Mrs. Mary Louise Gonzalez, a resident of Ozark, died Wednesday afternoon, January 29, 2025, at her home. She was 83.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Chris Boutin officiating. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Penny’s Pantry of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 475 Camilla Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360.

Mrs. Gonzalez, daughter of Henry Gonzales, Sr. and Crecencia Gonzalez Gonzales, was a native of Waco, Texas. She was a 1960 Graduate of Waco High School, Waco, Texas and 4 C’s Business College. Mrs. Gonzalez lived in various locations in the United States, while her husband served in the United States Army, prior to moving to Ozark in 1984.

Over the past few years, she enjoyed being a “Band Mother” of the Carroll High School Marching Band. Mrs. Gonzalez was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where she was one of the founding members of the food pantry. In recognition of her faithful service to the church, she was recently awarded Christ the King Medal. Mrs. Gonzalez was preceded in death by her siblings, Beatrice, Carol, Geneva, Henry, Irene, and Richard.

Surviving relatives include her husband of forty-seven years, Juan J. Gonzalez; her children, Christine Herrera, Jackie Dover (Stephen), Henry Gonzalez, Floriselda Molina (Cristian), Brenda Simechak (Matthew), Crystal Kitchens (Christopher), Juan J Gonzalez (Monica); her siblings, Alfred, Bobby, Charlie, Dorothy, Joe, Paul, Pete, and Steve; grandchildren, Randall Herrera, Curtis Herrera, Maria Garza, David Garza, Christopher Gonzalez, InaYa Molina, Catherine Molina, Katelyn Simechak, Alsatia Kitchens, Noah Kitchens, Violet Gonzalez, Scarlett Gonzalez, and Jett Gonzalez; eleven great-grandchildren.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Henry Gonzalez, Matt Simechak, Juan J Gonzalez, Cristian Molina, Chris Kitchens, and Eric Cedeno.

 
In loving memory of Janice Elaine Brooks of Groesbeck, Texas, who departed this world on October 1, 2025 at the age of 83. Janice leaves behind a legacy remembered by family and friends.

Janice worked many years at the Waco Cardiology Clinic.

She was predeceased by: her parents, Bernice Dickerson and Hilda Dickerson (Becker); her brother Paul Dickerson; and her husband Horace Brooks.

She is survived by: her children, Deborah Brooks (Vickie Hinds) and Ricky Brooks of Waco; her grandchildren, Chad, Amber Brooks of Groesbeck, Aaron Brooks of China Spring, Ty Brooks (Kailey) of Salado, Nick and Mandy Beveridge of Groesbeck; her great grandchildren, Keeley and Dooley Brooks of Groesbeck; and her grandchildren, Lily, Marilyn, Emmry Brooks of China Spring, Kruz, River, Oaklynn Brooks of Salado, Aubree, Brynlee and Dakota Beveridge of Groesbeck.

 
Barbara Grumbles, 75, passed away Saturday June 24, 2017 surrounded by her family.

The family will receive visitors 5-7 pm Monday June 26 at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., Waco.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

 
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lou Ann Lowry (Waco, Texas), who passed away on January 13, 2023, at the age of 80, leaving to mourn family and friends.

 
Marian Lee Carson, age 76, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at her residence.

Marian was born on December 16, 1941. She worked as a paralegal. She was married to James L. Carson, Jr., who preceded her in death.

Surviving her are her children: Paula (Neil) Mallard, David (Sandra) Schmitt and Elizabeth (Charles) Mangum; and 17 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date by the family.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of William Willford Bishop of Bandera, Texas, born in Houston, Texas, who passed away on April 1, 2026, at the age of 84, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of William Willford Bishop to show support.

In the echoes of fond remembrance, may a sense of peace be found, knowing that the memories held dear will continue to shape and inspire his loved ones, keeping William’s spirit alive in the hearts and actions of family and friends alike.

While his presence may be gone, his impact lives on in the kindness shown to others and the joy found in the ordinary moments of life.

 
 
John D. Anderson, MD, 83, of Fairfield, California passed away unexpectedly on May 6, 2026, while vacationing on a houseboat on Lake Dal in Kashmir, India. He was born in Washington, DC, the son of the late Gilbert and Lucy (Woolwine) Anderson. He spent his early years in Cleveland, Ohio and Wichita Falls, Texas before settling in Waco, where his father set up his surgical practice. While there, he took diving lessons and began his interest in swim races. He graduated from Waco High School in 1960, where he was voted a senior class favorite and senior class president. He studied at Yale University and Baylor University before graduating from George Washington University Medical School.

Prior to medical school he had spent six months in the Army training to be a medic. He completed his residency in urology at the University of California, Los Angeles and then joined the U. S. Air Force, where he remained until his retirement in 1998. During his time in the Air Force, he was the specialty advisor for urology and had multiple overseas tours, plus additional temporary assignments as a Senior Medical Corps Officer. John cherished the friends of all ranks that he had made during his 35+ years in the military.

He also taught courses on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) for the military in San Antonio, approximately every four months. Later in his career he was trained as a flight surgeon, where he took care of flight crews and their families. While stationed in Iceland he also participated in a number of rescue missions for crew members with illnesses or injuries who were passing through that area on various ships.

After retirement he started taking courses at the local community college and became a master gardener. While there he swam on the college swim team and also became its coach.

John was a voracious reader throughout his life and subscribed to multiple scientific journals. He also had an extensive library of books on a variety of subjects, all of which he had read and remembered almost by page. His memory was amazing and he could give talks on many subjects without any additional study.

He and his beloved wife of 51 years, Ursula Berg of Midland, Michigan, were inveterate travelers and had been to over 150 countries. While traveling, he always enjoyed tasting the local food specialties and then purchasing a cookbook so he could exercise his culinary talents at home. He continued to travel after her death in 2019 and was in one of his favorite places when he died. He also visited many countries to enter open water swim races, in which he participated with great vigor.

John leaves his second wife, Judith McCarthy of Lynn, Massachusetts. He also leaves his sister, Bennett Richardson and her husband, Reggie of Dallas, Texas and his sister-in-law, Susan Anderson of Colorado. He was predeceased by his brother, Gilbert Anderson, Jr., MD of Estes Park Colorado.

Below are two pictures of John that were taken at our reunion in October 2025. They are the last pictures we have of him.

John gave a great account of his life for our class in October 2019. Once again, I want to share it with you.
Rest in Peace, John Anderson….you will be missed but never forgotten.

David D. McPhail, a beloved husband, father, and educator, passed away on January 31, 2026, in Alvarado, Texas. Born on December 17, 1941, in Providence, Rhode Island, David dedicated his life to his family, education, and community service.

David was proud to serve in the military and was an active member of the Cleburne Lions Club, where he contributed to various charitable endeavors that made a lasting impact on the community. His intelligence and passion for education led him to teach at both the community college and university levels, where he inspired countless students with his knowledge and dedication to their learning. He was a proud veterian, serving in the US Airforce.

In addition to his family and professional achievements, David was a big sports enthusiast, particularly passionate about the Green Bay Packers. His excitement for the game was infectious, and he found joy in sharing that passion with family and friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janie; his son Brian Holzmeier and his wife, Georgina, his grandsons Alex Holzmeier and Logan Holzmeier, and his nephew Richard Russell and his wife Annell.

David D. McPhail will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his contribution to education, and his commitment to making the world a better place. His spirit will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him.z

For more memories and pictures of David from our Reunions, please click here.

David told his story of life after graduation in the May 2019 Town Crier.  Read it here.