This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Cearley, Walton, Crider Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/5357 Message Board Post: Rockdale Reporter, Thur., 15 Aug 2002 Cearley Graveside services for James Whitman Cearley, 66, were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002 at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Dr. Gary Lynn Brinkley officiating. Mr. Cearley died Thursday, Aug. 8 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Jan. 29, 1936 in Dallas to Dorothy Marie and John Walton Cearley. His mother and father and his brother, Ralph Walton Cearley, preceded him in death. Mr. Cearley is survived by his stepmother, Mary Cearley; his loving wife of 46 years, Sally Ann Crider Cearley; his children, Kay Payton and husband Joe, Cissi Wright and husband Jerry, John Cearley and wife Lou Ann, and Mary Freeman and husband James; his grandchildren, Brad, John, James, Cesar, and Whitney Payton, Melanie and Mathew Wright, Amanda Cearley, Virginia, Brian, Justin, Meghan, and Katelyn Freeman, numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends. Mr. Cearley was known as a loving husband and father who was proud of his children and grandchildren. He had many wonderful friends who stood by him in his time of sickness. He will be remembered for his contagious smile, his generous heart and booming laugh. Mr. Cearley was proud to have served his state and to be buried in the Texas State Cemetery. For 50 years, he worked for Stasswender Memorials producing many beautiful works of art in granite. His works include the names on the Fireman’s Memorial on the Capital Grounds, The Medal of Honor Memorial Monument at the Texas State Cemetery as well as the beautiful headstones for President Lyndon Johnson, Secretary of the Treasury/Governor John Connally, Lt. Governor Bob Bullock and many, many other dignitaries for the State of Texas. He also produced hundreds of headstones in cemeteries around the State of Texas for generations of Texans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Texas State Cemetery Renovation Fund.