Shelby County Today

09/12/2016

Charles E. Kelly, 71, of Center, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2016, at his residence.

At his request, Mr. Kelly was cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later time.

Mr. Kelly was born June 28, 1945, in Gary, Indiana, to James M. Kelly and Vione Hanon Kelly.  He was a member of Louisiana Carpenters, Indiana Carpenters, Indiana Teamsters and Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center.

He is survived by
Wife: Lynne Kelly of Center

Children:
Heather Thompson and husband, Glen, of Center
Scott A. Kelly and wife, Debbie, of Wheatfield, Indiana

Grandchildren:
Kaitlyn Wheeler and husband, Chris, of San Augustine
Kurstin Dockens of Edmond, Oklahoma
Kade Dockens of Shelbyville
Brendan Kelly of Wheatfield, Indiana

Brother: Pat Kelly and wife, Margie, of East Chicago, Indiana

Sister: Maryann Henke and husband, Gene, of Warrenton, Missouri

A number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives

A host of friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: James M. Kelly and Vione Hanon Kelly
Three Brothers

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you help someone in need as a way to honor Mr. Kelly.

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

09/10/2016

Bradley Matteauer Rhodes, 4 months, was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, April 30, 2016, and passed away in Nacogdoches, Texas, September 8, 2016. He was the infant son of Chris and Jena (Metteauer) Rhodes of Timpson, Texas.

Visitation will be held at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson, Texas on Saturday September 10, 2016 from 5-8 PM. Funeral service will be held on Sunday September 11, 2016 at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church at 2PM with interment to follow at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Eric Pledger, Reverend Farrar Bentley, and Brother Levi Cohorst officiating.    

Survivors include:

Parents: Chris and Jena (Metteauer) Rhodes of Timpson, Texas

Brother: Bryan Travis Rhodes

Grandparents:  
Jimmy Lance and Linda Metteauer of Chireno, Texas
Charlie Rhodes of Timpson, Texas

Uncles:
Marvin Jordan of Tenaha, Texas
Tony Walker, of Joaquin, Texas
Jim Metteauer of New Orleans, Louisiana

Aunts:
Debbie Jordan of Tenaha, Texas
Becky Walker of Joaquin, Texas

Cousins:
Rylinn Walker
Griffin Walker
Grover Anthony
Krystal Anthony Sowell

Special friends: James and Summer Ramsey, Ryley Beckham, Angela Porter, and a host of family and friends who will miss him dearly.

Bradley is preceded in death by his grandmother, Lois Rhodes.

In lieu of flowers family request donations be made to First United Methodist Church Preschool, 201 E Hospital Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75964 or to a children’s charity of your choice, such as Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Shreveport.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to  www.taylorfh.net.  

Taylor Funeral Home, 511 Ross Graves Drive, Timpson, TX 75975, is in charge of arrangements.

09/08/2016

Hawthorn Funeral Home announces the death of Mr. Bertie Koonce, Jr., 86, of Gary, Texas, formerly of Center, Texas.  Mr. Koonce passed away in Garrison, Texas, September 3, 2016.  Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Hawthorn Funeral Home with a family memorial to be held at a later date.

Mr. Bertie Delton Koonce, Jr., was born July 2, 1930 in Shelby County, Texas to the marriage of Bertie Delton and Mable Mae Ritter Koonce, Sr.  Bertie was raised in Center. Graduating high school there with the class of 1948.  He married Billie Jean Chandler and they celebrated 49 years of marriage before she preceded him in death.  Mr. Koonce worked for the City of Center and as a supervisor for Bruce Hardwood Floors.  
   
Bertie was very independent and hard working from a young age. He never met a challenge he couldn't tackle. He was also a Mason with the Sam Samford Lodge, loved gardening and working outdoors.  Bertie especially loved feeding and watching the hummingbirds. He is also preceded in death by his parents, his second wife, Wanda Henning Koonce and son, Kenneth Koonce.
   
Mr. Koonce is survived by:

His son: Keith Koonce and wife Delilah of Center

Daughter: Kelly Parker and husband Donald of Shelbyville

Daughter-in-law: Barbara Koonce of Houston

Sister: Novis Hitt of Houston

Brother: Buford Weaver and wife Sue of Center

Grandchildren:
Elizabeth Koonce
Sarah Johnson and husband Garrett
Alan Koonce
Cole Parker
Joel Koonce and wife Maddison
Emily Koonce

Great-grandchildren: Rebekah and Truitt Johnson and one on the way

Numerous nieces, nephews, special friend Bro. Roy Platt and a host of other friends. 

Special thanks to the Bethany Home Health, K & K Home Health and the nursing staff at Nacogdoches Medical Center for their excellent care. An online guestbook may be signed at www.hawthornfuneralhome.com.

09/07/2016

Maurice Scott, 81, of Center, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2016, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Levard Swindle officiating. Interment will follow at Old Salem Cemetery in Shelby County.

Mr. Scott was born August 18, 1935, in Shelby County, to Austin Tracy Scott and Florene Bittick Scott.  He was an avid horse lover and an accomplished guitar player.  He was of the Jehovah’s Witness Faith.

He is survived by
Wife: Daphine Scott of Center

Daughters: 
Jolene Scott Busby and husband, Howard, of Center
Melanie Annette Scott of Center

Grandchildren:
Jennifer Windham and husband, Jonathan, of Many, Louisiana
Richard Howard Busby III and Kayla Garrett of Coppell 
Austin James Johnson and Krystin Pennington of Huxley
Anthony Scott Johnson, US Navy of San Diego, California

Great Grandchildren:
Nicholas Windham
Rhiannon Windham
Nicole Grace Johnson
Braylynn Garcia

Brothers-in-law: 
Clayton Warren and wife, Margaret, of Center
Roddy Barr and wife, Fran, of Weimar

Special Friend: Mattie Martin of Center

Numerous other relatives

A host of friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Austin Tracy Scott and Florene Bittick Parker

Pallbearers will be Austin Johnson, Jonathan Windham, Anthony Johnson, Howard Busby, Richard Howard Busby III, Clayton Warren, Mike Johnson and Jerry Lynch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp) or National Parkinson Foundation (200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131).

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

09/07/2016

Graveside service for Barbara Ann Youngblood, 57, of Houston, Texas will be Friday, September 9, 2016 at Corinth Cemetery, Timpson, Texas at 12:00 pm with Bro. Levi Cohorst officiating.  

Barbara Ann went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ due to a long illness while residing at Spring Branch Transitional Care Center in Houston, Texas on September 4, 2016. She was born in Houston, Texas on November 4, 1958 to Charles P. Youngblood and Lola Pearl Youngblood who both preceded her in death. She had seven siblings who also preceded her in death.

She is survived by one brother Charles O. Youngblood of Houston, along with many nephews and nieces. Even though born in Houston she lived most of her life in Timpson, Texas. She was a loving caring person she enjoyed life and her family very much we will miss her dearly.

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.

09/05/2016

Bobbie Floyd Russell, 58, of Joaquin, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2016, at her residence.

Graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at Lone Cedar Cemetery in Joaquin.

Mrs. Russell was born July 11, 1958, in Houston, to James Daniels and Opal Smith Daniels.  She loved fishing and spending time with her family.

She is survived by
Husband: Steve Russell of Joaquin

Daughter: Tonya Wagstaff and husband, John, of Joaquin

Son: Robert Floyd and wife, Brandi, of Joaquin

Grandchildren:
J.R. Wagstaff
Hunter Wagstaff
Urijah Floyd
Perry Floyd

Sister: Debbie Parker of Joaquin

Brother: Rex Clevenger of Beaumont

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Grandson: Grayson Floyd
Step-son: Michael Joseph Russell
Parents: James Daniels and Opal Smith Daniels
Brother: Kenneth Clevenger
Sisters: JoAnn Clevenger, Patricia Green

Pallbearers will be Rodney Rodgers, Jeff Rodgers, Steve Rodgers, Don Russell and Kenny Eslick.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to assist with funeral expenses.

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

09/05/2016

Robert W. Aylor, 58, of Joaquin, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2016, in Center.

Services are pending at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

Mr. Aylor was born June 19, 1958, in Houston, to Fred Aylor and Cindy Lucille Smith Aylor.  He enjoyed guns, fishing and mechanic work.

He is survived by
Sisters:
Renee Kelley
Diane LaCombe

Brothers:
Alfred LaCombe
Sidney LaCombe
Joey LaCombe

Aunt: Janie M. Smith

Stepsons: 
Daniel Anding
Josh Anding

Numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Fred Aylor and Cindy Lucille Smith Aylor Workman
Brothers: Ronnie Aylor

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to assist with funeral expenses.
 
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

09/01/2016

Early Monday morning, August 29,2016, Ella McBride Williams received her eagle wings as stated in Isaiah 40:31. She was the 5th child born on February 23, 1933 to Thomas and Louella Williams in Center, Texas. 

In 1951, she married Bennie McBride and moved to Dallas, Texas. They had four beautiful daughters before his untimely death in 1959, leaving her to raise them alone. Ella worked hard to support her girls as a maid in private homes. Around 1970, she began working for Mrs. Gloria Nelson as her housekeeper. Over the years, the relationship evolved into a friendship. When she went to clean her house each Saturday, she and Mrs. Nelson ate and talked, making cleaning the house secondary. Approximately two years ago, Ella could no longer work due to her declining health. Mrs. Nelson continued to pay until her death. 

Ella accepted Christ at an early age while living in Center, Texas. After moving to Dallas, she joined New Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in West Dallas where she and her girls served faithfully. Upon moving to Oak Cliff and later Duncanville, Ella joined Lighthouse Church Of God In Christ where she served for 36 years, until her transition. She served in many ministries; The Mother's Council, Golden Girls Choir, Children's Nursery, and Prayer Band. 

All who knew Ella knew how much she loved the Lord and her family. When she was not at church, she spent her time working crossword puzzles while watching Wheel of Fortune and Jimmy Swaggart. 

She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Deborah McBride, parents, Thomas & Louella Williams, two brothers, J.D. Lane and Prentice Williams. Six sisters preceded her in death; Mozell Suell, Odell Williams, Bertha Williams, Willie Palmer, Winnie Morris, and Ruby Suell. 

She is survived by: 
Sisters; Dee Rosenthal, Juanita McClelland, and Evelyn Jackson(Edward) 
Brothers; Thomas Williams(Vera), Sammy Williams, James Williams(Bobbie), Riley Williams(Michelle), Robert Williams, and Kenneth Williams 
Brother-in-law, Odie Suell
Daughters; Carolyn Stennett, Sandra McGuire (Sammy, Sr.) and Esther Armstead(Clifford). 
Grandchildren; Shanterra McBride, Clifford Armstead II, Sametra McGuire, Sammy McGuire, Jr., Melsha Stennett, Jacoby Stennett, Kimberly Stennett, Shelton McGuire, Rashad Diggles, Bryan Diggles, and Jennifer Diggles. 
10 great grandchildren
Additionally, she is survived by many nieces, nephews, and a faithful friend, Mable Moffett.

08/31/2016

Gladys Janette Moore, 78, of Stringtown, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, August 29, 2016, in Durant, Oklahoma.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 1, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Don Windham officiating.  Interment will follow at Smith Cemetery in Shelby County.  A visitation will be held prior to the funeral service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Mrs. Moore was born December 20, 1937, in Pelican, Louisiana, to Alfred Burns and Ola Matthews Burns.  She enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking and going to church. Mrs. Moore loved her family.

She is survived by

Daughter: Donna Selph of Stringtown, Oklahoma

Son: Tom Keggereis of Stockton, Missouri

Grandchildren:
Benjamin Keggereis
Carrie Keggereis
Jamie Tuttle
Jennifer Gallo
Christin “Vicky” Chaffin
Codi Burleson
Jana Lynn Keggereis
Rachel Brubaker
Terry Keggereis Jr.
Michael Keggereis

19 Great-Grandchildren

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Son: Terry Keggereis
Parents: Alfred Burns and Ola Matthews Burns

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