Van Zandt News

Nynva Joyce (Cotton) Foster, 82, of Rockwall, Texas, passed from this life on December 4, 2021. Joyce was born in Van Zandt County, in Edgewood, Texas, to Jasper Newton Cotton and Lillie Mae (Farthing) Cotton, on November 14, 1939. Joyce was married to Tony Foster, the love of her life, on January 10, 1958. They were married 56 years until his death in 2014. She always said her greatest accomplishments were her 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She worked as a secretary for several insurance companies before retiring from Texas Insurance Claims. Joyce was baptized at the age of 13 at her childhood church First Baptist Church of Edgewood. When she came to Dallas she moved her membership to...

Gary O'Neal Smith, 82, of Hawkins left this world to be with his Savior November 26, 2020. He was born May 12, 1938 in West Point, GA to the late Marcus Albert Smith and Annie Ruth Prather. He joined the army at 18 years of age where he was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis. He returned to Georgia and then moved to Dallas Texas to work with his brother in law as a painter. It was here he met and married Brenda Carolyn Chaney on March 18, 1961. They were married 59 years. He went into business for himself in 1967 and became a very successful paint contractor. He retired to Hawkins Texas in 2004. He loved fishing and camping at Lake of the Pines and watching the East Texas Deer and...

Gary O'Neal Smith, 82, of Hawkins left this world to be with his Savior November 26, 2020. He was born May 12, 1938 in West Point, GA to the late Marcus Albert Smith and Annie Ruth Prather. He joined the army at 18 years of age where he was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis. He returned to Georgia and then moved to Dallas Texas to work with his brother in law as a painter. It was here he met and married Brenda Carolyn Chaney on March 18, 1961. They were married 59 years. He went into business for himself in 1967 and became a very successful paint contractor. He retired to Hawkins Texas in 2004. He loved fishing and camping at Lake of the Pines and watching the East Texas Deer and...

Bailie Renee Phillips, age 18, of Edom, Texas gained her wings on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Bailie was born on Monday, September 24, 2001 in Tyler, Texas. Bailie loved so many, but was loved by so many more. Her gorgeous smile was a resemblance of her radiant heart and kind soul. Bailie never met a stranger and always saw the best in everyone. She was a graduate of Van High School on June 5, 2020, a proud member of the FFA and loved all animals, especially her canine companion R.J. Bailie was excited and ready to begin her college journey, she always said she wanted to be a vet tech her entire life, but decided to become a dog trainer after graduating. She was considered a 'tom boy' and...

Clara Elizabeth Clifton, age 85, passed away on June 17, 2020 in Sunnyvale, Texas. She was born on July 9, 1934 in Pilot Point, Texas to Albert and Frankie Jenkins. Clara was raised in Pilot Point and Lewisville, Texas and graduated from Pilot Point High School in 1951. Clara married Lendell L. Clifton in 1962 and the couple had 2 daughters. She was a realtor with Century 21 Clifton and Associates where she worked for more than 20 years. In her spare time, Clara enjoyed watching all types of sporting events including her grandchildren's games, but especially the Texas Rangers. She also loved her trips to the casinos. She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Lendell L. Clifton;...