Shelby County Today

11/24/2016

James William Mize, 86, of Tenaha, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2016, at his residence.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2016, at Old Union Cemetery in Tenaha with Dr. Robert Prothro officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Mr. Mize was born April 18, 1930, in Ivanhoe, to T.O. “Pete” Mize and Lucille Gray Mize. He served in both the United States Army and the United States Air Force. Mr. Mize was a retired truck driver and a simple man who loved his family. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by
Wife of 58+ years: Retha Yarborough Mize of Tenaha

Children:
Kay Prothro and husband, Robert, of Marshall
Thomas Mize and wife, Terri, of Hideaway Lake
Gary Mize and wife, René of Center
Vernon Mize of Beckville
Lisa Glenn and husband, Donald Mack, of Henderson

Grandchildren:
Emily Gilbert and husband, Bryan
Jonathan Prothro and wife, Leslie
Melissa Alvarez and husband, Gonzalo
Joshua Mize and wife, Samantha
Colby Mize and wife, Amber
Dean Mize and wife, Candice
Marnie Mize
Madison Mize
Michael Mize
Miranda Mize
Mack Glenn and wife, Samantha
Jake Glenn

Great-Grandchildren:
Avery Gilbert
Ryan Gilbert
William Prothro
James (J.T.) Mize
Amelia Mize

Sister: Glenda Mastrogiacomo and husband, Moe, of Arlington

Sister: Betty Johnson of Bonham

Preceded in death by
Parents: Pete and Lucille Mize
Brothers: Billy Mize, Lynn Dell Mize

Pallbearers will be Mack Glenn, Jonathan Prothro, Josh Mize, Colby Mize, Dean Mize, Michael Mize and Jake Glenn. Honorary pallbearers will be Bryan Gilbert, Gonzalo Alvarez, John Gray, Brack Harrison, Tommy McMahon and John Yarborough.

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

11/23/2016

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Ella “Mae Ella” Gardner, (96) of Center will be Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Triumph the Church the Kingdom of God in Christ (921 Daniels Street).   Mrs. Gardner died Monday, November 21, 2016 at Good Shepard Hospital in Longview Texas.  The service will be 11:00am.    Rev.  Billy Gardner will be officiating. 

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

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

Brother-in-laws:  Tom Gardner (Katie) of Shelbyville, Texas and Lucky Gardner (Wilda) of Center, Texas.

Sister-in-law:  Betty Sander (Johnny) of Center, Texas 

Visitation: Friday, November 25, 2016 at Hicks Chapel from the hours of 6pm-8pm 

Committal:  St John Cemetery, Africa Community

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

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

11/22/2016

Susie B. Greer Curtis, age 61, of San Augustine, Texas passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at CHI St. Luke in Houston, Texas.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Reed Chapel Baptist Church with interment at Greer Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Garner & Son Chapel.

Survivors:

Son, LaPatrick Greer (Susan) of Fort Lee, VA

3 Grand-Children

God Sons:
LaKendrick Weathered of Houston, Texas
Christopher Greer of Beaumont, Texas

7 Brother:
John Greer (Glenda) of Beaumont, Texas
Mack Greer of Houston, Texas
Maurice Greer of Vallejo, CA
Oliver Greer (Emma) of Beaumont, Texas
Freddy Greer (Carol) of Ham Lake, Minnesota
Lewis Greer of San Augustine, Texas
J C Greer (Mae) of Dallas, Texas    

Sisters:
Johnnie Breakfield of Houston, Texas
Emma Titus of San Augustine, Texas
Virginia Battles of Houston, Texas
Brenda Malone (Patrick) of San Augustine, Texas
Doris Jenkins of Beaumont, Texas

Special Friend: Abdulaziz Kalnad of San Augustine, Texas

Best Friend: Jackie Harper of San Augustine, Texas

As well as a host of other relatives and friends

Services entrusted to Percy Garner & Son Mortuary, San Augustine, Texas.

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.