Shelby County Today

09/09/2020

Shauna “Mimi” Kyle, 75, of Bullard, passed away Monday, September 7, 2020, in Tyler.

Before Alzheimer’s took Mimi’s memory she made it clear she wanted her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ glorified in her death as she desired to glorify Him in her life. Mimi loved Jesus and looked forward to the day her faith would be made sight. That day has come. Since coming to faith in Jesus in the late ‘70’s Mimi earnestly prayed for family and friends to have the peace Jesus had given to her, a peace that comes only from knowing their creator on His terms, according to His revealed will in the Holy Scriptures, and no longer having to fear the coming judgment. Micah 6:8 says, “Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you; to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Mimi strove to walk obedient to these commands and to be like Jesus; thoughtful, kind, generous, true, dependent entirely upon God’s help, seeking to be the kind of woman He desired her to be; seeking in all things to do His Will and to please Him.  She has now heard her Master say ‘well done good and faithful servant…come and enter into my rest.’   

Mimi was born June 26, 1945, in Dallas. She was the oldest of three children born to the late Bascom P. Smith and Aileen Smith.  Mimi’s love of, and devotion to, family was evident to all who knew her and her history. As a young, single mother of three boys she endured incredible hardships to provide for her children. Her marriage to Jim Kyle in 1976 was blessed by the arrival of two daughters. 

Before being widowed in 2004 Mimi, ever the caretaker, assumed caregiver role to her mother, who was also afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. Mimi saw people as being image bearers of their creator, and as such she was never reluctant to sacrificially assume childrearing/caretaking responsibilities whenever and wherever the opportunity arose, as many in her life can attest.

She is survived by her children: 
Ronald DeChamplain and wife Sylvia
Robert DeChamplain
Rodney DeChamplain and wife Debbie
April Kyle

Grandchildren:
Destiny
Brittany
Abigale
Jessica
Jordyn
Annalyn
Dylan
Sydney
Christopher

Brother, Robert Smith and wife Christine

Sister, Shay Smith

Numerous, nieces and nephews and a couple of great grandkids.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James F. Kyle; her youngest daughter, Jamie Kyle Hope; and her parents, Bascom P. Smith and Aileen Smith.

The family will be holding a private graveside internment ceremony at a later date, TBD.

The family asks that donations to Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County (http://www.alzalliance.org/) and/or Samaritan’s Purse (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/nam/) emergency relief for hurricane survivors be made in lieu of flowers.  

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

09/08/2020

Jimmy T Prinz, 34 of Huxley,Texas passed away September 4, 2020 in Georgetown, Texas.

In Memory of Jimmy a Celebration of life will be held 1pm Saturday September 12, 2020. Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church of Huxley Texas, County Road 2 2450, Shelbyville, Texas 75973.  

Jimmy was born in Galveston, Texas on the 23rd of December 1985 to Willie and Patsy Prinz. He went to school at Joaquin high school where he graduated in 2004. Jimmy married Camille on the 3rd of October in 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated College from Sam Houston State with a Masters degree. Jimmy had an enthusiasm for education which led him to teaching for 9 years. 

Jimmy is preceded in death by his younger brother Justin Prinz, his Grandparents Clarence and Gladys Prinz, his Grandmother Nora Taylor, Uncle Charles Michael Prinz and Aunt Debbie Kay Wilde.  

Jimmy is survived by:
His wife Camille Prinz of Georgetown

Brother and Sister-in-law, Josh and Jenifer Prinz of Tyler

Brother, Stetson Levi Prinz of Huxley

Parents, Willie and Patsy Prinz of Huxley.  

Grandparents, JT Furlow, and Sally Furlow of Huxley TX

Nephews:
Austin Prinz
Corbin Ashley

Nieces:
Abigail Prinz of Tyler
Caiden Ashley of Tyler    

09/07/2020

Robert Oren Warr, 91, passed away September 4, 2020 in Center, TX. Mr. Warr was born October 11, 1928 in Shelby County to the late Robert Elvie Warr and Annie Lee (Cooper) Warr.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. Service will be Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Mangum Funeral Home with his son, Bobby Warr, officiating and Son Windham assisting, internment to follow at Old Salem Cemetery.

Mr. Warr was a member of Sam Houston Lodge #32 and a long time member of the Shriners. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved spending time with his family and friends. He was also a member of Old Salem Missionary Baptist Church.

He is survived by:

Sons:
Bobby Warr and wife, Karen of Center
Wesley Warr and wife, Rhonda of Center

Brother, Noah Gene Warr and wife, Kay, of Gulf Port, MS

Sister-in-law, June Warr of Nacogdoches

Grandchildren:
Billy Bob Warr and wife, Sarah, of Henderson
Micah Warr and wife, Katya, of Henderson
Sharayah Warr of Center
Cooper Warr and wife, Crystal, of Center
Cody Warr and wife, Lauren of Center

Great-Grandchildren:
Braydon, Kaiden, Ileigha, Alexander Oren, Eden and Elissa
Carolina, Cannon, Christian, Lilly, Caidi, Aiden and Wesley Callon

Special cousin, Billy Rae Bailey

Numerous Nieces, Nephews and a host of family and friends

He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mildred “Millie” Warr; his parents, Robert Elvie Warr and Annie Lee (Cooper) Warr; brothers, Henry Earl Warr and Alden Lee Warr.

You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfh.net. Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, TX.

09/06/2020

Darence “Coon Dog” Stanley, 75, of Center, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2020, in Nacogdoches. He lived a long and healthy life until a recent blood disorder diagnosis which led to his unexpected death from pneumonia.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m.,Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at Central Baptist Church in Center with Bro. Danny Dodson and Bro. Eddie Grimes officiating.  Interment will follow at East Hamilton Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born July 9, 1945, in Center, Darence is the son of the late Dalton Stanley and Thursie Marie Davis Stanley. When he was a little boy, his Daddy started calling him “My little Coon Dog” and it stuck with him. When he grew up and became a truck driver, it was his “perfect handle.”

He married Billie Nichols in 1968.  They will celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary the 28th of this month.  He had a love for antique cars and trucks and they went to many car shows. The Lord blessed them to be able to do some traveling and they got to see some of His creations that they never dreamed of getting to see as they were growing up.

They were blessed with two sons, Brian and Jason, that he shared his love for cars with. On November 5, 2017, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. After that, he loved being with his church family and never missed a service unless he was very sick.

He is survived by:
His wife, Billie Stanley of Center

Sons: 
Brian Stanley and wife Stacey of Kountze
Jason Stanley and wife Beverly of Joaquin

Grandchildren:
Colton
Garrett
Brenden
Hannah
Lanie
Kennedy

Great-granddaughter, Gracie

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dalton Stanley and Thursie Marie Davis Stanley; brother, Elton Lee Stanley; and sister, Joyce Hollis.

Pallbearers will be Brian Stanley, Jason Stanley, Colton Stanley, Garrett Stanley, Brenden Stanley, Waylon Griffith, and Monte Griffith.

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

09/04/2020

Mary Jo Pearce Vick, born August 26, 1923, entered into rest on September 4, 2020 after a brief stay in a local nursing facility.

Mrs. Vick was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. F.L. Pearce. She taught music and art in the Center Independent School District for 32 years.

Mrs. Vick graduated from Texas Women’s University (previously Texas State College for Women) in Denton, Texas in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. At TSCW she played saxophone and Clarinet in College Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Swing Orchestra, still active at the school, Known as “the Serenades.” In 1956, she received a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with a double major in Music Education.

She was a long-time member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Center Music Study Club, Texas State Teacher’s Association, and Texas Classroom Teachers.

Mrs. Vick served as Historian of Shelby County Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 and wrote the song “Shelby County, Heartbeat of East Texas” performed at the celebration. She participated in composer retreat sponsored by the late N.O. Thomas of Shreveport at his facility in Shelby County. In 1987, her song “Welcome Hall,” written in honor of Thomas and the facility, was adapted, and preformed publicly in Center by the Shreveport Symphony.

She was very active in the First United Methodist Church in Center, serving as a Sunday School teacher, adult choir director and Vacation Bible school teacher. She taught crafts and music at the Lakeview Methodist Assembly near Palestine for eleven years. She later served as secretary and treasurer for the Tennessee Methodist Church in the Tennessee Community in Shelby County.

Mrs. Vick served as a host for “Story Hour” and other Activities at the Fannie Brown Booth Library in Center. She was a faithful, dedicated nursing home volunteer in Center for many years and was chosen Adult Volunteer of the Year by the Texas Health Care Association in 2000.

She was loving and supportive of her family, friends and associates in the city, county, and state throughout her life.

Mrs. Vicks is survived by:

Sons:
Ray Vick of Center
Jack Vick of Beaumont
Frank Vick of Silsbee

Grandchildren:
Mary E. Koller, MSN of Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. Kenneth D. Vick of Madison, Mississippi
Dr. Bertrand R. Vick of Oakland, California
Jessica Jagneaux, BSN of Silsbee
Katha Everitt, BSN of Silsbee

Eleven great-grandchildren

Seven great-great-grandchildren,

And all the residents of Center who were in 3rd through 5th grades there between 1955 and 1988, whom she considered part of her extended family.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. at Mangum Funeral Home with a graveside to follow at 3:00 P.M. at Oaklawn Memorial Park Center, TX.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.mangumfh.net. 

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

09/04/2020

Robert Dennon Vaughn, 52, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, September 4, 2020, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 6, 2020, at Holly Springs Cemetery in Shelby County with Bro. Chris Collins officiating. 

Born February 23, 1968, Robert is the son of Dexter Vaughn and LaRetta Goings Vaughn Dean. When he wasn’t working maintenance in the poultry industry, Robert enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an avid woodworker. 

He is survived by:

Wife, Barbara Vaughn of Shelbyville

Children:
Carrie Speed (John) of Spring
Kasey Giancaspro (Joe) of Connecticut
Cory Ivey (Megan) of San Augustine
Randy Vaughn of Shelbyville
Corey Vaughn (Stephanie) of Connecticut
Ryon Vaughn (Rachel) of Cypress

Grandchildren: Macy, Joey, Carly, Levi, Ely, Bradlee, Brynlee, Vittoria, Eliana, Durante, Blakelee, Harper, Jamison, James, Jackson, and Benjamin

Mother, LaRetta Dean of Shelbyville

Sister, Tinka Saintignan (Mark) of Nacogdoches

Brother, Chris Vaughn (Melody) of Shelbyville.

He is preceded in death by his father, Dexter Vaughn; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Martha Branch; and brother, Robert Dexter Vaughn Jr.
Pallbearers will be Lonnie Dailey, Chad Vaughn, Mark Vaughn, Phillip Chambliss, J.D. Cassell, Caleb Stracener, C.R. Branch, Layne Pfannenstiel. Honorary pallbearers will be co-workers from Pilgrim’s Feed Mill in Tenaha.

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

09/03/2020

Lonny Raybon, 71, of Joaquin, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2020, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Mr. Raybon was born June 5, 1949, in Converse, Louisiana, to T.J. “Tig” Raybon and Margie McDonald Raybon. He worked in the oilfield. Mr. Raybon enjoyed drinking coffee, hunting, playing family games, and spending time with his grandbabies. He was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.

He is survived by: 
His wife, Sherrie Raybon of Joaquin

Children: 
Joseph Raybon and wife Annaka of Joaquin
Angela Walling and husband Jeffrey of Joaquin
Lonny Raybon Jr. and wife Caitlyn of Joaquin
Adam Raybon and wife Krystal of Joaquin

Grandchildren: 
Samantha
Trevor
Cameron
Emma
JoJo
Ella
Anna Jo
Addison
Kinsley
Skylar
Finn

Mother, Margie McDonald Raybon Anderson and husband Alfred of Converse, Louisiana 
Sister, Nancy Rigsby and husband Delmer of Converse, Louisiana

Brother, Rickey Raybon and wife Nita of Converse, Louisiana

Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by his dad, T.J. “Tig” Raybon; and twin brother, Ronny Raybon.

09/01/2020

Mangum Funeral Home announces services for Cassi Margaret Stump born in Dallas, Texas, December 28, 1945, and she departed this life on August 29, 2020 after a brief battle with the COVID-19 Virus.

At her birth, her parents were advised to give her up to a home because she was a Down Syndrome baby since she wouldn’t live long, a prediction she certainly proved untrue. Instead she was a precious, much loved, much valued part of her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bobbie Jo Woodall Stump in 2005 and Charles William Stump in 2011. 

During her lifetime, as the daughter of a career Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, she lived around the world. Her parents took her first to Panama, where her toddler brother Charlie helped teach her to walk and talk. The family then lived in Tennessee; Pottsboro, Texas; Sidi Slamen, Morocco; Felixstowe, England; Mountain Home, ID; South Carolina; Plano, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina; Sherman, Texas; and then settling in Center, Texas, in February 1972.

“The biggest thing she taught me is how to love unconditionally because she loved everybody unconditionally,” said her brother Charlie. Cassi enjoyed collecting memorabilia about singer Pat Boone and actor Michael Landon, watching television, and writing in her spiral notebooks.

She is survived by:
Her brothers:
Charlie Stump, Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Rowlett
Jeffrey Scott Stump, of Center

Step-nieces:
Kayla Turner and husband, Corey, and their children Keaton Dupree and Cambrie Turner
Amelia Nieves and husband, Alexis, and their children Abbey and Javon Landers and Yasiel Nieves
Naomi Murray.

She is also survived by:
Her aunt, Bernadine Pauley of Sulphur, La.

Special care givers:
Sandra McDaniel Harper
Nena Lopez and Pat Bush

Cousins in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia and California remember Cassi fondly and also mourn her death.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 4 at Mangum Funeral Home at 9:30am followed by a graveside service at Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the East Texas Down Syndrome Group in honor of Cassi Stump. Donations can be made online at www.etdsg.org or mailed to: 
East Texas Down Syndrome Group
PO Box 6604
Longview, TX 75608

08/31/2020

Minnie Dee Bowlin Smith, born July 13, 1918, took her last earthly breath on August 30, 2020, at the age of 102. Minnie was born during America’s first pandemic at the end of World War I and died during America’s next pandemic. 

Those historical bookmarks to her time on Earth are fitting: life was not easy for Minnie. She grew up during the great depression. Her parents were sharecroppers in West Texas and Shelby County. She attended Buena Vista and Huber country schools and graduated from Timpson high school. After high school she continued the harsh work of many rural Texans; alongside her husband, Lovis Bowlin, she raised cotton, tomatoes, and watermelons. She ran a dairy farm. She did factory work, packing tomatoes, manufacturing plywood products, and making Hallmark card displays. After retiring from Hallmark, Minnie held many odd jobs working at Center ISD cafeteria, home health care, and her daughter’s dress shop. 

Her life’s harsher beginning would surprise those who met her later in life because Minnie had so much joy in her soul and love in her heart. The reason: Jesus. Minnie loved the Lord dearly, often saying in her final years that she was “ready to be with Jesus.” She was a member of the Timpson Missionary Baptist Church since the 1950s, where she took her children and taught Sunday School to many youth. Members of the church were family. Minnie found purpose in taking care of them in times of crisis, and they, in turn, supported her in words and deeds. 

Minnie said goodbye to her sweetheart Lovis too soon. He died in 1981, only 69 years old, after several years struggling with Alzheimer’s. She was blessed with a second life mate, Hershel (“Son”) Smith, who made her laugh with his good-natured teasing, kept her mind sharp with his love of card games and dominoes, and gave her a second family that she loved as her own. Minnie and Son enjoyed traveling together, visiting nearby states like Tennessee, Colorado, and Oklahoma. 

Since Son’s death, Minnie has lived in Paxton, Texas—initially, independently and, later, with her son, Jimmy, and his wife, Jean. Until she was almost 100 years old, she drove to church every week and to visit with her church friend and longtime pastor’s wife, Betty, during her weekly appointment at Callie’s hair salon. She loved to water her plants in the morning hours, feed the horses, and visit her neighbor and dear friend, Ruby, almost every afternoon. She loved writing and receiving hand-written notes, enjoyed phone calls from the many who loved her, and even learned to FaceTime and Zoom to keep up with grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as she could. 

Minnie sometimes lamented the number of funerals for loved ones she attended, as happens when you are strong enough to make it to 102. Most heartbreaking was the loss of her beloved daughter, JoAnn, in 2004. But she also was “so proud” to have lived long enough to love on and know her 9 great grandchildren (ages 9 to 26). 

Minnie was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmie D. and Lula Mitchell Ramsey, brother, F. M. Ramsey, sister, Zera Harrison, husbands, Lovis Bowlin and Hershel Smith, and daughter Jo Ann Eaton. 

Minnie is survived by:
Her son, Jimmy and wife Jean Bowlin

Grandchildren: 
Sheila and husband Shannon Crawford
Leigh and husband David Davis
Lisa Hobbs and Jeff Hobbs
John Bowlin and wife Kim

Great-grandchildren:
Samantha Crawford
Alyssa Boser
Christian Boser
Andrew Davis
Kaytlin Davis
Matt Bowlin
Toby Bowlin
Lily Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs

Step-children: 
Ron and wife Margaret Smith
Hershey and husband Bob Cox

Minnie’s long and well-lived life will be celebrated at a private family service in the cemetery behind her beloved church. Anyone wishing to honor Minnie may make a donation, in lieu of flowers, to Timpson Missionary Baptist Church’s Cemetery Fund. The Family is thankful for Cory Larson, from A Pineywoods Home Health, as well as the nurses and social-service providers at Affinity Hospice, who physically cared for Minnie and guided the Family in these last days. 

One of Minnie’s favorite hymns was “Because He Lives,” which ends with these words: 

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know he reigns.

Minnie has now seen the lights of glory and can claim victory over death through eternity in Christ. 

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net.

Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, is in charge of arrangements.