Christine French

Christine passed away on July 7, 2013 in Mesquite. Christine was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Willie Rex French, son Willie Neilan, and grandson Willie Neilan II, her parents Henry Thummel and Bertie Morrison Thummel. Siblings: Agnes Thummel Taylor and Alyne Thummel French, Howard Thummel. She is survived by Neilan’s wife, Ellene French of Corsicana, son Charles French and wife Sandra of Mesquite, and daughter Carolyn Sawyer and husband Joel of Mesquite. Granddaughters: Lori Sawyer Carrington and husband Matt, Leigh Sawyer Armstrong and husband Mike, Mary Jo Clark, Alice Jones and husband Ted, and Sarah Hollis. Grandsons: Damon French, Derek French, Chad French and wife Debbie, Eli French, Jason Sawyer and wife Mary. Great grandchildren: Kyle Carrington, Tyler Napier, Collin Kranock, Tucker French, Jordan French, Grant French, Peyton French, Austin French, Michael Jones, Molly Jones, Cooper Hollis, Ashley Hollis, Garrett Clark, and Seth Clark. Nieces and nephews: Nelda Thummel Roher, Dwayne Thummel, Janis French Watkins, and Don French. Born in the small community of Drane she attended Bryan School and received her diploma in 1932. She received her beauty license in 1935 and worked in Corsicana until she married on December 12, 1936. Years later she owned a beauty shop in Dawson and then moved it to their home at Navarro Mills. After her marriage she and Rex lived in Navarro Mills and she joined Navarro Mills Baptist Church and served there as a Sunday school teacher and faithful member until the death of Rex in 2005 when she relocated to Corsicana. After a stroke in 2010 she moved to Mesquite, Texas where she has lived at Town East Rehabilitation Center. We would like to thank TERC and Heart to Heart Hospice for the excellent care and for the kindness they have shown to her. We would like to thank Doyle Ives, chaplain for Heart to Heart Hospice, who became her pastor away from Navarro Mills. She loved his visits, his singing and playing his guitar, and the devotions he shared with her. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 9, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana. Services will be 10:00am Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Navarro Mills Baptist Church with interment at Navarro Mills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to: Navarro Mills Cemetery Association % First Bank & Trust P.O. Box 159 Dawson, TX 76639

Christine French

January 4, 1915 - July 7, 2013