O.E. Ables,

Services for O.E. “Sonny” Ables, Sr., 78, of Flint, will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 1:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home. The eulogy will be given by Charline Williams and music by Dale and Cheryl Golden. Burial will follow in Whitehouse Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Ables passed away on Monday, February 9, 2009 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. He was born on March 5, 1930 in the Copeland community to E.C. and Euta Spier Ables. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman and loved rebuilding old cars. He grew up in his daddy’s body shop and learned his trade at his daddy’s feet. He was very skilled in his craft and repaired damaged or wrecked vehicles for many local residents and friends. He worked in several Tyler body shops in the 1950s and 1960s and then built and operated his own body shop until he retired. After retirement, he taught trade classes at Tyler School of Business. Mr. Ables resided in the Whitehouse area his entire life and attended Whitehouse schools. On September 16, 1950, he married Ruby Nell Golden and they raised two children. He attended Lakewood Church of Flint. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruby Nell Golden Ables of Flint; one son, O.E. Ables, Jr. and wife Becky of Whitehouse; one daughter, Debra Ables Orsborn and husband Joe David of Emory; four grandchildren, Vic Smith and wife Lisa of Emory, Gary Don Smith of Emory, Scott Ables and fiancé Jessica of Bryan, and Erin Ables Ackerman and husband Wes of Whitehouse; three sisters, Clara McDonald of Tyler, Naomi Funderburg of Breckenridge, and Bennie Lavoie of Breckenridge; three great-grandchildren, Tyler Smith, Brody Ackerman and Levi Ackerman. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and his faithful and loving four-legged companion, Sophie. Pallbearers will be Vic Smith, Gary Don Smith, Scott Ables, Wes Ackerman, Billy Whitlock and Jackie Dykes. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Memorials in honor of O.E. “Sonny” Ables, Sr. may be made to the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.

O.E. Ables,

March 5, 1930 - February 8, 2009