Obituaries

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Jeanne was born May 31, 1944 in Borger, Texas to Emma Eloise Price Jacobs and Cecil Aurelious Jacobs.

Jeanne was an avid learner and came from a family dedicated to teaching. She was always learning something new. She graduated from Borger High School in 1962 and then went on to receive a B.S. in Education from Texas Tech University, a Masters of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University, and an Educational Diagnostician Certification from Texas A&M, Commerce.

She was an avid writer, writing short stories and poems many times to honor someone special such as her children’s bus driver. She was the author of “A Holiday Book of Cooking for Kids”, and “American Potpourri-One Family’s Journey Through America’s History.”. A book about food, family, heroism and above all else, patriotism. A book that she spent eight years researching and perfecting.

Jeanne was a Texan and an American through and through. She was a poll watcher, a devoted Republican and a passionate voter, even demanding to vote during a major illness.

She found great joy-and-passion for the simple things in life such as connecting with total strangers, making enormous and impactful differences in her community, and doing so all while unknowingly leaving an indelible mark on all those around her.

She loved the minute details of nature, having a particular fondness and love for all flowers. The lily and orchid being two of her favorites. Jeanne enjoyed spending countless hours gardening and taking care of her plants; she found immense pride in cooking and baking, constantly searching for a new, and always fancy, recipe. Thus again bringing others together and leaving that permanent mark on many lives the world-over.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Eloise Jacobs, her infant brother, William Brace Jacobs and her infant granddaughter, McKenna Taite Gassett.

Jeanne leaves to cherish her loving memory: son and daughter in law, Quentin & Vangee Gray of Macau; daughter, Samantha Gassett of Rowlett TX; grandson’s Keegan & Kallen Gassett of Rowlett, TX; granddaughter, Kiera Gray of Macau; sister and brother in law, Susan & Phil Harriss of GA, nieces and nephews: Steven & Kim Harriss of FL, Todd & Mackenzie Harriss of Plano TX; Courtney & Bryan Bailey of GA as well as four great nieces, Paige Harriss of FL, Audrey, Ember and Brook Bailey. A plethora of other friends and family who will remember her for all that she was.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Crane.com for the Jacobs family.

Jeanne's Memorial Website: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/audrey-jacobs-10538295

Beverly Jean Godfrey - wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed from her earthly life to her eternal life on June 18th 2023. She was born on October 13th, 1930 in Prairie Village, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane, of 64 years. Beverly and Duane were high school sweethearts and married March 17th, 1951. As newlyweds, Duane served in the United States Air Force for the next 4 years they were relocated to live in Hawaii. Their son Duane Jr. was born in Hawaii during that time.

Beverly and Duane were long members of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church. Beverly was able to witness her daughter married there, the baptism of her two granddaughters Jordan and Ryanne, and the baptism of her two great grandsons Tripp and Ford.

When their children were young, Duane and Beverly enjoyed many camping trips to Colorado. “MeMe” and “Papa” purchased a lake house at Cedar Creek Lake, where countless weekends spent and great memories made. After Duane’s retirement, they traveled to Europe and took several cruises including Greece, Alaska and Hawaii. On their 50th wedding anniversary the entire family went on a Caribbean cruise to celebrate!

Beverly had many hobbies throughout her life. She was an avid bridge player, a Red Hatter and played a mean game of tennis! She was an accomplished painter and well known for her ocean scenes painted on Sand Dollars. Beverly was invited many times into the prestigious Cottonwood Art festival to display her art. Her favorite group of friends were called “The Seven Sisters” which was her quilting group that met every Wednesday night from 1982 to 2015. They were a very special group of ladies, who bonded like a sisterhood, and took several weekend trips together!

She is survived by her son Duane, her daughter Cheryl Lewis and husband Hal; granddaughter Jordan Watson and husband Mat; great grandson’s Tripp, Ford, and Miller; granddaughter Ryanne Lewis.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on July 21, 2023 at 10:00 in the morning at The Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home, Dallas, Texas.

Beverly was a devoted wife who loved her family, friends and life unconditionally. We will miss that cute smirky smile of hers!

In honor of Beverly’s memory and fight against Alzheimer's, the following donation page has been created for A Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Click Here To Donate https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?idb=207294909&df_id=51623&FR_ID=16958&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=22371712&51623.donation=form1&PROXY_TYPE=20

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Our beloved, Ralph Arthur Herrick, passed away on May 16^th, 2023, in Richardson, TX after battling glioblastoma. He was 83-years young.

Ralph was born in New Jersey in 1940, but was a life-long Texan. He received engineering degrees from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and went on to serve as a Captain in Viet Nam before having a long career as an engineer working on advanced communications systems for Rockwell and Raytheon.

Ralph enjoyed gardening and tinkering and was truly gifted in fixing all things mechanical. He was consistently kind and dedicated his life to being helpful to others. He served his country, his church, his neighbors, friends, and strangers.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 34 years, Doris Herrick; brother, Fred Herrick; son, Scott Herrick; daughters Marlo Herrick and Erin Harvey; step-daughters Sheryl Frank and Dana Masters; grandchildren Adrien and Shannon Herrick, Miranda Harvey, and step-grandchild Haley Dawn Masters.

Services will be held on June 28 at 11 a.m. at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, 3901 North Star Road, Richardson TX. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Glioblastoma Foundation in Ralph’s name are appreciated. https://glioblastomafoundation.org

Ralph's Memorial Website: https://everloved.com/life-of/ralph-herrick/ 

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George William Swenson, Jr. of Plano, Texas passed away on February 7, 2023 at the age of 93.  A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, he will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him.

George was born on January 25, 1930 to George William Swenson, Sr. and Ima (Ericson) Swenson in Georgetown, Texas. He grew up in Austin, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and served his country proudly in the Texas Army National Guard. George married Caryl Briggs on February 7, 1959 in Smithville, Texas.

He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 37 years and retired as Chief Accountant of Texas in 1991. George spent his second career as auditor with CMA Property Management, retiring after 22 years at the age of 90.   

George is survived by his wife, Caryl Swenson; daughters, Gina Swenson, Lisa Turner and husband, Larry; granddaughter, Megan Swenson and fiancé Zach Callaway; daughter-in-law Nelda Swenson; brother, Wally Swenson; nephews Steve, Doug and Ken Swenson and their families; and a host of other loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Todd Swenson; infant son, James; grandson, Mitchell Swenson; and parents, George and Ima Swenson.

In his honor, donations may be made to the American Heart Association to support cardiovascular medical research and education.

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LaNell Liese Helms passed away at home amid family on January 18, 2023 after more than a decade long battle with neural disease. She was 64 years old. LaNell was born in Austin, Texas on July 16, 1958 and lived in Kansas City and Lincolnshire, Illinois in her early years.  The family ultimately settled in Arlington, Texas where she graduated from Bowie High School.

LaNell discovered an interest in computers while attending Stephen F. Austin State University. She graduated in 1981 with a BS in Computer Science and worked as a professional programmer for multiple companies over 20+ years until unable to so due to her illness.

LaNell met Richard Talmage (Dick) Helms, Jr in 1983 and they married a year later. She and Dick raised two daughters and she created a happy home; balancing work, dance classes, soccer games, church, Girl Scout leadership, and being a wonderful wife.

She loved to play tennis and she loved football, as all Texans do. Although she was a Stephen F. Austin alumna, the Aggie Spirit, passed down through her father, lived on in her. She shared that spirit with her daughters, who both graduated from Texas A&M.  She loved cheering on the Ags during football season; she was a firm believer that the team didn't lose, they just ran out of time.

LaNell loved the beach, sailing, decorating her home for every holiday, Jimmy Buffet music, and her big Liese and Chafin families. Visiting with her family was a favorite activity and she kept in touch with them her whole life. She had 22 aunts and uncles and an impressive number of first cousins spread over Texas and nearby states. She was something of a family historian and loved to share her memories.

LaNell displayed incredible bravery and positivity despite her illness prognosis.  Throughout the progression of the disease she never complained, was cheerful with everyone she met, and fought to have as much time as possible with her family. She was loved by all she knew.

LaNell is survived by her husband of 39 years, Richard, daughter Julia Helms Crowdis and husband Creston Crowdis, daughter Kathryn Helms Sanders and husband William Sanders, grandchildren Carter and Caroline Crowdis, sister Karol Whittaker and husband Danny, brother Kurt Liese and wife Gene Ann, sister Kristi Haight and husband Peter, and many nieces and nephews.

LaNell was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Franklin Liese and Mary Lou Chafin Liese, who she loved dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson on Saturday February 11, 2023 at 2:00pm.  In  lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite charity.