Barney Lee Briggs

BARNEY LEE BRIGGS, 95, of Austin, formerly of Paris, was called home to be with his heavenly father Sunday January 27, 2013. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct graveside rites at 2:00 p.m. Thursday January 31, 2013 at Evergreen Cemetery, with Rev. Doug Holt officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Barney was born May 17, 1917 in Tigertown, a son of Alvin J. and Margie Ethel Burrow Briggs. He attended public schools in Lamar County, then retired from the Continental Can Company after thirty-five years of service. Barney loved playing dominoes, especially 42, and playing gospel and country music on his guitar, fiddle and harmonica. He was a faithful Christian and for many years served his Lord by his faithfulness to the Paris Church of God. He was a friend to everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lois Briggs in 1981 and his second wife, Helen Alvord Briggs in 1995.

He is survived by a son, Dwain Paul Briggs of Beaumont; a daughter, Linda Briggs Mays and husband Mike, of Austin; a stepdaughter Naomi Petty and husband Dan, of Duncanville; and a brother, Herman Briggs of Paris; as well as several nieces and nephews.