Arthur Frank Cordel

Arthur Frank Cordel 71, of Newton, Texas passed away October 25, 2026, at his residence.  Arthur was born on December 01, 1954, in Smith Center, Kansas to John Frank and Izetta Birdena Agnes Latham Cordel.
 

Throughout his life he pursued many professions from growing up on a family farm, owning his own businesses, managing restaurants, auctioneer, and a welding maintenance supervisor for the prison system for many years.  

He enjoyed coin collecting, woodworking, welding, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.  Above all else he passionately enjoyed conversating with his wife, Jolana.
 

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents.

He survived by his wife of 52 years, Jolana Cordel of Newton; sons, Charles Wheeler of Winfield, Kansas, Michael Wheeler of Great Bend, Kansas, Anthony, and daughter-in-law, Elisabeth Cordel of Lumberton, Texas; sister, Jolene Price of Dallas, Texas and grandchildren, Erin, Alexander, and Aiden.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm with funeral services following visitation at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas.
 

Mr. Cordel will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In Loving Memory

Drake Conner Kelly, 16, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 18, 2026. He was born August 19, 2010, to Chris and Bonnie Kelly. Drake was the best surprise of their lives. Born years after his big brother and sister, he was the youngest sprout on the family tree, and he was the best of them all.

Drake loved Jesus, and he loved his mom and dad with his whole heart. He was quiet and thoughtful, a good listener, and polite and respectful to everyone he met. He loved his friends, his family, and his animals. He was a champion archer, loved to fish, and run cross country, where he was known for running barefoot. 

Drake is survived by his parents, Chris and Bonnie Kelly; his brother and sister-in-law, Landon and Kaleah Kelly, and their daughters, his nieces, Prairie Mae and Heidi Jo; his sister and brother-in-law, Madison Kelly and Andre Gillette; his grandparents, William and Donna Barrow and Lena Jacks; his uncle and aunt, Michael and Lisa Hoffner Kelly; his aunt and uncle , Jessica and John Adaway; his uncle and aunt, Bric and Michelle Barrow; and a multitude of other aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Russell Jacks; and his great-grandparents, Lander and Evelyn Dellinger, LeeRoy and Betty Fillyaw, Arbelle Barrow Hudson, and Clayton Barrow. 

Services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Newton, Texas

  Maxine Williams Whalen 91, of Newton, Texas passed away October 03, 2026 at her residence. She was born March 30, 1935 in Burkeville, Texas to Walter “Mack” and Verdie Woods Williams. 

Maxine was a factory worker for Visador in Jasper, Texas for many years. 

She loved her family with all her heart. Maxine also loved to shop for clothes and shoes. 

Maxine is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Hubert Whalen; son, Donnie Ray Whalen; brother, Virgil Williams; and a grandson, Matt Mason.

She is survived by son, Ronald Whalen of Newton, Texas; daughter, Gayla Beth Mason and husband Donald of Newton, Texas; sister, Wanda Arnold of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren, Chad Mason, Jared Mason and Stacy Burch and husband Coby; great grandchildren, Justin Mason, Faith Williams and husband Josiah, Kendall Mason, Savannah Mason, Brooklyn Teague and husband Levi, Jimmah Mason, Kenlie Mason, Tyler Mason, Dallas Mason, Nate Mason, Graycie Jones and husband Christian; great great grandchildren, Josie Williams, Charlie Ruth Williams, Klayton Mason, and Mason Teague. 

Maxine will be greatly missed and remembered by all who knew and loved her. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas. Visitation will be from 10:00 am Wednesday until service time. 

  June 27, 1933 - September 30, 2026

Norma Dellfair Mattox Brownson Berry of Austin, Texas, age 93, passed away peacefully at

home on September 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family in the comfort of her

home. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, family, faith, and cherished memories.

Norma was born on June 27, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, to Thomas M. Mattox and Ruby N.

Rhew Mattox. She attended San Antonio Tech and graduated in 1952. Norma also earned her

beautician license and proudly kept it current until she was 90 years old, even though she did

not actively practice as a beautician. She was blessed with 93 years of life and the

extraordinary gift of watching her family grow through five generations.

Norma spent many years working for Frostex/Kraft Foods, where she remained until her

retirement. She was also a longtime member of Bee Cave Baptist Church, where her faith

and fellowship were an important part of her life.

Norma was a woman who believed in always looking her best. Her hair was carefully

pin-rolled every night, her makeup was always done, and she was rarely seen without being

beautifully and stylishly dressed. And fittingly, Norma always drove a Cadillac—anything else

just wouldn’t have seemed quite like her.

Every morning began with the same familiar breakfast: a waffle, peaches, and cottage

cheese. The waffles were usually homemade and lovingly made and shipped to her by her

sister-in-law, Edie. This simple morning routine became one of the many comforting details

her family remembers and treasures about her.

She loved shopping, cooking, playing dominos, watching Hallmark, spending time with her

family and friends, and eating out, especially if shrimp or lobster was on the menu. Norma

could find a sale just about anywhere she went, and she especially looked forward to the

Thursday evening Black Friday sales every year. She also enjoyed going to Walmart at

midnight for the New Year’s and Christmas clearance sales, turning those late-night

shopping trips into another tradition she looked forward to each year.

Her shopping often meant a little something for someone else, too. If you stopped by for a

visit, Norma almost always had a pre-wrapped gift ready to send home with you or a treat

waiting, with Almond Roca and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts being favorites.

Those who knew Norma will undoubtedly remember the extra large glass of iced tea that

seemed to accompany her everywhere she went. They will also remember her cooking,

especially her banana pudding and carrot cake; two family favorites that simply won’t be the

same without her. And whenever her daddy came for a visit, Norma made sure there was a

homemade lemon meringue pie waiting for him, a simple tradition that became another

sweet expression of the love she had for her family. Norma had an especially sweet love for

anything chocolate. During the holidays, she enjoyed making candies with her

granddaughter, creating delicious treats and cherished memories together in the kitchen.

Sharing those homemade sweets with the people she loved was one of the many ways Norma

brought joy and warmth to her family.

Norma also shared a lifelong friendship with her high school best friend, June. Through the

years, the two shared countless memories, including enjoying éclairs together and going out

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dancing in their younger years. These simple traditions became treasured parts of a

friendship that endured throughout their lives and that they still reminisced about during

their calls.

Norma was known by many names, and she happily answered to just about anything, but

among the most popular were Mom, Mother, Gama, Grandmother, Memaw, MolMol, Sister

and, of course, Norma Dell. Each name represented someone who loved her and a special

place she held in their life.

Another very special part of Norma’s life was her beloved donkey, Mr. Gray, who has been by

her side for 30 years. She cherished him tremendously and loved spoiling him with snacks,

especially apples and carrots. Norma particularly enjoyed when her grandson came to visit

because it gave her the chance to proudly show him off. He was much more than an animal

on the property—he was a treasured part of Norma’s life and the source of countless happy

memories shared with generations of her family.

More than anything, Norma enjoyed the simple pleasure of being surrounded by the people

she loved. Her family and friendships were an important part of her life, and the memories

made around meals, shopping trips, holidays, celebrations, and ordinary everyday moments

will continue to be treasured by those who knew and loved her.

Throughout her 93 years, Norma watched the world change and her family grow from one

generation to the next. Her life was defined not simply by the number of years she lived, but

by the people she loved, the memories she created, and the generations who will carry her

story forward.

Norma was previously married to Lewis Charles Brownson, with whom she had three

children. She later married MSgt. Dennis Harold Berry, Sr., Retired Air Force, with whom

she shared 31 years of marriage before his passing in 2012. Through their marriage, her

family grew to include Dennis’s children and their families, whom she welcomed into her

heart.

Norma is survived by her children, Glenda Lynn Brownson (Ralph Morren) and Thomas Dale

Brownson (Julie); her two daughters-in-law, Theresa Brownson, wife of her late son, Edwin

Lewis Brownson, and Patty Brownson Doyle; Carol Berry Robertson (Mike), Linda Berry

Sanders, Russell W. Berry, Sr. (Teresa), and Patricia Berry Roberson (Darrell). She is also

survived by her grandchildren and their families: Candis Lynn Melancon (Raleigh) and their

children, Liam and Mia; Monica Beth Brownson Goodson (James) and their children, Levi and

Wyatt Goodson; Jeremiah Chaney (Kristina), parents of Jaxon and Jameson; Hannah Chaney

Brooks (Cy), parents of Miles; Melissa Anne Brownson Welch (Daniel) and their children,

Aimee, Alyson, Elijah, Isaiah, and Amber; Devan Brownson Hausler (Brian); Wesley

Brownson; Stephanie Boughton; Sean Robertson (Cristen) and their son, Levi; Trinity

Robertson Lomerson (Charles); Jessie Mancuso (Ashley); Ryan Berry Drachman; Elizabeth

Berry Arnold and her daughter, Katherine; Dennis “Trey” Berry III (Megan), their son,

Brooks, and their precious baby girl, Sadie, born September 29, 2026; Cheyenne Berry and

her son, Jordan; Erica Swiney and her children, Micah and Jocelyn; and Jonathon Swiney

(Stephine) and their children, Savanna, Emily, and Lucas. She is also survived by her brother

and sister-in-law, Thomas F. Mattox and Edie, and her nephew, Chris Mattox (Theresa), along

with numerous other relatives and wonderful friends whose lives were touched by hers.

Norma was blessed with three great-great-grandchildren, making her the beloved matriarch

of five generations of family.

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Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, MSgt. Dennis Harold Berry, Sr.;

her sons, Edwin Lewis Brownson; Dennis Harold Berry, Jr.; her grandsons, Russell W. Berry,

Jr. and Brent Mancuso and her granddaughter, Amy Michelle Reed; her parents, Thomas M.

Mattox and Ruby Rhew Mattox; and her niece, Constance “Connie” E. Mattox;

Norma was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,

great-great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her sweet spirit, beautiful smile, and loving

personality will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

After a long and meaningful life, Norma may now rest peacefully.

She was loved. She will be remembered. And her story will continue through the five

generations of family she leaves behind.

A special recognition and appreciation for James, Monica, Levi and Wyatt Goodson for their

love and sacrifice to care for Norma for the last 5 years.

Funeral Service

Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of Norma’s life,

honoring the love, faith, and beautiful legacy she leaves behind.

A funeral service will be held at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas, on October 6, 2026.

Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM, followed by the funeral at 1:30 PM. Norma will be laid to

rest at Newton Cemetery beside her beloved husband of 31 years, MSgt. Dennis Harold

Berry, Sr.

Location: Smith Funeral Home

305 Houston St

Newton, TX 75966

Date: October 6, 2026

Visitation: 11:30 AM

Funeral: 1:30 PM

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the

house of the LORD for ever.”

-Psalm 23:6