BEVERLY ANN CORY

Beverly Ann Cory, 66 of Beaumont passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2010 in Beaumont. 

Graveside services were held Friday, February 26 at Kirbyville Cemetery under the direction of Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Kirbyville.

A native of Silsbee and former resident of Kirbyville, she had lived in Beaumont 30 years.

Survivors include her husband, Michael D. Sutton of Beaumont; daughter, Elizabeth Lachney and husband Wayne of DeRidder, Louisiana; and grandchildren, Tamara Hilker, Nicole Hilker, Ronald Hilker, Jr., Kimberly Lachney, Vinson DeSoto, Gabriel DeSoto and Nathaniel Lachney.

MAHLON E. HAYLES

Mahlon E. Hayles, 83, of Liberty City, formerly of Kirbyville, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at his residence. 

Graveside services were held Friday, February 26 at the Kilgore Memorial Gardens with the Rev. David Reeder officiating.

He was born on February 5, 1927 in Beaumont to the late Edward Delmar Hayles and Flossie Inez Measles. Hayles served in the United States Army during WWII and he worked as an Industrial Painter for over 25 years and was especially proud of being a part of painting the Astrodome in Houston. He was an avid golfer and bowler and his proudest moment was when he bowled a perfect 300.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Anna Hayles of Liberty City; daughters, Marie Haynes of Liberty City, Kathleen Hayles of Amarillo and Joan Haney of Liberty City; sons, Cullen Hayles of Liberty City and Wilson Hayles and wife Alisha of Baytown; grandchildren, Tammy Sachitano, Deloris and Amy Conwill, Jason Haney, Scott Haynes and wife Patti and Cameron and Karli Hayles; great-grandchildren, Dalton and Alyssa Haynes, Andrew Parkhill, Brenton Heeter and Caitlyn Cox; granddaughter-in-law, Donna Haynes; three step-grandchildren, Betty Pender, James Pender and Joshua Pender; one step-great-grandchild, Jayden Pender.

Please leave online condolences at raderfuneralhome.com.

RACHEL MARTIN

Honorable Rachel Martin, Mayor of the City of Newton passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at her son's residence in Jasper. 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the First Methodist Church in Newton under the direction of Smith’s Funeral Home in Newton with burial to follow at the Lewis Chapel Cemetery.

Born, Rachel Cordelia Stark on February 6, 1933, she grew up in the Fawil Community between Bleakwood and Bon Wier in north-central Newton County and was a graduate of Newton High School.  A lifelong member of the First Methodist Church in Newton, she was an active member until her death. 

She was possessed of many talents and during her lifetime she has successfully been each of the following; painter, poet, song writer, pilot, floral artist and designer, musician and last but certainly not least a wonderful mother to her children and grandmother to her grandchildren and a friend to all.  She had many paintings that have been sold and displayed throughout the region, she has published poetry and written country songs and for a few years she successfully obtained her pilot's license and flew a Bellanca.  Her flower arrangements locally are lengendary and she had many blue ribbons to count as her own. 

For several years during the 1980s, she was a member of a Country Western style band, The Texas Express and the band played local, regional and a few out of state gigs.  She played both the acoustic guitar and keyboards and sang.  She was a licensed hairdresser and trainer.  At the time of her death she was the Mayor of the City of Newton and was an integral part of Newton City and business life, working until the end to help improve the small town she loved and the people she cherished.

She was preceded in death by her grandsons, Adam and Justin.

Survivors include her sons, Bruce Brodnax and wife, Diann of Orange and Drew Brodnax and wife, Eyvonne of Jasper; grand-daughters, Ashley, Sterling, Latisha, Laila, Steffie and Katrena; grandsons, Chris, Donnie and Brandon; sister, Marcell Burr of Newton; and brother, Riley Stark of Wolf Den.