Shelby County Today

11/11/2016

Tommy Lynn “T.L.” Lawson, 81, of Joaquin, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2016, at his residence.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 13, 2016, at Pine Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin.  Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Sister Melba Rodgers officiating.  Interment will be held at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Joaquin. 

Mr. Lawson was born October 22, 1935, in Center, to Hobson Lawson and Lela Jones Lawson.  He served in the United States Army and was a member of Pine Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin.

He is survived by
Wife: Clydie Lawson of Joaquin

Daughters: 
Tammy Cammack and husband, Wayne, of Haughton, Louisiana
Karen Joy and husband, Mike, of Satsuma, Alabama

Grandchildren:
Amanda Treat of Joaquin
Candice Hennigan and husband, Anthony, of Joaquin
Leah Walker and husband, Steven, of Sarepta, Louisiana
Katie Cammack of Haughton, Louisiana
Colton Cammack of Haughton, Louisiana
Mikayla Joy of Satsuma, Alabama
Mileah Joy of Satsuma, Alabama

Great-Grandchildren:
Charles Reed
Kimberleigh Reed
Steadman Penuell
Haley Hennigan
Layla Hennigan
Parker Canton
Avery Cammack
Axel Walker

Brother: Billy Lawson of Center

Sisters:
Ruby Hughes and husband, Charles, of Center
Judy Carrington of Center

Sisters-in-law:
Wynell Lawson of Center
Leona Lawson of Baytown
Nadine Lawson of Center
Dianne Smith and husband, Jerry, of Joaquin
Jimmie Fay Haight of Joaquin

Preceded in death by
Parents: Hobson Lawson and Lela Jones Lawson
Daughter: Kimberly Lawson
Brothers: Joel, Glenn, Happy, Forriest
Sisters: Oleta, Mildred

Pallbearers will be Wayne Cammack, Mike Joy, Anthony Hennigan, Colton Cammack, Steadman Penuell, Charles Reed and Steven Walker.

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

11/10/2016

Louis Ainsley Runnels was born in Shelby County, Texas to his parents, Louis Ainsley Runnels, Sr., and Hannah Guthrie Runnels on June 11, 1920.

He graduated from Shelbyville High School and pursued a successful career in the construction business throughout Texas. He worked to restore Independence Hall at Washington on the Brazos and other historic buildings throughout East Texas. The last years of his career was working in roofing both commercial and private homes. He also stated a successful Storage Unit business in San Augustine.

He married Barbara Bailey on November 3, 1968, and they resided in Shelby County on a farm, until moving into San Augustine after retirement from the construction business. Retirement from the roofing business transitioned to managing the Storage buildings in San Augustine for many years as a second career.

Surviving relatives are his wife, Barbara Bailey Runnels; Sister, Bobbie Adkinson of Texarkana; Children: Tim Runnels and his wife, Debbie, and his children, Toby and Stacy. Tony's daughter, Bonnie Miller and husband, J.D. and his son, Louis IV and his wife, Ashley; Mary Bailey Mehta and husband, David K. Mehta with their children: Erin, Andrew, and Landon; Ann Bailey-Gonzalez and her children, Nicholas and Gabrielle Gonzalez, also nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Louis is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Bonnie Wingo and stepmother, Lima Dover and stepbrother, Joe Dover and his wife Jean Dover. Also a brother, Ney and brother in law, Tom Adkinson, and his youngest son Louis A. "Tony" Runnels.

Memorial Services will be held on November 12, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Christ Church Episcopal in San Augustine. A Celebration of Life REeception will be immediately following the service at Gatling Manor, 850 South Liberty, San Augustine.

11/09/2016

Racine Graves, age 28, of Bryan, passed from this life on Thursday, November 3, 2016, in Bryan, after a long hard fight with cancer. She was born August 15, 1988, in Nacogdoches, Texas.

She was a member of the Skybreak Church in Bryan. After graduating from Chireno High School, Racine moved to Brenham. While living there, she received two associate degrees from Blinn College in Bryan-College Station. After meeting and marrying her husband, Nathaniel, they moved to Oceanside, California where he was stationed in the Marines. While there she received her Bachelor's Degree from Cal State University. Upon returning to Bryan College Station, Racine worked as an Office Manager for the Bryan Medical Association.

She is survived by her husband,Nathaniel Lee Graves of Bryan; son, Elijah James Graves of Bryan; parents, Jeff & Rexcine Boyd of San Augustine; mother-in-law, Pamela Britton of League City; brother, James Pate & wife Yolanda of Jacksonville, Florida; step-sisters, Kristine Taylor and Suzanne Monzingo; brother-in-law, James Beldon of League City; sisters-in-law, Chloe Britton and Monique Britton - both of League City.

A memorial service will be held for Racine at the Skybreak Church in Bryan College Station on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 11:00 A.M., with Bro. Danny Green and Jeff Boyd officiating. There will be a gathering of friends at the church on Wednesday beginning at 10:00 A.M.

Also, there will be a memorial service at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel in San Augustine on Friday, November 11, 2016, at 11:00 A.M., with Bro. David Boyd and Jeff Boyd officiating. There will be a gathering of friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 A.m. until service time.

11/07/2016

Hershal Walker, 95, of Center, passed away Monday, November 07, 2016 at Garrison Nursing Home.

Graveside Service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with Bro. Keith Keele officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 8, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.

He was born February 19, 1921 in Roscoe, Texas to Dewey and Ellie (McSwain) Walker. He retired from Center Plywood after 27 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dewey & Ellie Walker and wife, Carolyn Sue Walker.

He is survived by:
Children:
Janette Tucker & husband, Charles “Red” of Alabama
Donny Walker & wife, Bonnie of Nacogdoches 
Brenda Hill of Timpson
Kevin Walker & wife, Angela of Nacogdoches
Grandchildren:
Coy Norwood & wife, Theresa, Kelli Norwood & Clifton Norwood & wife, Stephanie
Devin Walker & wife, Ella and Katrina Bird & husband, Dustin
Clint Solomon and Ashley Davis & husband, Matt
Jennifer Walker VanDyke & husband, Kade, Hannah Walker & Hunter Walker
20 Great Grandchildren
1 Great Great Grandson
Sister-in-law:
Mary Paxton of Center
Pallbearers:
Hunter Walker, Brad Fitzgerald, Dustin Bird, 
Kade VanDyke, Paul Hughes & Ward Herndon

In lieu of flowers family request donations can be made to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Fund, c/o Mr. Eddie Barnes, 2698 St Hwy 7 West, Center, Texas 

You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfuneralhome.com. Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, Texas

11/07/2016

Sarah Wynell Hutchins, 76, of Joaquin, passed away Saturday, November 5, 2016, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Ozay Ford and Bro. Pat Windham officiating.  Interment will follow at Sardis Cemetery in Shelby County.

Ms. Hutchins was born June 18, 1940, in Shelby County, to Travis Wright and Katie Hughes Wright.  

She is survived by
Sons:
Everett “Rowdy” Hutchins and wife, Rose, of Mississippi
Darrell “Jinx” Hutchins and wife, Cristi, of Joaquin

Grandchildren:
Katie Martin and husband, Mark, of Huntington
Holly Nichols and husband, Reid, of Joaquin
Jacob Hutchins and wife, Dawn, of Joaquin
Zac Hutchins of Joaquin
Caroline Corbell and husband, Jasper, of Center
Haley Hutchins of Shreveport, Louisiana
Liza Kay and husband, Jacob, of Joaquin
Cole Gary of Springhill, Louisiana
Madelynn Hutchins of Joaquin
Lexi Hutchins of Joaquin
Maddox Hutchins of Joaquin

Great Grandchildren:
Eli Hutchins
Harlow Hutchins
Heist Martin
Barrett Nichols
Kase Kay

Sister: Ann Hitt of Center

Sister-in-law: Judy Wright of Center

Special Nieces and Nephews:
Katha Bush
Pam Bailey
Patty Davis
Rusty Wright

Preceded in death by:
Husband: Darrell Hutchins
Son: Scott Hutchins
Parents: Travis Wright and Katie Hughes Wright
Siblings: Jake Wright, Bud Wright
Sister-in-law: Brenda Wright

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

11/04/2016

Susan Ruth Parks Windham, 54, of Center, passed away Friday, November 4, 2016, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at Spann’s Chapel Cemetery in Shelby County with Bro. Don Noble and Bro. Steve Noble officiating.  Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Mrs. Windham was born April 18, 1962, in Galena Park, to Jimmie Parks and Ima Spann Parks.  

She is survived by
Husband: James “Jamie” Windham of Center

Daughter: Tina Pardo and husband, Jaime, of Longview

Son: William “Jody” Windham of Center

Grandchildren:
Michael Price
Desera Myron
Estrella “Star” Pardo
Whitney Pierce
Summer Windham
Alexis Hargitt
Dylon Wallace

Brothers:
Charles Parks and wife, Sherry, of Center
Lance Parks and wife, Tonya, of Center

Sisters:
Shelby Pope of Center
Rose Ramirez and husband, Herman, of Center

Adopted Childen:
Kristy Elliott
Anthony Parish
Montaiz Stanley

Special Friends:
Montie Adams of Center
Dylan Worsham

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Jimmie Parks and Ima Spann Parks
Brother: Jimmie Parks, Jr.
Father-in-law: Tom Windham

Pallbearers will be John Parks, Adam Ramirez, Montaiz Stanley, Dylan Worsham, Dylan Denby and Corey Sigler.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jaime Pardo, Anthony Parish and Bradley Livingston.

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

11/01/2016

Joel Harris Chapman, age 84, of Tenaha, passed away Tuesday, November 01, 2016 at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.

Graveside Service will be 10:00 am Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha with Bro. Don Murphree. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Mangum Funeral Home.

He was born February 13, 1932 in Mt. Enterprise, Texas to parents, James Harris Chapman & Lela Bell Woods Chapman. He served in the United States Air Force. He owned and operated Chapman Cleaners in Tenaha  and he drove a school bus for Tenaha ISD for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James & Lela Chapman, 4 brothers; Eulan Chapman, Dempsey Chapman, Roy Chapman & Allen Chapman and 1 sister; Frances Hall.

He is survived by:
2 Daughters:
Sheri Basham & husband, Jessie of Tenaha
Sandra Chapman of Nacogdoches
Granddaughter:
Courtney Basham Martinez & husband, Darrell Martinez of Tenaha
Grandson:
Jesse Basham of Austin
Great Granddaughter:
Caitlyn Basham of Tenaha
Pallbearers:
Josh Hickman, Willie Holley, Roger Holley, Ron Barker,
Carlos Cuellar, John Estes & Francisco Perez

You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfuneralhome.com. Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, Texas

10/31/2016

Gene McSwain, 75, of Carthage, went to be with the Lord on October 30, 2016, at his residence.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 31, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Charles Williams and Bro. Wade Floyd officiating.  Interment will follow at Old Salem Cemetery in Shelby County.

Mr. McSwain was born April 30, 1941, in San Augustine to Warren G. McSwain and Lillian Brown McSwain.  He served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman.  He had a great love for music and had a Gospel Music Ministry for a number of years.  He worked in the paper mill industry for many years from which he retired as a maintenance supervisor in 2007.  He loved gardening and woodwork.  He was continuously helping others with a project such as remodeling.  He had to have everything just right even down to the smallest detail or he would remove it and start again.  He was a perfectionist with everything. He loved and cherished his wife, Betty, and loved his family, but most of all, he loved the Lord.  He was a member of Galloway Methodist Church, but most importantly, he was a member of God’s Heavenly Church.

He is survived by
Wife: Betty Sue McSwain of Carthage

Children:
Gina Maes and husband, Mark
Marguerite Hurley
Stephie McSwain
Beverly Smith
Sheila Chandler
Karen Halstead and husband, John
Janet Ritter and husband, Blake
Joel Graves and wife, Deanna
Ken Graves and wife, Heather
Neal Graves and wife, Jessica

Father: Warren G. McSwain of Center

Sisters:
Jeanette Mena and husband, Lynn, of Broaddus
Edna Rae Carroll and husband, Bob, of Tomball

Brother: Travis McSwain and wife, Donna, of Cypress

Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all who loved him dearly

Preceded in death by
Infant Daughter: Lisa McSwain
Daughter: Evelyn McSwain
Mother: Lillian McSwain
Baby Brother: Ronnie McSwain

Pallbearers will be Gene Edward Smith, Joel Graves, Ken Graves, Neal Graves, Matthew Chandler, Zackary Ritter and Blake Ritter.  Honorary pallbearers will be Verlon Luman, Lynn Mena and Bobby McSwain.

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

10/28/2016

Paul Fults, 86, of Center, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 at Pine Grove Nursing Home.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jane Barker officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to service beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel.

He was born September 2, 1930 in Shelby County, Texas to Noah and Modenia (Byrd) Fults. He was a devout Christian and attended Antioch Baptist Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church when he was able. He worked for the City of Center in the water department for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Noah & Modenia Fults, wife, Marie Fults, son, Ike Bright, 3 Siblings,  Travis Fults, Ruby Chandler & Merlene Null.

He is survived by:
Daughter & Son-in-law:
Linda & James Windham of Joaquin
Son:
Jewell Bright of Mineola 
Grandchildren:
J.C. Windham of Joaquin
Kristen & Chandler Bright of Mineola
3 Great Grandchildren
Numerous Nieces & Nephews

You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfuneralhome.com. Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, Texas