Shelby County Today

05/12/2016

Helena Barfoot Ray, 90, of Center, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016, at her residence.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with Bro. Kevin Windham and Bro. Charles Williams officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Ms. Ray was born August 31, 1925, in Northampton, England, to George Hebert Barfoot and Laura Middleton Barfoot.  She served in the Royal Air Force in 1942.

She is survived by
Sons:
David Ray of Center
Alan Ray and wife, Glenda, of Shelbyville
Adam Ray of Center

Daughters:
Melanie Pidcoke of League City
Stephanie Cooper of Center
Ivy Dominy of Center
Melissa Egge and husband, Chris, of Palestine

Grandchildren:
Micky Ray
Misty Ray
Michael Shane Ray
Brandi Ray Riggs
Bryan Pidcoke
Matthew Pidcoke
Courtland Peacock
Casey Cooper
Randy Clay
Jennifer Beattie
Jill Willey

16 Great-Grandchildren

1 Great-Great-Grandchild

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Husband: Delton Ray
Son-in-law: John Dominy

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

May 7, 2016

Michele Kay “Shelly” Hebert, 56, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on May 5, 2016 in Longview, Texas. She was born on July 23, 1959 in Los Angeles, California to Clyde T. Smith and Etta Jo Cromwell Smith. Funeral service for Shelly will be on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas. Interment will be at H&H Family Cemetery on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 8, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson, Texas. 

Shelly was a genuine, compassionate, and tenderhearted individual that impacted the lives of many over her lifetime. She was a true servant to her family, her church, her community, and even to others around the world. Shelly was a dedicated police officer in Dayton, Texas for Liberty County. Her badge was actually the first woman’s badge in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame. Her servant’s heart firmly grounded her in the public servant profession for her entire career.  

Shelly met her beloved husband, James Hebert, when she came to work for him. They were married on January 19, 1978 in Houston, Texas and remained faithfully by one another’s side until Shelly’s passing. Together, they traveled all over while James was working in the oil field. They eventually retired to their farm in Timpson, yet still spent their days working the farm side by side. Shelly was known for having fun and filling a room with joy. She loved entertaining her nieces and nephews. Shelly and James also were the host family for many foreign exchange students over the years. She had a great time playing t-ball and table games, attending ‘Girls Night Out’ with her church family, and for being a GA leader at church camp. Some of her fellow friends’ fondest memories are of Shelly’s silly songs at church camp. In her quiet moments, Shelly liked to unwind on the water while fishing. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and of First Baptist Church in Timpson. 

Shelly is survived by her husband, James Hebert of Timpson, Texas; parents, Clyde T. Smith and Etta Jo Cromwell Smith of Somerville, Texas; brother, Mackey Smith and wife, Deborah of Humble, Texas; sisters, Niccola Bilski and husband, Danny of Brenham, Texas, Neoma Hickman and husband, Rick of Somerville, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews and exchange students the Hebert’s hosted. 

She is preceded in death by her brother, Brodrick Eugene Bassham.

Pallbearers are Kirk Bilski, Dustin Bilski, John Locke, Zane Locke, Camrron Miller, Clay Campbell, Rick Bassham, Nathan Gladney, and James Hervey.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church, 715 N. 2nd Street, Timpson, Texas, 75975.

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.

05/04/2016

Susan "Gwen" Ratcliff Truitt passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on May 1, 2016, in Logansport, LA, following a 13 year battle with cancer. She was 62 years old. 

Gwen was born on Sept 8, 1953 in Jena, LA to parents, Thomas W. and Aileen Pyle Ratcliff. She was a member of Mims Springs Baptist Church. Gwen married Donald Allen Truitt in April 1985. She welcomed 2 step-sons into her life and shortly after gave birth to a baby girl. As her mother stated, she was the happiest pregnant woman she had ever seen. She then decided to pursue a degree in nursing. Gwen found her true passion as an RN by helping others. She touched many lives in and out of the hospital.

Gwen was a generous, deeply caring soul, with a joyful and infectious laugh. She was admired by many for her strength, courage, and determination to live life to the fullest, even throughout her 13 year battle. She feared no obstacle and never hesitated to take on a challenge by applying her skills in “Gwengineering”. 

Gwen is survived by her husband Donald Allen Truitt of Logansport, LA; her daughter and 2 step-sons, Kelly Boyett of New Orleans, LA; Allen Truitt and wife Diane of Center, TX; Andrew Truitt and wife Cheryl of Muenster, TX; grandchildren Eli Hutchins, Lanie, Lexie, and Avery Truitt; her sister Tempie Ratcliff Bush and husband Keith, children Thomas and Katherine of Bossier City, LA; her brother Chad Ratcliff and wife Tina of Judsonia, AR; and devoted friend/sister Jo Stone of Center, TX; Gwen was blessed with countless friends of whom she also considered family. 

Gwen is preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence (Tootsie) Pierce Jr.; father Thomas W Ratcliff; mother Aileen Pyle Ratcliff; brother Ronnie Ratcliff; sister Edythe (Edie Wee) Davidson; and son-in-law Buddy Boyett.

Memorial Services will be held Sunday May 8, 2016, at Mims Springs Baptist Church – Located at 1227 HWY 765 Logansport, LA 71049. Visitation will begin at 2pm, with memorial services starting at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Love, INC  of Nacogdoches, TX, or to the Brad Wiggins/Adam Matthews scholarship fund with First Baptist Church of Logansport, LA. 

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Gerard Ventura and his staff, as well as Superior Hospice Care.

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

To know Gwen, was to love her.

05/02/2016

Jimmy Wayne Adams, 78, of Center, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at his residence.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Mr. Adams was born August 14, 1937, in Center, to Hugh J. Adams and Olga Mae Livingston Adams.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling. 

He is survived by:

Wife of 17 years: Jean Brannan of Center

Son: Gregory Adams and wife, Janet, of Colmesneil

Daughter: Susan Kelsoe and husband, Darrell, of Cypress

Step Daughter: Melinda Maye of Huntsville

Grandchildren:
Shauna Sanford and husband, David
Nicole Bush and husband, Michael
Natalia Prescott 
Matt Adams

Great-Grandchildren:
Taylor Ethridge
Colton Ethridge
Makayla Ethridge
Lauren Sanford
Dakota Sanford
Devin Sanford

Great-Great-Grandchildren:
Tenley Baker
Ella Almaraz
Whitley Sanford

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Hugh J. Adams and Olga Mae Livingston Adams
Brother: Joe Adams
Sister: June Adams
Special Friends: Everett Harbison, Gene Deal

Pallbearers will be Jimmy McCauley, Kenneth Hardy, Zack Warr, NoBerto Musico, Robert Lemon and Patrick Netherly.  Honorary pallbearers will be John Walker and Coy Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to HeartsWay Hospice, PO Box 5608, Longview, Texas 75608.

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

05/02/2016

Thomas Edgar Williams, 68, of Center, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016, at his residence.

Graveside service was held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 1, 2016, at his residence.

Mr. Williams was born August 29, 1947, in Center, to Clark Paul Williams and Emma Irene Fincher Williams.  He was a welder and mechanic and loved racing his car.  He enjoyed his family and was always taking the children to stores to buy them things.  He was a member of Swift & Newburn Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by
Wife: Nora Williams

Daughter: 
DeLania Williams Manchack

Son:
Thomas Shane Williams and wife, Tammie

Grandchildren:
Jessica Williams
Valierie Williams
Katelyn Reveil
Lexi Reveil
Thomas Clay Manchack
Sarah Abriele Manchack
Lane Garrett Manchack
Logan Creed Williams

Brothers and Sisters:
Shirley Faye Berg
Edwina Higginbotham
Venorah McSwain
Clark Paul Williams
Carolyn Sue Caldwell

Numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Clark Paul Williams and Emma Irene Fincher Williams

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

04/27/2016

Alton A. Nutt, 93, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 26, 2016, in Longview, TX. He was born on Aug. 22, 1922, in Gary, TX, to the late Charley Mathis and Delie Cassity Nutt. Mr. Nutt graduated from Gary High School with the class of 1940. He married Odie Earnest Vermillion on May 17, 1941, in Gary. Mr. Nutt served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and was honorably discharged. Mr. Nutt graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education. He worked in education for over 32 years as a teacher, coach, principal, and administrator. Mr. Nutt loved antique clocks and lamps and was the 8th oldest member of the Aladdin Knights, an Aladdin lamp collectors association. He loved sports, especially basketball, was an avid quail hunter, and an excellent bird dog trainer. He lived most of his life in the area and was a member of Central Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and formerly sang in the choir. He was preceded in death by a son, Jamie Leon Nutt, and brothers, Buford Nutt and J.V. “Bid” Nutt. 
    
Survivors include his loving wife of 75 years, Odie Nutt of Carthage; sons, Bid Alton Nutt and wife Nelda of Houston and C.M. Nutt and wife Sara of Bastrop; sister, Charlcie Phillips of Carthage; grandchildren, Tracey Friedel of Sugarland and Aundrea Williams and husband Ryan of Pearland; and great-grandchildren, Conner, Zane, Korryn, and Olivia. 
    
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home, 1131 State Hwy. 149, Carthage. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016, at Central Baptist Church, 220 W. Sabine, Carthage. Rev. Steve Jackson and Dennis Smith will officiate. Interment will follow in Gary Cemetery, 176 Bobcat Trail, Gary.
    
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Winkler Place, Briarcliff, ETMC Carthage, Good Shepherd 5th Floor I.C.U., and a special thank you to Lynda Fowler and Ruby Carter for the loving care shown to Mr. Nutt.  
    
Memorials may be made to Gary Cemetery Assn., P.O. Box 334, Gary, TX 75643 or to the Gary I.S.D., Bobcat Scholarship Fund, c/o Jason Woodfin, 132 Bobcat Trail, Gary, TX 75643.
    
A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.

04/26/2016

Cindy Casey, 56, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, April 25, 2016, in Lufkin.

Mrs. Casey’s wish was to be cremated and no services are planned at this time.

Mrs. Casey was born November 17, 1959, in Missouri to Jack Tripp and Phyllis Ann Moorehead Tripp.  She enjoyed playing Bingo. Mrs. Casey was a member of Patroon Baptist Church.

She is survived by
Husband: Rick Casey of Shelbyville

Children:
Ricky Casey of Shelbyville
Jammie Casey and wife, Laura, of Shelbyville
Angie Lyons of Neuville
Beth Casey of Shelbyville
Kathy Casey of Shelbyville

Seven Grandchildren

Numerous other relatives

A host of friends

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

04/25/2016

Mary Ann "Mudge" Franklin Farmer was born on December 11, 1929 in Shelby County, Texas and died on April 23, 2016 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Madison Farmer, Jr., her parents, Thomas Jefferson Franklin and Martha Linda Hayes Franklin, her brother Clyde Franklin and her sister, Norma Franklin Watts.
 
She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Tom Farmer and his wife, Lisa of Lafayette, George "Buff" Farmer of Shreveport and Brad Farmer and his wife, Michelle of Youngsville; her grandchildren, Stephen Clay Roberts and Sam Farmer of Lafayette and Andrew and Ashton Farmer of Youngsville. She is also survived by Molly Ferguson of Bartlesville, OK, Jack and Mary Watts of Arlington, TX, Tom and Linda Watts of Shreveport, LA, Bill Watts of Little Rock, AR, Bill and Fran Franklin of Houston, TX, and Charlotte Farmer of Grand Cane, LA and their families.

She and Sam lived in Shreveport until moving to Lafayette in 2005. Mary Ann was active in North Highlands United Methodist Church, Shreveport Symphony Guild, and many organizations at Northwood High School. In Lafayette, she was active at First United Methodist Church, PEO Chapter Y, and the Salvation Army Auxiliary.
 
The family requests that visitation be observed at Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location on Monday, April 25, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM, led by Reverend Drew Sutton and Reverend Fred Fraser.
 
Visitation will be held at Rose Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport, Louisiana (1815 Marshall Street) on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Graveside services, led by Reverend Milton Geltz, will be held at Forest Park West Cemetery (4000 Meriwether Rd. Shreveport, LA) on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.
 
Pallbearers will be Jack Watts, Tom Watts, Chuck Strickland, Clay Roberts, Sam Farmer and Andrew Farmer.
 
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Farmer's name to First United Methodist Church, 703 Lee Avenue Lafayette, LA. 70501 or Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA. 70503 or visit www.hospiceacadiana.com
 
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
 
Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311

04/23/2016

Betty Jo Ramsey Harbison, 84, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Nacogdoches, Texas.  She was born in Port Arthur, Texas on June 9, 1931, the daughter of Jacob Albert Ivy and Sarah Ella Powers Ivy.

Funeral services for Betty will take place on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas, with Chaplain Don Barron officiating.  Burial will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00-7:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

Betty grew up in the Silas community in Shelby County.   She had many varied interests. She found great joy in cooking and baking goods for her community.  Betty enjoyed gardening, and reading in her spare time.

Betty is survived by her: 

Sons:
Wayne Lee Ramsey and wife, Valerie of Logansport, Louisiana
James Wade Ramsey of Nacogdoches, Texas

Daughters:
Vickey Ramsey of Nacogdoches, Texas
Jeannie Cruze of Garrison, Texas
Mary Amstutz of Austin, Texas

Grandchildren: Younda Dunman, Clint Ramsey, Adrian Wayne Ramsey, Gavin Clay Henderson, Lacci Jo Henderson, Jolynn Pína, Justin Lee Bates, Thomas James Ramsey, Johnathon Ramsey, Gary Sanford, Jason Bates and Joshua Bates

19 great-grandchildren

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Sarah Ivy; son, Barney Joe Ramsey; daughter, Mickey Sue Ramsey, and grandson, Jacob Tucker.

Serving as pallbearers for Betty will be Clint Ramsey, Glen Whittwer, Gavin Henderson, Justin Bates, Roy Dunman, and Kaleb Dunman.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net.
Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, is in charge of arrangements.