Everett Williams Tooke

Everett Williams Tooke, of Groesbeck, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011, at his home, following a brief illness, at age 57. Visitation will be Monday, August 1, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend J. R. Tapley officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie Grove Cemetery. Members of the Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department will serve as Pallbearers. Everett was born May 9, 1954, to Elmore and Frances (Davis) Tooke at Bay City. He grew up at Point Enterprise and attended school there, finishing at Mexia High School. Everett spent his life operating heavy equipment. Everett married Judy Earline George on August 16, 1981, at the Prairie Grove Baptist Church. They have made their home at Groesbeck for the past thirty years. Everett worked at the Gifford Hill Rock Crusher near Groesbeck for some years, and had been employed by Texas Westmoreland for the past twenty-six years. He also ran a dozer for J. R. Tapley for the last seven years, and in addition, he gave much of his time as a volunteer fireman, serving as Groesbeck’s Assistant Fire Chief. He was also a gardener, and enjoyed fishing and camping. He loved the time he could spend with his grandchildren, and had a special loving name for each one. Everett was a member of Prairie Grove Baptist Church, and attended Lost Prairie Baptist Church. Mr. Tooke was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Thomas Tooke, and a sister, Kay Tooke. He is survived by his wife, Judy Tooke of Groesbeck; sons, Michael Tooke and wife Cheryl of Thornton, Walter Hewitt and wife Melissa of Thornton, and Tracy Tooke and wife Amber of Groesbeck; sisters, Mary Rand of Pennsylvania, Peggy Wilson of Mexia, and Prissy Fleming and husband Alan of Fort Worth; granddaughter, Jessica Sherrill of Waco; grandson, Jonathan “Poopoohead” Tooke of Thornton, granddaughter, Kayla “Miss Pertel” Hewitt of Thornton, grandson, Trace “Horsefly” Tooke of Groesbeck, and great granddaughter, Kadynce Sherrill of Waco; and several nieces and nephews. Donations in memory of Everett may be made to the American Cancer Society.