Shelby County Today

07/13/2024

Lacey Kyle Rachal, 41 formerly of Center, passed away July 1, 2024.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Lacey Kyle Rachal was held at 1pm Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Norris Ferry Community Church with Pastor Jared Clary officiating, along with Pastor Robert Beadle and Steve Evans of First Baptist Church of Benton. Visitation was Saturday at Noon until the time of the service; burial is in Centuries Memorial Park.

Lacey was born September 1, 1982. Although she was born in Shreveport, she spent most of her childhood in Center, Texas, riding horses on the 4-H Drill Team and participating in youth activities at First Baptist Church of Center. After high school, Lacey was awarded collegiate degrees from both Panola College and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, where she learned American Sign Language. Subsequently, Lacey found her calling as an Interpreter for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Program at Caddo Parish Schools for almost 15 years. She also served the deaf ministry of First Baptist Church of Benton, her home church.

Lacey loved music and had a beautiful voice. She especially loved musical theater and her knowledge of showtunes was encyclopedic. However, her greatest joy and life’s purpose was to glorify God. Lacey’s walk with Jesus was evident to all; her last breaths were used in prayer and praise before departing her loved ones to join her angelic voice in eternal praise and worship.

Lacey courageously dealt with medical challenges during her battle with cancer. She repeatedly received exemplary care throughout the Willis Knighton System. This care was provided by extraordinarily capable, kind, compassionate, professional nurses, support staff, and physicians. Her final days were replete with amazing healthcare providers from the Emergency Room, Surgical Unit, Oncology Unit, and finally on the Step Down Unit. We were blessed. This care was faithfully overseen and guided by her primary care physician, Dr. Timothy Nicholls. ‘Thank you’ is just not enough.

Lacey also received extensive treatment at Willis Knighton Cancer Center. We, her family, would like to express our profound appreciation to Dr. McDonald and his team, Dr. Veluvolu, and Dr. Lash, as well as, the nurses and staff of the Chemotherapy Unit. You inspired much needed hope and confidence. You became friends, mentors, and family to her. You encouraged her, laughed with her, cried with her, consoled her, and surrounded her with prayer. You saw her and you cared deeply. We, her family, cannot thank you enough.

Lacey is survived by:

Mother, Mona Reeves

Fathers:
Steve Rachal and wife Dianne
John Reeves and wife Amy

Sister, Sara and husband Matt Luquire

Brother, Winston Reeves and husband Jason Crum

Sister, Halley and husband J.B. Gibbs

Sister, Amber Rachal and husband Sean McClanahan

Stepbrother, Vincent Walker

Grandmother, Norma Simpson

Nieces, Brianna and Alyssa Luquire

As well as a host of other beloved family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be Jason Crum, Matt Luquire, Justin Dunn, Bickham Dickson, Andrew Lee, and Isaiah Evans.

Memorials in Lacey’s honor may be made to Caddo-Bossier Cancer Foundation League and Open Hands Deaf Services.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” -Colossians 3:16

Services under the direction of Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport, Louisiana.

07/12/2024

Alice Amelia Zenter West, 91, of Center, Texas, passed away on July 10, 2024, surrounded by loved ones in Center, Texas.  She was born on June 14, 1933, in Plain Dealing, Louisiana, to the late John Frederick Zenter and Fannie Spruill Zenter.

Funeral service will be held at 2PM on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home, with Bro. Harold Hanson and Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1PM at Mangum Funeral Home.

Alice was born the third child of schoolteachers, John Frederick and Fannie Spruill Zenter, on a farm in Plain Dealing, Louisiana. The family moved several times during her life, and she graduated from high school in Grand Cane, Louisiana, in May of 1951. In September of that year, she enrolled in what was then Northwestern State College, now Northwestern State University at Natchitoches. The fall of 1953 she met, Tommy West, who was enrolled at the same college. A two-year courtship resulted in marriage in January 1955 in the Baptist Student Union Chapel located on campus. She continued her education until she graduated in 1955.

They had four boys, Ronald, Danny, Troy and Kerry. Alice and Tommy moved to Louisiana for nine years, then returned to Center in 1969 to make their home for the last 55 years.

Alice loved the Lord and served many years through First Baptist Church Center. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She also spent many hours playing the piano.

She is survived by:

Sons:
Ronnie West and wife Connie
Danny West and wife Susan
Troy West and wife Kim
Kerry West and wife Florence

Grandchildren:
Joshua West and wife Kayla
Caleb West
Luke West
Rebekah West Cummings
Shane West and wife Micah
Clint West and wife Norma
Faith West Williams, and husband, Aaron
Jakeh West, and wife, Mary
Hope West Sowell, and husband, Cody
Chase West and wife Gabby
Bethany West

19 Great-Grandchildren

Numerous nieces and nephews

Alice is preceded in death by her loving husband, Tommy West; parents, John and Fannie Zenter; brother John Zenter; sister, Sue Moore; grandson, Cody Josiah West; great granddaughter, Shiloh May West.

Pallbearers serving will be Chase West, Shane West, Josh West, Clint West, Stan Moore, and Cody Sowell.

The family thanks Sister Care Services for all their loving care. Words cannot express the love that was given to Alice by each of her caretakers. Special thanks to Ruby Gaddis. We are so blessed, and our hearts are full.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

07/09/2024

Donna Lynn Saxon, 57 of Carthage, Texas passed away Monday morning, July 8, 2024, at her home in Carthage. She was born December 11, 1966 in Center, Texas to Rex and Brenda Doggett Richards.

She was a graduate of Carthage High School with the class of 1985. Donna worked for Carthage ISD for 17 years as a secretary and a registrar. She never met a stranger and loved talking to people. Donna’s favorite hobby though was spending time with her grandsons. She was of the Baptist faith.

Donna was preceded in death by her father, Rex Richards; and her step-father, Gene McDaniel.

Survivors include:

Mother, Brenda McDaniel

Son, Kagen Smith and wife Stephanie

Brother, David Richards and wife Michelle

Grandsons:
Kason Smith
Halston Smith

Step-mother, Suzie Richards

Numerous cousins, other relatives and friends also survive Donna.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10am at the Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Center. A time of visitation will be on Friday evening from 6-8pm at the funeral home.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.

07/03/2024

Elijah Jamaal Berry, 15, of Center, Texas, passed away on June 29, 2024, in Center, Texas. He was born on January 9, 2009, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Valerie Moore and Judge Davis II.

Funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Abundant Love Ministries in Center, Texas, with Pastor Marlin Cloudy Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Dena Cemetery, CR 140, San Augustine, Texas. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home from 5-7pm.

Elijah attended Center High School and was looking forward to going to Roughrider Academy. He was baptized and served as a Junior Usher at Abundant Love Ministries. He also attended Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Bobo, Texas and was very active to serve when called upon. In his free time, he enjoyed talking on the phone, riding horses and 4 wheelers, playing his PS-4 or 5 and X box series X, he was a serious gamer. He also loved going on trail rides, swimming, hanging out at the barbershop playing pool with his uncle Carlos and cousin Jercarius.

Elijah has been the most helpful with his nieces, nephews, cousins, especially at the trampoline park. He made extra money by feeding Jercarius’ dogs and horses and had recently started going to work with is Pa Pa Eddie. He said he was going to need to get a new wallet soon to keep all of his money in.

Elijah had obtained his permit and picked out which of his uncle Carlos’ trucks he’d be getting. He was also gifted a blue truck from Jercarius. After graduation he had plans to go to truck driving school and welding school. He also wanted to become a barber like his uncle Carlos. 

He is survived by:

Mother, Valerie Moore (Pastor Jeremy Moore)

Father, Judge Davis II

Grandparents:
Carrie Boykins (Eddie Boykins)
Thermon Davis
Margarett Jo Burrell
Judge Davis I

Sisters:
Raveen Berry
Ja’Aliyah Moore

Brothers:
Judge Davis III
Jayden Davis
Jaylen Davis

Special uncles and aunts:
Carlos Berry (Veronica)
Christopher Chumbley (Briget)

Special cousin, Jercarius Berry

A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

07/01/2024

Virginia S. Royes, 89, of Center, Texas, passed away on June 28, 2024, surrounded by loved ones in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was born on January 16, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi, to the late William Washington Sumrall and Ollie Mae (Bush) Sumrall.

Funeral service will be held at 2PM on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home, with Bro. Porter Brewer officiating. Graveside service will be held at 10AM on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Springhill Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi.

It was mid-January of a tough year, 1935. But one ray of sunshine appeared for William Washington Sumrall and his wife, the former Ollie Mae Bush. On the 16th, a daughter was born, Virginia Rose Sumrall. Now, William and Ollie Mae already had a family waiting for her with 5 siblings, but Virginia, or Ginny as she came to be called, showed promise from the beginning.

Graduating from George S. Gardiner High School in 1952, she won a full scholarship from the Masonite Corporation and attended the University of Southern Mississippi.

But her life changed when she met a young serviceman named John Royes, and a lifelong partnership was formed. College, an engineering degree for John and two children for them both, Karen and Andrew, shaped their lives from that point on.

Ginny devoted her life to her family and her faith. She also enjoyed handwork like knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and cross stitch and even crafted small baskets from long leaf pine.

Her beloved husband John died 2 and a half years ago, and Ginny joined him on Friday, June 28th.

She is survived by:

Son, Andrew Royes

Daughter, Karen and her husband Roger Gray

Granddaughter, Mary Brigid Gray

Virginia is preceded in death by her loving husband, John Royes Jr; parents, William and Ollie Mae Sumrall; brothers, Joe Sumrall, Frank Sumrall; and sisters, Juanita Johnson, Rachel Evans, and Rebecca Jackson.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

06/27/2024

John Eugene Todd Sr. was called home Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024, in Timpson, Texas at the age of 71 year. 

Visitations for John will begin Sunday, June 30, 2024, 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Taylor Funeral

Home located at 511 Ross Graves Dr. Timpson, Texas, 75975. Services for John are scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at the First Assembly of God in Timpson, Texas with Brother EJ Adams officiating. Interment will follow at Cold Spring Cemetery in Garrison, Texas.

John was born September 25, 1952, to Sam K. Todd and Frances “Louise” (Stone) Todd in Garrison, Texas.

John was raised in Houston, Texas where he then relocated to Timpson, Texas. He was taught at an early age from his father how to work on diesel motors and drive trucks. 

It was in Garrison, Texas where he met the love of his life, Patricia. They then were married on March 29, 1979, and made their home in Timpson. They then later on built their dream home on the same land. John became a part of the Timpson Masonic Lodge #437, January 31,1986. He spent his life self-employed working as a diesel mechanic and owning his own trucking business for 30 years where he was then given the name “Part Time” by his trucking friends. In his last years he built a large shop where he built and rebuilt old vintage tractors. John was a wealth of knowledge kind of person. People all the time would call to ask what was wrong with their tractor or truck and he always was happy to share his knowledge with them. He enjoyed watching his grandkids grow up and spending time with them. He loved taking them for rides on the tractor and golf cart.

John was later diagnosed with lung cancer. Where he fought a long, hard battle. He was a strong man to endure all of the treatments and appointments, but he met some of the best nurses and doctors during his time at Christus Cancer Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. They always took the best care of him. He was determined to beat cancer, but his body couldn’t endure it any longer.

John is survived by wife of 45 years, Patricia (McDonald) Todd 

Children:
Mike Todd, and wife, Tonya of Judsonia, Arkansas 
Doy “Nathan” Todd, and wife, MaKenzie of Timpson 
Jesse (Todd) Taylor, and husband, Stacy of Joaquin

Eight grandchildren:
Micah (Todd) Swindle, and husband, Josh 
Jonathan “Lane” Todd
Gracie Ellis
Rilynn Ellis
Allie Todd
Tucker Taylor
Stella Taylor
Aaron Todd

Five siblings:
Betty Caldwell, and husband, Dan
Nell Yates
Sam “Bo” Todd 
Frankie Parkman, and husband, Kim
Joe Todd, and wife, Linda

Numerous nieces and nephews
With special relationship with nephew Richard Arvello

A special thanks to the Christus Cancer Center of Shreveport all the nurses and Dr. Christopher Sneed and Gus. Special nurses Gabby, Stephanie and Allison. Thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice for all of your care. 

He is preceded in death by his son John Todd Jr., his parents Sam K. and Frances “Lousie” Todd, his grandparents Walter and Francis Stone, and John D and Zula Todd his brother Jimmy “Buster” Todd.

Pallbearers:
Danny Arvello 
Kaden Arvello 
Richard Arvello 
David Ballard 
Tim McDonald 
Terry Washington

Honorary Pallbearers:
Duncan Connell
Pat Hairgrove 
Al Skinner

06/25/2024

John Madison Hughes, 78, passed from this life on June 21, 2024. He was born August 5, 1945 in Orange, Texas to Velton B Hughes and Bonnie Ruth Franks Hughes. John was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician.

He is survived by:

Children:
Jon Robert Hughes-Pfeiffer
Shelly Bee Hughes Cantrell and husband, James
Jesse Madison Hughes and fiance, Tori

Grandchildren:
Jon Michael Hughes-Pfeiffer
Felecia Nicole Pfeiffer Black
Courtney Hughes MacTaggart
Roni Hughes Boidy
Lauren Hughes
Brady Lane Wells
Brandt Cabot Wells
Heath Madison Hughes
Valley Rae Hughes
Bostyn Michelle Hughes

Great-Grandchildren:
Roxanne Pfeiffer
Naomi Pfeiffer
JJ Pfeiffer
Gordon Black
Nora MacTaggart
Blair MacTaggart
Waylon Boidy
Emery Boidy
Layne Boidy

Sister, Bonnie Bee Hughes Lane

John was preceded in death by his parents, Velton B Hughes and Bonnie Ruth Franks Hughes; his son, J.B. Hughes; his paternal grandparents, Madison Barto “Bart” Hughes
and Mary Belle Webb Hughes; and his maternal grandparents, J.W.B. “Bud” Franks and Mary Leticia Murray Franks.

No services have been planned at this time.

06/24/2024

Paula Fleming, 72, of Tenaha, Texas,Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Woods New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. James McRight, Bro. Richard Reed and Rev. Justin Pierce officiating.  Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be 1:00-2:00 p.m. Thursday prior to the service.

Mrs. Paula Jo Fleming was born on September 26, 1951, in Carthage, Texas. She passed from this life June 20, 2024, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  She was one of five children born to the marriage of Charles David and Julia Imogene Gurley Fleming, Sr. She was raised in the Woods community, graduating Carthage High School with the Bulldog Class of 1970.  She attended Panola College, and later in life at the age of 65 she received her Bachelors in Education from Letourneau University.

Her career began as a paralegal and many years as a land man. Paula taught 7th and 8th grade language arts through the Center I.S.D. where she was awarded Teacher of the Year. Paula loved her Lord and Savior as a member of the First Baptist Church where she taught the 6th grade S.S.C. and brought a Wednesday night bible study at the Woods New Hope Baptist Church. She loved nurturing her garden and growing roses. She is preceded in death by her parents, as infant sister and a brother James Wesley Fleming.

Survived by:

Her loving daughter, Jeaniece Mukherjee of Wichita Falls

Brother, David Fleming and wife Gail of Woods

Sister, Peggy Greene of Midlothian

Grandchildren:
Woods Pate of Colorado Springs
Charles Mukherjee of Ft. Worth
Vivian Mukherjee of Ft. Worth

Serving as pallbearers will be Trey Fleming, Chris Reese, Brandon Reese, Blake Hodge, John Hodge, Wesley Greene, and Mike Reese. Honorary pallbearers will be Woods Pate and Charles Mukherjee.

The family suggests memorials to the Woods Cemetery Assoc.

Under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home Carthage, TX  www.hawthornfuneralhome.com

06/22/2024

Loretta Yvonne Shunkwiler Armstrong, 85, of Anacoco, Louisiana, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Anacoco.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Joaquin First Baptist Church, 100 Connell Ferry Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954 with Bro. Jody Hooper officiating.

Born March 10, 1939, in Joaquin, Texas, Loretta is the daughter of Milo Cleburne Armstrong and Violet Laverne McGee Armstrong.

She is survived by:

Children:
Jesse Mathewson
Cheri Harris
Athea Shunkwiler Williams
Tara W. Shunkwiler

Grandchildren:
Seaira Dawn Mathewson
Chelsea Dionne Harris
Allison Casey Harris
Taylor Layne Harris
Teagan Carl Chase Shunkwiler
Haeden Chance Shunkwiler
Catin Mikey Shunkwiler

6 great-grandchildren

Brother, Mike Armstrong

Sister, Geneva Armstrong-Bush

Nephew, Shawn Armstrong

Preceded in death by parents, Milo Armstrong and Violet Laverne McGee Armstrong; daughter, Dawn Capucine Mathewson; son-in-law, Leland Milam Harris; and brother, Carl Lee Armstrong.

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