Published: April 03, 2008 08:44 pm         

Obituaries for the week of April 4

Eddie Roan



Eddie Roan, 80, of Mesquite died March 25, 2008.

He was born April 9, 1927, to Elbert Lennis and Arie Bell (Dotson) Roan. Mr. Roan served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947. He was a farmer by trade, loved to fish, garden and hunt.

Mr. Roan is survived by his wife, Joyce (Davis) Roan of Mesquite; a son, Douglas Roan and wife Debbie of Rockwall; daughters: Cathy Szilagyi and husband Don of Denver, Colo., and Donna Roan of Austin; brother Johnny Roan of Lake Tawakoni; sisters Refa Barlow of Pensacola, Fla., and Norma LaRoe of Garland; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, T.J. Roan and Elbert (Hott) Roan; and grandson Lance Baggs.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., March 28 at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel. Interment was in Rest Haven Memorial Park.



Ben Melendez



Ben Melendez, 75, of Fate died March 26, 2008.

He was born March 21, 1933, in Mart to Jose and Petra (Pecina) Melendez. Mr. Melendez proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a saddlemaker by trade. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Melendez is survived by his brothers, Paul Melendez and wife Baudilia of Fate and Julio Melendez of Quinlan; a sister-in-law, Sarah Melendez of Fate; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marty Campos; and brothers Elenno, Zeke and Pete Melendez.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., March 31, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Rockwall, with Father James Sharp officiating. Interment followed in Royse City Cemetery.

Rest Haven Funeral Home-Royse City Chapel was in charge of arrangements.



Kristen Davidson



Kristen Dyan Davidson, 25, of Rockwall died March 26, 2008.

She was born Dec. 9, 1982, to Marshall Jr. and Jean (Falkenberg) Davidson. Kristen was a lifetime member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and a 2001 graduate of Rockwall High School, where she played sports, volleyball, basketball and track. She worked in data entry at a medical billing company and attended X-Ray Technician school, as well as Collin County Community College.

Kristen is survived by her mother, Jean Davidson of Rockwall; brothers: Jeffrey Davidson and wife Jera of Rowlett and Jad Davidson and wife Rebekah of Austin; Kristine Fothergill and husband Eric of Sunnyvale, Kristy Owen and husband Jerry of Rockwall, Kristel Miller and husband Paul of Royse City and Krista Conway and husband Chris of Rowlett; grandfather Bernard Falkenberg of Knippa; grandmother Gerda Davidson of Canyon Lake; nieces and nephews Jerica, Jacob, Jessica, Jaley, Cole, Luke, Brooke, Bryce, Austin, Tyler, Summer, Hunter, Mason and Hudson; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, grandmother Ada Falkenberg, and grandfather Marshall Davidson.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m, March 31, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Rockwall, with Rev. Richard Mayerhoff officiating. Interment wias in Rest Haven Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church building fund.

For more information please visit www.resthavenfuneral.com.



Judy Hodges



DALLAS — Judy Hodges was born Nov. 13, 1942, in Madison, Wis., and died March 27, 2008, in Irving

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Lillian Schultz. Survivors are a son, Steve Hodges and wife Janet; granddaughters Sydney and Randi Hodges; a stepson, Allen Hodges and wife Silke; and stepdaughters, Cody and Cheyne.

Service were held at 3:30 p.m., March 31, at Restland Wildwood Chapel.

Restland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.



John Cummings



COMMERCE — John Lewis Cummings, 77, of Commerce died Friday, March 28, 2008, at Prebyterian Hospital of Commerce. Funeral services were at 11 a.m., March 31, at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Bob Layman officiaring. Burial was in Ridgeway Cemetery.

Mr. Cummings was born Sept.12, 1930, in Sulphur Springs; the son of Elmer and Florence Smith Cummings. He married Betty Kelly on Aug. 17, 1957, in Hgo, Okla. He was a masonry contractor and served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Surviving are his wife of Commerce; daughters Carolyn Cummings and husband Bob White of Garland, Diane Cummings Emery and Kellie Cummings Brooks, both of Greenville; a granddaughter and spouse, Brandi and Casey Rush of Rockwall; grandsons and spouses Jerad and Shae Emery of Greenville, Cecil and Amy White of Providence, Texas and Matthew Brooks of Commerce; great-grandchildren Robert and Meadow White of Providence, Texas, Ryan Rush of Rockwall and Jaycie Emery of Greenville; and a sister-in-law, Pearl Cummings of Sulphur Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.

Pallbearers were Jerad Emery, Bill Farley, Robert White, Tommy Cummings, Lee Cummings, Jordan Cummings and Casey Rush.

Visit and sign the guestbook at www.heraldbanner.com



Deanna Akains



Deanna Lynn Akins, 38, of Rockwall died March 28, 2008, following an eight-year battle with breast cancer.

She was born Dec. 6, 1969, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Donald and Loretta (Williams) Carter. Deanna was a member of First United Methodist Church and a substitute teacher in the Rockwall ISD. She was a loving wife and mother and was devoted to her family. Deanna was an advocate in the fight against breast cancer and was recognized by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as an “Honorable Supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness” in 2003.

Deanna is survived by her husband, Truman Akins; sons Matthew and Ethan Akins of Rockwall and Derek Akins and wife Ashley, with grandson Trystan of Killeen; her mother, Loretta Powell of Sulphur, La.; her father of Dallas; a brother, David Carter and wife Kristi of Rockwall; sister Angela Laughlin and husband Leroy of Sulphur, La.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by son Cole Akins.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., April 1 at First United Methodist Church of Rockwall with Rev. Joe Pool officiating. Interment followed in Rest Haven Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Frwy., Ste 250, Dallas, Texas 75244.

Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel was in charge of arangements.



‘Ray’ Shockley



Uriah “Ray” Shockley, 82, of Rockwall died March 29, 2008.

He was born Sept. 18, 1925, in Frederick, Md., to Uriah B. and Bernice (Pritchett) Shockley. Uriah graduated from Frederick High School in 1942, was an Eagle Scout and later attended the University of Maryland. Uriah served as quartermaster in the Merchant Marines during World War II with eight months of duty in the South Pacific war theater and six other war zones including the Asiatic sea, China sea, North Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, passing through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal on several occasions.

Uriah joined The Quaker Oats company in 1950, and worked from the corporate office since 1953, where he worked in various capacities involving national sales, advertising and marketing, launching popular products such as Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Puss ‘n Boots, Kennel Ration and Captain Crunch cereal. Uriah retired with nearly 40 years as president of the Quaker Oats Specialties Division, encompassing Wolf Brand Chili, Gatorade, Van Camp and, for a brief period, the Magic Pan Restaurant.

Uriah lectured at many Universities and was awarded an honorary professor degree from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business in 1981. Uriah also served as president of the National Meat Canners Association, director of the National Food Processor Association and director of the Texas Food Processor Association. Uriah continued to support the Maryland School for the Deaf where both his parents graduated. As a former Eagle Scout he served the Dallas Circle 10 Council as executive board member and chairman of major fundraising projects.

Uriah is survived by his wife, Jane Shockley of Rockwall; a daughter, Raynette Slater and husband Tom Slater of Forney; so: Uriah B. Shockley of Rockwall; a brother, Alfred P. Shockley and wife Patricia; and sister Mary Jane Sanders all of Frederick, Md.; and grandchildren Jane, Tommy and Casey Slater and Monica Shockley.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., April 2, at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel with Chaplain Bob Reeves officiating.

Donations in memory of Uriah may be made to Maryland School for the Deaf, MSD Foundation/General Fund, 101 Clarke Place, PO Box 250, Frederick, MD 21705-0250.

Visit www.resthavenfuneral.com.



Kelley Ferguson



Our precious princess, Kelley Ann Ferguson, 3, of Marlow, Okla., died the evening of March 30, 2008, at Children’s Medical Hospital in Dallas. A funeral service is scheduled at 2 p.m. today in Lake Pointe Chapel, Rockwall, under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home of Greenville. Dr. Sam Douglass will officiate. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park.

Visitation is from noon until service time today at the chapel in Rockwall.

Daughter of Garrison and Cristen Page Ferguson, she was born Feb. 16, 2005, in Duncan, Okla. She attended Glory Bound Assembly.

Surviving are her parents of Marlow, Okla.; a sister, Kimberley Ferguson of Marlow, Okla.; grandparents Rodney and Jan Page of Rockwall and John and Darla Ferguson of Dallas; great-grandparents Sandy and Marilynne Knudsen of Rockwall and Tommy and Margaret Mason of Duncan, Okla.; a great-great-grandmother, Myrle Prine of Duncan, Okla.; and several aunts, uncles and beloved friends.

A grandmother, Kelley Ann Ferguson, preceded her in death.

Visit and sign the guest book at www.heraldbanner.com.