Shelby County Today

08/08/2016

Joe Allen Brown, 90, of Timpson, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2016, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 11, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery.

Mr. Brown was born June 8, 1926, in Converse, Louisiana, to Allen Hedrick Brown and Alice Pearl Wilburn Brown.  He served in the United States Navy and later retired from Texaco Oil Company in Houston.  Mr. Brown loved music and especially enjoyed singing on Sunday nights for area churches.  He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Mr. Brown was a member of Buena Vista Baptist Church in Timpson, Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge AF x AM No. 321 in Bayton, Timpson Masonic Lodge No. 437 in Timpson and Scottish Rite Body in Houston.

He is survived by
Children:
Ray Conner and wife, Betty, of Diana
Arie Ann Baker of Timpson
Dawn Bowers of Timpson

Grandchildren:
Suzanne Clower and husband, Clint, of White Oak
Crystal Conner and husband, Blake, of Denton
Michael Bowers
Timothy Bowers

Great Granddaughters: 
Kinzlee Clower of White Oak
Marley Bowers of Yantis

Sister: Neva Fields of Center

Brother: Billy Brown and wife, Ada, of Waco

Numerous nieces and nephews

A host of other family and friends

Preceded in death by
Wife: Billie Marie Brown
Parents: Allen Hedrick Brown and Alice Pearl Wilburn Brown
Brother: Alvin Brown, Jesse Waymon Brown
Sisters: Margie Ladue Vaughn, Catherine Lynch, Bernice Howard

A special thanks to Barbara Kirsch, of Shelbyville, for her support.

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

08/04/2016

Rose Bowlin, of Center, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Gordon Vaughn and Bro. Edward McRae officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Ms. Bowlin was born in Louisiana to Homer Brown and Maggie Ann Wilburn Brown. She was a member of Shelby County Singing Convention and was a nursing home volunteer for many years.  Ms. Bowlin loved her family and enjoyed every moment spent with them.

She is survived by
Daughters:
Peggy Hughes and husband, Bro. Henry
Kathy Hughes and husband, David

Sons:
David Emanis
Charlie Emanis and wife, Becky

Sister: Merle Madden

Step Brother: Dewayne Lout

Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Pallbearers will be Charles Paul Hughes, Greg Hughes, Scotty Emanis, Michael Emanis, Daniel Emanis and Buddy Dillion.

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

08/01/2016

Funeral services for Carl E. Krueger, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be held on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Texas. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches, Texas. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016 prior to the service. Carl passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was the only child of Clara Aldrich and Julius Carl Krueger, born in Apulia, Onondaga Co., N.Y. on his grandparent’s farm, the present site of the Hill ‘N Dale Golf Club. Most of his young life was spent in Cortland County, N.Y. He graduated from high school in the little town of Virgil, N.Y. in Cortland County.

Surviving, besides his wife are two sons, Daniel Krueger and wife, Shirley of Hallsville, Texas, and John Krueger of Batesville, Arkansas; two daughters, Carlene Hall of Nacogdoches, Texas and Kathaleen Moyer and husband, Todd of Seabrook, Texas. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Samson Krueger and wife, Ruth of New Braunfels, Texas, April Krueger Clemons and husband, Joe of The Colony, Texas, Mark Aaron Krueger of Houston, Texas and Annie Krueger of Nacogdoches, Texas, Abby Howell of Temple, Texas, Allen Howell and wife, Paige of Burleson, Texas, Melonie Byrd Jones of Pasadena, Texas, and Sean Byrd of Houston, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Tanner Stevenson of Pasadena, Texas, Addison Clemons and William Joe Clemons IV of The Colony, Texas, Danny Krueger and Luci Krueger of New Braunfels, Texas and Bradyn Hunter of Whitehouse, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Mark Krueger, and son-in-law, David Hall.

Carleton entered the U.S. Air Force in September 1949 after graduating from high school. He served in Japan during the Korean War as a Radio Operator and made many trips over adjoining territories. A few months after his Air Force service was completed, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps for special duty on the Inspection and Instruction Reserve Base at Augusta, Maine, being honorably discharged from that position in September 1956.

He later pursued farming as a career, having first bought a small farm of 25 acres in Tompkins Co., N.Y. and raised a herd of dairy cows, while working at Smith-Corona typewriter factory in the small village of Groton. He later bought a 100-acre farm. When he bought a 400-acre farm in Cortland County, N.Y. he began farming full time. He was also Justice of the Peace for the Town of Virgil. He, his wife and family continued there for 10 years, until coming to Texas in 1973.

After coming to the Nacogdoches area, he bought a beef and poultry operation in southern Rusk County and remained there for 5 years. He then moved his family back to Nacogdoches and owned and operated “Samstown Apartments & Mobile Home Park” for 10 years.

He was active at different times in both Garrison First United Methodist Church where he was Chairman of the Board and helped with Men’s Prayer Breakfast and Bethel Baptist Church in Appleby, where they built their log home.

08/01/2016

Alice Lavoice Middleton Smallwood was born at home in the middle of a cotton patch on November 4, 1913 to Drury P. & Maggie Humphries Middleton, she received her unusual middle name from the doctor who delivered her, no doubt a commentary on her loud, inconsolable sobs.  Growing up in the country, she roamed the rolling hills, rode pine saplings to the ground, smoked wild grapevines, swam and fished in stock ponds and creeks.   She preferred working the farm, caring for its animals, milking and gardening alongside her brothers, Woodrow and Martin, to feminine pursuits like cooking, canning, sewing, and housework.  The three children helped their parents finish the inside of the family home in the James Community in the early 1920s.  Growing up Lavoice attended church with her family regularly and witnessed firsthand Drue and Maggie’s study of the Scriptures and daily prayer.  She saw their compassion, generosity and encouragement for family and passersby. Lavoice soaked in every life experience, acquiring a variety of skills that she used throughout her life.  Her hobbies included helping others, making lamps, nightlights, clocks and crosses, rewiring anything electrical, reading, baking bread, sewing, and ceramics.  She got a real “charge” out of recycling, repurposing and harvesting parts of broken things, especially toaster ovens and lamps.

Lavoice graduated from Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College in 1933 with a two-year teaching certificate.  Since there were more teachers than schools, she worked for a brief time as an investigator with another teacher.  Traveling every country road in southern Shelby County, they sometimes blazed their own trail to visit homes of applicants to the National Recovery Act. From there she was transferred to the accounting and dispersing office.  Finally a teaching position opened at midterm of the 1934-1935 school year.  She taught in the Campti School for two years, leaving to apply her love for teaching and knowledge in life’s classroom.  She worked for several locally owned businesses as a bookkeeper before graduating from Massey Business College in Nacogdoches.  After returning to Center in 1963 to care for her aging mother, Lavoice worked as bookkeeper at Shelby General Hospital, Mack S. Smith Company, and Memorial Hospital. After almost 20 years of retirement, Lavoice was “recruited” to work part time in the Shelby County Clerk’s Office.  

She began life riding to town in the back of a buckboard wagon, then learned to drive a Model-A automobile, eventually rode passenger trains and flew to Boston 10 days before turning 100 to attend a granddaughter’s wedding.  This woman’s telephone experience ranged from using the community store’s   wall phone with hand crank, to the luxury of having one a 16-party line phone in the home, and culminated in Facetiming her newest great-granddaughter on the day she was born in March, 2016.  In her accounting career, green columnar paper bound in heavy black ledgers gave way to a “modern” posting machine in the hospital’s accounting office.  In her nineties, Lavoice learned to surf the internet and e-mail on her own laptop.  

Lavoice dearly loved her faith friends at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Center, TX, serving as church treasurer many years and on almost every committee and board. When she moved to Houston with her children in 2004, she became an associate member of Bellaire United Methodist Church and was warmly adopted into the Seekers Sunday School Class.  After her children moved to Pearland, she transferred her associate membership to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston, TX where she faithfully worshipped past her 100th birthday.  Lavoice interpreted her Christian service, witness and membership in the Church through the lenses of God’s grace and love.  Her grandchildren used these words to describe her:  unconditional love will continue to sustain and teach me; loving example of Christ’s hands and feet on this earth; hard-headed, strong, independent, kind; always giving, always loving, never asking for anything in return; legacy of [family], church, former students, “kin folk;” 102.75 years of service to God, loving her family, and being our matriarch; first to tell you that anything she did was only because of Christ working through her.  

She was preceded in death by previous husbands, Fred D. Lansford and J. T. Martin Smallwood; her parents, Drue and Maggie Humphries; siblings Woodrow Middleton, Martin M. and wife Shirley Middleton; two infant sisters; and son, John Horton.  

She is survived by: 

Her Children, Kathrene Horton, Martin Lansford, Johnce and Karen Smallwood, Amy and Rick Hume; 

Grandchildren Johnene and Kathlene Horton, George and Joy Lansford, Levi Lansford, Jay and Lauren Smallwood, Drue and Lisa Smallwood, Jennifer and Dave Helgeson, Patricia and Brant Mills 

Great-grandchildren Brittney and Justin Ainsworth, Heather Mosley, Jessica Lansford, Schaefer, Silas, Samuel and Shepherd Smallwood, Cameron and Bailey Mills, and Emily Helgeson 

A number of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors of all ages.

The family expresses appreciation to staff and caregivers at Windsong Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pearland, TX and Heart-to-Heart Hospice.   

When asked how she would like to be remembered, she once replied, “. . . first of all as a Christian, for fairness and honesty, and a caring, peace-loving individual.” For 102+ years, Lavoice made the world a better place.  You have “earned” your perfect rest.  Those whose lives you touched believe you were greeted at the gates of Heaven with joy and a, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1514, Center, TX 75935-1514.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Saturday, August 6 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, Hwy 7 in Center, TX.  A memorial celebration will be held at First United Methodist Church in Center, TX on Sunday, August 7 at 2 PM.  Rev. John W. Riley and Rev. Ozay Ford will officiate.  Interment will be at Antioch Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, TX.

Serving as pall bearers will be George Lansford, Levi Lansford, Stacey Tagen, Justin Ainsworth, Drue Smallwood, Dave Helgeson, and Brant Mills.  Honorary pallbearers are Mike Middleton, Verner Wayne Middleton, Sammy Arnold, Bruce Koonce, Mart Thomas, Willie Eberenz, Bill Hughes, Kenneth Hardy, and John Childress.

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

07/30/2016

Virginia Nell Jones Risinger, 69, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016 at her residence.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2016 at East Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church in Shelbyville. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 1, 2016 at East Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Billy Windham and Bro. Don Windham officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hamilton Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Mrs. Risinger was born January 6, 1947 in Lufkin to John William Jones and Johnnie Irene Mitchell Jones. She was a member of East Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church in Shelbyville and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #903 in Joaquin. Mrs. Risinger was a homemaker, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by
Husband: James E. Risinger of Shelbyville

Daughters:
Robin and Tommy James of Shelbyville
Kathleen Risinger of Shelbyville

Son: Billy and Tiffany Risinger of Magnolia

Grandchildren:
Michael and Miriah Thompson, Jonathon Thompson, Christopher andJusteen Cope, Haley Price, C.J. Watson, Matthew Watson, Natalie Herran, Alexis Risinger, Katie Risinger, Harley Risinger

Great-Grandchildren:
Kaylyn, Kyree, Brayden, Grayson “Elvis”

Sister: Elizabeth Everitt of Shepherd

Special Nephew: John Everitt of Hardin

A number of nieces, nephews and other relatives
And a host of friends

Preceded in death by:
Parents: John William Jones and Johnnie Irene Mitchell Jones
Brother: Clark Jones

Pallbearers will be Mrs. Risinger’s grandsons and special nephew. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Jackson, Dub Cassell, “Bubba” Glenn and J.R. Stephens.
 
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

07/29/2016

Billy Wayne Wiggins, 63, of Center, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016 in Center.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 1, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Chris Welch and Tim Maloy officiating. Interment will follow at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha. 

Mr. Wiggins was born April 3, 1953, in Center to Samuel Lavon Wiggins and Ozella Hutto Wiggins. He was a member of Word of Faith Outreach Center in Joaquin.

He is survived by
Sister: Joann Pugh of Iowa

Nieces:
Tracie Nicole Thorndyke of Joaquin
Shanna Geldard and husband, Robert of Center
Shantel Hagler and husband, Joey of San Augustine

Nephews:
Adam Pugh of Center
James Pugh of Joaquin
Brandon Wiggins and wife, Amanda of Center

Numerous Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews
And a host of friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Samuel Lavon Wiggins and Ozella Hutto Wiggins
Brothers: Johnny Lavon Wiggins and Jerry Glen Wiggins
Sister: Frances Marie Wiggins
Sister-in-law: Cynthia Wiggins
 
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

07/27/2016

Jessie Nell Buckley, 66 of Center, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.

A wake will be Friday, July 29, 2016 from 7pm until 9pm at Community Funeral Home Chapel, Center, Texas. Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 2pm at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Center, Texas. Interment at Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas with Pastor Freddie O. Wilson officiating.

She is survived by:

Husband, Leonard Buckley of Center

Daughter, LaTonya Buckley of Center

Sons:
Terry (Fredreka) Buckley of Center
Vincent Buckley of Center

19 Grandchildren, 6 Great-Grandchildren

Sisters:
Sue of Marshall, Texas
Velma Lee Calhoun of Center

Brothers:
Louis Earl (Brenda) Jackson of Center
Willie (Sharon) Jackson of Center
Y.D. (Brenda) Jackson of Center
David Henderson of Center
Melvin (Diane) Calhoun of Center

Services are under the direction of Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas

07/27/2016

Stoney Whittington 60, of Center, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at his residence.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 28, 2016, at Mount Olive Cemetery in Timpson. 

Mr. Whittington was born May 5, 1956, in Timpson, Texas, to Robert Whittington and Hazel Miller Whitington.  He loved to do art work including painting, having a good time, and was also loved by many.

He is survived by

Sisters:
Martha Gilbert and husband, Richard
Maxien Alexander and Jimmy Alexander
Delmear Walker
Robbie Whittington

Brothers:
Tony Whittington and wife, Patricia 
A.D. Whittington

Numerous nieces, nephews, and host of family and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Robert and Hazel Whittington
Brothers: William Whittington, Billy Whittington, Lee Whittington 
Lillie Shoubrooks

07/25/2016

Chris Furlow, 54, of Huxley, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Pine Grove Nursing Home.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kevin Windham officiating. Burial will follow at Strong Cemetery in Huxley with military honors to be given by the US Navy. Visitation will be Monday, July 25, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.

He was born October 28, 1961 in Harris County, Texas to L.C. Furlow and Wanda (Rivers) Furlow. He served in the US Navy for 4 years. He worked for Tyson for many years as an electrician.

He is preceded in death by his parents, L.C. & Wanda Furlow.

He is survived by:

Brother & Sister-in-law: Kenneth & Cindy Furlow of Huxley

Sister & Brother-in-law: Vicki & Curtis Cooper of Huxley

Nephew: Lance Furlow of Huxley

Numerous family & friends

Pallbearers will be Chris’s dear friends

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