Sister Myra Lee Handley Lola Mae Sapp Brother Richard D. Mills
On February 12, 2002, Sister Myra Lee Handley of Zion Primitive Baptist Church, Crosbyton, Texas passed from this mortal life at the age of 90. Graveside services were held at the Crosbyton Cemetery with Elders George Johnson and Tom Taylor officiating. A memorial service was held at the church after the burial with the same officiates.
Sister Myra Lee Handley was born September 24, 1911 in Whitney, TX. She married L. M. Handley, October 31, 1931. He passed away August 5, 1987. To this union was born four children. She is preceded by two sons, Bobby Neal in 1933 and Farris in 1983.
Survivors include one son, Don of Crosbyton, one daughter, Myrna Mitchell of Cross Plains and one sister, Leona Johnson of Bakersfield, CA; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Sister Handley attended church regularly until her health declined. She will be missed.
Elder Tom Taylor, Pastor
Sam Latimer, Church Clerk
We, here at Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church, have been saddened by the passing of a dear sister, Lola Mae Sapp. She was born January 27, 1921 in Blue Mountain, Arkansas, to Benjamin Franklin Loyd and Belva Etta Loyd. Her family later moved to the Merit community in western Oklahoma and she attended school at Merit School.
She was married to Lawrence Dudley Sapp on April 5, 1947 in Elk City. Two daughters were born to this couple; Sheila Sapp Burba and Sandra Sapp McClure.
Lola Mae spent the remainder of her life in Elk City and was employed at the S & H green stamp store for 20 years. She was baptized into the Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church in 1944 and was a faithful member the rest of her life. She especially enjoyed her family and her church, and also loved sporting events and gospel singing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, March 31, 1972, and by her parents, B. F, and Belva Loyd; four brothers, O. D. Loyd, Jack Loyd, Otis Loyd, and Oral Loyd, and one sister, Ada Loyd DeGarmo.
Lola Mae is survived by her daughters, Sheila Burba and husband, Hal of Tulsa, and Sandra McClure of Elk City; grandsons, Jamie McClure of Pawhuska, OK, and Jay McClure of Elk City; granddaughters, Lauren Burba of Tulsa and Kim McClure of Elk City. Also surviving are two sisters, Margarette Sapp of Elk City, and Leona Jones of Warrenburg, Missouri; two brothers, O. B. Loyd of Florida, and Oran Loyd of Bella Vista, Arkansas; and many other relatives and friends.
Although, she will be sorely missed by all of us here at Elk Creek Church, we rejoice in the sure knowledge that she is resting in the presence of her Savior, and is now free from all her earthly trials and suffering.
Elder Henry Newman, Pastor
Wilma Gathright, Clerk
Brother Richard D. Mills, an ambassador of our Lord and our faith and a beloved deacon and member of the Paradise Primitive Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, finished his work in this world on March 1, 2002. For him, there will be no more suffering or disappointment - the spirit has gone back to God who gave it and the body waits until the glorious morning of resurrection.
Brother Richard had recently suffered from heart problems and other physical complications. However, his last few weeks were sent with a resurgence of strength and feeling well. He had been enjoying time at home with his wife and grandchildren when his body succumbed to the wear and tear that is visited upon us all in this world.
Brother Richard made it his mission to always greet all the brethren with a warm handshake and to make every visitor to our church feel welcome to join us. If absent on Sunday, a member could always be certain that Brother Richard would call to check on his well-being and let him know that he was missed. His dedication to our Lord was apparent to all, and he filled the office of deacon with wisdom, humility and good humor.
Funeral services were held for Brother Richard at the Paradise Primitive Baptist Church on Monday, March 4, 2002. Elder Jim Jackson officiated and Brother Bryce Lowrance led the congregation in song. The sanctuary was completely filled by the many who had been touched through the years by Brother Richard and his helper, Sister Joy Mills. Place of interment, Memory Gardens, Pampa, Texas.
Brother Richard is survived by his wife, Joy Mills of Grandbury; son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and FaLesa Mills; daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Beau Mayo; grandsons, Clinton and Clayton Mayo; brothers, Marlin Mills, Marvin Mills, and Gary Mills; sister, Kay Matzer; and several nieces and nephews.