In Memoriam

Funeral services for Billy Stoker, Jr., 80, of Overton, TX, will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 25, 2014 at New Hope Church of Christ with Brother Rufus Thorn officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Victory Funeral Services.

Billy was born the eleventh child to William and Almettia Booth Stoker on July 4, 1933 in Kilgore, Texas. He departed this life on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at his residence.

From the time Billy accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, at the young age of 12, he grew into being a fervent servant for Christ. He was a song leader, a Bible student/teacher, public relations expert, building fundraiser, custodian of the church and more. Up until the very last day of his life he took the responsibilities of overseeing the business and the growth of the New Hope Church of Christ seriously.

Some of his many contributions were helping build, maintain and open the church doors when ever called upon. Simply put, he was more than a leader at the church. By being a worker for the Lord he also became the heart of the community throughout East Texas by visiting loved ones and friends in the nursing home or hospital, helping those in need in any possible way.

He also held the titles of president and secretary over the New Hope Cemetery and Leading Brother of New Hope Church of Christ.

Since 1999, he volunteered at D&S Community Services on the Human Rights Committee and was known as a faithful member.

He also sang with other Church of Christ men in a group of recording artists, known as the Wandering Travelers, who sang in areas churches throughout East Texas. 

His elementary education was received at New Hope public schools and he graduated in the Class of 1953 from Fredonia High School. 

His work career concluded with retirement from Kilgore Independent School District; but he most recently reactivated as a loyal staff member at Victory Funeral Services since 2001.

He was married to Robbie Sue Roberson and one daughter, Marilyn, was born to this union. Later he married, Dorothy Roberson with Talisa and Roderick Stoker completing his family.

He loved being a partner to his fiancé, Sharlett Frater of Tyler, TX; father/teacher to his surviving children, Roderick Stoker of Dallas, TX: Talisa Willis of Kalamazoo, MI; and Marilyn Johnson and her husband, James of Dallas, TX:a loving brother and brother-in-law to his dear sister, Willie Lois Roberts and her husband, Jessie, of Longview, TX: other brothers-in-law, James Tinsley of Dallas, TX: Charlie Williams of Marshall, TX and Oscar Roberson, Jr. of Overton, TX; sisters-in-law, Thelma Scott and Delores Roberson both of Overton, TX and Ernestine Roberson of Phoenix, AZ; special niece, Audrey Neal of San Francisco, CA; cousins, Vernon Stoker, Sr. and wife, Betty of Longview, TX; and Vernice Boozer of Washington, DC; god-daughter, Kim Thomas of Longview, TX; special friend, Josie Coleman of Overton, TX; eight grand children and seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

But the role he loved the most was being a loving husband and care taker to his late wife, Dorothy Stoker. His parents, his sisters, Berenice Irving, Cleo Rossum, Ferdedelia Coleman, Ruby Lee Johnson, Burnis Lee Williams, Delma Tinsley and brothers, Earl Stoker, Albert Stoker and Sylvester Stoker also preceded him in death.

Public viewing will be Saturday, May 24, 2014, starting at noon with family visitation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Victory Funeral Services.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made to the New Hope Church of Christ Building Fund.

Maeona was born Monday, April 6, 1931, to the parentage of Beatrice and Annie Wright in Leesburg, Texas. On Friday, June 8, 2012 she departed this life to be with the Lord.

She graduated from Douglas High School in Pittsburg, Texas. She later attended Texas College in Tyler, Texas and received an associate certification from Kilgore College.

In her youth, she was a member of New West Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Leesburg, Texas. Upon relocating to Kilgore, Texas she united with and remained a faithful member of Bates Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as a stewardess and in the choir.

Her working career consisted of domestic and sitting jobs prior to employment in the maintenance department of Kilgore College where she retired after 24 years of service. In her early years she also worked at Pierce and Moss Funeral Home and after retirement she became a valued member of the original staff at Victory Funeral Services until her health began to fail.

In 1952, she married Rev. Elder Liner and eight children were born to this union.

Her parents, her husband, and one son, Barry Liner, sisters, Fleta Jones, Louise Wade, Mildred Coe, Faye Logan and Lavon Jones, brothers, B. C. Wright, Al Wright and Rudy Wright all preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Alon Mosley and Jacqueline and Foster Tolbert all of Kilgore; sons, Dominian Liner, Larry Liner, Gregory Liner, Mike Liner and Kavin Liner all of Kilgore; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.