Thela Bea Statzer Appling, 93 of Celeste, went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2017 at her home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 P.M., Thursday, September 21, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Celeste with Rev. Jim Sherwin officiating. Burial will be in Celeste Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 20, 2017 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Mrs. Appling was born in Alton, Missouri on August 5, 1924 to James Edward Davis and Beatrice Earl Sconce Davis. She married Millard Dewey Statzer on October 7, 1941 in Ravenden Springs, Arkansas. She married Ernest Appling on September 16, 1977 in Celeste, Texas. She was a seamstress and worked in the design department of J.R. Love Company of Celeste and also worked in the Celeste I.S.D. Cafeteria. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Celeste.
She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Maxine Statzer Compton and husband, Roger of Commerce, grandchildren, Wende Compton D’Andrea of Little Rock, Arkansas, Shane Compton of Falls Church, VA, Scott Compton and Kathy of Commerce, Dan Compton of Bells, Texas, daughter, Deborah Statzer of Commerce, grandchildren, Amy Hall of Commerce, Kristin Zastoupil and husband, Brendan of Ennis, Texas, brother, J.B. Davis and wife, Claudette of Killeen, sister, Rita Hudson and husband, Rex of Harker Heights, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by both husbands, sister, Rhebel Bush and her parents.
Pallbearers will be Dan Compton, Dane Compton, Vince D’Andrea, Eric Karban, Johnny Bush and Brendan Zastoupil.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Celeste.