We may find our families shrinking in size. This is true of at least two of our families in the month of March. My condolences to PAT SMITH MULLINS and GLENN SMITH. And my sincerest thanks to all of you who sent condolences to me on the death of my dad. It means a lot to know people care.
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Margie Jane Smith Strother Hallmark
Mar 23, 2015 12:46 PM
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Margie Jane Smith Strother Hallmark, 79, of Ballinger passed away Monday, March 16, 2015 in Coleman County.
She was born March 29, 1935 in Ballinger to James and Leora (Bowen) Smith. After graduating from Ballinger High School, Margie worked as a credit manager at Sears. She married Samuel Max Strother. Max passed away in December of 1991. In 2010, she married Clarence Hallmark. Her family was her greatest joy in life and she was loved by many friends. She loved the Lord and enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel Music.
Margie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Delbert Smith, Bobby Smith and his wife Sharon.
She is survived by her husband Clarence; a daughter Sharilyn Prideaux and husband Bret of Malaysia; a son Gayland Strother of Ballinger; grandchildren Glenn Strother and wife Mindy, Jason Strother and wife Patty, Kyle Strother, Dustin Strother, Mallory Prideaux, and Matthew Prideaux; two sisters Jean Stewart of Cedar Hill and Pat Mullins of Blanket; and a great-granddaughter Eleanor Grace Wilson. Margie is also survived by 3 children by marriage, Beverly Everett and husband Randy, Elaine New and husband Tommy, and Danny Hallmark and wife Mickie and their families.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00-7:00 pm on Saturday, March 21 at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on March 22 at 9th Street Church of Christ in Ballinger with Max Pratt officiating.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Margie.
Editor: Margie is also our classmate Glenn Smith's cousin.
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Jarvis Frank Moragne
Mar 23, 2015 02:17 PM
Jarvis Frank Moragne, a long-time resident of Mineral Wells, died peacefully on March 8, 2015 at a Mineral Wells nursing facility. Jarvis was born November 4, 1918 in Laurel, Mississippi.
Jarvis joined the U.S, Army at the tender age of 17. During this time, he began boxing, and won the title of Regimental Lightweight Boxing Champ at Ft. Sam Houston. While doing his first tour of duty in San Antonio, Texas he met and married Viola Mae Varga, mother of his two daughters, Jean Louise and Marilyn Gladys.
Jarvis volunteered again for the Army after Pearl Harbor. Although his Unit never made a combat jump, after paratrooper training in New Guinea they made a jump onto Okinawa, where they did a cleanup action on the caves in the mountains, looking for anti-aircraft guns. They were there when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Japanese surrendered. His Unit was the second one sent into Japan for the Occupation. He said he was horrified and saddened by the appearance of so many prisoners of war they were there to release. These were mostly Chinese and Koreans, as the first U.S. Army Unit into Japan released the American POWs.
Jarvis served in the Army again during the Korean Conflict, having been called up with a small Army Reserve unit from Bronte, Texas. He served with the 4th Army Headquarters at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas during Operation Longhorn, remaining there until the end of the war. After the war, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was appointed first commander of S.H.A.P.E., an integrated military structure for NATO, which was to be headquartered in France. As Eisenhower established his staff, Jarvis was chosen as one of two Master Sergeants from the U.S. Army. Being anxious to start his own business, and this appointment would mean signing on for another tour of duty and a year in Europe before his family could join him, Jarvis turned down the offer and moved to Ballinger, Texas in 1952. For the next ten years, Jarvis owned and operated Jarvis Sand & Gravel and Ready-Mix Concrete Company in Ballinger.
In the early 60s, Jarvis married Dorothy Kennemer, who preceded him in death, and together they owned and operated The Red Poodle, a private club in Mineral Wells, Texas, until his retirement.Jarvis was an active member of the VFW and the American Legion in Mineral Wells for over 30 years. He also served as President of the Lions Club in Mineral Wells.
Jarvis is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Moragne, of Austin, Texas, his first-born grandson Craig Young of Dallas, and four other grandchildren – Carajean Archer, Matthew Rider, Terry Edwards, and Gigi Lavergne. Also surviving are many great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
Family members will have a private memorial for Jarvis at a future date.
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As some of our older family members are leaving us, we can rejoice at the births of new grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even some great-great-grandchildren. Please let us know of any new additions to your family so we may celebrate with you!
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Some good news as well! PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE has now been sent to a rehabilitation facility. Her cousin June Harris Koch was able to speak with her on the telephone. PEGGY told her she "never expected it to be so hard learning to walk again". We should have a new address shortly for those of you who would like to send a card.
Until next time, tell the ones you love how much you care. You never know if you will get the chance to do so again. Peace and love, Marilyn |
