Shelby County Today

08/25/2017

Evangelist Dianne Theresa Lathan, 56 of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at her residence in Shelbyville.

Evangelist Lathan will lay-in-state from 10am to 11am at Bennett Chapel Baptist Church on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Service will be at 11am at Bennett Chapel Baptist Church, Shelbyville. Interment is at McWilliams Cemetery, Shelbyville with Bishop W.C. Martin officiating.

She is survived by:

Husband, Glen Lee Lathan, Jr. of Shelbyville

Daughters:
Miracle Lathan of Shelbyville
Shereatha Lathan of Diboll
Shenequa Lathan of Center
RaShendria Lathan of Nacogdoches
Tameria Lathan of Nacogdoches
Shameria Lathan of Nacogdoches

Sons:
Milagra Bennett of Houston
Jamorian Harrison of Center

11 Grandchildren

Mother, Cecil Lee Sparks of Shelbyville

Sisters:
Gloria Harris of Center
Linda Robertson of Center

Brothers:
Ray Charles (Barbara) Sparks of Shelbyville
Melvin Robertson of Center

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

08/23/2017

Lucine Benefield Morris, 91, of Center, Texas, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017, in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Funeral service will be held at 10am, Saturday, August 26, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, Texas with Bro. Jim Moss officiating. Graveside service will follow at 2:30pm, at New Ramah Cemetery in Haynesville, Louisiana.  

Mrs. Morris was born November 19, 1925, in Emerson, Arkansas, to Ed Nations and Lillie Bailey Nations. She was a caregiver at Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana for many years. Mrs. Morris was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of New Ramah Baptist Church in Haynesville, Louisiana.

She is survived by
Sons:
Bob Benefield and wife, Lilla, of Logansport, Louisiana
Fred Benefield of Kilgore, Texas

12 Grandchildren

A number of Great-Grandchildren

Sisters:
Margie Benefield of Ruston, Louisiana
Patsy Purtle of Prescott, Arkansas

Brothers:
Billy Nations of Texarkana, Arkansas
Jimmy Nations of Lewisville, Arkansas

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Husband: Herbert Benefield
Husband: John T. Morris
Daughter: Barbara Gilbert
Step-Son: Charles Glenn Morris and wife, Beverly
Parents: Ed Nations and Lillie Bailey Nations
Brothers: Joe Nations, Dewayne Nations
Sister: Lanoma Gibson

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

08/22/2017

Wallace Laughlin Alpha was born December 18th, 1966 in Houston, Texas and went to be with the Lord on August 21st 2017 at the age of 50 years.

GDue to the weather this graveside service has been postponed. New details to follow early next week. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Peepaw and Meemaw Cates, his father Frank Allen Alpha and numerous other relatives and loved ones.

He is survived by:
His mother: Edna Sue Insley

Sister: Tammy Alpha

Numerous other relatives.

Rooney lived a quiet life and stayed close to home. He had endured several surgeries and illnesses but took care of himself until the end. Rooney had taken care of his Meemaw until she passed and then was content taking care of himself. He was a very determined man and remained so until the end. He will be missed but we will celebrate in his Homecoming with the Lord.

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.

08/21/2017

Mrs. Brooksie Hughes Krshul, 92 of DeBerry, Texas, passed away on August 20, 2017 at home with her family. She was born in Shelby County, Texas on May 31, 1925, the seventh of ten children born to Marion and Idell Oats Hughes.

Brooksie retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 38 years in management and was a proud member of the Shady Grove Baptist Church. She was known as Granny Bo to her great grandchildren and Aunt Bo to her many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Krshul; brothers, J.B. Hughes of Marshall, Wyatt Hughes of Orange, Alvis Hughes of Galveston, Guy Hughes of Shreveport, Dale Hughes of Mt. Arie, NC; sisters, I.Z. Jones of Center, Audrey Corbin of Center and Opal Windham of Logansport.

Surviving family members include:
Son: Theodore Ballard and wife Catherine of DeBerry

Step-daughter: Sandy Robine and husband Steve of Warrington, MO

Grandson: Jesse Ballard and wife Rachel of Elysian Fields

Granddaughter: Rebecca LaBrun of DeBerry

Step-granddaughter: Amy Elliott and husband Mike of Warrington, MO

Step-great-grandchildren:
Ashley Elliott
Collin Ballard
Quinton Nelson
Preston LaBrun
J.D. Ballard
Trevor Ballard

Sister: Alta Rae Craig and husband Eddie of Carthage

Numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandson and great-grandsons.

The family requests that memorials be made in her name to the Shady Grove Cemetery Association, 4291 FM 1794 E, DeBerry, TX 75639. The family would also like to send a special thank you to all the people of HeartsWay Hospice for the care that they gave.

Funeral services will be 10am, Friday, August 25, 2017 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. John Ulrich officiating. Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be 5-7pm Thursday at the funeral home.

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

08/19/2017

Rosa Odell Cannon, 99, of Troup, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017, in Whitehouse.
 
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Clint Covington officiating.  Interment will follow at Rather Cemetery in Shelbyville.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
 
Mrs. Cannon was born May 10, 1918, in Huxley, to Charles Douglas Fittz and Adell Bailey Fittz.  She was a member of Ephesus Baptist Church for eighty five years.  
 
She is survived by
Son: Calvin Cannon and wife, Sandy, of Troup
 
Daughter: Sherry Neal of St. Francisville, Louisiana
 
5 Grandchildren
 
15 Great Grandchildren
 
Preceded in death by
Husband of 75 years: Jack Cannon
Son: Jackie Cannon
Grandsons: Chris Cannon, Chip Cannon
Parents: Charles Douglas Fittz and Adell Bailey Fittz
Brothers: Gaddis Fittz, Cline Fittz, Pete Fittz
 
Pallbearers will be Reece Wallace, Cole Wilson, Cole Cannon, Caleb Cannon, Crawford Cannon and Clayton Cannon.
 
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

08/17/2017

Sandra Kaye Willoughby Ford, 60, of Center, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017, in Nacogdoches.

Mrs. Ford’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Pat Windham officiating.

Mrs. Ford was born November 9, 1956, in Vivian, Louisiana, to Alvis Willoughby and Helen Shires Willoughby.  She enjoyed the outdoors, especially water skiing and fishing.  Mrs. Ford loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.  She was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by
Husband: Tim Ford

Daughters:
Holly Groves and husband, Brad
Jennifer Yates and husband, Wesley

Granddaughters:
Trinity Ford
Haleigh Ford

Brothers:
Larry Cosby
Kenneth Willoughby and wife, Mary
Jerry Willoughby and wife, Peggy

Numerous nieces and nephews

Special Friend: Sheri Shofner

Preceded in death by
Parents: Alvis Willoughby and Helen Shires Willoughby
Niece: Scheri Willoughby

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

08/16/2017

Mr. Michael Wayne Harris, 57, of Gary Community passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at a nursing home in Longview, Texas.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 6pm-8pm at Community Funeral Home in Center.

Funeral services will be held 11am Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Gary, Tx. with interment to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Tenaha, Tx. with Rev. Raymond Ingram officiating.

Mr. Harris is survived by:
Mother: Ada Jean Duncan Harris Smith of Gary, Tx.

Sisters:
Mattie Weatherton of Woods Post Office
Gloria Watley of Tenaha
Sandra Harris of Beckville

Brothers:
James Harris of Gary
Charles Harris of Nacogdoches

08/15/2017

Alysie Mae Porterfield, 84, of Timpson, Texas passed away on August 14, 2017 in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was born on September 14, 1932, the daughter of the late Mormon and Vada (Walker) Pledger. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Taylor Funeral Home from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be Thursday, August 17, 2017, at 2PM at First Baptist Church, Timpson with Bro. William Dee Daniel and Orval Miller officiating.  
Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Timpson, Texas.

Alysie Mae Porterfield was born in Amity, Arkansas, and moved to Timpson, Texas, during her elementary school years. At the Eat-A-Bite in Timpson she met her beloved Daniel Porterfield, and they were married on September 14, 1957. Alysie Mae was a true homemaker, lovingly caring for Daniel and  daughter, Sherri. Another joy in her life was her love of Christ and serving Him at First Baptist Church, Timpson. On each Sunday she enjoyed the fellowship with her Sunday School class and being involved with the activities of the church.  

Alysie Mae’s employment with Timpson Independent School District was a happy time for her and a blessing for all who worked with her. She worked for Timpson ISD for 41 years. Whether she was working as an aide with her “kids” in P.E. class, working in the cafeteria or snack bar, Alysie Mae loved all of the students and staff. She was a true Bear supporter, proudly wearing the black and gold. A fun time for Alysie Mae was the THS Class of 1950 reunions and multi-year class reunions. She always loved to “work the room” and visit with all her treasured school friends. She kept in touch with her former classmates and made sure that flowers were sent to the funerals of those deceased.  

Her love of people was also evident as she cared for relatives and friends at Garrison Nursing Home for over 30 years. She not only took care of her loved one’s needs, she was a happy visitor to all of the residents. Her delicious cooking was shared with many of her neighbors and friends. She always loved it when someone having a fund raiser would call and ask her to make a cake or pie. She even continued to return to Bomar Rehab Center from time to time to take a pie since she made friends with the staff while being in rehab for her knee replacements. She was an independent, caring and giving lady. All who were able to assist Alysie Mae enjoyed their visit, whether they were repairing an appliance, trimming a tree, or taking care of her lawn.   

Not only did Alysie Mae take care of the humans in her life, but she gave special care to her little four-legged constant companion, Pebbles.  

Survivors include:
Daughter: Sherri Strahan and husband Don of Timpson

Numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

In addition to her parents, Alysie Mae Porterfield was preceded in death by her loving husband Daniel Porterfield in 1992, sister Geneva Pledger, and brother Milton Pledger.

Sherri and Don would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for their great care and concern during Alysie Mae’s stay in the hospital, especially neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Randle.
 
Serving as pallbearers are Larry Porterfield, Andrew Renteria, Bert Coan, Roy Pledger, Mike Pledger, Joe Pledger, and Don Pledger.

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.

08/13/2017

Johnnie Price, 93, of Center, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2017, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 14, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at Watson & Sons Chapel.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Center.

Mrs. Price was born June 17, 1924, in Shelbyville, to Vessie Green and Mary Lee Carter Green. Johnnie and Jarandal were united in marriage on August 13, 1942. They would have celebrated 75 years of marriage this year. She was employed with Farmers State Bank for fifteen years. Mrs. Price enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, hunting, fishing, quilting and sewing. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Center and later was a member of First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches.

She is survived by
Daughter-in-law: Sammye Price

Grandchildren:
Kelly Price Pepper and husband, Jeff
Katy Price Crawford and husband, Doug

Great Grandchildren:
Jack Pepper
Claire Crawford
Chloe Crawford

Brother: Vance Green and wife, Betty

Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by
Husband: Jarandal Price
Son: Randy Price
Parents: Vessie Green and Mary Lee Carter Green
Sisters: Mary Ellen Sapp, Faye Green, Vernell Williams
Brother: Fred Green

Pallbearers will be Jeff Pepper, Jack Pepper, Doug Crawford, Terry Williams, Danny Green and David Chadwick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church, 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas 75935.

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