Shelby County Today

08/15/2022

Delores Jean Langston, 73, of Center, passed away, Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Nacogdoches Medical Center Hospital in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center and from 12:00 to 2:00 on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nacogdoches, TX.  Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nacogdoches, TX with Pastor John Cain officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Herman Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born October 17, 1948, in Orlando, Fl., Delores is the daughter of Ester Meyer Williford and Glenn Williford. Delores was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church for 33 years. She enjoyed quilting, shopping, and going to church.

Left to cherish her memory are: 

Her sons:
Kevin Jernigan
Michael Jernigan and wife Nicole

Stepson, Stacy Jernigan and wife Chanel

Stepdaughter, Cindy Maphet

Grandchildren: 
Jeslyn Jernigan
Corbin Jernigan
Taryn Smith

Brother, Glenn Williford and wife Judy

Sisters-in-law:
Effie Jean O’Rear
Debbie Williford
Peggy Baylor
Mae Stotts

Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Preceded in death by her husband, Mac Langston, husband, Bobby Jernigan; parents, Glenn Williford and Ester Meyer Williford; sister, Shirley Bradshaw and husband Jon; brothers, Delbert Williford, Larry Williford, and Wesley Baylor; nephew, Brian Williford; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers will be Michael Bradshaw, Jason Williford, Austin Williford, Adam Jernigan, Wes Baylor, Jimmy Jernigan, Jason Choate, and Paul Prodehl.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church Sharing and Caring Fund, 2306 Appleby Sand Drive, Nacogdoches, TX, 75965.

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

08/12/2022

Mary Micah Nutt, age 57, left this world too soon on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Watson and Sons Chapel with Bro. Charleston Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery in Garrison.

Survived by:

Son, Markus Harber and fiance Amanda Shadix

Daughter, Mindi Harber

Grandkids:
Markus Harber Jr.
Gabriel Harber
Allison Beaird
Bailey Shadix
Cadence Shadix
Kylee Rusk
Madison Harber
Jack Harber

Brother, Rusty Cranford and wife Shirley

Sister, Mechael Scott and husband Rex

Numerous cousins

She is preceded in death by her late husband, Randy Otha Nutt; parents, Mr. Thomas “Mack” Cranford and Mary Carolyn Phillips Brannon; stepmom, Dorthy L. Lopez; and grandparents, Thomas Preston and Fannie Arie Crump Cranford and Lloyd and Mary (Bogue) Brannon.

Pallbearers will be Jason Cranford, Jeff Cranford, Trevor Wedgeworth, Clayton Russell, Chris Box, and Guy Sherwood. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Cranford, Casey Spencer, Cameron Spencer, and Roberto Bussey.

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

08/11/2022

William Howard Garrett, 66 of San Augustine, Texas, passed from this life on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. William Howard Garrett was born August 21, 1957 to parents Mollie Beatrice Curl and Holman Garrett in San Augustine, Texas. He was disabled, and dearly loved his family, and was of the Baptist faith.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2022, in the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, 316 West Columbia Street in San Augustine, Texas.  Officiating will be Bishop Howard Cloudy.

Those who are left to cherish his memory:

Daughters:
LaTorshia Sigler of Houston
LaTya Williams of Fresno
TorShundra "Shae" Garrett of San Augustine

Grandchildren:
LaTavia Edwards
Tyvarian Lane
JaTyrian Lane
Amyrah Malone
Amanii Malone
Terriya Williams
Jayden Edwards
Neko Edwards
Kaisen Edwards

Great-grandchild, Legaci Edwards

Sisters:
Jeannette Roberts of Nacogdoches
Candace McCoy of Lancaster
Jessica Garrett of Nacogdoches
Shonica Garrett of Dallas
Vandra Jones (Jacquet) of Ft. Worth
Mary Adams

Along with special sisters:
Marcia Garrett (Antonio)
Sherry Garrett (Timothy)

Brothers:
Paul Jackson and Tracy of Lufkin
Steve Garrett and Shante of Lufkin
Special brother, Gary McCoy Sr.

Along with a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, Holman Garrett and Mollie Beatrice Curl, and grandchild, LaSharvia Edwards.

Pallbearers will include Michael Garrett, Jonavic Garrett, DeMeko Garrett, Chris Barnes, Shun Hoyt, Gary McCoy, Sr., and Marcus Burrell. Honorary Pallbearers will include TyVarian Lane, JaTyrian Lane, Jayden Edwards, Neko Edwards, Kaisen Edwards, Anthony Watkins, Dietrich Malone, and Diekentrich Malone.

Online obituary and condolences posted at www.wymanrobertsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, San Augustine, Texas.

08/08/2022

Burron Matthew Chambliss, 89, of Joaquin, Texas, passed away on August 8, 2022, in Center, Texas. He was born on September 2, 1932, in Logansport, Louisiana, to the late Robert Chambliss and Nettie Estes Chambliss.  

Graveside service will be held at Strong Cemetery, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 11am with Bro. Robert Vazquez officiating.  
Burron was raised in the Possum Trot community. He enjoyed life outdoors. He loved camping, fishing, hunting, watching and feeding the birds and whittling.  Burron loved family gatherings and reunions. He especially enjoyed visiting with the grandchildren. 

He is survived by: 
His son, Phillip Chambliss and wife Leanne

Daughter, Lori Davis and husband Ronnie

Daughter in laws: 
Teena Fountain
Deborah Chambliss

Sisters: 
Lois Hass
Katherine McGee

12 grandchildren

Numerous great-grandchildren

A host of family and friends that will miss him

Burron is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Betsy Chambliss; parents, Robert and Nettie Chambliss; sons, Tony Chambliss, Clovis Chambliss; grandson, Ron Davis; granddaughter, Kynleigh Fontenot; brothers, Marvin Chambliss, T. A. Chambliss; sisters, Lea Carroll and Sybil Heath.

Pallbearers serving will be Karsten Davis, Nolan Chambliss, Tory Chambliss, Titus Chambliss, Thatcher Chambliss, Brian Chambliss, Joey Chambliss, and Aydin Davis.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

08/04/2022

Willie Price was born on October 9, 1937, in Shelby County (Center), Texas, to the union of Mary Liza (Hill) Price and Purvis Price. He passed away July 20, 2022 at the age of 84.

Visitation is from 4pm until 8pm on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Eastside Church of Christ, 9023 US-80, Hawkins, TX 75765. A celebration of life is at 11am on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Jarvis Christian University, 80 Pr 7631, Hawkins, TX 75765. Interment is at Jarvis Christian University Cemetery, Hwy 80, Hawkins.

He was the second of 11 children, having six brothers and five sisters. Willie accepted Christ at an early age (12 years old). He was a member of the Church of Christ for over 73 years. He later became a member at East Side Church of Christ in Hawkins, Texas, where he also served as an Elder, deacon, and assistant minister. He was a son of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ.

Willie attended elementary and high school at C. H. Daniels High School in Center, Texas. He participated in many activities during his attendance in this school, which included music, debate, and sports. He held several offices while in school. He also won many awards in singing and in inter-scholastic league activities.

The Price’s son had a lot of friends. Many people liked to be in his presence. He was the type of person who believed in the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Their son was dutiful about helping out where he could be of good service to someone. Willie had a lot of hobbies. He liked to bowl, fish, ride horses, attend movies, do woodwork, sing, read, and play. He believed that if anything was of real value in life, it would require hard work and sacrifice before it could become one’s own.

After graduation, Willie attended Jarvis Christian College, located in Hawkins, Texas. He majored in Business Education and minored in Social Science. He was interested in the fields of music and religion. He attended college for four years, graduating in 1962. He was a good student, earning 75% of his financial aid by working as a farm hand, machine operator, foreman, manager of poultry, dairyman, chauffeur, college bookstore manager, and mail/inventory clerk. He worked for Jarvis Christian College bookstore for over 17 years.

While attending Jarvis, he became a member of several organizations and clubs, which included The Future Business Leaders Club, Student National Education Association, Deacon Club, Young Men Christian Association, and Full-Time Christian Service. He also held several offices, including treasurer of the senior class, president and vice president of the business club, business manager of the junior class, and chaplain of the student council.

Willie was inducted into the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in November of 1971 and has been a member of the Marshall, Texas, Alumni chapter for over 50 years. He furthered his education at the Institute of Biblical Studies of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He also had conferred on him the 33rd Degree of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, an honor bestowed for outstanding service to the Mason brotherhood.

Willie married Karen Jean Cartwright in February of 1962. The couple was blessed with three sons, Victor, Walter, and Kirk. Willie also had one daughter, Selena. Willie was an entrepreneur and led his family into several business operations. Among their many business ventures were Price’s Rental Bike Service (sales and repair shop), Price’s Psychedelic Shack, Price’s Rental Houses, Price’s House Rental Service (cars and trucks), Price Cleaning Service, and Price Savage Business. In 1997, Willie came out of retirement for a short time to work at a private company, Siebur Lumber

The company, as cashier/sales clerk. He continued to run Price Cleaning Service and Price Savage Business on the side. Willie was a strong advocate for Christian education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). He worked at and financially supported Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas, and financially supported Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas. 

Left to cherish Willie’s memory are: 
His two sons: 
Dr. Walter Price of Terrell
Kirk Lamar Price of Hawkins

Daughter, Selena Price of Tyler

Sisters: 
Iva Nell “Cookie” (James) Kindle of Dallas
Manetta “Nita” Miller of Mesquite
Elizabeth “Kay” (Thomas) Gulley of Cedar Hill
Margie Nell (Jackson) Jackson of Denver, Colorado

Brothers: 
Curtis A. (Geraldine) Price of Center
Claudell Price of Stockbridge, Georgia
Freddie Price of Panama City Beach, Florida

Grandchildren: 
Jazmine Price
Jamaal Price
Jada Price
George Price
Justice Price

Great-grandchildren: 
George Abdul-Lamar Price, Jr.
Aniyah Price
Seyanna Michelle Price
Jahlil Prince Lynden Price
Lilyanna Lynee’
Francis Price

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friend

Willie is preceded in death by his parents: Purvis Price, Mary Liza Price, and Johnnie Price; son Victor Arnez Price; sister Jessie Mae Price; and brothers Ralph Earl Price and Anthony Lee Price.

Services are under the direction of Bigham Mortuary, Longview, Texas.

08/03/2022

Sidney Van Lane, 79, formerly of Tenaha, Texas, passed away on August 1, 2022, in Spring Brach, Texas, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral service will be held at Tennessee Presbyterian Church, FM 947, Timpson, Texas, on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 10am. Interment will follow at Tennessee Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Visitation will be held from 4-6PM on Friday, August 5, 2022, at Mangum Funeral Home.

Sidney Van Lane was a common man born on April 26, 1943. Raised by Emmett and Yvonne Lane outside of Tenaha, Texas in the Tennessee community. A football, basketball and track star at Tenaha High School, he could always be seen in one Ford truck or another later in life. His uniform was the original shrink to fit Levi 501s and “snap shirts” from Walmart as he called them. The only time he left Shelby County was during his service in the US army first at Fort Polk then at Fort Hood from 1964 to 1966. He returned to Tenaha where he married and had one daughter, Stephanie Ann. Looking for a new direction, he started working with his best friend Skeet Rawson down at the mill. Most of you know him as a constant fixture at Tenaha milling where he loaded feed, put out fertilizer, and caught up with the local news and gossip in the community. When he wasn’t at the mill, he was feeding cows or baling hay. He was a creature of habit and had coffee and breakfast at the Tiger Stop every morning. Van was hard working and prided himself on never letting a day go to waste without getting something done.

A simple hardworking man that loved his daughter Stephanie, her husband Todd, and their kids Carly and Clay. He was meticulous about his one drawer in the desk at the mill with Tylenol, Tums and Neosporin (The cure all for any ailments according to Van.) His house was immaculate, and he was frustrated when we put trash in the “wrong hole” or turned on too many lights. Although he came from humble beginnings, Van was successful with his cattle and land but still lived a very simple life. A son, brother, father and grandfather, Van Lane was my Deddy. I will miss him and his steady unwavering support throughout my life. He always gave me sound advice like “you can’t be worried about that little stuff.” Words that most of us could live by in this crazy world.

Van passed away on August 1st at home with his family at his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents Yvonne and Emmett Lane, and brother Douglas Lane.

Van is survived by:

Daughter, Stephanie Lane Hankins and son-in-law Todd Hankins

Grandchildren:
Carly and Blake Klumpp
Clayton Hankins
Brooke Hanson

Nieces:
Patty Hensel, husband Steve Hensel
Debbie Lane

I hope he’s up there riding in a cab tractor with the A/C on high and the country top 40 count down playing on the radio. Love you with all my heart Deddy!

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

08/01/2022

Barbara Jean Smith, 78, of Center, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Center.

Graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Smith Cemetery in Shelby County with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating.

Born January 8, 1944, Barbara is the daughter of Opal Dunham and Joe Baker. 

Survivors include: 
Husband, Clyde Smith

Children: 
Michael Mayo (Patsy) of Trinity
Diana Burress of Center
Laurie Miller of Shelbyville
Joe Smith of Center
Michael Smith (Shiloh) of Center

Daughter-in-law, Tammie Smith of Center

Special daughter, Susan Samford

Grandchildren: 
Paul Benson Burress
Patricia Lynn Burress
Mark Burress
Justin Mayo
Matthew Miller (Nikki) of Sulphur, Louisiana
Jeremy Smith
Laurel Smith
Tristan Smith
Nickolas Smith

Numerous great-grands, nieces, and nephews

Special son-in-law, Curtis Fountain of Shelbyville

Stepdaughter, Lisa Kay Miller

Sister, Frances Hayworth of Trinity

Preceded in death by parents, Opal Dunham and Joe Baker; son, David Smith; grandchildren, Emily Smith and JoJo Smith; great grandson, Logan Miller; and brother, Charlie Baker.

Pallbearers will be Jared Smith, Matthew Miller, Tristan Smith, Michael Smith, Nickolas Smith, and Ronnie Ard.  Honorary pallbearer will be Curtis Fountain.

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

07/29/2022

Margaret June Gordon Armstreet, 87, of Houston passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Houston.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation one hour prior. Bro. Gordon Vaughn will officiate. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Margaret June Gordon Armstreet was born November 8, 1934, in Joaquin, Texas, to John E. Gordon and Gladys Lurlene Swan Gordon. She was a member of Melrose Baptist Church. June loved being a Mother to her only son, John Wayne Armstreet, and she loved playing the piano throughout her life. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Stephen F. Austin University, worked as a principal in the Klein School District for years, then went on to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, retiring as a teacher in the prison system.

She is survived by numerous cousins and loving friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, John E. Gordon and Gladys Lurlene Swan Gordon; and son, John Wayne Armstreet, 56.

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

07/27/2022

Lola B. Phillips, 82, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Focused Care of Center.

She was born to the late CD Cartwright and Beulah Garrett on September 18, 1939, in Shelbyville, Texas.

Funeral service is 12 noon on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Center Triumph Church in Center with Bishop Zep Swindle officiating. Visitation is from 10am until 6pm on Friday, July 29 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Interment is at Westview Cemetery in Center, Texas.

She attended Strong School in the Strong Community. She and her husband James “Duchie” Phillips established Val’s Place in 1985; it is still family owned today.

Lola B. was known for her open heart, her love for many family members and friends that she encountered. She nurtured and cared for not only her own children but, many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was also known for her good cooking. Each of us had our own favorites but her most requested items was chicken and dumplings. She shared her recipe with many but none compared to hers.

She was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for many years where she proudly served on the usher board in early years and later jointed the choir. She remained a faithful member until the illness of her husband and then herself.

Those who preceded her in death were her parents, CD and Beulah; her husband, James Phillips; one son, Willie James Phillips; one daughter, Angie Osby; one brother, Henry Cartwright; three sisters, Maxcine Swindle, Jessie Bolton, and Gwendolyn Sparks-Singh.

She leaves to celebrate her memory:

Daughters:
Brenda (Louis) Jackson of Center
Connie Phillips of Center
Valeria (Glenn) Phillips-Hearne of Center
Ilene Eaden of Nacogdoches

Brother, B.E. (Katherine) Cartwright Sr. of Center

Sister, Vera Brown of Dallas

Sisters-in-law:
Patricia Phillips-Matthews of Lufkin
Molly Clark of Center
Ruby Wilson of Center

Brothers-in-law:
Charles Ray Phillips of El Paso
Richard Phillips of Center

9 Grandchildren, numerous Great-Grandchildren

Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Center.