CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM

Charlie Cunningham, 56, of Kirbyville died Thursday, December 31, 2009 at his residence.

Funeral services were held at Friendship Church under the direction of Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Kirbyville with burial at Friendship Cemetery.

Survivors include his brothers, John Cunningham and George Cunningham.

V.R. “RED” MULLINS

V.R. "Red" Mullins, 82, of Kirbyville went to be with the Lord on December 25, 2009.

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on November 21, 1927, he served in the Navy from 1944 to 1948. During this time he met his future wife of 56 years, Thelma Lessing of Orange.

He was a deacon for many years with the Little Cypress Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for several years and was retired from the IBEW No. 479 in Beaumont. He later studied at Lamar University and became an ordained minister for the Southern Baptist Association. Before moving to Kirbyville, "Red" lived in Brady for 13 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Mullins; daughter, Tami Van Dyke, of Kirbyville; and son, Sam Mullins of Austin.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Lynn Mullins of Mauriceville; grandsons, Jeremy Mullins and Aaron Mullins, both of Mauriceville and Glenn Van Dyke and Tyler Van Dyke, both of Brady; and brother, Sam Mullins and wife Roma of Gonzales, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to send donations to the Central Baptist Church of Kirbyville.

FLORENCE SMITH

Florence Smith, 92, of Kirbyville died Thursday, December 31, 2009 at Avalon Place Nursing Home in Kirbyville.

She had willed her body to the University of Texas Health Sciences in Houston.

GEORGE DUNN

George Dunn, 76, of Jasper died Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Shady Acres Health and Rehabilitation of Newton.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 5 at the Jasper Church of Christ with burial at Zion Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stringer and Griffin Funeral Home of Jasper.

A native and lifelong resident of Jasper, he graduated from Jasper High Scholl in 1956. He retired from the State of Texas with TxDOT of Jasper in 1995 after serving over 26 years. He was a member of the Jasper Church of Christ and enjoyed gardening and cooking.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry P. and Willie Dunn; and five sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Alene Dunn of Jasper; sons, Jeff and wife Hilary Dunn of Houston and Jason Dunn of Jasper; and granddaughter, Allie Dunn of Houston.

Memorials may be made to the Camp Red Oaks Springs in Newton or the Lakes Area Hospice of Jasper.

LOTTIE JAY STARNES WADENPFUHL

Lottie Jay Starnes Wadenpfuhl, 86, of Kirbyville died Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2009 at her residence.

Funeral services were held Monday, December 28 at the First United Methodist Church in Kirbyville with burial at Kirbyville Cemetery under the direction of Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Kirbyville.

She was born June 12, 1923, to Robert Lee and Mamie Collins Starnes. Lottie was raised in Call and graduated from Kirbyville High School in 1939. She studied music at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduated in 1944 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She also attended Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee and Lamar University in Beaumont, holding professional teaching certificates in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. Lottie spent most of her 86 years sharing her love of music through teaching piano, choir and band in Southeast Texas, primarily in Beaumont I.S.D. and Kirbyville C.I.S.D. Lottie also taught piano privately for 26 years.

She met Karl Wadenpfuhl at L.S.U. and they married in 1944 in Jonesboro, Arkansas while Karl was still in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Together they moved to Kirbyville in 1949 to raise their family and teach music in the public schools and community.

Lottie was pianist at First Baptist Church in Kirbyville for many years and was choir director and pianist at First United Methodist Church until she retired in 2005 at the age of 82. She was the band director for Kirbyville Junior High, High School choir director and assisted with the Kirbyville School Bands, 1970-1978.

Lottie was a proud member of the Kirbyville Women’s Civic Club and the Kirbyville Koffee Klatsch. She gave generously of her time and immense musical talent to her family, her church and community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mamie Collins and Robert L. Starnes of Call Junction.

Survivors include her husband, Karl of 65 years; brother, Robert L. Starnes, Jr. and wife, Elizabeth of Bevil Oaks; sons, Karl, Jr. and wife Patty of Bevil Oaks, Jay and wife Michelle of Boston, Massachusetts and Ken and wife Patricia of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter, Kathy of Austin; grandchildren, Kris Wadenpfuhl of Humble, Karen Cotton and husband Carey of Beaumont, Jennifer, Jacob and Hana Jun Wadenpfuhl of Cleveland, Ohio; great-grandchildren Koren and Kylen Wadenpfuhl of Kingwood, Karlee Cotton of Beaumont and Poppy Anne Wadenpfuhl of Cleveland, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Kirbyville First United Methodist Church.