Gracie Lee Lamb, 77, of Kirbyville passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010 in Webster.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 7 at Gospel Lighthouse Church in Kirbyville with burial and Eastern Star Rites at Antioch Cemetery in Buna under the direction of Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home.

A native of Many, Louisiana, she had lived most of her life in Kirbyville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Luther Lamb.

Survivors include her sons, Daniel Lamb and Khris Lamb, both of Kirbyville; daughters, Donna Lamb of Kirbyville, Elinor Torres of Webster and Luthena Highfill of Bryan; sisters, Alma West of Brookeland and Marie Brown of Jasper; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

HARLEY PAUL “RED” MILNER

Harley Paul “Red” Milner, 81, of Groves passed away Tuesday February 2, 2010 at his residence.

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 6 at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves with burial at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches.

He was born in Kirbyville on September 12, 1928 to Etta Mae and Washington Kimmie (W.K.) Milner and moved to Port Arthur in the fall of 1942. He often spoke of Mrs. LaCroix as one of his favorite teachers. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur in 1947.

He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1950 to 1952 as a Corporal in the Headquarters Division as a Specialist in delivering classified documents and other materials. He also received the Korean and UN Medals for his service. He began his career as a Boilermaker at Gulf Oil Refinery in Port Arthur in 1954, where he came to be known as "Red" Milner. He made many friends while working there and never forgot a name of those he worked with. He retired in 1983.

He was married to Kathryn Grado Milner on April 15, 1956 and they raised their daughters in Groves and proudly put them both through Texas A&M University. He was a member of Wheatley Memorial Baptist Church in Groves where he faithfully served as a deacon and on many other committees.  He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys, movies like Patton, as well as any western with Clint Eastwood. His hobbies included gardening and working on cars.  He also loved the violin and admired The Cajun Country Classics Band and followed them as much as possible. He enjoyed listening to Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys.

When he was able, he attended the functions of his grandchildren such as band concerts, recitals and soccer and basketball games. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn.

Survivors include his daughters, Paula Lattimore and husband David and Sharon Honza and husband Jerry, all of Nederland; grandchildren, Amy Lattimore of Bryan, Trey Honza, Rachel Honza and Ethan Honza, all of Nederland; brother, W.K. Milner of Houston; sisters, Louise Mullin of Beaumont, Margie Boyd of Georgetown and Ginger Horner of Rancho Mirage, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to personal caregivers Frances Brown, Shelia Jones and her brother Wilbur Jones, and Helen Carrier who each gave him loving and patient care.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family is asking memorials be given to the American Lung Association or the Volunteer Veterans Association.

JESSE WILLARD

Jesse Willard, 91, of Kirbyville passed away Sunday, January 10, 2010 at his residence.

Cremation services were under the direction of Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Kirbyville and private graveside services were held at Kirbyville Cemetery.

A native of South Bend, Indiana, he had lived in Kirbyville 16 years. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and a retired electrician.

Survivors include his sons, James Robert Joseph, Raymond Paul Joseph and Lawrence Wayne Shelly, all of Michigan, Joseph Stanly Willard and Johnny Eugene Willard, both of Louisiana; daughters, Delores Ann Montgomery of Florida, Gloria Jean Joseph and Jessie Kathleen Shelly, both of Utah, Corena Sue Viscardis, Tammy Lynn Willard and Melody Cantrell, all of Kirbyville; brothers, Howard Willard and Irvin Willard, both of Florida; and 19 grandchildren.