Shelby County Today

09/28/2023

Cassie Joan O’Rear, 86, of Shelbyville, Texas, passed away on September 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones in Shelbyville. She was born on September 16, 1937, in Huxley, Texas, to the late Thomas Henry Vaughn and Ella Alice (Snider) Vaughn.

Funeral service will be held at Mangum Funeral Home, on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 10pm with Bro. Donnie Howard, Bro. Rusty Hall, and Bro. Michael McArthur officiating. Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 5-7 PM at Mangum Funeral Home.

Joan Vaughn O’Rear was born and raised in Shelby County. She graduated Strong High School in 1956 and attended Business School in Dallas. She returned to Huxley and married Glynn “Cindy” O’Rear in 1959. They had two sons Larry and Keith.

Together they raised cattle and grew poultry for over 50 years. Joan was a member of Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church and was a hardworking, independent woman. She enjoyed working in her flower beds and tried her best to keep her yard immaculate and free of armadillos. She enjoyed spending time with her sons and grandchildren and always had a home cooked lunch ready as well as a Sunday dinner feast. She will be missed by all who loved her.

She is survived by:

Sons:
Larry O’Rear and wife Stacy
Keith O’Rear and wife Belinda

Grandchildren:
Heidi and Randall Pritchett
Piper and Chance Moton
Ciara O’Rear
Savannah and Gary Arnold
Roper and Julianna Oswalt
Justin O’Rear and Madison Jackson

Great-Grandchildren: Chandler, Aspen, Ryan, Ali, Palin, Ella, Kinsleigh, Kyler, and Jud

Sister, Mildred “Blondie” Dillard

Sister-in-laws:
Joanie Vaughn 
Wanda O’Rear
Alice McCann and husband Ed

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Glynn “Cindy” O’Rear; parents, Henry and Alice Vaughn; sisters and brother in laws, Agnes and Charles Bryan, Bertha Lee and Dean Raymond; brother, Edward Vaughn; mother and father-in-law, Elzie and Nettie O’Rear; brothers-in-law, Mack Dillard, Travis O’Rear, Billie Joe O’Rear and wife Mitt, Mack O’Rear, JP O’Rear; and sister-in-law, Sue Boles and husband Doyle.

Pallbearers serving will be Randall Pritchett, Chance Moton, Gary Arnold, Roper Oswalt, Justin O’Rear, Chandler Pritchett, Ryan Moton, Gilbert Vaughn, and Michael Andrews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Strong or Wimberly Cemeteries, or Smyrna and Lydia Youth Group funds.

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

09/28/2023

Rolan Alex Simmons, 82, of Nacogdoches, Texas, passed away on September 26, 2023, in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born on May 25, 1941, in Lewisville, Arkansas, to the late Homer V. Simmons and Opal (Clark) Simmons.

Funeral service will be held at Mangum Funeral Home, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 2pm with Bro. Hollis Bass officiating.

A visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday, September 30, 2023, beginning at 1pm until service time.

Graveside service will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 2pm at Knighton Chapel Cemetery, in Lewisville, Arkansas.

Rolan was born and raised in Arkansas. He married the love of his life, Mary Helen Rogers Simmons, and the two spent over 49 years together before her passing in 2012. They raised two wonderful children, Randy and Bobbie Sue. After the passing of Mary, later Rolan married Betty Adams. The two enjoyed each other’s company until her passing this month. Rolan enjoyed spending time with his family. He was an avid fisherman. He loved the outdoors. Rolan enjoyed his beautiful trucks he owned and traveled cross country with pride.

He is survived by:

Son, Randy Simmons

Daughter, Bobbie Sue Scates and husband Michael

Grandchildren:
Dale Scates and wife Amber
Kaleigh Jones and husband Colbey
Brandon Simmons and wife Carri
Randi McDonald and husband Tyler 

Numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A host of family and friends will miss him dearly.

Rolan is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Opal Simmons; former wife and mother of his children, Mary Helen Rogers Simmons; wife, Betty Adams; and sister, Frances Hughes.

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

09/27/2023

Shane Curtis Jordan, 40, passed away on September 24, 2023 at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Shane was born on June 27, 1983, to parents Bobby Jewel Jordan and Doris Yvonne Soape in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

Shane spent his youth participating in Little League Baseball, Flag Football, and was a Boy Scout in Troup 119 of Center. Many summers were spent at BSA Camp Pirtle in Gary, Texas. He later had the honor of receiving the Eagle Scout Award, which is the highest award possible to members of the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Center High School and graduated from Texas State Technical College in Marshall, Texas. He worked at Port-A-Cool in Center for many years. He later moved to Fort Worth to work at Lockheed Martin. Shane was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and was excited about the new football season. 

Shane stepped up to be a father to three children, Ryleigh, Katie, and Dusty. He was a wonderful father, son, brother, grandson, and uncle. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
Survived by:
Mother, Doris Yvonne (Soape) Bennett 
Father, Bobby Jewel Jordan

Daughters:
Ryleigh Alford
Kaitlyn (Katie) Allums

Son, Dusty Allums

Sisters:
Amanda Campaniello and husband, Jason 
Ashley Warren and husband, Chris 

Brothers:
Howard Bennett IV and wife, Sarah 
Charles Bennett and wife, Ashley 
Justin Jordan

Numerous Aunts and Uncles and Nieces and Nephews.

Shane was proceeded in death by grandparents Jewel Jordan, Opal (Lawson) Balcome, Charles R Soape SR and Essie (Hooper) Soape.

Pallbearers will be Howard Bennett IV, Charles Bennett, Justin Jordan, Kevin Whitton, Gary Whitton, and Steve Mullikin.

Honorary Pallbearers will be nephews, Blake and Devin Warren and his friends from work at Lockheed Martin.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Sister Melba Rodgers officiating. Interment will follow at White Rock Cemetery on Hwy 7 West in Center.

09/19/2023

Joe H. Hancock, 88, of Henderson, passed on this life on September 17, 2023, at his residence in Henderson.

Funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home in Henderson with Rev. Toby Tipps officiating. Interment will follow at Short Cemetery in Shelby County near Center, Texas, at 3:30pm with Rev. Toby Tipps officiating.

The Family will receive friends from 10am until service time on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home.

Joe Harrison Hancock, born in Jasper, TX May 23, 1935 to Jim Martin Hancock and Ruby Faulkner Hancock. At the age of two years, Joe suffered with polio which affected his left leg. At that time his family moved to Henderson, TX and resided in the Church Hill area. He learned very early how to cope with his disability. He was a typical boy, riding horses, bicycles, rough housing with his many cousins. He was on crutches and wore a brace all his life. When he was 15 years old, his uncle Dewey Faulkner, who was a Mason, suggested he might qualify for a new surgery procedure at Scottish-Rite Hospital in Dallas. The Mason’s helped him to get in for evaluation. Joe was ready to try and his parents agreed to the surgery. The hospital only took children until they were 17, so Joe was one of their older patients.

There were multiple surgeries to be performed. They stopped the growth in his “good leg”, the right one. Then they had to stabilize his left side that was affected by the polio. They made his left hip stationary, his left knee where it would only bend so far, and his left foot stable. He stayed in the hospital during all of this time. After all the surgeries he was allowed to come home in a full body cast. He always told about riding home in the freezing cold and laying down in the back of Uncle Morgan’s pick up truck all the way from Dallas. I think he stayed in the body cast for six months and then went back to the hospital for the final time. He was almost 17 when he was released. This surgery was so new for polio victims and it was not always successful. Fortunately for Joe his worked and he was able to stand with a brace and use crutches. He could also wear a built up boot or shoe.

He graduated from Henderson High School, attended A&M for two years and returned to Henderson to work part time at a full service station. He was hired as a purchasing agent for Eastex Telephone Coop and was employed there for 12 years. He then worked in Dallas for Texas Power & Tel for a number of years. In 1967 he returned to Henderson, and on May 13, 1967 he married his life long partner, Sara Beth Foster, from Center, TX. Joe was not idle, he purchased a full service Texaco station and operated that for a number of years, then moved on to operate the Exxon station. Joe did not take a back seat in running these businesses, he serviced cars, pumped gas, fixed flats, did it all without crutches. His disability was never an issue. In approximately 1978 he was offered a partnership with his cousin, Euel Faulkner, to operate Highway Building Materials and Supply on Highway 79 S. He stayed there until the business sold around 1983.

In 1984, Joe welcomed his first child, Amber Joanna, and in 1986 along came a son, Seth Foster. These two were his greatest joy. During this time he was working with his brother, Jimmy Hancock, clearing land with heavy machinery. He had a passion for dozers and tractors, the bigger the better, which he has passed on to his son. In 1987 he retired and became a full time home care giver. He and Sara built their dream home in 1991 near his parents home.

Joe enjoyed life. He loved to go to the casinos and horse races. He liked baseball and was very involved with his sons ball games. He loved fishing and going with family on river fishing trips. The first date he and Sara ever had, he carried her fishing at a local pond. He was always the chauffeur wherever he went either with friends or family. He was a self taught carpenter and a self taught mechanic. It might not be perfect but it worked.

After his dad passed away in 1989 he was a care giver to his mother until her death. He devoted most of his time to family . In his later years he enjoyed reading and watching TV from his easy recliner and taking many long naps.

Joe did not like controversy and would ignore it or walk away rather than face it. He was kind to a fault, he would give you anything if it was within his power. He was considerate of other people. He loved his parents deeply, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He was a fighter in the since that he wanted to live a normal healthy life and he accomplished that three-fold. Joe will be missed. His presence will be felt in so many places by his family. He will not be forgotten.

The family wishes to thank his long time friends and comfort givers, Rose Sparks and Carolyn Miller. They made his last years so much easier and always brought laughs and raised his spirits no matter his mood. Thanks to the nurses with Assist-Care for all the care provided.

Special thanks to dear friend Jan Tipps for the continuous stream of cards and calls.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Jim Martin and Ruby Faulkner Hancock of Henderson, TX, mother in-law and father in-law, Woodrow and Lorene Foster of Center, TX, brother-in-law, Gary Gullard from Minnesota, and sister, Ann Rives of Henderson, TX.

Survivors Include:

Wife of 56 years, Sara Foster Hancock of Henderson, Texas

Daughter, Amber Hancock and Tyler Speck of Tyler

Son, Seth Hancock and wife, Emily of Henderson

Brother, Jimmy Hancock and wife, Barbara of Henderson

Sisters:
Gay Nell Hilbert and husband, Charles of Pottsboro, Texas
Betty Gullard of Minnesota

Grandchildren:
Stella Speck
Samuel Speck
Beau Hancock

A host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Chance Griffith, Clint Partin, Reyburn Hilbert, Shannon Young, Seth Hancock, and Justin Pierce. Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Bassett, Kenny Bromley, Dean Hancock, Gene Hancock, Jimmy Hancock, and Joe Lee Powell.

Memorials may be made to the Scottish Rite for Children Hospital to: Development Department, Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219 or at https://scottishriteforchildren.org/

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

09/18/2023

L. B. Penson, 90 of Lufkin, Texas, died on Monday, September 11, 2023, at his residence. He was born to the late Albert Penson and Linny Long Penson on May 29, 1933, in Wells, Texas.

Funeral service will be on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 1pm at Ligon Chapel CME Church at 565 Deason LP, Apple Springs, Texas 75926 (Nigton Community) with Pastor Larry Wolfe. Visitation is Friday, September 15, 2023, at 212 Garvan Street, Lufkin, Texas from the hours of 6pm to 8pm. Burial is at Nigton Cemetery.

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.

09/18/2023

Sandra Carlene Watson Corbell passed away peacefully September 15, 2023, at Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin, Texas.

Service will be held at Gipson Funeral Home in Lufkin at 10am Thursday, September 21, with visitation preceding at 9am. Graveside service at Strong Cemetery, Huxley, Texas at 1pm.

Sandra was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Harold and Melba Watson. She attended Byrd High School. In 1960, Sandy met a young airman stationed at Barksdale Air Force in Bossier City. On January 5, 1961, Sandy and Perry (Pedro) Corbell were united in marriage by Rev. J. Carroll Chadwick at his home in Center. After Perry retired from the Air Force having been stationed in Alaska, Hawaii, Thailand, Wichita Falls, Austin and Fort Worth, they made their home in Lufkin.

Sandy endured heartbreak as she attended to Perry's needs when he struggled with ALS (Lou Gehrig's) until his death in 1998. She was a faithful wife, loving mother and grandmother and much beloved sister and aunt. She was also "the life of the party" with her infectious laugh and silly songs. She will be greatly missed.

Survived by:

Daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Keith Parrott

Daughter, Beckie Corbell Brown

Son, Cody Corbell

Grandsons:
Travis Parrot
Daniel Stokes

Brothers:
Jimmy Watson
Frank Watson
Tommy Watson

Sisters-in-law:
Montez and Joe McNaughten
Jerry Sue Williams
Betty and Gene Blount
Charlotte Ingle

Numerous nieces, nephews and friends

Preceded in death by husband, Perry (Pedro) Corbell; father, Harold Watson; mother, Melba Watson; father and mother-in-law, PC and Lovetta Corbell; brothers, Joe Watson and Bob Watson; sister, Beth Watson; sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Dale Vincent; and niece, Kathi Goodwyn.

Services under the direction of Gipson Funeral Home, 1515 South Chestnut, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

09/16/2023

Yondell Charles Barr, 67 of Center, Texas, went to be with his Savior Saturday, September 2, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 22, 1955 in Center, Tx to the late Yondell Barr and Billie Doggett Barr. 

Visitation will be held prior to memorial service at First Baptist Church, Center, Texas on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 from 9am-11am with the memorial service following visitation at 11am. Brother Mike Belgard will be officiating. 

Charles made his home in Center, Tx his whole life. He was a 1974 graduate of Center High School and was chosen as Mr. CHS by his fellow classmates. He was active in sports and was a captain of his football team. 

Charles married his high school sweetheart Luciana Lawson Barr. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in June. They had two boys Charles Brent Barr and Blake Lawson Barr. 

Charles worked as a young man in the forest industry. He later decided to finish his college degree and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in education following in his dad’s footsteps. Charles taught and coached at Center ISD and Joaquin ISD. He decided to change occupations after the tragic death of his son Brent in 2000. Charles and his brother Steve began Barr Logging. They then sold the business but continued working in the logging industry. He was then encouraged to run for public office as Shelby County Commissioner of precinct 3. He was elected and served a term of 4 years and did not seek another term. Charles was instrumental in acquiring grants and improving the infrastructure of Shelby County. After retiring, he continued working in forestry until his illness prevented him from doing so. 

Charles enjoyed hunting, raising cattle, spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, and his faithful dog Doobie. He was a devout Christian and felt a strong urgency in witnessing to others about Christ. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Center, Tx his whole life and the Barnabas Sunday school class there. Charles taught 4th grade boys Sunday school for many years and helped with youth events and also taught senior youth. He was in the Christmas and Easter pageants held at First Baptist Church as well. Charles had the opportunity to help reopen the North Jericho Baptist Church in Center, Tx that had not been having service for twenty-five years. This little church was such a blessing to him as his illness progressed. 

Charles had an infectious smile and was a friend to many. Attributes that described him from those who knew and loved him said he was loyal, had integrity, great sense of humor, compassionate, a gentleman, best teacher ever, great guy, kind, role model, respected, blessing to others, nicest guy ever, amazing mentor and one of the good ones. 

His life was a testimony of his love for others and his Lord. Romans 8:18 reads, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.” That morning surrounded by his family when his Lord called him home, he was healed of all his ailments and he was walking in heaven with his Lord. 

Charles is survived by: 

Wife, Luciana Lawson Barr

Son, Blake Lawson Barr and wife Alix

Grandchildren:
Charles Brent Barr
Kennedi Barr
Braylon Barr

Sister, Gayla Horn and husband Larry

Brothers:
Johnny Barr and wife Debbie
Steve Barr and wife Tracy 

Sister-in-laws: 
Debra Yarbrough
Sherry Lawson

Nieces:
Ashley Wulf and husband Ben
Amber Dubea and husband Robby

Nephews:
Brandon Barr and wife Stacie
Justin Barr
Jordan Horn
Chad Barr and wife Darby 
Cade Yarbrough and wife Traci
Nathan Yarbrough

A number of great nephews and nieces and a host of other family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Yondell and Billie Barr, Son, Charles Brent Barr, and father and mother-in-law Billy and Jean Lawson.

The family would like to thank Elara Caring and Affinity Hospice for their care during Charles’ illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Catherine Pinkston Scholarship Fund setup at Farmers State Bank in memory of Yondell Charles Barr. Donations may also be made to North Jericho Cemetery, c/o Johnny Barr, 954 FM 3082, Joaquin, Texas 75954 or Antioch Cemetery, c/o Terry Walton, 237 CR 3129, Center, Texas 75935.

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

09/15/2023

Evett Tutt Williams, 58 of Timpson, passed away Monday, September 11, 2023. She was born June 22, 1965, to the late Eathen Tutt, Sr. and the late Marie Ratcliff Tutt in Timpson, Texas.

Funeral service is 1pm Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Wallace Chapel Baptist Church, 108 Marcus Street, Timpson, Texas 75975 with Rev. Derrick Rhodes officiating and Rev. George Grace as eulogist. Interment is at Friendship Bobo Cemetery in Tenaha. Visitation is 10am until 7pm Friday, September 15, 2023 at Community Funeral Home Chapel, Timpson, Texas.

She accepted Christ during her early years at Wallace Chapel Baptist Church, where she remained as a faithful member. She loved visiting all the churches in the community. She attended Timpson ISD, Timpson, Texas.

Later years she met and married Johnny Williams.

She is preceded in death by father, Eathen Tutt, Sr.; mother, Marie Ratcliff Tutt; and sisters, Janice Tutt and Cynthia Reed.

She is survived by:

Husband, Johnny Williams

Sister, Shavon McLendon (Larry)

Brother, Eathen Tutt, Jr.

She is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

09/12/2023

Mary Elizabeth Renfro, 56, of Lufkin, died Monday, September 11, 2023 in Lufkin. Mary was born November 7, 1966 in Center, Texas  to Mary (Carroll) and the late Morgan Harris, Jr..

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home, 420 San Augustine, Center, Texas 75935.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the service at the Carroway Funeral Home in Lufkin.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Levi Willoughby and Pastor Ronnie Frankens officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.

Mary was a teacher at Central ISD and primarily taught 3rd and 4th graders. She loved her students and retired in 2022, after 27 years of teaching. Mary was such a loving wife, Momma, and “Shugi”. She adored her granddaughters and loved time spent with her family. Mary was a member of Greater Love Tabernacle. Mary was loved by all who knew her and she will be dearly missed.

Survivored by:

Husband, Joe Renfro of Lufkin

Son and daughter-in-law, Levi and Chasity Willoughby of Center

Daughter and son-in-law, Britlee and Charlie Adkins of Center

Stepson, Kyle Wayne Renfro of Denton

Granddaughters:
Fallon Sullivan
Elly Willoughby
Tillie Willoughby

Mother, Mary Harris of Center

Sister and brother-in-law, Alyson and Chance Porter of Center

Mother-in-law, Glenda Oliver of Pollok

Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tonja and Keith Pigg of Lufkin

Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives

Preceded in death by her father, Morgan Harris, Jr.

Pallbearers will be Jerrod Nutt, Jerrod Holloway, Jeremy “Pig” Brinson, Bradley Odom, Terry Wheeler, and Mike Sullivan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Carroll and Roy Westbrook.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home, 420 San Augustine, Center, Texas 75935.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the service at the Carroway Funeral Home in Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Smyrna Kids, 177 CR 2450, Shelbyville, Texas 75973. There is an account set up at Farmers State Bank.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.