Tira News By Jan Vaughn

 

tira community centerSeveral gathered for the Tira Homecoming on Sunday. Leroy Reaves served as the Master of Ceremonies for the program. He welcomed everyone and encouraged many to share memories of time spent in Tira. Floyd Payton presided over the Tira Cemetery Association business meeting. Billy Joe Clayton and Floyd Payton were reelected to the cemetery board. A special collection was taken to help toward clearing the land, which was donated by the Lynn Chapman family to expand the cemetery. The association received $1,693.57 in the designated contributions. Larry Fitzgerald blessed the group with his inspirational songs. Mary Beth Moore honored the families of those buried in the cemetery during the past year. Pastor David Larkin shared a few words and voiced the prayers of invocation and benediction. Martha Payton reports that the association received $2,480 in donations by mail and $18,895.95 on Sunday. A major portion of the Sunday collection was due to a very generous donation from the Richard and Oleta Bearden Estate.

Floyd and Martha Payton enjoyed having all of the family together over the July 4th weekend. Regina Payton from Victoria came on Thursday afternoon, Brad and Virginia Payton from Keller, and Eric Payton from San Diego, California came on Friday afternoon. The went out to eat fish on Friday evening, but discovered the restaurant was closed, so they went to Furr’s. Martha comments, “Saturday was a busy day getting everything ready for the Tira Cemetery Society meeting on Sunday.” Martha’s sister, Ann Sullivan from Longview, and brother. B. C. from Pittsburg, came to visit with the family and attend the Homecoming. Floyd expresses appreciation for all who made the Homecoming possible and offers a big “Thank You.” They add, “We always miss those who could not attend. Thanks to all who sent their donations for the upkeep of the cemetery.”

I would add that a big “thank you” goes out to Floyd and Martha for all that they do for the cemetery association and for the community! They are truly a treasure!

Morgan Joslin is off to camp again this week. His mother and sister, Tiffany and Jaidyn, took him to the Soaring Club of Houston in Waller on Wednesday. After dropping Morgan off, they drove back to Lake Palestine and spent the night at The Villages Resort, where they enjoyed swimming, volleyball, tennis, and mini-golf, before returning home on Thursday.

Chip and I were thrilled to have Larry and Dorothy Fitzgerald, of Somerville, spend the weekend with us. We enjoyed visiting and playing cards and we went out for the seafood buffet at AJ’s on Lake Fork Saturday night. On Sunday, we all attended the Tira Homecoming. After lunch we visited Linda Parsons and Buddy and toured their house. Linda and Buddy live in the home which had belonged to Dorothy’s mother, Melba McKinney. Larry and Dorothy left on Sunday afternoon and went to visit friends, Charles and Jean Darr, in Sulphur Springs, and attended the special concert at First Baptist Church on Sunday night. They drove back home on Monday.

Minnie Hillis Reagor provided a report about the Hillis Family Reunion, which was held the weekend of June 20-21 at the Tira Community Center. She shares that they enjoyed a time of visiting, playing games, and dining. There were three raffle drawings, and the winners were Cindy Sadler [Family Verse Plaque], Dorothy Shields [Family Verse Photo Frame], and Dorothy Shields [Family Kitchen Plaque].

Those in attendance were Dustin W. and Hayley R. Halbert, Robert W. Sr. and Michelle (Peterson) Reagor, Robert W. Jr. and Ryan W. Reagor, Minnie (Hillis) Reagor, and Terry G. Reagor, all of Vidor, Texas,. Iva (Hillis) Haren, Autumn Wilson, Christopher C. Wilson and Carrie Bates, Kelley and Kacie Bates, Alvin E. and Sarah (Daniels) Hillis, Sierra Hillis, Kimberly (Hillis) Willingham, Winona (Hillis) Yates, Johney W. and Dorthy (Goodson) Hillis, Al and Hillis (Allen) Bass, Khristy (Hillis) Santer, Morgan  Sutton, Jackey L. and Vicki (Hillis) Ferrell, Kortni and Kaden Ferrell, Clay Thatcher and Evan, all of Sulphur Springs. Dorothy (Hillis) Shields of Lone Oak, Dial D. and Ruby (Hillis) Atkins of Lake Kiowa, Texas. Joe R. Hillis Sr. of Cresswell, Oregon, Justin and Theresa (Marlow) McGregor of Cookville, Texas, Tommy E. and Terri (Rowe) Hillis, Blaine and Elizabeth (Hillis) Gibson, all of Ingleside, Texas, Jose and Cheryl (Wilson) Martinez, Dana and Lana Wilson-Martinez, and friend David, all of Greenville, Bridgette Brazell, Mike and Lei Anne (Yarbrough) McMillon, Alyssa Chandler, and Aven Yarbrough, all of Royse City, Fred & Lennie (Hillis) Sharrow, Paul R. Kepner III, Norman E. and Desiree Kepner, N. Kyle Kepner, Madison and brother, all of Garland, Freddie L. and Neva (Hillis) Yarbrough, of Cedar Hill, Bennie E. and Diana (Davis) Hillis of Scurry, Texas, Jessica (Miranda) Marlow, Hannah and Savannah Marlow of Winfield, David E. and Sherry (Keener) Marlow, Adolfo and Jessica Marlow-Mata, all of Naples, Texas,  Jelle and Casey (Beall) Jongsma, Emma Jongsma, all of Winnsboro, Cullum O. and Judy (James) Hillis, Kinnadiee Thatcher, all of Klondike, Cynthia (Hopson) Sadler, of Gladewater, Crystal (Beall) Chalk, Savannah and Rickie L. Chalk III, Olivia and Braeden, all of Big Sandy. Minnie adds, “There may be others who didn’t remember that signing in on the register is very important!  Hope everyone remembers to mark their calendars for the 2016 Reunion on June 18-19,2016. It is very important to attend, as there will be a vote [paper] on whether to keep our 2-day reunion, or cut back to 1-day [Saturday]. You may contact Minnie at [email protected] , and mention subject as “reunion”.

I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].

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