Shelby County Today

11/18/2025

Randy Glenn Hubbard Sr., 70 of Center, died Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Center, Texas. He was born on October 14, 1955, in Center, Texas to the late Charlie B Hubbard and Marie Oliphant Hubbard.

Funeral service for Mr. Randy Glenn Hubbard is Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1pm at St. John Baptist Church in the Africa Community located at 2308 CR 2050, Center, Texas. Eulogist will be Rev. Jackie Garrett. Committal is at Westview Cemetery Center, Texas. Visitation is 2pm until 6pm at Hicks Chapel on Friday, October 21, 2025. Repass: Union Acres 818 Cotton Ford Rd Center, Texas 75935.

Dominoes and cooking were a few of Randy’s hobbies. One of Randy’s favorite quote was “They call me the Chocolate Chip, the women’s pet, the man’s threat, I laugh and talk, but I does not play.” Mr. Hubbard showed love and dedication to his family members. 
Randy Glenn Hubbard Sr survived by: 

Wife,  Gloria Hubbard of San Augustine, Texas

Son, Randy Hubbard Jr of Houston, Texas 

Daughters:
DeMeka Hubbard-Dennis (Wilford) of Killeen, Texas
Andria Hubbard of Center, Texas

Sister, Edith Thomas (Walter) of Center, Texas

Service entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Center, Texas 75935. Please visit our website for online condolences at www.hicksmortuary.net.

11/15/2025

Gwen Hughes, 78, of Center, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2025, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Rev. Ozay Ford officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Born March 21, 1947, in Shelby County, Gwen is the daughter of Earl Vines Fitzgerald and Louise Goodwyn Fitzgerald. She worked as the office manager for Ihlo Sales and Import. Gwen was a faithful servant of the Lord and a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church where she served as treasurer.

Gwen Hughes entered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, November 15th, at home. She was a very special sister and special wife. Everyone that knew her found her to be a delightful and personal lady. Her first thought seemed always to be, “What can I do to help?”

I know how much everyone liked and respected her. She had many friends and loved each one dearly. She was a lady of exceptional warmth and wisdom and her loss leaves a void that will not be readily filled.

She gave of herself (perhaps the greatest gift of all) and those were fortunate enough to know her know she loved the Lord and is pain free and rejoicing in Heaven.

She is survived by:
Husband, William (Bill) Hughes of Center

Brother, Frank Fitzgerald of Center

She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl Vines Fitzgerald and Louise Goodwyn Fitzgerald; and her brother, Ray Fitzgerald.

Pallbearers will be Shad Lout, Michael Fitzgerald, Ricky Lout, Shannon Ramsey, Gerardo Garcia, and Matthew Mettauer. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Bill Mettauer, Ron Bogue, Ronnie Adams, Chris Watlington, and Don Wheeler.

Bill and I would like to give a “Special Thanks” to Sister Services Private Home Care and to caregivers Vicky, Pat, Misty, Deb, and Marilyn for the loving care that was given to Gwen.

“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me” Philippians 4:13

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

11/14/2025

Felix Wayne Stokes, 68, of Timpson, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, in Garrison. Born February 13, 1957, in Pasadena. Felix is the son of Felix Audley Stokes and Beverly Ann Wright Stokes.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am, Saturday, November 29, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Timpson.

Felix was an excellent welder and left behind many cherished pieces of art and hard work he created. From wind chimes to BBQ pits as well as oilfield and truck equipment. He was an ardent fisherman and went fishing nearly every day after he retired. A long-time member and brother of the Freewheelers Motorcycle Club eventually taking the honorable position as one of their Nomads. Felix was a humble soul and loved everyone he encountered. He was always the first to help a friend or give a good piece of advice or guidance. Felix lived slow, loved hard and worked even harder. He left behind beautiful memories with us all and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by:

Long time loving partner and friend, Belinda McDonald

Sister, Sharon Parks and husband Colin 

Daughters:
Wendy Hodge and husband Ben
April Caldwell and husband John
Jessica Lee and husband William Lee jr.

Son, Malachi Stokes and wife Savannah

Bonus Daughter, Candice Foster and husband Bobby

Bonus Son, Michael Smith and wife Shiloh

Nephews:
Dowal Parks
Denis Stokes, Jr.

Grandchildren: MaryAnn, Cheyenne, Chase, Angel, Kalyn, Dixie, Trinity, Dante, Riley, Andrew, Joshua, Laura, Kayden, Colton, Max, Sam, and Logan

Host of Great-Grandchildren 

He is preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Stokes; father, Felix Stokes; wife, Mary Stokes; brother, Denis Stokes; daughter, Leslie Langston; and nephew, Jesse Parks.

11/13/2025

Kathryn Ann Anthony, 72, of Center, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, in Center.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Kevin Windham officiating. Visitation will be held prior, beginning at Noon. Interment will follow at White Rock Cemetery in Shelby County.

Kathy, “Ma Kat”, had a love for outdoor activities such as fishing, gardening, and soaking up the sun at the beach but she never had an issue maintaining a vision for fashion expressed through bold colors, just as she was. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her family were her greatest joy and most-loved accomplishments. Her sense of humor never faded with every conversation being full of laughter and cherished memories.

Born August 23, 1953, Kathryn is the daughter of Charles Waley and Juanita Tindol.

She is survived by:

Children:
Kim and husband James McClain of Monahans, TX
Denise and husband Nathan Shofner of Shelbyville, TX
Sherry and husband, Brad Goodwyn of Milam, TX
James Anthony of Shelbyville

Grandchildren:
Emily Mitchell
Jessie Gagnor
Teagan McClain
Ethan Shofner
Abby Shofner
Eli Shofner
Madison and husband Jake DiMartino
Joshua Goodwyn and wife Stephanie
Jeremiah Goodwyn
Deacon Anthony
Olivia Anthony

Great-grandchildren, Syndey and Remington

Brothers:
Randy Alford
Rocky Jackson
Rodney Jackson

Sister, Teresa Jackson

Numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Waley and Juanita Tindol; and grandparents, Harold and Dell Tindol.

Pallbearers will be Chris Hancock, Josh Goodwyn, Ethan Shofner, Jake DiMartino, Eli Shofner, and Deacon Anthony.

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

11/10/2025

Jeannette Windham Biggar, 60, of Center, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2025, in Center.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with Richard Windham officiating.

Born December 31, 1964, in Center, Jeannette is the daughter of Earl Windham and Frances Barton Perez.

She is survived by:

Daughter, Rachel Robinson and husband James Brandt of White Sands, New Mexico

Grandchildren:
Brittanie Smoot
Madeline Morales

Great-grandchildren:
Braxton Robinson
Novalynn Smoot
Hudson Nall

Father, Earl Windham and wife Patsy of Center

Sister, Michelle and husband Cecil Jackson

Numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by mother, Frances Perez; and sisters, Rena Windham and Tara Blue.

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

11/06/2025

Stacy Lenoard Ruth, 55, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025. He was born January 18, 1970 to Billie J. Lane Ruth and Curtis A. Ruth in Center, Texas.

Funeral service is at 1pm Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Community Funeral Home Chapel, Center, Texas with Pastor Marlon Cloudy officiating. Interment is at St. John Cemetery in Center.

He leaves to cherish his memories John Randle (Debra), Martin Randle (Brenda), Raymond Ruth (Angie), Clifford Ruth, Ashoantez Ruth Sr.

Children:
Maylinda McKinney Hubbard (Tackie)
Nicole McKinney Johnson (Johnathan)
Lititia McKinney
Tracy McKinney

A host of other relatives and friends.

Stacy is preceded in rest by his mother, father and brother Curtis Ray Ruth, sister Joan B. Ruth.

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

11/05/2025

Caizer Zykeem Ross, 3 months old, of Tenaha, Texas, passed away on October 31, 2025 in Center, Texas. He was born on July 15, 2025, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Johntavious Ross and Callianna Cassell.

Graveside service will be held at 2PM on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Old Union Cemetery, Tenaha, Texas, with Bro. Bill Holmes officiating.

Caizer is survived by:

Parents, Johntavious Ross and Callianna Cassell

Grandparents:
Brooke Cassell
Michael Cassell
Michelle Daniels
Shamus Ross

Special Grandparents:
Kaitlyn Schenk
Dylan Moore

Great-Grandparents:
Nong and James Clifton
Mike and Beatrice Cassell
Dorothy Tinner
Marvin Daniels
Anita Moore
John Ross

Aunts:
Caitlyn Cassell
Nevaeh Sparks
Skydasha Ross
Antanasia Rideaux

Uncles:
Case Cassell
Jakobe Sparks

Cousin, Kamiah Teagle

Numerous great aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his Great-great grandparents, Charlie B. and Maxine Christian, Dan and Billie Gunter, William Charles Cassell; Great-grandparents, Calvin and Debra Christian; Great-great aunt, Charlotte Christian; Great-aunt, Callie Christian.

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

11/04/2025

Born September 11, 1964, in Dallas County, Sandra “Sandy” Ruth Sanford is the daughter of Charles Wayne Tyre and Mary Ruth Shewmaker Tyre.

Sandy was taken to heaven by angels on October 31, 2025, where her son Dustin (who she missed so dearly) and grandson Kent, were waiting for her with open arms. Sandy will be deeply missed by her son Bradley, his wife Lora, her grandkids Kiersten, Dalton, and Connor and all her other family and friends.

Sandy was looking forward to watching her great-granddaughter, RaeRae grow up. She was so proud and over the moon to be a great Mamaw. Sandy always looked forward to and loved when she got to spend time with her perfect Bradley (that is what she always said about him) and the family, this was her happiest. Her other happy times were going to goodwill, hobby lobby, and yard sales. She was always looking for a sale, unless it was something she just had to have then it didn’t matter.

When she wasn’t doing these things, she loved trying to take care of one of her best friends (Granny Ruth, DeeAnn, or Keith) or give her opinion about what they should be doing. On her relaxing lazy days on the couch, she was doing it with her grand cat, Baby. For someone who didn’t like cats, she loved “Baby”. Sandy will be deeply missed by family and friends; we will forever hold on to her memories and her contagious smile and laughter.

She is survived by:
Son, Bradley (Lora) Richards of Bossier City, Louisiana

Brothers:
Chris (Daphne) Tyre of Center
Chucky (Mandy) Tyre of Huxley

Sister-in-law, Betty Byrd of Channelview

Grandkids:
Kiersten (Brady Sutton) Richards
Connor Richards
Dalton White
Micah Grace Sanford

Great-grandchild, Raelynn Blair Sutton

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends; best friends, DeeAnn Dockens, Ruth Duke, and Keith Shields; bonus daughters, Megan (David) Amburn and Nikki (Ben) Postell.

Preceded in death by her parents, Charles Wayne Tyre and Mary Ruth Shewmaker Tyre; son, Dustin Sanford; grandson, Kent Richards; and nephew, Patrick Tyre.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Kevin Windham will officiate. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Pallbearers will be Brady Sutton, Dalton White, Ben Postell, David Amburn, Keith Shields, and Chris Gaddy.

Honorary pallbearers will be JC Cagle and Billy Wyatt.

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

11/03/2025

Bonnie Bee Hughes Lane, 82, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025, in Center, Texas. She was born November 8, 1942, in Center, Texas to Velton B Hughes and Bonnie Ruth Franks Hughes. All are welcome to join the family for a committal service Tuesday, November 4 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery on County Road 1470 between Center and Timpson.

Anyone who knew Bonnie Bee knew that everything involved a story – often a long one that led to many others. Her story began in her beloved Shelby County, and her first several years were spent living on her family’s farm in the Rainsville Community between Arcadia and Huber. Later, much of her youth was spent in the Golden Triangle – usually spending weeks on the coast and weekends at the farm. She treasured many memories of her Daddy’s passion for tending to cattle, crops, and business affairs, and she often shared the lessons she learned while hanging around the historic Center Square when her Uncle Vause was the jailer; her Uncle Voyde had been the county clerk for a time as well, and Bonnie Bee’s love for history and politics only grew with time. Perhaps it found new life during the time she spent with her mother at SFA “helping” her mother get her master’s degree. She shared her mother’s passion for education, eventually obtaining a degree of her own and becoming a teacher.

Bonnie Bee was reared learning how to run a household. She helped prepare meals from a young age, and her culinary abilities will always be remembered – particularly for her chicken and dumplings and banana pudding, which were always staples. She has preached many lectures about the necessity of using a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself. And the Nilla wafers had to be carefully and perfectly crumbled across the top of the pudding. Everything was done with precision, no matter how long it took. When she married at the young age of 14, she was prepared to make a home – though she proudly finished school first. She then embarked on a journey as a military wife, often recounting her time in Anniston, Alabama. Her razor-sharp memory allowed her to recall the exact amount she was allotted for groceries each week and detailed conversations she had with residents of Anniston over 60 years ago.

Apart from teaching, Bonnie Bee worked in various other fields. She spent time working for the employment commission, helping others find jobs, and she took on an executive role with Bethlehem Steel for a time. She would tell of road trips and phone calls she made in this capacity, and anyone who knew her could attest that no other person could speak with such conviction on any topic important to her. She once attempted to take a job as a pharmaceutical saleslady, but this did not work out because she did not have enough faith in the products to call forth her usual conviction and persuasion. She was proud to have been the first female saleslady for the Red Stick Linen Company, based in Baton Rouge. She helped the company expand into Texas during her time with them, and she particularly loved one story from her time with this company when she attended a banquet as the only female in a huge room of hundreds of men. Someone was supposed to give a speech but could not handle the pressure, and none of the men would volunteer. Bonnie Bee, with no advance notice or preparation and little information on the subject, took the stage and undoubtedly captivated the audience.

Everything she did, she did with passion and energy. This included simple tasks such as driving. Let us not forget that Bonnie Bee’s passing represents the end of an era in many ways. From 1976 until well into the 21st Century, she drove nothing but the largest Oldsmobile she could get at the time. She was distraught when the brand was discontinued.

Bonnie Bee had stayed in Orange after her parents retired to the family farm in Shelby County in the 1970s, but about a decade later she relocated as well because her Daddy wanted her to be with him as he finished out his earthly life. She returned to Shelby County, temporarily at first, but ended up staying and taking on her newfound role as an aunt. While she never had children of her own, she directed her affections toward her niece and nephew, Shelly and Jesse, who had come into the world just before Bonnie Bee returned to Shelby County. The impact she had on them, and then on the grand nephews and nieces, will never be forgotten. She was a force to be reckoned with in every respect. She possessed an indomitable spirit, and she could talk without ceasing for more hours on end than anyone else could even stay awake. She never stopped trying to impart knowledge and wisdom. Once you realized that every single thing had to be done in her own unique way, there was a lot to learn and appreciate.

Bonnie Bee is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Velton B Hughes and Bonnie Ruth Franks Hughes; her brother, John Madison Hughes; and her grandparents, Madison Barto Hughes, Mary Belle Webb Hughes, J.W.B. Franks, and Mary Leticia Murray Franks.

She is survived by:

Niece, Shelly Bee Hughes Cantrell and husband, James

Nephew, Jesse Madison Hughes and wife, Tori

Grand-nephews:
Brady Lane Wells and fiancé, Bayley
Brandt Cabot Wells
Heath Madison Hughes

Grand-nieces:
Valley Rae Hughes
Bostyn Michelle Hughes

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the management and staff of Lakeside Village Assisted Living for devoting their sincerest efforts toward Bonnie Bee’s care throughout the past 6 months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bonnie Bee’s memory to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association – a cause to which Bonnie Bee was deeply devoted throughout her life and, for a long while, ruled with an iron fist as its President.

Visit www.WymanRobertsFH.com for memories and condolences. Services are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine.