Shelby County Today

10/28/2016

Paul Fults, 86, of Center, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 at Pine Grove Nursing Home.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jane Barker officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to service beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel.

He was born September 2, 1930 in Shelby County, Texas to Noah and Modenia (Byrd) Fults. He was a devout Christian and attended Antioch Baptist Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church when he was able. He worked for the City of Center in the water department for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Noah & Modenia Fults, wife, Marie Fults, son, Ike Bright, 3 Siblings,  Travis Fults, Ruby Chandler & Merlene Null.

He is survived by:
Daughter & Son-in-law:
Linda & James Windham of Joaquin
Son:
Jewell Bright of Mineola 
Grandchildren:
J.C. Windham of Joaquin
Kristen & Chandler Bright of Mineola
3 Great Grandchildren
Numerous Nieces & Nephews

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

10/27/2016

Terri Shreece Tompkins, 53, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016, in Houston.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Watson & Sons Chapel. Interment will follow at Dunnigan Cemetery in Shelby County.

Mrs. Tompkins was born February 5, 1963, in Longview to Lamar Smith and Ruth Risinger Smith.  She enjoyed painting and was known for crafting.  Mrs. Tompkins loved spending time with her family and had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren.  She was a member of Dunnigan Baptist Church.

She is survived by
Husband: Keith Tompkins of Shelbyville

Children:
Lynsie Watson and husband, Stephen, of Shelbyville
Winston Tompkins and Kimber Hughes of Shelbyville

Grandchildren:
Reece Watson of Shelbyville
Mason Watson of Shelbyville

Parents: Lamar and Ruth Smith of Shelbyville

Brothers:
Stevie Smith and wife, Terri Ann, of Joaquin
Mickey Smith and wife, Kylie, of Shelbyville

In-laws:
Wyman and Louise Tompkins of San Augustine
Michael and Paula Tompkins of San Augustine
Michael and Peggy Collins of Shelbyville

Special Cousin: Aimee McMillian

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Grandparents: Johnie and Etta Risinger, Reece and Ida Smith

Pallbearers will be Kyle Hughes, Mark Hughes, Glenn Hughes, Paul Smith, Michael Collins and Michael Tompkins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mrs. Tompkin’s to Dunnigan Cemetery Fund, 1936 FM 2261, Shelbyville, Texas 75973.

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

10/26/2016 

Mrs. Mary Ruth Garrett, 80, of Center, TX passed away Monday at Pine Grove Nursing Center in Center, TX. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 29th from 10:00am - 11:00am at Triumph Church in Center, TX. Services will be held Saturday, October 29th at 11:00am at Center Triumph Church. Interment will be held at Thompson Cemetery in Shelbyville, TX with Dr. Jackie Garrett officiating. 

Mrs. Garrett is survived by: 
3 Sons: Larry Garrett and Vernon Garrett, both of Center, TX and Dr. Jackie (Joyce) Garrett of Beaumont, TX

2 Daughters: Karen Jackson and Charlotte Garrett, both of Center, TX

13 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren

1 Sister: Edith (Walter) Thomas of Center, TX

1 Brother: Randy Hubbard of Center, TX

10/26/2016

Mark Swift, 71, of Huxley, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at his home.

Private visitation for family and close friends will be 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2016 at Mangum Funeral Home.

He was born April 26, 1945 in Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents & one brother.

He is survived by:
Wife:
Reneta Jones Swift of Huxley

Children:
Tammy & Rick Pfaffe of Quincy, Illinois
Kelly & Cathy Swift of Kernersville, NC
Jennifer Knepler of Chatham, Illinois

Step-Children:
Natalie & Kreig Oswalt of Tenaha
Joez & Stephanie Jones of Shelbyville

8 Grandchildren
4 Great-Grandchildren
6 Step-Grandchildren

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

10/24/2016

Mr. Redell Weathered, age 71, of Geneva, Texas passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Colonial Pines Health Care Center in San Augustine, Texas.

Funeral service will be Saturday, October 29, 2016 12-noon at Countyline Baptist Church with interment in Countyline Cemetery Rev. Gaylon Taylor, Officiating.

Visitation is Friday, October 28, 2016 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Garner & Son Chapel.

Survivors include:

Sisters:
L B Simmons (Willie) of Geneva, Texas
Sue Whitaker (Lester) of Nacogdoches, Texas
Nancy Weathered of Nacogdoches, Texas

Aunts:
Arline Barnes of Nacogdoches, Texas
Emma Lee Brooks of Shreveport, LA

Host of nieces and Nephews, other relatives and Friends.

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

10/21/2016

Alma Nell Green, 91, of Houston, passed away Friday, October 21, 2016, in Houston.  

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 23, 2016, at Shelbyville Cemetery in Shelbyville with Timothy Roberson officiating.

Miss Green was born November 1, 1924, in Shelbyville, to James Monroe Green and Sara Josie Johnson Green.  She was of the Methodist faith.

She is survived by
Sister: Martha Jane Eubanks of Logansport

Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by
Parents: James Monroe Green and Sara Josie Johnson Green
Brothers: Bura Allen Green, Haskell Green
Sisters: Ruby Harris, Allie Belle Campbell, Lora Elizabeth Harris, LaMerle Young

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

10/20/2016

Gordon Oliver, age 85, passed away at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in the presence of his loving wife and daughters.

Gordon was born in Timpson, Texas to Riley B. Oliver and Bessie Whitley Oliver. As the fourth of nine children, his was a large loving family. He graduated from Timpson High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked for Baker Hughes as a master machinist for more than thirty years. Gordon served as an usher at Blessed Sacrament Church, which he attended for more than fifty years. 

He is survived by: 

Wife, Ramona Oliver

Daughters, Melinda and Rozella Oliver

Two precious granddaughters, Ruth and Eleanor Davis

Sons-in-law, David Stivers and Evan Davis

Sisters, Bessie Reeves and Carolyn Elliott

Brothers, Byron and Cecil Oliver. 

Viewing will take place at Forest Park Funeral Home (713-928-5141), 6900 Lawndale, Houston, Texas 77023 on Sunday, October 23, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will occur on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with burial also at Forest Park Cemetery. Following the service, there will be a reception at Forest Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Services entrusted to Forest Park Funeral Home, Houston, Texas.

10/20/2016

Georganna Smith-Lyday, age 51, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2016 surrounded by her loving family knowing she would be healed as she entered the gates of Heaven after fighting a courageous battle against cancer for the last two and ½ years.

A celebration of the life of Georganna Smith-Lyday will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe with the service being conducted by Pastor Alvin Stowe. Interment will follow at Stevenson Cemetery in Richland Parish, LA. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 18 at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe.

Georganna was born and reared in Center, Texas, where she developed the values that made her the mother, wife, and friend everyone came to love. Having been a resident of Ouachita Parish for the last twenty-five years, she worked at CenturyLink for 15 years prior her early retirement due to breast cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ella Mae Webb Hall and John Robert Smith and her brother, John R. Smith, Jr. 

She is survived by husband, Harold E. Lyday; son, Brandon Gwin and wife Aimee; son, Bryan Gwin and wife Spencer; and son, Justin Gwin; grandchild, Karsyn Brooke Gwin; sisters, Lynn Windham and Cindy Adams; step-children, Jeremy and Tricia Lyday, Jennifer and Bobby White, Thomas Lyday, and Ethan Lyday; various nieces and nephews; special dog Jasmine "Boo Girl" as well as granddogs Jayce, Remi, and Ruger.

Georganna loved being a mom and would have delighted in being a stay at home mom if permitted. She was headstrong and independent passing on her same strength to her three boys that will allow them to be as courageous and honorable as she was. Along with her independence, came her opinions, which she always voiced knowing her three sons would do the opposite! Nonetheless, she was always supportive and proud of her sons and all their accomplishments.

In 2011, she met Hal, the husband she always dreamed of. He introduced her to new foods, new places, new ideas, and an entirely new perspective on life. He was by side every step of the journey with breast cancer and its after effects until her passing. In her last few months of life, she cherished every moment of being a wife, mother and a grandmother.

Serving as pallbearers are Wes Gibson, David Green, Scooter Howell, Jeff Lowrey, Lane McGuire, David Medlin, Stephen Walker, and Chad Winstead.

The family wishes to send special thanks to all the friends and family who encouraged Georganna through her battle with cancer. Additionally, they would like to thank Pilots for Patients for the many flights to and from M.D. Anderson, the Ground Angels in Houston and Doctor Barnes. In addition to flowers, one may make a monetary donation to Pilots for Patients in memory of Georganna Smith-Lyday.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA

10/18/2016

JoNell LaGrone, remembered as a devoted wife and matriarch of 39 descendants and their spouses, died at her daughter’s home in Deadwood on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, after a brief illness. Mrs. LaGrone was 83. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, at Hawthorn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 20, in the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Harold Gunstanson will officiate and her grandson Rodger Glen McLane will read the obituary. Burial will follow in Deadwood Cemetery.

Mrs. LaGrone was a lifelong resident of Panola County. She was born in the Fair Play Community of Panola County to Virgil Haywood Emmons and Myrtle Eleanor Scarborough on March 20, 1933. Her siblings were Nelva Jean, Billy, Juanita Dean, Mary, and Johnny Emmons. Ms. LaGrone attended Carthage and Beckville schools, and graduated from Beckville High School in May 1952. Mrs. LaGrone met her future husband at a tent revival in Carthage, and a month later, on May 28, 1952, a few days after her high school graduation, she married Jimmy Glen LaGrone in the living room of Justice of the Peace Marvin Gulley, her groom’s uncle.

After her marriage, Mrs. LaGrone moved to Deadwood and joined the Deadwood United Pentecostal Church, which she was a member of until her death. In recent years she also attended the Logansport United Pentecostal Church. Mrs. LaGrone was a homemaker and raised four children in a loving and Christian home. Nothing surpassed Mrs. LaGrone’s love for her family.

Mrs. LaGrone is preceded sixteen years in death by her husband, Jimmy LaGrone. Mrs. LaGrone is also preceded in death by her great-grandson, Will Harris; her parents; her brothers; and her sister, Mary Mixon.

Mrs. LaGrone is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Jimmie Nell and Jimmy Ray Oliver, Bobbie Ann and Wayne Harrison, and Brenda Joyce and Rodger D. McLane; her son and his wife, Glen Dale and Carolyn “CJ” LaGrone, all of Deadwood. Mrs. LaGrone’s nine grandchildren and their spouses are: Michale and Liz Harrison of Deadwood; Brandi McLane and Shane Kelley of Carthage; Shaun Oliver, Renee LaGrone and Johnny Metcalf, Jason Glen and Marilyn Harrison, Lacie McLane Fensom, Kerrie LaGrone and Shaun Harris, Mitchell and Sarah Harrison all of Deadwood; and Rodger Glen McLane of Jackson, MS. Her twenty-six great-grandchildren are Krystina Oliver, Emily Oliver, Bradley Oliver, Anna Harrison, Hannah Harrison, Jannah Harrison, Lannah Harrison, Allen Michale Harrison, Mark Glen LaGrone Harrison, Bobbie Elaina Harrison, Callie Harrison, Allie Harrison, John David LaGrone Harrison, Keith Warren Harrison, Marissa Harrison, Alyssa Fensom, Brenton Fensom, Courtlyn Fensom of Deadwood, Ashley Metcalf and J.C. Whitaker of Beckville; Hunter LaGrone, Jasey Metcalf, Madison Harris, Mason Harris, Levi Harris all of Deadwood; Caled and Lani Metcalf of Joaquin; one great, great grandson, Kreed Kendrick.

Other survivors include her sisters, Juanita Dean LaGrone of Deadwood, and Neva Jean Wallace of Henderson; brother-in-law and his wife, Jeff and Juanita LaGrone of Carthage; sister-in-law and her husband, Allie LaGrone and Larry Dickerson of Lafayette, La.; sisters-in-law, Florene LaGrone of Beckville, and Dois LaGrone of McKinney, Texas. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones are left to mourn Mrs. LaGrone’s passing.

Services as pallbearers will be Mrs. LaGrone’s grandsons, Michale Harrison, Shaun Oliver, Jason Harrison, Mitchell Harrison, Rodger G. McLane, Mark Harrison and Hunter LaGrone. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Ray Oliver, Wayne Harrison, Rodger D. McLane, Shane Kelley, Johnny Metcalf, Shaun Harris, Roy LaGrone, David LaGrone, Randy LaGrone, Lynn Emmons, Billy Hill Emmons, Garth Dale LaGrone, Chuck Daniels, Jessie Wallace and Kent Hutchins.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.hawthornfuneralhome.com.