OBIT: Mr. Donnie Apple
Mr. Donnie Apple
Well known South Carthage businessman, Mr. Donnie Apple of the Tanglewood Community, was pronounced dead at 10:52 a.m. Monday morning February 4, 2019 at the Riverview Regional E. R. Mr. Apple was 65.
Following an autopsy, Metro Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Miguel A. Laboy ruled Mr. Apple died from a blood clot to his lung, possibly from a leg injury.
Friday afternoon February 8th funeral services before and overflow group of attendees were conducted from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home at 1 p.m. with Mr. Apple’s minister, Edward L. Anderson officiating. Mr. Apple’s brother-in-law, Dr. Buckie Parsons and son-in-law Elston Gibbs delivered eulogies as did his friends, Jim Evans, David Hunter and Jerry Pack. Also at the end of the services his two grandchildren, Jaden Apple-Gibbs and Kaelyn Ward spoke of their love for their grandfather. Burial followed in the Apple family lot in the Garden of Gethsemane at Smith County Memorial Gardens.
One of three children of Smith County natives, Mrs. Mary Helen Wright Apple of Livingston and the late Mr. Freeman Ward Apple who died at the age of 68 on May 1, 1987, he was born Don Freeman Apple in Livingston on October 2, 1953.
March 31, 1977 at the Livingston Church of Christ he was untied in marriage to Livingston native, the former Rita Kaye McCormick. The ceremony was officiated by minister Stanley McHenry.
Mr. Apple and his wife relocated to Carthage from Livingston in 1989 following the death of his father to operate the Mixon-Nollner Oil Co.’s in Carthage and Lafayette.
As present owners and operators of the oil company, Donna and Rita worked side by side daily in the operation and Donnie served as President of the Corporation.
Mr. Apple was a 1972 graduate of Livingston Academy and graduated from the Livingston Vocational School certified in welding.
His favorite pastime, beside his family, was karate. He was a 5th Black Belt and was also currently an instructor at the Hunter Karate School in Livingston.
As a younger man he was active in the Jaycees and was a former President of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Apple was a member of the Carthage Church of Christ.
Surviving in addition to his Mother and his wife Rita of almost forty two years are their three daughters, Lori Apple Gibbs and husband Elston of South Carthage, Amy Apple and Makenzi Apple both of the Tanglewood Community; two sisters, Lamoine Apple Parsons and husband Buckie, Elaine Apple Long and husband Curtis all of Livingston; five grandchildren, Jaden Apple-Gibbs, Jakodi, Ivee and Aspen Gibbs, Kaelyn Ward.
The Apple family requests memorials to either the Jackson-Smith Youth Camp or the Jordan Hackett Foundation.
SANDERSON of CARTHAGE
