Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who built a career along the fault lines of racial politics and battled liberals, Communists and the occasional fellow Republican during 30 conservative years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July.

LOS ANGELES -- Larry Harmon, who turned the character Bozo the Clown into a show business staple that delighted children for more than a half-century, died Thursday of congestive heart failure. He was 83.

Leonard Pennario, a Grammy-winning pianist and best-selling classical recording artist, has died. He was 83.

Dorothy Mary Blackwelder, 89, died Tuesday July 1, 2008 at Fisher County Assisted Living. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2008 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Pilot Point under the direction of Huff-Slay Funeral Home in Pilot Point with burial in St. Thomas Cemetery. Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Friday July 6, 2008 at the Huff-Slay Funeral Home. Dorothy will lie in state at Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home in Rotan until 5:00 p.m. Friday.

Alex Duke, age 91 of Albany, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 4th, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Don Clevenger, Rev. Janet Chapman and Rev. Bart Burgess all officiating. Burial will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, July 3rd, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

George Brittian (George B.) Hull, 87, of Eastland, joined the angels in heaven on Thursday, July 03, 2008. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Eastland on Saturday, July 5th, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Eastland City Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, July 4th, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland.

Kathleen Elizabeth Miller, 66, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2008, in Post. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2008, at the First Assembly of God Church in Hamlin with Revs. Ted Miller and Mickey Brooke officiating. Burial will be in Hamlin Memorial Cemetery, directed by Adams Funeral Home.

Kathy Truman Bridge, 48, died Wednesday July 2nd at UT Medical Center in Fort Worth. Memorial service will be held 7pm-9pm, Wednesday July 9th, 2008 at Oak St. Church of Christ. 1389 Oak St. Abilene, Texas.

James Shuriefeld King, 82, passed away Monday, June 30, 2008. Memorial Services will be Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. at North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street.

Lila Smith Mitchell died 1 July 2008. Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Barry Taylor and Dr. Truman Turk officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Winters Funeral Home.

Linda Davis Lane, 60, of Abilene, died Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel in Coleman. Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Oscar Lynn Davis, of Abilene, died Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at the age of 67. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm today, Thursday July 3, 2008, at the Rising Sun Cemetery. Dr. Dennis Patience, of the First Christian Church of Albany, will officiate. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Sidney Martin, 85, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2008. The family will be at 3102 Salinas. Formal visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, July 2, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 S. Funeral service under the direction of Elmwood Funeral Home will be held at Elmcrest Baptist Church, 517 N. Pioneer, on Thursday, July 3 at 10:00 a.m. with T.C. Melton and David Warren officiating; burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park.

W.H. "Bill" Hinkson, 81, rancher and real estate broker of Strawn, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2008, at his home in Strawn. Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Mount Marion Cemetery Association Fund.