E. Lightsey

Prominent Farmer Dies Erie Elllice Lightsey was born on October 20, 1927 in Mexia, Tx. to Erie and Mary Lightsey. He attended elementary school in the Point Enterprise Community and received his high school education in Mexia. After graduating from high school, he attended Westminster College in Tehuacana, Tx. where he was selected by Dean George Steman to receive a scholarship to Baylor University. In 1948, he completed his pre-law training at Baylor University. Shortly thereafter, Ellice had to return to his family's farm to help take over the operations because of his father's illness. In 1947, Ellice served as President of the Limestone County Farm Bureau for ten years. He also served as a corporal in the Texas National Guard for many years. Over the years, he took a small family farm and made into what it is today. Throughout this time he met Fairy Nell Oakes whom he married in 1968. Ellice and Fairy were blessed with three children to help enrich their lives as well as the farm. Ellice was well-known throughout the county and the state of Texas for some of the sweetest peaches, persimmons and lots of other fruits and vegetables. He was very passionate about his farm and his family. He loved his life and he also loved people. Ellice was a very generous and kind man with a big heart for giving. His passion and knowledge for growing fruits and vegetables was truly amazing. Ellice loved farming and the pleasures that came with it, but he truly loved his family. He was a Godly man from whom he put all his trust in. Heaven now has one of Texas Best Farmers! Ellice is survived by his wife, Fairy Nell Lightsey and daughters, Lisa Lightsey Hadden and Mary Lightsey. He is also survived by his sister, Sudie Winkler; nieces and nephews, Eerie Austin Winkler, Davy Lynn Winkler, Daniel Winkler, Susan Winkler and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erie and Mary Lightsey and his son, Erie Eugene Lightsey of Mexia. Erie Ellice Lightsey left this earth on Saturday, April 25, 2009 to go to heaven. He was a very loving and generous man who will be dearly missed by all, "until we meet again, you will forever be in our hearts, we love you". Visitation with the family will be Tuesday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Mexia at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Point Enterprise. Rev. James Herrington will officiate with interment to follow in the Point Enterprise Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chuck Daniel, James Trantham, W. N. Stone, Scott Holmes, Wallace Hamilton, Jerry Allen and Rick Sadler. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Sunday, Luther Hendrick, Joe Allen, David Sellers, Joe Hastings, Edwin Plummer, Ed Holt, Brent Locke, Juan Silva, Gabriel Valencia and Julio Gutierrez.