E. LaMar Baker

E. LaMar Baker died June 20 in Nashville, Tenn. He was born Dec. 29, 1915, in Chattanooga, Tenn. He served in the Tennessee General Assembly as a representative in the 1960s, then as a senator until he entered Congress. He was the Southeast regional representative for the U.S. Department of Transportation from 1976-80. He was a member of the Bellevue church, Nashville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Jolly Batey Baker.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan; son Edward; and three grandchildren, all of South Pittsburg, Tenn.

Jose Antonio Fernandez

Jose Fernandez died June 28 in Cuba. He was born June 13, 1928, in Matanzas, Cuba.

He was converted in 1937 by missionaries and spent his life teaching the Bible to customers in the province as he managed small businesses for a living. His son currently leads the church in Matanzas.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda, and son Jose Antonio, both of Matanzas.

Jose Fernandez

Richard Hale Sr.

Richard Hale died June 24 in Tyler, Texas. He was born Aug. 30, 1936, in Farmersville, La.

Through the years he served as a minister to several churches in Louisiana and Texas and was an elder in the Garrison, Texas, church at the time of his death. Survivors include his wife, Marie; sons Rick and Randy; daughters Sharon Gilbert and Tracy Fink; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

William Hays Holt

William Holt died May 14 in Paris, Tenn. He was born Dec. 10, 1919 in Buchanan, Tenn.

He was a retired letter carrier and a World War II Purple Heart veteran. A 67-year member of the Bethlehem church, Buchanan, he served as an elder, song leader, and teacher. He supported children’s homes and other charities.

Survivors include his wife, Marian; daughters Martha Olive and Reba Crouch, both of Paris, Tenn.; and Betty Dick, Murray, Ky.; son Kenneth, Jackson, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Elma Lea Hook

Elma Lea Hook died May 25 in Beaverton, Ore. She was born Nov. 22, 1923, in Hardin County, Texas. Lea worked alongside her preacher husband for congregations in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. In post-retirement they established a publishing ministry that published more than 100,000 books.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Cecil, Beaverton; a son, Sol, Shreveport, La.; a daughter, Mira Prince, Beaverton; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

George Foy Hook

George Hook died May 8, near Marble Falls, Texas. He was born Oct. 3, 1916, in Haskell, Texas. A graduate of Abilene Christian, he was a school teacher, coach and administrator. He also preached regularly for 67 years. He was a pioneer missionary to Zimbabwe, and preached in six states, helping small congregations. For the past 13 years he preached in Briggs, Texas.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Margarette; sons Foy, Lubbock, Texas; Walton, Bentonville, Ark., Thomas, Vina del Mar, Chile; daughters Lenora Tidwell, Houston; and Beth Baker, Marble Falls; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

George Foy Hook

Avon Malone

Avon Malone died June 16, in Bedford, Texas. He was born Dec. 1, 1931.

He graduated from Abilene Christian and preached in Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. During his life he taught at Harding University, Oklahoma Christian University, and Bear Valley School of Preaching. At the time of his death he was preaching for the Smithfield church, Ft. Worth, Texas. He was also teaching at the Brown Trail School of Preaching, Bedford, Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; daughters Glenda Finnegan and Lavon Ribera; a son, Nathan; and grandchildren.

Avon Malone

Bette Mason

Bette Mason died July 4, in Ft. Worth, Texas. She is survived by her husband, Tim; daughters Jacque Rogers, Quanah, Texas, and Judy Cornutt, New York City; son Jeff, Coppell, Texas; and four grandchildren.

Margie Louise O’Neal

Margie O’Neal died June 15 in Oklahoma City. She was born Nov. 11, 1922, in Paris, Texas.

She married Foy in 1942 and settled in Oklahoma , Colorado, and Texas, where she assisted in various family businesses and held other office jobs. She last resided in Paris, Texas, and was a member of the Lamar Avenue church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Foy. She is survived by sons Foy, Claremore, Okla., and Mike, Oklahoma City; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Eugene White

Eugene White died June 24. He was born Dec. 2, 1908.

He was an Abilene Christian and University of Southern California graduate and taught art at ACC and then at Pepperdine University from 1939-1979. He published a youth magazine in the ’50s and was actively involved in World Bible School. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Irene, and a son, David.

He is survived by four children: Wanda Grant, North Highlands, Calif.; Larry, Grass Valley, Calif.; Paul, San Angelo, Texas, and CindyWhite, Reseda, Calif; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.