Shelby County Today

09/03/2026

Walter Duffield, (82) of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Mr. Duffield was born to the late Jeff and Rosie Sharp Duffield in Shelbyville, Texas on November 17, 1943.

Visitation is Friday, September 4, 2026, at Hicks Chapel from the hours of 6pm to 8pm. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2026, at 11am at Thompson Cemetery located in Shelbyville, Texas. Elder Jonwesley B Gatlin will be the Eulogist.

He is survived by: 

Brother, Earl Duffield (Susie B) of Houston, Texas

Sisters:
Wilda Goodwin (Lenard) of Houston, Texas
Rosa Faye Duffield of Houston, 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

08/28/2026

Carl Douglas “Doug” Smothermon, 76, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at Jackson Cemetery with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m.  

Born November 1, 1949, Doug is the son of Arden Smothermon and Allie Carpenter Smothermon.  He enlisted in the United States Navy, during which time he served on the USS Orleck during the Vietnam War.  Doug was a proud supporter of the Jackson Naval Museum and was a member of the National Association of Destroyer Veterans.

He is survived by:

Son, William “Billy” Smothermon and wife Stacey of Bossier City, Louisiana

Daughter, Dee and husband James Stickell of Benton, Louisiana

Grandchildren:
Chad Alexander
Chase Alexander
Emily and husband Jake Bryson
Aidan Smothermon

Great-grandson, John Cole Bryson

Brother, Glen Smothermon of Grand Cane, Louisiana

Preceded in death by his wife, Linda Smothermon; parents, Arden Smothermon and Allie Carpenter Smothermon; and sister, Nell Patterson.

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

08/27/2026

Sandra Moody, 86, of Shreveport, Louisiana, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Graveside service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Wimberly Cemetery in Huxley with visitation beginning at 10am at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Bro. Buck Furlow will officiate.

Born April 17, 1940, in Huxley, Sandra is the daughter of Jewel Permenter and Arah Green Permenter. She was saved as a teenager and was a member of Rose Park Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.

She is survived by:

Husband, Jeff Moody of Shreveport, Louisiana

Daughter, Melanie West of Shreveport, Louisiana

Four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

Preceded in death by parents, Jewel Permenter and Arah Green Permenter; and son, Steve Moody.

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

08/24/2026

Wyatt Cornett Bolton, Sr., 61 of Sachse, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026. He was born on August 27, 1964, in Shelbyville, Texas to Wymon and Hazel Bolton.

A homecoming celebration was held on August 22, 2026 at Strong Triumph Church and Kingdom of God in Christ with Gwendolyn Graves, Mistress of Ceremony.

He was a state-champion basketball player on the Shelbyville High School team, later attended Panola College, and built a long career at Texas Instruments and Raytheon, where he worked for thirty-seven years.

He married Dessie Bolton on December 24, 1987, and they were blessed with two children, Wyatt Cornett Bolton Jr. and Marquisha Bolton.

He loved building, helping others, and supporting people with his generosity and kind heart.

He is survived by:

Wife, Dessie Bolton

Children:
Wyatt Cornett Bolton Jr.
Marquisha Bolton

Grandchildren:
Khari Jayden-Scott Manning
Zacchaeus Orion Manning

Siblings:
Lenola Taylor
Shonin Morris
Cynthia Howard
Joe Bolton
Darron Bolton Sr.
Shelia Woodard
Tracey Bolton
Wymon Bolton Jr. (preceded in death)
Youndus Bolton (preceded in death)

Additional Immediate Family:
Khari Manning (son-in-law)
Juliana Abodakpi (daughter-in-law)
Gwendolyn Graves (sister-in-law)
Jacqueline Fields (sister-in-law)
Bessie Sibley (sister-in-law)
William Hill (brother-in-law)
Fitzgerald Hill (brother-in-law)
Robert Taylor (brother-in-law)
Michael Fredua-Agyeman (brother-in-law)

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

08/24/2026

Lester McDaniel Sr., age 71, passed away Thursday, August 20, 2026 at his home. He was born on December 7, 1954, in Joaquin, Texas to the late Willie H. McDaniel and Elv Morris. He was the sixth of ten children.

Graveside service is at 11am on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Mount Zion Cemetery, State Hwy 5, Logansport, LA.

Lester graduated from Joaquin High School in 1974, where he was an outstanding basketball player and a member of future Farmers of America (FFA). He attended Panola Junior College before continuing his education at Stephen F. Augustine State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

In 1977. Lester married Deborah Lynn Rhodes McDaniel. Two children were born to their union: Lester Earl McDaniel Jr. and Latitia Renee McDaniel. In 2004, he married Cassandra Griffin McDaniel and welcomed two bonus children, Robert Jamal Griffin and Jasmine Slack, into his family.

Lester devoted much of his life to educating, counseling, and uplifting others. He began his teaching and coaching career at C. H. Daniels School in Center, Texas. Loved and respected by his students, colleagues, and faculty. He became affectionately known to many as "Coach McDaniel."

His desire to serve others led him to work as a counselor with Burke Center Mental Health Services and later as a social worker at Cognitive Institute.

Lester eventually returned to the profession that brought him great passion and fulfillment,  education - serving students in DeSoto and in the Red River and Caddo Parish School Systems. Lester will be remembered as a dedicated educator, respected coach, compassionate counselor and devoted family man. His influence extended far beyond the classroom and athletic court touching generations of students, coworkers, friends, and loved ones. He especially cherished his grandchildren, who brought tremendous joy to his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie H. McDaniel and Elv Marris McDaniel; his first wife, Deborah Lynn Rhodes McDaniel; his wife, Cassandra Griffin McDaniel; and six siblings, Lonnie D. McDaniel, Willie V. Jackson, Ida Ruth McDaniel Lee, Esther R McDaniel, and Doris M. Mc Daniel.

He leaves to cherish his memory:

Children:
Lester Earl McDaniel Jr.
Latitia Renee McDaniel

Bonus children:
Robert Jamal Griffin of Las Vegas, Nevada
Jasmine Slack of Carthage, Texas

Siblings:
James Earl McDaniel Sr. (Barbara) of Carthage, Texas
Sandra McDaniel of Shelbyville, Texas
Belinda McDaniel of Joaquin, Texas

Beloved grandchildren

A host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, former students, colleagues, and friends.

The life and legacy of Lester McDaniel Sr. "Coach McDaniel" will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

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

08/20/2026

Martha Ann Campbell, 98, formerly of Center, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026, in Great Falls, Montana. She was born on May 30, 1928, in Bellville, Texas, to the late Thomas Andrew Huffman and Alice Jane (Colleton) Huffman.

Graveside service will be held at 10AM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at McClelland Cemetery. 

Martha married the love of her life, Joe Campbell, in May 1987. The two shared more than 21 years together, building a life filled with love and treasured memories until his passing in 2004.
Martha was a woman of strong faith who deeply loved the Lord and served Him faithfully through singing in the church choir. Her faith was an important part of her life and was reflected in the love and kindness she showed to those around her.

Martha was an excellent seamstress and took great pride in creating beautiful things with her hands. She enjoyed collecting cookbooks and appreciated the joy of good home cooking. She also loved working puzzles and crossword puzzles, which provided her with many hours of enjoyment.

Martha will be remembered for her faith, her talents, her warm spirit, and the love she shared with her family and friends. Her memory will be treasured by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her daughter, 
Rebecca Ann Huff

Step-Grandson,
Joe Ben Wolf 

Step-Great-Grandchildren,
Trey Wolf
Emily Nicole Oney

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Campbell; parents, Thomas and Alice Huffman; son, David Huff and wife Gay; brothers, Buddy Huffman, Sonny Huffman, Collie Huffman, Frank Huffman; sisters, Alice Musso, Mary Ellen Feder, and Gladys Gilbert.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net

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

Joseph Randall Pate was born February 7, 1949, in Center’s Warren Hospital, to Wallace and Bernice Anderson Pate. He passed away on August 14, 2026, in the Fellowship Community, at the age of 77.

Joe’s parents both worked at Fellowship School, and lived in the house next door. Later, the older grades were in Joaquin. After graduation, Joe attended Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, and received two masters degrees: math and geology. He was also a member of the geology honor society.

When Joe was in college, he lived in Nacogdoches, meeting his life partner Pat, who was from Nacogdoches and also attended SFA. After college, Joe lived in a mobile home on “the place” in Fellowship Community working with his dad.  Pat taught school in Joaquin, and they married in 1979. Eventually, both Joe and Pat taught at Panola College, on Carthage and Center campuses.

Joe had many interests and talents. Working with his parents, he wrangled bees, herded exotic Brahmas, and grew and canned all sorts of vegetables. All three were also accomplished cooks. New to these pursuits, Pat provided comic relief—especially the time she spilled a half-pound of turnip seeds in the garden.

In the early 1980s, computers came along, and Joe was captivated. Through classes and self-study, he quickly became proficient in the computing world. These skills led to teaching at SFA and Panola. He was employed full-time at Panola, for over 20 years—first as a professor and then in charge of the testing lab, which was used instead of classroom testing.  He retired two weeks before Covid hit.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Bernice Pate; his parents-in-law, Ona and William Tinney; his brothers-in-law, Lynn Tinney and Dean Tinney. 

He is survived by:

Wife, Pat

Niece, Ashley Davis, husband Billy, and children

Scores of relatives and friends.

Funeral Service is at 10am, Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas. Services presided over by Jody Hooper and Randy Smith. Visitation in the chapel will follow the service.

Private burial to follow at Johnson Cemetery in Fellowship Community, Joaquin, Texas. 

Much gratitude to local police, sheriff, and fire departments as well as the many friends and neighbors who have helped in recent days.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Joe’s name to Johnson Cemetery, 1173 CR 3344, Joaquin TX 75954; or Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 248, Joaquin TX 75954.

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

08/17/2026

Eudeline Dickerson, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, age 82, of Nassau Bay, Texas, formerly of Center, Texas, died August 10, 2026, in Teague, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 21, 2026, and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Charles Williams officiating.  Interment will follow at Old Salem Cemetery in Center.

Born July 28, 1944, in Colmesneil, Texas, Eudeline is the daughter of Joseph Richard Lane and Eula Mae Stringer Lane.  She worked at the soda fountain in John C. Rogers drugstore from 1974 to 1994, while rearing three sons- Alvin, Brian, and Chuck.  She later worked with her husband at Vivian’s Tractor Repairs as the office manager and bookkeeper from 1995, when the business opened, until the business closed at the end of 2022.

Survivors include:
Husband of 64 years, Vivian Dickerson of Nassau Bay

Sons: 
Brian Dickerson of Streetman
Charles (Chuck) Dickerson and wife Mary of Nassau Bay

Daughter-in-law, Barbara Dickerson of Greenville, South Carolina

Grandchildren: 
Alyssa (Ryan) Dickerson of Mansfield
Colby Dickerson of Friendswood
Dakota Dickerson of Stephenville

Great-grandchildren: 
Juliet
Soren

Sisters:
Dorothy Jo Hooks
Wildarene Hollingsworth and husband Burvin

Brothers-in-law: 
Joe Pena
Jerry Dickerson

Sister-in-law, Wanda Wall.

Preceded in death by parents; Rev. and Mrs. Joe R. Lane; parents-in-law, Rev. and Mrs. W. E. (Cat) Dickerson; son, Rev. Donald Alvin (Al) Dickerson; granddaughter, Trinity Reagan Dickerson; brother, Perry Gwinn Lane; sisters, Joyce Lane, Nelda Gail Pena and Jackie Mott & husband Gaylon; and brothers-in-law, Buddy Hooks and Royce Wall.

Pallbearers will be Colby Dickerson, Dakota Dickerson, Ryan Jacobs, Maxey Hooks, Roger Wall, and Kenneth Spears.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to:
Texas Baptist Institute & Seminary
Alvin Dickerson Scholarship Fund
PO Box 570
Henderson, Texas 75653

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

08/16/2026

Barbara Ann Jackson, 85, of Center, Texas, was born December 4, 1940, in Livingston, Texas and passed away August 1, 2026, in Nacogdoches, Texas. 

Funeral services were held Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11am, at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with George Hayden officiating. Interment followed at the Peebles Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation was held on the day of service, from 10-11am, at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Wesley Rankin and Agnes (Shirley) Rankin; husband, Robert “R.E.” Jackson; and sisters Marie Rankin Damon, Ruby Rankin Kegans, Evon Rankin Ward, Louise Rankin Chalker, and Gloria Rankin Albright.

Barbara was a unique woman. She loved her husband and family with a heart full of love. She was always offering her hand and heart to help family, friends, and even strangers. She wrestled cattle, horses and stockdogs, as well as barbed wire fences, and leasers as a daily routine for years, all the while keeping food on the table and making a home for her family.

She was kind to all, but knew how to set a matter straight if needed. She was tough, and gentle, kind and stern. She fed the cowboys, hauled the hay and was at her husband's side to help in any way needed. She helped manage the Subdivision, the hunting lease, being a secretary for the many endeavors Robert was in. She was a one of a kind woman with a big heart for God, family and friends. Ready to fight for what she believed, or hug tightly as needed.

No one in the family suspected the dementia that seemed to pounce upon her fairly quick. She suffered hallucinations, delusions and physical decline the last few years of her life. She forgot where she had lived recently, but always remembered Mason Lake, her home for many years. Sometimes she talked with family who were long gone.

She made friends in the nursing facility that were some of the most precious people we have ever known. People who have dedicated their lives to help others, who can no longer help themselves. They were so very kind to her, always meeting whatever need she had. It had progressed beyond the abilities of family to provide the help she needed. Daily medical supervision, careful protective eyes, and a run to rescue, when needed, or an emergency trip to the ER.

Dementia is a horrible thing to watch. There are times things are funny, and times that are heartbreaking. It's like a circuit board in your head, where memories like wires, get crossed, mixed and blended together. The time they think they are in is 5, 10 even 50 or more years in the past, mixed with things in the here and now, with people, long gone, and present, places and things, that both happened, and things that were at one time only a dream or a thought, that are completely mixed up. There are good days and bad. She seemed to be happy, she was well loved, well cared for and in a protective place.

Though dementia isn't what took her, it was a part, other issues came and Jesus took her home. 85 years of blood, sweat, tears, hugs, love and a flurry of activity. She was never one to sit still for long, even near the end.

Barbara is survived by:

Daughter, Dena Jackson Aaron Burrows of Center

Son, R.E. Jackson, Jr. of Katy

Daughter, Carol Jackson Vela Wright (deceased) and Haskell of Cleveland

Daughter, Lois Jackson DeLaPaz, and Alfred "Duke" of Magnolia

A herd of grandchildren:
Robert Aaron and Ginny of Center
JoAnna Aaron Hall and Josh of Central Heights
Jayson Burrows of Center
Steven Jackson and Tanya of Katy
Rhonda Vela Caswell and Chad of Cleveland
Johnny Vela and wife Elicia from Iowa
Joe Vela of Cleveland
Harry Vela of Cleveland
Noeh Vela of Cleveland
Laura DeLaPaz of Magnolia
Tracy DeLaPaz of Magnolia
Monica DeLaPaz McMillan and John of Magnolia

Plethora of great-grandchildren.

Many loved and cherished nieces, nephews and cousins, other relatives and friends. 

While her loss will be full of grief and sadness, her life will be remembered as a blessing to those who knew and loved her. She will be missed, by us all.

One day Mama, I'll see you again, in a place of peace, joy and health like we never knew, beside our Savior, blessed forevermore. - Dena Burrows, your loving daughter.

Pallbearers: Robert Aaron, Joshua Hall, Tyler Barr, Maddox Aaron, Jimmy Williamson, and Chad Caswell.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jayson Burrows, Eli Matthews, Axyl Aaron, Christefer Bell, and Adam Moore.