Shelby County Today

06/09/2025

Lilton Lee Daniels was a loving son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. The Lord called Lilton to his eternal rest on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Memorial service is at 11am Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Hopkins Street, Center, Texas with Bro. Freddie D. Wilson, Pastor; Apostle William Nash, Eulogist. Visitation is from 11am until 6pm on Monday, June 9 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Interment is at Westview Cemetery in Center.

On November 15, 1946, in Center, Texas, Lilton became the first born child to the union of the late's Hilton Lee Daniels and Rosie Lee Garrett Daniels.

Lilton attended C.H. Daniels but dropped out to go to work. He worked a variety of jobs: auto detailer, feed hauler and lawn care. You could always find him outside raking the yard regardless of any leaves or not or relaxing under the carport with his nephew and friends with a beverage.

He has reunited with his parents; grandparents; daughter, Nakeshia "Michelle" Isaac; and sisters, Earnestine Daniels Johnson and Imogean Daniels Williams.

Leaving to cherish his memory are:

Grandchildren:
Marcus Isaac of Center
Sarahlynn Isaac of Center

Great-grandchildren:
Zae'Relyn Isaac of Center
Sinij Isaac of Center

Sisters:
Thelma Daniels Nobles of Houston
Joyce Daniels Horton of Center
Deborah Daniels Goodwin of Center

Brother, George Daniels of Center

Aunt, Hazel Brown of Longview

A host of nephews, nieces, and other family and friends.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home in Center.

06/08/2025

Nori Cooper Latimer, lovingly known as "Mom" and "Nanny," passed away peacefully on her birthday, June 6, 2025, at the age of 87 in Tyler, Texas. She was a longtime resident of Joaquin, Texas. Nori was born on June 6, 1938, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, to George Cooper and Mariam Martin Cooper.

In 1958, she married Johnny Glen Latimer while he was stationed at the U.S. Air Force Base in St. John’s. Nori grew up wanting to marry a cowboy and move to Texas. She had quite a shock when she and Johnny moved back to his family’s farm in the Piney Woods of East Texas, which looked nothing like the westerns she grew up watching. The girl who grew up by the sea was then in the woods of East Texas. She became accustomed to her new home and they started a family.

Nori was a trail blazer in her professional life. She worked with various Optometrists in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, Shreveport, Louisiana and Tyler, Texas. Then, while working alongside Johnny, she learned architectural drafting. They later formed Latimer Construction Company in Dallas, Texas. At this time, Nori also acquired her Real Estate License. The family then moved to Tyler, Texas in the mid 1970’s and continued in the construction industry, building homes in the area. Nori was the first “Lady Homebuilder” and former member of the Tyler Area Builders Association, which at that time was an all-male association. In the early 1980’s they moved back to the family farm in Joaquin. It was during this time Nori entered the oil and gas industry, becoming a petroleum landman and formed Nori F. Latimer & Associates, Inc. In the early 1990’s, Nori and Johnny moved to Clear Lake, Texas. Johnny continued in construction and Nori resumed her real estate career. After the death of her husband, Johnny, in 1994, Nori returned to Joaquin, Texas and again entered the oil and gas industry as a petroleum landman until her retirement in 2018.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nori had a heart for ministry and missions. She traveled extensively across the United States, Canada, and South Africa with Blackaby Ministries’ Experiencing God program. She also served with Go Tell Ministries and the Freedom Mission in Logansport, Louisiana. A devout Christian, she was a former Sunday School teacher and choir member at First Baptist Church in Center, Texas, and was most recently a member of Jackson Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin.

In honor of her husband’s Texas heritage, Nori was an associate member of the William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in Center. She also served as president and board member of the Truitt Cemetery Association in Joaquin.

Nori was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and sister. She had a deep love for animals, including her cherished dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, and longhorns.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Latimer; parents, George and Mariam Cooper; brothers, James “Jim” Cooper, Byron Cooper, Harvey Cooper, Tom Cooper, and Ralph Cooper; and her in-laws, John Thomas and Eva Sanford Latimer.

Nori is survived by:

Daughters and their husbands:
Sunny and Bud Worthen of Bullard, Texas
Tina and Keith DuBose of San Augustine, Texas
Sandy and Dave Freiman of Riverview, Florida
Alesia and Steve Whaley of Brenham, Texas

11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter

Sisters:
Ruby Switzer of Joaquin, Texas
Winnie Smith and Olive Sheppard of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Sisters-in-law:
Sunny Menefee of Center, Texas
Cynthia Cooper
Betty Cooper
Sandra Cooper of St. John’s, Newfoundland
Mona Cooper of British Columbia, Canada

As well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Nori lived her life for this moment – when she finally gets to heaven. Some believe that passing on your birthday is considered both special and perfect, as life was complete because it started and ended on the same day, like a perfect circle.

Pallbearers are Keith DuBose, Bud Worthen, Steve Whaley, Dustin Worthen, Brandon Whaley, Derek Wade, Markus Diffie, and Mason Robinson. Honorary Pallbearers: J. D. Dunning, Devon Whitmill, Cooper Wade, Wyatt Sugg, Truitt Worthen, Tucker Worthen, Townes Worthen and D.J. Jackson.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to caregivers Rita Odom and Geana Owen; Vitacare nurses and therapists; the staff at UT Health East Texas Olympic Center, Tyler, Texas and UT Health East Texas Neurological ICU Tyler, Texas; and The Hospice of East Texas, Tyler, Texas.

Services will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Jackson Missionary Baptist Church, Hwy 7, Joaquin, Texas, with visitation beginning at 1pm. Brother Micah McArthur will officiate. Interment will follow at Truitt Cemetery, Joaquin, Texas.

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

06/06/2025

Margie Williams, 94, of Lufkin, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, in Lufkin.

Funeral service will be held at 3pm, Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 2pm. Bro. Don Windham will officiate. Interment will follow at West Hamilton Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born October 27, 1930, in Patroon, Margie is the daughter of Thomas Daniel Windham and Artie B. Risinger Windham. Margie was a devoted wife and mother who adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had a passion for games, sports, and gardening, with a special talent for growing anything. Her faith was also incredibly important to her, and she always kept her Bible close. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Center.

She is survived by:

Children:
James Williams and wife Rosalia
Keith Williams and wife Erna
Pam Williams and husband Gary

Grandchildren:
Chris Williams
Michelle Stokes
Tanner Williams
Jeremy Williams
Timothy Williams
Gary Sterlin Williams
Brandon Williams
Lauren Phipps

Great-grandchildren:
Chloe Williams
Chris Stoddard
Conner Stoddard
Clayton Stoddard
Jace Stokes
Luna Williams
Lily Williams
Addison Williams
Violet Williams
Allie Williams
Ashlynn Williams
Sean Hale
Amauri Williams
Journey Phipps
Justice Phipps

Brothers:
Max Windham
Leon Windham

Preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Williams; parents, Thomas Daniel Windham and Artie B. Risinger Windham; and brothers, Everett Windham, Dan Windham, Tom Windham, Elvin Windham, and Jack Windham; and sister, Bobbie Sue Nichols.

Pallbearers will be Tanner Williams, Brandon Williams, Tim Williams, Sean Hale, Jeremy Williams, and Amauri Williams.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to MRC Pine Crest Retirement Community and Affinity Hospice for their compassionate care.

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

06/06/2025

John Howard Peel passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on May 6th, 2025. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado on January 9th, 1949, to Helmer Lawrence Bertilson and Norma Maxine Janney. He was later legally adopted by his stepfather, Robert Lee Peel.

He grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated at Mitchell High School in 1967, where he was on the track team. He spent most of his life working as a shipping and receiving clerk for a handful of companies including Karman Inc, Continental Airlines, and Icon Health & Fitness. It was his strong work ethic that inspired Icon to move him and his family to Dallas, Texas and Savannah, Georgia when the company transferred locations. He retired in 2009 after being with Icon for 12 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years (Kerin Lubojacky Peel), his parents, grandmother and brothers Robert Bertilson and Donald Peel. He is survived by his daughters Anna Peel and Sarah Peel of Savannah, Georgia.

John was a family man who loved spending time with his wife and daughters. He was not afraid of hard work or sacrifice, and he provided well for his family. In his spare time, he enjoyed being outdoors & reading books about math, science, and business. He loved listening to classic oldies and folk music of the 1960s. He also looked forward to watching television shows like MASH and Mary Tyler Moore Show in the evenings with his family. 

Graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Truitt Cemetery in Joaquin with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating.

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

06/06/2025

Willie Pearl (Thompson) Dones was 91 years old at her time of transition to a new beginning on May 25, 2025. Willie Pearl who was also known as Mu, was born March 6, 1934 to her parents Willie May Thompson and Wille Thompson.

Funeral service is at 1pm Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Abundant Love Ministries, 1426 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas 75935. Visitation is Friday, June 6, 2025 from 10am until 6pm and wake from 6pm until 8pm at Community Funeral Home in Center. Interment is at St. John Cemetery in Center.

She was born in Shelbyville Texas before moving to Center, Texas getting married and raising her family.

She went to C. H. Daniel school until she dropped out in the 10th grade. Willie Pearl worked at East Texas Poultry for 6 years before moving on to E.L. Bruce's for 18 years. She worked at Bruce's until she became disable. Mu was a coffee drinker who loved watching her stories daily.

Mu went to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for over 30 years before moving to Houston, Tex and joining Homestead Missionary Baptist Church.
 
She is preceded in death by her husband, George Washington Dones III; son, Earl Thompson; daughter, Jannette "Baby" Dones; and siblings, Willie Thompson Jr., Billy Bert Thompson, and Maggie Lee Tucson.

Her memories will be cherished by:

Children:
Annette Jackson (Jerry Jackson)
Kevin Dones and Tammela (Tammy) Kelly

Siblings:
Patricia Thompson
Johnny B. Thompson
Molly Clark (play sister)
Betty Battle (god daughter)

12 Grandchildren, 22 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great-Grandchild

She also leaves behind cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

06/03/2025

Tiffany Gail LaGrone, age 46, passed away June 1, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. Tiffany was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on December 8, 1978.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025, at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha, Texas with Bro. Jody Hooper officiating.

She was a light in everyone’s world. She made everyone a better person just for knowing her. She was always making everyone laugh and she always enjoyed life. Her two children were the light of her life. She was an amazing, loving, and caring mother. She was most known for being a giver. She would always do anything for anyone without needing anything in return. She loved life, but even more than that, she loved her family and to know her was to love her. We will miss her dearly, but we take comfort in knowing she is in the arms of Jesus.

She is survived by:

Daughter, Riley Nelson and husband Gunner Nelson

Son, Kace Sherrod and wife Alyssa

Parents, Daryle and Becky LaGrone

Sister, Wendy Gay and husband Donny

Nieces and nephews:
Katelyn Harris
Peyton Martinez
Mallory Wright

Great-nieces and great-nephew: Haiden, Logan, and Kolbie

Fiancé, Spencer Marshall

Numerous cousins and friends.

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

05/27/2025

Ashley Elizabeth Cagle, a radiant soul whose heart overflowed with love for her family and her faith, was born on May 1, 1989, and transitioned into the arms of Jesus on May 26, 2025. She was her mother’s twin in more ways than just looks—sharing a bond so deep it was as if their hearts beat in tandem. Ashley had a rare, gentle way of making everyone she met feel seen, loved, and welcomed, always putting others before herself with grace and compassion.

Visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm, Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2pm, Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Jon Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Shelbyville Cemetery in Shelbyville.

From a young age, Ashley’s light shone brightly. In her high school years, she was known not just for her smile, but for her spirit—cheering proudly on the sidelines as a cheerleader, rallying the teams and energizing the crowd. She also took to the field and track with determination and grace, playing softball and running track, showing her teammates what it meant to lead with heart. Her classmates remember her as someone who brought life to every hallway she walked down, and encouragement to every friend who needed it.

A best friend to her siblings, YaYa to her treasured nephews, and the most devoted, joy-filled mother to her beloved son Ryder, her life was a testament to the love she so freely gave. Ashley’s voice, both in song and in spirit, carried beauty and warmth—whether she was lifting hearts in worship, humming her favorite country tune, or being called upon to share a special in churches she’d visited, always shining as the songbird she was.

She found peace by the water, joy in the laughter of her loved ones, and meaning in every soul she encountered. Even through life’s hardest valleys, Ashley never lost sight of God’s goodness—her faith unwavering, her hope steadfast, and her heart always anchored in her relationship with Jesus Christ. To know her was to be touched by His light, and her memory will continue to inspire those blessed to have shared in her journey.

She is survived by:

Son, Joshua “Ryder” Bearden of Shelbyville

Father, J.C. Cagle of Shelbyville

Sister, Jessica Merritt and husband Justin of Shelbyville

Brothers:
Clayton Cagle of Shelbyville
Jeffrey Cagle of Shelbyville

Nephews, Jaxon, Jacob, and Jayson Merritt

A host of special friends and family.

Preceded in death by her son, Rhylee; mother, Susan Lois Bomba Cagle; grandparents, Jim and Lois Bomba and Clifton E. and Zera Cagle; aunt, Amy Bomba; and uncle, Ray Cagle and Mark Cagle.

Pallbearers will be Lance Jamison, Rece Porterfield, Caleb McDonald, Joshua McDonald, Blake Smith, and Chad Hughes.

In lieu of flowers and arrangements, Watson & Sons Funeral Home can accept monetary donations.

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

05/23/2025

Sandra Lou (Bush) Brownlow, 85, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Timpson with Brother Richard Jones officiating on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Visitation will be at 12:30 pm, with service following at 1:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Corinth Cemetery.

Sandra was born at home in Timpson, Texas on May 19, 1940. She was welcomed by her parents, John Cohron Bush and Dorris (Heaton) Bush. Her childhood was filled with happiness, surrounded by her three siblings, many cousins, and cherished friends.  She graduated from Timpson High School in 1958.

Sandra married Keith Brownlow in 1978. She retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where she had a successful career with over 30 years of service. Sandra and Keith moved back to Timpson in the early 1990s. Since then, she had been a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Timpson, where she taught Sunday School for several years. Sandra and Keith were instrumental in establishing the public library in Timpson, where she worked tirelessly to help raise money for the building. She was especially proud of the genealogy branch of the library. Sandra wrote and published two books that honored her father and mother. “The Family Bush” and “Heaton Family History” can be found in the Timpson Library.

Sandra was always deeply committed to giving back to her community and supporting the causes she cared about. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the American Business Women’s Association, served as a Texas Election Volunteer, and participated in numerous other church, civic and charitable efforts.

Sandra, a beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, will be missed and survived by:

Husband, Keith Brownlow

Son, Stephen Brownlow
Daughter, Lisa Garrett and husband Brad
Son, Mark Crump and wife Karen

Grandchildren:
Andy Garrett and wife, Hang
Cody Garrett and wife, Breann
Kaley Thompson and husband, Garrett
Mason Crump

Great-grandchild, Caleb Garrett

Sister, Beth Tipton
Brother, Tom Bush and wife Annette

Sister in-law, Angela Bush

She leaves many family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Cohron Bush and Dorris (Heaton) Bush, and brother, John Bush Jr..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Corinth Cemetery. Please make checks payable to Shelby County Corinth Cemetery Association and mail to Shelby County Corinth Cemetery, PO Box 426, Timpson, Texas 75975.

Services are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas. Online condolences can be made at taylorfh.net.

05/23/2025

Ethel Lavoice Bailey Gee passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, with her children by her side. She was born September 1, 1933, to Kaywood and Lona Bailey in the Neuville Community of Shelby County, Texas.

Graveside services are Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:30am at Neuville Community Cemetery, under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home.

She worked alongside Johnny at Gee Lumber Company for her entire married life until they retired in 1992. In addition to supporting Johnny, she raised four children and maintained her home. She was a proud graduate of Center High School Class of 1954.

Ethel was the last of nine siblings and they are all now reunited, as well as her parents and in-laws, Sidney and Bonnie Lucille Gee.   

She is survived by:

Children:
Linda Gee Miller and husband, Dr. Keith Miller 
David Gee
Richard Todd Gee

Grandchildren:
Reid Miller
Ryan Miller

Daughter-in-Law, Stacy Gee

She is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Johnny Maurice Gee and her son, Mike Gee.

The family requests memorial contributions to Neuville Community Cemetery, 854 FM 2140,  Center, Texas 75935.

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