Shelby County Today

11/29/2016

Mrs. Avalonia Wade Dix, age 96, of Houston, Texas.  Mrs. Dix passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2016 at CHI Baylor St. Luke Hospital in Houston, Texas.  She was a native of the Bland Lake Community.

Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church on the day of the service. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Interment: Paradise North Cemetery in Houston, Texas

Survivors: 
4 sons
Alvin Dix of Houston, Texas and wife Rachelle Dix of St. Louis, Missouri
Calvin Dix of Atlanta, Georgia
Michael Dix of Houston, Texas
Wade Dix of Houston, Texas

2 Grandchildren    
Tashauna Fredrick of St. Louis, Missouri
Jad Dix of St. Louis, Missouri

1 Great Grand Child    
Trinity Fredrick of St. Louis, Missouri

As well as a host of other relatives and Friends.

11/28/2016

Smithie Laurin Kyle, 85, of Tenaha, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Old Center Cemetery in Panola County.  Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Laurin was born August 14, 1931, in Tenaha, to Frank and Willie Kyle. He was raised in the Old Center Community, where he had many relatives.  He was a very loving person and had many friends in the community.  He worked overseas in many countries in his younger days.  He believed in God, and knew everything comes from living a good life and believing in God and family.  At the time of his death, he lived in the Woods Community with his loving wife, Pat.  

He is survived by:

Wife: Pat Kyle of Tenaha

Sons:
Jerry Kyle of California
Jeff Kyle of California

Stepsons:
Doug Wilson
Jim D. Davis
Bobby Don Davis
Bill Dan Dami

2 Grandsons

2 Granddaughters

6 Great-Granddaughters

Brother: Marlin Kyle of Old Center

Sisters:
Agilee Barrett
Bobbye Savois
Zola Meche

Brothers-in-law:
Paul B. George Jr. of Amarillo
James B. George of New Mexico

Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by
Wife: Joanne George
Son: Joe Kyle
Sister: Gloria

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

11/25/2016

Carmel Fountain, 68, of Center, passed away Friday, November 25, 2016 at Green Acres Nursing Home.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, November 28, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.

She was born December 12, 1947 in Center to Doyle and Marie (Landrum) Stanley.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Doyle and Marie Stanley, husband, Wayne Fountain and son, Buddy Fountain.

She is survived by:

Children:
Shannon Gibbs of Center
Billy Fountain of Center

Step-Daughter: Ramona Coleman & husband, Eddie of Virginia

9 Grandchildren: Justin & Kelsey Gibbs, Chris Coleman, Billy D. Fountain, Jr., Charles W. Fountain, Jonathan Fountain, Samantha Fountain, Matthew Fountain & Raeny Rodgers

7 Great-Grandchildren

Brother: Doyle Stanley of Center

Sister: Joan Mulhollan

Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandchildren

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

11/24/2016

James William Mize, 86, of Tenaha, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2016, at his residence.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2016, at Old Union Cemetery in Tenaha with Dr. Robert Prothro officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Mr. Mize was born April 18, 1930, in Ivanhoe, to T.O. “Pete” Mize and Lucille Gray Mize. He served in both the United States Army and the United States Air Force. Mr. Mize was a retired truck driver and a simple man who loved his family. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by
Wife of 58+ years: Retha Yarborough Mize of Tenaha

Children:
Kay Prothro and husband, Robert, of Marshall
Thomas Mize and wife, Terri, of Hideaway Lake
Gary Mize and wife, René of Center
Vernon Mize of Beckville
Lisa Glenn and husband, Donald Mack, of Henderson

Grandchildren:
Emily Gilbert and husband, Bryan
Jonathan Prothro and wife, Leslie
Melissa Alvarez and husband, Gonzalo
Joshua Mize and wife, Samantha
Colby Mize and wife, Amber
Dean Mize and wife, Candice
Marnie Mize
Madison Mize
Michael Mize
Miranda Mize
Mack Glenn and wife, Samantha
Jake Glenn

Great-Grandchildren:
Avery Gilbert
Ryan Gilbert
William Prothro
James (J.T.) Mize
Amelia Mize

Sister: Glenda Mastrogiacomo and husband, Moe, of Arlington

Sister: Betty Johnson of Bonham

Preceded in death by
Parents: Pete and Lucille Mize
Brothers: Billy Mize, Lynn Dell Mize

Pallbearers will be Mack Glenn, Jonathan Prothro, Josh Mize, Colby Mize, Dean Mize, Michael Mize and Jake Glenn. Honorary pallbearers will be Bryan Gilbert, Gonzalo Alvarez, John Gray, Brack Harrison, Tommy McMahon and John Yarborough.

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

11/23/2016

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Ella “Mae Ella” Gardner, (96) of Center will be Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Triumph the Church the Kingdom of God in Christ (921 Daniels Street).   Mrs. Gardner died Monday, November 21, 2016 at Good Shepard Hospital in Longview Texas.  The service will be 11:00am.    Rev.  Billy Gardner will be officiating. 

Mrs. Gardner is survived by:
 
Sons:  Rev. Billy Gardner (Margie) Lufkin, Texas; Thomas Gardner (Wanda) of Houston, Texas; Jerry Gardner (Cheryl) of Ft. Worth; & Fredrick Gardner (Stella) of Center, Texas. 

Daughters:  Ester Singleton (Archie) of Longview, Texas and Myrtis McClelland of Center, Texas

Brother-in-laws:  Tom Gardner (Katie) of Shelbyville, Texas and Lucky Gardner (Wilda) of Center, Texas.

Sister-in-law:  Betty Sander (Johnny) of Center, Texas 

Visitation: Friday, November 25, 2016 at Hicks Chapel from the hours of 6pm-8pm 

Committal:  St John Cemetery, Africa Community

Repass: Mt.  Zion CME Church 921 Martin Luther King Drive 

Services entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas 

11/22/2016

Susie B. Greer Curtis, age 61, of San Augustine, Texas passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at CHI St. Luke in Houston, Texas.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Reed Chapel Baptist Church with interment at Greer Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Garner & Son Chapel.

Survivors:

Son, LaPatrick Greer (Susan) of Fort Lee, VA

3 Grand-Children

God Sons:
LaKendrick Weathered of Houston, Texas
Christopher Greer of Beaumont, Texas

7 Brother:
John Greer (Glenda) of Beaumont, Texas
Mack Greer of Houston, Texas
Maurice Greer of Vallejo, CA
Oliver Greer (Emma) of Beaumont, Texas
Freddy Greer (Carol) of Ham Lake, Minnesota
Lewis Greer of San Augustine, Texas
J C Greer (Mae) of Dallas, Texas    

Sisters:
Johnnie Breakfield of Houston, Texas
Emma Titus of San Augustine, Texas
Virginia Battles of Houston, Texas
Brenda Malone (Patrick) of San Augustine, Texas
Doris Jenkins of Beaumont, Texas

Special Friend: Abdulaziz Kalnad of San Augustine, Texas

Best Friend: Jackie Harper of San Augustine, Texas

As well as a host of other relatives and friends

Services entrusted to Percy Garner & Son Mortuary, San Augustine, Texas.

11/21/2016

Lewis Harbison,73, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, November 21, 2016, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mr. Harbison was born January 18, 1943, in Shelby County, to Elzie Harbison and Cecil Brittain Harbison. Lewis married his high school sweetheart, Sammie Sims and began working for Chambers Water Well Service right out of High School. In 1975, he bought the well service and continued drilling wells until 2011 when he drilled his last well for his son, John and wife, Allison. Lewis loved hunting and fishing, when one season closed he would start working on the other; getting the deer feeders filled or making sure his boat was ready for the water. Lewis loved a crowd, he enjoyed cooking and taking care of the deer camp, making sure everyone’s deer was iced down, then cooking and seeing that everyone had plenty to eat and also sharing tall tales around the campfire. But most of all he loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When the oldest granddaughter, Summer, was born, he decided that she needed to know everything about hunting and he taught her everything that he knew. Then as each grandchild came along, he taught them as well. His love was always unconditional for his grandchildren, even when he had to get up in the middle of the night to winch Stephen’s truck out of Toledo Bend. To him, that is what being a father and grandfather was all about. Even in times like these, there was a lesson to be learned. While, there was always time to go hunting or get one more fish into the boat, he never passed up the opportunity to show his children and grandchildren that hard work pays off. He taught them all that determination and hard work leads to success in life.

He is survived by:

Wife: Sammie Harbison of Shelbyville

Children:
John Harbison and wife, Allison, of Shelbyville
Selena Harbison Watson of Shelbyville
Heath Harbison and Julie of Center

Grandchildren:
Summer Koltonski and husband, John, of Shelbyville
Britt Harbison and wife, Heather, of Shelbyville
Stephen Watson and wife, Lynsie, of Shelbyville
Stephanie Copelin and husband, Cameron, of Shelbyville
Sean Watson and wife, Jennifer, of Shelbyville
Lucas Harbison of Center
Justin Harbison of Center

Great-Grandchildren:
Tucker and Chase Harbison
Reece and Mason Watson
Carson and Camille Copelin
Laina and Noah Watson

Sister: Martha Matlock and husband, Russell, of Shelbyville

Sister-in-law: Helen Harbison of Friendswood

Preceded in death by
Parents: Elzie and Cecil Harbison
Brother: Jerry Gene Harbison
Son-in-law: Scott Watson

Pallbearers will be Britt Harbison, Stephen Watson, Sean Watson, Lucas Harbison, Justin Harbison, John Koltonski and Cameron Copelin. 

Honorary pallbearers will be his hunting and fishing buddies, Roe Belrose, Douglas Jackson, Alan Ray, Tony Wall, Travis Brittain, Larry Waller, Shane Waller, Wayne “Hub” Elliott, and O.F. "Butch" Adams

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

11/21/2016

Mattie Johnson of Garrison, Texas was born April 28, 1942 in Shelby County. She died November 20, 2016 in Timpson, Texas having reached the age of 74.

Funeral Service will be Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Garrison Funeral Home burial will be at Cold Springs Cemetery, Garrison, Texas.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 22, 2016 5:00 to 8:00 pm. At Garrison Funeral Home, Garrison, Texas

Survivors:

Sons:
Wayne Hough & wife JoAnn of Crockett, Texas
DeWayne Hough & wife Sharon of Timpson, Texas

Brothers:
Jerry Deason & wife Linda of Garrison, Texas
James Deason of Jacksonville, Texas

Sisters:
Claudy Pierce of Carthage, Texas
Ruby Colle of Garrison, Texas

Grandchildren:
Jon Erik Hough
William Hough
Renee O’Neal
Anthony Howard
Mike Howard
Courtlynn Howard
Kathy Johnson
Jennifer Johnson
Tasha Johnson
John Miles
Jesse Miles
James Miles
Cassidy

Preceded in death by:
Husband: Clem Johnson
Sister: Dorothy Colle
Daughter: Serena Hough
Brother: Willie Ray Deason

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

11/21/2016

O’Neal Jackson, 70, of Center, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2016, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 21, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Carl Smith, Sister Sherry Harding and Bro. Terry Goodnight officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mr. Jackson was born June 25, 1946, in Center, to W.H. Jackson and Verna Mae English Jackson.  He was of the Baptist faith.  Mr. Jackson worked in maintenance at Tyson Feed Mill in Tenaha for many years. He also worked in the trucking industry.

He is survived by
Wife: Patsy Dean Jackson of Center

Children:
Angie Bridges and husband, James, of Center
Michele Redmon and husband, Kenneth, of Center
Phillip Jackson of Lufkin
Taryn Chambliss of Center

Grandchildren:
Bethany Bridges
Brant Redmon
Brianna Redmon
Bella Sims
Deanna Jackson
Abigale Chambliss

Step Children:
Joseph Schillings of Nacogdoches
Anthony Schillings of Center
Dena’ Schillings 
Raul Schillings of Center

Step Grandchildren:
Jayden 
Alexis 
Callista 
Preston 
Daylon 

Brothers:
Jerry Jackson and wife, Dianne, of Nacogdoches
Sammy Jackson and wife, Billie, of Tenaha

Sister-in-law: Monica Jackson of Diboll

A host of nieces, nephews and close friends

Preceded in death by
Son: O’Neal Jackson Jr.
Parents: W.H. Jackson and Verna Mae English Jackson
Brother: Earl Jackson

Pallbearers will be James Lee, Ray Jackson, Adam Kenderdine, Wayne Willoughby, Don Jackson, Jimmy Jackson, Robert McDonald and Melvin Broadway.

Lunch will be provided for family and friends at 12:00 noon at Lone Star Baptist Church.

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