Shelby County Today

06/05/2023

Mae Dell Brannen, 100, was born September 18, 1922 and died June 3, 2023, in Center, Texas.

Memorial service will be June 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with Mary Lynn Tinkle officiating.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Center, Texas.

She graduated from North Louisiana Sanitarium in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1945 as a Registered Nurse working most of her career in Lufkin, Texas.  She loved to play 42 and Bingo.

She is survived by: 
Daughter, Brenda Applequist
Grandson, Cary Applequist

Numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Brannen and son-in-law, Ed Applequist.

The family would like to thank Focused Care of Center for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

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

06/01/2023

Chad Jason Daniels, 52, of Center, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Center. Born August 14, 1970, Chad is the son of Willie “Jack” Daniels and Sammie Jo Keltner Daniels.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta Wilburn Daniels of Center; children, Dylan “Doh” Daniels of Center and Skylar Jo Daniels of Center; special buddy, Waylon; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Preceded in death by his parents, Willie “Jack” Daniels and Sammie Jo Keltner Daniels; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Johnnie and Elmer Ray Wilburn.

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

05/30/2023

Tracy Gwen Garrett, 65, of Center, Texas transitioned on Monday, May 29, 2023, in Lufkin, Texas. Tracy was born to C W and Gwendolyn Waterhouse Garrett in Center, Texas on June 15, 1957.  

Visitation will be held Friday, June 2, 2023, at Hicks Memorial Chapel from the hours of 1pm to 7pm Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Mt. Zion CME Church from the hours of 12-noon to 2pm. 

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 2pm at Mt Zion CME Church at 921 Martin Luther King Dr. Center, Texas 75935. Rev. Richard Edwards will be officiating. Committal will be at Westview Cemetery. Repass will be at Windham Civic Center 146 Express Center, Texas.

Tracy is a member of the 1975 Center High School class.  Tracy was a faithful member of the Mt. Zion CME Church and served as the announcing clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, and a member of the stewardess board.  

Tracy supported her family by working at Tyson Foods for 20 plus years.  Also, she served the Jones family for many years and other jobs in Center, Texas. 
Tracy was a friend to all and true social butterfly that never met a stranger.  

Mrs. Tracy Garrett is survived by:  

Daughters:
Casheena (Phillip) Chaney
Carnisha Garrett (Demarious)

Grandchildren: 
Alaisia Garrett
Kaleb Chaney
Kea Mann
Demarious Mann Jr.
Kailey Chaney
Kamille Chaney 

Great-grandchild, Ke’Ayln Stanley

Parents, C W and Gwendolyn Garrett 

Sister, Sherry (Thomas) Henderson

Brother, Kim (Felica) Garrett 

A host of nieces, nephews, and special friends

In lieu of flowers, make memorial donations to M D Anderson Foundation and Hospice in the Pines.  You can find the link on our website. 

Service entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Center, Texas 75935

Please visit the Hicks Mortuary website for online condolences at www.hicksmortuary.net

05/30/2023

Jennifer Denise Gray-White, 40, of Center, Texas, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at CHI St. Luke Baylor Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was born February 21, 1983, in Center, Texas, to Jonathan Gray and Nancy (Berry) Gray.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mangum Funeral Home, on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 1pm with Rev. Anthony Jackson officiating.  

Jen was born and raised in Center, Texas. She graduated from Center High School, the Class of 2001. In 2011 she married the love of her life, Garnet White Ill. The two spent over 13 years together. Jen enjoyed laughing, spending time with family, friends, and was always the life of the party. She loved her husband, children, and family dearly. She was an outstanding cook and interior decorator. She enjoyed trying new recipes, watching cooking shows, mukbangs, and grilling. All of her loved ones had a special entree or dessert of hers they loved and would often request her to make. She was a Daddy’s Girl. She did it all. From field dressing deer to scaling fish with a spoon. Jen worked serving others as a private caretaker as her heart was focused on serving others. She was a very compassionate, kindhearted, and thoughtful person. She was full of charisma and had a magnetic personality that will be truly missed. 

Jennifer is survived by:

Her loving husband, Garnet White III

Children:
Austin Randle
Cali White

Bonus children:
Isaiah White
Sean White

Mother, Nancy Gray

Grandmother, Lurline Wade

Brother, DeQuinn Nickerson and wife Stephanie

Sisters:
Katina Hubbard and husband Greg
Jessica Watts and husband Justin

Nieces:
Sykera Hubbard (CaDarius)
Kylie Hubbard
Lia Nickerson

Great-Niece, Essence Evans

Nephews:
Gregory Hubbard Jr.
Jaxon Watts
Levin Nickerson

Special cousins:
Carlos Berry and wife Veronica
Valerie Moore and husband Jeremy
Regina Patton
Courtney Dock

Special friends:
Katrina Starling and husband Cory
Sara Garcia and husband Maro
Shellie Jackson (Dakota)
Shanika Collins
Jarvis Hubbard
Nykoha White 
Cathy Duthu

And numerous family members, friends, aunts, and uncles that will miss her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her father, Jonathan Gray; great-aunt, Lucille Gray; special friend Christina Jackson. 

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

05/25/2023

Becky Rogers Walton of the Hunter Community, (De Soto Parish Louisiana) was born on Halloween, and this explains a lot if you really knew her, October 31, 1947 in Logansport, Louisiana, to the late M.O. “Jack” Rogers and Gloria Brossette Rogers.  Much to her dismay, she lived her entire life right there on “the hill“. Well, actually, after her children were grown and moved out, she and Pa built her dream home down in front of the big pond, (rest assured, the timing of that decision was thoroughly discussed by said children) and she was quite content staying at home after that.  Ma left here and took her first breath of Heavenly air, no longer needing oxygen, no longer needing anything, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Willis-Knighton Pierremont Medical Center in Shreveport, at the age of 75. She was thoroughly worn out and ready to go HOME.

She was “Rosebud” to her husband of almost 57 years, Sam Walton. Whenever she met someone new, during the course of conversation, she would end up telling them she was married to Sam Walton. Then, when the look of surprise and shock came across their face she would follow up by saying “don’t get excited, it’s definitely not that one”.  We think the best years of their marriage weren’t when they were young and carefree, but, oddly enough, in recent years. It’s been such a blessing for both of them to faithfully and dutifully take care of each other throughout their health challenges. Of course We kids just assumed that they didn’t trust us to do it right so they had no other choice but rely on each other. Overall, that was probably a wise decision.

She’s also survived by her first born, her daughter Sonya Lynette “Cissy” Dearman of Hunter Louisiana, who she punished by giving her that hideous first and middle name. We always felt it was because Ma hated her first name so much, which you’ll notice we didn’t mention in this obituary, so she chose Cissy’s name with a sort of “misery loves company” ideology. She had a great love for her son-in-law, Jim Dearman, thinking he had no clue what he was getting into when he married into the family and she really felt sorry for him.

Realizing, after having Cissy a few years, that they could surely do better, they had a son, Michael Walton, who lives in Sheridan Arkansas. She was always concerned about him because he had the same personality, disposition and mouth that she had, so she knew he would either do great things in life or end up in prison. She died still unsure how that will ultimately turn out.  Needless to say, after having both children for several years, they just decided to cut their losses and wait for grandkids.

We weren’t planning to mention them, the granddaughters that is, but we’re really not sure what havoc Ma might be able to wreak from the great beyond, so we’re reluctantly putting them in here.  Reason being, once Lindsay Carpenter and Kristin Dearman were born, they seemed to do no wrong in Ma’s eyes, and yes we were all more than a little jealous. Of course Ma knew this and it seemed to motivate her. Oh, and we can’t forget her grandson-in-law, Clay Carpenter, who she put in the same area of concern as her son-in-law. Our little family didn’t come with warning labels, so Ma just felt like she’d have to pray extra hard for them.  Later, when the great grandchildren came on-scene, Elias, Evlynn “Evie”, Winter and Samuel, we just gave up any hopes of future recognition whatsoever.

Ma was an extremely gifted person when it came to making pretty things out of nothing. She dabbled in more types of arts and crafts then we could possibly remember to mention. Unknown numbers of people, who never met her, have eaten a piece of wedding, birthday, or other occasion cake that she baked and decorated. If you knew Ma, you know she loved her animals, and we sincerely hope that her mansion in heaven has a backyard full of peacocks. Mainly because she had more animals than Noah, yet reminded us constantly, that the one thing she didn’t have was a peacock. Over the years, she raised hundreds of dogs. Well, Pa raised them mostly, but make no mistake it was under her direction. She always rooted for the underdog in any situation, and that crossed over into her animals as well. She especially liked her dogs when they got old and toothless and wheezed just a little, because she felt like she was in better shape than they were. If all the dogs weren’t enough, she decided about the time Pa retired that they needed to have an ostrich farm. She was always a little apprehensive about his retiring after only being home every other week during his entire offshore oil career, so no one at that time, Pa included, was really sure if this venture was for hobby, for profit, or if she was perhaps just setting him up to get rid of him, just in case his being at home full-time got on her nerves.  Lord knows Pa was an ostrich kick away from Glory on several occasions. In the end it all turned out fine and everyone made it through that phase pretty much unscathed, except the poor traumatized people who reported Bigfoot sightings when the ostriches escaped and roamed freely through western De Soto Parish for a time there at the end. She was a career person….well kind of. She worked in numerous occupations through the years, until she got tired of the work or the people at work and then she would come to the house, regroup, and set off on her next adventure. She would likely have died in Angola prison had she continued her career as a bus driver into this modern day society where everyone keeps their feelings hurt. Luckily for her, she did it during those days when people had good sense, and discipline was enacted at the place of the offense, by the person in charge, and on that bus, make no mistake, she was in charge.  Now Ma was a precious person, but both her children can tell you firsthand, and backhand, that she believed in discipline. Now, it’s generally believed (by him) that her son didn’t deserve nearly as many whipping’s as he got, but he felt sorry for his sister so he took them anyway to save her the pain.  Ma didn’t believe in grounding you, she was more a fan of swift justice. Her idea of “Time out“ was when she got tired of swinging the belt, switch, flyswatter, shoe, or whatever other instrument of torture that she had available, so she switched hands. She also worked at the school cafeteria, thankfully before hairnet requirements. She worked in retail, and she sold Avon and Tupperware. She went to beauty school and did hair briefly. She sold real estate through Century 21 as well as burial policies for Kilpatrick. Between those two careers she felt like she would either sell you your forever home, or your sure ‘nuff forever home.

Ma was honestly the kindest person you would ever meet and also the most gentle, yet if she saw a snake, the after affects would look like an Al-Qaeda airstrike had taken place, assuming of course the pilot had been a short, Louisiana country girl who likely cussed a little during the process.  She was “Ma” to untold numbers of people in her community, and we are admittedly biased, but we feel the world is a little less bright today with her homegoing. She didn’t just give us life, she made our lives enjoyable. She taught us to be good people even when people aren’t good… Or else she would kill us. She taught us to believe in ourselves, because she believed in us…or else she would kill us. She also insisted, and would do an in-depth investigation every New Years Day to make sure that we ate our black-eyed peas, cabbage, and hog jowl, just like any self-respecting southern mama would do. Please don’t think her admonishments only apply to her immediate family. Y’all don’t get off the hook that easy. To anyone who has already cried, or has even thought about shedding a tear, I’ll refer you to her famous line:  “dry it up or I’ll give you something to cry about“.

We’ll end this obituary, with the only thing that she would want you to know. Through all her sickness and suffering over the years, her faith never wavered one bit. All that little woman would want you to know is that she made the most important decision of her life many years ago,  and that she was a blood bought, born again, child of the true living God, and He saw her through 75 years on this earth, and now she’s home for an eternity with Him in Heaven. We laugh at this obituary, because for the child of God, “death ain’t no big deal“. If you don’t know Ma’s Jesus, there’s no time like right now.

A celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Magnolia Baptist Church On Highway 191 in the Hunter Community with Bro. Michael Walton and Bro. Amador Santos  officiating. Burial will follow in the Hunter Memorial Park cemetery adjacent to the church.  Visitation will also be Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

Lord, we hope you had her some Community Dark Roast ready in an old drip coffee pot when she got there and I don’t know whether or not you like squirrel, but she can make some mean gravy. Oh, and one last thing…. Lord we realize, that you know all things, but it might be a good idea to not call her Evlynn…. Just trust us on that.

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

05/24/2023

Charles Ray Sheppard, 71 of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023 at his home in Shelbyvllle.

Funeral service is Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 2pm at First Assembly of God in Timpson. Visitation is Friday, May 26 from 10am until 6pm at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Interment is at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Tenaha in the Wood Community with Pastor Mario Osby officiating.

He was a man full of life, love, and laughter; to know him was to love him. He loved so many things in life from attending sporting events to fishing with his brother Buck, but the thing he loved most was being with family. If there was a family event happening, he would be there making everyone laugh.

He leaves to cherish his memory:

Wife, Ramona Sheppard

Children:
Rodney Gray
Charles Sheppard, Jr. (Launa)
Monica Chatman (Phillip)
Derrick Sheppard
Kajlauna Gray
Chadrick Sheppard (Jackie)
Cornelius Gray (Kattie)
Charlotte Jallow (Cherno)
Kristen Sheppard
Kimberly Sheppard
Christopher Sheppard
Mario Osby (Teresa)
Michael Osby (Val)
Caira Osby (Sam)
Sahara Osby (Kristi)

43 Grandchildren

26 Great-Grandchildren

Siblings:
Regina Sheppard
Elaine Brooks (Edward)
Delores Earl (Bennett)
Denise Cartwright (David)
Anita Moody (Vernella)
Felicia Holmes
Iva Lee Cartwright
Billy Sheppard
Carl Wayne Sheppard
Ricky Sheppard
Floyd Sheppard

Special Nephew, DeShannon Henry

A host of family members and friends

He is preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Louise Sheppard (Bill); father, T.C. Cartwright; brother, James Cartwright; sister, Shirley Patton; daughter, Marcia Osby; granddaughter, Destine Gray; and grandson, Jamerrion Gray.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

05/23/2023

Sara Ballenger Eaves, 74, of Tenaha, passed away Monday, May 22, 2023, in Carthage.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Tenaha with visitation beginning at Noon. Dr. Bill Holmes and Eugene Bowden will officiate. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery in Tenaha.

Born July 16, 1948, in Wills Point, Sara is the daughter of Sam Ballenger and Lola Belle Ballenger.  She loved cooking, reading, going to church, spending time with her grandchildren and attending their sporting activities.  Sara was a member of First Baptist Church of Tenaha.

She is survived by:
Husband, Renny Eaves of Tenaha

Daughter, Elizabeth Maloy and husband Austin of Carthage

Grandchildren: 
Ava Maloy of Carthage
Cruz Maloy of Carthage

Brother-in-law, Randall Eaves of Huxley

Sisters-in-law:
Liz Ballenger of Nacogdoches, Texas and Janice Faussett and husband David of Tenaha, Texas; nephew, Jacob Eaves and wife Jill of Missouri; nieces, Kim Hendrix of Fort Worth, Texas, Billy Kay Wheless and husband Jason of Logansport, Louisiana, Candace Barnes and husband Daniel of Faith, Texas, Beth Smith and husband Hal of Montgomery, Texas, Angie Scritchfield of Henderson
Katie Broyles and husband Matthew

Great-nephews and nieces:
Lucas Barnes
Caleb Wheless
Nathan Wheless
Cassidy Barbee and husband Logan
Carly Smith
Julia Eaves
Jackson Eaves
Rosie Kate Broyles
Sam Smith
Anna Smith
Jenny Ruth Smith
Logan Mohr

Preceded in death by her parents, Sam Ballenger and Lola Belle Ballenger; brother, Dr. Richard Ballenger; sister, Diane Scritchfield; father and mother-in-law, Floyd and Maurice Eaves; and nephew, Sammy Hendrix.

Pallbearers will be Austin Maloy, Craig Ballard, Steven Eaves, Craig Haltom, Keith Martin, and O’Neal Jones.

Memorial donations may be made to Restland Cemetery, PO Box 87, Tenaha, Texas 75974 and The Gideons International, PO Box 83, Center, Texas 75935, https://www.gideons.org/

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

05/23/2023

Mac Warren, 74, of Center, Texas, passed away on May 22, 2023, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born on November 19, 1948, in Center, Texas, to the late Joyce Clyde Warren and Margaret Elizabeth (Goodwyn) Warren.  

Funeral service will be held at Mangum Funeral Home, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10am with Bro. Jesse Casey and Bro. Rob Merriman officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, beginning at 9am until service time at Mangum Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Wimberly Cemetery, Shelbyville, Texas.

Mac worked as a lineman for the Deep East Texas Electric Co-Op for thirty years prior to retiring. While retired he served as president for the Shelby County Farm Bureau for many years.

Mac was an active member of First Baptist Church Shelbyville. Mac Loved his friends and family, he never ceased to joke and make everyone smile he came in contact with. He was the most supportive Poppa, and he loved cheering on his grandkids and great grandkids in all their activities.  He was a strong leader and loved his Lord and family above all else. 

Mac is survived by:

Wife of fifty-four years, Valerie Warren

Daughters:
Melissa Casey, husband Jesse
Denise Merriman, husband Rob

Grandchildren:
Luke Casey and wife Courtney
Carly Emerson and husband Josh
Jacob Casey and wife Julia
Tyler Merriman
Hallie Merriman

Great-Grandchildren:
Harlyn
Quin
Kennedy
Jackson
Alexander
Reagan
Grant
Jessie
Gianna
Madison
Cambrie

Brothers:
George Warren and wife Vicky
Larry Warren and wife Tamie

Sister-in-law:
Reneta Jones

Brother-in-law:
Sammy O’Rear and wife Yvonne

Numerous nieces and nephews

He is preceded in death by:
His parents, Joyce and Margaret Warren
Father-in-law, Billie Joe O’Rear
Mother-in-law, Mittie O’Rear
Brother, J.C. Warren

Pallbearers serving will be Craig O’Rear, Daniel O’Rear, Wade O’Rear, Kreig Oswalt, Joez Jones, and Michael Warren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Shelbyville or Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center.

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

05/18/2023

J.T. (Shorty/Jake) Furlow, 85, of Huxley, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at his home in Huxley, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with graveside service at Noon at Sholar Cemetery in Joaquin, Texas.  Bro. Gordon Vaughn will officiate.

Born November 14, 1937, in Shelby County, J.T. is the son of James T. Furlow and Vera Permenter Furlow.  J.T. was a member of Lydia Missionary Baptist Church.

J.T. married “the love of his life”, Willie Mae (Sally) Furlow, March 8, 1977. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his loved ones. He loved the Lord and his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved to tell stories of his past experiences and jokes.

Left to cherish his memories:

Wife, Willie Mae (Sally) Furlow

Brother, Royce Gene Furlow

Children:
Patsy Prinz and husband Willie Prinz
Ann Hargrove and husband Richard Hargrove
Richard Furlow
Brenda Ethridge
James Ray Collum
Janet Burleigh and husband Steve Burleigh

Grandchildren:
Josh Prinz
Kristy Chapman
Bryan Atchley
Jolanda Furlow Webb
Richard Furlow Jr
Simon Furlow
Noralee C. Furlow
Stevie Ethridge
Anna Collum Sandifer
Mikayla Broadway Eddins
Karley Broadway

Great-grandchildren:
Abigail Prinz
Austin Prinz
Haley Jo Wise
Ray Chapman II
Lydia Chapman
Megan Atchley
Ryanna Atchley
Simon Furlow Jr.
Adilynn Ethridge
Raelynn Ethridge
Brooklynn Ethridge
Karsin Mosley
Adalynn Mosley
Brinklee Mosley

J.T. is preceded in death by father, James T. Furlow; mother, Vera Permenter Furlow; brothers, Harold Furlow and Edward Furlow; sons, Ricky Ethridge and James Ethridge; and grandchildren, Jimmy Prinz, Justin Prinz, Vance Ethridge, Michael Ethridge, and Eric Ethridge.

Pallbearers will be Steve Burleigh, Cody Eddins, Stevie Ethridge, Caleb Mosley, Ryan Sandifer, and Melvin Broadway Jr.

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