Autry's Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home

Services will Be held Wednesday January 7, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Autry's Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11 A.M. Burial will follow at Malakoff, Texas.

Billy Riddle, age 90, of Tyler, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025. He was born on April 11, 1935, in Rogers, Texas to Bill R. Riddle and Samantha Sypert Riddle. Bill loved three things?his wife Millie, his family, and his work. He married the love of his life, Mildred Riddle, with whom he shared 70 wonderful years filled with faith, laughter, and family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose kindness, drive, and steady presence touched everyone who knew him. Bill believed in giving his all to everything he did, and his life was a true reflection of dedication, integrity, grit, and love. He spent 30 years working in the oil field for...

Richard Alden Frost was born on August 9, 1944, in Washington, D.C. at Walter Reed Hospital where his father, Kenneth Albert Frost, was working as an Army photographer. Richard was the first born of Kenneth Albert and Alyne Wortham Frost. His brothers are Harold and James Frost who now live in Asheville N.C. Richard lived in several states during his early childhood. The family moved to Asheville, N.C. in 1959, where his parents were employed by Eliada Home for Children. His mother worked as a teacher and later as principal while his father worked various jobs for Eliada. Richard attended Ben Lippen High School in Asheville, graduating at the age of 16. The following year he moved to...

On January 3, 2025, Tonya Dodson Foster of The Woodlands, Texas rejoined her husband of 65 years, Dr. Bob Foster, who preceded her into the arms of Jesus less than six months earlier. Born in Athens, Texas on February 9, 1943, to Bunella and C.O. "Pete" Dodson of Malakoff, younger sister to Sammie Dodson McBurney, Tonya lived most of her life in Henderson County. After marrying Bob, she moved to Houston while he was in dental school and where two of their children were born. Their young family moved to Florida and was stationed at Elgin Air Force base where their 3rd child was born and Tonya began her love of the ocean. Settling back in Athens afterwards, Tonya and Bob had two more...

Barbara Kay Marsh Fisk was born June 16, 1938, in Gawanda, New York, the daughter of Wayne Marsh and Emma Fog Marsh. She married Larry DeGrange and after 9 years, they were given the gift of an adopted daughter, Kathleen Marie DeGrange and a year later another gift of an adopted son, Michael A. DeGrange. In 1982, she and her daughter moved to Plano to manage a Mobile Home Park. While there, she met and married Johnnie W. Fisk and now had the gift of two stepdaughters, Beth Johnston- Griswald of Greenville, Tx and Alta Marie Tierney with husband Mike of Houston, Texas. She and Johnnie came to Athens in 1985, and she worked at Park Highland as Activities Director. The work of joy as she loved...

Dr. Bob Preston Foster, surrounded by family, left this world to the arms of His Heavenly Father on July 10, 2024 after a lengthy struggle with dementia. Known by most as "Dr. Bob," he was born December 3, 1937 in Jacksonville, Texas to Preston and Opal Foster and grew up on a tomato farm there. After graduating Texas A&M University in 1959, he married Tonya Dodson. He attended University of Texas Dental School in Houston and next served at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida as a dentist before choosing Athens to set up his dental practice in 1964. It was soon evident that Bob had picked the perfect vocation. He had an almost eidetic memory and a huge love for people. His patients adored...

Arthur Mucci III passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024 in Chandler, Texas. He was born on December 27, 1930 in Somerville, MA to Arthur Jr. and Rose Ranzino. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jane and brother Eugene. Art loved working around his lake house, and especially enjoyed relaxing with family and friends. He was an avid New England sports fan and attended many sporting events to see his favorite Boston teams. Art was a civil engineer who held executive and sales positions throughout his entire career. He moved to Texas in 1974 after being promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales at Richmond Screw Anchor Co. The 'Boston Cowboy' quickly adapted to the...

Dorothy Willett Bennett Love was born January 19, 1928, in Eustace, Texas to Vernon and Mary Bell Whitworth Willett. Dorothy was promoted to heaven on October 27, 2023, in Athens, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Claude Bennett and Jim Love; sisters, Floy DeRush and Bobby Coleman; brothers, Ray Willett and Carl (Butch) York. Dorothy enjoyed a long-fulfilled life. She married Claude Bennett in 1943. Together they lived in several states and made many friends. After Claude passed, she married Jim Love in 1989. They enjoyed many adventures together from racehorses to night clubs. She loved to go out to eat and was always easy to get along with as long as you...

Funeral services for Bobby Wayne Oldham 80, of Murchison have been scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Monday July 10, 2023 at Autry's Carroll-Lehr Chapel with Rev. Mike Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens. Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Bobby passed away on Monday July 3, 2023 in Athens. He was born August 18, 1942 in Tyler, Texas to the late T.J. and Lottie Mae Davis Oldham. Bobby was a member of Noonday Baptist Church and also attended Bethel Christian Church with his beloved wife Peggy. Bobby retired from Coca Cola after a 37-year career. Bobby loved to go hunting and fishing with his brothers and...

Dr. Robert Mason Eckert M.D. 1930 - 2023 Dr Eckert, known to many as Dr. Bob, passed away peacefully Friday, June 30, 2023, surrounded by his four remaining sons and other family members at his home in Athens Texas. Bob grew up on his family's farm north of Houston, the middle of three sons of Louis and Beatrice Eckert. He attended and graduated from Baylor University in Waco, then married Nancy Lavern Nance, of Nixon, Texas, who he met and dated at Baylor. They had two boys, then decided he should go to medical school. He graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, while Nancy taught high school at Ursuline Convent and Academy. He interned in Corpus Christi, where...

Dr. Robert Mason Eckert M.D. 1930 - 2023 Dr. Eckert, known to many as Dr. Bob, passed away peacefully Friday, June 30, 2023, surrounded by his four remaining sons and other family members at his home in Athens Texas. Bob grew up on his family's farm north of Houston, the middle of three sons of Louis and Beatrice Eckert. He attended and graduated from Baylor University in Waco, then married Nancy Lavern Nance, of Nixon, Texas, who he met and dated at Baylor. They had two boys, then decided he should go to medical school. He graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, while Nancy taught high school at Ursuline Convent and Academy. He interned in Corpus Christi,...

Dr. Robert Mason Eckert M.D. 1930 - 2023 Dr. Eckert, known to many as Dr. Bob, passed away peacefully Friday, June 30, 2023, surrounded by his four remaining sons and other family members at his home in Athens Texas. Bob grew up on his family's farm north of Houston, the middle of three sons of Louis and Beatrice Eckert. He attended and graduated from Baylor University in Waco, then married Nancy Lavern Nance, of Nixon, Texas, who he met and dated at Baylor. They had two boys, then decided he should go to medical school. He graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, while Nancy taught high school at Ursuline Convent and Academy. He interned in Corpus Christi,...

John Gillett Sheppard, Sr died peacefully at home on February 4, 2023 in Athens, Texas. Gillett was born in Cuero, Texas on December 5th, 1929 to Henry Fassett Sheppard and Constance Breeden Sheppard. After graduating from Cuero High School, Gillett attended Southwestern University, graduating with a BA in Math in 1951. While attending Southwestern, Gillett was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and edited the college magazine, "The Southwester". He also became a special correspondent to "The Austin American" and Associated Press. In addition to his other journalistic jobs, Gillett served as Sports Editor of Southwestern University's weekly college newspaper, and his enthusiasm for sports...

John Gillett Sheppard, Sr died peacefully at home on February 4, 2023 in Athens, Texas. Gillett was born in Cuero, Texas on December 5th, 1929 to Henry Fassett Sheppard and Constance Breeden Sheppard. After graduating from Cuero High School, Gillett attended Southwestern University, graduating with a BA in Math in 1951. While attending Southwestern, Gillett was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and edited the college magazine, "The Southwester". He also became a special correspondent to "The Austin American" and Associated Press. In addition to his other journalistic jobs, Gillett served as Sports Editor of Southwestern University's weekly college newspaper, and his enthusiasm for sports...

On January 28, 2023, following a courageous 20-year battle with cancer, Don Kirkland went to be with his Heavenly Father. He was born November 5, 1940 on the Kirkland home place in Van Zandt County, Texas, the fifth of seven children born to Joe Ernest and Mary Ann (Morris) Kirkland. He attended public school in China Grove, Bethel, Martins Mill and Dallas ISD. A member of the Crozier Class of 1959, he made a career in the sign business, building on the commercial art training he received there. He worked in sign companies in Dallas, where he met the love of his life, Cheri Land. They established Kirkland Sign Company, Inc. in Tyler in 1983. Don truly loved and faithfully worshipped and...

Paul L. Parker was born in Athens, TX on September 2, 1948, to Darold E. Parker and Mary Saxon Parker. Paul passed away surrounded by his family and friends on November 21, 2022. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Darold and Mary Parker, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mildred and Sebern Watley. He is survived by his wife of over 53 years, Sue Parker; daughter Shannon Mattingly and husband, John; grandchildren, McKenzie Mattingly and Joshua Mattingly; and brother, David Parker and wife, Mahlon. Paul graduated from Athens High School, Henderson County Junior College, and Texas A&M University. He was in the Texas city management profession for over 42 years before retiring in...

Paul L. Parker was born in Athens, TX on September 2, 1948, to Darold E. Parker and Mary Saxon Parker. Paul passed away surrounded by his family and friends on November 21, 2022. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Darold and Mary Parker, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mildred and Sebern Watley. He is survived by his wife of over 53 years, Sue Parker; daughter Shannon Mattingly and husband, John; grandchildren, McKenzie Mattingly and Joshua Mattingly; and brother, David Parker and wife, Mahlon. Paul graduated from Athens High School, Henderson County Junior College, and Texas A&M University. He was in the Texas city management profession for over 42 years before retiring in...

Lelan Wayne Thompson, 87, passed away on October 17, 2022 in Pell City, AL. He was the widower of Lafayette Morrison Thompson, whom he was married to for 28 years. Lelan was born in Athens, TX, on March 16, 1935. He was the son of Barney Lee and Terah Elizabeth Thompson. He attended grade school in Athens, and later completed his diploma and college courses in the United States Air Force. He was a lover of country and served in the local national guard, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1956. He went on to serve in Europe and Southeast Asia, through the Korean conflict and Vietnam war, where he earned several letters of commendation. He served faithfully for 20 years until...

Patsy Ruth (Smith) Taylor, 87, passed away peacefully June 9th, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. She was born April 9th, 1935 in Hopkins County, Texas to Eva Ruth (Bennett) Smith and Nevil Deporter Smith. Pat attended schools in Atlanta and Athens Texas. She graduated from Athens High School in 1953 where she met the love of her life, Jerry Saxon Taylor whom she married in June of the same year. Pat and Jerry moved to Pleasanton, California where Jerry was serving in the USAF and, while there, had a baby daughter. Upon completion of Jerry's military service, the couple and baby returned to Texas and lived in Kingsville while Jerry was furthering his education. The young family then located to...

Patsy Ruth (Smith) Taylor, 87, passed away peacefully June 9th, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. She was born April 9th, 1935 in Hopkins County, Texas to Eva Ruth (Bennett) Smith and Nevil Deporter Smith. Pat attended schools in Atlanta and Athens Texas. She graduated from Athens High School in 1953 where she met the love of her life, Jerry Saxon Taylor whom she married in June of the same year. Pat and Jerry moved to Pleasanton, California where Jerry was serving in the USAF and, while there, had a baby daughter. Upon completion of Jerry's military service, the couple and baby returned to Texas and lived in Kingsville while Jerry was furthering his education. The young family then located to...

A Celebration of Life for George Edwin Cabaniss, Jr., 84 of Athens, Texas will be held Saturday, June 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Athens with Rev. Chris Harrison officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be at 1:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following the service. George was born December 19, 1937, in Nashville, Arkansas to George E. and Viola Marshall Cabaniss. George made the most of his youth in rural Arkansas holding several odd jobs which included selling Grit newspapers, picking Elberta peaches and becoming the best "chicken catcher" in his community. When he wasn't working, George spent time with his brothers and many friends fishing...