Shelby County Today

02/17/2025

Opal C. Moore (Trentelman) McLeroy 94 years young of Timpson TX, passed away on February 16, 2025 at Nacogdoches Medical Center Nacogdoches TX.

Funeral services for Opal McLeroy, 94, of Timpson, TX, will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Taylor Funeral Home with interment following at County Line Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00PM.

Opal was born in Neelyville, MO. to Archie and Cora Moore on Dec. 25 1930. She attended Neelyville High School and graduated in 1949. She enjoyed cooking, canning, sewing and family. 

Opal is survived by: 
Son, Gary H. Trentelman, and spouse, Neisha of Wylie

Stepdaughter, Tawnya Dornak, and spouse, Robert of Sugarland

Grandson, Lance Shaklee, and spouse, Jennifer of Yale, OK

Granddaughters:
Kelley Myklebust, and spouse, Ogden of Friendswood
Becky Shaklee of Stillwater, OK
Tabatha Trentelman of Wylie
Valerie McGowan, and spouse, Brian
of Bernie, MO 

Along with many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Garland McLeroy, parents Archie and Cora Moore, daughter Marcia Shaklee, grandson Gary E Trentelman, sisters Martha Brake and Mildred Joiner and brothers Francis Moore, Alfred Moore and Winfred Moore.

Services are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home.

02/13/2025

Betty Sue Cooper, 86, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Center.

Funeral service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at Noon. Interment will follow at Wimberly Cemetery in Huxley.

Born July 8, 1938, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Betty is the daughter of Carl Henderson McWhiney and Lula Smith McWhiney. She loved crocheting. Betty was a member of Toledo Bend Baptist Church in Huxley.

She is survived by:

Children:
Sarah Boyter and husband Paul of Longview
Brenda Lawson and husband Rick of Spring
Carl Fletcher and wife Dana of Houston
Carolyn Fulton and husband Mark of Bonanza, Oregon
Evelyn Enequist and husband John of Essexville, Michigan
Billy Cooper and wife Elane of Orlando, Florida

22 grandchildren

Numerous great-grandchildren

Sister, Elizabeth Bowler of Jackson, Michigan

A host of other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by husband, Kenneth Dean Cooper; children, Ronald Fletcher, Donald Fletcher, and Catherine Fletcher; parents, Carl Henderson McWhiney and Lula Smith McWhiney; brother, Leroy McWhiney; and sisters, Audrey Stolz and Nannie Bush.

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

02/06/2025

Dean T. Crockett, beloved eldest of ten children born June 1, 1938 to the late D.C. Crockett and Ruby Mae Netherly-Crockett of the Sexton Community, passed away February 4, 2025 leaving a legacy of love, education, and community service.

Funeral service is at 11am on Saturday, February 8 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center with Bishop Roosevelt Swindle, Eulogist. Visitation is from 10am until 5pm, Friday, February 7 at Community Funeral home Chapel in Center.

Dean graduated from E. J. Campbelll High School in Nacogdoches, Texas, and pursued higher education at Bishop College, where he earned a B. S. Degree in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. His passion for education led him to further his studies, obtaining a Master's Degree in public school administration.

Dean began his distinguished career teaching chemistry and physics at W.B. Jones High School in Sulphur Springs. He soon joined the Hemphill School District, where he taught chemistry, biology, algebra I and Il, and physical science at Thomas Johnson High School. His dedication and leadership were recognized with his promotion to Assistant Principal for grades K-12, where he continued to inspire and guide both students and teachers. After 41 years of dedicated service, Dean retired in 2000.
An active community member, Dean served on various regional local education councils, advisory boards, and agencies. His professional affiliations included the Texas State Teacher's Association, National Education Association, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Outside of his professional life, Dean found joy in farming, fishing, hunting, attending sporting events, and cherishing moments with his family. Dean was also an active member of the Sunset Church of Christ.

He is lovingly remembered by:

Daughter, Dorcas McFarland

Son, Demetrius Crockett

Grandchildren:
Gene McFarland Jr.
Darius McFarland
Gabriel McFarland
Daniel McFarland

Siblings:
Charlotte Hyter
Johnnie Cross
Betty Lathan
Joyce Montgomery
David Crockett
Calvin Crockett
Daisy Crockett
Ruth Lathan

A host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Dean's warmth, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to education and family will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

02/03/2025

Dona Sue McKnight, 76, of Joaquin, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025, in Center.

Graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Willow Grove Cemetery in Joaquin with Sister Melba Rodgers officiating.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

Born July 13, 1948, in Humble, Dona is the daughter of J.C. Taylor and Doris Oakley Taylor.  She loved her children, grandchildren, and animals.  Dona was a member of Willow Grove Community Church in Joaquin.

She is survived by:

Children:
Kim Hutto of Joaquin
Jarrett McKnight of Joaquin

Grandchildren:
T.J. McKnight, and wife, Angela of Joaquin
Jaycee McKnight of Joaquin
Wade Hutto of Joaquin

Great-grandchildren:
Kaylyn McKnight
Leah Hutto
Presleigh Hutto

Preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Tim McKnight; parents, J.C. Taylor and Doris Oakley Taylor; and brother and sister-in-law, C.D. Taylor and wife Paulette.

Pallbearers will be T.J. McKnight, Wade Hutto, Jesse McKelvey, Randy McFadden, Blake Harville, and Trevor Rios.  Honorary pallbearer will be Laramie Blount.

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

02/02/2025

Tommie Lousie Matlock, 87 of Garrison, Texas, passed away January 30, 2025. 

Funeral service will be held at Cold Springs Baptist Church on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM with Bro. Jerry Kirby officiating. Interment will follow at Helpenstell Cemetery. Visitation will be held the evening before, Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 6:00 PM til 8:00 PM also at Cold Springs Baptist Church.

Tommie married James Matlock on June 17, 1955, in Channelview, TX. They lived in San Jacinto for a while then moved to Porter, TX where they lived for several years. In 1961 they bought a farm in Garrison, TX with the money from a GI Bill. They slowly built their house and lived there together until James passed in May of 2002. She did a little bit of everything and had several titles but her most loved ones were Mom, Granny and Granny Matlock. She loved her kids and grandkids dearly and was looking forward to the day that Sadie would have a trail from her house to Granny’s. She will be dearly missed.

Tommie is survived by:

Children:
Kathy Shaw
Karen Brasher
Patti Vaughn and husband, Gerald
Jimmy Matlock and wife, Michelle

Grandchildren:
Kyle Brasher
Tina Matlock and husband, Rene
Tanya Lara
Bryon Copeland
Josh Vaughn
Jami Harvin and husband, Matt
Tanner Matlock and wife, Zoey

Great-grandchildren:
Nathaniel Copeland
Natalie Roman
Nicolas Trevino
Victor Lara
Omar Lara
Lilly Harvin
Payton Trevino
Sadie Matlock

Great-great-grandchild, Isabella Pena

Sisters:
Joann Helmer
Doris Kilough
Peg Ramsey and husband, Tim

Brothers:
Johnny Michael Rasberry
Cecil Rasberry and wife, Frankie

Along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 46 years James Matlock, Parents William and Limmie Rasberry, grandson Jody Vaughn, brothers Billy Boyd and Granville Rasberry and sister and brother-in-law Anita and Sonny Hilton.

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

01/31/2025

Bonnie Sue Lowe Dicks was welcomed into the arms of her Savior on January 30th, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and unwavering love for her family and community. She was the most generous, modest, and Godly woman, always putting others before herself and living as a true reflection of Christ’s love.

Born to loving parents, Leon Lowe and Blanche Roberts Lowe of Joaquin, on June 17, 1941, Bonnie was given her name simply because her mother liked the sound of it. Bonnie grew up in the country in a small but loving home alongside her two sisters Margie and Patsy, and her brother, Buren. Life was simple but full of joy, from playing basketball, tending the family garden, and spending summer days fishing. Their modest home was rich with love, laughter, and the values that shaped her into the kind, hardworking woman she became.  It was in Joaquin’s small Jackson Missionary Baptist Church, that Bonnie discovered her deep love for God, and at the age of 12, she made the life-changing decision to follow Christ, an unwavering devotion that would guide her every step.

A proud graduate of Joaquin High School, Bonnie excelled in math and loved traveling with her basketball team. She later attended Spencer-Draughon School in Shreveport, Louisiana, before settling in Nacogdoches, Texas, where she built a beautiful life filled with love, friendship, and faith. She often described Nacogdoches as a place of warm, welcoming people, and she, in turn, made it even brighter with her presence.

Bonnie’s work ethic was unmatched. This was an attribute instilled in her by her parents and grandparents. She believed that if you wanted something, you had to work for it, a lesson she carried throughout her years of dedicated service at Stripling’s Pharmacy and later at Commercial Bank of Texas, from which she eventually retired. Of all the titles and jobs Bonnie held in her lifetime, none brought her more joy than that of "Nana." Being a grandmother was her greatest blessing, and she embraced it with boundless love, gentle wisdom, and endless hugs. Her grandson, Matthew, was the light of her life, and she filled their days together with warmth, laughter, and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Faith and gratitude were at the heart of everything Bonnie did. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday, a time when she could reflect and give thanks for the many blessings in her life. Easters were spent in church, followed by Easter egg hunts and fried chicken. Her favorite Bible verse, 1 John 4:7-8, perfectly captures the way she lived her life: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

Bonnie found joy in the simple things, from cheering for her beloved Duke basketball team, sharing laughter with friends, and most of all, spending time with her family. She was a quiet, constant presence of love, strength, and faith, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Bonnie is now reunited with those who have gone before her.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Blanche Lowe, and brother in law, Bill Anderson, and nephew, Billy Wayne Anderson.

She is survived by:

Son, Billy Dicks and wife, Stacy of Nacogdoches

Daughter, Brooke Dicks of Nacogdoches and partner Kim LaRue of Hudson, Texas

Grandson, Matthew Dicks of Nacogdoches

Sisters:
Margie Anderson
Patsy Lowe of Joaquin

Brother, Buren and wife, Mary Ellen Lowe of Joaquin

Many nieces, nephews, and cousins, who she loved dearly.

A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at Laird Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Visitation will begin at 9am, with a service beginning at 10am. Interment will immediately follow at Jackson Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Joaquin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Bonnie Dicks to Jackson Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 15, Joaquin, Texas, 75954 to honor Bonnie’s lifelong dedication to faith and kindness.

Bonnie’s life was a beautiful testament to love, humility, and unwavering faith. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

01/30/2025

Billy Wayne Thomas, 74 of Timpson, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Stallings Court Nursing in Nacogdoches.

Visitation is from 10am until 12 noon on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at First Smyrna Baptist Church. Funeral service is at 12 noon on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at First Smyrna Baptist Church, 644 Railroad Avenue, Timpson, Texas with Pastor Charleston Johnson, Eulogist.

He is survived by:

Brother, Elray Thomas

Host of Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

01/29/2025

Alfred Jay "Rusty" Wittmann, age 55, of Houston, Texas, passed away on December 31, 2024. Rusty was born March 24, 1969, to Alfred and Janette Wittmann in Center, Texas. Growing up in Center, Rusty enjoyed participation in baseball, swimming, basketball with a First Baptist Church team, and he played football as a Center High School freshman. He was active in children’s ministries at First Baptist, including Royal Ambassadors, and was baptized into the fellowship in 1983.

Boy Scouts of America was a priority organization for Rusty for several years, from Cub Scout level to Life Scout. As a member of Troop 116, this included achievements in God and Family and God and Country studies with Rev. Carl Smith. He lacked only completing his required project to receive his Eagle badge. During these years Rusty was privileged to attend the National Scout Jamboree in Washington DC, as well as the International Scout Jamboree in Canada. In 1980, in London, England, Rusty toured the Home-Museum of Baden-Powell, who was the founder of scouting.

After graduating from Center High School in 1987, Rusty attended Panola College and was employed by H&S Grocery in Center, where he was introduced to the value of a strong work ethic. Afterwards, he entered North Texas University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government, graduating Cum Laude. He furthered his education at South Texas College of Law, where he received his J.D. degree, also Cum Laude, setting the foundation for a long and distinguished career as an attorney.

Rusty’s professional journey was marked by significant contributions across multiple companies, with the majority of his career dedicated to Aramco Services Company. As the leader of the contracting team, he collaborated closely with various departments, particularly the legal team, leaving a lasting impact on the organization. After a successful tenure, Rusty ventured into consultancy, continuing to share his expertise with dedication and integrity. His unwavering work ethic, commitment to excellence, and collaborative spirit earned him the admiration and respect of colleagues and peers alike. He took great pride in applying his legal expertise to support organizations like the World Commerce and Contracting Association, furthering his passion for service and professional growth.

Rusty’s passions included traveling the globe with his beloved family, always seeking new experiences and adventures. A lover of music, he curated an eclectic and expansive library of music spanning many genres. He also had an appreciation for art and architecture, often sharing his unique perspectives with others. Rusty was an avid animal lover, having supported a feral cat colony of 12 cats, along with his two dogs, Kody and Callan, who adored him. His latest companion was Fred, a fish who found a home in Rusty’s heart. Rusty’s spirit, creativity and love for life will be deeply missed. He lived with a full heart and made lasting impressions on everyone he encountered.

Rusty is survived by:

Loving wife, Angela, of Houston

Son, Evan, of Houston

Mother, Janette Searcy Wittmann of Center

Several cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Wilhelm and Elizabeth Wittmann, and Horace Jay and Ora Mosby Searcy.

A private memorial service for Rusty will be held in Houston.

Services under the direction of Birdsong Cremations, Houston, Texas.

01/28/2025

Raymond Tamez Cruz was born in Houston, Texas on February 9, 1938 to loving parents Amado Gamboa Cruz and Cayetana Tamez Cruz, and passed away into the arms of Jesus surrounded by his family on January 8, 2025, in Conroe, Texas at the age of 86. He was a loving father to his four daughters, Theresa, Rosa, Felicia, and Caroline and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Raymond’s family lived on a farm 6 miles south of Bellaire at Highway 59 and Bissonnet. He was fortunate enough to have extraordinary parents. Raymond was the fourth of six children; Margaret, Domingo, Emma, Raymond, Delfina, and Gloria. As a young boy on the farm, Raymond loved helping his father with the crops including gladiolus, daffodils, irises, strawberries, vegetables, melons, and cotton. Some of his favorite childhood memories were helping his parents sell their harvest at farmers markets and floral shops. He learned about hard work and a love of the land at an early age. He loved helping his mother on the farm and often did his younger sister’s chores. The family moved from the farm to Houston’s old Sixth Ward. His father began his own landscaping business and Raymond helped him after school and during school breaks. They mostly worked in Houston's River Oaks community. He had a paper route selling the Houston Post on his bicycle throughout the downtown Houston area. He gladly gave the money he earned to his mother, holding back a few dollars to take his younger sisters to the moviehouse and arcade. Raymond was in Boy Scouts with his best friend David Lopez and they had many great adventures in Scouts, including camping at Camp Strake in Conroe.

Raymond attended Alief Elementary, Dow Elementary, Washington Junior High, and Reagan High School. In 1956 at the age of 18, Raymond enlisted in the United States Air Force before he graduated high school. He graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California where he was stationed at Travis Air Force Base and also trained at Sheppard AFB in Texas. He made several lifelong friends in the service, including Benny Lopez. He was an aircraft mechanic with the rank of Airman Second Class. Raymond was a humble veteran and his family was very proud of him, taking him out to celebrate each Veterans Day.

At the conclusion of his military service, Raymond continued work as an airplane mechanic in California and eventually returned to Houston. He and Elouise Ortega were married on June 20, 1961. They soon welcomed three daughters, Theresa Louise, Rosalena, and Felicia Diane. The country life was calling, and they moved to their property in Cypress, Texas. Raymond and Elouise, along with family and friends built their beautiful home. They eventually welcomed their fourth daughter, Caroline Marie. Raymond and his Dad planted pecan and fruit trees, vegetables, along with all the farm animals and stocked pond. His kids and grandkids would pick pecans, climb trees, swim in the pond and ditches, and fight over who got to mow the lawn on the riding mower. He had very specific instructions on how to mow ‘the right way’. The Cruz home on Kathy Lane became the ultimate gathering place for decades, hosting many gatherings for the Cruz and Ortega families including birthday parties, Halloween and Christmas parties, cookouts, frog gigging, fishing, bonfires, weddings, and family functions that created cherished memories. His parents would help him butcher a hog or a calf for a get together. He built a Vegas spread craps table that was played on at every party. Raymond and Elouise often hosted poker nights. Their home on Cornish Street in Cottage Grove was also a place where many memories were made. Raymond recently moved to Conroe to be closer to his family.

Raymond put to use the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills he learned from his father, and in 1973 he and his wife Elouise established Evergreen Nursery Company on Jones Road in Cypress. Raymond was very proud to be Texas Certified Nurseryman #104. He was good to his employees. In addition to the residential landscaping and wholesale nursery, as a landscape architect he worked all over the Houston-Galveston region, planting some of the old oak trees in Hermann Park and installing playgrounds and infrastructure in schools and parks. Raymond also flipped houses throughout Houston, and owned an apartment home on Center Street. His parents were very proud of his accomplishments.

Raymond loved to travel with his family in his RV, taking out his boats to Texas lakes and to the Gulf, and spending lots of time with family at the condo in Freeport. He fished and crabbed all over the Texas Coast with family and friends. He loved deer hunting. Raymond and Elouise often traveled to Las Vegas, Cancun, California, and Puerto Vallarta with friends and family. Every year they traveled to Mexico to visit family in Allende and Monterrey, oftentimes with his parents or his mother-in-law Pauline with them.

Raymond loved museums, history, old western and military movies, going to the casino, dancing, and music. His barbecues, fish fry’s, and crawfish boils were famous, with his favorite conjunto music and oldies playing loudly. He always carried a pocket knife and a pen, and was infamous for marking items with his initials with a yellow paint pen or a black Sharpie with the date and two / from if the item was a gift. He was a jack-of-all-trades. He loved watching his Astros and Texans and talking shop with his  grandsons and son-in-law John. He taught himself how to play the guitar and harmonica and would YouTube just about any and everything. He loved his Whataburger cup. Raymond was a social butterfly and never met a stranger. He had countless lifelong friends. He was a member of the Barrios Unidos Club in Houston and enjoyed the fellowship and field trips.

Throughout his life, Raymond was there to help others including his kids, grandkids, nephews, and nieces. He taught his children and grandchildren many valuable life lessons, especially honoring your father and mother and taking pride in all that you do. He was a hard worker who made his family proud. Raymond was very active and full of energy and loved long phone conversations and visits with loved ones, especially his kids, grandkids, and his sisters. He had a memory like a steel trap and loved recounting stories from his childhood and life. He gave great advice and wisdom. Raymond was the life of the party, one which his family will continue in his honor.

Raymond is preceded in death by his parents Amado and Cayetana Cruz, brother Domingo Cruz, sisters Margaret Zepeda and Emma Rodriguez, and son-in-law Tommy Pavlock.

He is survived by:

Daughters:
Theresa Vasquez
Rosalena (Raul) Cruz
Felicia (Robert) Haessly
Caroline (John) Cruz Reyna

Children’s mother, Elouise Cruz

Grandchildren:
Joel Castillo
Robert Vasquez
Christopher Vasquez
Valerie Figueroa
Matthew Cruz
Christina Porter
Thomas Pavlock
Tracey Pavlock
Ashley Pavlock

21 Great-grandchildren and 4 Great-great grandchildren

Sisters:
Delfina Mireles
Gloria Garcia

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Visitation for Raymond Cruz will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Rosary and eulogy at 6:00 pm at Felix H. Morales Funeral Home, 2901 Canal St, Houston, TX 77003.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Morales Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 2405 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003. Following the Funeral Mass, the procession will begin to Brookside Cemetery, 13747 Eastex Fwy, Houston, TX 77039 for interment and military Honor Guard service.

Pallbearers are his grandsons Joel Castillo, Robert Vaquez, Christopher Vasquez, Thomas Pavlock, Matthew Cruz, and son-in-law John Reyna. Honorary Pallbearers are his great-grandsons Raymond Castillo and Brandon Channel, lifelong friend David Lopez, and nephews Mike Mireles, Jake Mireles, Danny Mireles, Rene Mireles, Rick Garcia and Rufus Garcia. You are welcome to wear your Texans or Astros gear to the visitation and your Bolo tie to the funeral.

To honor their father’s wishes, Mr. Cruz’s daughters invite you to join the family for food and fellowship at Spanish Flowers Mexican Restaurant, 4701 N Main St, Houston, 77009 immediately following the burial. Raymond will be missed beyond words. We love you Dad.

All services are under the care of Morales Funeral Home.