The Marshall News Messenger from Marshall, Texas • A5

Marshall News Messenger, Saturday, December 13, 2014 5A marshallnewsmessenger.com Obituaries She was a very nurturing lady who loved to welcome her family for meals and holiday gatherings. Edna was famous for her delicious banana pudding and pecan pies. Until her recent illness, she prepared breakfast every morning for her son and grandson before they went to work and school. Edna loved life and relished being the "matriarch" of the family, offering advice and lending support to each member. Edna was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall since she was a very young girl.

With other ladies of the Lebanese Community, she helped cook and serve Lebanese food at the church fundraiser to purchase tables and chairs for Trinity's All Saints Hall. In later years, she enjoyed the friendship of a group of lovely ladies from Longview who gathered to play, Mexican Train, a domino game. She was a fierce competitor and usually won. Edna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alice Barkett Thomas; brothers, Sammy Barkett and George Thomas; and nephews, Charles Thomas Barkett and David Walter Barkett. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Gregory Floyd Gani (Kathy); grandson, Gregory "Little Barkett Gani, the joy of her life; brother, Johnny Barkett (Mary Lou) of Marshall; and sisters, Jeanette Barkett of Marshall, Mary Lois Fadal (Dr.

Ronald O. Fadal) of Waco and Betty Horaney of Longview. Also surviving her are her devoted nephews, Dr. Philip Thomas of Dallas, Dr. Brad Thomas (Gina) of Galveston, Al Horaney (Gen- ny) of Tyler, Ron Horaney (Fazeah) of Longview, Dr.

Ronald Nelson Fadal (Jennifer) of Longview and Robin Scott Fadal (Rita) of Spring; and nieces, Georgia Ann Coscantino of The Villages, Becky Westmoreland (Gary) of Texarkana and Karen Ivy (Curtis) of Malvern, Ark. A very special and loved survivor who has been a member of Edna's family for thirty years is Valerie Ayers. She is also survived by twenty-three great-nieces and nephews; nine great-great-nieces and nephews; and many cousins, residing in the United States, Lebanon and Ecuador. Edna was very proud of her Lebanese heritage and always impressed its importance to all her family. Pallbearers who will proudly serve "Aunt Edna" are her nephews, Dr.

Phil Thomas, Dr. Brad Thomas, Al Horaney, Ron Horaney, Dr. Ronald N. Fadal and Robin S. Fadal.

A very special pallbearer will be her grandson, Gregory B. Gani. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg's friends at Harrison County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Highway Patrol. Her family wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Donna Alzaga and the ICU nurses of Good Shepherd, Marshall and to Dr.

Charles Newkirk and Dr. Brimmer and the ICU and CIMC nurses at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview for the excellent care and compassion shown to Edna and the family during her stay. If desired, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Trinity Episcopal Church of Marshall. the next day, September 25." He said after sending the correspondence a second time to the Harrison County email address he had on file, which included Taylor's, he finally received a call from someone Taylor.

"I was surprised to know that I had been sending emails to the county judge, but I was relieved that you were involved and I asked you to have Becky Dotson contact me as soon as possible, if you could," Ingram wrote Taylor. Ingram said while he knows that the elections administrator position is set up to be independent of political pressure and autonomous, he was hoping that the county judge could convince Dotson to contact the Secretary of State's Office with an update on the military ballot issue. "I did hear form Becky on Sunday evening, the 28th," Ingram said, noting that was eight days past the deadline. "She promised the ballots would be mailed out the next day, Monday, the 29th and blamed Internet issues for not keeping the statewide voter registration system updated. Ingram said on Sept.

30, the SOS received a complaint from an overseas voter that they had not yet received their ballot from Harrison County. "My legal director assured the voter that we were working with Harrison County to insure that ballots were being sent out," said Ingram. He said the requested a list of FPCA voters from Dotson and received it on Sept. 30, 10 days past the due date. "We then contacted the voters to make sure the ones who had asked for an email of the blank ballots had received it and to inquire of the others if they would be willing to accept an emailed blank ballot or if they would prefer an overnight delivery service," Ingram said.

He said Oct. 1, the SOS heard from another voter who wanted to track their ballot in the ballot tracker. "We requested that Becky input the information into the tracker as required by both federal and state law," Ingram said. "Later that day, all of the ballots had either been mailed or expressed to all of the 12 FPCA voters. Ingram said that was 11 days after the 45-day deadline.

"Later we heard from a couple of the voters that the instructions and envelopes were not enclosed with the balloting materials," Ingram said. "We made sure the voters had what they needed." Ingram said over the next few weeks, an influx of callers notified the state office, informing them of issues they were encountering with the regular ballots by mail. "The initial ballot programmed by Mrs. Dotson did not have a space for write-in candidates even though we had included statewide write-in candidates in our ballot certification to all of the county election officials," Ingram said. He said the ballot certification containing the statewide write-in candidates was sent to all county election administrators on Aug.

26. Ingram said, in addition, it was later discovered that one of the candidates had their name misspelled on the Harrison County ballots. "Apparently, the elections office was waiting until they had corrected ballots to mail out before sending any of them. This is incorrect procedure," Ingram said. He advised that the election code provides that regular domestic ballots by mail have to be sent out 38 days before an election.

"If they later have to be corrected, then the corrected ballots are mailed," Ingram said. "If the voter returns the incorrect ballot and not the correct one then the code provides that the ballot be counted. He said the method he described gives voters the best chance to have their vote counted. Ingram further noted that a second corrected ballot notice was received from Harrison County on Oct. 21.

"I am not sure when regular ballots by mail were sent out, but it was substantially past the due date and the opportunity for voters to participate in the election was thus truncated," Ingram said. Elections From page 1A ger, he decided to give the county judge the Secretary of State's perspective on the situation. In the letter, he noted how he became aware of the issues after being notified by military and overseas voters that they hadn't received their ballots by the deadline in compliance with the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act. "In keeping with the 45-day requirement, I send out a reminder to all county election administrators in advance of the deadline reminding them that the deadline is coming and giving them instructions," said Ingram. "Specifically, I mention that a lack of a ballot being programmed or returned from the vendor is not an excuse." Ingram said they give specific instructions on the making of emergency ballots so that the deadline can be met even if the ballots aren't ready.

He said the deadline for this year's general election was Sept. 20. Ingram said they sent out the reminder email and ballot advisory on Sept. 10, and a follow-up email on Sept. 17 as a reminder.

"Specifically, I said: 'Every single FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) request in the office needs to be completed by the deadline. Not having ballot proofs back or not having completed logic and accuracy testing is not a sufficient He said he advised that they will need to follow the emergency ballot procedure outlined in the previous memo he sent and get the ballots out by the deadline. Ingram said he also offered to assist with that process, if needed. Ingram was under the impression that all counties were in compliance because, when asked, no counties reportedany late ballots. It wasn't until he received a phone call on Sept.

24, that he learned differently. "I received a phone call from Harrison County indicating the caller's belief that the military and overseas ballots had not been sent yet," said Ingram. "I sent out my first email to Harrison County election officials on the topic that same day. He said although he didn't realize Taylor was the county judge, at the time he sent the e-mail, he included Taylor's address, which was in his list serve. "I asked you all generally about the success of responding to military ballot requests.

There was no reply," Ingram wrote. "I followed up with a time limit and more sternly worded requestforinformation Edna Barkett Gani LONGVIEW Edna Irene Barkett Gani, 89, died peacefully Thursday, December 11, 2014, at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, December 15, 2014, officiated by The Rev. Dr.

John Himes at Trinity Episcopal Church. Interment will follow in Algoma South Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2014, at Downs Funeral Home in Marshall. Mrs.

Gani was born June 30, 1925, in Shreveport, to Charley and Asma "Essie" Barkett. After moving from Shreveport to Marshall in 1932, she attended St. Mary's Business School. For years, she managed Barkett Dry Goods Store on Wellington Avenue until the business closed in 1953. Other employment included many years in the office of Logan and Whal-ey until her marriage in 1962.

Following her return to Marshall, she worked at ICI Industry. Upon retirement from ICI, she worked in the treasurer's office at the Harrison County Courthouse. She retired from the Court House in 1996 and spent her time devoted to her family. Edwin Odom III MARSHALL Services for Edwin Odom III of Marshall will be 11 a.m. today, December 13, 2014, at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Marshall.

Arrangements are by Sullivan Funeral Home. Mr. Odom died Devember 8, 2014, in Marshall. Mease make condolences to the family at Colby Renae Vernon MARSHALL Services for Colby Renae Vernon, 17, of Marshall, will be 4 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2014, at Immanuel Baptist Church.

Arrangements are by Mead-owbrook Funeral Home. Ms. Vernon was born April 13, 1997, in Marshall, and died December 11, 2014, in Marshall. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today, December 13, 2014, at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.meadowbrookfh.com POLICE REPORTS Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. John Lennon Messenger I Hi'. unwind News Pending Loans Albret L. Beall LONGVIEW Services for Albret L. Beall are pending with Stanmore Funeral Home.

Mr. Beall died Friday. Stanley Earl Buckland LINDEN Services for Stanley Earl Buckland, 58, formerly of Linden, are pending with Reeder-Davis Funeral Home, Linden. Mr. Buckland died Wednesday.

Luberta (Bracy) Fullilove MARSHALL Services for Luberta (Bracy) Fullilove, 65, of Fort Worth, are pending with Lewis Funeral Home. Mrs. Fullilove died Wednesday. Datron Antoine Jones LONGVIEW Services for Datron Antoine Jones are pending with Stan-more Funeral Home. Mr.

Jones died Wednesday. $100 With Approved Credit on -Frigs Jackie Degner 903-938-1241 This Qlw AQifttkey WillLwe! Slow Friday for several local law enforcement agencies 308 N. Washington Marshall, TX 75670 Sum Pension Option, Her Majesty's Hammers, Pelican Bay Mixes, Camille Beckman Lotions, Candles Galore and much more! From Staff Reports Other than a couple minor cases of burglary, speeding and graffiti, Thursday, and Friday as of press time, have been slow for local law enforcement agenicies in terms of arrests. Here's what has been reported so far: Arrests reported by Marshall Police Department Christopher Alan Perry, Matthewson Drug Company 717 South Washington (903) 938-6741 Kindergarten teacher gives back to community through If You Have A Lump 1308 Poplar, speeding, Thursday Patrick Matthew Rose, 910 A. Cole burglary of building, Thursday.

Joshua Tray King, 826 Sam Hall Hallsville, graffiti worship burialpublic monumentschool, Thursday. Cameron Allen Shaver, 2066 FM 726W, burglary of building, Thursday. Boys Girls Club Fields ISD teams, the Marshall Mavericks, because she graduated from there, and Tatum High School, because her nephew attends there. If she could invite anyone to dinner, dead or alive, famous or not, she chose Jesus. "As much as I want to see my dad one more time, as he died suddenly in 2011 on an Elysian Fields open house night, I would have to say, Jesus," Bowers said.

"I would want to ask Jesus why he did it for us die. Then of course, I would ask, what can I do better to make it up to Him and God, and how to help others do the same," she said. As to what she would serve Jesus for dinner, Bowers smiled, "I would probably do fish, tilapia, which is clean fish, for him Fish did feed the 5,000." "I survive each day with God have to be prayed up, and ready for my day. I wouldn't do it without Him, and if I do, I am in for a rude awakening," she said 2480 James Marshall Gregg Co. Warrant for theft of property more than $20, less than $500 by check, speeding, Thursday.

Incidents reported to Marshall Police Department Credit card abuse: 1700 block of N. East End Boulevard, Monday. Theft over $50, under $500: 1800 block of Gatewood Street, for kids who can't afford it or actually have somewhere to go," she said. Working as the Elysian Fields unit director for the Big Pines has been good for Bowers. "It has brought everything to come back full circle back to me," Bowers said.

In her 10th year as an educator, Bowers' day begins early. "I drag my child out bed, every morning. We fly to school and start my day with my little kindergarteners. I en- joy teaching their letters and sounds to encourage them to read," she said, Her class works on craft and activities, and learning and fun center times. "I teach lan- guage, reading, math, science, social studies and social skills," she said.

After the regular school day ends, Bowers puts on her hat as the unit director for the Boy Thursday. Criminal mischief: 1000 block of Norwood Street, Thursday. Assault: 2000 block of Nor-wood Street, assault famhouse mem impede breathcirc, Thursday. Arrests reported by the Harrison County Sheriffs Office Eduardo Sanchez Castillo, Girls Club. "I go to work in the gym where we hold the after-school program for the Boys Girls Club.

I enjoy some more time helping and assisting with homework and modeling positive and safe behavior," she said. Bowers enjoys her jobs tremendously. "I love the newness with the kids everyday. It is always something different," she said, "Then, when the light comes on that they actually can read, that is exciting to me them." "This job is not easy. I hear people say that teaching is.

It is not. It does take patience," Bowers said. In her spare time, Bowers does the basics. "I sleep, spend time with my family (son, mom, sisters and nephew) and a little television. Thursday night is must see TV," she said, "I do love sports and exercise if I can get it in." A big sports fan, Bowers supports the Dallas Cowboys, the San Antonio Spurs, all Elysian You Have Choices.

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Rebecca Holland RHOLWNDMARSHALLNEWSMESSENGER.COM When Tammara Bowers, 43, graduated from Marshall High School in 1989, she headed into the Army. The mother of 13 year old, Quindon Jefferson-Bowers, Bowers served in Desert Storm. After coming back to the states, Bowers got a bachelor in business personnel at the University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 Tammara Bowers Stoney Thomas, AAMS Financial Advisor 1900 South Washington, Suite Marshall, TX 75670 903-938447 www.edwardjones.com Member sipc and a masters in elementary education from the University of Phoenix. Then she started her career as a kindergarten teacher. "I knew I always loved working with kids.

I babysat when I was 12," Bowers said, "I wanted to start my own daycare, but then I took to the route to teach, and now I love it." She teaches at Elysian Fields Elementary School. "I still want to form an after-school and summer program.