Tommy Nichols

Thomas Lerie Nichols, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 13, 2011. Born in Trout, La., Tommy spent his last years on earth in Houston, Texas.

Tommy's first chapter in his professional life was in Oilfield Services at McEvoy. His second chapter was as a manufacturer's representative for R.H. Peterson.

Working till the day he died, he was a big man in all ways. A strong, committed Christian, he strived to live his faith in all aspects of his life. In living his beliefs, he impressed the importance of Christian committedness and honesty on his family, wanting the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to own Christ as their personal Savior. Those who spent any time around him also know of his enjoyment of life and his sense of humor. Many of us learned some of our best behaviors from him and want to honor that today and every day hereafter.

Tommy was preceded in death by his sister, Regenia Nichols Cunningham; his nephew, Clifton Nichols; and his granddaughter, Angie Ann Duhon.

Tommy is survived and sorely missed by his brother, James Nichols; his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Nanette Browning Nichols; and his three children and their spouses, Susan and Montie Grimes, Sheryl and Eric Duhon and Lloyd and Tresa Huff Nichols. His legacy includes seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, a service of celebration will be at First Baptist Church of Katy, 600 Pin Oak Road, Katy, Texas 77494 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Randy White and Pastor Jeff Rees co-officiating. Following the services, Tommy will be laid to rest at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble, Texas.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the Mission Program of First Baptist Church of Katy, 600 Pine Oak Road, Katy, Texas 77494, 281-391-1100.

John Clifton

Mr. John Franklin Clifton passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at his home in Katy, Texas.  

Mr. Clifton was born March 19, 1921 in Dickson, TN.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis Clifton; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Albert Clifton of Shaw, MS; and one brother, Homer Dalton Clifton of Shaw, MS.

He is survived by two sons, John Franklin Clifton, Jr. and wife Cindy of Katy, Texas, and Joe Bruce Clifton and wife Jenny of Larchmont, New York; two grandchildren, Michael and Emily Clifton of Larchmont, NY; one brother, James Robert Clifton and wife Claudia of Benoit, MS, one sister Mrs. Barbara Jean Whittington and husband Dick of Bartlett, TN, and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Ann Clifton of Shaw, MS; three nephews, James Whittington, Jay Clifton, Bobby Clifton; one niece, Sherry Swales, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Clifton graduated from Benoit High School in 1941.   He earned a B. A. Degree from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS in 1948. He served overseas in the US Army from 1942 – 1946 during WWII as part of the 533^rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment.   He worked more than 40 years in the Mississippi Delta engaged in various agricultural/horticultural enterprises, specifically, Delta Brokerage and Pearson’s Nursery in Indianola, MS and Delta State University in Cleveland, MS where he retired from the Campus Beautification Department.  Mr. Clifton has been an ordained Baptist Deacon since 1956.

A memorial service will be held at the Bolin Chapel of First Baptist Church in Katy, Texas on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10 AM.    A visitation will be held at the Madisonville Funeral Home, located at 1511 E. Main (Hwy 21), Madisonville, TX on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 2:30 PM with graveside services to follow at 3:30 PM in the Madisonville City Cemetery.    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Katy First Baptist Church, 600 Pin Oak Road, Katy, TX 77494.

Gladys Arnold

Gladys Arnold was born May 25, 1921 in Bellville, Texas to Henry and Hulda Waak.  On July 3, 1942 Gladys married James Arnold in Houston, Texas.  James passed away in 1976, and four years later she married his first cousin Jeffie Arnold on March 1, 1980.  She moved to Katy and loved Katy and all her friends.

Gladys passed away in Katy on Friday, April 1, 2011, at the age of 89 years.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Norman & Wanda Bond of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Ken & Cathy Arnold of Burleson, Texas; two step sons and their spouses, Larry & Carolyn Arnold of Katy, and Leonard & Brenda Arnold of Conroe; 11 grandchildren and their spouses; 18 great grandchildren; as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2011, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel, in Katy.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 4, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Katy, with Dr. Randy White and Rev. Tom Bolin officiating.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the Oak Knoll Cemetery in Bellville, Texas.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.