Shelby County Today

01/14/2025

Johnny Mack Daw, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, peacefully left this world on January 13, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on March 11, 1946, to Peggy Roberts Daw and James Daw, Johnny Mack was a man who led a full and meaningful life, leaving behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and cherished memories.

Johnny Mack was a proud graduate of Joaquin High School, class of 1964, where he made his mark both academically and as a dedicated basketball player under the guidance of Coach Red Owens. His love for learning and his passion for history and economics led him to further his education at Panola College in Carthage where he spent two years. He later went on to attend Stephen F. Austin University, where he earned a degree in history and economics and became a proud alumnus.

Johnny Mack has always known his wife, Evon Wilburn Daw, since the second grade at Fellowship Elementary School, but it wasn't until their first date in 1961 that they became lifelong sweethearts. He set out with the love of his life embarking on a journey together and was married in 1966 and raised three beautiful daughters: Carmen, Jennifer, and Robin. His love for his family was abundant, and he took great pride in being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He is survived by:

Wife, Evon Wilburn Daw

Daughter, Jennifer Klingenberg and husband Chris

Grandchildren:
Jessica May and husband Dudley
Gracen Klingenberg
Joey Klingenberg

Beautiful great-grandchildren:
Radlynn Letha May
Zendan Roy May

Sisters:
Joyce Carter
Jaye Robison

Brother-in-law, Randy Thomas

Sister-in-law, Joyce King

Son-in-law, Taner Ozkan

Numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Johnny Mack worked as a lab technician at the Bayer Chemical Plant in Orange, Texas, where he spent the majority of his career before retiring in 2000. His professional life, however, was just one facet of his diverse interests. A passionate outdoorsman, he was an avid fisherman and hunter, participating in countless fishing tournaments throughout the years. One in particular he was very proud of was his big catch in the Dupont Employees Recreation Association Bass Tournament where he placed catching 5 bass weighing in at 30.8 pounds. He loved the solitude of nature, finding peace in the outdoors and sharing his love for it with friends and family.

A lover of politics, history, and a natural storyteller, Johnny Mack could often be found engaging in lively discussions, sharing tales from the past, and offering his opinion on a wide range of topics. He was known for his sharp wit, deep knowledge, and unwavering passion. He had a close-knit circle of friends, including Herman Bates (deceased), Thomas Harvey (deceased), and Myron Prince, who stood by his side throughout the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jimmie Kay Thomas; brother-in-law, Jack King; and brother-in-law, Donnie Robison; and his beloved daughters and granddaughter, Carmen, Robin, and Sabine Daw.

Though Johnny Mack was known for his strong opinions, his dedication to his family, his love for history and the outdoors, and his heartfelt storytelling, he will remain a lasting influence on all who knew him. He was a man who lived life with passion and conviction, and his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

A private family memorial service to celebrate his life will be held.

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

01/10/2025

Funeral services for Mr. Johnny Metcalf, 58, of Deadwood, Texas will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dennis Landtroop and Rev. Steven Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Deadwood Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Saturday night at Hawthorn Funeral Home.

Mr. Johnny E. Metcalf was born December 21, 1966 in Center, Texas. He passed this life January 9, 2025 surrounded by his loving family at his Deadwood home. Johnny was born to the marriage of Doris Thompson and Melvin Metcalf. He was raised and schooled in Center but convinced his kids he went to P.T.U. Possum Trot University. Johnny married his love, Carolyn Renee LaGrone and they celebrated 19 years and 10 months together.

Johnny spent most of his career in the Oil Field working for S.H.B. and Scruggs, Inc. He was a member of the Sanctuary of Pentecost. He loved the outdoors and hunting, but fishing was a love/hate relationship. He was proudest of his five kids, “We done a pretty good job on’em didn’t we!” but what he fought the hardest for, was the light of his life, his nine grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, Billy Ray Thompson, Sr.

Johnny is survived by:
Loving wife Renee Metcalf

Beloved children:
Caleb Metcalf, and wife, Kandace
Lani Kendrick, and husband, Chris
Ashley Whitaker, and husband, J.C.
Hunter Dale LaGrone, and wife, Alexx
Jasey “Birdy” Williams, and husband, Lance

Brothers: 
M.C. Metcalf
Billy Ray Thompson, Jr.

Grandchildren:
Camryn Kendrick
Kreed Kendrick
Addy Kendrick
Sawyer Metcalf
Brooklyn LaGrone
Blaire LaGrone
Cutter Dale LaGrone
Kyson Whitaker
Kyler Whitaker

Loving in-laws:
Dale and Carolyn LaGrone
Shaun and Kerrie Harris

Nieces and nephews:
Madison Harris
Mason Harris
Levi Harris
Jake Metcalf
Rana Metcalf

Many other relatives and a host of friends

Serving as pallbearers will be, Kenny Harris, Troy Jones, Toby Claubaugh, Dave West, Tommy Allison, Trent Nickerson, Bo Lawson and Lee Hoell. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be, Randall Eaves, Lennis Holt, Joe Scruggs, Mason Harris, Levi Harris, and his best friend Shaun “Big Willie” Harris.

An online guestbook may be signed at: www.hawthornfuneralhome.com

01/08/2025

L.C. Moody, age 75, of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025, at CHI St. Luke's Medical Center in San Augustine. L.C. was born May 2, 1949, in Center, Texas, to Mary Lister and the late Roscoe Moody. L.C. graduated from East Liberty High School.

L.C. began his journey following Christ at East Liberty Baptist Church. By the end of L.C.'s journey, he was a deacon of St. Matthew Baptist Church. L.C. was a "do it all man." He worked as a truck driver, entrepreneur owning a trucking company with his brother.

Serving our country in Vietnam, he was a U.S. Army veteran. L.C. had such a giving heart and would help anyone in any way possible.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roscoe Moody; grandson QuayTavious Moody; brothers, Roscoe Moody Jr., Willie L. Moody, Vernon J. Moody, and Kenneth Ray Moody; sister, Ethel M. Jenkins; and grandparents, Issac and Annie Ratcliff and Ethel and Jasper Moody.

He leaves to cherish his memory:

Wife, Mercy Moody

Mother, Mary Lister

Son, Anthony Moody

Granddaughters: Jasmine, Sha'Keidra, and La'Sharvia Moody

Great-grandson, Jaxsen Hafford

Step-children:
LaQuita Williams
Joshua Taylor
RaiShaun (Michael) Randle

Sisters:
Mary Moody
Lisa Johnson

Brothers:
Vernell (Anita) Moody
Vincent Moody
Maurice Moody

Special cousin like a brother, Allen (Jackie) Edwards

Host of step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11am Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home Chapel, located at 316 W. Columbia Street in San Augustine, with Bro. David Mosby officiating. Visitation will begin at 10am Saturday.

Interment will be at the East Liberty Cemetery in Shelby County, Texas. Repast will be at his mother's residence at 2335 CR 2050, Center, Texas.

Visit www.WymanRobertsFH.com for memories and condolences. Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine, Texas.

01/08/2025

Wayne Taylor, 67, of Joaquin, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Joaquin. He was born July 3, 1957.

Graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2025, at Johnson Cemetery in Joaquin with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

He is survived by:

Wife, Linda Taylor

Sons:
Wayne Taylor Jr.
Chad Taylor
Johnny Ray Taylor
Michael Dean

Stepdaughter, Wendy Vickers

Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved

Numerous nieces and nephews

He is preceded in death by his parents.

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

01/08/2025

Dr. J. Wayne Kyle, 92, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Monday afternoon, January 6, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. James Wayne Kyle was born on October 26, 1932, in the Woods Community of Panola County, Texas to the late Kit Carson Kyle, Sr. and Berta Elizabeth Hooker Kyle.

He graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1950, and attended Panola College where he graduated in 1952. He then attended Texas A&M University where he earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1956.

Dr. Kyle married Mildred Evelyn “Milly” Williamson on July 12, 1958, at the First Methodist Church in Carthage and she preceded him in death on January 23, 2014, after 56 years together.

He enjoyed a long career practicing veterinary medicine having established Kyle Animal Clinic in Carthage and later Shelby Veterinary Center in Center. Dr. Kyle was a member of many veterinarian associations including the American Veterinarian Medical Association, the Louisiana Veterinarian Medical Association, and was the past-president of the East Texas Veterinarian Medical Association. He was honored by the Texas Veterinarian Medical Association by receiving the Practitioner of the Year Career Achievement Award in 2008. Dr. Kyle was honored to be named a Distinguished Alumni of the College of Veterinarian Medicine at Texas A&M in 2013. 

He was devoted to the community having served on the Carthage I.S.D. School Board for over 36 years and was a founding board member of the Carthage I.S.D. Education Foundation. He was honored by the Education Foundation as a Distinguished Alumni in 2005. Dr. Kyle was a longtime member of the Carthage Noon Lions Club, the Panola County A&M Club, and member and past-president of the Panola County Cattleman’s Association where he served as rodeo chairman for 6 years. Dr. Kyle was a devoted member of the First Methodist Church in Carthage where he served and chaired on various committees, was a member of the Loyal Sons Sunday School Class and the Chancel Choir.

He was also preceded in death by siblings, Murph Hooker Kyle, Gwendolyn Blanche Meeks, Kit Carson “K.C.” Kyle, and Grady Stanhope Kyle and son-in-law, Michael Martin.

He is survived by:

Children:
Kelly Elizabeth Coker and husband Cheney
Riley Wayne Kyle and wife Stacey
Kit Kyle Martin

Grandchildren:
Cameron Coker
Daniel Kyle

Great-grandchild:
Alister Wayne Kyle-Rolfe

Nephews:
Michael Weldon Meeks
Kit Brooks Kyle

Niece, Kathy Anne Johnson

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the First Methodist Church in Carthage with Rev. Kevin Otto officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Rick Wall, George Taylor, Jeff Travis, Robert Tiller, Keith Keeling, and Herman Collins. Honorary pallbearer is Don Keeling. 

Memorials may be made to the Carthage I.S.D. Education Foundation, #1 Bulldog Drive, Carthage, Texas 75633 or to the First Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.

01/06/2025

Anna Louise Lawson, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in Shelbyville, Texas.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Lamar Denby officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty Hill Cemetery in San Augustine.

Born February 12, 1941, in Gulfport, Mississippi, Anna is the daughter of Arthur Eugene Malley, Sr. and Mamie Stokes Malley. She loved to do genealogy and travel. Anna was a member of East Hamilton Baptist Church in Shelbyville.

She is survived by:

Son, Elmo Y. Lawson II and wife Carmen of Lufkin

Daughters:
Anita Gail Powdrill and husband Rance of Shelbyville
Priscilla Witwer and husband Robert

Grandchildren:
Craig J. Lawson and wife Abby
Ricky Ham
Jacob Ham
Caitlynn and husband Trenton
Lacie Lawson White and husband Bryce
Cristal L. Eberlan and Jake Creech
Legnni Lobo and Vivian De La Garza
Nathan Witwer
Lincoln Witwer

Great-grandchildren:
Avery Lawson
Aubree Lawson
Camden Lawson
Emma White
Ralston White
Brecklyn White
Presleigh Eberlan
Levi Eberlan
Lana De La Garza
Serina De La Garza

Numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Elmo Y. Lawson I; parents, Arthur Eugene Malley, Sr. and Mamie Stokes Malley; and brothers, Joe Malley, Don Malley, Clifton Malley, and Gene Malley.

Pallbearers will be Elmo Lawson II, Craig Lawson, Bryce White, Jacob Ham, Trenton Vaight, and Jake Creech. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Ham and Ralston White.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org and MD Anderson Cancer Research at gifts.mdanderson.org

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

01/04/2025

Hubbard Lynn Hartt, Jr., 73, of Center, passed away January 3, 2025, in Denton.

Funeral service will be held at 3pm, Monday, January 6, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 2pm. Bro. Grant Murphree will officiate. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson.

Lynn was born March 4, 1951, in Center, to Hubbard Lynn Hartt, Sr. “Sonny Hartt” and Mary Jo “Skeeter” Compton “Hartt”. A native of Timpson, he was a 1969 graduate of Timpson High School. He furthered his education at Stephen F. Austin University. Lynn went on to build a career of over 50 years in banking.

He was known as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Lynn was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan.

Heavily involved in his community, he was an active member of the Lions Club, a youth baseball and football coach for many years, he played minor league baseball, and served as a city judge for Timpson. Lynn founded the Capt. Jesse Amason Camp #282 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Shelby County. He was an Admiral in the Texas Navy and a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Timpson.

He is survived by:

Wife of 48 years, Jeanie Hartt

Children:
Chris Hartt and wife Megan of Blue Ridge, TX
Christina Hodack and husband Steve of Murphy, TX

Grandchildren:
Scarlett Hartt
Emori Hartt
Bella Clay
Devin Williford
Avery Williford
Kylee Hodack
Connor Hodack

Great-grandchildren:
Coast Lynn Clay
Easton Clay
Camila Clay
Forrest Clay

Brother, Robert Hartt

Numerous host of family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hubbard Lynn Hartt, Sr. “Sonny Hartt” and Mary Jo “Skeeter” Compton “Hartt”; sisters, Nancy Williams and Tammy Dutton; brother, Glynn Hartt; grandparents, Alonzo Hubbard Hartt, Jesse Lee Hartt, Joseph Compton and Vera Allred Compton; and granddaughter, Camille Alisse Williford.

Pallbearers will be Steve Hodack, Josh Crawford, Heath Hartt, Paul Horton, Larry Miller, and John Price. Honorary pallbearer will be Robert Hartt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to assist with the upkeep of Woodlawn Cemetery, c/o City of Timpson, PO Box 369, Timpson, Texas 75975.

His motto was “Virtue, Honor, and Courage.”

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

01/02/2025

Warren John Jacobson, 87, formerly of Bear Creek, PA, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

He was the son of the late Gilbert and Stella Adamitis Jacobson. He graduated from Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

He lived in Houston, Texas for many years where he met his late wife, Carol Jacobson. He was a master plumber, worked for Village Plumbing and owned his own business for many years. He was a member of the Mount Carmel Catholic Church.

Warren gave of himself wholeheartedly, never refusing to help someone in need. He was a gracious man and was well liked by many friends in Texas and PA. He loved to travel, taking several cruises and was a member of the Texas Carousel Ball Room Dancing group and the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by:

Sisters: 
Evelyn
Hilda
Martha

Family friend, Jean Michaels

Children:
Warren Jr.
Debbie Dirlam
Mark

Grandson, Cayden

Warren was very close to Carol’s children Richard, Stacey and Jeffrey. Warren was also “grandpa” to Carol’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Stella; brothers Gilbert Jr., Jake and sister Audrey and late wife Carol Menn Jacobson.

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

Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

12/30/2024

Hazel Beasley, 92 of Center, passed away Friday, November 15, 2024 in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was born January 2, 1932 to Mary Ann McGee Edison and William I. Edison.

There will be a celebration of life hosted by family on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 3pm at the beautiful Community House, 425 San Augustine St, Center, TX 75935.

She married John Russell Shuff and together they had two sons, William and John. Her husband died in a truck accident when the boys were 4 and 2 years of age. Later, she married Kenneth Beasley who helped her raise her two sons. Hazel was in the catering business for 40 years in Houston and moved to Center in 2010. She was the director of the Senior Citizens Nutrition Site for several years.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Mary Ann McGee Edison and William I. Edison; first husband, John Russell Shuff; and her son, William Wayne Shuff.

She is survived by:

Son, John Russell Shuff and wife, Sandy

Grandchildren:
Kevin Shuff
Kellie Shuff Grimes

Great-Grandchildren: Bailey and Gunner

Sisters:
Alare Currie
Fay Eddins
Margaret Bay
Billie Dawson

A host of nieces and nephews

Boren-Conner Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Texas.