Obituaries

Mellie Jo Eppes was born Dec. 3, 1923, in Personville, to William Welton and Exa (Stephens) Richardson. She grew up in Mexia and after graduating from Mexia High School, she entered Westminster College in Tehuacana where she earned an Associate of Arts Degree. Continuing her education, she received both a Batchelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Houston.

Georgetta (Martin) Downey, age 80, of Groesbeck, went to her eternal rest on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Gordon Royace Payne passed away, missing his 90th birthday by three months. Most of those years were filled with dogged determination and independence.