10/02/2025
Mary Montez Corbell McNaughten, 87, of Lufkin, Texas passed from this life on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at her residence.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2025 at Starr Funeral Home Chapel, 510 Starr Street in Hemphill.
Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jon Waller officiating. Honorary Pastor will be Bro. Mike Tieman.
Burial will follow service in Bethany Memorial Gardens Cemetery located in Milam, Texas. Serving as pallbearers are Brad Goodwin, Jared Waller, Zoey Waller, David Rice, Kory Castillo, Aidan Gilbert, Sam Boyle, Jayce Murry, Jacob Elliott, Kevin Ingle, Jay Ingle, Micah Ingle, Cody Corbell, Daniel Stokes, Matt Vincent, Travis Parrott, David Williams and Darin Williams.
Montez was born November 6, 1937 in Shelby County, Texas, to P. C. and Lovetta Emmons Corbell. Being the oldest of 6 siblings, it was incumbent upon Montez to teach her brother and young sisters all she learned in school. So began her history of teaching.
She began at age five at Huxley School and graduated from Strong High School in 1955. She attended SFA State College (now University), Lamar University, and Texas Western (now UTEP) over many years and graduated from the University of Georgia after all her children were born. She was a most appreciated math teacher at Shelbyville High School and Hemphill High School and taught many math courses as adjunct at Angelina College. After retiring from teaching several times, she was asked at age 80 to tutor 7th and 8th grade students in math for the Texas Starr Test, which she excitedly did. She had a real gift for math.
Montez and James Wendell (Joe) McNaughten married in 1984 and blended their families. They enjoyed almost 40 years together. What a blessing Joe was to her.
Montez was a member of Bethany Baptist Church. She was a very good cook and loved cooking for her large family. Corbell Christmas always enjoyed her vegetables and soups and, of course, Joe’s brisket!! Just like her mother, Montez was an excellent seamstress. Her daughters always had beautiful outfits to wear to every occasion.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children:
Son, Dr. Lee (Rusty) Waller, Jr. and wife, Dr. Sharon Snider Waller
Daughters:
Karen Johnson and husband, Glenn
Kimberly Elliott Konnie Long and husband, Randy
Mary Ann Oliver and husband, Craig
Lydia Turner
Stacie McNaughten
Sisters:
Jerry Sue Williams
Betty Kay Blount and husband, Gene
Charlotte Ingle
Sisters-in-law:
Mary Joyce O’Riley
Shirley Park and husband, Stephen
Helen Forman
Betty Turley
Grandchildren:
Bradley Goodwin and wife, Sherry
Dr. Melissa Rice and husband, David
Amanda Boyle and husband, Sam
Jonathan Waller and wife, Erin
Jared Waller
Zoey Waller
Jayce Murry and wife, Susan
Jacob Elliott and wife, Emily
Nicole Brown
Elizabeth Poindexter
Adrienne Poindexter
Danielle Turner
Kory Castillo
Aidan Gilbert
Avery Gilbert
Great-grandchildren:
Victoria (Zack)
Maddie (Jake)
Jeremiah
Joshua
Miriam
Gabriel
Evelyn
Jackson
Christian
Pete
Jacob
Reagan
Allie
Hallie
Avery
Brady
Lola
Jackson
Jada
Clair
Emily
Khole
One great-great grandchild on the way; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and countless friends and former students.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 40 years, Joe McNaughten; precious daughter, Kathi Goodwyn; son-in-law: Billy Poole; father and mother, PC and Lovetta Corbell; father and mother-in-law, Benton and Lydia McNaughten; granddaughters, Leslie Brown and Katy Brownlee; grandson, Timothy Turner; great grandsons: Nathan and Kaleb Kline; brother and sister-in-law, Perry and Sandra Corbell; sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Dale Vincent; brother-in-law, Bennie McNaughten; sister-in-law, Lois Anderson and husband, Roy; and four infant brothers.
Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome.com.
