Shelby County Today

12/29/2021

Dorothy May Schuhmann Hooper MacLean (98) left this earthly world on December 27, 2021, but memories of her remain to be treasured by generations of loved ones.

A family viewing will be held at Taylor Funeral Home, 511 Ross Graves Drive, Timpson Texas on Monday, January 3, 2022 from 9-9:30am. Friends are invited to join the family at 9:30, with the funeral being conducted at the same location beginning at 10am. Graveside services will follow at New Prospect Cemetery, FM 1645, Timpson, Texas.

Born on November 9, 1923, in La Grange, Texas to Monroe Henry Emil and Clara Laura Dippel Schuhmann, Dorothy grew up speaking German in the Fayette County farming community where her family settled in 1853. One of ten children, she was thrust into adulthood responsibilities before her eleventh birthday due to her mother’s death in childbirth. Nicknamed “Sissy” as a child and now the oldest daughter still at home, Dorothy became the primary caregiver for her siblings until her father remarried in 1936 to Alma Schroeder.

Four years later in 1940, at the age of sixteen, Dorothy fell in love with and married tall, broadshouldered Hilton Hooper from Shelby County, Texas. The handsome East Texan and the pretty, auburn-haired fräulein made a stunning couple. Together, they were magic on the dance floor — and there must have been some magic elsewhere, as well, because their marriage was blessed with four children. Priscilla Ann, the eldest, was born in 1941, followed by Fred Hilton in 1945, Robert George in 1946, and Cynthia Jo in 1954.

Caring for her husband and children brought Dorothy great joy. Whether cooking, sewing, gardening, or cleaning, she did it with all her heart because it was for her family. She also took pride in her work outside of the home. After completing cosmetology classes in the mid-1950s, Dorothy worked for several years as a beautician in Pasadena, Texas. With her newfound skills, she could finally achieve the curly hair she had always wanted! Dorothy and Hilton’s marriage ended with his untimely death in 1968 from a work-related accident.

Faced with the task of supporting herself and their youngest child, Cynthia, Dorothy courageously enrolled in secretarial training and found employment in Center, Texas with a local savings and loan association. Her warm smile, quick wit, and caring nature endeared her to customers young and old. Her many friends from Center and Timpson were sad to see her move to Nacogdoches in 1977 to serve as dorm mother to the 150 Stephen F. Austin State University students residing in Gibbs Hall. Dorothy enjoyed mothering “her girls,” as she called them, but after much encouragement from her family, she decided to retire and move to San Antonio to live closer to Priscilla, her eldest daughter, and Priscilla’s husband, Jimmy, now deceased. Dorothy’s youngest son, Bobby, was a key enabler of this move because he purchased the home for her where she initially resided.

It was in San Antonio that she met Colonel Norman A. MacLean, a retired Air Force pilot and nearby neighbor. In 1980, Dorothy and Norm married, but unfortunately tragedy struck again. In 1983, after only a few short years of marriage, Norm succumbed to cancer. She was alone once more, but still strong, still resilient. For the next 26 years, Dorothy continued to reside in the Castle Hills Forest home she shared with Norm, enjoying the company of beloved neighbors and hosting frequent family gatherings.

In 2009, she decided she wanted to spend her remaining years in East Texas. With her children’s full support, she relocated one more time to Cushing, Texas, establishing a home on land owned by her eldest son, Fred, and his wife, Joyce. This arrangement gave her the ability to preserve daily independence, while assuring nearby assistance whenever needed. During those years, nothing gave her more pleasure than morning coffee shared with her son, Fred. While her physical health began to decline, her mental acuity was as sharp as ever. She dearly loved phone calls and visits from friends and family. She was proud to still be driving in her 90s and was most reluctant to surrender her driver’s license at 95. She still found great joy in life and in her strong faith. However, in 2015, tragedy returned. Perhaps the greatest sorrow Dorothy endured during her lifetime was the much too soon death of her youngest son, Bobby, to cancer. She continued to mourn his passing for the rest of her life and would have been bereft without his weekly Sunday calls, except Bobby’s wife, Kathy, lovingly continued the Sunday tradition up until the time Dorothy could no longer talk on the phone.

With the passage of years and continued loss of mobility, balance, and hearing, it was soon evident that it was time to make assisted living arrangements. This determination was not made lightly, and for once in her life, it was not Dorothy’s decision. In late 2020, she moved to Magnolia Court in Nacogdoches, Texas and then in 2021, when even more care was needed, she chose her final residence, Garrison Nursing Home in Garrison, Texas. The family is deeply thankful for the loving care provided to Dorothy by both Magnolia Court and Garrison Nursing Home. The staff at Garrison was particularly supportive during the final few months of her life, when Dorothy faced the loss of a beloved granddaughter, Kimberly, in September to COVID, and her own bout with the debilitating virus in December.

As Dorothy is welcomed by her heavenly Father, we remember her legacy and honor her for the way she lived her life: Strong-willed… some might say stubborn; Unafraid of hard work, fiercely independent; No one ever left her home hungry; Happiest surrounded by her family, but dancing was a close second; Loving mother and grandmother; Devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend; Faithful servant of Jesus Christ, her Lord and savior; and Proud matriarch of a family that spans six generations and includes four children, thirteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, nineteen great-great grands, and two great-great-great grands.

12/28/2021

Donald Melton, 81, of Center, Tx passed away on December 23, 2021. He was born on April 7, 1940, in Basile, Louisiana, to the late Luster and Tommie (Huff) Melton.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Corinth Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas officiated by Bro. Kevin Clinton, Bro. Carroll Jones, Bro. Leroy Smith, Bro. Mike Fodge, Bro. JC Lewis, and Bro. Levi Cohorst.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm prior to the service on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Corinth Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas. 

Donald grew up in Needville and Galena Park while his dad was working for United Gas. They moved to Henderson after his dad surrendered to the ministry and enrolled in TBI. He met Louise it is believed at Lone Cedar as a child when her dad, Doyle Harrison, was a pastor there, but they officially met in Midland when they were introduced by his seminary classmate, Amiel Smith who was dating and would later marry Louise’s sister, Sarah. He married the love of his life, Mary Louise Harrison Melton, on May 18, 1960, and they were married 50 years before her passing.

Donald worked at Brookeshire Bros. at Carthage, San Augustine, Newton, and Timpson two different times 35 years apart, he later retired from there. The Lord delayed his transfer with Brookeshire Bros. from San Augustine to Newton just long enough for him to have the privilege to lead an atheist to the Lord. Donald had been witnessing to him but that morning the atheist wanted to drive out in front of a truck and take his life because his wife was taking all he had. He realized that he wasn’t ready to die and came to Donald to find out why he was always so happy. He told him and the man left and came back to tell Donald he knew then why he was always so happy. He also worked for a time at Pace Pharmacy in Newton and H&S Grocery in Center.

Donald had a love for football, basketball, and baseball and was a devoted fan of the Cardinals, Rockets, Oilers, and LSU. He was a pitcher and was going to try out for the Houston Buffaloes, an affiliate of the Cardinals but surrendered to the ministry instead. He was a lover of music also with his favorite artists including Jim Reeves, Ricky Van Shelton, Billy Joe Royal, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly. He enjoyed family time and playing dominoes, especially 42 as this is a family tradition.

Donald graduated from Texas Baptist Institute in Henderson in 1962 with a Master of English Bible Degree. He spent many years preaching the Word of God. He was an ABA Missionary Baptist preacher. His pastorates include New Prospect, Deadwood in 1961, New Shady Grove, Deadwood from 1962-1963, Hubbard Missionary Baptist from 1964-1965, Linden Missionary Baptist from 1965-1966, Monticello, Mt. Pleasant from 1967-1968, Bethel, New Waverly from 1968-1969, Trout Creek, Kirbyville from 1970-1975, Emmanuel, Greenville from 1975-1976, Enterprise, Gary from 1977-1978, Brown Chapel, San Augustine from 1979-1982, Union, Newton from 1982-1986, Hawthorne, San Augustine from 1986-1989, Old Salem, Center from 1990-1996, Line Creek, Ida, La. From 1996-1997, Landmark, Lufkin from 1998-2001, and New Columbia, Timpson from 2002-2006. He was a longtime supporter of the Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary.

Serving as pallbearers are: Jonathan Melton, Andrew Rushing, Jason Farmer, Gabe Parks, Hughie Halstead, Joseph Jones, Andrew Smith and Kevin Rushing. Honorary pallbearers are: Men of the Rushing family, Men of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Men of Timpson Missionary Baptist Church, MBA of Texas Preachers, ABA Preachers, Preachers of Shelby County Association, Preachers of LMBIS, Faculty of TBI, and Tim Tate.

Donald is survived by:

Son, Jonathan Melton

Grandson, Andrew Rushing

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Harrison Melton; parents, Luster and Tommie Melton; daughter, Donna Louise Melton Rushing; and brother, Hiram Melton.

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

12/27/2021

Roe Belrose, 82, of Joaquin, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Joaquin First Pentecostal Church with Bro. Eric Garrett, Sister Melba Rodgers, and Bro. Derek Lightfoot officiating. Interment will follow at Brandon Shofner Memorial Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born August 10, 1939, in Shelby County, Roe is the son of Lloyd Carlton Belrose and Cecil Willoughby Belrose. He retired from iron work and was able to pursue his hobbies of fishing and traveling. Roe loved going to church. He was a founding member and President of the Board of Joaquin First Pentecostal Church.

He is survived by:
 
Children:
Wayne Belrose and wife Sonya of Center
Chris Belrose and wife Amanda of Center
Kenneth Blankenship and wife Tabitha of Chireno
Tuffy Blankenship and wife Lesa of Logansport, Louisiana
Cathy Myers and husband Wesley of Center

Grandchildren:
Crystal and Heith Harper
Ammie and Stoney Rice
Chris Capps
Kelly and Mike Hudman
Cody Belrose
Colton and Cassie Belrose
Cadey Belrose
Bill Belrose
Tyler Belrose
Gloria Belrose
Naomi Belrose
Casen Belrose
Traven Belrose
Madison Belrose
Keyson Belrose
Madeline Myers and fiancé Brett Clark
Tanner Myers
Taylor Myers
Dusty Blankenship
Michael Blankenship and Molly

14 Great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by wife, Mary Belrose; parents, Lloyd Carlton Belrose and Cecil Willoughby Belrose; grandchild, Augustus Belrose; brothers, Ray Belrose and J.E. Belrose; sisters, Hersey Porter and Lorene Belrose.

Pallbearers will be Colton Belrose, Cody Belrose, Clay Fleming, Michael Blankenship, Tanner Myers, and Kaleb Woolf.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Snider, Buddy McGowin, George Warren, and Jerry Fleming.

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

12/23/2021

Iva B. Parker, 99, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, in Shelbyville.

Graveside service will be held 3:00 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, Duncan Cemetery in Shelby County with visitation beginning at Noon at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Bro. Edward Whitmire will officiate.

Born June 2, 1922, in Blackwell, Iva is the daughter of Luther Green Partridge and Vennie Leona Frasure Partridge. She was an LVN. Iva was of the Pentecostal faith.

She is survived by: 
Her daughters: 
Evon and husband David McDonald of Omaha
Peggy Davis of Shelbyville

Sisters: 
Canova Rhodes of Magnolia 
Lois Whitmire of Cleveland

Grandchildren: 
Robin Osteen
Lee Aldridge
Tommy Hass
Jonathon Hass

21 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren

Preceded in death by her husband, Willie Dave Parker; grandson, Ashley; son-in-law, Ricky W. Davis; parents, Luther Green Partridge and Vennie Leona Frasure Partridge; and 7 siblings.

Pallbearers will be Zachery Hass, David McDonald, Dakota Hass, Noah McDonald, Jonathon Hass, Jonathan Osteen, Tommy Hass, and Lee Aldridge.

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

12/22/2021

Lloyd Wayne Kenyon, 83, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021, in Shelbyville.

Private family service was held.

Born April 8, 1938, Lloyd is the son of Ernest Robert Kenyon and Mamie Eldridge Kenyon.  He retired from the United States Navy.

He is survived by:

Wife of 47 years, Betty Kenyon

Son, Robert Kenyon and wife Donna

Son, Jeff Kenyon

Daughter, Laurie Huskins and husband Don

Grandchildren:
Kyle Kenyon and wife Dana
Colby Kenyon and wife Kayla
Nikki Kenyon and husband Devereaux Ferris
Jeffrey Kenyon and wife Becca
Lindsey Huskins
Ethan Huskins

Great-grandchildren: Knox, Rowynn, Mae-Evelynn, Willow, new baby “K”, Nathan, and Annie

Numerous nieces and nephews

Stepsons:
Tony Veazey
Scott Veazey

Sister, Patsy Lou Kerbo

Best friend, John Daniel, like a brother

Preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Robert Kenyon and Mamie Eldridge Kenyon; brothers, Aubrey and Charles Kenyon; and grandson, Caleb Kenyon.

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

12/20/2021

Rendell Marcel Horton, age 30, of Houston, Texas passed away Saturday, December 14, 2021, at HCA North Cypress Hospital in Houston, TX.

Funeral Service is at 1pm on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Taylor Tabernacle. Interment is at Buckley Cemetery Sexton, Texas with Rev. Orvin Garrett, Officiating, and Rev. Bradley Hale, Eulogist. Visitation is from 1pm until 6pm on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Garner and Son Chapel.

He is survived by:

Wife, Cristina Bedford Horton of Houston

Sons:
Jaylon King Bedford of Houston
Mason Marcel Horton of Nacogdoches

Daughter, Amari Rose Horton of Lufkin

Parents, Randy Roland and Sonya Horton Roland of San Augustine

Bothers:
Norell Horton (Bianca) of Nacogdoches
Jacolby Roland of Center

Sisters:
Amber Horton of Nacogdoches
Natasha Davis (Johnathan) of Douglas

Sister-in-Law, Chinoye Okere of Houston

Brother-in-Law, Carl Sanders Jr. of Houston

As well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services are under the direction of Percy Gardner and Son Mortuary, San Augustine, Texas.

12/17/2021

Karen Sue Tomaszewski, 80, of Center, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Nacogdoches.

Funeral service will be held Noon, Monday, December 20, 2021, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with interment following at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center. Visitation will start one hour prior to the service.

Born December 4, 1941, in Sentinel, Oklahoma, Karen is the daughter of Irving Ormand and Mae King Ormand.  

She is survived by:
Her children: 
Mary Young of Austin
David Tomaszewski of Richmond
Kathy Hawkes of Center
Stephen Tomaszewski of Hobbs, New Mexico
Rebekah Sauls of Spring
Margaret Tomaszewski of Dallas
Elizabeth Hawkins of Lufkin; and grandchildren.

Preceded in death by husband, Joseph Anthony Tomaszewski; parents, Irving Ormand and Mae King Ormand; and brother, Donald Ormand.

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

12/16/2021

Mildred Celeste Creech Webb, 85, of Center, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Nacogdoches.

Born Mildred Creech on December 13, 1936, in Shelbyville, she is the daughter of Judge John Creech and Judge Dora Adams Creech. Mildred was raised in the Center Ridge Community of Shelby County, where she attended and graduated Shelbyville High School. Mildred participated in extra-curricular activities including drama, basketball and cheerleading.

While employed by John C. Roger's Drug Store on the Square in Center, she met, and became engaged to Eugene Webb, local distributor of Land O 'Pines Milk & Dairy Products. Mildred moved to Houston in January 1955 and took a job at Houston Lighting & Power. She returned to Center in late July of the same year, and on August 6, 1955, was wed to Eugene in a ceremony conducted by the now late Rev. J. Carroll Chadwick at the home of Eugene's parents, the now late Commissioner Lomax and Versie Webb.

She was active in Music Study Club and First Baptist Church, where she played piano for numerous departments, and worked at Farmers State Bank for 32 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; father, John Creech; mother, Dora Adams Creech; brother, Elbert Paul Creech of College Station; sister, Margaret Frances Creech Beasley of Center Ridge; brother, James Raymond Creech of Bishop; and brother, Billy Bryant Creech of Port Arthur.

She is survived by:

Keith Eugene Webb and wife Melinda of Center

Grandson, Lomax Eugene Webb and wife Stephanie of Cincinnati, Ohio

Brothers:
Roy Glenn Creech of Starkville, Mississippi
Jerry Lynn Creech of Nederland, Texas

Sister, Marcell Lee Geudner of Denver, Colorado

A host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be 4 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2021, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation one hour prior. Bro. Gordon Vaughn, Pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church, will officiate. Music to be led by Barry Stephen Webb, eulogy by Darren Lomax Webb, and closing prayer by Dr. Bradly Larson, President of the Carthage Branch  of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Serving as pallbearers are Peyton Porterfield, Phillip Porterfield, Clint Porterfield, Matthew Rogers, Jonathan Clark, Justin Clark, and Jacy Clark.

The family would like to thank the staff at Encompass Home Health, Nacogdoches 
Memorial Hospital, Cecil R Bomar Rehab Center, Meadow View Place Assisted Living, Affinity Hospice, Holiday Nursing Center, Nacogdoches Medical Center, and Harbor Hospice.

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

12/15/2021

Harvis Booker “H. B.” Wade, Sr., 85 of Shelbyville, was found Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at his residence in Shelbyville, Texas.

Graveside Service is at 12 noon on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Haley Bush Cemetery, Bland Lake, Texas with Rev. Orvin Garrett officiating.

He is survived by:

Sons:
Harvis B. Wade, Jr. (Julia) of San Augustine, Texas
Darwin Wade (Lakeshia) of Grand Prairie, Texas
Johnny Lee Smith of San Augustine, Texas

Daughter, Dorothy Wade of San Augustine, Texas

4 Grandchildren, 3 Great-Grandchildren

Brother, Eddie Lee Wade of San Augustine, Texas

Sisters:
Ruthie Wynn Watts of San Augustine, Texas
Shirley Wade-Roberts of San Augustine, Texas

As well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services entrusted to Percy Garner and Son Mortuary in San Augustine, Texas.