Laurel Land Funeral Home - Dallas

John Clarence Simpson, 89, of Dallas, Texas passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 23rd. He was born on August 24, 1934 in Madisonville, Tx. Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 South R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75232. Visitation Tuesday, May 7th, 4-8 PM & Funeral Service Wednesday, May 8 at 10 AM. Please visit www.laurellandfuneralhome.com for his full obituary. In lieu of flowers, donations to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Jack Richard Davis, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Dallas, Texas, with his wife Janis Davis at his side on January 18, 2024. Jack was born in Dallas, Texas on March 3, 1938 to his parents John and Eileen Davis. Jack was also big brother to younger sister Carole. Raised in Dallas, Jack graduated from Sunset High School in 1956. He later attended SMU where he majored in Civil Engineering, graduating with a BS degree in 1960. Following graduation, Jack served his 2 year military obligation in the Public Health Service in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to Dallas. Jack had a long career as a civil engineer and became a partner in the Dallas firm Brockette,...

Opal "Dumpy" Charlotte Gilby passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023. She was born on August 31, 1936 in Dallas, Texas to Ralph and Emma Gilby, and attended Sunset High School, graduating in 1954. She then attended TCU in Ft. Worth, graduating in 1957. In 1958, Dumpy, became a hostess for Braniff Air Lines and flew until Braniff declared bankruptcy in 1982. Following her departure from Braniff, Dumpy worked at AG Edwards until her retirement. She remained an active member of The Clipped Bees, an organization of former Braniff hostesses. Dumpy was preceded in death by her beloved brothers and sisters, Dr. Ralph Gilby, Lee Gilby and Carol Gilby Hill. She is survived by her sister-in-law...

Beverly Jean Elam, age 93 of Frisco, Texas passed away on Nov. 11, 2023 at her residence. Beverly was born on Oct. 26, 1930 in Honey Grove, Texas. Beverly is proceeded in death by her parents Lewis and Agnes Stiles and her husband Murrell. She was born in Honey Grove, Texas and moved to Dallas at age of 6, living there until 2005, at which time she moved to Frisco, Texas to be closer to her son and family. She graduated from Sunset High School in 1946, after which she had a fulfilling 65+ years as a Bookkeeper/ Accountant. Beverly is survived by her son, Lewis and daughter-n-law Debbie, granddaughters Christi McMahon, Lesley Elam, Heather Perkins, Hollie Klein (Chris), 7 great-grandchildren...

Visitation 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday 5/19/2023, and funeral service at 10:00 AM on Saturday 5/20/2023. Both services will take place at First At Firewheel, 5500 Lavon Dr., Garland, TX 75040.

Haloise Books was born May 5, 1933 in Honey Grove, Texas, and died on March 6, 2023 at the age of 89. She was the youngest of five children of Jeff Allen Pirtle, Sr. and Nettie Lee (Rasberry) Pirtle. She grew up in Dallas and graduated from Adamson High School. She lived in the Dallas area all of her life and worked for a variety of businesses in an administrative capacity, eventually retiring from Bank of America. She was married to Bob England Books until his death in 1991. Haloise was predeceased by her husband, all four siblings and her only child, Kimbell Lee Books, and his beloved wife Lynette. She is survived by a nephew and four nieces, all of whom loved her dearly and will...

Gloria Esterlyne Foster Kirven passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, California at the age of 87, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. She was an inspirational teacher, loving wife, mother and grandmother. Born in Longview, Texas, Gloria was the daughter of Lillie Jameson Jones, veteran Dallas school teacher, and Homer Calvin Foster of Dallas, successful Black real estate agent. Graduating at age 16 from Booker T Washington High School, Gloria began college at Spellman but she graduated Cum Laude from Texas College. There, she won academic awards and along with other activities was Dean of Pledges for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. After graduate work at Columbia University, she taught in...

Bertha Mae Grant was born August 24, 1932 in Dewberry, Texas and she passed away April 24, 2022. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 2pm at Laurel Land Funeral Home; with a visitation and wake service, Friday, April 29, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm.

Manuel Martinez Pineda was born November 25,1948 in Dallas Texas. He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on June 1976, at San Angelo Texas. He enjoyed the ministry, sharing the good news with others and enjoyed the love that he received from his fellow spiritual brothers and sisters. He is survived by his loving wife Juanita of 50 years and his 4 children, daughter Angelia, and her husband, Cody, and his three sons, John and his wife Adel, Matthew and Jacob, and his 5 granddaughters, who all loved him dearly. Manuel Pineda, is now asleep and awaiting the promised resurrection by his loving heavenly father Jehovah. "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will...

Ruby O'Dell went to heaven to join her loved ones on January 20, 2022. Ruby Berryhill was born October 2, 1923 in Penelope, Texas to Rev. Geater Woodson and Martha Hight White Berryhill. She worked as a bookkeeper for Employers Mutual Casualty where she met Charlie after they both were widowed. Preceded in death by her first husband, Chauncy Roebuck and son, Chauncy Roebuck, Jr. and second husband, Charles O'Dell. Survived by the Monzingo and Berry families, grandson, Tyler Berry and devoted niece and friend Audry Angel along with numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service for Ruby will be held on Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 1:00pm at Laurel Land Memorial Park.

LaFawn was born in a log cabin in Gunsight, Texas on May 25,1917. The family moved to Dallas when she was 7 years old so she could attend school. She graduated from Sunset High School with honors in 1934. LaFawn was a survivor who overcame many adversities, including her home being completely destroyed by the 1933 Oak Cliff tornado. The Great Depression, the death of two daughters, ovarian and breast cancer and lived to be over 104 years of age. She died on December 22,2021. LaFawn took many trips from coast to coast and lived life with excitement. She will always be remembered for her sweet, kind, gentle manner, always smiling and positive, and never complaining. She enjoyed gardening...

TULLOS, James (Jim) Milton of Mesquite, Texas passed away November 15, 2021. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He graduated from Forest Avenue High School in January 1947 and in 1950 did a tour of duty in Korea while in the U.S. Army. He worked for the U.S Postal service for over 35 years beginning as a temporary substitute letter carrier and retiring as Postmaster of Mesquite in 1984. Survived by: Loving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Daughter Janice Rogers and her children Jon Rogers, Alan Rogers and Sally Rogers Terry. Son Steve Tullos and wife Lydia and their children Laura Tullos Musa and her husband Taylor, Michelle Tullos and Sarah Tullos....

James Ralph Smith, 83, passed away on September 29, 2021 in Dallas TX. He was born to Kinnard Eugene Smith and Auline Brown on July 3, 1938 in Quinlan TX. He joined the Navy after high school and soon met his wife to be Nellie Faye Mize of Greenville TX. They married December 27, 1958 and initially lived in Oak Cliff, TX then moved to DeSoto, TX in 1983. He worked at LTV and retired in 1994. He had a passion to fix appliances and had an appliance repair service for many years around Quinlan and DeSoto area. After retirement from LTV, he started his own air conditioning business until 2018. His other passion was to help anyone in need. He was a long term member of the Masonic lodge in...

Mrs. Willie Ruth (Borns) Phillips, age 93, of Dallas, Texas passed away on Friday, Sept 17, 2021. Willie was born January 8, 1928 in Dallas, Texas. Visitation will be Sunday Sept 26, 2021 from 2pm-5pm at Laurel Land Funeral Home. The Homegoing Celebratory Services will be on Monday Sept 27, 2021 @ 11 am at Greater St. James Baptist Church 1835 Sutter Street Dallas, Texas 75216. Burial at Laurel Land Memorial Park. To view the full obituary please visit www.laurellandfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Norma Jean (Foster) Brown, age 81, of Dallas, Texas passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Norma was born January 28, 1940 in Dallas, Texas to the parentage of Herman & Mary Foster. Visitation will be on Monday August 16, 2021 from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm and Homegoing Celebration on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @ 2:00 pm. All services will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home 6300 South R.L. Thornton Freeway Dallas, Texas. Burial will be at Laurel Land Memorial Park. To view the full obituary and share fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Brown family.

Wesley was born in Houston, TX on April 29, 1949, and went to be with our Lord on July 15, 2021. After graduating from Waltrip High School, Wesley attended Sam Houston State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in German with a minor in Economics. He then taught German and coached tennis at Lake Highlands High School. He worked for IBM for over 20 years in various roles, but his favorite was creating and teaching Information Technology (IT) classes to other IBMers. After retiring from the IT world, Wesley became a lay minister at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Dallas, where nothing gave him greater pleasure than giving the Children's message every week. He was preceded in...

Joe Kirven passed away on July 5th, 2021 at the age of 90. He graduated from Booker T Washington High School, attended Wiley College on an athletic scholarship in football and track, and graduated with a Bachelors in Science. After college, Joe started ABCO Maintenance Company with only $500 and it built into a million-dollar company, acquired J & S Chemical, and invested in real estate. He was the youngest president of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, was appointed to the Dallas City Council, and ran for the Dallas School Board. Joe served as a special assistant to Governor Clements, a groundbreaking appointment where he steered black candidates to appointments on Texas state...

Janice Ann Thomas, age 77 passed away on Friday May 14,2021 @ her residence in Dallas. She is preceded in death by her mother Betty Garland and brother Robert Garland of Dallas; father Charles Jones & wife Fay Louise Jones of Corpus Christi, Tx. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jerry Thomas of Dallas; stepsons Timothy (Tim) Thomas of Seagoville, James Thomas of Nebraska, stepbrothers Charles Jones and wife Pam, Russell Jones all of Buda, Tx. seven grandkids, twelve great-grandkids. One very special friend and care taker, Debbie Robinson Thomas, numerous of nieces and nephews and friends. The Thomas family will receive guest for the visitation on Wednesday May 19, 2021 from...

James Coleman (JC) Mitchell born September 19, 1932. Died peacefully at his home, on May 03, 2021. Survivors include: His daughters, Kimberly Mitchell Brooks of Forney, TX and Sherry Lynn Mitchell of Terrell, TX. His son-in-law Ken Brooks of Forney, TX. Grandchildren: Chase Humphrey and Casey Humphrey. Great Grandchildren: Rylan Humphrey and Caleb Humphrey. Brother, Lee Roy Mitchell and sister-in-law Tandy Mitchell. Nephews: Roy Lee Mitchell, Kevin Mitchell and Douglas Pregrove. Nieces: Vicki Roberts, Kathy and Kelly Lee. 7 grandnieces and 1 grandnephew. Caregiver and dear friend: Leticia Segura (Lettie). Cousins: Nita Rea Rector, Roy and Robert Snyder. Longtime friend and business...

Ruth Embelyne "Cookie" Bye, born April 7, 1921, passed away April 7, 2021, her hundredth birthday. She was daughter to Ruth and Emmitt Cook of Dallas. She graduated from Adamson High School in 1939, and married Milton Bye, her husband of 68 years. She loved playing cards and dominoes or any game that included a social setting. Always up for a challenge, Cookie was willing to take on any adventure or volunteer for any need, especially providing homecooked food for others. She began working at the Dallas Apparel Mart when it opened in 1964 where she was responsible for leasing all the temporary showrooms and producing the buyer's guide for shows. At her retirement she was given entry to the...

Shirley Ann Johnson Woodson, 78, entered her Eternal Home on March 3, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. She was born in Tyler, TX on June 17, 1942 to the late parents Elder Booker T. Johnson and Rosetta Daniels Johnson. Her family moved to Texarkana, TX in 1950. She graduated with honors from Dunbar High School in 1960. She was a teacher with distinction for 34 years at the Dallas Texas Public Schools until retirement in 2001. She was a loving exemplary Christian, wife, mom, Contributor and devoted person.