Shelby County Today

04/23/2024

Marvin Ray Thompson (78) of Shelbyville, Texas, died on April 17, 2024, at Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born on May 19, 1945, in San Augustine, Texas to the late Tennessee Thompson and Jennie V. Davis Thompson of Center, Texas.

Service will be held at 11am Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ located at 908 Daniels Street Center, Texas 75,935. Pastor Richard McCowin of Long Star Baptist Church will be the eulogist.

He is survived by:

Son, Shadrick Thompson 

Daughter, Shemedria Jones and husband Kevin Jones

Grandchildren:
Christian Thompson
JaKourtey Thompson
Jeremiah Calhoun
Javis Thompson
Shakevia Jones
Kevin Jones Jr.

Great-Grandchildren:
Cattleya Thompson
India Cartwright
Ja’Hiri Cartwright
Ja’Zariah Polley
Amiri Jones

Brothers:
Twin Brother, Melton Thompson
Archie Thompson
Leonard Thompson
Stephen Thompson

Sisters:
Clara Dergin
Ruthie Thomspon

Service entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Center, Texas 75935. Please visit our website for online condolences at www.hicksmortuary.net.

04/19/2024

Garrett Hale, 18, of Carthage, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Panola County, Texas.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at Noon.  A cremation will follow.

Born November 10, 2005, Garrett is the son of Christopher Hale and Laura Sullivan. 

He is survived by:
Mother, Laura, and husband, Dennis Sullivan of North Carolina

Brother, Christopher Wolfe of Texas

Sister, Jessica Tarver of Iowa

Grandparents: 
Troy Massey, and wife, Betty of Center
Daniel Sullivan, and wife, Dorothea of New Jersey

Aunts and uncles:
Emilie, and husband, Joel Webster of Joaquin
Troy Massey, and wife, Abbey of Texas
Cathy, and husband, Jay Vastola of North Carolina
Daniel and Janet Sullivan of New Jersey

Cousin, Evan O’Rear of Joaquin

Nephew, Neo Tarver; numerous other family members and friends.

Preceded in death by father, Christopher Hale.

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com

04/17/2024

Rev. R. L. Cotton, age 94, was born January 10, 1930 in Geneva, Texas to the late Johnny Cotton and Lula Mae Johnson Cotton. He passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Service is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at 11am at Nacogdoches Bible Fellowship, 2220 East Main, Nacogdoches, Texas with Bishop Bennie L. Oliphant, Eulogist Rev. Kenneth L. Cotton, Officiating.

Visitations will begin on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 2pm until 6pm Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Dr.  Nacogdoches, Texas. Wake will be Friday, April 19, 2024 at Sid Roberts Funeral Home from 7pm until 8pm.

Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Nacogdoches, TX, under the direction of Sid Roberts Funeral Home, Nacogdoches.

He is preceded in death by spouse, Frances Louise Garner Cotton; and sons, Robert Lee Cotton Sr. and John Cotton.

He leaves to cherish his memories:

Children:
Daughter, Joyce (John) Taylor of Jasper
Son, Bishop Bennie Lee (Peggy) Oliphant of Inkster, Michigan
Daughter, Lois (James) Davis of Houston
Evangelist Marilyn Cotton of Nacogdoches
Son, Reggie Lamar (Deborah) Cotton of Nacogdoches
Son, Claude (Tonnia) Cotton of Houston
Son, Rev. Kenneth Levon (Marlene) Cotton of Rosharon
Son, Noel D. Cotton of Nacogdoches

Brother, L. E. Cotton (Cindy) of Duson, Louisiana

Sisters:
Katherine Neal of Baytown
Betty Richardson of Dallas

A host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Services are under the direction of Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

04/15/2024

Nancy Alexander, 77, of Carthage, Texas, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Carthage. 

Nancy Lynn Tucker was born on September 10, 1946, in Silsbee, Texas to the late Earnest Albert and Florence Faye Stone Tucker. She graduated with the Carthage High School Class of 1965, and then attended Business College in Henderson, Texas. Nancy was a member of the Church of Christ in Wildwood. She married Lynn Ellender Alexander on July 12, 2003, in Carthage.

Nancy was a newspaper editor and publisher and owned the Timpson and Tenaha News, and the Logansport and Joaquin Tribune until her retirement. She enjoyed playing the harmonica, was an avid gamer, and loved spending time with her family.

Nancy is survived by: 
Husband, Lynn Alexander

Daughter, Lee Anne Sharpe, and husband, Patrick

Son, Charlie Taylor
 
Brother, Benny Tucker, and wife, Cindy

Grandchildren: 
Taylor Harris, and husband, Will
Kelsey Pauler, and husband, Chris
Kolbey Sharpe
Canon Taylor
Cailyn Tayler

Great-grandchildren: 
Clint Harris
Cole Pauler

Special niece and nephew, Ben and Amber Tucker and their children, Kylee and Cason

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. A service will be held at a later date in Silsbee, Texas and her ashes will be interred at that time at Knupple Cemetery in Silsbee.

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

04/12/2024

Joyce Ann Walker Reaves, age 89, of Center, Texas entered intorest on April 6, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, Houston, Texas. Officiating the services will be Bro. Don Chumley of Spring Hill Baptist Church. Interment will follow the service at Brookside Memorial Park in Houston.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 11 a.m. until the time of service.

Joyce was born in Sherman, Texas, on July 25, 1934, to Joseph Eugene Walker and Sybil Clark Walker. She attended schools in San Antonio and Houston. She married Fred Reaves at the age of 17 years and dedicated her life to their two daughters, Linda Joyce Reaves and JoAnna Reaves. She was a resident of Houston, Texas for many years as well as Marble Falls, Texas. Joyce loved being with her family more than anything, and in later years she enjoyed her life on the farm in Center. Joyce always had compassion for the less fortunate and a heart for animals. She and Fred shared a passion for the great outdoors with adventures in traveling, camping, and boating. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hempstead, Texas. Following her move to Center, she faithfully attended Spring Hill Baptist Church, Martinsville, Texas.

Left to cherish her memories are:
Daughter, Linda Joyce Gilliam

Daughter and son-in-law, JoAnna and David Martin

Grandchildren: 
Christopher Phipps, and wife, Shanna
John Marcus Gilliam, and wife, Sara
Johna Childress Underwood, and husband, Joe
Lindsay Kae Gilliam

Great-grandchildren: 
Austin Phipps
Daniel Phipps
Baili Proffit
Jace Gilliam 
Lilly Gilliam
Andrew Underwood
Sarah Underwood
Jordan Underwood

A host of family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Maxwell Reaves; parents, Joseph and Sybil Walker; brother, Joe Rogers Walker; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Kelly Richardson; and nephew, Steven Richardson.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.earthmanresthavenfuneralhome.com

04/11/2024

Dana Aaron Randle, 60 of Center, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024 at his residence. He was born December 6, 1963 in Center, Texas to R.L. Suell and Essie Mae Randle Gibbs.

Funeral service is 1pm Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church, 623 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas 75935. Interment is at Westview Cemetery in Center with Eulogy by Rev. Jackie Garrett.

Visitation is from 10am until 5pm on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Community Funeral Chapel in Center.

Dana was known for his love of working with his hands, his hard work ethic, and asking family and friends 'Let me hold somethiń.'

He attended Center High School and graduated in 1982. After completing his high school career, he worked for E.L. Bruce Hardwood Floors for a few years. While he worked on becoming an entrepreneur, Dana spent most of his life working for himself as a carpenter and plumber.

In his last days, he enjoyed being around his family, cooking good food, and having a drink on the porch.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tamara Nichols Harris; and father, R.L. Suell.

He leaves behind to mourn him:

Children:
Onaska Evans of Center
Dana L. Randle-Stiggers of Dallas

Mother, Essie Mae Randle Gibbs

Brother, Marlin Suell

Sisters:
Sherry Chiles of Cedar Hill, TX
Charllette Jackson of Desoto, TX
Jacqueline Gibbs of Dallas
Melba Mitchell of Houston
Marchelle Randle of Houston
Monica Suell of Houston

9 Grandchildren, 1 Great-grandchild

Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

04/10/2024

Graveside services for Ethel Mae (“Mary”) Lee, Aaron Travis Lee, and Richard Travis Lee will be Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:30am at Duncan Cemetery with Brother Danny Lewis of Gateway Tabernacle of Kirbyville to preside over the blessings in celebrating each of their lives.

Ethel Mae (“Mary”) Lee, wife of Aaron Travis Lee, passed away January 18, 2022, of cancer. She was born on February 5, 1938, to Syble Duncan Shue and Hoyt Shue who were members of a large family in East Texas. Mary’s sister Eleanor passed away a few years ago. Her maternal grandparents were William H. Duncan and Sallie McMahon Duncan of Shelby County, TX. Mary was an artist, could design, build, and sew, and loved pets, wildlife, hunting with her husband, and taxidermy. Mary was a determined individual, raised to be strong, resilient, and loyal. The center of her life was her beloved husband, Aaron. They loved to dance to Country & Western music. Her husband, Aaron Lee called her the love of his life and soulmate; she “always had his back” in their very successful businesses together. She had a gift for sizing up the motivations of others and was a very kind person. Their family consisted of three sons, Rodney, Richard, and Ryan. Mary is survived by two of her children, grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, & nephews.

Aaron Travis Lee, husband of Ethel Mae ("Mary") Lee, was born November 16, 1939, McKenzie, Alabama of Noah Travis Lee and Alma Ledlow Lee. Aaron passed away on February 22, 2022, a month after deeply grieving the loss of his wife, Mary. Aaron graduated high school in McKenzie, Alabama. He moved to Houston, Texas where an Arkansas Football scout picked Aaron for the University of Arkansas. Aaron then joined the National Guard to serve two years, living in Pensacola, Florida. He met Mary, the love of his life in Texas. Aaron enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball teams and also hunting in Colorado, Montana, and Texas. He owned several successful businesses in Houston and Round Rock, TX. When one son needed help in business, they moved to Tomball, Texas where they lived until they passed away. They were dedicated to family and worked at helping them until they died. Surviving family: Rodney Hoyt Lee, wife Anna G. Lee, Children: Michaela Ann Elizabeth Lee, Trevor Daniel Lee, Tianna Juanita Lee, Zachery William Hoyt Lee. Ryan Vincent Lee, wife Christine Lee, Children: Hunter Shaddock Lee & Casey Travis Lee; one sister, Avis Lee-Reid of Killeen, Texas and one brother, Mack Lee of Enterprise, Alabama.

Richard Travis Lee, Aaron & Mary Lee’s middle son, was born in Houston, Texas on August 8, 1967. He passed away at age 49 on February 6, 2017, with heart problems. He went to Lamar High School until 1985 where he was named best running-back in Houston in 1985. He attended college at Blinn College, worked in the car business with his family and in dealerships in the Austin area. He received numerous exemplary sales awards, given his outgoing, gregarious, and kind personality. Ricky enjoyed football, golf, spending time at the Bay House, and on his bike “Ole’ Girl”. Ricky Lee was survived by his fiancée, Ellen Nolen Schloegel of Houston, Texas. Ricky inherited his strong faith, work ethic and love of family from his parents. The cremated remains of Aaron, Mary and their son, Richard will be buried alongside Mary’s parents, Hoyt Shue and Syble Duncan Shue.

04/05/2024

Kenneth Ray Keath, age 79, entered into rest on April 4, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Chapel of Mangum Funeral Home, Center, TX. Officiating the services will be Bro. Larry Delcambre and Bro. Richard L. Tull. Interment will follow at Cool Spring Cemetery, Logansport, Louisiana.

The family will receive family and friends at the funeral home Monday, April 8, 2024, from 10:00 am until time of service.

Kenneth was born in Houston, Texas on February 12,1945 to Marshall Ferrell Keath and Velma Farris Keath. Kenneth graduated from Vidor High School in 1963 and went to work as a voluntary firefighter for the Vidor Fire Department. Kenneth proudly served in the U.S. Army in the 54th infantry of the 4th Armored Division. He worked for Perry Brothers as manger and as a brick mason for Texaco Refinery. Kenneth proudly owned Golden Triangle Masonry. Later he worked for First Baptist Church in Nederland as building supervisor and worked for swimming pool companies as an installer. One of the highlights of Kenneth’s working career was being road manager for Bob Cain and traveling with Bill Gaither. He also worked for two Christian bookstores. After that he moved to Joaquin and built, owned, and operated Texas Eatery and Gifts.

He is preceded in death by parents, Marshall and Velma Keath; sister, Janiece Lasiter and husband, Truitt; and brother, Yandell Keath.

Left to cherish his memories are:

Wife, Nancy

Sons:
Kenneth Gregory “Greg” Keath
Milton Ray Keath

Grandchildren:
Jennasea Keath
Grant Keath
Conrad Keath

Nieces:
Ann Darwin
Theresa Tilly

Nephew, Alton John Laister

The family suggests that memorials may be made to Cool Springs Cemetery, Logansport, LA.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

04/04/2024

Randall Scott “Randy” Pritchett, 62, of Center, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in Center.

His wishes were to be cremated.

Born December 18, 1961, in Center, Randall is the son of Larry Pritchett and Leah Moorman Guice. He graduated from Tenaha High School in 1980. Randall went on to become a talented musician, even teaching music at times. He was loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by:

Son, Randall Wayne Pritchett and wife Heidi of Joaquin

Daughter, Geneva Lynn Pritchett

Grandchildren:
Chandler Pritchett
Aspen Pritchett

Sister, Martha Pritchett Rowe and husband Larry of Houston

Brother, Roy Pritchett and wife Renee’ of Houston

Numerous nieces and nephews

Family friend, Eva Spurlock of Center

Stepfather, Mac Guice of Louisiana

Preceded in death by mother, Leah Moorman Guice; grandmother, Martha Moorman; and brother, Ronny Pritchett.

Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com