Category: Howe News Bulletin

Elma Jo Cain Gray, 92, of Howe, Texas entered heaven on the night of June 12, 2024. Jo (also known as Mother, Mama, Grandma, Mawmaw, Mama Jo, Aunt Jo, and Jodie) was known for her love of the Lord, the close relationship she had with her loving family, the delicious meals and desserts she shared at her table, and how she modeled an extremely strong work ethic to all who knew her.

The youngest child of Chester and Elma Grantland Cain, Jo was born on September 30, 1931 in Tom Bean, Texas. She attended school in Tom Bean, where she was very active in all sports. Jo graduated from high school in 1948 and soon after married the love of her life, Wayne Gray. They continued to live in Grayson County for their 63-year marriage, with the exception of the year Wayne served in the U.S. Navy. When he returned home, they purchased a small farm east of Howe. It is there that they raised their three sons, Garry, Lenny, and Joe, and where Jo still called home until she passed.

Jo worked for Safeway stores over a span of thirty years, where she made many friends. She often commented on how those friends made her life so enjoyable. Jo and Wayne loved to travel, spending time in the cool mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico over many summers. They were also able to visit all 50 of the United States as they traveled with the Good Sams Club and other friends. Jo continued to travel with her family after Wayne’s passing, most recently traveling to Europe for her first time.

Jo is survived by her sons Garry Gray and wife Karla of Howe, Lenny Gray and wife Debbie of Pilot Point, Joe Gray and wife Honey of Allen; by her grandchildren Allan Gray and wife Stephanie, Kevin Gray and wife Dawn, Sean Gray and wife Ashley, Brad Gray and wife Melissa, Brent Gray and wife Margot, Chelsea Farmer and husband Matt, Chance Gray and wife Courtney; by her great grandchildren Riley Hargrove and husband Paul, Sydney Bush and husband Jacob, and Garrett Gray; Cheyenne Wooten and husband Ronnie, and Mika Gray; Jase and Janie Gray; Skylar, Landry, and Cooper Gray; Zoey and Reese Gray; Dylan and Grayson Farmer; Shepherd, Josiah, and Isaac Gray, with Walker Gray due in October; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents Chester and Elma Cain, her loving husband Wayne Gray, her siblings Mary Asbill, C.A. Cain, Lavada Smith, Jim Cain, Cecil Cain, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the Howe Methodist Church, with Pastor J.B. Bryant officiating. Interment will follow at Akers Cemetery in Sherman. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Howe Methodist Women group of Howe Methodist Church, a group that was close to her heart.

Howe Police Department Police Report

HOWE, Texas – Late Wednesday evening, two masked, armed gunmen robbed the Sonic Drive-in in Howe. On May 22 at 9:57 p.m., Howe police officers were dispatched to 105 N. Collins Freeway after store employees called 911 reporting a robbery. Although an officer arrived within less than a minute from the time they were dispatched, the suspects had already fled the store with an unspecified amount of currency.

According to store employees, two black males entered the store wearing dark clothing, hoodies, and face coverings, and both were brandishing handguns as one of the men demanded cash from the register and safe. Once they had the money in hand, store employees say the men fled on foot. No one was injured during the crime.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspects is asked to contact Howe PD Sergeant Brian McClaran at 903.532.9971.

Linda Fern Burks Wall, 83, of Howe, Texas went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 9, 2024.

Linda Fern was born in Wheeler, Texas to Raymond Boyd Burks and Lida Lovetta Worley Burks on December 25, 1940. She attended school in Wheeler, Texas. She married the love of her life, Tom Wall, on August 24, 1958. Linda and Tom moved to Howe in 1970 where she worked hard to support the school, church, and community. She worked various jobs over the years from the county clerk’s office to waiting tables at Granny’s, but her greatest joy when not with family was in volunteering. As a member of the PTA, Athletic Boosters, Band Boosters, ACS Memorial chairman, Historical Society Board, Community Library Board, Chamber of Commerce Board, and Peggy’s Porch.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Linda is survived by her son Tony Wall, son Tommy Wall, and daughter Tanda Wall; brother Kenneth Burks of Richardson, Texas; Don Burks of Whitesboro, Texas; sister Joyce Findley of McLoud, Oklahoma; grandchildren Tehresa Wall of Royce City, Texas and Chase Wall of Howe, Texas; and 9 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you volunteer in your community or donate to the American Cancer Society, Howe Band Boosters, Howe Community Library, Howe Historical Society or Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Wednesday, May 14, 2024, at Howe Methodist Church in Howe, Texas.

Jimmy Keith Huckaby passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 1, 2024, at Medical City Hospital in Plano. He went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 83 years old. Jim was born near Pauls Valley in Garvin County Oklahoma on June 23, 1940. Proceeding Jim in his death are his parents Leslie and Thelma Huckaby, brother Dale Huckaby, sister Nancy Seawell, son Steve Huckaby, and great-grandson Knox Floyd. Jim is survived by his wife, Dot Burchfield Huckaby, sister Sandy Cestarte (Paul) Howe, son Chris Huckaby (Alyson) Carrollton, daughter Wendy Blaine (Kevin) The Colony, son Brian Christopher (Jennifer) Gunter, and daughter Kim Vogel (Dieter) Van Alstyne, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and one baby Huckaby on the way.

Jim graduated from Irving High School in 1958 before entering the United States Air Force. Jim was honorably discharged in 1962 in order to return home to help support his mother and younger siblings after the death of his father.

Jim began his career at Texas Instruments in 1964 as a manufacturing engineering technician. TI is where he later met the love of his life Dot in 1977. Jim and Dot wed and blended their families on May 6, 1978, and enjoyed 46 years of joyous marriage. Jim enjoyed his career for over 37 years until his retirement from Raytheon in 2000. Jim enjoyed several hobbies such as scuba diving and photography. After retirement, he took on many new challenges including painting, guitar, and refurbishing old pocket watches.

Jim was an active member of the Howe community serving on the Planning and Zoning Board before being elected to the Howe City Council where he served for over 10 years before building a new home in Luella, TX. Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church of Howe for over 46 years where he enjoyed being a part of Harold Finney’s men’s bible study group, who he lovingly referred to as the “salty dogs.” Jim and Dot enjoyed their time in a monthly couple’s bible study started by Bill and Bonnie Smith where they enjoyed fellowship, dinner, and dessert with some of their closest friends, Freddy and Judy Vestal, Doc and Daisie Smithwick, Alton and Jean Norman, and Carolyn Cavender.

During retirement, Jim enjoyed serving others through his church, working part-time at LifeWay Christian Bookstore, and loved volunteering at Perrin Air Force Base Historical Museum. Jim also enjoyed spending time with family, especially his children and grandchildren, and taking care of his beautiful lawn. But the most precious thing Jim had on this earth was his wife Dot, who he loved deeply for over 46 years.

Jim’s life was a reflection of Christ’s love. He was a kind gentleman who loved serving others and led by example with his deeds, not his words. He loved his Lord, his family, and his friends. They will deeply miss his sweet presence on this earth until they are reunited with him in heaven.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 3 from 6 to 8 PM at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, Texas. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at First Baptist Church, Howe, Texas on Saturday, May 4 at 2 PM. Graveside services will follow directly at Oak Hill Cemetery, Whitewright, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Perrin Air Force Historical Museum, 436 McCullum, Denison, TX 75020, The Veterans Memorial Fund of Grayson County, The American Cancer Society – Melanoma Foundation, or First Baptist Church Howe, Texas.