Shelby County Today

04/02/2018

Memorial service for Rosa Pena, 45, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00am at Todd Springs Baptist Church in (Old San Augustine Hwy) Shelbyville, Texas. Pena was born April 4, 1972 in Houston, Texas and raised in Shelbyville, Texas. Rosa died at her residence in Nacogdoches, Texas on March 28, 2018.

Rosa Pena is survived by:

Grandmother: Margureite King of Center, Texas

Daughter: Deundra Gray of Brookshire, Texas

Brother: Bridigo Pena (Michelle) of Joaquin, Texas

Sister: Dr. Margie Blount of Brookshire, Texas

Father: Bridigo Pena Sr (Olga) of Houston, Texas

Uncle: Roosevelt King Jr. of Shelbyville, Texas

Aunt: Dr. Jacqueline Pierre of Manama, Bahrain & Rosa Pena of Houston, Texas

Special Friend: Christopher Hart of Nacogdoches, Texas

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

03/28/2018

Dr. William V. “Bill” Ginn, Jr., 87, of Center, passed away March 8, 2018, in Center.

Memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Rev. Karen Jones officiating.

Bill was born February 7, 1931, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Marie and William V. Ginn. The Ginns moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when Bill was a young child.  Bill graduated from Memphis State University, where he majored in Pre-pharmacy. He then graduated from the University Of Tennessee School Of Pharmacy, where he was a member of Rho Chi, the National Honor Society of Pharmacy. Following graduation, he went to Miami, Florida to do pharmacy internship.  It was there that he met the future Mrs. Ginn.  He was invited to join the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was sent to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.  It was there that Eleanor and Bill were married in the Post Chapel.  After their honeymoon, the Ginns were sent to Fort Sill Oklahoma in Lawton, Oklahoma. It was there that Bill became a helicopter pilot, and then a helicopter pilot instructor.  This promotion meant another move to Ozark, Alabama, the Home of Fort Rucker, the Helicopter Training Base.  After two years, he was granted an early release, and he entered the University Of Tennessee School Of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee.  He graduated from the School of Medicine as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the National Honor Society of Medicine. 

After graduation, he did an internship and surgery residency at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.  Bill practiced in Memphis with a surgical group, until he was asked to join a medical group in Union City, Tennessee. In 1977, he moved to Center, Texas, to join the Memorial Clinic with Doctors Hunter Mallory and Joe B. Hooker.  In 1992, he was asked to head the Tenaha Clinic.  He was there until he retired in 1992.  Bill was a man of integrity with a great compassion for his patients.  His greatest gift was what he gave to his patients, a caring reassurance that their doctor had cared for them as he sat at the end of the hospital bed and did what no x-ray, scan or lab could do.  Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church in Center. 

Bill was a golfer, duck hunter, fisherman, wood carver of caricatures, carpenter, artist, banjo player, avid reader, bluegrass music fan and jazz fan.  He was always interested in furthering his knowledge of many subjects.  The family enjoyed camping and travelling.  Travelling to bluegrass festivals in “Little Darlin” was a favorite weekend adventure for Bill and Eleanor.  Thursday was a special day for Bill.  That’s the day the “Lunch Brunch” met to eat and ponder the great problems of our world.

Bill is survived by
Wife of 64 years and best friend: Eleanor of Center, Texas

Sons:
David Ginn of Center, Texas
Andy Ginn and wife, Jennifer, of Frisco, Texas

Granddaughter: Janie of Frisco, Texas

Grandson: Max of Frisco, Texas

Nieces and Nephew:
Elaine Pacello and husband, Tom, of Memphis, Tennessee
Ellen Porter and husband, Joe, of North Carolina
Bob and wife, Carol, of Olive Branch, Mississippi

Cousins:
Ana Marie Williamson and husband, Stephen, of Dallas, Texas
Ralph Riddle and wife, Jodi, of Rotan, Texas

His shadow and friend: Mollie

Preceded in death by
Parents: Marie and William Ginn
Brother: Dr. Bob Ginn
Niece: Elizabeth Fleming

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library, or the charity of your choice.

The family extends their special thanks to Accolade Hospice Staff Kerry, Jessica and Rita for their loving care for Dr. Ginn.  Special thanks also to Vondell Sanders for his loving care for Dr. Ginn.

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

03/30/2018

William David Jakab, 86, of Tenaha, Texas, passed away on March 29, 2018 in Center, Texas. He was born on October 2, 1931 in Washington, Canada to Andy and Emma Jakab. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. William Dee Daniel officiating. A visitation will be held prior to service time from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

William was a gentle and kind man who loved the Lord and his family. A truck driver by trade, he was a hard-working man that made sure he did everything he could to provide and care for his family. He enjoyed listening to Christian music and singing praises to his Heavenly Father. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas. 

William is survived by:

Son, David William Jakab and wife, Elvira of Alexandria, Kentucky

Daughter, Anna Clinton of Florence, South Carolina

Step-daughter, Dezray Jakab of Alexandria, Kentucky

Grandchildren: Joshua Clinton and Cameron Clinton

Step-grandchildren: Morgan Jakab, Jyda Meridia and Evany Meridia.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Jakab and parents, Andy and Emma Jakab.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net

03/29/2018

Lesha A. McCoy Johnson, age 55, of San Augustine, Texas. Mrs. Johnson passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas.

Funeral service is Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at True Vine Baptist Church with internment at Union Grove Cemetery with Julius Teagle, Officiating. Visitation is the day of the Service.

She is survived by:

Son, Raheem Johnson of San Augustine, Texas

Parents, Mog and Ida McCoy of San Augustine, Texas

Brothers:
Garry P McCoy Sr. (Ester) of San Augustine, Texas
William Garrett of Center, Texas

Sisters:
Teresa Watson of Nacogdoches, Texas
Ashley McCoy of Jacquie, Texas
Tylrica McCoy of Center, Texas

As well as a host of other relatives and friends.

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

03/28/2018

Mr. Maynard Wilson, 93, of Toledo Bend died Monday, March 26, 2018, at his residence.

Arrangements are pending with Forest Oaks Funeral Home of Jasper. www.ForestOaksFuneralHome.com

03/25/2018

Gene Vail, 68, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his residence.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2018, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Billy Windham and Bro. Kevin Windham officiating. Interment will follow at McClelland Cemetery in Shelby County.

Mr. Vail was born January 11, 1950, in the Choice Community of Shelby County, to Jessie Vail and Sadie Borders Vail. He was the owner and operator of Vail & Son Auto & Wrecker Service since 1983. Mr. Vail enjoyed hunting in West Texas and also enjoyed fishing with Henry, Ed and his grandkids. He was known as “PawPaw” to everybody. Mr. Vail enjoyed playing cards with the Skinners. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by

Wife: Mary Vail of Shelbyville

Children:
Michael Vail and wife, Tonja, of Shelbyville
Tina Perez of Shelbyville

Special Daughter: Becky Adkinson

Grandchildren:
D.J. Vail and wife, Alison, of Shelbyville
Ashlyn Perez of Shelbyville
Jarod Perez of Shelbyville
Jesse Vail of Shelbyville
Aaron Haessly and wife, Brooke, of Kemp
Anthony Haessly of Kemp
Austin Gregory of Center
Avery Tindol of Center
Jaysen Tindol of Center
Shelby Ross of Louisiana

4 Great Grandchildren

Special Grandson: Maverick

Brothers:
Jessie Vail and wife, Pat, of Greenville
Harlon Vail and wife, Janet, of Dallas

Sisters:
Ellen Burke and husband, Sonny, of Decatur
Ivaneal King and husband, Leonard, of Euless

Nephews:
Jamie Killen and wife, Layla, of Shelbyville
Glen Burke of Decatur

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

Special Friends:
Marshall Skinner and wife, Rita, of Huxley
Ross Ochoa and wife, Charlotte, of Huxley
Ed Cates and wife, Mary, of Grand Prairie

Preceded in death by
Parents: Jessie Vail and Sadie Borders Vail
Sister: Lilly Killen
Brothers: Bill Vail, Leonard Vail

Pallbearers will be Aaron Haessly, Anthony Haessly, William Heintschel III, Kenneth Robinson, Jamie Killen, Ken Graves. Honorary pallbearer will be Ross Ochoa, Bobby Collins and James McDonald.

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

03/22/2018

Travis Lee Johnson, 91, of Center, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with Bro. Chris Collins and Bro. Steven Hill officiating.  Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Mr. Johnson was born April 20, 1926, in Shelby County, to E.C. Johnson and Tinnie Windham Johnson.  He served in the United States Army and was presently a member of VFW Post 8904.  As a hobby, he enjoyed gardening.  Mr. Johnson was a member of Jericho Baptist Church.

He is survived by:

Wife: Geraldine Johnson of Center

Children:
Eva Johnson Terry of Longview
Vivian Johnson Ford and husband, Bill, of Center
Lewis Johnson and wife, Connie, of Tenaha
Glenn Johnson and wife, Teresa, of Shelbyville

Grandchildren:
Brad Johnson and wife, Chavaletta
Brandi Johnson
Thomas Jernigan
Todd Jernigan and wife, Courtney
Preston Parker and wife, Paige
Dustin Parker and wife, Ashley
Steven Hill and wife, Misty
Stacy Williams

Great-Grandchildren:
Kaitlyn Johnson
Alizabeth Jernigan
Hunter Hill
McKenize Hill
Austin Williams
Lance Williams
Luke Williams
Brylie Jernigan
Aalyiah Jernigan
Kayden Cooper
Bryce Johnson
Khloe Johnson
Mahlia Raymond
Jaxson Parker
Dylan Parker
Lane Parker
Shon Parker
Dallas Parker

Brother: James E. Johnson of San Augustine

Preceded in death by
Parents: E.C. Johnson and Tinnie Windham Johnson
Brother: J.T. Johnson
Son-in-law: Fern Jernigan, Sr.
Daughter-in-law: Debbie Johnson

Pallbearers will be Thomas Jernigan, Todd Jernigan, Dustin Parker, Preston Parker, Stacy Williams, Steven Hill and Brad Johnson.

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

03/15/2018

Lila Ruth Scott Nichols, 90, of Tenaha, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in Tenaha.  She was born on September 25, 1927 in Haskell, Texas, the daughter of Henry and Mary Henshaw Scott. Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Cedar Yard Cemetery in Tenaha with Christine Gautreaux officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00pm – 7:00pm on Friday, March 23, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home. 

Lila was an exceptional woman who went above and beyond for her family. She made sure that all needs were met and that her home was filled with warmth and love for all who entered. Lila absolutely loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She would never pass up the chance to keep her grandbabies. Those were the moments she looked forward to most! She knew her way around the kitchen better than any chef and would make some of the most delicious meals for friends and family. She also learned to can and could jelly almost anything!  When she wasn’t tending to house and entertaining guests, Lila enjoyed quilting. She could sit for hours sewing in every detail on those quilts. In each piece of material is a piece of Lila’s heart. On sunny days, Lila also liked to spend time outdoors gardening. She always had such a kind and gentle demeanor unless you got her in a game of Canasta. Lila loved playing Canasta and took it very seriously. Her life spoke volumes of the woman she was and Lila’s heart of gold and compassionate nature will be dearly missed by those she loved. 

Lila is survived by:
Her children: 
Ruth Ann and Sam Satchfield
Lyndon and Janet Nichols
Phillis and Michael Kitten and Keith Nichols

Grandchildren: 
Laurie and Lee Gilchrist
Michelle and Stephen Satchfield
Christine and Joe Gautreaux
Katie Nichols
Shannon and Tony Flores
Jason and Linda Kitten

Great-grandchildren:
Joshua Gilchrist
Justin and Brittany Gilchrist
Meghan, Matthew, Reese and Kelly Satchfield
Alexandria and Samantha Gautreaux
Lila Flores and Joe, Ethan, and Daniel Kitten

Great-great grandchildren:
Addison and Joe Gilchrist

Sisters-in-law: 
Joyce Rogers and Wanda Scott

Many nieces, nephews and cousins 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Norman Lyndon Nichols; parents, Henry Grady and Mary Elizabeth Henshaw Scott; sister, Essie Scott Hall; brothers, Merriell Scott, Grady Scott, Riley Scott, Carl Scott and Carriell Scott. 

Pallbearers will be Joshua Gilchrist, Justin Gilchrist, Katie Nichols, Joe Gautreaux, Alexandria Gautreaux and Tony Flores.  

Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Satchfield, Lee Gilchrist, Michael Kitten, Joe Gilchrist and Jason Kitten.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, Florida, 33131.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

03/20/2018

Pauline Lorah, 89, of Center, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018, in Center.

Memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Rev. Karen Jones and Bro. Terry Goodnight officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Lorah was born March 29, 1928, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Sedric Steward and Itasca Henson Steward. She lived most of her adult years in Houston, Texas. Shortly after moving to Center from Houston, she became a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she worshipped and participated in many church functions. She enjoyed drinking her morning cup of coffee while sitting on her back porch overlooking birds and animals that often visited a nearby pond. She found beauty in all of God’s creations. She was a loving mother who enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by:

Children: 
Cyndi Taylor and husband, Chris, of Tenaha
Tommy Miller and wife, Fran, of Houston
Roseanne Metcalfe of Norwich, Connecticut

Grandchildren:
Ricky Miller
Valarie Guzman and husband, Jorge
Dusty Taylor
Cody Taylor and wife, Elissa
Mary Otto and husband, Chris
Cindi Metcalf

6 Great-Grandchildren

Brother: Neal Steward and wife, Regina, of San Antonio

Special Friend: Felipe Reyes

Preceded in death by 
Husband: George Lorah
Parents: Sedric Steward and Itasca Henson Steward
Brother: Billy Steward and wife, Rose

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by mail to Heart to Heart Hospice, 209 Christie St., Lufkin, Texas 75904 or online www.hearttohearthospice.com

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