Shelby County Today

02/26/2019

Audrianna Alexis “Lexi” Jones, 12, died February 22, 2019. Lexi was a 7th grade middle school student at Center Middle School in Center, Texas. Lexi was born on May 31, 2006.

Funeral service is Saturday, March 2, 2019 at First Baptist Church (117 Cora Street Center, Texas) at 1:00pm. Bishop Howard Cloudy will be officiating. Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2019 at Hicks Chapel, from the hours of 3:00pm to 8:00pm. Committal is at Thompson Cemetery in Shelbyville, Texas.

Lexi leaves to cherish her memories:

Father, O’Neal Jones Jr.
Mother, Audrey Marie Jones

Grandfather, O’Neal Jones Sr.

Grandmothers:
Earlene Jones-McDaniel
Lucille Bell-Jones
Teresa Vinton-Martinez
Mary Ellis

Brothers:
O’Neal Jones III (Judy) of Tyler, TX
J’von Jones (Itzel) of Center, TX
Ronnie Williams (Amanda) of Center, TX
Dedrick Williams (Chaz) of Center, TX

Sisters:
Michele Hutchinson (Cedric) of Nacogdoches, TX
Chelby Ellis of Pearsall, TX

Nephews:
O’Neal Jones IV of Tyler, TX
Liam Jones of Center, TX
Rush Rodriquez, Pearsall, TX

Nieces:
Imani Jones of Tyler, TX
Aniya Jones of Tyler, TX
Na’Zyiah Jones of Tyler, TX
Xaira Jones of Center, TX
Sophia Rodriquez of Pearsall, TX
Journey Rodriquez of Pearsall, TX
Christlin Rodriquez of Pearsall, TX

Father's Siblings: Elizabeth Valentine (Robert) of Shreveport, LA, Roy Andrews (Cynthia) of San Antonio, TX Earnestine Patton (Elton) of The Colony, TX, Onetta Nuahui (Abraham) of Lewisville, TX, Twyiana Jones, Essie Brown, of Nacogdoches, TX Earnest Bailey (Dorothy), Calvin Jones (Rachel) Danny Brown (Bernice), Sandra De Richards (Robert Sr.), Sandra Dean Chumbly (Anthony), Anthony Jones (Ladetria), Mary Barnes, Deloris Johnson, Jerry Bell, Jimmy Bell, Dameon Jones, Chadrick Jones all of Center, TX, Robert Richards (Kathryn) of Odessa, TX

Mother Siblings: Carlos Vinton, Pearsall, TX, Richard Vinton, Pearsall, TX, Frank Ellis (Sylvia) Devine, TX, Chris Ellis (Debbie) Waskom, TX, Vida Valenzuela (Benito) Dilley, TX, Mary Ann Elizondo, Giddness, TX, Bianca Marshall (Casey) San Marcos, TX

God Parents: Elton and Earnestine Patton

God Uncle: Brent Dance

Service entrusted to Hicks Mortuary at 804 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas 75935 www.hicksmortuary.net

02/27/2019

Zelma Bolton, 90 of Milam, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Sabine County Hospital in Hemphill, Texas.

Visitation is all day Friday at Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas. Funeral service is Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in San Augustine, Texas. Interment is at Buckley Cemetery in Milam, Texas with Pastor H.F. Johnson officiating.

She is survived by:

Daughters:
Ruth Henson of Milam
Velma Duncan of Milam

Sons:
Wayne (Shelia) Noble of Jasper
Glenn Noble of Nacogdoches
Curtis Noble of Milam
Linnie (Shelly) Haskins of San Augustine
Robert Bolton of Milam

31 Grandchildren, 41 Great-Grandchildren and 6 Great-great-Grandchildren

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

02/27/2019

Robert Harold Collier, 72, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, February 25, 2019, at his residence.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Lydia Missionary Baptist Church in Huxley.

Mr. Collier was born December 20, 1946, in Norton, Virginia, to Brainard Harold Collier and Mary Christina Collier. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and later retired as a Railroad Conductor.

He is survived by his wife, Lora Collier of Shelbyville; children, Brett Collier and wife Meghan Schollian of Las Vegas, Nevada, Bradley Collier of Las Vegas, Nevada, Brooke Katz and husband Michael of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Kolton Collier and Cooper Collier of Las Vegas, Nevada, Zackary Katz of Las Vegas, Nevada,; stepchildren, Kathryn Massey and husband Andrew of Claremore, Oklahoma, Landon VonSchriltz of Claremore, Oklahoma, Emily Wolf and husband Michael of Claremore, Oklahoma; step grandchildren, Robert Wolf of Claremore, Oklahoma, Elliana Wolf of Claremore, Oklahoma; siblings, Henry Collier and wife Karen of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michael Collier of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Linda Collier Tearl of Moore, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Brainard Harold Collier and Mary Christina Collier.

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

02/25/2019

A celebration of life will be held on February 27, 2019 at 1:00 PM for Peggy Chote, who peacefully went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 24, 2019 surrounded by her family at her home in Yantis, Texas. She was born March 7, 1932 in Dallas, Texas to J.E. and Bessie Tyre.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

Peggy was working at Southwest Tablet when she met her beloved husband, Richard. Richard and Peggy married January 11, 1966 and moved to Shelby County in 1972 to start their life together with their daughter, Rejeana. Their love for each other was unwavering, they couldn't have been a more perfect match. They loved and supported each other and showed everyone what true love really is. They opened the first donut shop in Center, Texas, then went on to open Center Printing Co. and ran it for 12 years before retiring at their home in Shelbyville, Texas. 

Peggy played a large part in teaching her entire family the importance of being honest, having integrity, working hard and loving and cherishing family. She was never one to let you walk in her house without offering something to eat.

She enjoyed spending her time playing games with her family, traveling (Her brother James went with them many times), sewing, crafting, gardening, fishing and spending time with her family, which was the most important to her. Hours of stories could be told from all of the adventures she shared while traveling with the love of her life. Their adventures come from thousands of miles of travel across the United States in their R.V., which included multiple visits to Alaska. 

Peggy was a loving, kind, fun, and feisty person with a big heart, who truly loved life. She fought for many years with Alzheimer's and cancer until the Lord called her to rejoice with her beloved and missed friends and family. 

Peggy was proceeded in death by parents; husband, Richard A. Chote; brothers, James E. Tyre Jr. and Charles W. Tyre. 

Peggy is survived by daughters Sheila A. Harris and husband, Gordon Harris of East Tawakoni, Texas and Rejeana D. Littles and Fiancé, John Jeansonne of Yantis; sister, Linda Stroope of Huxley, Texas; four grandchildren, Bryan Bishop, Monica Barrington, Cory Littles and Kacie Arriaga; six great-grandchildren, Crystal Sallings, Deanna & Jacob Barrington, McKynlee Hilton and Brooke & Brayden Bishop; three great great - grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

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

02/25/2019

Barbara A. Hughes, 75, passed away in peace on February 24, 2019. She was the wife of Dr. Robert I. Hughes Jr. DVM and they celebrated 53 years of marriage together.

She was born September 19, 1943, in Cumberland, Maryland. She attended Allegheny High School and graduated in 1961. She served in the United States Air Force from 1962-1966 which she was most proud of. She completed her Vocational Nursing Degree in 1976. She worked at Holly Farms from 1977-79 in Industrial Nursing and then went on to assist her husband in his veterinary clinic until 1991. In 1993, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from SFA majoring in Health Science and minoring in Psychology. She then went on to work as school nurse in Joaquin ISD until 1996 when she retired. After a brief pause she went on to study massage therapy at The Giving Tree in Nacogdoches and became a massage therapist.

She was a proud member of the Center Band Boosters for 12 years while her children were in school. She attended and was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church. Her hobbies included reading, swimming, and playing with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her love for her family and her outspoken personality!

She is survived by her husband, Robert; son, Robby Hughes; daughter, Deanna Coats; son-in-law, Brad Coats; granddaughter, Kimber Hughes; and grandsons, Tray Hughes, GW, Jack and Augustus Coats.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donation to V.F.W. or your favorite veterans organization.

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

02/23/2019

Ima Rose Harper Burns died Friday morning, February 22, 2019, at her home in Joaquin, Texas.

Burial will take place Sunday, February 24, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Harper’s Chapel, Sabinetown, Texas. Per her request, or one should say demand, no formal service will be held but family will be in attendance.

She was born in Sabinetown, in 1931, on the Louisiana side of the Sabine River, to Sallie Speight Harper and Robert Henry Harper.

She had a home place down in those Louisiana deep woods near Negreet, Louisiana, that she dearly loved and spent as much time as she possibly could over there. She enjoyed being outside and working around her camp home while she was still able to do that, visiting with friends and family, and just being her own person.

Preceded in death by her husband, Leonard L. Burns of Joaquin; mother and father; 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Survived by:
Children: 
Lynn Burns and wife Kathy of Joaquin
Neal Burns and wife Janet of McAlester, Oklahoma,
Janie Burns Newman and husband Jerry of Joaquin
Jackie Burns Simoneaux of Negreet, Louisiana

Grandchildren: 
Jessica Burns Gatlin
Christina Burns Watson
Lance Burns
Logan Burns
Jennifer Burns Cooper
Jason Newman
Jared Newman
Kyle Dempsey
Dylan Martin

Brother: John Henry Harper and wife Lorene of Porter

Several great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; lots of folks who loved her.

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

02/18/2019

David Paul Carroll, 71, of Joaquin, Texas, succumbed to a long-term illness on February 15, 2019.

David is proceeded in death by his parents, Clifford Carroll and Jessie Brittain Carroll; siblings, Dudley Carroll, Eloise Carroll, Betty Sue Johnson, Louise Carroll; brother, Kenneth Carroll; son, Kenneth Leon Carroll. 

David leaves behind:
A loving wife, Kayse

Sons: 
James David Carroll of Shelbyville
Billy Glenn Carroll of Carthage

Grandchildren include:
Jessi Webb and husband Michael of Tenaha
James Paul Carroll and wife Shelby of Joaquin
Justin and Kaylena of Center
Laci and Cody Price of Tenaha
Cheyenne Carroll of Carthage

There are also six great-grandchildren

Mother-in-law: Faye Spears of Joaquin

Brother: James Carroll and wife Debra of Whitehouse

Sisters: 
Edith McBride and husband Butch of Shreveport
Barbara Stroud of Longview
Sharron Miller and husband Jerry of Diana

Brothers-in-law: 
Wayne Spears and wife Carla of Joaquin
Gordon Spears and wife Georgia of Houston.

David was born March 24, 1947, in Center. He was a long-time employee in the oil field where he worked for forty-four years.  David enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. He loved spending time with great grandchildren, Jaylee, Mayson, Tucker and Taegan.

Pallbearers are Jeff Sharp, Stevie Smith, Kenny Weeks, Craig Wright, Linnis Holt and Caleb Metcalf. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Glenn Coulter, Hilburn Scruggs, Alvis Buckley, and Lewis Wright.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Eugene McBride and Bro. Kerry Henry officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Stanley, Louisiana. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at noon.

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

02/12/2019

Rilda Evelyn Lamon, 64, passed away February 8, 2019 at the age of 64. Born in Houston, TX, on March 10, 1954, she was the daughter of B. G. Smith and Jan Elaine Brooks Smith.

She returned to college when her children were in elementary school to pursue her Master’s Degree at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. She worked, maintained a home, and graduated with a Master of Education in Special Education in December of 1990. She was a Speech Language Pathologist for many years before she retired.

She was a people person in every sense of the word. Her Jesus and her family were her life. She enjoyed spending quality time with her husband of over 40 years. Her children and grandchildren brought her so much pride and joy. She was a very active member of Dover Apostolic Church in Dover, OH, where she and her husband were living at the time of her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, B. G. and Jan Smith and her mother-in-love Hester Lamon.

She is survived by:

Husband of 40 years, Don Lamon

Daughters:
Alesha Hamm (Jeff) of Edwards
Donna Stokes (Paris) of Vicksburg

Grandchildren: Katie Hamm, Taylor Hamm, Lane Stokes, Caden Stokes and Colton Stokes; sister, Marla Aguilar (Frank) of Humble, TX

6 nephews and 4 nieces

Father-in-law, Bro. M.D. Lamon of Center

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019, at First United Pentecostal Church in Raymond, MS, with Rev. Dennis Davis and Rev. Brent Randall officiating. Visitations will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, at Glenwood Funeral Home and at 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at the church on Friday. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery in Vicksburg, MS.

Pallbearers will be Marvin Ashley, B. J. Randall, Jamison Brown, Mike McCune, Randall Hutcheson, Garett Hester, Billy Prather, Richard Goodwin and Hayse Burnham. Honorary pallbearers will be Taylor Hamm, Lane Stokes, Caden Stokes and Colton Stokes.

One of her greatest desires was to see her father-in-law's church building in Center, TX, completed. Memorials may be made to First Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ, 524 FM 2026, Center, TX 75935.

Services are under the direction of Glenwood Funeral Home, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

02/08/2019

Murel Stephens Thomason, 93, of Center, Texas, passed away on February 7, 2019 in Katy, Texas. She was born on April 6, 1925 in Shelby County, Texas to W.O. Bush and Beulah Jetton Bush. Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held prior to service time from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. 

Murel grew up in Shelby County in the Mt. Zion Community. She attended Lamar School and Center High School where she met T.O. Stephens. The two fell instantly in love and were married right out of high school in 1942. They had two little girls, Katha and Betsy. The joy of those precious girls multiplied when Katha and Betsy both later married and had four daughters of their own: Yondi, Yanci, Brandi and Ashli. After T.O.’s passing, Murel found comfort and happiness in family and friends. Her entire life she treasured the moments where she was surrounded by her loved ones. Thousands of memories were created over the years and are treasured by her family.

Later in her life, she met and married Charles Thomason. They spent their golden years together traveling and enjoying every moment they were given. Faithfulness to the Lord and to her church family was of the utmost importance. Murel was a member of First Baptist Church in Center for many years where she taught Children’s Sunday School, was a member of Linda Anderson’s Sunday School Class and was a member of the bereavement committee as well. She also was a member of the Golden Harvest Ministry, BPW Club and the CHS Alumni Committee. Murel was no stranger to work as she held positions at Farmers State Bank in the Human Resources Department and worked for James Campbell at Farmers Gas Company for many years. She also worked at the Center Auction Barn. 

MeeMee, as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great grandchildren would call her, lived a simple and humble life. She had a genuine and selfless heart that was evident in the way she served her family and others. Her love, laughter and light will be dearly missed by those who had the honor of knowing her. 

Murel is survived by:

Daughter, Betsy McDonald and husband, Dan of Katy

Step-children:
Bill Thomason and wife, Debbie
Tommy Thomason

Grandchildren:
Yondi Watson of Center
Yanci Hendricks and husband, Ron of Huxley
Brandi Sikes and husband, Steven of Houston
Ashli Leto and husband, Brian of Austin

Step-grandchildren:
Jill Noel
Jennifer Thomason
Ashley Wilson and husband, Chris

Great-grandchildren: Jade Hogue and husband Todd; Jordan Nutt and Bryan; Jerrod Nutt and wife, Fernanda; Sarah Ryder and husband, Ashton; Hunter Hendricks and Chelsea; Brisa Gawlikowski and Sagan Sikes

Great-great-grandchildren: Kayden, Conner and Cassie Nutt; Copen and Creek Hogue; and Caul Ryder

Special friend, Ann Yarborough

A host of numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, W.O. and Beulah Bush; husbands, T.O. Stephens and Charles Thomason; daughter and son-in-law, Katha and Bill Watson; siblings, Earl Bush, Raleigh Bush, Travis Bush, Vance Bush and Christine Sears; and step-son, Charlie Thomason. 

Pallbearers are Dan McDOnald, Jerrod Nutt, Ron Hendricks, Hunter Hendricks, Kenneth Earl Bush, Bob Bush, Bruce Bush, Don Bush, Claude Lucas, Chad Bourg, Michael Fults, Jimmy Fults and Jordan Fults.

Honorary pallbearers are James Campbell, Pat Cameron, Steve Stephens and Joe Anderson.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.