Funeral services for Johnnie Ferrel Hutchins, 93, of Alba, were held on July 31, 2023, at Alba Church of Christ. Walter Ragsdale officiated. Interment followed in Turner Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Travis Brown, David French, Donald McAree, Bill McBride, Jake Dunn and Jordan Hanson.
Mr. Hutchins died on July 27, 2023, in Sulphur Springs. He was born on February 24, 1930, in Rains County, to Edward Zachariah “Bud” and Sadie Idelia Hall Hutchins. He was born on his parents’ 100 acre homestead. He grew up there and lived the last 50 years there.
Mr. Hutchins was a welder, mechanic, owner of a feed store and truck driver. His work on his farm, raising cattle, baling hay and working the land gave him the most joy. He loved his family deeply and the annual gathering of all his family and friends on the old home place. He was a member of the Alba Church of Christ. He enjoyed fellowship and dominoes at the Emory Senior Center.
Mr. Hutchins is survived by his son, Paul Hutchins and wife Lori of Alba; daughter, Barbara Brown and husband Randy of Mineola; daughter, Debora McCalister of Mineola; daughter-in-law, Lydia Hutchins of Tyler; seven grandchildren, Summer French, Travis Brown, Amanda Myers, Erin Wilson, Candice Stewart, Gus Hutchins and Leigh Cunningham; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Johnny Mack Hutchins; granddaughter, Nicolette Hutchins; an infant sister; sisters, Zora Lee McKenzie, Ara Jane Brown, Bonnie Hays Eads, Ola Vee Morgan and Mabel Louise Eads; brothers, Edward Denton Hutchins, and Mack Junior Hutchins.
Services were under the direction of Wilson-Bartley Funeral Home, Alba.