Shelby County Today

08/07/2024

Charles Newton Lunsford of Spring, Texas, went to be with the Lord on the morning of August 3, 2024 after suffering complications of a stroke at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Charlie Lunsford; brother, Sam and wife Sidna; sister, Betty and husband, Bryan Russ; as well as in-laws, Phabrice and Rex Payne; and brother-in-law, Vance Payne, of Center, Texas.

Chuck, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on May 24, 1934, in Center. He and his beloved wife of 66 years, Lee Gayle Payne Lunsford, devoted their lives to their family, church, country and community.

Chuck grew up in Center and graduated from Center High School in 1951. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1955. He then served in the United States Army until 1957 and married Lee Gayle Payne, also of Center, in 1958. Following work in the private sector, Chuck entered duty with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent in March 1962 where he served in Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Washington, D.C. (at both the field office and FBI headquarters); and Houston before retiring in 1986.

After his retirement from the FBI, Chuck worked in residential real estate in Kingwood with Lee Gayle until 1995 when they retired to their hometown of Center to live in the home in which she grew up. Chuck began work as an agent with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Company and enjoyed that work until retiring for good.

Chuck was active in civic affairs and served on the Center City Council, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as president of the City of Center Street Improvement for Economic Development Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Center Noon Lions Club.

Chuck and Lee were long-time Methodists and were active in the life of each church they attended over the years, with the last two being First Methodist Church in Center and Faithbridge Church in Spring, Texas.

They moved back to the Houston area in 2012 to be near their youngest daughter Mary and her family. They also enjoyed being closer to their beloved beach house at Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula.

Chuck is survived:

Wife, Lee Gayle Payne Lunsford

Four Children and families:
Susan and husband, Joey Guedea of Fort Worth. Their son, Jonah and his wife, Jamie, and their daughter, Afton.
Charlie Lunsford and wife, Libby of Boerne. Their daughters, Claire and husband, Jake Hagen; Mary Kate and husband, Ben Carl; and Caroline and husband, Cinco Winston
Dr. Monty Lunsford currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
Mary and husband, Robbie Thompson of Spring. Their children Jake, Tyler and Gracie.

Six Great-grandchildren:
Annie and Libby Hagen
George and Bobby Carl
Ford and Elle Winston

Sister-in-law, Billie Sue Payne of Center

Many nieces and nephews and their families:
Karan Elliot
Becky Dayoc
Bryan Russ and wife, Laura
Charlie Russ and wife, Mary
Rob Payne and wife, Kim
Angie Payne Walker and husband, Kevin
Josh Payne and wife, Lacie
Mark Lunsford and wife, Leigh

“Daddy Chuck” as he was known to his family, was adored by each one. He had a gift for making each person feel loved, supported and cherished. He has left a legacy of integrity, honor, hard work, laughter, generosity, a love of sports and music as well as an active and abiding faith.

A memorial service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, August 17, at First Methodist Church in Center with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Services under the direction of Watson & Sons Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

07/31/2024

Karen J. Bittick, 76 of Center, passed away Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Shelby Emergency Department.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Short Methodist Church with interment following in Short Cemetery in Center, Texas. 

Karen was born in Center, Texas, on September 2, 1947, to Royce Edward Johnson and Maxine McSwain Johnson. She graduated from Center High School in 1965 and later continued her education taking classes at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas after marrying Wayne Bittick in July of 1979. She accepted Christ as her Savior and shared her faith whenever the opportunity arose. Karen would prepare delicious recipes for family and friends to enjoy while visiting or playing a variety of games, finding numerous ways to share stories and laughter, and creating many great memories. She and Wayne enjoyed “going to the boat” and loved spending time together traveling to various places around the U.S. and Mexico! They both loved to visit and stay in touch with family and friends. Karen found numerous ways to stay in touch with many acquaintances she had known through the years through Facebook Messenger, Messages, her cell phone, and visiting while shopping or eating at favorite restaurants.

Karen worked with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department from September 1994 until her retirement in December 2015. During her years of service, she worked with four different administrations: Carl Shofner, James Moore, Newton Johnson, and Willis Blackwell.

She is survived by:

Her husband of 45 years, Wayne Bittick

Children:
Donna Bradshaw McSwain, and husband, Kelly
Branden Bradshaw, and wife, Cindy
Susan Bittick Thomas
Brian Bittick, and wife, Kristen

Grandchildren:
A J McSwain
Rick McSwain, and wife, Natalea
Payton McSwain, and wife, McKenzi
Brady McSwain, and wife, Katie
Dustin Chandler, and wife, Ashley
Jake Bradshaw, and wife, Keni
Chelsea Bradshaw Jernigan, and husband, Michael
Matt Mills 
Brittney Thomas and fiancé, Justin Smith
Jaxson Bittick
Journee Bittick
Justiss Bittick

Great-Grandchildren:
James Lee McSwain
Celeste, Kyndra, Zeke, and Arlus McSwain
Evie McSwain
Collin and Blakeley Chandler
Jason, Kooper, and Kamille Bradshaw
Aubrie and Bryer Jernigan
Ollie Mills

Sisters:
Linda Johnson Winder
Angela Johnson Lawson, and husband, Royce

Brother:
Royce Lynn Johnson, and wife, Isabel

Stepbrothers:
William (Bill) Jernigan, and wife, Karen
Larry Jernigan, and wife, Lisa

Sister-in-law, Sandy Bittick Mead, and husband, Ronnie

Brother-in-law:
Jasper Bittick, and wife, Maureen
Michael Konzack, and wife, Nina

Aunt, Christine Mahan

Uncle, Robert (Bobby) McSwain, and wife, Connie

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceded in death by: father, Royce Edward Johnson; mother, Maxine McSwain Jernigan; step-father, William (Bill) Jernigan; father-in-law, Wylie Bittick; mother-in-law, Iola Bittick; aunts, Billie Johnson Hoyt and Janie McSwain Johnson; uncles, Earl McSwain, Eddie Mahan, and John Hoyt; brothers-in-law, Ed Bittick, Eugene Bittick, and John Winder; and sisters-in-law, Patsy Rice and Jo Ann Davis.

07/27/2024

Judy Belinda Raines, passed from this earth to her heavenly home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the age of 74. She was born on February 28, 1950, in Center, Texas. 

Visitation will be Sunday, July 28 from 5-7pm at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson. Funeral Services will be Monday, July 29, 10:30am at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church with interment to follow at Timpson MBC Cemetery. 

She was a lifelong-resident of Timpson. Upon graduating from Timpson High School in 1968, she went to work at, then Cotton Belt State Bank, now Austin Bank, where she spent her entire 46-year career until retirement in February, 2014. Through her career at the bank, she became friends with many in the community, and many came to rely on her for their banking questions. She met her husband, Buck Raines, after he returned from service in the US Army in Vietnam, and they wed on September 20, 1969. If she wasn’t working at the bank, she could often be found working in the hayfields beside Buck, until their sons came along. When she wasn’t busy taking care of her family, she could always be found supporting her beloved Timpson Bears Football Team. She was a true fan; nothing kept her from the games. It didn’t matter whether it was raining or freezing cold, if the Bears were playing, she was there. Nothing would stop her from making the trip to AT&T Stadium this past December to support her Bears when they won the state championship. She loved and supported her children in everything they did, and when grandkids came along, she did the same thing and was at as many events as she could possibly attend. 

She is survived by:
Children:
John Elvis, and wife, Angela Raines
Andy, and wife, Rachel Raines
Marc Raines
Michael, and wife, Rachel Raines

Brother-in-law, Cecil Whitton

Nephew, Joshua and wife Angela Whitton
Zoie Whitton

Grandchildren:
Sheldon, and wife, Caylie Raines
Ashton Raines
Jesse Raines
Sadie Raines
Reagan Raines
Luke Raines
Sara-Kate Raines
Reese Raines
Addison Raines

Great-grandchild, Carter Raines

Along with other cousins, nieces and nephews

Judy was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Buck Raines, her parents, Elvis and Nell Rhodes, and her sister Kay Whitton. 

Pallbearers are Andy Raines, Marc Raines, Sheldon Raines, Cecil Whitton, Josh Whitton, and Bobby Rhodes. 

Honorary Pallbearers are Jesse Raines, Luke Raines, Reese Raines, Carter Raines, and Ben Rhodes. 

In lieu of live flowers, please consider silk flowers to be used later or a donation to the Timpson Missionary Baptist Church.

Services are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson.

07/26/2024

James Earl Suell, 76 of The Colony, Texas, departed this life on Monday, July 15, 2024. James was born to the late Mathew Lee and Emma Garrett Suell in Center, Texas on July 4, 1948.

Funeral services for Mr. Suell will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM at New Life Community Church located at 25631 Smotherman Rd. Frisco, Texas 75033. Visitations are Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home located at 8520 Main Street Frisco, Texas from the hours of 5pm until 7pm and Friday, August 2, 2024, at 10am at New Life Community Church located at Smotherman Road, Frisco, Texas 75033. Committal is at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery at 2:00 PM located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas 75211.

James is survived by: 

Wife, June Lister Suell of The Colony, Texas

Sons:
Johathan Johnson of The Colony, Texas
Jamie Suell of Shelbyville, Texas 

Sister, Patsy Hall of Shelbyville, Texas

Brothers:
Melvin Suell (Mattie) of Center, Texas
Elzie Suell (Mary) of Center, Texas
Marlon Suell (Pam) of Shelbyville, Texas
Ray Suell of Shelbyville, Texas

Mother-in-law, Norma Lister of Shelbyville, Texas

Aunts:
Johnnie Rushing of Center, Texas
Austrene Edwards of Houston, Texas
 
Uncles:
Jimmy Netherly of Center, Texas
William Edmond of Tenaha, Texas

Services are entrusted to Hicks Mortuary and Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.

04/25/2024

Allen Sims, 73 of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Shelbyville.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Ruston Bush, Bro. Wes Hall, and Elder Faye Dell Allen officiating. Interment will follow at Rather Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Born June 6, 1951, in Houston, Allen is the son of Ward Allen Sims Sr. and Lue Rodrick Sims. He was a member of Toledo Bend Community Church in Shelby County.

He is survived by:

Wife, Debbie Sims

Children:
Melody Vaughn
Chris Vaughn
Brent Sims

Grandchildren:
Dexter Vaughn and wife Brianna
Austin Vaughn
Mallory and husband Tony Garcia
Logan Sims

Great-granddaughter, Adalynn Ann Vaughn

Mother, Lue Sims

Brothers:
Rickie Sims and wife Mary
Benny Sims and wife Barbara

Sister, Margie and husband James Estes

Sisters-in-law:
Connie Fletcher
Cathy Lee
Patricia Bush
Donna Penny and husband Bobby

Brother-in-law, Danny Windham and wife Vonda

Special friends, Ashley Hines, and Covington’s Lumber.

Preceded in death by father, Ward Allen Sims Sr.; brothers, Randy Sims and Howard Sims; mother-in-law, Elaine Yarbrough; sister-in-law, Mary Sims; nephew, Jeremy Sims; niece, Dayna Howard; and father-in-law, Dan Windham.

Pallbearers will be Gaylon Howard, Lance Jamison, Robert Berry, T Butch Fletcher, Scott Sims, Brad Bass, Pete Owens, and J.C. Cagle. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Dixon Golden, Carl Davis Smith, Roger Wagstaff, Larry Oates, Todd Jamison, and Gerald Corbell.

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

07/25/2024

Lawrence Ray Netherly, 81 of East Liberty, Texas, departed this life on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Pine Grove Nursing Facility in Center, Texas. He was born in Choice, Texas on June 16, 1943, to the late Willis and Entha Thompson Netherly Jr. He accepted Christ at an early age, becoming a member of the East Liberty Baptist Church.

Mr. Netherly is a graduate of Liberty High and pursued additional education through attending Butler College in Tyler, TX. His goal was to complete college and become a school teacher. However, upon obtaining his Associates of Arts (AA) degree in Social Science, Mr. Netherly was drafted into the military. He enlisted into the United States Army on February 28, 1966, and retired after 20 years of service on May 31, 1986. Mr. Netherly was never married nor had any children.

Mr. Netherly is survived by:

Aunt, Ozell Garrett

Nephews:
Weldon Greer Jr (Ariel)
Cedric Netherly

Nieces:
Linday Wimbley (Willie)
Terri Powdrill (Kermit)
Lynn McDonald (Willie)

Grand-nephews: 
Michael Greer (Shonda)
Ali Garrett
Tremaine Hewitt (Latrise)
Kermit Powdrill Jr.
Edward Powdrill
Justin Wayne Netherly
Kendrick Powdrill
Hunter McDonald

Grand-nieces: 
La Toya Greer
Haley Greer
Tina Greer

Hosts: 
Great-grandnieces, Great-grandnephews, Cousins, and Butler College Classmates.

Preceding in Death: Entha Thompson Netherly (Mother), Willis Netherly Jr. (Father), Lou Tilda Singleton (Sister), Jonnie Ray Netherly (Brother), Ruby Nell Netherly Greer (Sister). Gustarvus Wayne Netherly (Nephew), and Shelda Lynn Greer (Niece). 

Mr. Netherly was a humbly private man, so to honor and respect his wishes, there will not be a memorial service.

Service entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Center, Texas 75935.

Please visit our website for online condolences at www.hicksmortuary.net

07/23/2024

Mr. Wallace Charles “Bo Easy” Clifton, 69, of  San Augustine, Texas.  Mr. Clifton departed this physical life on July 17, 2024, at his residence in San Augustine, Texas 
   
Funderal service will be Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00am Garner & Son Mortuary Chapel

Visitation will be Friday, July 26, 2024 from 1:00pm to 6:30pm at Garner & Son Chapel.

Survivors include:

Sons:
Charles “Bunday” Quadrian of Center, Texas
Wallace Charles Smith of Lufkin, Texas

Daughters:
Trishuna Smith of Nacogdoches, Texas
Shunetha Smith of Center, Texas

Four grandchildren

Brothers:
Paul Clifton of Port Arthur, Texas
Larry Clifton of Nacogdoches, Texas
Steven Edwards of Beaumont, Texas
Robert Clifton of Center, Texas

Sisters:
Elizebeth Clifton of San Autustine, Texas
Mary Clifton Mosby of Beaumont, Texas
Deberah Calhoun (Charles) of Nacogdoches, Texas

As well as a host of Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services are under the direction of Garner and Son Mortuary and Johnson Funeral Home, San Augustine.

07/22/2024

Johnny Glen Hargrove, 82, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Shelbyville.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Ronnie Wheeler and Bro. Larry Chandler officiating.  Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery in Huxley.

Born March 22, 1942, in San Augustine, Johnny is the son of John Hollis Hargrove and Mary Allene Elliott Hargrove. He served in the United States Coast Guard.  Johnny retired as a coal mining operator/foreman.  Most recently, he was employed with JML. His hobbies included trapping and hunting. Johnny was a 60 year member of Sam Houston Masonic Lodge #32.  He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by: 
Children:
Kim Hargrove Bridges
Jessica Hargrove
Jared Hargrove, and wife, Felicia

Grandchildren: 
Amanda, and husband, Cody Miller
Kasey, and husband, Robbie Chambliss
Richard Sharp Jr.
Jerrick Hargrove
Riley Hargrove

Soon-to-be grandchild, Hollis

Great-grandchildren:
Bailey Miller
Blayne Miller
Knox Miller
Christian Chambliss
Wesley Chambliss
Preston Chambliss
Emily Chambliss
Paislee Sharp

Sisters: 
Carolyn, and husband, Joe Lawson
Mary Smith

Preceded in death by wife, Frances Hargrove; wife, Connie Hargrove; son, John Hargrove; daughter, Cindy Sharp; great grandson, Klayton Lewis Chambliss; parents, Hollis and Allene Hargrove; and son-in-law, Richard Sharp Sr.

Pallbearers will be Robbie Chambliss, Cody Miller, Jerrick Hargrove, Richard Sharp Jr., Christian Lewis Chambliss, and Joey Lawson.

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

07/18/2024

David Paul Swanzy, 86, of Center, Texas, passed away peacefully at home, July 18, 2024. He was born on March 26, 1938, in Longview, Texas, to William Robert “Bob” Swanzy and Sallie Mae Billingsley Swanzy.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 22, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with Reverend Joel McMahon Sr. officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Private family graveside to follow at Shelbyville Cemetery in Shelbyville.

The Swanzy family came to Texas from Abbeville, South Carolina, to the Hurstown area in the middle 1850s, and the Billingsley family came from Mississippi to the Shady Grove Community, Shelby County, in the early 1860s. David’s parents were both educators and met at a college in the Center area before 1915 and were married in June 1915 in Shelby County. He was the last child of Bob and Mae’s six children of whom only four made it to adulthood. David liked to say that he “failed kindergarten three times.” His mother taught in a one-room schoolhouse in the Shelbyville area where she was able to take him to school with her starting at age three. In 1955, David graduated from Center High School as valedictorian, a year ahead of his age group.

Early in his school years, music became David’s main interest, and he was talented in that area. His specialty was cornet and trumpet. He was in the Center High School band all four years, many times playing the trumpet solos. After high school, David was provided a music scholarship to Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, with the stipulation and privilege of playing in the Shreveport Symphony during those years.

In 1958, after meeting and marrying Ann Rice, a fellow student at Centenary, David began his career as a middle school music teacher in the Shreveport area. However, soon after that experience, David decided to continue his education by attending graduate school at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, receiving his Master’s degree in 1962 and his Doctorate of Music in 1966. After several years of teaching at Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania; Glenville State University in Glenville, West Virginia; and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, in 1977, he began his highly successful career of more than two decades as Dean of the College of Music at Loyola University in New Orleans.

During David’s career at Loyola, he wrote textbooks for the higher education market; won many awards; served on national music boards and advisory committees; and worked with the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He was especially involved with the jazz musicians in New Orleans as teacher, mentor, or friend. David was a tireless promoter of Loyola University and of the New Orleans Symphony. He was also privileged to have traveled the world including what had been Soviet Georgia. David was key in consultations regarding a student/faculty exchange program with the rector of the Georgian State Conservatory of Music of Tbilisi, Georgia. Computers were also fascinating to him and, during one of the several sabbaticals David took, he enjoyed working on the computer software Word Perfect at Brigham Young University in Provost, Utah.

In 2006, David retired moving back to his hometown of Center. He was very active in his church and the community, especially enjoying delving into Shelby County history and genealogy. Writing articles for The Light and Champion and Shelby County Today was a result of that research. David also produced an online magazine, We the People of Shelby County, for five years, until a decline in his health ended that pursuit. Being such an energetic man, even after heart surgery in 2015, in September 2016, David accepted the post and served as Interim Director of the School of Performing Arts and UT Tyler for six months.

After eleven years of research, David’s proudest accomplishment was writing and publishing a book about the French Resistance fighters during World War II, siting the death of his brother, Captain Robert Swanzy, on July 12, 1944, over a small town in France during an air battle. This historical narrative mostly consists of the personal accounts of the rescue of the crewmen who were able to escape their B-12 Liberator bomber, by parachute, before it crashed over a vineyard near La Tour d’Aigues.

He is survived by: 
Wife of 18 years, Maelinda Shepherd Swanzy

Son, David Michael Swanzy of Tyler

Daughter, Elizabeth Suzanne “Betsy” Swanzy of Summit, MS

Stepsons:
Berry Morgan Chamness of Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Kelly Chamness and wife Lisa of Baltimore, MD
Matthew Shepherd Chamness of Galveston

Grandchildren:
Emily Isemann
Marisa Rose Chamness
Justin Thomas Chamness
Courtney Megan Chamness Moore, and husband, Clayton
Nicholas Matthew Chamness
Reilley Alexa Chamness

Nephews and niece: 
David Dixon Golden, Sr., and wife, Melody
Dennis Donia Golden, Sr.
Gary Robert Golden, Sr., and wife, Jeanette
Sarah Suzon Golden Cloud, and husband, Danny

Numerous other relatives and friends

David is preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Elizabeth Ann Rice Swanzy; his wife of 21 years, Janet Sitges Swanzy; parents, William Robert and Sallie Mae Billingsley Swanzy; brothers, William Robert Swanzy, Jr., Jack Richard Swanzy, Melvin Earl Swanzy; sisters, Sarah Jane Swanzy Golden and Martha Sue Swanzy; brother-in-law, Donia Dixon “Pete” Golden; sister-in-law, Wynona Lee “Nonie” Kirl Swanzy; and niece, Carolynn Jean Swanzy Brewer.

Pallbearers serving will be David Michael Swanzy, Matthew Chamness, Dixon Golden, Dennis Golden, Gary Golden, and Danny Cloud. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Kelly Chamness, Tim Verner, Walter “Buster” Bounds, David Chadwick, Leroy Newman, Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, John Crawford Rogers, Sr., Curtis Menefee, Michael R. Howard, and members of the Center Noon Lions Club.

The family would like to thank Accent Care Home Health Care Services and Hospice of East Texas for their loving care.

Also, special thanks to the wonderful round-the-clock caregivers/friends: Shana Bearden, Brittney Bearden, Debbie Quigg, and Tonya Williams. They were amazing and tireless in over three years of tender, loving concern, and responsible care.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse or to your favorite church or charity.

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