Shelby County Today

10/05/2021

Bobbie Lou Jenkins, 87, passed away Monday, October 4, 2021, in San Augustine.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Mike Belgard officiating. Internment will follow at Patroon Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born September 17, 1934, in the Patroon Community of Shelby County, Bobbie is the daughter of Thomas Jones and Thelma Monroe Jones. She retired as a Nurse Aide.  Bobbie was a member of Patroon Baptist Church.

She is survived by: 
Her sons: 
Tom Jenkins and wife Sandy of Patroon
Steve Jenkins and wife Liz of Athens
Todd Jenkins and wife Stephanie of Garland

Grandchildren: 
Sally Belcher
Caleb Jenkins
Claire Wilburn
Madison Jenkins
Sam Jenkins
Jack Jenkins

Great-grandchildren: 
Pyper Belcher
Eastyn Belcher
Deacon Belcher
Kylie Wilburn

Brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: 
Joe and Ann Banks
Kathy Jones

A number of other relatives

Preceded in death by husband, Floyd Jenkins; parents, Thomas Jones and Thelma Monroe Jones; and brother, Elec Jones.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Jenkins, Ricky Lout, Darrin Lout, James Goodwyn, Dan Fleming, and Jamie Hagler.

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

10/03/2021

Harice Glynn Childers, 81, of Dallas, Texas, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021. Glynn was born 3 January 1940 in Lufkin, Texas, the son of Harice and Myrle Childers. 

He graduated from Center High School in Center, Texas. He was a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Glynn had a very interesting and rewarding career. After graduating from SMU, he worked as Shell Oil Commissions Supervisor, co- owned Magic Gas Co., and after 28 years of service, he retired from John Deere-Dallas, where he received many awards and recognition for his implementation of uniform accounting and management systems for the 325 dealerships he managed in ten states. His other pursuits included ranching, real estate, construction, and investment opportunities that resulted in his being named Jaycee of the Year in 1964 in Corsicana, Texas.

In addition to his professional career, Glynn was an avid collector. His extensive collections included western art, belt buckles, spurs, Indian artifacts, all things related to Buffalo Bill Cody, and a 1957 T Bird that he enjoyed racing.
He was a member of Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

His mother, Myrle Laverne Thrasher Childers, and father, Harice Childers; grandparents, Thomas “Tom” Ward and Maggie Annie Thrasher and John and Lettie Childers preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death are his beloved dogs, Cody Bill and Rags.

He is survived by:

Personal friends, Conrad McCarty, Melvin Voight, Kevin Hanna, and Russ Johnson

Cousin, Johnny Frank Childers

Other numerous cousins and friends

Graveside services will be held in Center, Texas, at Oaklawn Memorial Park at 11 AM with a viewing at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be sent to Operation Kindness, 3201 Earhart Dr., Carrollton, Texas 75006 or other charitable organizations.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

10/01/2021

Felix Gonzalez Jr., 35, of Center, passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2021, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service and interment will be held at a later date under the direction of Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Raymondville, Texas.

Born September 16, 1986, in Lamesa, Felix is the son of Felix Gonzalez-Torres Sr. and Maria Chavez. He worked as a truck driver allowing him to both travel and live in Texas, California, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. Felix often enjoyed family barbeque gatherings and time spent with his daughter, nieces and nephews who thought the world of him. Felix was a kind and caring individual – the best father and uncle. He was often referred to as an “old soul”. He loved music, especially the “oldies.” He liked to read and was intrigued with the Mexican Revolution. A talented writer, he was in the process of authoring a book. A football game was also something he very much enjoyed as he was a Huge Dallas Cowboy Fan.

Felix leaves behind to cherish his memories:

Daughter, Alessandra “Desi”

Parents, Felix Gonzalez-Torres Sr. and Maria Chavez

Siblings: Maricela, Maribel, Marilee, Marisol, Mariel, Jose, Jesus, Melissa, Justin, and Yesenia

Numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins

Grandmother, Beatriz Alvarez

Girlfriend, Priscilla

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Odilon Alvarez.

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

09/29/2021

Charles Cook, 70, went to be with the Lord on September 25, 2021.

Funeral service will be held Noon, Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Frankston City Cemetery in Frankston, TX.

He was born August 22, 1951 in Jacksonville, TX to J.C. (Joe) and Vay Dell Ellis Cook of Center, TX.

As a young boy he fell in love with horses. As he got older he got involved in rodeo where he did a little bit of it all. He roped, team roped, steer wrestled and even rode a few bulls. His love of horses turned into a passion that lasted until his last breath. After he retired from the Texas Highway Department he spent all of his time breeding and racing horses. He named some after his nieces and nephews and one Ms. Vay Dell who was named for his mother who he cherished. His other passion was his trips to Yellowstone. He would spend hours scouring the mountain sides and valleys for bears.

Charles is survived by:

Sisters:
Sheila Varwig of Pineville, LA
Mary Gwen Willoughby and husband Kenneth of Deridder, LA
Rhenee Flores and husband Joe of Dry Prong, LA

Special niece and nephews who knew him as "Hunk":
Christena Alexander (Eric) of Tioga, LA
Daniel Emanis (Monique) of Center, TX
Michael Emanis (Kasey) of Hallsville, TX
Todd Varwig (Yvonne) of Hoover, AL
Jaceson Willoughby (Wendy) of Deridder, LA
Teddy Varwig (Kerry) of Las Vegas, NV
Christy Lee of Florida
Terry Varwig (Jahnienne) of Bastrop, LA
Lisa Culpepper (Cary) of Carrier, MS
Chad Varwig of Lafayette, LA

Numerous other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Former wife Betty Cook.

A group of his Brookshires friends where he enjoyed spending time "shooting the bull."

Pallbearers will be close family members and friends.

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

09/29/2021

Charles Harris, 89, of Garrison, Texas, passed away on September 27, 2021, in Garrison, Texas. He was born on September 5, 1932, in Garrison, Texas to the late William and Miriam (Beckham) Harris. Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Garrison Funeral Home, Garrison, Texas, with Bro. Randy Stokes and Bro. Blackie Cranford officiating.

Visitation will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Garrison Funeral Home, Garrison, Texas.

Charles Harris was born and raised in Garrison, Texas. He joined the Army straight out of high school. He was stationed in Germany and spoke often of his time there. Charles worked for Lone Star Steel for 17 years before going on to be self-employed as a heavy machinery operator for the rest of his life. Charles and Ima Jean enjoyed traveling and camping trips with family and friends. He loved his time on the farm tending to his cattle. He was a family man and loved spending time with them. He was very involved in many local churches. Charles will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Charles is survived by:

Loving wife, Ima Jean

Son, Bobby Harris and wife, Judith

Daughters:
Debbie Lutes
Patty Lilly and husband, Dennis
Carla Hutto and husband, Kevin
Colette Hutto and husband, Keith

Grandchildren:
Lindsay Chang and husband, Patrick
Jessica Hailey and husband, Lane
Cory Lilly and wife, Susan
Morgan Hutto
Lauren Hutto

Great-grandchildren:
Taylor Hailey
Lilly Chang
Banks Lilly

Sisters:
Dimple Lunsford and husband, V.L.
Marry Ann Swartz and husband, Gale

Brother-in-law, Robert Little

Sister-in-law, Mary Lynn Harris

A host of nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, William and Miriam Harris; brother, Wilford Harris; and sister, Dot Little.

Serving as pallbearers are Cory Lilly, Clint Richards, Chris Box, Brian Box, Wes Chandler, and Timmy Harris. Honorary pallbearers are James Box, John Childs, Richard Lundy, Ralph Roberts, and David Funk.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.garrisonfh.net. Garrison Funeral Home, Garrison, is in charge of arrangements.

09/28/2021

Longtime Angleton resident John Winder passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on September 23 at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. 

A visitation will be held at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton on September 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. with graveside services and burial at Old Salem Cemetery in Center, Texas at 1 p.m. on Thursday. A reception will be held at the church afterwards. 

Born to parents Preston Winder and Jewel Hawthorne Winder on November 12, 1939, he was named John Wayne by his older sister Mavis who kept a close relationship with him all their lives. He grew up in the small community of Caro, Texas near Nacogdoches and attended school at Central Heights, graduating in 1958. Some of the best years of his life he often said were playing basketball for the Blue Devils.

He married Linda Johnson of Center in 1965 and they moved to Angleton in 1966. He was one of the first five people hired when Angleton Danbury Hospital opened in 1969 and he worked there until 1996, leaving as director of purchasing. He especially enjoyed co-workers and the student workers he supervised in Central Supply each year. 

In the 1960s and 1970s he was very active with the Angleton Jaycees, working on local projects such as the March of Dimes and attending conventions all over the state. He coached the Jaycees Little League baseball team and worked all fundraisers.

He was always close to his family, enjoying get-togethers at Caro and going on vacations with his brother Rho. He was just as close to his wife’s family and liked working with his in-laws at their East Texas farms. Wherever he was, there was always a game of dominos underway.

He was a morally good person, one who was always helpful, trustworthy and kind. He liked a calm life and never went to extremes.

The most exciting time of his life was the birth of his son David in 1974. The two shared a love of sports that started when David was a toddler and never stopped. He especially enjoyed the years helping out with David’s baseball teams and then watching him play basketball for the Wildcats.

More exciting times came with the birth of his grandchildren Saje in 2006, Sophia in 2008 and Finnick in 2012 and his daughter-in-law Renee still tells about how when Saje was a baby, he would go over just to watch her sleep.

In later years he enjoyed playing dominos at the rec center and spending time with close neighbors. He volunteered with projects for his wife’s journalism classes at Angleton High and also helped out with campaigns for State Representative Dennis Bonnen.

Plagued with health problems most of his life, he started declining about ten years ago. He slowly lost mobility and his eyesight but kept a keen mind and never lost his ability to remember any and everything that had ever happened in his life or on a basketball court or baseball field.

Pallbearers will be Mark Clifton, Lynn Johnson, Shelby Johnson, Ed Johnson, Dennis Bonnen and Royce Lawson.

He is survived by:

Wife, Linda Winder of Angleton

Son, David Winder and wife Renee of Clute

Grandchildren: 
Saje Winder of Clute
Sophia Winder of Clute
Finnick Winder of Clute

Brother, Rho Winder and wife Juasell of Nacogdoches

Sisters:
Mavis Clifton of Nacogdoches
Sue Sanders of Nacogdoches

In-laws:
Royce Lynn Johnson and wife Isabelle of Center
Karen Bittick and husband Wayne of Center
Angela Lawson and husband Royce of Center
Louise Johnson of Center
Billy Jernigan and wife Karen of Nacogdoches
Larry Jernigan and wife Lisa of Euless

Numerous nieces and nephews

Many special people in the Winder, Hawthorne, Johnson, McSwain and Jernigan families.

Preceded in death by: parents, Press and Jewel Winder; nephew, Jerry Clifton; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Myra Winder of Rusk; father-in-law, Royce Johnson of Center; father-in-law, Bill Jernigan of Center; and mother-in-law, Maxine Jernigan of Center.

Services are under the direction of Palms Funeral Home in Angleton, Texas.

09/28/2021

L D Allen, (79) of Houston, Texas died on September 21, 2021, at a local hospital in Houston, Texas. L D was born to Eugene Allen and Matilde Pilot, Allen in Center, Texas on February 14, 1942.

Funeral service will be held at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church (3727 N. Westmoreland Rd. Dallas, Texas 75212) at 2:30 P.M. on October 2, 2021. Visitation is on October 1, 2021, at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home (6449 University Hill Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75241) from the hours of 3pm to 8pm. Committal is at Mountain Creek Cemetery in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Mr. Allen is survived by:

Children:
Darron McCoy (Toni) of Carrollton, Texas
Thomas Henderson (NaShonda) of Atlanta, Texas
Antonietter “Toni” Allen, White of Plano, Texas
Greg McCowin (Diana) Little Elm, Texas
Willie Suell of Tyler, Texas
Elizabeth Suell of Center, Texas

Sisters:
Bobbye Bowan of Tyler, Texas
Wyomia Allen of Dallas, Texas
Cora Sue Wallace of Nacogdoches, Texas
LaMerie Allen of Tyler, Texas

15 Grandchildren; 9 Great-Grandchildren

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

Special Niece, Michelle Jenkins Anders of Dallas, Texas

Special Nephew, Kent Allen of Houston, Texas

Best Friend, Felton Greer of Giddings, Texas

Services entrusted to Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home of Dallas, Texas and Hicks Mortuary of Center, Texas.

09/27/2021

Louise (Walker) Cockrell, our loving mother, sister, and friend Louise Cockrell passed away on September 2nd in Seattle, Washington. She was born on October 22, 1930 to George and Lottie (Walsh) Walker in Monroe, Louisiana. 

Louise graduated from Many High School in 1948 and then attended Panola College in Carthage, Texas taking courses in business. After moving to Joaquin, Louise worked at the only café in downtown Joaquin where she met John Floyd Cockrell whom she eventually married on December 15, 1952.

A while after marrying John, Louise joined him in Manhattan Beach, CA where he was stationed in the Army. Louise returned to Joaquin to give birth to her son Ronald at Barksdale A.F.B. in October 1955. The family continued living in Joaquin after John was discharged from the service where Louise worked as a teller at the Texas State Bank in Joaquin.

In August of 1961, Louise and John decided to pack up their family and move to Tacoma, Washington in search of more opportunities for the future. John’s oldest sister and family were already living there, and John knew the area as he was stationed nearby during the Korean War. 

Louise and John remained happily married in Tacoma until John’s passing in the spring of 1983. After Ronald went to college, Louise returned to work as a store teller for the Fred Meyer grocery chain eventually retiring in 1992.

After retirement, Louise continued to enjoy her favorite pastimes of shopping, sewing, crochet, knitting, reading, and gardening. She lived independently in the family home until her health would no longer allow in early 2016.

Louise will be laid to rest in Sholar Cemetery next to her husband John. Friends and family are invited to visit Louise at the Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas on Saturday, October 2nd between 5 & 7 pm.  

A private service will be held graveside at her interment.

Louise is survived by: 
Her sister, Delores Gallien of Shreveport

Her son, Ronald Cockrell and his husband Michael Messick of Tacoma, WA 

Many nieces, nephews, and cousins on both her and John’s sides of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charitable organization in Louise’s name.

09/26/2021

Judy Oswalt Dorris, 80, of Carthage, Texas passed this life peacefully September 26, 2021 at her Carthage home.

Funeral service will be 10am Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rob Merriman officiating. Burial will follow in the Strong Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4-6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Hawthorn Funeral Home.

Mrs. Judith Ann Bradshaw Oswalt Dorris was born October 22, 1940 in Shelby County, Texas. Judy was one of five children born to the marriage of Ira and Annie B. Price Bradshaw. She was raised and schooled in Shelby County graduating with the Center High School Class of 1958 and attended Massey Business College.

Mrs. Dorris spent her career as an administrative secretary working for Boyd Contracting, many years for Farmers State Bank and Tyson Foods before her retirement. She was a member of Central Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Judy loved fishing, bingo, making tamales and spending time with family. She is preceded in death by her parents, and husband Harold Oswalt.

She is survived by:

Husband, Hank Dorris of Carthage

Daughters:
Tammy Scarber and husband Marty of Rowlett
Cindy Schelhouse and husband Charles of Carthage
Kristi Chadwick and husband Frank of Longview

Sisters:
Rhonda Crosby and husband Chuck of Port Huron, MI
Sonya Belrose and husband Wayne of Center
Lisa LeGault and husband Mike of Orange

Grandchildren:
Tamra and Danny Flores
Allyson and Matt Griffith
Leah Bolin
Charley and Pamela Schelhouse
Christian Schelhouse
Christopher and Aly Chadwick
Chelsea Chadwick
Carly Chadwick

Nine great-grandchildren

Numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Charley Schelhouse, Christian Schelhouse, Christopher Chadwick, Matt Griffith, Danny Flores, and Christian Boulware.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.hawthornfuneralhome.com