Funeral services for Mrs. Margie Irene Cordray LaGrone, age 82, of the Deadwood Community of Panola County, Texas, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at the Deadwood United Methodist Church with Rev. Mervin Scott officiating. Interment will follow in Deadwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. LaGrone passed away on Monday evening, August 3, 2009, in Carthage.

Margie Irene Cordray LaGrone was born on April 3, 1927, in Beckville, Texas to Calvin Yancy and Ava Brightwell Cordray. She graduated from Beckville High School with the class of 1944 and attended Bish Mathis Institute in Longview. Mrs. LaGrone married Clenton Mitchell LaGrone on December 21, 1946, in Beckville. She worked as the Executive Secretary for the superintendents of Beckville I.S.D. and Carthage I.S.D. and the president of Panola College for many years before her retirement in 1989. Mrs. LaGrone lived in the Deadwood Community most of her life and was a longtime member of the Deadwood United Methodist Church where she was the church pianist, taught Sunday school, and was the church secretary for many years. She also served on many boards and committees at the church and cemetery. Mrs. LaGrone was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Mrs. LaGrone is survived by two sons, Clenton Mitchell LaGrone, Jr. and wife Diane of Manor and Killis LaGrone and wife Debbie of Carthage; one daughter, Merry LaGrone Bagley and husband Richard of the Deadwood Community; one brother, Barnette Cordray of Marshall; one sister, Joyce Cordray Suggs and husband Perry of Texarkana; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and cousins, John and Pat Cordray of Carthage. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mrs. LaGrone.

Serving as pallbearers are Riley LaGrone, Nealan LaGrone, Derick Morris, Matt Bagley, Barry LaGrone, Don LaGrone, Mitch Fortner, Butch Marsalis, Michael Suggs, and Greg Cordray.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Ms. Judy Stallone and the caring staff of Marian Place in Carthage for the loving care shown to Mrs. LaGrone during her stay.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Deadwood United Methodist Church, c/o Ms. Reba Coxen, 1678 F.M. 31 South, Carthage, Texas 75633 or Marian Place, 1690 NE Loop 59, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.