Shelby County Today

04/05/2019

Maxie L. Coody, 68, of Joaquin, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2019, in Houston.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Jody Hooper officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mr. Coody was born April 4, 1950, in Saline, Louisiana, to James Coody and Maudie Lucky. He retired from the United States Army after serving three tours in Vietnam and later retired from KLLM Trucking. He loved guns, hunting, and animals. Mr. Coody was a member of VFW Post 8904 in Center and First Baptist Church of Haslam.

He is survived by:

Children:
Sean Anthony Coody of Coushatta, Louisiana
Gregory Coody and wife, Amanda, of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Aaron Cole Coody and wife, Kayla, of West Monroe, Louisiana
Amanda Marie Noble and husband, Adam, of Leavenworth, Kansas

Grandchildren:
Amber Nicole Koerner of Denver, Colorado
Randon LeBlanc and wife, Summer, of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Devin LeBlanc of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Lauren Coody of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Madison Coody of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Kelsi Coody of West Monroe, Louisiana

Great-grandchildren:
Granger LeBlanc of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Gunner LeBlanc of Jonesboro, Louisiana

Brothers, Billy James Coody and wife, Gudrun, of Henderson, Nevada

Douglas Coody and wife, Rhonda, of Joaquin, Texas

Sister, Ruth Coody of Joaquin, Texas

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his mother, Maudie Lucky Huntley; brother, Ben Coody; stepfather, James Huntley.
Pallbearers will be Myron Mazie, Bryant Shipley, Mason Mustard, Jeff Sharp, Dan Madueno, and Todd Maestretti. Honorary pallbearer will be Shad Reece.

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

04/03/2019

William J. “Don” Moore, aka East Texas Plowboy, 81, passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 in Hemphill Care Center.

Don was born in Shelby County on August 12, 1937 to Amos and Laverne Moore. He spent most of his younger years in Shelby County until he met his bride-to-be, Lena Ratcliff in Bay Springs, Mississippi while working on a pipeline. They were married 62 years January 21, 2019. They came back to Texas and he worked at Livingston Shipyard in Orange, Texas. They returned to Shelby County in the latter part of 1957. In 1958, their first child, Becky, was born in Center, Texas. Don started working for Temple Industries in 1958 and moved to Pineland, Texas and took P. O. Box 262 which they still have at this time. He worked at Temple Industries in maintenance where he learned to drive a truck. He came to be a devoted truck driver, and during this time a son, William, Jr., was born and passed away in 1959. A daughter, Vicki was born in 1960, a son, Donald was born in 1961, and a daughter, Sheri, was born in 1963.

Don drove trucks for Temple, Lone Star, McAlister, Bilbo, Matco, Sammy Crain, and Keller Industries. In 1986/87, he purchased his own cab over Freightliner with Bilbo and numerous other trucks. He purchased a Kenworth and leased on to Gooch Trucking, Bob Conner, and Whitton Trucking. After that, he became self employed with his rig, hauling lumber out of Temple Inland and Georgia Pacific. He retired at the age of 78 years old in 2015. He never worked a day in his life. Most people would say he enjoyed his hobby of driving his Kenworth truck, he never wanted to give it up because he loved driving so much. He was and always will be the one and only East Texas Plowboy.

Don was saved and baptized into the Missionary Baptist faith and was a member of Bethel Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Pineland, Texas. He truly loved his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lena Mae Moore of Bronson, Texas; son, Donald Moore of Bronson, Texas; daughters, Becky Ellison and husband, Butch, of Bronson, Texas, Vicki Moore and Marty Forse of Black Ankle, Texas, and Sheri Hanks and husband, Orasha, of San Augustine, Texas; He is survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and blessed with two great-great granddaughters that are fifth generation; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special three-legged cat, Sparky.

He is also survived by brothers, K. F. (Cotton) Moore and Rodney Moore, both of Hemphill, Texas; sisters, Carolyn Horne of Geneva, Texas, Shirley Jasper and husband, Glenn, of Bowie, Texas, Diane Clark of Hemphill, Texas, Mary Collis of Hemphill, Texas, and Helen Jacks and husband, Mark, of Pineland, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Laverne Moore, son, William J. Moore, Jr. two granddaughters, Brandy and Mandy; and great grandson, Issac Shivers. He is also preceded in death by a brother, Edward Paul Moore; sister, Juanita Amason and her husband, Bobby; sisters-in-law, Shawnee Moore and Thersea Moore; and brothers-in-law, Carl Horne and Roland Eugene Clegg.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill, Texas.

Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2019 in Starr Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Floyd Wright and Bro. Dave Digmon officiating.

Burial will follow services in West Hamilton Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas with Don’s grandsons and great grandsons serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Hardy and Claude Lindsey.

Online condolences can be made at starrfuneralhome.com.

04/02/2019

James Ray Williams, 74, of Gilmer, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Gilmer.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, with Bro. Chris Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Center. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.
Mr. Williams was born September 29, 1944, in Shelby County to Comer Arden Williams and Gracie Odell Mobley Williams.  He served in the United States Army and later retired from IBM as a service representative. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling.  He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by:
His sister: Maxine Nolan of Gilmer

Nephew: Billy Paul Nolan of Fort Worth

Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: 
Mike Mangrum and wife Rose of Center
Janice Churchman and husband Max of Center
Norma Rudd
Gay Nell Wilburn and husband Jimmy of Center
Mary Boniol of Center

A host of other family and friends

Preceded in death by wife, Mary Boniol Williams; parents, Comer Arden Williams and Gracie Odell Mobley Williams; brother-in-law, Clifton Boniol; mother-in-law, Ruth Mangrum.

Pallbearers will be Sunny Harkness, Mike Mangrum, Jeff Boniol, Ricky Harkness, Rodney Boniol, and Jason Wilburn.  Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Boniol, C.J. Boniol, James Mathis, and Michael Mangrum.

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

04/01/2019

James Earl Garrett, 63 of Center, passed away Tuesday night, March 26, 2019 at Pam Specialty Hospital, Lufkin, Texas.

Services will be Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 11am at Bennett Chapel Baptist Church in Shelbyville. Interment is at Bennett Chapel Cemetery in Shelbyville with Bishop W.C. Martin officiating.

He is survived by:

Brother, Robert Garrett of Lufkin

Aunt, Annie Ruth Walker of Shelbyville

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

03/31/2019

James “Jimmy” Ross Vickers, 75, of Milam, Texas passed away Friday, March 29, 2019 at Summer Meadows Nursing Home in Longview, Texas.

Jimmy was born July 19, 1943 in Center, Texas to Ross Evans Vickers and Paunee Lord Vickers. He was a graduate of Hemphill High School and later earned his Masters Degree at Stephen F. Austin State University. He also served his country as a member of the Army National Guard. He was a lifelong resident of Sabine County.

Jimmy was an educator for the Joaquin Independent School District for many years and was a member of many organizations including the Frank Sexton Masonic Lodge in Milam; the Sons of the Republic of Texas; and held a Doctorate of Domino Science. He was a longtime member of New Hope Baptist Church.

He is survived by his sons, Mike Vickers of Shelbyville, Texas, Vance Vickers and wife, Johanna, of Sexton, Texas, Rodolfo Martinez of Slidell, Louisiana, and Edgar Martinez of Martinsville, Texas; daughter, Debbie Terry and husband, Cooper, of Longview, Texas; brother, Vance Vickers and wife, Juanice, of The Woodlands, Texas; sisters, Betsy Cox and husband, George, of Milam, Texas and Susie Clark and husband, Jimmy, also of Milam; and eleven grandchildren, Collin, Connor, Carsen, Logan, Caleb, Laney, Cooper, Carter, Lawson, Tristan, and Tatom.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Vickers, and his daughter-in-law, Crystal Vickers.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill, Texas.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2019 at Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ronnie Wheeler officiating and Ross Vickers delivering the eulogy.

Burial will follow services in Vickers Cemetery located in Milam, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers are Ronald Barlow, Mike Vickers, Vance Vickers, Victor Sheppard, Collin Vickers, Connor Terry, Logan Vickers, and Caleb Terry.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Jimmy Vickers Memorial Scholarship Fund at Shelby Savings Bank.

You may leave online condolences at starrfuneralhome.com.

03/29/2019

Leetha Ann Boren, 81, of Center, passed away Friday, March 29, 2019, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Watson & Sons Chapel. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

03/28/2019

Miss Doris Marie Eaden Washington (Joy Baby), 67, of Mt. Gillion Community passed away Tuesday morning March 26, 2019 in Joaquin.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 11am-1pm at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church in Center, Texas. Services will follow starting 1pm at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church in Center, Texas.

Interment will be held at Mt. Gillion Cemetery with Pastor Gary Suell officiating.

Miss Washington is survived by:
Sister: Irene Eaden Morris of Center

Brothers:
Charles E. Eaden (Jackie) of Center
Robert L. Eaden of Center

03/27/2019

K.P. Bradshaw, 90, of Center, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Center.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 29, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating.  He will be buried at Salem Cemetery in Center.
Mr. Bradshaw was born August 24, 1928, in Center, to E. P. Bradshaw and Vera Samford Bradshaw. He served in the United States Marines and later retired from Kaiser Aluminum in Houston as a Machinist. Mr. Bradshaw was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.

He is survived by:
His wife: Pauline Fenley Bradshaw

Daughter: Karen P. Bradshaw

Grandchildren: 
Kenneth A. Bradshaw
Timothy Bradshaw

Great-grandson: Tim Bradshaw

Brothers: 
Curtis Bradshaw
Ed Bradshaw and wife Brenda
Gene Bradshaw and wife Martha

Sister-in-law: Bettie Fenley Mitchell and husband Allen

Many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by son, Kenneth P. Bradshaw; parents, E. P. Bradshaw and Vera Samford Bradshaw; brothers, Paul Bradshaw, J.T. Bradshaw; sister, Bobbie Ann Bradshaw Barbe.

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

03/21/2019

Arnette Darlene Richerson, 78, of Timpson, Texas passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2019 surrounded by her family in Timpson, Texas. Born April 2, 1940, in Houston, Texas, Arnette Darlene is the daughter of the late William Richard Hicks and Florence Audrey (Weems) Hicks. Visitation will be held Friday, March 22, 2019 from 6PM to 8PM at Taylor Funeral Home, 511 Ross Graves Dr., Timpson, Texas. Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 2PM at First Assembly of God Church, Timpson, Texas, with Bro. E.J. Adams and Bro. Tuffy Green officiating. Interment will follow in Corinth Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. 
 
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Arnette graduated Reagan High School. She married Lloyd Mitchell and the two welcomed a daughter into their family (Sheryl Mitchell Pyle). A year after starting their family Lloyd passed away suddenly leaving a single mom. The Lord had different plans, and Arnette later met the love of her life, John Richerson, and the two were married on October 14, 1961. The two enjoyed over 57 years together. They had four wonderful children and were blessed over the years. In 1979 her family moved to Timpson, Texas and she faithfully stood beside her husband John while he pastored at First Assembly of God Church in Timpson for over 20 years. 
 
Arnette enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed singing, teaching Sunday school, and was especially known for her award-winning pies. She will always hold a special place in the hearts of those that knew her. 
 
She is survived by her daughters, Sheryl Pyle and husband Ronald Pyle of Cypress, Texas, Darla Andries and husband Martin Andries of Carthage, Texas; brothers, Richard Hicks, Sydney Hicks; sister, Jeanette Bowley and husband Leroy Bowley; daughter in law, Karina Richerson Willhoite and husband Robin Willhoite of Timpson, Texas; grandchildren, Tiffany Newman Harris and husband Jimmy Harris, John “Justin” Richerson IV and wife Chelsea Richerson, Harley Richerson and husband Ty Cheshire, Amberly Sparks and husband Matthew Sparks, Corey Green and Rachel Roberts, Happy Willhoite; great grandchildren, Hunter Newman, Fisher Newman, Remington Newman, Brooklynn Nettle, Johnny Richerson, Alivia Deason, Tylie Cheshire, Ira Land, Hannah Odom, Matthew Sparks Jr., Bryer Parks, Layne Green, Wade Roberts, Logan Roberts, Ava Roberts, numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends that will miss her dearly. 
 
Arnette is preceded in death by her loving husband, John Barney Richerson II; parents, William Richard and Florence Audrey (Weems) Hicks; sons, John B. Richerson III, Douglas Wayne Richerson; granddaughter, Ashley Green; and sister, Sharon Garland. 
 
Pallbearers serving will be John “Justin” Richerson IV, Jeremy Bowley, Hunter Newman, Fisher Newman, Corey Green, Ty Cheshire, Robin Willhoite, and Jimmy Harris. 

To send condolences and sign the online register book you may go to www.taylorfh.net.

Taylor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.