Shelby County Today

05/15/2017

Mr. Paul Anthony Handy, age 53, of San Augustine, Texas passed away on May 12, 2017 at Twin Lakes Nursing Home in San Augustine, Texas. 

Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 16, 2017 11 a.m. with graveside service at to follow at St. Luke Cemetery Rev. Orvin Garrett, Officiating.

Final viewing is on Tuesday morning from 8a.m. until 10a.m. at Garner & Son Mortuary

Visitation is Monday, May 15, 2017 1:30 p.m. at Garner & Son Mortuary Chapel

Survivors include:
Brothers:
James T. Garrett of Ft. Worth, Texas
Jerry Handy of Center, Texas
Winfred Dupree (Lori) of Port Arthur, Texas

Sister: Paula Handy of Atlanta Georgia

4 nephews, 3 nieces, 4 aunts, and a host of cousins and friends

Services are under the direction of Percy Garner & Son Mortuary.

05/11/2017

Opal Green was born December 12, 1925 to Thomas J. Strong and Lera “Watson” Strong in Rusk County. She entered into rest on May 10, 2017 in Garrison, Texas.

Services will be held Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 3:00 o’clock at Old Prospect Church, Mt. Enterprise, Texas, Visitation will be before service time 2:00 to 3:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at Old Prospect Cemetery, Mt. Enterprise, Texas.

Survivors:
Son: James Loyd Green, Nacogdoches, TX

Daughters:  
Peggy Green of Marshall, TX
Carolyn Gray of Nacogdoches, TX

Granddaughters: 
Cathy Swadley of Nacogdoches,TX
Donna Cutrer & husband Dudley of Elisyan Fields, TX
Rhonda Lowe of Nacogdoches, TX
Angie Grant & J.D. Halbert of Tatum TX
Candy Copeland & husband Ken of Vivian, LA
Penny Gillis & husband Jessie of Garrison,TX
Ashley Gray of Nacogdoches, TX

Grandsons: 
Michael Green & wife Crystal of LA
Jason Williamson & wife Pam of Bivins, TX

Sisters-In-Law: 
Betty Lou Russell
Lou Willie Lewis
Maxine Strong
Lovanna Green

19 Great-Grandchildren and 10 Great-Great-Grandchildren

Numerous nieces and nephews and host of friends

Preceded in death by parents, husband Virgial Green, brothers; Edward, Roy, Cleo and Clifford Strong Strong and sister, Wilma Strong.

05/09/2017

Services for Charles Thomas Chambliss, 80, of Lufkin, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2017 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Gary Forest and Bro. Jerry Collins officiating.  Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. Chambliss was born January 6, 1937 in Center, Texas, the son of the late Viola (Fenley) and Thomas Leonard Chambliss.  He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 8, 2017.

Mr. Chambliss was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He was retired from Texas Foundries. He enjoyed traveling and visiting battlefields around the world.  He loved the Dallas Cowboys.  He enjoyed being around people and never met a stranger.  Mr. Chambliss proudly served his country in the United States Navy on the U. S. Aircraft Carrier Oriskany.

Survivors include:
His wife: Emma “Betty” Willoughby Chambliss

Daughters: 
Cynthia Raines
Debra Blackburn and husband Joe
Mary Chambliss

Grandsons: 
Charles Raines and wife Yam
Cory Penick
Robert Raines and wife Melissa

Great-granddaughters: 
Charla and Kaelee Raines

Great-grandsons: Cash and Eli Raines

Sisters: 
Lena Chambliss
Barbara McCauley and husband W. H.
Beverly McCauley and husband Travis

Brothers: 
Terry Chambliss and wife Elena
Wayne Willoughby 

A number of other family members.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Chambliss was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Alvis Buddy Willoughby and wife Helen; and sisters-in-law, Rosa Jordan King and Maxine Oswalt and husband Dennis.

Pallbearers will be Rob Raines, Charles Raines, Bobby Fisher, Kenneth Noble, Robert Earl Jordan, Shane Willoughby, and Cory Penick.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Blackburn, James Valddez, Bill Wesley and M. G. Carlson.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Wise words from his 6-year old grandson Cash: “How special that they get to live in Heaven and our hearts forever.  They are always with us.”

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.

05/08/2017

Jessy Sigler, 20, of Center, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Center.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.  Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Jessy was born May 9, 1996, in Nacogdoches, to Steve Sigler and Robyn Broomfield Sigler.  She loved spending time with her little girl.

She is survived by
Daughter: Maliyah Chanel Brown of Center

Father: Steve Sigler and wife, Rose, of Center

Mother: Robyn Broomfield Sigler of Center

Brothers and Sisters: 
James Sigler of Center
Corey Sigler and wife, Angie, of Center
Kylie Sigler of Tyler
Kaitlyn Sigler of Center
Emily McDonald of Shelbyville

Grandparents: 
Cecil and Mary Broomfield of Center
James and Faye Sigler of Center

Great-Grandparents:
Marie Bolton of Lufkin
Olene Bradshaw of Timpson

Numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives

A host of friends

Preceded in death by
Great-Grandfather: Lawrence McDaniel

Pallbearers will be Corey Sigler, Cody McDonald, James Sigler, Douglas Broomfield, Trae Polley and Zedric Lister.

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

05/05/2017

George Thomas “Tom” Green, Jr., 61, of Tenaha, Texas, passed away on May 5, 2017. He was born on July 26, 1955 in Houston, Texas to George Thomas Green, Sr. and Billie Lou Green. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 7, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Tennessee Presbyterian Church in Timpson, Texas with Bro. Robert Adamson officiating. Interment will follow at Tennessee Cemetery.

Tom grew up in Houston, but moved with his family to Illinois where he graduated from Kankakee Westview High School. After high school, he began a lifelong career as an electrical salesman. Tom was an avid sportsman. He thoroughly enjoyed golf, basketball, softball, and tennis. He was an exceptional athlete no matter what he attempted to play. If he was not on the field participating, Tom would definitely be a spectator for sporting events either live or in his living room. He was a member of Tennessee Presbyterian Church.

Tom is survived by his mother, Billie Lou Green; sons, Christopher Thomas Green and wife, Kira, and Aaron Max Green; mother of his children, Janet Green; and nephew, Michael Riberdy.

He is preceded in death by his father, George Thomas Green, Sr.; daughter, Faith Nicole Green; and sister, Patricia Elaine Riberdy.

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

05/05/2017

Nelva "Nell" McFadden Rhodes, 86, of Timpson, Texas passed away on May 5, 2017 in Timpson surrounded by her dear family. She was born on February 17, 1931 in the Yarnell Community, Panola County to the late Beatrice McFadden and Zoie Mae Taylor McFadden. Visitation will be held Saturday May 6, 2017 at Taylor Funeral Home, from 5 to 7 PM. Funeral service will be held Monday May 8, 2017 at 10AM at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church, Hwy 59N, Timpson, Texas with Bro. John Raines, Bro. Michael Raines, and Bro. Levi Cohorst officiating. Interment will follow at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. The family requests silk flower arrangements or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to be made to the Timpson Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, P.O. Box 503, Timpson, Texas, 75975.

Nell was raised in the Yarnell Community where she attended Yarnell Community School before transferring to Garrison in high school. Her family moved to Shepherd when she was a teen and then later to New Caney. Her years spent in New Caney were part of God’s beautiful plan for her life. She met her future husband, Elvis Rhodes, who was working in New Caney as well. On February 21, 1948, the two were joined in marriage. Elvis later began working for Gulf Oil as a welder and he and Nell moved to Mooringsport, Louisiana. They eventually decided to start a family which brought them home to Timpson near Elvis’ parents. They built their home together where they brought their daughters, Judy and Kay into the world, watched their grandchildren and great-grandchildren play and where they remained faithfully by one another’s side until Elvis passed in 1999.

Nell lived a life dedicated to the Lord. She joined Timpson Missionary Baptist Church in the late 1950’s while they still met under a tent located on the right side of where the fellowship hall building is currently. At a young age, she became actively involved with her church family and continued that service until a few months prior to her passing. She began teaching what was known as the “Card Class,” which was the little children ages five and below. As the church grew, she moved from teaching the Card Class to the Young People’s class where she remained for many years. After the first phase of the new church was built, Nell started teaching the older ladies class and taught them a total of 18 years. At one time, there were 42 ladies in her class. Timpson Missionary Baptist Church held a huge and special place in Nell’s heart. In her many years as a dedicated servant there, she also watched her husband, her children, and all of her grandchildren come to know Christ as their personal Savior. Timpson MBC is not just a church, it is her family.

Nell was well-known across the entire area for her exquisite cooking. If she was not reading her Bible and talking with her Heavenly Father, the next place you would look for Nell was in the kitchen. Nothing compared to her chicken and dumplings, peach cobbler, and her mouth watering homemade rolls! Nell spent twenty four years of her life in the kitchen at Timpson ISD sharing her divine, homemade dishes with students, staff and teachers. Anyone who went through the cafeteria line during those 24 years still tell stories today of how delicious Mrs. Rhodes’ cooking was. After she retired, Nell spent many hours quilting and visiting with her friends at the RSVP in Timpson. More than anything, she treasured each and every moment spent with her family. “Bubba,” as her grandchildren referred to her, was the matriarch of their entire family. Her home was the gathering place for holidays, birthdays, and just to sit and talk. So many beautiful memories were within those walls and on those dirt roads around her home. Nell’s love poured out onto everyone who knew her. She was the epitome of a “servant’s heart.” No matter the need or the time of day, Nell was always the first to reach out and help. Her presence and her love will be genuinely missed.

Nell is survived by her daughters, Judy Raines and husband, Buck and Kay Whitton and husband, Cecil; grandchildren, John Elvis Raines and wife, Angela, Andy Raines and wife, Rachel, Michael Raines and wife, Rachel, Marc Raines, Josh Whitton and wife, Angela, and Zoie Whitton; great-grandchildren, Sheldon and Ashton Raines, Jesse, Sadie, Luke, and Sara Kate Raines, Reagan Raines, Wyatt, Aiden, and Emma Whitton, and soon-to-be-born Andrew Reese Raines.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, brothers, Leonard McFadden, Clovis McFadden, and Sam McFadden and one sister, Reba Guillory.

Pallbearers are John Elvis Raines, Josh Whitton, Andy Raines, Marc Raines, Michael Raines, Sheldon Raines, and Zoie Whitton. Honorary Pallbearers are Wyatt Whitton, Aiden Whitton, Jesse Raines, and Luke Raines.

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

04/28/2017

Funeral services for James “Ferrel” Bonner, 101, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, LA. Officiating will be Dr. Rev. Stephen R. Pettey, Pastor of Pinecroft Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., Friday, April 28th at the funeral home. Church and graveside services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Lone Cedar Missionary Baptist Church and Cemetery in Joaquin, TX with Rev. Melton Hiram officiating.

Mr. Bonner passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 20, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born March 15, 1916 and raised in Joaquin, Texas. Mr. Bonner proudly served his country for 26 years in the USAF. Following his Air Force retirement, he worked at AT&T for 13 years. He was an active member of the Masons. Mr. Bonner enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and visiting the elderly. He attributed his long life to hard work, keeping busy and God. He was a faithful member and servant of Pinecroft Baptist Church and he served the Lord with everything he did.

Mr. Bonner was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Burleson and Alma Frances Cox Bonner; his wife of 52 years, Cleo Jewel Williford Bonner; four sisters, Gertrude Adams and husband, Elton, Rosalee Gray and husband, Alburn, Mertie Mae Westerfield and husband, James, and Mildred Ramsey and husband, Bill; and one brother, Howard Bonner and wife, Dorothy.

He is survived by:
His children:
Ann Daley, and husband, Mike of Bossier City
Sue Nabors, and husband, Raymond of San Angelo, TX
James F. Bonner, Jr., and wife, Elaine of Rowlett, TX

11 grandchildren

16 great-grandchildren

2 great-great-grandchildren

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Honoring Mr. Bonner as pallbearers will be, Jim Bonner, Matthew Bonner, Caleb Bonner, Greg Fuller, Luke Sanders, and Tom Sanders.

04/27/2017

Earl Cedell Chesser, Jr., 68, of Huntington Beach, California, passed away April 25, 2017, in California.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Bobby Waller and Bro. Cecil Chessher officiating.  Interment will follow at Weaver Cemetery in Timpson.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Earl was born the 8th of January, 1949 to Earl and Margaret Chessher. The oldest of 5 children, he spent his youth doing what every young man of that time did, but even then you could see his ambition and drive.
After graduating from McArthur High School in Houston, Texas, he soon married and entered into the business world, where he became the manager of the Fedmart stores. But, business was not to be Earl's calling. He soon turned back to his first love... Journalism and Photography... where he spent the rest of his life passionately chasing his dream.

And... what a life it was! As a photo-journalist in Sweetwater, Texas... he covered the Rattlesnake roundup. He was published in national magazines as a contributing writer. He worked in East Texas as an editor and journalist at various newspapers where he would show up to cover a story in a red Corvette. At times, he was bigger than life. But, never one to rest on his laurels, he soon chased his dream to California where once again, he worked as a photo-journalist for Leisure World Newspaper. Then, as an author and videographer and finally as an entrepreneur. He was what society calls a career journalist, author, and business man but at heart he was always a storyteller. All throughout history there have been those individuals who have told the stories of life. First, it was by the fire. Then, by the written word, and now digitally thru video. Many times these storytellers have been overlooked by the world but their lives and stories are the fabric that hold us together as a people. They inspire us. They inform us. And sometimes, they convict us. They are the consciousness of society.

Earl was the consummate storyteller. He was at home whether telling a story beside a campfire in East Texas at deer camp. Or, behind a keyboard finishing a book. Or, telling the story of someone's life event with video. His stories were sometimes tall tales, sometimes inspirational, but always entertaining. I will miss his humor and wit but I know every time I sit beside a windswept fire, or finish a good book, or realize a dream.. I will remember the greatest storyteller I have ever known....

He is survived by
Son: Travis Earl Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas

Grandchildren:
Malachi Dakota Chessher of Waco, Texas
Jason Lee Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas
Sherry Lynne Nicole Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas
Christian Wyatt James Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas

Brothers and Sisters:
Clarence Thomas Chessher of Timpson, Texas
Philda Adams and husband, Steve, of Timpson, Texas
Jacquelyn Fountain and husband, Donny, of Center, Texas
Cecil Chessher and wife, Gina, of Center

Very Special Friend and Business Partner: Mary Ann Osness and husband, Bill

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Earl Cedell Chessher, Sr. and Margaret Nell Mitchamore Chessher

Pallbearers will be Clarence Chessher, Garrett Adams, Luis Lopez, Darren Fountain, Caden Chessher and Tom Guynes.  Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Cockrell and Blaine Tappley.

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

04/26/2017

Diann Harper, 72 of Center, passed away Wednesday morning, April 26, 2017 in Lufkin, Texas.

A wake will be held 6pm to 8pm Friday evening, April 28th at Community Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be at 11am Saturday, April 29, 2017 at St. Paul Baptist Church, Center, Texas. Interment at Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas with Pastor Freddie D. Wilson officiating.

She is survived by:

Daughters:
Venissa (Darron) Robinson of Grand Cane, LA
Stacie (Micheal) Terrell of Center

Sons:
Mervin (Sandra) Harper of Joaquin
Roderick Harper of Dallas
Ronnie Harper of Center

8 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren

Sisters:
Linda (Charlie) Oliver of Marshall
Brenda Williams of Center
Brenelsa Williams of Center

Brothers:
Jerry (Annie) Williams of Center
Jesse Williams of Center

Uncle, Kent Jones of Center

Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Center.