Shelby County Today

09/29/2018

Amy Springer, 43, of Houston, passed away Thursday, September 27, 2018, in Houston.
 
Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Garrison Funeral Home with Bro. John McGuire officiating. Interment will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery in Garrison. Visitation will be before service at 1:30.
 
Miss Springer was born September 10, 1975, in Houston, to George Springer and Juanita Jones Springer. She loved volunteering and playing volleyball.
 
She is survived by
Mother: Juanita Springer of Garrison
 
Brother: Edward Springer of Houston
 
Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives
 
Preceded in death by
Father: George Springer
 
Pallbearers will be Casey Cranford, Keith Cranford, Marc Cranford, Jared Kimbrough, Chris Box and Corey Lunsford. Honorary pallbearers will be Weyman Jones, Brian Jones and Jeff Jones.
 
Services are under the direction of Garrison Funeral Home in Garrison, Texas.

09/27/2018

Graveside service for Cleon Conred Johnson, 78, of Tatum, Texas will be held at 2PM on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Corinth Cemetery, Timpson, Texas, with Bro. Joseph Driskell officiating. Mr. Johnson passed away on September 26, 2018 in Longview, Texas. Born May 2, 1940, in Center, Texas. Cleon is the son of the late Burtis Johnson and Vergie Mae Johnson. 

Mr. Johnson graduated Timpson High School, Class of 1959. He later joined the United States Army and proudly served his country alongside his brother for their term. He returned home working as a welder. He enjoyed the outdoors. He fished occasionally, and loved working in the garden. 

He is survived his son, Keith Johnson of Carthage, Texas; brothers, Leland Johnson of Longview, Texas, Alan Johnson and wife Peggy of Carthage, Texas, Lester Johnson and wife Virginia of Henderson, Texas, Larry Johnson of Timpson, Texas; sister, Nelda Stevens of Dallas, Texas; sister-in-law, Joann Johnson of Nacogdoches, Texas; grandson, Micah Johnson of Carthage, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.

Cleon is preceded in death by his parents, Burtis and Vergie Mae Johnson; brothers, Marshall Ray Johnson, Richard Johnson, Matthew Johnson and Laverl Johnson.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net. 

Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, is in charge of arrangements.

09/24/2018

Ovias Michael Bailey, 66, of Center, Texas, passed away on September 23, 2018 in Nacogdoches. He was born on December 30, 1951 in Pasadena, Texas to Ovias Asburry Bailey and Ray Nell Jones Bailey. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

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

09/18/2018

Funeral service for Mrs. Avalon M. O’Neal-Norris (83) of Joaquin, Texas will be Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Abundant Love Ministries at 1:00pm. Mrs. Norris died Monday, September 17, 2018 at Willis Knighton South in Shreveport, Louisiana. Mrs. Norris was born on May 12, 1935. Bro. Marlin Cloudy will be officiating. 

Mrs. Norris is survived by:

Sons:
Ricky Howard of Center, Texas
Darren O’Neal of Nacogdoches, Texas
Dennis O’Neal, wife Sherrelle of Logansport, Louisiana

Daughters:
Tracee (Yvette), husband Milford of Mansfield, Louisiana
Tammy Nelson, husband Alonzo of Mansfield, Louisiana

Brother: Mitchell McClelland of Houston, Texas

Visitation: Friday, September 21, 2018, from the hours of 12 noon to 6:00pm at Hicks Chapel

Committal: Rather Cemetery in Shelbyville, Texas

Services entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas

Barbara Nell Chavers-Copeland, 74, of Shelbyville, Texas, went into Jesus’ arms on September 17, 2018 in Shelbyville. She was born on June 21, 1944 in Alpine, Texas to William Cuyler Chavers and Doris Marie Magee Chavers. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. 

Barbara was a bit of a traveler during her youth and teenage years. Her family spent time in Yoakum, Texas, Pensacola, Florida and El Paso, Texas where she completed high school. The desire for travel and exploration carried into her life beyond school. Barbara had a passion for the outdoors. She collected rocks from all of the United States. She also loved to hike and explore in the mountains. She enjoyed camping and visiting state and national parks during her travels. Barbara was a involved with Toledo Bend Cowboy Church in Huxley and Word of Hope in Pecos. 

Barbara is survived by:
Her husband: Wesley Copeland of Shelbyville

Sons: 
Cliffton D. Pert and wife, Geri of Dundee, Michigan
Cleveland G. Pert and wife, Bonnie of Arlington, Texas

Daughters: 
Cellina F. Stokes and husband, David of Humble, Texas
Casondra L. Trevino and husband, Lee of Conover, Wisconsin

Brothers: 
Raymond Chavers of Lawrenceville, Minnesota
Floyd Chavers and wife, Esther of Eden, Texas
Herbert Chavers and wife, Suzette of Riverside, California
W.J. Chavers and Laura Atkinson of Milton, Florida
Charles Chavers and wife, Darlene of Graysville, Florida
Clyde Chavers of Knoxville, Tennessee

Sister: 
Carolyn Beach of Harlingen, Texas
Marie C. Callahan of Florida

Grandchildren: 
Jacqelyn Dunn
Brandon Trevino
Justin Trevino
Chelsea Stokes
Jerry Hollingshead
Krysten Pert
Carl Pert
Destiny Pert
Crystal Trevino
Matthew Trevino

Five step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren with one on the way; and 5 step-great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Doris Chavers, sisters, Marjorie Chavers, Nancy Zachy and Jackie Gammel; and brothers, Earnest Chavers, James Chavers and Donald Chavers.

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

09/16/2018

Larry Kay, 72, of Joaquin Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 15, 2018, in Houston, Texas, with his devoted daughter Amanda by his side.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 17, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, Texas. A memorial service honoring and celebrating Larry’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at Watson & Sons. Interment will follow at Lone Cedar Cemetery in Joaquin, Texas.

Larry Kay was born April 14, 1946 in Center, Texas, to Fred Kay and Ruth Fleming Kay, of Huxley, Texas. Larry grew up in Huxley surrounded by the large Kay family. Larry graduated from Joaquin High School, in Joaquin, Texas where he excelled on the football field. After graduating Larry began a career in construction that took him all over the world, including the Middle East and Asia.

A lifelong resident of Joaquin, Larry operated a farm in the Lone Cedar Community with Billie Jean, his beloved wife of forty-nine years. Larry and Billie Jean enjoyed raising horses and cattle and supporting their daughters in their rodeo careers. Larry had an incredible eye for selecting great horses.

Larry was an avid hunter. He enjoyed deer hunting, elk hunting, and dove hunting. Some of his most treasured hunting trips include those to Merkel, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Kentucky, with his family and friends.

After he retired, you could find him on his Ranger, riding through his property alongside his black labs. He loved working on his tractor, clearing and cleaning his property, and planting feed plots for his deer and grasses for the horses. Larry proudly showed off his granddaughters, Lila and Ava, to those he greeted. He frequently took Lila and Ava to feed his cows and to visit neighbors and friends.

To know Larry was to know an honest, hard-working husband, father, and grandfather. Larry will be remembered for his strength, loyalty, and love of family.

Survivors include the following:

Wife, Billie Jean Kay of Joaquin, Texas

Children:
LeAnn Kay Rafferty and husband Matthew of Joaquin, Texas
Amanda Kay of Fort Worth, Texas

Grandchildren:
Lila Lawson Rafferty of Joaquin, Texas
Ava Frances Rafferty of Joaquin, Texas

Nieces:
Nanette Hendricks of Douglassville, Texas
Cassie Thompson of Atlanta, Texas
Selisha Cockrell of Joaquin, Texas
DeAnn Niles of Sumpter, South Carolina
Jennifer Griffin Groves of Joaquin, Texas

Nephews:
Harold Kay, Jr. of Tenaha, Texas
Jason Griffin of Joaquin, Texas
Chuck Kay of Shelbyville, Texas

Numerous cousins and great nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by:
Parents: Fred Kay and Ruth Fleming Kay
Brothers: Howard Thomas Kay and Harold Dewitt Kay Sr.

Pallbearers will be Jason Griffin, Buddy Kay, Ken Kay, John Paul Lawson, Ryan Sanders, and Kenny Weeks.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie Cooper, Nolan Cooper, Billy Jack Corbell, Jerry Griffin, Harold Kay Jr., Donald O’Rear, Joseph E. Parker, Gus Permenter, and Hugh Daw.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lone Cedar Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund- 2748 CR 3373, Joaquin, TX 75954 and the Strong Cemetery Fund- PO Box 1383, Center, TX 75935.

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

09/13/2018

Graveside service for Dennis Melvin Permenter, 83, of Tenaha, Texas will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 15, 2018 with Bro. Levi Cohorst officiating at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Timpson, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home, 511 Ross Graves Dr., Timpson, Texas.  Mr. Permenter passed away on September 12, 2018 in Garrison, Texas.  Born February 11, 1935, in Tenaha, Texas to the late Harry Powers and Eva Ovada (Anderson) Permenter.  
 
Dennis was born and raised in Tenaha, Texas.  He attended Tenaha schools, then went to serve his country by joining the United States Air Force.  Dennis enjoyed hunting and attending gun shows.  He was a member of Tenaha Lodge #737 for many years.  He was also an active member of Timpson Missionary Baptist Church, serving the Lord in many capacities.  
 
Dennis is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Charles Earl Permenter; daughter, Donna Lee Sandifer; stepdaughters, Amanda Spradlin, Genna Smith; grandchildren, Nathan Amelung, Aaron Amelung; and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.
 
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Harvey Permenter; and sister, Oda Pauline Shepard.
 
To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net.
 
Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, is in charge of arrangements.

09/12/2018

A graveside funeral service for Floyd Lynn Turner has been set for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Sand Hill Cemetery - Center, Texas where he will be laid to rest between his parents and grandparents. Lynn fought a good battle, now rests peacefully in the arms of his Lord. He departed this earth for his heavenly home on September 10, 2018. 
 
Lynn was born at the Turner Family farm home, in Center, Texas on July 27, 1943. Lynn was sixth of six children, he is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd & Virgie Turner; his brothers & sister, Dennis Turner, Flo Wilburn, Henry Turner, Tallis Turner; Niece & Nephew, Linda Wilburn McKenzie and David Turner; Ex-wife Margaret Ann Nix.
 
Lynn graduated from Center High School in 1962 and served in the United States Air Force as Sergeant where he was a Jet Engine Mechanic Instructor at Randolph Air Force Base located at Universal City, Texas, he received an honorable discharge. Upon discharge from the USAF, Lynn returned to Center where he worked for several years as a Service Manager at the Chevrolet Dealership in Center. Later he was Owner of Shelby County Construction Company and Continental Construction Company. Lynn expanded his entrepreneurship into the trucking business where he was the Owner & Operator of Lynn Turner Trucking where he had a fleet of tractor/trailer rigs for many years of which he recently retired. 
 
Lynn is survived by:
His daughter: Ginger Lynette Turner of Sulphur, Louisiana

Grandson: Bryce Fowler and wife Ryon, Dallas, Texas

Sister: Nelda Belle Turner, Gainesville, Florida

Sisters-in-law: 
Della Turner, Angleton, Texas
Lois Turner, Clute, Texas

Ex-wife: Jeanette Blair Shropshire, Fischer, Texas

Great grandchildren:
Jaxon Fowler
Bryn Fowler

Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Lynn will be fondly missed by many friends and family. 

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

09/10/2018

Graveside service for Verna Ann McWilliams, 83, of Alpharetta, Georgia formerly of Timpson, Texas will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, September 15, 2018 with Bro. William Dee Daniel officiating at Woodlawn Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Ms. McWilliams passed away on September 7, 2018 in Roswell, Georgia. Born June 18, 1935, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Verna Behnke was born and raised in Mishawaka, Indiana. She was the youngest of five children. At a very young age, Verna lost her father, Harry Behnke to cancer which left her and her siblings under the care of their beloved mother during a very difficult time. Facing this personal hardship, along with living through the Great Depression and World War II, Verna and her family marched through day by day making the best of what they were given. Verna’s mother taught them to face all challenges with complete faith in their Lord and Savior. She learned to seek Him first above all and to rely on His strength and provision.

Verna graduated from Mishawaka High School and continued her education at Butler University. The cooler norther temperature was too much for Verna so she decided to move to Arizona to live with one of her older brothers, Don. There she worked as a medical secretary. It was a divine plan that Verna come to Arizona. There she met the love of her life, Joseph McWilliams, Sr. The two were married and later moved back to Joseph’s home in Texas. Together they built a beautiful life that would bless them with two amazing children and take them around the world to places some only dream of seeing.

No matter where the family went, Verna used it as an opportunity to share the love and message of Christ’s saving grace. She made the world her mission field witnessing to homeless children on the streets in foreign countries, overcrowded orphanages and supporting missionary families across the globe. When Verna and her family settled back home in Houston, she continued her valiant work for Christ and guided her children to follow in her footsteps. They would volunteer together at their church food bank and would take advantage of any opportunity in the area to witness to others.

Verna was a living light that brought love, compassion, generosity and kindness to every single person she met. She impacted innumerable lives throughout her years as God’s servant on this earth and even in her battles with cancer and heart disease she continued to use those opportunities as a platform to proclaim God’s mercy and strength. She was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman, and she truly left the world around her a better place than when she entered this life. While Verna may have gone on to meet her precious Savior, the evidence of her walk with Christ still remains on the many lives she touched.

She is survived by her son, Joseph B. McWilliams and wife Andrea; daughter, Jennifer McWilliams Burrus; brother, Everett Behnke; grandchildren, Austin, David, Shelby and Trevor Burrus, and John, Hannah, and Madison McWilliams.

Verna is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph B. McWilliams; parents, Harry Behnke and Florence Alice McAuthur Behnke; brothers, Roy Behnke, Don Behnke; and sister Emily.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net.