Shelby County Today

06/19/2017

James Randall “Randy” Windham, 56, of Center, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017, in Center.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2017, at Reynolds Cemetery in Shelby County with Bro. Don Windham officiating.  Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Windham was born June 30, 1960, in Center, to Willie Everett Windham and Jenny Marie Reynolds Windham.  He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by
Son: David Hendricks and wife, Shelby, of DeBerry

Grandchildren:
Brylee Hendricks of DeBerry
Brynley Hendricks of DeBerry

Father: Willie Everett Windham of Center

Sister: Kay Lawson and husband, Garry, of Center

Brother: Donald Everett Windham and wife, Sherree, of Dayton

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

Preceded in death by
Mother: Jenny Marie Reynolds Windham
Brother: Michael Windham

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Watson & Sons Funeral Home to assist with final expenses.

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

06/16/2017

Donald T Burrows passed away Thursday June 15, 2017. Don was a father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, banker, community leader, mentor and friend to many. He was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on May 29, 1937. He was proud to be a 5th generation Texan.

He attended Nacogdoches schools, Kilgore College and is a graduate of the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.

Don spent most of his professional career as a banker on Galveston Island. He began his career as a collector for GMAC then became a loan officer at Moody National Bank before moving to First Hutchings Sealy National Bank as a Vice President and loan officer. He finished his Galveston career as Chairman of the Board and CEO of American Bank. While in Galveston he was a member of the Optimist Club, Lions Club, Galveston Planning Commission, Galveston Historical Commission, board of trustees at O'Connell High School and he and Jo Ann served as Captains of the Treasure Ball. He also was proud of the fact that he gave many of the young people of Galveston their first job and also taught them the values of good credit, making many of them their very first loans. For many years he came in to O'Connell Junior High School and gave students a brief lesson on "Money & Banking".

After his children completed their high school educations he moved back to East Texas to the family farm. He became President and CEO of First State Bank in Timpson where he completed his banking career. He served as a member of the Timpson City Council, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, volunteered at the annual Frontiers Day Festival and loved his community and the people in it. He was also personally active in restoring many of the old buildings on the Timpson Town Square.

Donald T Burrows is survived by his loving wife Beverly Jean Burrows; son, Don Burrows, Jr and wife Kim; daughters, Cindy Burrows Cappa and husband Mike, Terri Burrows Martin and husband John; grandchildren, Amber Janak Black and husband David, Dustin Janak and wife Amber, Ryan Janak, Hannah Janak, Nathan Janak, Heather Gray, Brittany Dupree and husband Jason, Kaela Hudman, Donald T Burrows, lll and wife Sarah and Payton Rae Burrows; two nieces, Jana Burrows and Kay Burrows; 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Don loved his family above all else and was thrilled when they would all come together for celebrations. He was the provider, protector  and patriarch of his growing family.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jo Ann Burrows; parents, the late Judge Carl S. Burrows and Agnes Lowery Burrows; brothers Carl S. Burrows, Jr. and Erwin Earl "Bubba" Burrows.

Pallbearers are Donald T. Burrows, III, Dustin Janak, Ryan Janak, Nathan Janak, David Black and  Bayley Black.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jerry Wood, Kenneth Prince, Doug Connelly, Mike Cappa, and John Martin.

The Burrows family would like to thank all of his caregivers. Especially his beloved wife Beverly Burrows who was always by his side during these last few months, Brittany Dupree, Heather Gray, Shauna Windham Sanford, the medical team at UTMB's Jennie Sealy Hospital in Galveston and the caring and compassionate nurses Peggy, Rebel and Maureen At Methodist St John's in Clear Lake.

Services will be held Friday June 23rd at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson, Texas with family visitation beginning at 1pm and a funeral service At 2pm officiated by the Rev. Doc Lazarine. Burial will follow at the Weaver Cemetery.

To convey your condolences or sign an online register, please visit www.taylorfh.net.

06/14/2017

Marcus Henry (Bill) Cranford, was born October 22, 1925 to Virgil Cranford and Orbin “Fowler” Cranford in Garrison, Texas.  He entered into rest June 14, 2017 in Garrison, Texas.

Services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Cold Springs Baptist Church, Garrison, Texas burial will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday, June 16, 2017 at Garrison Funeral Home, Garrison, Texas

Survivors:

Sons:        
Richard Cranford of Garrison, Texas
Roger Dale Cranford and wife Beren of Garrison, Texas
Donnie Cranford of Garrison, Texas

Grandchildren:
Christie Stokes
Keith Cranford
Amy Cook
Marc Cranford
Laurie Fuller
Casey Cranford
Amanda Crump
Leigh Cranford
Holly Elder
Denie Cranford
Brad Davis
Callie Halbert
Kelsey Standefer
Tess Cranford

Great-Grandchildren  29

Great-Great-Grandchildren 6

Brother: Blackie Cranford and wife Ima Lee of Lufkin, Texas

Sister: Ima J. Harris and husband Charles of Garrison, Texas

Special Friend: Dorothy Jean Staine

Sale Barn Friends:
H.M. Mitchell
Melvis Bell

Host of other friends and relatives

Preceded in death by:
Wife: Ann Cranford

Grandson: Donald Alex Cranford

Parents: Virgil and Orbin Cranford

Brothers:
Snap Cranford
Bobby Cranford
Buster Cranford
Vernis Cranford

Sisters:
Verlene Williams
Dorlene Box

All his old Cowboy Buddies

06/13/2017

Bobby Reid "Bob" Kristensen, 88, died on June 4, 2017. Bob was a native Texan, born in Timpson TX on August 30, 1928. He had a great love for the small towns in East and Central Texas and found the citizens of those towns to be "the salt of the earth."

After graduating from Timpson High School, Bob attended Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington VA toward the end of WWII, completing 2 years of accelerated college. Then he entered the U.S. Army, completing Ranger Training. Upon discharge, Bob attended and graduated from Rice University in Houston TX. While pursuing post-graduate work on a PhD at Rice, he was recalled to active duty in the Korean War with the mobilization of the First Ranger Battalion. He was commissioned in the field and received two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with V for Valor, Prisoner of War medal, and Army Commendation medal.
Following the Korean War, Bob attended the Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University in Dallas TX, graduating with a Master of Theology degree. He received a Doctor of Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Dr. Kristensen was also the recipient of numerous honorary degrees. He was ordained in the Methodist ministry, serving churches in Bronson, Brookeland, Anderson, Whitehouse, Troup, St. Phillip's of Houston, and First United Methodist of Houston.

In 1967, Bob left active ministry, entering the insurance business. He earned the CLU degree and pursued this career but still missed the pastorate. Bob began fulltime ministry again in 1982 as senior pastor at Hilltop Lakes Chapel in Hilltop Lakes TX and joyously ministered there for over 18 years until he retired. In 2007, Bob and his wife, Virginia, moved to Cinco Ranch in Katy TX to be near their five children, and they became members of St. Peter's United Methodist Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Kristensen and Lou Willie Shipp Kristensen, his wife of 47 years, Mary Virginia Ward Kristensen, and a grandson, Seth Tyler Havers. 

He is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne Miller and Cynthia Hepler, and their spouses. He is also survived by Virginia's three children, Maurice Estlinbaum, John Estlinbaum, and Mary Kettle, and their spouses, as well as a combined 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 17, at Hilltop Lakes Chapel, #2 Hilltop Drive, Hilltop Lakes TX 77871, with Dr. Tony Taylor, Senior Pastor, presiding. A private family interment will be held at Hopewell Cemetery near Hilltop Lakes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hilltop Lakes Chapel Foundation, PO Box 1143, Hilltop Lakes TX 77871.

06/12/2017

Chuck Greear, age 47 of Tenaha, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017 in Center after a sudden illness.

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha with his friend, Jerrod Nutt to speak. No visitation is planned.

Chuck was born November 30, 1969 in Harris County, Texas   to parents, Matthew Charles Greear, Sr. and Sandra Hood Greear who precede him in death.

He is survived by :
Wife: Julia Warr Greear of Tenaha
Son: Hayden Greear & wife, Stacie of Tenaha
Daughter: Haley Greear of Tenaha
Grandchildren:
Gunner Greear
Layne Green

Sister: Cynthia Young of TN

Numerous other relatives and friends

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

06/09/2017

Graveside service for Joyce F. Boozer Brooks, 86, of Tenaha, will be at 10:00 AM, on Monday, June 12, 2017 at Fairview Cemetery in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Mrs. Brooks passed away on June 7, 2017 in Caldwell, Texas. She was born on September 6, 1930 in Nacogdoches.

Joyce was born and raised in the Nacogdoches area, she is a graduate of Nacogdoches High School; soon after she attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she received her Master’s Degree in Education. Her joy in life was teaching, she spent 30 years as a teacher. Joyce was loved by her students, and she touched many lives throughout her career. She taught in Tenaha ISD and Timpson ISD among others.

Joyce met her husband, Marlin Brooks, they were married for a total of fifty-seven years, and raised three wonderful children together on a farm in Tenaha. They lived there for more than 40+ years.

She enjoyed gardening, among her favorite things were growing tomatoes and flowers. In her free time, she would travel, care for her dogs, and she especially loved the time spent with her grandchildren.

She loved her Lord and Savior and was a member of the Tenaha Church of Christ for many years.

Mrs. Brooks is survived by her son, Jimmy Brooks of Tenaha; daughter, Melinda White and husband, Dale White, of College Station; brother, Wayne Boozer of Douglass; 5 grandchildren: Melanie Ballard, Chad Sherrod, Shellie Henry, Jon Brooks, and Ashley Sims; 16 great grandchildren: Dawson Williams, Cameron Shofner, Hadley Sims, Cade Sims, Abigail Jones, Briley Jones, Carmen Brooks, Bryson Brooks, Drew Henry, Macee Henry, Riley, Kace, Lexi, and Logan Sherrod, Caleb Holleman and Michael Lofton, along with other family and friends who will miss her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Fern Boozer; her husband, Marlin Brooks; son, Billy Brooks; grandson, Lee Ballard, and brother, Charles Boozer.

Services under the direction of Laird Funeral Home, Nacogdoches, Texas.

06/08/2017

Dovie Lee Sholar, 90, of Huxley, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 9, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating.  Interment will follow at Sholar Cemetery in Joaquin.

Mrs. Sholar was born February 16, 1927, to William Oswald Cockrell and Rosa Dean Cockrell.  She was a member of Lydia Missionary Baptist Church.  

She is survived by
Children:
Rosa M. Horn and husband, Alton, of Shreveport, Louisiana
Julia Ann Taylor of Livingston
David Sholar and wife, Janet, of Houston
Betty Lou Richardson of Longview

Grandchildren:
Michael David Horn
Cindy MaLea Bishop
Gina Michele Meyer
Tiffany LeAnne Stockton
Brannon David “Bubba” Sholar
Cheryl Suggs
Angelia Dawn McKnight

Great-Grandchildren:
Joshua Rogers
Kristen Page Meyer
Patrick Meyer
Lilly Faith Bishop
Emily Grace Bishop
Jaycee Suggs
Matthew Meyer
Kennidy Stockton
Preston McKnight
Destiny McKnight

Sister: Sally Furlow of Huxley

Numerous nieces, nephews and friends

Preceded in death by
Husband: Elvin John Sholar
Parents: William Oswald Cockrell and Rosa Dean Cockrell
2 Sisters
2 Brothers

Pallbearers will be Randall Eaves, Bubba Suggs, Adam Stockton, Tony Sechler, Michael Horn and Wesley Lewis.

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

06/08/2017

Pamela M. Phelps, 61, of Center, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 8, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family.

Pam was born and raised in Galveston County, to father Harvey Gene Sutton and mother Mary Jane Richards Sutton. As the eldest sibling and only daughter, Pam embraced being a leader and caretaker; traits that she exuded throughout her life.

In 1975, Pam wed Jerry R. Phelps with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Shortly after they wed, Pam and Jerry moved to Center, Texas where they raised their two children, Valerie Ogle and Nathan Phelps, and created a circle of close friends that quickly became their extended family. Her Texas pride and love of people directed her to obtain her license with Town & Country Real Estate. During her 38 years in Center, Pam was an active community member and a dedicated steward of service.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she acted as MYF leader for many years. She also joined Beta Sigma Phi sorority and served in multiple leadership positions. Her proudest appointment was serving as the Executive Director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. A position she held for 19 years.

Pam maintained a love for the Texas Coast and Galveston. Her family’s annual summer trip to Bolivar was also an open invitation to anyone who happened to be down on the coast. And Pam, an effortless hostess, was always at the ready to greet you with something delicious.

She is lovingly remembered as a woman who treasured friendships, remembered all the details of a shared conversation, and believed you should rejoice in all of life’s moments, big and small.

The funeral service for Pamela M. Phelps will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, June 12, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Center.  The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall immediately proceeding the service. Then Tuesday, June 13, 2017, a visitation will be held at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Texas at 2:00 p.m. Graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock.

She is survived by
Children:
Valerie Ogle and husband, Tommy, of Longview
Nathan Phelps and wife, Amber, of Center

Grandchildren:
Maggie and Mollie Kate Ogle
Kiptyn and Baylin Phelps

Brothers:
Richard Sutton and wife, Karen, of League City
Russell Sutton and wife, Donna, of Pearland

Nieces:
Emily Sutton Arbuckle of League City
Kate Sutton Shimek and husband, Chris, of Friendswood
Erika Lacey and husband, David, of Dickinson
Brooke Sutton of Pearland
Brittany Decoteau and husband, Kameron, of Pearland

Uncle: Richard T. Richards, of Longview

Cousins:
Carter Richards of Michigan
Margaret Banta and husband, Jon, of Longview

Preceded in death by
Husband: Jerry Phelps
Parents: Harvey Gene Sutton and Mary Jane Richards Sutton

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church, 211 Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935 or Affinity Hospice, 1400 Tenaha Street, Suite C., Center, Texas 75935.

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

06/06/2017

Funeral service for Mr. Willie L. Reed, 61, of Longview, Texas will be Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 11:00am at St John Baptist Church in Tenaha, Texas Mr. Reed died Friday, June 2, 2017.  Pastor Chandler Pettis will be officiating.

Mr. Reed is survived by:

Brothers: 
James Edward Reed (Jeanette) of Tenaha, Texas
Willie James Reed (Oweda) of Longview, Texas
Theo Reed of Longview, Texas
Arthur Neal Reed (Wanda) of Houston, Texas
David Reed of Tenaha, Texas
Tony Reed (Stephanie) of Marshall, Texas
Charles Anthony Reed of Longview, Texas
    
Sisters: 
Margie Nell Edens of Tenaha, Texas
Shirley Ann Harris of Longview, Texas
Jennie Ruth Wilson (Lee) of Longview, Texas
Sherrly Joyce Reed of Tenaha, Texas
Pamela Reed of Center, Texas
Felicia Reed (Lonenzo) of Tenaha, Texas.

Visitation: St John Baptist Church from the hours of 5:00pm-8:00pm in Tenaha, Texas.
                 
Committal: St John Cemetery in Tenaha, Texas

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