Shelby County Today

12/09/2022

Billie Lorraine (Johnson) Wilson, 90, of Center, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022, in Nacogdoches, Texas.  She was born on October 10, 1932, in Center, Texas, to the late Fred Johnson and Flossie Jones Johnson. 

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Colonial Gardens Cemetery, Elysian Fields Rd. Hwy 31, Marshall, Texas, 75672.
Billie was born and raised in Shelby County. She attended Center High School. 

Billie met the love of her life, Ellis O’Neal Wilson Sr. in Center upon his return from WWII. The two were married and had three wonderful children. She worked at JC Penney for over 33 years in management before retiring. After losing her spouse, Ellis, in 1988 she later connected with an old high school sweetheart, Gene Ritter, and the two spent over 20 years together enjoying dancing, and music of all genres. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved the Lord and was a member of First Baptist Church, Center. 

She is survived by: 
her sons: 
Scott Allen Wilson
Ellis O’Neal Wilson Jr. and wife Loura

Daughter, Neala Wilson George and husband Robert

Grandchildren: 
Ryan McIntosh Grant and wife Michelle
Rory O’Neal Grant and wife Nicole

Great-grandchildren: 
Will McIntosh Grant
Lucy Grant
Maggie Grant

Numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends that will miss her dearly.

Billie is preceded in death by her loving husband, Ellis Wilson Sr.; parents, Fred and Flossie Johnson; and sister, Vivian Barron.

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

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

12/08/2022

Pauline Garrett Johnson, 94 of Center, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Pine Grove Nursing Center. Mother Pauline Garrett Johnson was the second child of the late Reese and Minnie Lee Garrett and was born on April 17, 1928.

Funeral service is 11am Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Center Triumph Church, 908 Daniels Street, Center, Texas 75935. Visitation is 10am until 6pm on Friday, December 9, 2022 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Interment is at Thompson Cemetery in Shelbyville with Bishop Howard Cloudy, Sr. officiating.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reese and Minnie Lee Garrett; husband, Noble Johnson, Sr.; brother, R.C. Garrett; sisters, County Mother Emme Lee Suell and Emeritus State Mother Lurline McCowin; grandsons, Eric Johnson, Jermaine Johnson, Jason Johnson; and great-grandson, Justin Johnson.

She united with Triumph the Kingdom of God in Christ at an early age and has been a faithful member therein serving as a County Mother under the leadership of Bishop Howard Cloudy, Sr. for many, many years and now under the leadership of Pastor Robert Hunter.

Mother Johnson was very devoted to her family and always encouraged each one to dedicate their lives to Christ and to go to church.

Many memories will be held in our hearts for those left behind to celebrate her life and legacy:

Children:
Charles (Era Mae) Johnson of Center
Willie (Rachel) Johnson of Nacogdoches
Noble Johnson, Jr. of Center
Linda Rushing of Center
Patricia Moore of Center
Dan (Tammy) Johnson of Tenaha

18 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, 46 great-great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-great-grandchildren

Host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

12/07/2022

Abraham Chavira Galvan, 53, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in Center.

Visitation to be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2022, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Rev. Francisco Aguirre officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Born March 16, 1969, in Tamazunehale, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to Odon Chavira and Francisca Galvan Hernandez, Abraham is the sixth of eleven children.  

Among his survivors are: 
His wife, Edith Chavira

Son, David Chivira.

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

12/7/2022

Clarence “Larry” Paul Fontaine, 81, passed after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, to be with his Savior in heaven.

Larry was born to Orugene Emil Fontaine and Clara Pauline Surprenant Fontaine in Ludlow, Massachusetts. He was the fourth of seven children.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at First Baptist Church Tenaha, 155 S George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas, with Brother Bill Holmes officiating.

Larry was a seasoned carpenter by trade and a man of many talents that most of the community was able to witness first-hand.  Socially, Larry was a pillar in his community, often taking time to speak and visit regularly with friends across multiple towns and county lines.  

In his personal life, nothing lit Larry’s eyes like spending time with his family and close friends at home. Holiday feasts and a home filled with his family brought joy to his heart and gleaming pride in the legacy he built.  Fishing with his sons, taking his grandkids out on his property and hunting with his wife were the things most important to Larry.  Above all, Larry’s faith and family were what brought him peace and happiness in this life, in which he lived well.

Larry took on many roles in his life, however these are the most notable: son, brother, husband, dad, papa, friend, Santa, mentor, and his favorite – grandfather.

Larry was a faithful member of Tenaha First Baptist Church and the Men’s III Sunday School Class. Larry served as a Mason and was an endowed member of the Tenaha Masonic Lodge 737 acting as the current Treasurer. He was also a member of Tenaha Chapter 185 Order of the Eastern Star and served two terms as Worthy Patron, once with wife Lula Beth, and again with wife Cathy.

Larry is preceded in death by parents, Orugene Emil Fontaine and Clara Pauline Surprenant Fontaine; brothers, Orugene “Gene” Louis Fontaine and Albert Delphis Fontaine; sisters, Roberta Mae Fontaine Howe and Joan Marie Fontaine Deschaine; wife, Lula Beth Pitts Fontaine; and stepson, David McConaha.

His memory is cherished by: 

Wife, Cathy Renee Cranford Fontaine

Son, Justin Cody Fontaine (Daniel Zorn)

Brothers:
Ernest Ramon Fontaine
Ellery “Dick” Richard Fontaine (Mary)

Sisters-in-law – Charlotte Fontaine and Audrey Fontaine

Children of the heart:
Dan McConaha
Doreen McConaha
Donna McConaha Davis
Debbie McConaha Lussier (Phil)
Donna Permenter
   Nathan Amelung
   Aaron Amelung
Charles “Chuck” Permenter
Shauna Renee Anderson Martin (Scott)
   Phoebe Renee Martin
Jesse Wayne Anderson (Charla)
   Seth Alecsander Storey
   Atlas Wayne Anderson
   Ivey Anderson

Numerous nieces and nephews

The Fontaine family would also like to express our sincere thanks to Elara Caring, Center – Enhabit Home Health, Nacogdoches – MidSouth Transitions Medical Group, Texarkana – Hospice of East Texas, Home Place, Tyler – Woods VFD – Woods Community – and to the members of Tenaha FBC for the calls, prayers, texts, and visits.

12/06/2022

Jane Elizabeth McAllister Smith Smith Fields Phelps, 70, cashed out of this life on December 2, 2022 in Houston, Texas surrounded by her husband of 40 years and daughter of 36 years.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be at Lower Chireno Cemetery in Nacogdoches County.

Jane was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on November 22, 1952 to William McAllister (Mack) Smith and Clara Elizabeth (Betty) Palmer Smith. She was a first generation Texan and sometimes imagined herself as a southern bell. She was raised in Chireno, Texas in a pine cabin built by her daddy. Growing up she loved horses and building pine straw houses with her best friends. Here she met Charlotte Singleton and they remained best friends for the rest of Jane’s life. As a girl she traveled every summer to Waverly, Tennessee to visit her Aunt Barbra where her love of horses met her love of mischief. She attended boarding school in Connecticut and later, the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She didn’t learn a lick of French but she pretended she did. Upon visiting her in Paris, her aunt and uncle were relieved to see while she had become a hippy, she at least bathed. 

She later moved back to Texas and then promptly to San Francisco to explore a brief, ill-advised marriage to her first husband that she had met while in Europe. After she realized the mistake of marrying someone with the same last name, she high-tailed it back to Texas where she started working in Center for Dr. Robert I. Hughes. She worked with Robert for nearly 40 years where they became chosen family. A second marriage (and friendship) occurred when she met Gene and his son Alphaa. Alphaa walked so that Dianne could later run. Another one of Jane’s spoils from her split with Gene was her friendship with Dianne Murphee. Dianne, whom she named her only daughter after, became her best friend of a certain number of years that neither would divulge.

In the fall of 1980, Jane met Mark E. Phelps and while the story told of their meeting has been changed a few times over the years, it’s safe to say they were immediately smitten.  They married in 1982 and celebrated 40 years married this past July.  Dianne came along eventually and Jane did her best to show Dianne how to be a lady. She failed, but Dianne does know what fork to use. 

Jane loved to tell jokes and stories and while they usually fell flat, she thought she was hilarious and that is truly what matters most. She loved to play bridge, chain smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. She loved to play the slots and to visit the casino. She had a sometimes green thumb and educated Dianne on all the flowers.  Her love of hummingbirds resulted in her sometimes having hundreds of hummingbirds visit her feeders at a time. She enjoyed fine China and silver but was not above rolling up an enchilada into a napkin to take with her for later. Jane thought of herself as crafty and Dianne gaslighted her into thinking she could sell her handmade ornaments on Etsy. Jane adored Christmas and tradition, something she passed onto her daughter. She hoarded Kleenexes and straws, hated drinking water and never finished anything that she opened in the pantry. She loved animals and when asked before she passed who she was excited to see she immediately answered “the dogs”.  She was competitive and not above cheating even when Dianne was a small child. She was generous and loved giving gifts. She was tender hearted and loved to hold hands.

A brief battle with lung cancer that spread throughout her body devastated her family but Jane remained strong for us all. She gave it hell and we are so proud of her. 

Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Betty Smith, and brother Richard Dutton. 

The gratitude the Phelps family have for the nurses and doctors and staff at M. D. Anderson is immeasurable.  

Jane left a large hole in the hearts of her family and will be missed with every breath.  

Rest well, my little Jewish mouse. 

Jane is survived by:

Her favorite husband, Mark Phelps

Daughter, Dianne Phelps 

Stepson, Alphaa Fields 

Special friend, real daughter, accomplice and chauffeur: Alma Jaimes 

Sister, Louise Nelson of Punta Gorda, Florida

Brother, Bigs and Judy Smith of Boise Idaho 

Sisters in Law: 
Jon Rholes of Kyle 
Laura Jo Richardson and Kirk of Jasper

A host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. 

Innumerable friends. 

Pallbearers: Joe Parker, Billy Ihlo, Alphaa Fields, Robby Hughes, Troy Bara and Aditya Atholi 

Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Robert Hughes, Ryan Rholes, Dr. L. E. Golden, and Terry Harris 

Most say in lieu of flowers, but truly, she wanted all the flowers. 

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

12/06/2022

David “Little Man” Nathan Lewis, Jr., 43, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on December 4, 2022, in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born on October 26, 1979, in Dallas, Texas, to David Nathan and Eva (Hutto) Lewis, Sr. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Timpson.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, December 9, 2022, at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas. 

David “Little Man” Lewis, Jr. given to us on October 26, 1979.

He filled our hearts with love and joy. Then he chose to share that love with everyone he met. His lifelong dream was to fix every vehicle that he touched. At the age of 11, he overhauled his first engine and started driving his own vehicle to school. With that start, he began to work on every vehicle that needed to be fixed. Whether he charged for his labor or not made no difference as long as your vehicle was fixed. He went on to become a Master Mechanic. He fixed vehicles that no one else seemed to be able to fix. He was like Wal-Mart; he could do everything. His side hobby was building crosses out of cedar, including the ones in front of Shelby County jail. He also loved painting pictures. One joy of his life was to repair and ride motorcycles. He never met a challenge that he didn’t take on. Even though he made mistakes in his life, it was outweighed by the good he did for others. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew and loved him.

Son, Mama and Daddy always loved you no matter what and we will miss your joy, smile, and laughter more than anyone will know or understand. We know you have moved on and you still have our love. –Mama and Daddy

David “Little Man” is survived by:

His parents, David and Eva Lewis

Grandmother, Charlene Lewis

His children

Numerous other family and friends

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Freddie and Marie Hutto, and Rev. Gene Lewis; and uncles, Johnny Lewis and Roy Hutto.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net.

12/05/2022

Johnny H. Harvey, 84, of Logansport, Louisiana, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, December 5, 2022, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Watson and Sons Chapel with Bro. Gordon Vaughn and Bro. Michael McArthur officiating. Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery in Huxley.

Born August 17, 1938, in Huxley, Johnny is the oldest son of Edna Jane Cassell Harvey and John Eddie Harvey. Johnny attended school at Strong High School graduating with the class of 1956. He was a genealogical history buff and was always happy to answer any questions about the family or history of the Huxley area. Johnny loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Working with cattle, following Dodger baseball and watching rodeo were among his other lifelong hobbies. Johnny was extremely proud of his career serving in the energy industry, having worked as Superintendent running large pipeline projects with major pipeline construction companies. It gave him great pleasure that both his sons followed in his footsteps in the industry.

He is survived by:

Sons:
Anthony Harvey and wife, Judy, of Carthage
Mike Harvey and wife, Cheryl, of Huxley

Grandchildren:
Johnathan Harvey and wife, Kristine
Jerred Harvey and wife, Kensi
Trey Harvey

Great-grandchildren: Axxel and Stella Harvey

Brother-in-law, Jerry Burkett

Sisters-in-law:
Kay Harvey
Connie Harvey

Numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Lucille Harvey; parents, Edna Jane Cassell Harvey and John Eddie Harvey; brothers, Rodney Harvey and Thomas Harvey; and sister, Syble Shoalmire.

Pallbearers will be Clifford Eubanks, Joe Fontento, Dennis Harvey, Jason Harvey, Jeremy Harvey, and Blake Gamble.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Kathy Thomas, who took such good care of our beloved Patriarch.

All are invited to attend a luncheon at Lydia Missionary Baptist Church in Shelbyville, celebrating the life of Johnny, following the burial.

Memorial donations may be made to Strong Cemetery in Huxley.

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

12/01/22

Paula Jeanne Phillips, 75, of Center, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2022, in Center.
Born December 28, 1946, Paula is the daughter of Edna Marcotte Phillips and Charles Paul Bonds Jr.

She is survived by:

Granddaughter, Valerie Brown and Zachary Whitten of Stanley, Louisiana

Great-grandchild, Laylah Whitten of Stanley, Louisiana

Sister, Ann Bordelon of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Preceded in death by parents, Edna Marcotte Phillips and Charles Paul Bonds Jr.; and husband, John Stanfield.

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

11/30/2022

Ruth Ann Suell Soria, 68 of Shelbyville, peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 26, 2022 in Center at the emergency room. She was born on January 24, 1954 to the late Matthew Lee and Emma Lee Suell. She was the fourth of nine children.

Funeral service is 2pm on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Center Triumph Church, 908 Daniels Street, Center, Texas. Interment is at Thompson Cemetery in Shelbyville with Rev. Deshmond Johnson officiating. Visitation is Friday, December 2 from 10am until 6pm at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center.

Ruth attended school in Shelbyville ISD and later graduated from Job Corp in McKinney, Texas. She was a devoted employee of Tyson Foods for over 40 years and supervised many employees during her time there. After retirement, she served as a substitute teacher at Center ISD.

Ruth accepted Christ at a young age at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. She served as a member, teacher, County Mother of Todd Springs, and servant of God. She would always begin her testimonials with ‘Dear Saints and Dear Ones.” Some of her favorite spirituals were ‘Walk Around Heaven,’ ‘Another Blessing,’ ‘Little Wooden Church,’ ‘Heavenly Choir,’ and ‘It Could Have Been Me.’

She leaves to cherish her loving memories:

Sons:
Christopher Suell of Shelbyville
Manuel R. Soria of Lufkin

Daughter, Natalie (Corey) Robertson of Center

Brothers:
James (June) Suell of the Colony, Texas
Melvin (Sissy) Suell of Center
Elzie (Mary) Suell of Shelbyville
Marion (Pam) of Shelbyville
Ray Suell of Shelbyville

Sister, Patsy Hall of Shelbyville

Sister-in-law, Brenda Suell Berry of Shelbyville

10 Grandchildren, 2 Great-grandchildren

Aunts:
Pauline Johnson of Center
Johnnie Rushing of Center
Oscarine Edwards of Houston

Uncles:
William Edwards of Tenaha
Jimmy Netherly of Center

Host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Manuel Soria; and her brother, Matthew lee and Lee Edward Suell.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Center, Texas.