Shelby County Today

05/04/2018

Pamela Walker, 70, of Tenaha, passed away Thursday, May 3, 2018, in her home.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Tenaha, with Bro. John Whitworth officiating.  Interment will follow at Woods Cemetery in Panola County.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Walker was born October 14, 1947, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Annice Brown Knight and James Knight.  She graduated as Valedictorian from Tenaha High School and went on to Stephen F. Austin State University, where she graduated with honors.  On August 23, 1969, she married Johnnie M. Walker and they would have been married for 49 years this August.  Mrs. Walker loved to teach and made a career as an English teacher in Humble and Nacogdoches School Districts.  She retired from her passion of 32 years.  Her favorite pastimes were taking care of her family and reading anything she could get her hands on.  The men she left behind believe without a doubt that she was the best wife and mom to ever walk the earth. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Tenaha.

Survivors include:

Husband, Johnnie Walker

Sons:
Johnnie Blake Walker
James Brent Walker

Grandson, Jackson Blake Walker

Brother, James Keith Knight

Sister-in-law, Vera Knight; nephew, James Rodney Knight; Rod’s wife, Nicole; son Colby and daughter, McKinsey

Sister-in-law, Brenda and husband, Jerry Agnew; their children Scott and Amy Agnew; Scott’s wife, Kerry, and their son, Blaine, and daughter, Madison. Amy’s husband, Peter Stevens, and their son, Mylon.

Pallbearers will be Blake Walker, Brent Walker, Jerry Agnew, Scott Agnew, Ron Ainsworth, Rodney Knight and Boyer Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HeartsWay Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas 75633 or First Baptist Church, 200 S George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974.

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

05/04/2018

James Wilkinson, 90, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, May 3, 2018, in Nacogdoches. 

Graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2018, at Sardis Cemetery in Center with Sister Sherry Harding officiating. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 8904.

Mr. Wilkinson was born September 30, 1927, in Shelby County, to Elzia Wilkinson and Myrtia Hughes Wilkinson. He served in the United States Army and was an avid outdoorsman.

He is survived by
Sister: Billye Bradberry and husband, Jack, of Shelbyville

Niece: Sular Ann Frost of Red Oak

Nephews:
Arlin Lee McKinney and wife, LaDonna, of Lancaster
Tommy McKinney of Red Oak
Adrian McKinney and wife, Mary, of Waxahachie
Bill Bradberry and wife, Reitha, of Bridge City

Numerous great nieces and great nephews and other family

A host of friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Elzia Wilkinson and Myrtia Hughes Wilkinson
Nephew: Jackey Bradberry

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

05/02/2018

Mr. Elbee “Bubba” Garrett (75) of Center died at his residence on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Funeral service will be Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ (908 Daniels Street Center, Texas) Mr. Garrett was born June 10, 1942.

Visitation is Friday, May 4, 2018 at Hicks Chapel until 7pm. Committal is at Westview Cemetery in Center, Texas. Repass is at Triumph Church.

He is survived by:

Wife, Margie Garrett

Sons:
Patrick Garrett
Rod (Kesha) Garrett

Step-Sons:
Fredrick (Cheryl) Jackson
Delbert Jackson
Eric Jackson
Scott (Shawn) Jackson

Daughters:
Conserta Richardson
Anitra Garrett

Step-Daughters:
Iretta Jackson
Elaine (Al) Turner
Angela (Christopher) Hebert
Karla Edwards

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

05/01/2018

Coleman L. Bivens, 77, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Shelbyville.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Chris Collins officiating.  Interment will follow at Carroll Cemetery in Shelby County.

Mr. Bivens was born May 29, 1940, in Shelbyville, to Oscar Norman Bivens and Maggie Pearl Byrd Bivens.  He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1958. On August 1, 1962, in Gary, Texas, he married the love of his life Dalene Hennigan.  He worked for Farmer’s Gas Company and was also a welder, iron worker, cattle rancher and poultry farmer for 56 years.  Mr. Bivens was a member of Union of Iron Workers #591, Shelbyville School Board from 1971-1989, Shelbyville Water Board, Cattleman’s Association, South West Texas Cattlemen’s Association, Sharon Temple Shriners from 1974 to present, Sam Houston Masonic Lodge #32 from 1962 to present and also Scottish Rite.  He was also a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Shelbyville.

He is survived by
Wife: Dalene Hennigan of Shelbyville, Texas

Children:
Stacy Bivens Lombardino and husband, Rusty, of Bossier City, Louisiana
Jimmy Earl Bivens of Shelbyville, Texas
Kelly Bivens McDaniel and husband, Darrell of Shelbyville, Texas

Grandchildren:
Sergeant First Class Justin Coleman Lombardino of Fort Hood, Texas
Frank Chase Lombardino of Bossier City, Louisiana
Sterling Mason and husband, Adam, of Dickinson, Texas
Cole McDaniel of Shelbyville, Texas
Katy Gray and husband, Chadd, of Gary, Texas

Great-Grandchild: Lyla Nicole Lombardino of Bossier City, Louisiana

Brother: Jerry Lee Bivens of Marshall, Texas

Sisters:
Glenda Parker and husband, Johnny, of Woden, Texas
Debbie Askew of Center, Texas
Teresa Johnson and husband, Glenn, of Shelbyville, Texas

Special Friends: 
Roe Belrose
Ken Lampkin

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Oscar Norman Bivens and Maggie Pearl Byrd Bivens

Pallbearers will be Jack Lout, Ken Lampkin, Jerry Bivens, Adam Mason, Chase Lombardino and Cole Lombardino.  Honorary pallbearers will be Roe Belrose, Doyle Carter, Larry Hennigan, Rusty Lombardino, Darrell McDaniel, Cole McDaniel, Paul Smith, Alan Ray and Vernon Smith.  

A special thanks to Affinity Hospice for their compassionate care.

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

05/01/2018

Dale McCann, 71, of Joaquin, Texas, passed away on April 30, 2018 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born on March 15, 1947 in Shelby County to Bro. F.A. McCann and Euthalia Oates McCann. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jody Hooper officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park. 

A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home. 
 
Dale was saved at an early age and spent the majority of his young life in service to the Lord. As a preacher’s kid, Dale was always involved with the church. Growing up, he attended many revivals, helped with events and activities at their church and enjoyed the company of so many that would come and go to their home. He had the opportunity to meet a lot of people and shared the stories from these experiences throughout his lifetime. 

Dale graduated from Joaquin High School in 1965. After high school, he began his career with Delta Airlines and spent 30 years with Delta until his retirement in 2000. After retiring, Dale was not fond of just sitting around. This led him to a second career as a school bus driver for Joaquin ISD. More than anything, he loved to follow along on all his grandchildren’s activities and adventures. He was one of their biggest supporters from softball and baseball games, to showing cattle. The grandchildren always knew he was there to cheer them on. Family was his greatest treasure, and the love he possessed for his wife, children and grandchildren is indescribable. He was a member of the Old Home Cemetery Committee. 

Dale is survived by:

Beloved wife, Susan Savitsky McCann of Joaquin

Children:
Trina McCann Hughes and husband, Wayne of Joaquin
Steven McCann and wife, Jennifer of Joaquin
Marcus McCann of Joaquin

Grandchildren:
Darby, Cralon, and Keaton Hughes
Ebbie Kate, Duncan and Kaz McCann
Mazzy McCann

And numerous other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bro. F.A. and Euthalia McCann; son, Dale McCann; and brother, Doyle McCann, his mother-in-law, Grandma Mae.

Pallbearers will be Cralon Hughes, Lynn Rogers, Ronny Martin, Duncan McCann, Rodney Prnka and Steve Permenter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Jackson Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin. 

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

04/27/2018

Nathan Welch, 60, of El Paso, Texas (formerly of Shelbyville) passed from this life on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in El Paso.

Graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 2018, at Rather Cemetery in Shelbyville. Visitation will be held at Watson and Sons Funeral Home prior to the service 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Nathan was born in Dallas, Texas on November 18, 1957, to James B. and Sarah Judith (Judy) Welch. He graduated from Shelbyville High School with the Class of 1976. Upon graduation, Nathan enlisted in the United States Air Force, in service to his country on active duty for 4 years, followed by 2 years of service in the Air Force Reserves. After military service, Nathan earned certifications and gained experience in air conditioning and heating maintenance before going back into aircraft maintenance with Boeing in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Later, Nathan returned to Shelby County, where he re-opened Welch's Grocery, the country store his family had owned and operated from 1970 to the mid-1980's in the Dreka community. Ultimately, Nathan moved to El Paso, Texas, where he met and made a home of twenty-three years with Diane and worked as a maintenance supervisor until the time of his death.

Nathan was devoted to his family and friends, and those relationships were his highest priorities in life. He enjoyed cooking for the people around him, with a particular fondness for seafood and Creole recipes, and, with the move west, had added "grill master" to his list of culinary skills. He was an avid collector, especially of Native American artifacts, and loved carefully crafting his own arrowheads and spear tips. His attention to detail also carried into his daily vocation, where he is fondly remembered as always expecting quality work, both from himself and from those around him.

All who knew and loved Nathan Welch feel deeply the void that has been left by his passing. His trademark wit, tell-it-like-it-is candor, and generous, loving spirit are gone from this earth, but never from our hearts.

Nathan was preceded in death by his father, James B. Welch, and his brother, Norman Welch.

He is survived by:
His wife: Diane, and her daughter Tristin and family of St. Louis, Missouri

His mother: Judy Welch of Shelbyville

His brothers: 
Roy Welch of Shelbyville
Gordon Welch and wife Debbie of Shelbyville

Niece: Lanie Welch Fitzgerald and husband Ryan, of Levelland, Texas

As well as numerous friends and extended family

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

04/26/2018

Douglas Ray Haltom, 62, of Tenaha, Texas passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in Tyler, Texas. He was born on August 12, 1955 in Beaumont, Texas the son of Bassett B. Haltom Jr. and Jeanette Hartless Harris. Funeral service will be held at 1PM on Friday, April 27, 2018 at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas with Bro. Levi Cohorst officiating. Interment will follow at Caledonia Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 6PM – 8PM at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

Douglas later moved to Tenaha, Texas, and attended Tenaha High School. Graduating with the class of 1975. He was a truck driver for many years, from hauling logs to saltwater transportation he did just about everything. He met the love of his life, Patricia Gay Haltom, and married her on November 6, 2004 and the two spent 14 years together before his passing. Douglas loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed getting to go fishing and being outdoors. Douglas enjoyed spending time on the internet communicating with those long distant family members. Although he was not able to go and visit he used the internet to be able to connect with them. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Gay Haltom of Tenaha, Texas; sons, Jacob Haltom of St. Joseph Florida, Jackson Haltom of St. Joseph Florida, Joseph Haltom of San Antonio, Texas; stepsons, David Harris of Tenaha, Texas, Michael Harris and wife Tammy of Shreveport, Louisiana, Kevin Harris of Tenaha, Texas; brothers, David Haltom and wife Suzanne of Katy, Texas, Craig Haltom and wife Cindy of Tenaha, Texas; niece, Michelle Haltom Allensworth and husband Brandon of Vacaville, California; nephews, Mark Haltom and wife Stephanie of Tenaha, Texas, David Haltom Jr. of Houston, Texas; brother and sister-in-laws, Rene Chreene and husband Pete of Keatchie, Louisiana, Sue Ball of Keithville, Louisiana, Becky Huff of Shreveport, Louisiana, Kathy Spraggins and husband Richard Bonsall of Keithville, Louisiana, Tommy Gay of Blanchard, Louisiana; grandchildren, Brittany Newman and husband Kody of Garrison, Texas, Chelsea Harris of Carthage, Texas, Ashley Harris of Carthage, Texas, Joshua Harris and Fiancé Savanna of Carthage, Texas, Jeffery Harris of Carthage, Texas, Cody Harris of Keatchie, Louisiana, Brandon Harris and wife Danielle of Shreveport, Louisiana, Austin Harris of Shreveport, Louisiana, Lisa Harris of Shreveport, Louisiana, Amber Fathery of Shreveport, Louisiana, Katherine Fathery of Shreveport, Louisiana; great grandchildren, Jamie Deleon, Cannon Welch, Kaden Harris, Maliya Harris, Kami Newman, Morgana Harris, Kai Harris; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly. 

Pallbearers serving will be Brandon Harris, Josh Harris, Jeff Harris, Cody Harris, Pete Chreene, and William Gamble. 

Honorary pallbearer will be Kody Newman.

Douglas is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Gary Oehlers.

To convey condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.taylorfh.net

04/26/2018

Funeral service for Mrs. Mattie L. Perkins (68) of the Center will be Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11:00am at Triumph the Church (908 Daniels Street Center, Texas) Mrs. Perkins was born October 5, 1949. Mrs. Perkins died at Holiday Nursing Center on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Mrs. Perkins is survived by:

Daughters:
Na’Shawn Fountain
Ena Batrease Fountain-Jones
Thea Lynette Perkins

Brother: Felix (Christine) Jordan

Sister: Katherine (Bill) Shahan

Visitation is Friday, April 27, 2018 at Hicks Chapel from the hours of 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Committal is at Westview Cemetery in Center, Texas. Repass at Triumph Church.

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

04/23/2018

Joe Ellis, 90, of Center, Texas, passed away on April 22, 2018 in Center. He was born on July 23, 1927 in Joaquin, Texas to Nathan Percy Ellis and Audrey Cole Ellis. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Center. Interment will follow at Jackson Cemetery in Joaquin.

A visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Center.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Joe joined the faculty at Center High School and taught history from 1949 to 1950. He was called back to serve his country again during the Korean War. In 1952, he returned to Center High School where he served as history, science, aviation and chemistry teacher. He also led the Junior Historical Society. After teaching a number of years, Joe became Curriculum Coordinator and Superintendent of Center ISD and remained in that capacity until his retirement in 1985. To stay active and occupied after retiring, he became involved in raising registered shorthorn cattle and later, he raised cutting bred quarter horses. 

He married Winola Williams on May 31, 1953. They raised five children, three of whom became teachers. He joined First Baptist Church in Center in 1949 and taught a Sunday School class for over 50 years. He loved his Lord, his family and his church. 

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Winola; children, Julia Cassard, Susan Godfrey and husband, Michael, Joel Ellis and wife, Shannon, Jon Ellis and wife, Jackie and Cindy Harris and husband, Robert; grandchildren, Jonathan Godfrey and wife, Whitney, Jennifer Pirtle and husband, Justin, Clay Ellis and wife, Jesse, Lauren Gilbert and husband, Jeremy, Josie Harris and husband, Brad, Jace Ellis and Brandy Stringer; and nine great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Audrey Ellis; two brothers and a sister. He is also preceded in death by his grandson, Joey Stringer and great-granddaughter, Olivia Ellis. 

Pallbearers will be Clay Ellis, Jonathan Godfrey, Randy Carroll, Jeff Young, Henry Suell, Brad Harris, Robert Harris and Justin Pirtle.

Honorary pallbearers are the members of Joe’s Sunday School class, Joe D. Anderson, Burton Brown, Jackson Pirtle and Cason Pirtle. 

The family requests that memorial donations be made to The Gideons, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, D.C., 20090-7251 or to a charity of your choice.

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