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HOWE, Texas – The Howe Police Department is investigating the early Sunday morning burglary of Independent Financial Bank, 100 South Denny St.

At approximately 6:25 a.m., two men smashed the front glass door of the building and were in the building for less than two minutes. They left empty-handed and fled the scene in a white sports utility vehicle, possibly a Nissan Rogue, heading west toward U.S. Highway 75.

One of the men was a heavyset black male wearing black athletic clothing and a camouflage balaclava and face mask. The second suspect was a thin black male and wore a black hoodie and blue sweat pants. Both men were wearing gloves.

Approximately one hour before, these same men attempted to steal an ATM from the Credit Union Bank in Collinsville using a truck stolen from Tioga. The images are from the Collinsville investigation.

The Howe Police Department is working with the Collinsville Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to identify these individuals.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes is encouraged to contact Sergeant Keith Milks with the Howe Police Department at 903-532-9971.

Mr. T. C. Carroll, age 86, died peacefully at his home in Howe, Texas, with his daughter by his side, February 14, 2021.  He is survived by his sons: Tony Carroll and wife Susan, Shawn Carroll and wife Sharon, daughter: Dana Carroll Orr and husband Bob.  He is also survived by his brother, Bobby Carroll and wife Kay; sister, Pamela Stephens and husband Ron; sisters-in-law, Sarah Butterworth and husband Walt, Marguerite Downs, six grandchildren: Ashley McCloud and husband Michael, Tyler Carroll and wife Amanda, Kalen Orr and wife Michelle, Charis Orr, Sloane Carroll, Stratton Carroll, eight great grandchildren as well as many cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Gracie Nelda, his mother and father, Edith Tully Carroll and Joseph Garlon Carroll and sister Nora Pearl Proctor. 

Mr. Carroll was born October 26, 1934, outside the community of Sulphur Springs, Texas.  He graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1952, and moved to Dallas where he worked for Safeway before going to work for Texas Instruments in 1955, first in Dallas and then in Sherman.  He retired from Texas Instruments in 1991.

Mr. Carroll met Gracie Nelda Ellis in Dallas and they were married in Hope, Arkansas, February 26, 1956.  Mr. Carroll was a dedicated husband and father.  He remained true to Nelda until her death March 26, 2018.  He devoted his life to the Lord by preaching and teaching his children about Jesus.  He served as pastor at Dewey Avenue/Merriman Hills Baptist church from 1978-1981 and 1983-1996.  All who knew him were distinctly aware of his devotion to the Lord and his family.  All will remember him as a Godly man. 

The family will greet friends at Dannell Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24th.   A Celebration of Life will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Howe, Texas February 25 at 10:00 am.  Rick Rothwell will be in charge of the service.  Pallbearers are Tyler Carroll, Kalen Orr, Stratton Carroll, Michael McCloud, David Carroll and Weldon Day.

The family would like to thank the Home Hospice of Grayson County, nurse Mike and aide Sharon and Meals on Wheels of Texoma for their dedicated service and making Mr. Carroll as comfortable as possible during his last few days on this earth.   Thanks to Dannel funeral home for a meaningful ceremony and celebration to honor our loved one.   You may sign the online guest book at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com

Donations in Mr. Carroll’s honor to these organizations are welcome:

Van Alstyne-Meals on Wheels of Texoma  (https://www.mowot.org/van-alstyne-0)

PO Box 1561

148 S. Main Dr.

Van Alsytne, Texas 75495

Home Hospice of Grayson County (https://www.homehospice.org/)
505 W. Center Street
Sherman, TX 75090

On 7 February 2021, Coach Eddie Brister passed away at the age of 70.

Eddie Brister was born in Bonham, Texas on July 6th, 1950. Eddie attended and graduated from Leonard High School in 1968, where he was a multi-sport standout athlete. Eddie received a football scholarship to Austin College, where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education in 1972. He would go on to earn a Masters Degree in Physical Education from East Texas State University in 1975.

Eddie met the love of his life, Roberta, at Leonard High School in 1966 and married her in 1972. Over their 48-year marriage Eddie and Roberta would touch the lives of countless people, leaving lasting impressions that will carry on for generations. Eddie enjoyed all aspects of outdoor life—fishing, hunting, hiking, running, and fellowship with friends around bonfires. It is literally impossible to find someone that Eddie could not strike up a conversation and friendship with. He was a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Texas High School Coaches Association, and the Lower Mountain Fork River Foundation.

Eddie touched many lives throughout his coaching career, spanning six different high schools and three colleges throughout Texas. Eddie coached at Howe High School, Allen High School, Lewisville High School, and became the head coach and athletic director of Electra High School in 1981. From 1982-1983, he served as the offensive coordinator at Sherman High School before moving to Fort Bend Willowridge High School where he would eventually become head coach and campus coordinator. During this time, he was named a Houston Top Three Coach by Metroplex Magazine, was a finalist for Houston Touchdown Coach of the Year and named District Coach of the Year. Eddie would go on to coach in the college ranks as the offensive coordinator of Stephen F. Austin State University, a defensive coordinator at Austin College, and as a head coach of Texas A&M University-Commerce. After retiring from football, Eddie and Roberta bought Beavers Bend Fly Shop, and have lived in Broken Bow, OK since 2012.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gabe Eddie Brister, Vera Brister Atnip, and stepfather Charles Atnip and his mother and father in laws Modell Dunham and Jack Grogan. He is survived by his wife Roberta; his son Paul and daughter in law Krisha; son Aaron and his wife Kelley; his sister Nancy Zachary and her husband Ron; sister-in-law Lavonna Beene and her husband Jim; sister-in-law Jackie Evans; uncle Jackie Vaughn and wife Nita; several loved nephews nieces and cousins; and longtime family friend (considered a son) Zach Martin and his wife Ashley. Eddie’s charisma, passion, and light will carry on through his beloved grandkids, Jett, Kyla, Andrew, Kate, and Owen.

In lieu of flowers, Eddie requests donations be made to:
Patriot Anglers
509 Briaroaks Dr
Lake Dallas, TX 75065
www.patriot-anglers.com

Virginia Raylyne Stambaugh of Denison, TX., went to her heavenly home in the arms of Jesus on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at TMC Hospital in Denison.  Raylyne was born on June 4, 1957 to William R. and Barbara V. Stambaugh, in Sherman, TX. 

Although starting her education at Washington Elementary in Sherman in 1963, after 3 years, she moved to the Howe public school system, where she successfully graduated from Howe High School with the Class of 1976.  After graduation, she worked for Burlington Industries in Sherman, TX. until the company closed in 1986.  Following her departure from Burlington, she took a job at the Anna Truck Stop until leaving years later, to move to Tulsa, OK. 

Upon returning from Tulsa in 2013, (16 years later), she accepted a job with the Sherman ISD, where she remained until her health started to decline due to COPD.  Since she was unable to work due to illness, she was active in various hobbies such as making wreaths, hand piece quilting,  jar openers, and jigsaw puzzles.

Raylyne was the proud mother of a son, Bradley W. Mayo, (deceased), and a devoted daughter, Ariana E. Burger, (who currently resides in the Denison area).  She was also blessed with two grandchildren, Rylan James Burger and Hadley Faye Renfro, whom she loved and adored, and a host of family and friends who will miss her terribly.

Raylyne is survived by both Parents, Daughter and partner, Eric Renfro, Grandchildren, Sisters Tina (Bob) Cox and Beth Waller, three Nephews (J. Lucas (Melissa) Hawkins, Joshua R. Stambaugh, and Bradley R. Skaggs), one Niece (Sarah Underwood), two great-nephews, one great-niece, three Uncles (Pat Stambaugh, Joe Lee Stambaugh, and Walter Foster), one Aunt (Reba Ulmer), and many Cousins.

Preceding Raylyne in death, were her son Bradley Mayo (2006), three nephews, (Joshua, Jacob, and Micah Hawkins), and all grandparents.

The family will welcome friends and family for visitation at 10:00 AM on Monday, Feb. 1 at the First Baptist Church of Howe prior to the start of the funeral service at 11:00.   Interment will follow at Hall Cemetery in Howe, TX.

The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

A Howe resident reported to police Tuesday that they had received a phone call that appeared to have originated from the Howe Police Department. The caller told the resident they were the subject of a bank fraud investigation and that they needed to call a different phone number the following day or they would be arrested. Even though the caller knew the resident’s name, the resident believed it was a scam, and promptly met with police to make them aware of the call and to let them know that it appeared to come from a valid police department phone number.

The Howe Police Department encourages residents to report suspicious phone calls such as this. Neither the Howe Police Department nor any other law enforcement agency will call residents and threaten to arrest them if they fail to call some other phone number about an investigation.

This particular type of fraud, or scam, is known as Spoofing. Scam artists disguise their communication to reflect it as being from a known, trusted source. Spoofing is not limited to phone calls. Scammers apply the same techniques through emails, websites, computer IP addresses, and more.

Spoofing is used to gain access to a target’s personal information, spread malware through infected links or attachments, bypass network access controls, or redistribute traffic.

Tips to help avoid becoming a victim to this scam include:

* Never give personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller or email.

* Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.

* Stay private. Regularly update privacy settings for social media sites. Scammers often make their stories more believable by trolling for personal information on Facebook, Twitter and similar sites.

* Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers to a stranger.

* If someone believes they are being scammed regarding an alleged unpaid traffic citation or other court-imposed financial obligation they should ask the caller for information specific to the alleged warrant or unpaid traffic citation. The caller should have the court case number, date of ticket and vehicle license number.

Most importantly, if you are suspicious of a caller, trust your instincts. You are likely correct. Many fraud victims report later that they were suspicious of the caller, but they continued to give out personal information anyway. 

Charles Ralph Williams, 69 years old, of Tom Bean, beloved husband, father and Papaw went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 21, 2021 after a courageous and hard-fought battle against COVID-19.

Ralph was born in Sherman, TX to Joe and Lucy (Franklin) Williams on September 20, 1951. He attended all twelve years of school at Tom Bean ISD and graduated from Tom Bean High School, Class of ’70. While attending high school, he excelled in basketball and was voted Most Athletic his junior year and Mr. TBHS his senior year. He married his high school sweetheart, Marion Copley, on February 12, 1971 in Sherman, Texas.

For many years, Ralph enjoyed playing softball. He made many memories traveling with the team, his wife, daughter and nieces.

Ralph had a lifelong love of cars. He loved to collect and restore them and was often known to race a few. His most recent and possibly his favorite project was restoring a white Ford Bronco with his grandson, Will.

Ralph’s greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren. He enjoyed attending and supporting his grandchildren in their school and athletic activities.

Ralph began his career in construction for many years with his father-in-law, Bill Copley, and his brothers-in-law, Bill Copley, Jr. and Albert Rodgers. Ralph worked at Tom Bean ISD for many years. During this time, he made many longtime friends and was a trusted and favorite bus driver of many.

His love for buses led him to his next career as Director of Operations for All Aboard School Transportation, where he developed relationships with school administrators across the state of Texas, as well as owners of charter bus companies across the nation. Ralph was always a bus driver at heart and never felt or acted superior to others, this quality allowed him to be a leader and boss that was respected and approachable.

He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Marion Williams, their daughter Kiley Fleming and her husband, Alan of Tom Bean; grandchildren, Karsyn, Will and Bella Fleming. Brother, Joe Williams (Kathy) of Sherman, Sister-in-law, Shirley Smith of Tom Bean, Donna Rodgers (Albert) of Luella, Brother-in-law, Billy Copley, Jr. of Sherman, and dear cousin, Pat Stephens (Joyce) of Tom Bean. Nieces and nephews, Kerri England (Mark) of Sherman, Lisa Courtney (Steven) of Howe, Eric Rodgers (Laura) of Melissa, BJ Rodgers (Kelly) of Savoy, Carol Ann Downing (Jason) of Bells, Joe Williams, III (Terria) of Frisco, Rhonda Malone of S&S, and Patricia Williams of Tyler. Ralph leaves behind many cousins, great nieces and nephews and an abundance of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Jackie Copley, Brother-in-law, Jerry Smith and niece, Janice Williams.

To allow for social distancing, there will be a graveside service, Tuesday, January 26, 2021 11:00 am at Holloway Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, Texas. You may sign the online register book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.