Shelby County Today

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

11/18/2016

Funeral services for Mrs. Brenda Jackson (61) of Center will be Tuesday, November 22 2016 at Triumph the Church of God in Christ (921 Daniels Street).   Mrs. Jackson died at her residence on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 1:00pm.    Rev.  Belinda Moore will be officiating. 

Mrs. Jackson is survived by:

Mother:  Mary Ella Gardner of Center, Texas 

Daughters:  Kesia Jackson of Center, Texas and Melinda Lister (Shaquandric) of Lewisville, Texas 

Grandchildren:  Jalen Hubbard of Tyler, Texas; Sierra Beal of Lewisville, Texas; Jamarion Evans of Center, Texas;  Ashely Lister & Alexius Lister  of Lewisville, Texas. 

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

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

Uncles:  Tom Gardner (Katie) of Shelbyville, Texas and Lucky Gardner (Wilda) of Center, Texas.

Aunt:  Betty Sander (Johnny) of Center, Texas 

Visitation: Monday, November 21, 2016 at Hicks Chapel from the hours of 6pm-8pm 

Committal:  St John Cemetery 

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

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

11/15/2016

Lois Clark Ross, 99, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on November 14, 2016 in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was born on November 13, 1917 in Timpson, Texas to George Clark and Ada Ramsey Clark. Graveside service for Lois will be on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Buena Vista Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson, Texas.

Lois attended school in Buena Vista community.  Upon completing school, Lois met her beloved husband, Jesse Lee Ross, on the other end of the county road she lived on in Shelby County. Together they made their home on that same county road and raised their children. 

They were married in April 1937, and remained faithfully by one another’s side until his passing in 1992. Together, they owned and operated Ross Lumber Company in Timpson, Texas. Lois was a genuine, compassionate, and tenderhearted individual that impacted the lives of many over her lifetime.  

She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and caring for others.  She was a true servant to her family, her church, and her community.  If Lois would have had a profession it would have been being a nurse.  She found great joy in taking care of others.  Lois was a member of First Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas.   

Lois is survived by:
Her son: Mike Ross of Nacogdoches, Texas

Daughter: Linda Collins of Carthage, Texas

Grandchildren:
Donna and husband Jim Burchett of Timpson, Texas
Gary and wife Leslie Collins of Heath, Texas
Misty and husband Scott Nixon of McAllen, Texas
Amy Ross of Nacogdoches, Texas
Shelly and husband Cutt Ableson of Houston, Texas
Kacey and husband Kyle Ruppert of Edinburg, Texas

11 great-grandchildren

1 great-great-grandchild

A host of family and friends that will miss her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jesse Lee Ross; grandson, Michael Ross; brothers, Melvin Clark, Oris Clark; sister, Ura Stephenson; and son in law, Don Collins.

The family is being served by Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, visit www.taylorfh.net.

11/15/2016

Jimmy Leslie Steele was born on July 17, 1935 in Brownsville, Texas. His parents were Guy Leland Steele and Lora Christelle Morgan Steele. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and received his Bachelor’s Degree.  He attended Stephen F. Austin University and received his Master’s degree.  He attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU to become an Associate Member of the Methodist Church.  Jimmy was a Methodist minister for 23 years both part-time in Center, Texas and later full-time in Trinidad, Texas.   He was a CPA for 43 years in Brownsville, Texas and Center, Texas.  He also had a small cattle operation and taught at the local junior college in Center, Texas.  He was a member of Lions Club International and was a life-time member with over 50 years of service, serving in almost all offices including District Governor of Texas District 2-A3.  He was a Charter member of The Gateway Texas Chapter #49 Sons of the Republic in Shelby County, Texas and a Charter member of The James George Chapter #59 of the Sons of the Republic of Texas in Athens, Texas.  He was a descendent of the Battle of San Jacinto, being the gr-gr-grandson of the last surviving member of that battle.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 from 6 to 8 PM at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff, Texas. Service will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church located at 225 Lovers Lane in Athens, Texas. Clergies: Rev: Farrah Bentley and Rev: Faulk Landrum. Interment will follow at Athens Cemetery in Athens, Texas. 
 
He is preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Christelle Steele, his brother, Donald Steele and his brother-in-law Calvin Schaefer.
 
He is survived by his wife, Toni Steele
His sons,
Anthony Steele and wife Becky of Kerens, Texas
Andrew Steele and wife Tricia of Rowlett, Texas
Grandchildren, Jack, Jenna, Jason and Jessie of Rowlett, Texas
Sister Dolores Schaefer of Silsbee, Texas
Sister-in-law Doris Steele of Trinity, Alabama
Sister-in-law Bobbie Wheeler of Kaufman, Texas
Brother-in-law Mike Carter and wife Donnie of Hillsboro, Tennessee
A large number of nephews and nieces
 
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lions Camp in Kerrville, TX, American Bible Society or your home Church.

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.