Shelby County Today

06/07/2022

Alejandro Albert Lopez, infant son of Olivia Vega and Alberto Lopez, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

He is survived by:

Parents, Olivia Vega and Alberto Lopez

Brothers:
Said Alberto Lopez
Jahir Daniel Lopez
Yared Julian Lopez

Grandparents:
Felipei Vega
Ruben Lopez
Maria Lourdes Arce

Aunts and uncles:
Alicia Javier
Manahen Javier de La Cruz
Jaime Vega and Maricruz Gonzalez
Gilberto Vega
Marcc Sanchez
Bertha Lopez
Norma Lopez
Monica Lopez
Claudia Lopez
Maricruz Lopez
Sandra Lopez
Laurdes Lopez
Anabel Lopez
Ruben Lopez

Cousins:
Aaron Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez
Aleka Javier
Alexandro Javier
Alex Mendoza
Daniela Mendoza
Emmanuel Vega

Preceded in death by sisters, Gezleidi Lopez and Vudit Lizet Lopez; and uncle, Alejandro Mendoza.

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

06/06/2022

Conald Webb Bates, 74, of Joaquin, Texas, passed away on June 5, 2022, in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born on March 14, 1948, in Logansport, Louisiana, to the late Robert Elmer Bates and Eulah Merle Rhame Bates.

Graveside service will be held at Willow Grove Cemetery, Joaquin, Texas, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 10AM with Sister Melba Rodgers officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022, from 4-6PM at Mangum Funeral Home.

Webb was drafted at the age of 19 years old and proudly served his country during Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1969 with the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Vietnam Service Medal, and Sharpshooter (Rifle). Webb married the love of his life, Norma Gene Blount, on July 13, 1967, and the two was blessed with 54 years of marriage. They had a son and a daughter. He was certainly a friend to everyone. He never met a stranger. Webb enjoyed spending time with family. He was an avid gunsmith, forged knives, and would help anyone he could throughout life. Webb was a lifelong member of Fellowship Baptist Church, Joaquin, Texas.

He was also a lifelong member of the VFW Post 8904 in Center, Texas.

He is survived by:

Loving wife, Norma Gene Bates

Son, Michael Bates and wife Julie

Brother, Robert Melton Bates and wife Kay

Grandson, Zachary Bates

A host of family and friends.

Webb is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Elmer and Eulah Merle Bates; daughter, Meta Michele Bates; granddaughter, Kara Lou-Anne Felder; great-granddaughter, Danica Felder; nephew, David Bates; and sister, Rita Dickerson.

Serving as pallbearers will be Zachary Bates, Lane Bates, Avery Liker, Ray Touchstone, Dane Blount, Earnest Claybrook, Gunner Claybrook, and Lynn Stephens.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Dickerson, Slow Doug Smith, Darrell Jo Alford, James Leggett, Bubba Weaver, Lyn Irish, John Haak, Travis Rodgers, Roy Cheatwood, James Carroll, and John Hugh Leggett.

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

06/03/2022

Bobby Ray Harper, 63, passed away May 27, 2022.

A celebration of life will be held at 3pm on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Abundant Love Ministries, 1426 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas 75935 with Reverend Marlin Cloudy, Pastor. Pastor Arthur Young officiating.

On March 12, 1959, he was born to Velma Harper and Bobby Joe Nickerson.

Bobby attended school in Center ISD. He was baptized at St. Paul Baptist Church at an early age. Bobby was a hard worker, he mainly worked in the word industry for many years until his health prevail him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nina Cleveland; mother, Velma Harper; father, Bobby Joe Nickerson; grandparents, W.C. and Earlie Harper; uncles, R.C. Harper and Billy Joe Nickerson; aunt, Betty Ruth Lathan and Thelma Ray Harper.

He is survived by:

Sisters:
Sandra Wynn (James)
Shelly Washington Leonard
Tonja Gardner Singleton (Willie)
Allison Young (Harry)
Lisa Carpenter (Eric)

Step-sisters, Latwan and Sherry Gibbs

Brothers:
Victor Johnson (Christian)
Donald Rushing
Kelby Gardner

Special friend, Linda Barnes

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

06/02/2022

Rebecca (Becky) Ann Simmons, age 81, passed away peacefully at her home in Jones Creek, Texas on Saturday, May 28th, 2022.

Becky was born January 2, 1941 in Timpson, Texas to John Herbert and Margaret (Prycer) Eakin. She was the eldest daughter of their 6 children and graduated Salutatorian from Timpson High School in 1959. She continued her education at the University of St. Thomas in Houston where she obtained a double major in Biology and English in only 3 years. Immediately after graduation she worked as a research assistant at Baylor College of Medicine. Her true calling was to educate, so in 1963 she accepted a position teaching high school Biology at Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas. It was there she met her husband, John Earl, and they were married on June 12, 1966. After taking time off from teaching to raise her family, she returned back to the classroom until her retirement in 2000. 

Becky was an avid gardener and was particularly proud of her antique rose garden. She loved spending time in her kitchen preparing delicious meals and deserts for her family and friends. Her pleasant personality and infectious laugh were contagious to everyone she met. She had a generous heart of gold and was always willing to lend her numerous artistic talents to anyone who asked. Spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren were a highlight of her later years.

Becky is survived by:

Husband of 56 years John Earl Simmons

Children:
Adrienne Simmons
Amy (Mark) Diehl
Eric Simmons

Grandchildren:
Robby Huffman
Amber Frank
Joshua Braden
Zackery Braden
Olivia Ngeti-Simmons
Cole Simmons
Hailey Simmons

5 great-grandchildren

Brothers:
Tony (Maureen) Eakin
Gregory Eakin

Sisters:
Janeice Carrington
Monica (Brad) Fitzgerald

Many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John Herbert and Margaret Prycer Eakin and brother, John Prycer Eakin.

Services will be held at Saint Mary of the Epiphany Catholic Church in Timpson, Texas on Tuesday, June 7th. A Rosary will be said at 11:15 am with the Funeral Mass at 11:30 am officiated by Father Nelson Munoz. Burial will follow at Corinth Cemetery in Timpson, Texas. The family would like to invite everyone back to the Eakin home for a visitation/meal immediately following the burial. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be nephews Joe Carrington, Bubba Carrington, Chris Carrington, Christian Carrington, John Paul Packard, Luke Packard, Troy Eakin and James Eakin.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Marty Melendez. We will forever be grateful for your compassion and kindness that you showed to Becky during her last years. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either John Herbert and Margaret Eakin Scholarship Fund or Saint Mary of the Epiphany Catholic Church. Address for both is 1717 County Rd 4849, Timpson, Texas 75975. Alternatively, Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.

05/07/2022

Jimmie Leon Harding passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, May 5, 2022.  He was born on February 24, 1940, to Larkin and Jennie Harding in Laneville, TX.

Memorial Service for Jimmie Leon Harding will be held on June 11, 2022 at 10:30am at Liberty Hill Baptist Church in San Augustine, Texas. Would you please come and help us celebrate the life of our beloved Patriarch.

He was known for his meticulous tile work throughout the East Texas area. For leisure, he carved wood sculptures and was quite gifted. He carved a figure of Willie Nelson and presented it to him in person. Willie Nelson's music infiltrated his life, especially "Red Headed Stranger" which his children know extremely well. His children were his greatest accomplishment. Many days you would find him outside with a cup of coffee surrounded by his love ones. That love and devotion will live on in generations to come. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by:

Wife, Helen Harding

Children:
Dennis Harding and wife of San Augustine
Shelia of Nacogdoches
James Harding and wife Judy of Center
Jeffery Harding and wife Sherry of Shelbyville
Dean Harding of Center
Joe Harding of San Augustine
Lori McSwain and husband Stevie of Center
Hope Harrison and husband Jesse of Center
Levi Harding of San Augustine

Siblings:
Jerry Logan and wife Carolyn of West Columbia, TX
David Harding of Austonio, TX
Carolyn Freeman of Damon, TX
Gail Brazda and husband Clarence of Wallis, TX
Roger Harding and wife Donna of Timpson, TX
Nancy Kutej of Damon, TX

Grandchildren:
Melinda McSwain of Center
Emily Ellington and husband Chris
Shannah Harding
Megan Santillanes and husband Anthony
Ryan Harding and fiancé Becky
Keith Harding
Jessica Jackson and husband Kyle
Brittany Gilchrist and husband Justin
Samantha Owens and husband Kolby
Mikey Harrison and wife Destinee
Chris Harding
Haley Harbison and husband Lucas
Marissa Wall and husband Haven
Zay Harrison
Michael Harding
Matthew Harding
Hunter Harding

22 Great-grandchildren and one on the way

Host of family, friends, and loved ones.

Preceded in death by parents, Larkin Trible Harding and wife Jennie of Damon, TX; children, Dale Wayne Harding of Center, TX; brothers, Giles (Baby-O) Harding of Damod, TX, Marshall Harding of West Columbia, TX, Mark Harding of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Jeannie Harding of Austonio, TX; brothers-in-law, Ludvick Jakuebe III of Damon, TX and Franklin Freeman of Damon, TX.

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

05/28/2022

Claude Richard Pridgen, 81, of Joaquin, passed away Friday, May 27, 2022, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 29, 2022, Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Rev. Paul Silvey will officiate.

Born July 17, 1940, Richard is the son of Lurline Glaze and Claude Pridgen. He retired as a fabrication inspector in the steel industry. Hobbies included gardening, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. He also loved watching football and most of all, playing with his grandchildren. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Joaquin.

Richard is survived by:

Wife, Sue Stone Pridgen of Joaquin

Daughter, Jamie and husband Tom Junkin of Hunt, Texas

Son, Lane Pridgen and Claudette Kendrick of Joaquin

Grandsons:
Stefan Pridgen and fiancé Annie Tarver of Joaquin
Dustin Pridgen and wife Britney of Joaquin

Granddaughter, Samantha and husband Mitchell Lochte of Lago Vista, Texas

Great-grandchildren: Briley, River, and Adalee

Sister, Barbara and husband Jim Coulter of Joaquin

Sisters-in-law:
Barbara Pridgen of Joaquin
Shirley and Bill Irish of Castroville, Texas

Special friend, Travis Rodgers.

Preceded in death by parents, Lurline Glaze and Claude Pridgen; sister, Betty Dean; brothers, Bill Pridgen and Johnny Pridgen; sister-in-law, Jane Pridgen; and brother-in-law, Webb Dean.

Pallbearers will be Tim Wilkerson, Jeff Dean, Brian Dean, Cole Smith, Todd McDaniel, Dennis Permenter, Chris Kendrick, and Brad Kendrick.  

Donations may be made to Joaquin First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, PO Box 537, Joaquin, Texas 75954.

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

05/26/2022

Ima Faye McClure, 89, of Tenaha, TX passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Carthage, TX. Ima Faye Adams was born August 6, 1932 in Tenaha, TX to the late John Henry and Lousia Bussey Adams.

She married Elfinis James McClure, Sr. and he preceded her in death in 1995. Mrs. McClure worked for over 20 years for Green Acres Nursing Home in Center and retired as the Housekeeping Supervisor.

She loved fishing, sports, watching TV and going to church. Mrs. McClure was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Benford Chapel Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son, Gregg McClure.

Mrs. McClure is survived by:

Children:
Maxine Berry
Elfinis James McClure, Jr.
Mattie Fields
Deborah McClure
Elvis McClure
Kenneth McClure
Aubury McClure

Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Benford Chapel Baptist Church in Tenaha with Bishop Joseph Hall, Jr. officiating. Viewing will be from 12-2:00 pm on Sunday prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service in the St. John Cemetery in Tenaha.

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

05/23/2022

Frances Fowler Fallin went home to Jesus on May 23, 2022 at age 94.

Frances was born to Odie and Maxie Harris Fowler on April 8, 1928 in the Sardis Community. As a child, she loved playing with paper dolls that she cut from clothing catalogs and dancing. Her love for singing and dancing was with her always if it only meant humming and tapping her toe.

Frances met her husband, C.E. Fallin, Jr. in 1948 in Center, Texas. They married in 1950 and went on to have four children, Don, Mary, David and Molly. They moved from Center to Tenaha in 1953 and remained there until she moved to Lumberton and Carthage due to her health in 2019.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, Frances also loved praying, teaching the Bible, praying for truck drivers as she met them on the highways, sharing with multiple Women’s Bible Study groups, praying for anyone who asked her to pray and praying in that very spot – grocery store, Walmart, sidewalk, Championship ballgame – and witnessing to others about Jesus. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her.

Frances joins her parents, her sister, Edith, her husband, CE, and a host of other friends and family in Heaven.

She is survived by:

Children and their families:
Don Fallin, Debbie, Kelly and Kent (Megan)
Mary Chance, Katy and Nathan (Cheyenne)
David Fallin, Karen, Avery (Max) Malone, Caleb (Kaylie), Kristen (Tyler) Klien, Kaitlyn Goeke, and Colton (Lee) Goeke
Molly Lemoine, Joseph (Emily), Jade (Jeremy) Cain, Jessica (Rick) Phillips

12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren

Niece, Colette (Casey) Metcalf

Multiple other nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

As our cousin, Tommy Parker said…’what a beautiful lady, in every sense of those words’ …a very fitting tribute…a good and faithful servant who ran and finished the race set before her. Her grandson, Caleb, said, ‘People bring up C.E. and Frances’ name at least monthly in my day-to-day journey. They had a lasting impact on people’s hearts.’

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 26, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Tenaha with visitation one hour prior. A private family graveside service will follow.

We are very appreciative of the speakers, pallbearers, music, technology: Waylon and Carolyn Moore, Tommy Parker, Gloria Swindle, Katha Wyatt, Terry Bowlin, Robert Barton, David Fallin, Mike Edens, Chip Roberson, Kelly Fallin, Kent Fallin, Joseph Lemoine, Caleb Fallin, Nathan Chance, Rick Phillips, Seraphin Miranda, who all willing agreed to serve. A special thanks goes to Sharla Ware, her caregiver, and Bentley, her self-appointed guard dog, who would not leave her side when he was with her.  Our hearts have been comforted because of you!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to: Feed the Need Food Pantry at Panola College, in care of Panola College Foundation, 1109 West Panola, Carthage, TX  75633, Attn: Jessica Pace, or online.

The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God can be found in Psalm 34.

05/23/2022

Jasper M. Pettigrew, 46 of Center, died on Friday, May 13, 2022, at his local residence.Mr. Pettigrew was born to the late Willie B. Martin and late Flora Mae Pettigrew in Center, Texas on November 11, 1975.

Jasper is apart of the Center High School class of 1995.

Memorial service will be on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 5:00 PM at Hicks Chapel. Elder Faye Dell Allen of Strong Triumph Church will be officiating.

Jasper M. Pettigrew is survived by:

Brothers:
Ala Lee Cartwright of Nacogdoches
James Willie Cartwright of Lufkin

Uncles:
Johnnie Pettigrew of Center
Richard Martin and Thomas Martin

Aunts:
Ann Marie Pettigrew
Ervin (Ernestine) Pettigrew

Due to COVID 19, masks are required during visitation and funeral services. All safety procedures are strictly enforced.

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.