Shelby County Today

10/31/2016 

Edgar Omar Mendez, 17, of Tenaha, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016, at his residence.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Pastor Mario Orellana officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Edgar was born January 14, 1999, to Leonardo Mendez and Marcelina Salazar Mendez.  He loved rap music and his dog, Cadete.  Edgar was a member of Iglesia Bautista Monte Sinai in Tenaha.

He is survived by
Father: Leonardo Mendez of Tenaha

Mother: Marcelina Salazar Mendez of Tenaha

Brother: Leonardo Daniel Mendez of Tenaha

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

10/28/2016

Louise Van Der Schaaf, 106, of Center, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016, at her residence.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux, Iowa.  Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Among her survivors is her children:
Ivan Van Der Schaaf and wife, Wanda, of Center
Merril Van Der Schaaf of Pattonville
Jean Van Meekeren of Okoboji, Iowa

Services under the direction of Watsons and Sons Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

10/28/2016

Billie Louise Higgs age 91 of Branson, Missouri died on October 26, 2016 at Point Lookout Rehab.
 
She was born on December 26, 1924 in Center, Texas the daughter of Willie and Winnie Scruggs Walling.  Billie graduated from Center High School in Center, Texas and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.  She married Kenneth O. Higgs in 1967. They lived in Port Neches, Texas where Kenneth was employed for Texaco Research until he retired in 1985.  Then they moved to Branson, Missouri where they enjoyed their retirement years.
 
Survivors include:

Her husband: Kenneth O. Higgs of the home

Step-son and daughter-in-law: Steven & Joyce Higgs of Bridge City, Texas

Three step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren.

Sisters-in-law:
Alice Higgs
Dixie Higgs

Several nieces and nephews

Cousin: Bobbie Whittaker 

She was preceded in death by her parents and step-son, Larry Wayne Higgs.
 
Visitation was held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson, Mo.
 
Graveside services were held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center, Texas. Local arrangements are under the direction of Watson & Son Funeral Home.

10/27/2016

Mary Grace Pou McLaughlin was born February 7, 1920, the third child and first daughter of Allen and Fannie Coussons Pou. She was born at home in the Ramah Community near Tenaha in Shelby County, TX. She left this earth on October 25, 2016 in Spring, TX. She was 96 years old. Funeral service will be Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Addison Funeral Home, 18630 Kuykendahl Road in Spring, Texas 77379 with Rev. Jerry Cronan officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Gracie will be laid to rest at Ramah Cemetery, Tenaha, Texas on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.                                                         

Gracie married John McLaughlin in 1946 in Houston, TX where they lived all their married life. Several years after Johnny’s death, she moved to The Woodlands, TX and lived there at The Forum for six years. She enjoyed living in The Woodlands and said that the pine trees reminded her of East Texas. She moved to assisted living in Spring, TX last December.

Gracie was a member of Uvalde Baptist Church in the Olive Class. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother and a generous and loyal friend. She spent many volunteer hours at Sun Belt Regional Medical Center and with the Green Valley PTO. She was Mimi to her three grandchildren and loved them dearly. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, reading, and shopping.

Gracie graduated from Tenaha High School in 1936. She was in the same class as her brother Charles Pou, Sr. because she was double promoted in the second grade. She was interested in maintaining the history of Shelby County and assisted with information to get a historical marker for Ramah Cemetery. She was responsible for replacing cemetery monuments for family members at Ramah Cemetery, Old Home Cemetery, and Old Center Cemetery. She was a supporter of the Tenaha Beautification Project and often returned to Tenaha for Ramah Day. She remembered one Ramah Day when Tex Ritter was there and got up on a wagon to sing for the crowd.

She was married for 56 years before the death of her husband Johnny in 2003.

She is survived by:

Her daughters Fran and husband Les Heugatter of Spring, TX, and Jill Phillips of Houston, TX

Grandchildren Jessica Noser and John Heugatter of Spring, TX, and John Phillips of Tulsa, Oklahoma

A sister-in-law Dahlia Cook McManus of Liberty, TX

Dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers William and Charles Pou, Sr., and her sister and best friend Mildred Wisenbaker.

Pallbearers for Gracie will be: Ken Wisenbaker, Chris Wisenbaker, Steve Lilly, John Phillips, John Heugatter, and Les Heugatter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Ramah Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 294, Tenaha, TX 75974. To sign the guestbook, go to www.addisonfuneralhomes.com.

10/26/2016

John E. Moore, 66, of Tenaha, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016, in Longview.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Keith Keele officiating.  Interment will follow at Old Tennessee Cemetery in Tenaha.

Mr. Moore was born March 22, 1950, to Murry Glenn Moore and Frances Mims Moore.  He was employed at Bruce Hardwood Floors as a Timber buyer for thirty years.  Following retirement, he spent eight years as director of maintenance at Tenaha ISD.  Mr. Moore served in the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department and was part of the group who began running the first ambulance in Tenaha.  He also served as a Shelby County Reserved Deputy.  Mr. Moore loved his family and friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his son and granddaughter.

He is survived by
Wife: Cathy Peddy Moore of Tenaha

Son: Scott A. Moore and wife, Deana, of White Oak

Granddaughter: Avery Moore of White Oak

Numerous nieces, nephews, and other family

A host of friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Murry Glenn Moore and Frances Mims Moore
Special Uncle: Ezra Moore
Special Aunt: Olga Hughes

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

10/26/2016

Ms. Debra Sexton, age 59, of San Augustine, Texas.  Ms. Sexton passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Hospice in the Pines Inpatient Hospital in Lufkin, Texas.

Services are still pending at this time.

10/23/2016

Amanda Wagnon, 69, of Center, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Lufkin.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. John Whitworth officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Ms. Wagnon was born April 1, 1947, in Stephenville, to Roy Lee Tumlinson and Clara Ora Wigley Tumlinson. She was the owner of Touch of Heaven for over twenty years. Ms. Wagnon was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed her farm and spending time with family and grandchildren.

She is survived by:

Sons:
Doug “Ken” Collins and wife, P.J., of Lufkin
Tracy Collins and wife, Amy, of Tenaha

Step-daughter: Monette Wagnon Meyer and husband, Scott, of Dallas

Grandchildren:
Cpl. Bryan Collins
Ashlee Ray 
Matthew Collins
Hunter Collins

Brother: Teddy Tumlinson and wife, Evelyn, of Bryan

Nephews:
Vic Tumlinson and wife, Liz, of Florida
Todd Tumlinson and wife, Lee, of Bryan

Preceded in death by
Husband: Douglas Bryan Collins 
Husband: Keith Wagnon
Parents: Roy Lee Tumlinson and Clara Ora Wigley Tumlinson

Pallbearers will be Cpl. Bryan Collins, Matthew Collins, Vic Tumlinson, Todd Tumlinson, Lee Baker and Enedino Ramirez. Honorary pallbearers will be Hunter Collins and Ashlee Ray.

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

10/20/2016

Jeff Coats, Jr., 72, of Center, passed away Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Willowbrook Nursing Home in Nacogdoches.

Graveside Service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Old Salem Cemetery with Pastor Steve Noble officiating.

He was born January 8, 1944 to Jeff F. Coats, Sr. and Georgia Lee (Clifton) Coats. He served in the US Navy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jeff & Georgia Coats, wife, Wanda Coats, daughter, Rondayla Coats, stepson, Ronnie Henson, brothers, W.J. Coats & Jack Coats, sister, Rose Ann Coats & special father-in-law & mother-in-law, Jack & Rachel Fountain.

He is survived by:
Daughters:
Tondayla Samford & husband, Garry of Nacogdoches
Vonda Barton & husband, Anthony of Joaquin

Step-Children:
Randy Fountain of Center
Jill Parker & husband, Steve of Center
Shelia Cosby of Center
Linda Henson of Nacogdoches
Gayla Henson of Nacogdoches

Brother:
Bill Coats & wife, Sandra of Grand Haven, Michigan

14 Grandchildren

19 Great-Grandchildren
Mother-in-law:
Vaudine Adams

Numerous Nieces, Nephews & Friends

In Lieu of Flowers family request donations for burial expenses sent to Jill Parker, 4473 ST HWY 7 W Center, Texas 75935  
   
You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfuneralhome.com Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, Texas

10/20/2016

James Harold Emmons, 70, passed away October 17, 2016. A memorial service will be held on October 22, 2016 at East Texas Baptist Family Ministry following the Poissoit-Emmons family reunion. East Texas Baptist Family Ministry is located at 13776 FM 138, Timpson, Texas 75975.

James Harold Emmons was born on October 20, 1945 to the union of the late Richard Irvin Emmons and the Bertha Catherine Poissoit Emmons in Center, Texas.

James was a Christ follower and attended Gateway Church in Frisco, Texas. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. James was employed by Cottonwood Creek Apartments in Allen, Texas where he also lived for nearly thirty years. He was a man of many talents. He was a woodworker, carpenter, as well as an accomplished artist, singer and musician, and he was once a member of the gospel singing group The Ambassadors. You could often find him playing his piano keyboard or guitars.

God called James Emmons home on October 17, 2016. He was proceeded in death by his father, Richard Irvin Emmons; his mother, Bertha Catherine Poissoit Emmons; brothers, Bill, Roger and Eugene Emmons; and sisters, Geraldine Emmons and Joyce Jackson.

James leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughters, Regina Arndt of Loudon, Tennessee and Amy Murphy of Beaumont, Texas, as well as three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

James Emmons was the eighth of ten children. His surviving siblings are Dorothy Forbis, Patsy Jo Stroud, Beverly Dickinson and Gail Allums.

He will also be missed by a host of other relatives and friends.