Obituary of Walter Stovall

The Pearly Gates employed a new greeter on August 2, 2011 when Buddy Stovall was called home. Services for Walter Durrell "Buddy" Stovall, Jr., 80, will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 6, at the Selman City Christian Church, with Reverend Ron Byrd officiating.  Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the Tennessee Colony Cemetery, Tennessee Colony, Texas under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home.  Mr. Stovall died at his residence.  He was born July 30, 1931, in Daisetta, TX to the late Walter Durrell Stovall, Sr. and Mae Emma Farris.  He attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX where he received a scholarship to play football and earned an Associates Degree.  Buddy married Patsy Mae Thompson June 9, 1951, in Corpus Christi, TX.  He began his career with Humble Oil in Flour Bluff, TX and retired from Exxon after 36 years. His work with Humble/Exxon took him to Baytown, Katy, Wyoming and Tunisia as well as the North Slope, Alaska. He moved to Overton in 1981 from Katy, TX. and retired there. He was a member and an Elder of the Kilgore First Christian Church for many years and in 1992 was selected Texas Layman of the year for the Disciples of Christ. In 1999, he became the pastor of the Selman City Christian Church where he served for over 9 years. He was past president of the Exxon Annuitants Club, a 25 year member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, and an avid worker and member of the Christian Men's Fellowship. He also supported the Boy Scouts program by being a sponsor of the Explorer Post 562 in Baytown, TX.  Other than his parents, Buddy was preceded in death by a younger brother, Lt. James Tucker Stovall. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Patsy Stovall, Overton; two sons and daughters-in-law, W.D. III and Peggie Stovall, New London and Dwayne and Kathy Stovall, Cleveland, TX; two daughters and a son-in-law, Patsy Diane Ayers of Cleveland, TX; Susie and Phil Dingler, Alvarado, TX and ; two sisters, Phyllis Fralick, Canyon Lake and Patti Hanson, Katy; ten grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.  Pallbearers will be W. D. Stovall III., Mike Fralick, Mitch Fralick, Doug Hanson, Brad Thompson, Phil Dingler, Jonathon Stovall, and Jeremy McAdams.  Honorary Pallbearers are: James Tucker Stovall, Bill Hale, Dale Hedrick and Robert Floyd. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, August 5, at the funeral home.