Shelby County Today

11/15/2018

Ada Jane Wells Essery, 85, of Tenaha, passed away November 12, 2018, in Carthage.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 16, 2018, Old Center Baptist Church in Tenaha. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Old Center Baptist Church with Bro. James Granberry, and Bro. Dale Walker officiating. Interment will follow at Corinth Cemetery in Shelby County.

Mrs. Essery was born October 30, 1933, in Gary, to Esker Johnson Wells and Vinnie Maudess Rodgers Wells. She was a member of Old Center Baptist Church in Tenaha. She loved the Lord and praising him with songs. She loved her family deeply, being surrounded by them and cooking for them. She welcomed all visitors into her home and made them all feel at home. She retired from Armstrong Flooring in Center, TX, where she put in 25 years of service. She went on to help her husband in the mowing business until he passed. She was not one to remain idle. She began to sit for several people residing in Healthcare facilities. She lived her last few years playing BINGO and other games. She was quite competitive. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. 

She is survived by
Children:
Mary Head and husband, Bobby, of Gary
Mark Essery and wife, Kristy, of Tenaha

Grandchildren:
Melissa Donohue and husband, John, of Florida
Kimberly Smith and husband, Ray, of Florida
Steven Essery of Carthage
Katherine Gradberg and husband, Jeremy, of Gary
David Head and wife, Kelli, of Gary

Great-Grandchildren:
Amelia
Alaina
Alex
John
Dalton
Rebekah
Dylan
Hayley
Violet
Amy
Abby

Great-Great-Grandson: Jonathan

Preceded in death by
Husband: R.V. Essery
Sons: Timothy Essery, Luke Essery
Daughter-in-law: Lucretia Chadwick Essery
Granddaughter: Amanda Nicole Head
Sisters: Lula Mae Kornegay, Ann Langford, Ruby Fae Gibbs
Brother: Frank Esker Wells

Pallbearers will be David Head, Steven Essery, Dalton Smith, Lamar Hall, Matthew Hall and Duane Gibbs. Honorary pallbearers will be Dylan Essery, Johnny Gibbs, Buddy Hall, John Donohue, Wade Rector, Ray Smith, Jeremy Gradberg and Alex Ford.

Services are under the direction of Garrison Funeral Home in Garrison, Texas.

11/13/2018

Burley Don “Coach” Lamb, 83, of Center, Texas, passed away on November 12, 2018 in Carthage. He was born on February 21, 1935 in Tyler, Texas to Gerald Cecil Lamb and Pauline Shipp Lamb Holley.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home with Bro. Rob Merriman officiating. Interment will follow at Neuville Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held in Tyler at a later date. 

A visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home. 

Burley grew up in Tyler and graduated from Tyler High School with the class of 1954. He then continued his education at Stephen F. Austin State University where he eventually received his Masters Degree in Education. Burley was also enlisted as a member of the National Guard Reserves. He devoted his life to serving others, especially in his calling as an educator. Burley worked as a teacher, a coach and a principal during his career, and his positive influence and leadership is embedded in the thousands of students he had the privilege to mentor. Each is a walking testament of his kindness, compassion and humility. “Coach,” as his students referred to him, was a man of great character and integrity who believed in the betterment of mankind and oneself. He worked hard to instill not only educational lessons or athletic ability, but also valued teaching students how to be a person of good rapport. One of his former athletes stated, “Coach didn’t just teach us to play the game of football. He taught us how to stand as men in life.”

Burley spent much of his time leading young lives to a positive future, but his real passion resided with family. He married the love of his life, Carolyn on February 23, 1991. The two shared a beautiful 27 years together filled with adventures, some tribulations, but overflowing with joy and love. Spending time with his children and grandchildren were the moments that mattered the most. Burley believed that those precious memories were of the highest quality and to treasure them above all. He did find time to step away from the busy schedule in education to enjoy the outdoors. Burley loved to play golf. He also spent time hunting, fishing and gardening. A fun hobby that took Burley and Carolyn on a few of their adventures was antique shopping and refinishing the hidden treasures they’d find. If he wasn’t out and about on his days off, you would definitely find him in the kitchen cooking or catching a football game on TV. Even when he wasn’t on the field, Coach was still at it on the sideline in his living room. Burley never met a stranger, and he left everyone he encountered better than when they met. His strength, passion and illuminating presence will be deeply missed.

Burley is survived by:

His beloved wife, Carolyn Lamb of Center

Daughters:
Karen Horton and husband, Eric of Tyler
Sharon Van Cleave and husband, Robert of Dallas and Tyler
Laurie Prachyl and husband, Danny of Ennis

Brother, Jerry Lamb and wife, Marilee of Whitehouse

Sister-in-law, Joan Andrews of Center

Mother of his children, Barbara Dozier of Tyler

Grandchildren: Ashley Emerick of Dallas; Braxton Van Cleave and fiancé, Danielle De Los Santos of Dallas; Bailey Van Cleave of Dallas; and Payton Prachyl of Ennis

Nieces and nephews: Piper Andrews, Melanie Bybee, Kimberly Reynolds, Larry Lamb, Kerry Lamb, Randy Lamb and Jerry Lamb

Great niece and nephew, Ariel Amburn and Dallas O’Donnell

A host of other family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Lamb and Pauline Lamb Holley; brothers, Gerald Lamb and Kenneth Lamb; brother-in-law, Bud Andrews; Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Anne Horne; mother-in-law, Gertrude Horne Buck; nephew, Gary Lamb.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Faulkner, Glenn Johnson, Ray Griffin, Billy Bob McAdams, Mike Walker and Vince LaNoue.

Honorary pallbearers are Weldon Boles, William Rouse, Bill Billingsley, Charles Standley, Bobby Collins, Joe Tom Schillings and Joe Ross.

Memorial donations can be made to Shelbyville Baptist Church Youth Ministry, 5030 ST HWY 87S, Shelbyville, Texas, 75973.

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.

11/13/2018

Lola Delois Wilson went to be with the Lord on November 11, 2018.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Bobby Warr and Bro. Fred Wilcox officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Herman Cemetery in Center. Visitation will be held prior to service, beginning at 1:00pm.

Lola was born on March 9, 1937 to Kate and Mac Houston. As an only child, you can only image how spoiled she was, and she loved her life being raised in the Aiken Community. While attending Center High School, she met a tall handsome guy and the love of her life James Paul. They dated all through high school and even while attending Stephen F. Austin State University. It was true love and they married on July 14, 1956. James Paul was an entertainer and traveled with Lola by his side giving constant support. A couple of years later Tana was born. With Tana in tow, Lola continued to travel and support James Paul. Four years later Traci was born. Lola had to start staying at home and holding down the fort. Darren was born two years later and her family was complete.

Lola dedicated 35 years to Shelby Saving Bank where she met so many people and developed life long friendships which she treasured. After the loss of Darren in 1990, Lola was instrumental in ensuring that the Darren Wilson Golf Classic Scholarship raised as much money as possible to help high school students further their education by awarding scholarships throughout Shelby County. She worked diligently and developed the silent auction which was generous donations given by the community to be auctioned off during the event. This silent auction was always a huge success thanks to her dedicated work.

Lola loved her children and grandchildren, but was most excited when the great-grandchildren started being born. Noah, Jonah, Sadie, Taegan were the loves of her life. Baby Erza will be born in January; he never got to meet Nana but will be told what a wonderful person she was.

Mother, we love you so much and will miss you dearly.

She is survived by:

James Paul Wilson - Devoted Husband of 62 years 

Daughters:
Tana Hairgrove and husband Tom of Center
Traci Morris and husband Tommy of Center

Grandchildren:
Brent Gregston and wife Jennifer of Humble
Tyler Patterson and wife Amanda of Whitehouse
Briana Goodrum and husband E.J. of Porter

Great-Grandchildren:
Noah Gregston
Jonah Gregston 
Sadie Patterson 
Taegan Goodrum
Baby Ezra Gregston due January 2019

Brother and Sister-in-law: Charles and Rosie Wilson

Preceded in death by: Son, James Darren Wilson; Mother, Kate Houston; Father, Mac Houston; Father-in-law and mother-in-law, Buford and Ethel Wilson.

Pallbearers will be Tom Hairgrove, Jim Sawyer, Rick Campbell, Lynn Hart, Steven Gamble, Glenn Cordray and Will Lucas.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brent Gregston, Tyler Patterson and E.J. Goodrum.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Darren Wilson Golf Classic Scholarship.

Thanks to Focused Care of Center and a special thank you to Sharon Watts and Ricky Cartwright for the care they provided.

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

11/12/2018

Janis N. Bufford-Statum, 69, of Hemphill, Texas passed away Thursday, November 1, 2018 in Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin, Texas.

A memorial service will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Turning Point Tabernacle in Pineland, Texas.

Janis was born in Port Arthur, Texas on July 27, 1949 to Eugene and Enola Buford.

Janis loved being outside. She had an amazing green thumb and could save a plant and nurse it back to a beautiful flower.

She loved to be out fishing. She would push her boat out and paddle to her favorite spot in front of her house. She even learned how to make her own baits to sell.

When it came to her grandkids, she loved to pick on them and have fun. She was always getting the grandsons to help her in the yard, even if it meant pulling them in a little trailer as she pulled it with the riding lawn mower to pick up branches. As the grandkids grew older, she loved to get on her favorite computer game, World of Warcraft, and play with them.

She loved to sew. She had herself a little business tailoring pants for the locals.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Elijah Buford.

She is survived by her sons, Lamon Borel and wife, Wanda, of Hemphill, Texas, Damon Borel and wife, Shaunalee, also of Hemphill, and Shelton Borel and wife, Steyphaney, of Port Arthur, Texas; daughter, Latisha Borel and partner, Charles Martin of Orange, Texas; ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren; brothers, Clarence Buford of Brenham, Texas and Willard Buford of Hemphill, Texas; and sister, Irene White of Beaumont, Texas.

Online condolences can be made at starrfuneralhome.com.

11/9/2018

Funeral service for Mr. Larry Hopkins of Orange, Texas.  Mr. Hopkins died Friday, November 2, 2018, at local hospital. Funeral service is Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 11:00am, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church located at 612 3rd Street, Orange, Texas 77630.  

Local Cousins:
Norma Lister of Shelbyville, Texas
Myrtis McClelland of Center, Texas
Fredrick (Stella) Gardner of Center, Texas
Adrian (Faye) Allen of Shelbyville, Texas 
Debra Eaden of Center, Texas 
Danny Ray (Joyce) Allen of Center, Texas

Funeral services arre under the direction of Hicks Mortuary and Colonial Funeral Home of Orange, Texas

11/08/2018

Clemencia Perez, 61, of Center, Texas passed away on November 7, 2018 in Nacogdoches. She was born on March 2, 1957 in Epitacio Huerta Michoacan, Mexico to Benjamin Perez and Nabora Arcos. Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andy Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, November 9, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home. 

Clemencia moved to Texas in 1997 and developed a love and pride for this country. Above all things, her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was priority. Clemencia was a true prayer warrior and faced every battle in life on her knees. She found much joy and peace studying her Bible and strengthening her relationship with God every day. Her inner light shone so bright that when she was around others, life was breathed into a room. A homemaker by trade, Clemencia cared for and nurtured her family making sure they had everything they needed. Her children were one of her greatest joys and the time they spent together was filled with happiness and the warmest memories. She loved being in the kitchen and cooking for family and friends. You also could find her outdoors working in her garden and with her animals. Being in fellowship with her church family at Center First United Pentecostal Church was the highlight of her week. Clemencia was a genuine, Christian woman whose presence will be deeply missed. 

Clemencia is survived by:
Her sons: 
Homero Castro of Center
Juan Edgar Castro of Center

Mother: Nabora Perez

Sisters: 
Juana Perez
Aurora Perez
Graciela Perez
Esperanza Perez

Brothers: 
Benjamin Perez
David Perez
Jose Perez
Merejildo Perez
Fidencio Perez
Faustino Perez.

She is preceded in death by her father, Benjamin Perez and brother, Alberto Perez.

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

Clemencia Perez, edad 61, de Center, Texas falleció el 7 de noviembre del 2018 en Nacogdoches. Nacida el 2 Marzo de 1957 en Epitacio Huerta Michoacan, México, hija del señor Benjamín Perez y la señora Nabora Arcos. Servicios fúnebres serán a la 1:00 PM el Sábado, 10 de Noviembre de 2018 en la Funeraria Mangum con el Reverendo Andy Wilson oficiando. Entierro seguirá después del servicio al New Hope Cemetery. 

La visitación seré de 6:00 a 8:00 PM el viernes, 9 de noviembre en la Funeraria Mangum. 

Clemencia se mudo a Texas en 1997 y desarrollo amor y orgullo por este país. Sobre todas las cosas, su fe en Nuestro Señor Jesucristo era su prioridad. Clemencia fue una guerrera de oración, y enfrentaba cada batalla de rodillas, clamando a Dios. Encontraba gozo y paz al estudiar la Biblia y en fortalecer su relación con Dios cada día. Su luz interior brillaba tan fuerte que era como un aliento fresco a los que estaban a su alrededor. Ella fue una ama de casa, quien cuido de su familia asegurándose que siempre tuvieran lo que necesitaban. Sus hijos eran una de sus mayores alegrías, y los momentos que pasaban juntos fueron llenos de memorias felices y cálidas. Le encantaba pasar tiempo en la cocina y cocinar para sus familiares y amistades. Muchas de las veces se le podría encontrar afuera trabajando en su jardín y cuidando de sus animales. Su parte favorita de la semana era pasar tiempo en compañerismo con los miembros de su iglesia de Center First United Pentecostal. Clemencia era una genuina mujer cristiana al quien se le extrañara profundamente. 

Clemencia es sobrevivida por sus hijos:
Homero Castro y Juan Edgar Castro de Center; su madre, Nabora Perez; hermanas: Juana Perez, Aurora Perez, Graciela Perez, y Esperanza Perez; hermanos: Benjamín Perez, David Perez, José Perez, Merejildo Perez, Fidencio Perez y Faustino Perez. 

Es precedida en muerte por su padre, Benjamín Perez y su hermano, Alberto Perez. 

11/07/2018

Hicks Mortuary and McCoy and Colonial Funeral Home of Orange, Texas are announcing funeral service for Mr. Larry Hopkins of Orange, Texas. Mr. Hopkins died Friday, November 2, 2018, at local hospital. Funeral service is Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 11:00am, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church located at 612 3rd Street, Orange, Texas 77630. 

Local Cousins:
Norma Lister of Shelbyville, Texas
Myrtis McClelland of Center, Texas
Fredrick (Stella) Gardner of Center, Texas
Adrian (Faye) Allen of Shelbyville, Texas 
Debra Eaden of Center, Texas 
Danny Ray (Joyce) Allen of Center, Texas 

Services entrusted to Hicks Mortuary, Center, Texas.

11/06/2018

Eulalia Montgomery Hill Allen, 100, noted educator and community servant, passed on October 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
The funeral for Mrs. Hill Allen will be held at the Weldon Auditorium, 315 E. Saunders Street, Gladewater, Texas on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a service by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Zeta Omega Chapter, Longview, Texas. Burial at the Mast Cemetery in Garrison, Texas. 

Eulalia was born in Timpson, Texas on July 2, 1918, the first born of six children of Charles Henry Montgomery and Mary Steptoe Montgomery. She grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and attended Louisiana Collegiate Institute where her father was principal. She attended Tuskegee University and received her Bachelor’s degree from Texas College, Tyler, Texas and a Master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas.

She married Garfield Hill, principal of Marian Anderson School in Joaquin, Texas where she also taught. Three children were born to the Hills in Joaquin: Winston, Brenda and Sharon. Garfield became an ordained minister, and Eulalia played for and directed his church choirs.

In 1953, the Hills moved to Gladewater, Texas where Garfield served as principal of Weldon High School and pastored several churches. Their fourth child, Rhonda, was born in Gladewater. Eulalia was a gifted English teacher and coached the debate team first at Weldon and later at Gladewater High School until her retirement. She played for several church choirs, including Moses Chapel CME Church, where Rev. Hill pastored and New Mountain CME Church. They were both active in church, school and the community. Rev. Garfield Hill passed in 1988. After several years, Eulalia married Donald Allen, a retired principal from Nacogdoches, Texas, and they traveled and led an active life until his death in 2005. 

Among her many civic and community activities, Eulalia served as president of the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce, member of the United Way Board of Directors, District President of the Stewardess Board of the Longview-Marshall District in the Christian Methodist Church and community representative of the District Wide Education Improvement Council, Gladewater Independent School District. She received many honors and awards for her service.

Eulalia is survived by her brother, Lorenzo Montgomery, Houston, Texas; daughters: Brenda Hill Cole (Thomas), Atlanta, Georgia, Sharon Hill Cranford, Wichita, Kansas and Rhonda Hill Saldivar (Ernest) of Houston, Texas; grandchildren: Charlton Cranford (Mysheu), Corey Cranford, Kelley Cole Graham (Romero), Thomas Cole III, Hovlyn Hill May (Dan), Heather Hill, Marc Arthur Hill and Mari-Eulalia Saldivar; great grandchildren: Grant May, Emerald May, Amelia May, Charlton Cranford, Jr. Caden Cranford, Christian Cranford, Richard Torres, III, Isabella Torres, Ava Graham and Samantha Graham. Also mourning her loss is a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students. Her son, Winston and wife, Carolyn, son-in-law, Evies Cranford, great grandson, Collin Cranford and four brothers predeceased her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Weldon Alumni Association, 3944 W. Commerce, Gladewater, Texas 75647

Final arrangements entrusted to Sadler Funeral Home, 200 Shawnee Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

11/6/2018

Octavian Burrell, age 20, of San Augustine, Texas passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2018 due to an automobile accident. He was born November 28, 1997. Octavian graduated from Shelbyville High School in 2016 and played football for the Bethel University Wildcats, Tennessee from 2016-2018.

Funeral service is 1pm, Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Reed Chapel Baptist Church. Interment is at Lane Town Cemetery with Rev. Timothy Teel officiating.

Visitation will be announced at a later date.

He is survived by:

Parents:
Shelly Ann Haskins (Linnie) of San Augustine, Texas
J. R. Burrell of Lufkin, Texas

Brothers:
Steve Burrell of San Augustine, Texas
Tyrone Burrell of San Augustine, Texas

Sisters:
Paula Sandle (John) of Houston, Texas
Melissa Burrell of Lufkin, Texas
Ashlye Taylor (JaDarian) of San Augustine, Texas

A host of other relatives and friends.

Services entrusted to Percy Garner and Son Mortuary, San Augustine, Texas.