Shelby County Today

05/05/2022

Billy Ray Jones, 87, entered into the gates of Heaven on May 2, 2022. He was born in Campti, LA on March 12, 1935 to George and Thelma Jones.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 6th at Watson and Sons, Center, TX, at 10am with funeral services to follow at 12. Bro. Gordon Vaughn to officiate. Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery in Huxley.

Billy Ray was raised in Bossier City, LA and graduated from Bossier High School in 1953. He served in the Louisiana National Guard following graduation. On a blind date, set up by God and a second cousin, he met the absolute love of his life, Vera Carol Bullock. They were married on October 16, 1955 in Calvin, LA. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage until Vera entered Heaven in March of 1997.

Billy Ray initially began work as a draftsman with Placid Oil Company where he worked until beginning a very successful career with Dunhall Pharmaceuticals in Arkansas. He worked there for 27 years as a top salesman. Following that, he joined his brothers at their business, Pump Masters Inc., in Shreveport, LA. He worked there until his retirement.

He loved his home on the lake in Huxley and loved his community even more. He loved spending time with his family and friends with many cookouts and fish fries. He was an avid LSU, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Cubs fan. Not once did he meet a stranger, and would always leave them laughing and smiling.

He is survived by:

Son, Jay and wife, Jada of Shelbyville

Grandchildren:
Colton Alexander Jones of Shelbyville
Kelsey Leigh Jones of Shelbyville
Kara Grace Jones of Shelbyville
Jayleigh Vera Jones of Shelbyville
Judson Rhett Jones of Shelbyville

Sister, Margie McDaniel of Bossier City, LA

Brothers:
Leo Jones and wife Merry of Haughton, LA
Mack Jones and wife Diana of Bossier City, LA
Jack Jones and wife Jana of Bossier City, LA

Sister-in-law, Linda Jones of Haughton, LA

Proceeded in death by wife, Vera Carol Jones; parents, Thelma and George Jones; and brothers, Leon and Joe Jones.

Pallbearers are Jim Daw, Joe Daw, Andrew Dolan, Jason Harvey, Jeremy Harvey, Brad Hughes, Colton Jones, Judson Rhett Jones, Doug Jones, Scott Jones, Matt Matthews, Blake Roberts, Zack Runnels, Michael Bill Taylor, Justin Wagstaff, and Tommy Glen Wilburn.

Special thanks to the staff at A Pinewoods Home Health Care, Affinity Hospice and Nacogdoches Medical Center for all their help and attention given to Billy Ray.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to St. Jude Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or Samaritan’s Purse.

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

05/02/2022

Rickey W. Pierce, 62, of Joaquin, Texas, entered into rest on April 30, 2022. Rickey was born to Lawrence and Margie Hemphill Pierce on August 4, 1959 in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Jackson Missionary Baptist Church, 11620 TX-7, Joaquin, Texas, with Rev. Vernese Green and Rev. Luke Garrett officiating. Burial will follow at O.E. Price Cemetery in Logansport, Louisiana. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at the church.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Toots Pierce; and sister, Lisa May.

Left to cherish his memory:

Son, Lawrence David Pierce and wife, Breanna

Daughter, Brandi Pierce

Sister, Kathy Seago and husband, Cecil

Brother, Tommy Pierce and wife, Tina

Grandchildren:
Brayden James
Bransen Lee
Braylen Kash
Krista Lingo

Great-grandchild, Hayden Lingo

Pallbearers will be Harry Furlow, Rudy Howell, Chance David, Brad Stanley, Jody Covington, Dale Arbuckle, Tommy Pierce, and Jamie Jones

Services are under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, Louisiana.

04/29/2022

Marcus Dewaynn Roberts, 51, of Center, Texas, passed away on April 23, 2022, in Center, Texas. He was born on July 26, 1970, in Center, Texas, to Billy Charles Roberts and Loraine Lewis.

Memorial service will be held at Abundant Love Ministries, 1426 Shelbyville St., Center, on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 11am with Pastor Everett Hall officiating.

Marcus was raised in Shelby County. He graduated from Center High School Class of 1989. He entered the workforce obtaining a position at a manufacturing company in Tyler. Marcus has three children whom he loved dearly. His kids were special in his eyes. He was a selfless person, always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Marcus loved his brothers, and sisters. He spent time with his sister who had an accident in which he cared for her around the clock until she was better. He enjoyed spending time with his entire family. If you knew Marcus, you knew he was an excellent cook. In his spare time, you could find him fishing, camping, or spending time at the lake. Marcus was an avid football fan. He loved watching and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys.

He is survived by:

Daughters:
Landri Roberts
Keeli Roberts

Son, Brandon Roberts

Mother, Loraine Lewis Osby

Stepfather, Mervin Osby

Brothers:
Floyd Johnson and wife Veronica
Adam Thompson and wife Delores
Thomas Anderson and wife Porschia
Anthony Anderson and wife Elanor
Cedric Osby

Sisters:
Candel Cloudy and husband Michael
Jacqueline Johnson and husband Everett
Thomasina Anderson
Ericka Franklin-Tilley and husband Ken

Numerous nieces and nephews

A host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.

Marcus is preceded in death by his father, Billy Charles Roberts; and grandparents, CM and Betty Roberts, Jereldine Pitts, and Claude Lewis.

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

04/27/2022

Victoria Lee (Myers) Massey, 67, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed peacefully into eternal life and the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Monday, April 25, 2022, while surrounded by her loved ones.

Vicki was born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 31, 1954. She later moved to Texarkana, Texas with her family and attended Arkansas High School. She met and fell in love with Charles E. Massey while working part time at Kentucky Fried Chicken. The two were married on June 1, 1974. Three years later they welcomed their first daughter, Andrea; then 5 years later, another daughter, Kim. And the rest, shall we say, is history.

Vicki is survived by:

Loving husband, Charles

Daughters and their spouses:
Andrea and Keith Webb of Joaquin, Texas
Kim and Dr. Matthew Parker of Nacogdoches, Texas

Cherished grandchildren:
Autumn, Jessie, and Lane Webb
Avery and Aiden Parker

Loving sisters and brothers and their spouses:
Scott and Amy Myers
Kathleen Anglin
Christine and David Thomas
Sandra and Scott Morrow
Mark and Milli Myers
Jon and Shelly Myers

She had numerous nieces and nephews that held a very special place in her heart.

Vicki was a devoted wife, loving mother/mother-in-law, a consummate family woman, and committed Follower of Jesus. She was adored by her grandchildren; who knew her as “BeBe”. She was loyal to her brothers and sisters and cherished by them all. She treasured the family gatherings at her parent’s home and relished the time with all of her immediate and extended family members. She always was the first one to volunteer to cook a meal, or bring trinkets or toys for her grandbabies when she came to visit. She was a dog-lover (with a particular affinity for dachshunds), and was especially fond of traveling with Charles in their fifth wheel. They did so for many years until settling down in Nacogdoches to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Vicki is preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Betty Myers.

Our family expresses our sincerest gratitude for the emotional and spiritual support in the form of encouraging thoughts, love, prayers, and meals provided by so many. We also share our gratefulness for the loving care and support given to Vicki over the last two years from Sophia, Terri, Oiga and Dawn from Heart to Heart Hospice, as well as Kathy and Sandy from Nacogdoches Treatment Center. Your giftings for caring for those in transition was so helpful for our family.

We will hold a Celebration of Life service on May 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at New Hope Baptist Church in Gary, Texas. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Vicki’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hope Baptist Church or Nacogdoches Treatment Center in memory of Vicki Massey.

Services are under the direction of McNutt Funeral Home, Lufkin, Texas.

04/25/2022

Aubrey J. Dry Sr., of Jasper, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 24, 2022. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life will be held at Shultz Funeral Home in Jasper on Friday, April 29, 2022. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with services to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Holly Grove Cemetery in Holly Grove, Texas near Livingston at 2 p.m.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy Dry Sr. and Willie Alvera Wicker Dry, his brother Roy Dry Jr., sister Eleanor “Auntie” Perry, and sister Joan Birge.

He is survived by:

Beloved wife of 61 years, Earlene Dry

Children:
Renee Waggener and husband Clay of Jasper
Aubrey J. Dry Jr. of Jasper
Ronnie Dry and wife Gloria of Houston
Eddie Dry and wife Brady of Beaumont

Sister, Laura Berry of Corpus Christi, Texas

Brother, Audley Dry and wife Pam of Victoria, Texas

Grandchildren:
Clayanne Spadaccini and husband Michael of Jasper
Jill Beatty and husband Cedric of Jasper
Jacob Waggener of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Lawson Dry and wife Krista of Brookeland
Lacy Jordan and husband Derek of Splendora

Great-grandchildren:
Camden and Claire Spadaccini
Braelyn and Trevor Beatty
Jaeya Waggener
Arabella, Mary, Evelyn and Chasen Jordan

Aubrey was born on the farm in Shelbyville, Texas in 1940, the fifth of six children in his family. His parents, not being well educated, always stressed the importance of getting an education. He worked hard on the farm and in school and graduated as an honor student from Shelbyville High School in 1958. Coming from a small school, he began college at Lee Junior College, where he lived with his oldest sister. It was at Lee College that he met his future wife, Earlene Albright (Dry) and the two were soon married while attending college. He worked during the summer doing construction and saved for his tuition each year while his wife Earlene worked full time as a bank teller. During his second year of college his father passed away. This only made him try harder to get his college education that his father wanted him to receive. After junior college he began school at Lamar University and majored in Civil Engineering. While at Lamar he worked as a student assistant for the head of the civil engineering department. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in June 1963 from Lamar University. He immediately began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he soon attained his Professional Engineer license. One of his first assignments was finishing portions of the seawall and jetty systems in Galveston, Texas. He moved his family near his projects back then, and had homes in League City, Port Arthur and Nederland, Texas where he worked as the Project Engineer building the Gulfgate Bridge, (now renamed to MLK Bridge) connecting Texas and Louisiana at Pleasure Island. He moved his family to Jasper, Texas in 1972 to manage the Sam Rayburn and Town Bluff / Dam-B projects as the Resident Project Engineer until his retirement in 1999, following 36 years of service. He achieved the rank of GS-13 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is equivalent to the Army rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was commonly referred to as “Chief” by his colleagues at the Corps of Engineers.

Aubrey enjoyed collecting coins, postal stamps, and his favorite of all time; railroad ‘date nails’. He had a vast collection of ‘date nails’ and was a life-long member of the Texas Date Nail Collectors Association. He was an avid gamesman and enjoyed playing a game of dominos where 42 and Moon were his favorites. He could usually be heard saying “I shoot the moon” or “shoot it”…as he often did…and he often won! He was an avid genealogist and historian and began tracing the Dry family tree back in the early 1970’s and was still active in genealogy until a few short years ago. He traced the Dry family back to the 1600’s where he discovered the family name “Dry” was originally “Dürr” before his 5th Great-Grandfather migrated to America in the 1750’s. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Jasper County Historical Society.

Above all, he was a loving family man, a hard worker, and the backbone of our family.  He has always encouraged his children and grandchildren in all endeavors whether they were in play, work or school. He never said that he did not have time to answer questions, and could easily tutor his children in algebra and higher math even after being out of college for nearly 20 years. He always stressed the importance of loving God, home and country and to always treat others in a manner that you would like to be treated. Your kind thoughts and prayers will be a blessing to his beloved family.

Condolences can be posted at www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com or on Facebook at Shultz Funeral Home and Crematory.

04/22/2022

Willie Charles Eberenz, 89, of Center, Texas, passed away on April 22, 2022, in Center, Texas. He was born on December 8, 1932, in Dallas, Texas, to the late Will Eberenz and Marie Winklemann Eberenz. 

Funeral service will be held at Mangum Funeral Home, on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 2pm with Bro. Ozay Ford officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center, Texas.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Monday, April 25, 2022, beginning at 12PM until service time at Mangum Funeral Home. 

Willie grew up in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Highland Park High School. He joined the United States Army and proudly served his country. Willie moved to Shelby County in the 1950’s where he met the love of his life, Marcia Lamkin. The two became acquainted at the Ford Motor Company where she was employed. They were married on July 14, 1956. Together they raised two wonderful sons, Charles and Bradley. He was a dedicated family man taking care of his wife Marcia until his passing. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Willie enjoyed spending time outdoors on the farm. He loved gardening, and watching pretty flowers grow. He loved the Lord and was a member of St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Center. 

He is survived by: 
His loving wife, Marcia

Sons:
Charles Eberenz, and wife, Ronda
Bradley Eberenz

Sister, Annie Robertson

Grandchildren: 
Landon Vidrine, and wife, Amber
Cade Eberenz, and wife, Jessica
Colton Eberenz, and wife, Emily
Zane Eberenz
Zoie Eberenz

Great-grandchildren:
Ali Vidrine
Gage Vidrine
Jaxx Fisher
Bryce Eberenz
Brennen Eberenz
Luxe Eberenz
Ashtin Eberenz

A host of family and friends that will miss him dearly

Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Will and Marie Eberenz; and sister, Mary Ruston.  

Pallbearers serving will be Landon Vidrine, Cade Eberenz, Colton Eberenz, Zane Eberenz, Gage Vidrine, and Mitchell Anthony.

To send condolences or to sigh and online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

Magnum Funeral Home, Center is in charge of arrangements.

04/22/2022

Bobby Harold Hataway, age 80 passed away quietly in the hospital surrounded by his family on April 16, 2022.

Funeral Service: 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment: 1:00 p.m. May 9th, at DFW National Cemetery Family only burial. Services conducted by Dr. Don Wills, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2022 in Mount Olivet Chapel (Breyley Room)

Bob was born June 23, 1941 to Amos Martin Hataway and Odessa Myers Hataway in Center, TX.

Bob attended Texas A&M for 2 years after graduating high school in 1959 in Center, TX.

He left A&M to serve in the Air Force. After his honorable discharge from his military service, he worked various jobs finally starting a business with his father building wooden pallets in Houston, TX. He bought out his dad when he retired.

It was in Houston that he met the love of his life, Carol Engelhardt Hataway, a whirlwind romantic time of 5 months until marriage in 1968 that lasted over 50 years. They started their family and had one daughter, Cathy; two sons, Robby and Mark.

During his time building his business, God moved in his and Carol’s life to change their direction to full time ministry. He sold the business, which had expanded into transportation industry, and left for seminary in Fort Worth, TX in 1973. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in 1975 going on to serve in the pastorate in Vaughn, TX, Haslam, TX and Center, TX. It was during his time with his trucking business that his desire to serve drivers nationwide became apparent. He joined the James Robinson Evangelistic Association in 1980 encouraging James to reach out to drivers.

Bob was known for his ingenuity in putting together an organization to meet spiritual needs of drivers nationwide. After 2 years in 1986, he left James Robinson to form his own association, TransAlive, to serve the transportation industry. Meeting JB Hunt that same year put the ministry on the map and as they would say the rest is history. TransAlive is an organization recognized for meeting needs of transportation carriers that could not be done before. He became a chaplain to drivers and driver families at same time.

With the help of his loving wife Carol, they put together the AmCoach program for getting drivers home who experienced an accident, illness, or injury and could not travel in a standard mode of travel like a plane, train or bus. Many times, they covered over 900 miles per day getting drivers home to their families. Carol shared the driving duties with Bob, they both served the transportation industry from 1973 until the time of his death. Through it all, he led multitudes to a personal relationship with Christ.

During his later years, Bob became a prolific poet sharing over 100 poems on various subjects. He was determined not to let his life go without leaving what he could for those who follow. You can see his work on the following link: http://www.transalive.com/LivingPoetryTableofContents.htm.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; son, Mark; and by his parents, Amos and Odessa Hataway.

Bob is survived by:
His daughter, Cathy Goodman, and her husband, John, Paradise, TX. 

Son, Rob Hataway, and his wife, Julie, Flower Mound, TX. 

Nine grandchildren and their families; seven great-grandchildren and another great-grandchild on the way

His sister, Janice Hataway, Frisco, TX

His brother Donald Hataway, Tenaha, TX.

Plus numerous personal and business friends from the industry.

04/21/2022

Marcus Jermaine Evans, 44 of Center, passed away early Saturday morning, April 16, 2022, at Golden Plains Community Hospital in Borger, Texas.

Visitation is 12 noon until 6pm Friday. April 22, 2022 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center, Texas. Service is 2pm Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Center Triumph Center in Center with Rev. George Simon officiating.

Life came to a close on April 16, 2022, for Mr. Marcus Jermaine Evans in Borger, Texas. He was the son of Alice Evans Johnson and Clyde E. Johnson and was born May 21, 1977 in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was the grandson of the late Cozella Berry Ligon and the late Allen J. Evans; the late Mavis Johnson and N.H. Johnson, Sr. of Center, Texas.

Marcus attended and graduated from Center High School in 1995 where he was very active in sports. After graduating from high school, he attended Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas where he continued to play football. He joined the New Hope Baptist in San Augustine, Texas at a very early age and remained there until his death. Marcus was employed by Total Safety as a foreman which required him to travel out of state and any cities in the state of Texas. He was in his 7th year and resided in Beaumont, Texas.

He is survived by:

Children:
Daughter, Kalea Evans of Center
Son, Sydarius Evans of Shelbyville

Grandchildren:
Zy’Kevius Villegas of Center
Todd and A’Ryanna Bean of Center

Mother, Alice Evans Johnson of Center

Father, Clyde E. Johnson (Margie) of Center

Sisters:
LaTressa D. Evans of Center
Isurika Johnson-Pegues of California

Brother, Cherry T. Evans of Plano

Several Aunts and Uncles and other relatives and friends to always cherish his memory.

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

04/21/2022

Sharon Floyd Windham, 75, of Shelbyville, Texas, passed away on April 18, 2022. She was born on May 12, 1946, in Navasota, Texas to Charles Jordan Floyd and Geraldine Alice Simms.

Funeral service will be held at Toledo Bend Community Baptist Church, 2543 FM 3172, Shelbyville, Texas, on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 10am with Bro. Don Richey officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday, April 22, 2022, beginning at 9am. Interment will follow in Strong Cemetery, Shelbyville.

Sharon was raised in Plantersville, Texas. She graduated from Navasota High School. She later graduated Sam Houston State University. She worked for many years in a Law Library. She made her home in Shelby County in 2004. Sharon was the Director of the Senior Center when she met the love of her life, Robert B. Windham, and the two were married in October 2007. They enjoyed over 14 years together.

Sharon enjoyed many things in life, she loved to read and crochet. She loved music and played the piano many years. Sharon loved being outdoors, whether it was in the garden or fishing, this was certainly her happy place. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren. Sharon was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. Her contagious smile will certainly be missed by all that knew her. She loved the Lord and was a member of Community Baptist Church, Shelbyville.

She is survived by:

Loving husband, Robert Windham

Daughters:
Jennifer Marie Morgan Julian and Kyle Thomas
Sonya Floyd and husband Thomas

Brother, Charles Stephen Floyd and wife Diana

Sister, Rebecca Floyd Eddins and husband Carl

Grandchildren:
Skyler Jameson Thomas
Addalyn Lorelai Thomas

Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

A host of family and friends that will miss her dearly.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Geraldine Floyd.

Pallbearers serving will be Buddy Kay, Sammy O’Rear, Scott Still, Thomas McSwain, Jason Filz, and Brock Filz. 

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas.