LONGVIEW - Linda Kay Gallaway Stebbins, age 54, went to be with her Lord suddenly on February 14, 2012, at Good Shepherd Medical Center, from complications with double pneumonia.

She was born June 16, 1957, in Dallas, to Juanita Marguerite Allen and Garland Gallaway. After graduating from Irving High School, she pursued fashion design in Houston. She was a runway model for Betsey Johnson at the Dallas World Trade Center, and fashion became her lifelong passion.

Linda incorporated her love for people into her career. For many years she was in Human Resources for the Diamond K Corporation in Mount Pleasant, and for the Cassity Jones Companies in Longview. For the past four years, Linda was general manager for Stebbins Aviation, where she was well known and loved by everyone involved in the aviation industry. She loved travelling with family and friends to exotic destinations, which included golf; snow-skiing; fly-fishing; and sporting events, especially the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and the Kentucky Derby.

She had a real love for Crisman School, where one of her children attended. She served on their Board and volunteered her time for many years. Linda was also on the Board of Directors of the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, because she loved learning about art and enjoyed supporting all the arts in Longview. She was also known for her community outreach through the Chamber of Commerce. She was very giving with her heart, and was involved with many charitable organizations through the years.

Linda is survived by her loving husband, Dick Stebbins; daughter, Whitney King; her beloved two-year-old grandson, Grayson; son, Thomas King; stepsons, Kent Stebbins and wife, Shellie, Scott Stebbins and wife, Cynthia, and Brad Stebbins and wife, Betsy; and stepgrandchildren, Courtney, Christina, Katie, PR and Jordan Stebbins. She is also survived by sisters, Gail Windham and Stacy LeBlanc; brothers, Mike Gallaway, Bill Gallaway and Warren Kiger. She had numerous nieces and nephews, and had a special love for her grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Samantha Gales, Emily Connaway, and Cheyenne and Brooklyn Redman. Her life made an impact in their lives, for sure.

Memorials may be made to Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler Street, Longview, TX 75601.

Published in Longview News-Journal on February 16, 2012

LONGVIEW - The Lord called His sweet angel home on February 10, 2012, after a richly blessed life of service and love to others. Betty was born July 4, 1926 in St Louis, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents Claude Winters and Opal (George) Reinbold. She is survived by her brother, Robert Lee Winters; her three sons, Kenneth, Karl (Sherry) and Keene (Rhonda) Golding; three daughters, Kathryn Cox, Karen East and Kyle (Steve) Bauer; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Betty lived most of her adult life in New Orleans, LA, where she lovingly raised her six children. She spent her retirement years in Longview, TX.

Throughout her life she passionately participated in her church, theatre, the arts, tennis, and volunteered in many areas with the latest being Longview Art Museum and Habitat for Humanity. The family expresses gratitude to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte NC.

In lieu of flowers donations should be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Jeremy Bethune 1991-2010 was on the 2009 LMFA student board from Spring Hill.

Jeremy passed away at the age of 19, at his residence, on Monday, December 13, 2010.

Jeremy was born August 6, 1991, in Longview to Claude and Yvonne Bethune. He attended and graduated with academic honors from Spring Hill High School in May of 2010. He was currently attending Kilgore College majoring in Computer Science. He was employed at Lone Star Convenience Store #3 in Longview and loved his job. Jeremy enjoyed playing computer games, building computers, and Mixed Martial Arts. He was the manager of the basketball team in high school and filmed their games. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Glenn and Eleanor Tubbs.

A portion of the above was Published in Longview News-Journal on December 17, 2010

Jere J. Ruff

Memorial services for Jere J. Ruff, 73, of Longview, will be 2 p.m. today, September 17, 2009, at the First Christian Church with Dr. Richard Emerson and Dr. Jim Lewis officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Park. Jere went to be with his Savior Monday, September 14, 2009.

Jere was born December 26, 1935, in Longview, to Wilma Johnson Ruff and Glen Paxton Ruff. He was a 1953 graduate of Longview High School. In 1957, he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After receiving his real estate broker's license, he joined his father at Ruff Realtors which was started in 1949.

After many years of work in the commercial real estate industry, Jere pursued a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation which is achieved by only six percent (6%) of the commercial real estate practitioners nationwide. He continued to oversee the operations of his company for over 45 years. In addition to his real estate business, Jere was a Vice President of the First State Bank of Hallsville. He was a member of the Bank's loan committee and a member of the Bank's Board of Directors. The Bank is managed by Jere's twin brother, Jon.

Civic participation was an important part of his life. He was a former board member of Juliette Fowler Homes in Dallas, a past Chairman of the Board of the Longview Christian Retirement Center and a Board Member of the National Benevolent Association of Christian Churches in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a former Board Member and Chairman of the Board of Longview Regional Medical center, a Board member and development council participant for the University of Texas at Tyler, Longview University Center, and a member of the Advisory Council for the Longview Museum of Fine Arts. Jere was appointed by Governor Bill Clements to the Board of Regents for the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in 1987. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1994-1995.

He loved Longview, and was a past President of the Longview Partnership. While acting as President and Chamber Member, he appeared locally and in Austin to further the interest of better highways for Gregg County and the State of Texas. He received the President's Award from the Longview Partnership for faithful unselfish service and dedication to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Longview. He was also named outstanding committee chairman for his long-term service on the Transportation Committee. He received the Texas Highway Department Road Hand Award for "having proven ability and displayed stamina to toil long strenuous hours for Texas roads."

Jere was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Longview (Disciples of Christ), and 40-year member of the Community Bible Class led by Bible Scholar Dr. Kenneth Mc-Kinley.

Jere was an avid hunter and enjoyed travel and classical music. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52years, Martha Bateman Ruff. He was blessed with his sons, Jere J. Ruff Jr, Eric Glen Ruff and his wife, Lori, and their children, Lauren Camille, Juliana Paige, and Caroline Alexandra. He is also survived by his brother, Jon and his wife, Nancy; sisters, Sue Ann Cocke and Mary Laura Ruff; brother-in-law, Wayne Bateman; sister-in-law, Edith Bateman; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

The family is deeply grateful to his caregivers for their love and support, especially Carolyn Fisher, the staff at Hawkins Creek Memory Care, and Odyssey Hospice.

The family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD, 20871-1950, First Christian Church, Building Fund or a charity of your choice.