Sample Obituary

A well-written obituary is a wonderful tribute to someone you love. By reading a sample obituary, you may have an easier time writing one for your loved one, or yourself. Below are two examples. The first is a more traditional type obituary and the second is more of a life story. aCremation provides a free online obituary to the families we serve.

Detailed Sample Obituary

Dennis “Ross” Wilcox

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, Ross Wilcox, 63, of Rockwall, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home June 12, 2010 with his family present. He had bravely confronted and fought cancer. He was born December 8, 1946 in Dallas, Texas, and resided in Rockwall, Texas for the past 27 years, having moved from Mesquite in 1982 to accept a banking position in Rockwall. He graduated from Mesquite High School in 1964 and received a BBA from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in 1969 and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Ross was in the US Air Force SAC ALPHA Network 1969-1971 and received an Honorable Discharge.

Ross was Vice President of Allied First National Bank of Mesquite from 1971-1982, Executive Vice President at First State Bank in Rockwall from 1982 to 1985, President of Independent Bank Dallas from 1985-1988, Executive Vice President of Community Bank Rockwall from 1988-1994, and President and Owner of Residential Solutions, Inc., Rockwall, from 1994 until closing his office in 2008. He was past President of Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Mustanger Club. Ross loved golf and his golfing buddies. He was certified by the Professional Clubmakers Society as a Class A Clubmaker and made many a golfer (and some pros) happy with their custom clubs. He received his private pilot’s license from the FAA and loved anything to do with aviation. He was the ultimate Boy Scout, always prepared and making sure everyone else was prepared and had what was needed.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Shirley Cooper Wilcox of Rockwall; daughter Amy Wilcox Rowell and husband Tom, Jr. of Heath; son Jay Cooper Wilcox of Rockwall; grandsons Kieran, Asher, Brennan and Jackson Rowell; mother Sara Shands Wilcox of Mesquite; sisters Jan LaDue and husband Craig of Murphy, Lisa Morris of Mesquite; brother Winn Wilcox and wife Jana of Sunnyvale; nephews Christopher and wife Megan, and Jake; nieces Amanda and husband Mark; Megan, Holley and Samantha; great-nephew Myles. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ninus E. Shands, Jr., and grandmother Elsie Sarah Holley Shands; uncle Nathan Eugene Shands; and twin brothers Robert Franklin and Gene Douglass Wilcox.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at Northplace Church, Sachse, Texas. Interment will follow at 2:00pm in Grove Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel on Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

“He fought a good fight, he kept the faith, he won the race!” Memorials may be made to the Northplace Church Building Program, 2709 3rd St., Sache, TX 75048.

Life Story Sample Obituary

Prayer warrior with apron strings

An amazing self-taught cook, Alma Lee Barrett baked, hummed sweetly and prayed – all from her tiny kitchen in Lubbock, Texas. “People would invite themselves over to dinner just to have her dinner rolls,” said her husband of 36 years. In addition to cooking she painted, another hobby she taught herself.

Before meeting her true love, Randy, she worked as a butcher’s assistant while raising four boys as a single mother.

Alma Lee enjoyed spending time at her home in Lubbock. While taking care of her family, including two step-children, she found time to read the Bible cover-to-cover each year, teach Vacation Bible School, garden, sew and pass on her knowledge to next generation.

“She was thankful for her years with Randy and how her life turned out,” said her granddaughter, Misty Rodgers. “Nothing made her smile brighter than having a grandbaby on her lap.”

Alma Lee is survived by husband Randy Barrett; children and their families, Gary (Sylvia) Rodgers, Robbie Rodgers, Harvey (Audrey) Rodgers, Randy (Mary Beth) Barrett and Lisa (Michael) Barrett Herrera; brother, Buddy (Francis) Pickett; sister, Darlene (Tom) Brown and their two daughters, Diana & Jill.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Misty (Cody) Jefferson; Michael (Angela) Norman; Stacy (Andrea) Rodgers; Chad Rodgers; April Martinez; and David Lee. Also, great-grandchildren Micki, Ransom, and Cash Rodgers.