Shelby County Today

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.

10/29/2025

Margaret Jean (Buddy) Bounds Ihlo, 89, died at Lakeside Village Assisted Living on October 27, 2025. Margaret was born January 19, 1936, at home in the Clever Creek Community of Shelby County, Texas, to Walter Morris and Zephie Inez (Johnyne) (Phillips) Bounds. She married George W. Ihlo in 1954. 

Margaret and her family moved “to town” when she was six and she lived most of her life here in Center. She was a 1953 graduate of Center High School. Margaret was a member of Preceptor Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, for over 50 years and served in almost every officer position.

Margaret’s first job was at Perry Bros Five & Dime when she was 14. She worked as a medical technician and bookkeeper for several medical offices in Center. She worked the last 30 years of her career as bookkeeper at the dental offices of Dr. Rodgers and then Dr. Danny Paul Windham. She reluctantly retired at age 70, due to her declining eyesight.

There was very little Margaret couldn’t do if she set her mind to it. Over the years, she took pottery classes, painted, and held frequent yard sales!

Margaret grew up in the First Baptist Church but joined the United Methodist Church when she and George married. She was a devoted member of the church, serving on the Board of Trustees, teaching Sunday school and Bible School, and singing in the choir. She was renowned for her decorating skills and frequently helped decorate the church for weddings and other events. She was one of several women at the church who, many years ago, made Chrismon ornaments that are still used every Advent.

Margaret is survived by:

Children:
Jen Ihlo (Ella)
Meg Heffernan
Billy Ihlo (Lourie)

Grandchildren:
Catherine Lane (Wardlow)
Howell Mallory (Becky)
Clay Ihlo (Heather)
Hillary Campbell (Josh)

Great-grandchildren:
David Vazquez
Mollie Moore
Parker Mallory
Levi Mallory
Liam Ihlo
Avery Ihlo
Garrett Campbell

Brother, Buster Bounds (Carolyn)

Many, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, George; parents, Morris and Johnyne Bounds; and sister, Laura Bounds Phelps Rainbolt.

The family would especially like to thank Kaye Powell and the entire staff at Lakeside Village Assisted Living for the care and love they gave Mom. We also thank Heart to Heart Hospice Care.

The funeral service will be held at Mangum Funeral Home at 2pm on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with visitation preceding the service from 12 noon to 2. Malcolm Monroe and Martha Carroll will officiate. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Pallbearers will be Howell Mallory, Clay Ihlo, Wardlow Lane, Josh Campbell, David Vazquez, Roy Blackshear, and Kirk Richardson. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren.

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

10/27/2025

David John Ray, 78, of Center, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025, in Center.

His wishes were to be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., October 31, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Charles Williams officiating.

Born February 15, 1947, in Center, David is the son of Delton Ray and Helena Barfoot Ray.  

He is survived by:
Son, Micky Ray and wife Melinda of Kingwood

Daughter, Misty Ray of Center

Grandchildren:
Morgan Olivia Ray of Kingwood
Meghan Elizabeth Ray of Kingwood
Mason Taylor Ray of Kingwood

Brothers and sisters:
Alan Ray and wife Glenda of Shelbyville
Melanie Pidcoke of League City
Stephanie Cooper of Center
Ivy Dominy of Center
Lisa and husband Chris Egge of Palestine
Adam Ray of Center

Numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Delton Ray and Helena Barfoot Ray; and brother-in-law, John Dominy.

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