Betty Sharp

Betty Sharp died Nov. 7, 2007, in a one-car accident between Tyler and Hawkins on FM Road 2015. Her husband, Harold, also died in the wreck when their SUV left the roadway.

Sharp wrote the “Church Happenings” column for 27 years for the Big Sandy & Hawkins Journal.

Arlan Hays

Arlan Bennett Hays, 93, died Dec. 6, 2007, at a Lufkin hospital after a lengthy illness.

In May 1916 the San Augustine Tribune came into the Hays family when Arlan’s father Webster F. Hays, a veteran newspaperman and printer, bought the Tribune.

Arlan Hays began helping in the shop at the age of 12. In 1932, he took over the operation of the printing plant and was named publisher. He received TPA’s Golden 50 Award in 2004. His son, Stephen, is now the publisher of the Tribune.

Mary Lynn Kaigler

Mary Lynn Kaigler, 83, died Dec. 11, 2007.

In July 1997, she became the editor for the Haskell Free Press. From 1966-83 she was a decorating consultant with Sherwin Williams.

Homer C. Smith

Funeral services for Homer Smith, 82, were held Nov. 28, 2007, in Liberty.

Smith wrote the column “Informally Speaking” for many years for The Vindicator in Liberty. He also wrote for Stars and Stripes and Texas Outlook magazine.

Bob Tutt

Bob Tutt, 75, died Dec. 6, 2007, of pneumonia.

For 40 years he was a reporter and editor for the Houston Chronicle. He covered Houston City Hall, federal offices and courts, local criminal courts, politics, radio-TV, religion and labor.

From 1976 to 1981, he was city editor, and in 1982 he was chief of the paper’s Austin bureau. Tutt joined the Chronicle in 1957 and retired in 1997.