Shelby County Today

11/22/2022

David “Ole Milwaukee” Lynn Bryce, Sr., 70, of Greenwood, Louisiana passed away on November 18, 2022, in Greenwood, Louisiana. He was born on June 27, 1952, in Center, Texas to Tommie Roscoe and Christine (Smith) Bryce.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas, officiated by Orval Miller. Interment will follow at County Line Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

David grew up in Bryce, Texas. He graduated from Gary High School. David met Vicki Courtney Hailey at Ida, Louisiana while working on a drilling rig. They were married for 11 years. Ole Milwaukee had his CDL since he was 18 years old. He once drove a school bus on his own field trip. David enjoyed drag racing and watching old movies and westerns. He was happiest when spending time with family. David was a member of Word of God Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Ole Milwaukee or Goldie, as he was affectionately known, will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

David is survived by:

Wife, Vicki Courtney Hailey Bryce

Mother, Christine Smith Bryce

Sons:
David “Sambo” Bryce, Jr. and wife, Christy
Scotty Bryce and wife, Anna
Seth Hailey and wife, Amanda

Grandchildren:
Colton Bryce
Leann Youngblood
Chloe Bryce
Ryan Youngblood
Kaydence Hammers
Cruze Bryce
Halen Hailey
Trinity Hailey
Aubrey Hall

Sister, Patricia Dukes and husband, Jim Sargent

Brother-in-law, Milton Kovar

Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Tommie Roscoe Bryce; brother, Tommie Lee Bryce; and sister, Linda Kovar.

Serving as pallbearers will be Benny Bryce, Ryan Youngblood, Colton Bryce, Jared Dukes, TJ Bryce, and Jarrett Jones. Honorary pallbearer is Cruze Bryce.

11/18/2022

Wayne Frank Gandy, 72, of Joaquin, passed away November 17, 2022, in Joaquin.

Memorial services for Wayne Gandy, 72, will be held Monday, November 21, at 1:00 p.m., at Watson and Sons Funeral Home with Bro. Paul Silvey officiating.

Wayne Gandy, known to many as “Coach Gandy,” went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 17, 2022. He was born on November 2, 1950, in Sugarland, TX, to William and Dorothy Gandy. He graduated from Dulles High School in 1969.  After high school, he went to Wharton Junior College to play football, later transferring to SFA where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education. After college, he met and married his wife Cindy and began what would be a legendary 40 year career as a teacher and coach.

Coach was a man of many tales (most of them true), but if you talked to him long, you knew how deeply proud he was of his “three good sons,” Brian, Bradley, and Patrick.  He taught them the game of football he so loved and the importance of investing in the lives of others both on and off the field of play.

Coach always pushed you to be a better version of yourself, with his charismatic personality and a never quit mentality. He kicked off his coaching career as an SFA grad assistant, then had stints at Dulles High School, Brazosport, Angleton, and Danbury. He went on to be head football coach for 21 years at Huffman, Groesbeck, and Joaquin.
 
A loving husband, Dad, and PawPaw Coach, Wayne loved his family fiercely, and we rejoice in knowing he has a new body and one day we will see him again. What a team he is with now! Not sure if there is football in heaven, but if there is, no doubt he is already calling tight rip 66 toss and looking for the prettiest girl to dance with.

“He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 Until we meet again…

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Cindy Gandy, son Brian Gandy and daughter-in-law Sarah, son Bradley Gandy, son Patrick Gandy and daughter-in-law Lacey, grandchildren Ellisyn Gandy, Naomi Gandy, Lylah Gandy, and Brock Gandy, brother Travis Gandy and his wife Gloria, brother Dale Gandy, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family, friends, and athletes.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter Kimberly Ann Gandy, parents William and Dorothy Gandy, sister Candace Gandy, and twin brother Waylan Gandy.

Special thanks to Tammy and the Affinity Hospice Team for their care in the final months.

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

11/18/2022

Mona “Sissy” Elaine Davis, 68, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on November 9, 2022, in Tyler, Texas. She was born on October 2, 1954, in Houston, Texas, to Leon Benjamin Tyus and Myrtle Elaine (James) Oliver. A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Good Hope Baptist Church, Timpson, Texas.

Sissy grew up in Houston, Texas. She attended high school at Channelview High School and later went on to cosmetology school. Sissy was happiest when she was outdoors. She spent many hours fishing and camping, often sitting around a fire. Sissy enjoyed walking and she would push her momma around in her wheelchair. She loved her momma so much and was her main caretaker for years. Sissy took joy in sitting outside on her porch listening to her windchimes. She was so proud of her flowers and spent a lot of time making them beautiful. Sissy’s greatest joy was her family. She was never happier than to be surrounded by family and friends, cooking for them and all her neighbors. Above all else, Sissy loved the Lord. She spent hours reading her bible and loved taking care of the less fortunate. Sissy is now singing and dancing in the sky with the Lord that she held so dear.

Sissy is survived by:
Mother, Myrtle Elaine Oliver

Children:
Sherrie Lloyd and husband, Shannon of Timpson
Jacob Moore of Hemphill
Amber Yancey and husband, Omar of Lufkin
Christopher Moore and girlfriend, Kirby Ford of Hemphill

Sister, Norma Austin of Channelview

Grandchildren:
Ryan Battles
Jordan Lloyd
Jase Lloyd
Mia Lloyd
Connor Moore
Addy Yancey
Carter Yancey

Great-grandchild, Steevie Jo Battles

Best friend, Terry Taylor

Loving dog, Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leon Benjamin Tyus; and brother, Benny Lewis Tyus.

The family asks if you want to share any special memories or want to write a letter to Mona, that you write them down and bring that with you and put it in the box provided. The family will enjoy them at a later time.

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

11/15/2022

Daria Lanette York, 77, of Center, passed away November 11, 2022, in Katy.

Funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2022, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center with internment following at New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rev. Pate will be officiating.

Born March 28, 1945, in Freeport, Texas, Daria is the daughter of Billie Pate and Billy Edward Mullins.  She loved to travel, and enjoyed spending time with her family and her dogs. Daria was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by:
Her daughter, Trina York Turgeon of Katy

Grandson, Tristan Turgeon of Katy

Brother, Wayne Mullins and wife Karen of Baytown

Father of Trina, Gary York of Center

Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by her parents, Billy Mullins and Billie Pate Mullins; sister, Anita Mullins, and Clara Kiechler; brother, Donald Mullins.

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

11/11/2022

Kellen E. Arnold, 82, of Joaquin, passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in Joaquin.

Graveside committal services will be held at 2:00 pm, November 20, 2022 at Martin Cemetery in Panola County with Pastor Sherry Harding officiating. Following the graveside service, family and friends are invited to Shelbyville United Methodist Church for a time of food and fellowship.

Born January 11, 1940, Kellen is the son of Vera Caraway Arnold and Tony Arnold. He served in the United States Army from January 1957 to December 1959. On September 30, 1961, Kellen married the love of his life, Mary Lois Molley. Kellen worked for 50 years as a heavy equipment operator both in Joliet, Illinois and wherever jobs were available. He was a member of IUOE Local 150 in Illinois for 55 years and also Mazon Masonic Lodge #826 in Mazon, Illinois for 50 years. Kellen most recently attended Shelbyville United Methodist Church. 

He is survived by:

Wife, Mary L. Arnold of Joaquin

Daughter, Joan M. White and husband Terry of Minooka, Illinois

Sons:
James L. Arnold and wife Colleen of Minooka, Illinois
Kellen E. Arnold II and wife Madonna of Mazon, Illinois

Grandsons:
Travis White
Tristen Arnold
Ryan Arnold
Kellen Arnold III
Joseph Arnold

Sisters:
Willie Ann Arnold of Henderson
Winnie Lois Webb of Overton

Brother, Billie D. Arnold of Joaquin

Many other relatives.

Preceded in death by mother, Vera Arnold; father, Tony Arnold; brothers, J.T. Arnold, Joe B. Arnold, and D.L. “Tucker” Arnold; sister, Wanda J. McNiel; and infant sister, Abigail.

A special thanks to Mandy Owens for her loving care.

Memorial donations may be made to Mazon Lodge #826 Scholarship Fund, PO Box 103, Braceville, Illinois 60407, Illinois Masonic Outreach Services, 2866 Via Verde, Springfield, Illinois 62703, or Affinity Hospice, 2708 S Medford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

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

11/08/2022

Gary Snider, 62, of Center, passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022, in Nacogdoches.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bro. Chuck Horton and Bro. Chris Collins will be officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery, Upper Arcadia Road. 

He was born in Converse, LA to Jesse James Snider and Verna Lou Moore. Gary loved to hunt and fish and spending time with his family cooking, playing 42, and pitching washers. He attended Sardis Missionary Baptist Church. Gary had recently retired as a crane operator at coal mine in Tatum.

Gary is survived by:
His daughter, Jessica Atchison, and husband Daniel, of Center

Grandchildren: 
Clay Quigley and wife Kalie of Shelbyville
Trey Quigley of Center

Great-grandchild: 
Vallyn Quigley of Shelbyville

Special nephew, Matt Snider and wife Mallory

Fiancée, Elizabeth Townes of Center

Brothers:
Billy Snider and wife Debbie of Center
Travis Snider of Center

Sisters: 
Norma Moore of Segno, TX
Sandra Harvey of Montana

Numerous relatives and a host of friends

Preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Snider and Verna Lou Snider, brothers, Butch Snider, and Jerry Snider, and great nephew, Cade Belrose.  

Pallbearers will be Clay Quigley, Trey Quigley, Justin Snider, Matt Snider, Barney Wiggins, and Brian Wiggins.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Gaylon Howard, Robbie Williams, Daniel Atchison, Billy Snider, and Travis Snider.

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

11/04/2022

George Richard Clark Sr. (Dick), 74, of Center, Texas, passed away on November 2, 2022, in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born on December 12, 1948, in Mojave, California, to the late James Clark and Mavis Clark.  

George married Janet Elaine Cunning. He and Janet moved to Shelby County in the 1980ís with their family. George was of Baptist Faith. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and his farm. 

George worked as an electrician, one point owning his own business. He then pursued a career in Construction Management stateside and abroad. 

As per his wishes he will be cremated and a private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

George is survived by:
His sons: 
Scooter Clark and wife Stacie of Center
Chris Clark and wife Sena of Timpson

Brothers: 
Pat Clark
Jim Clark

Sisters: 
Anita Griffin
Barbara Mye

Grandchildren: 
Colby and Jessie Clark of Ft. Smith, Arkansas
Zac and Ashton Clark of Center
Brett and Madelyn Clark of Brookland
Christopher P. Clark of Lancaster, PA
Shealyn Clark of Pickering, LA

Great-grandchildren:
Lexi Clark
CJ Clark
Elijah Clark
Tucker Clark
Coy Clark
Coleman Clark
Landree Clark

A host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.

He is preceded by his loving wife, Janet Clark; daughter, Penny Clark; parents, James and Mavis Clark; brothers, Mike Clark and Chuck Clark.

A special thank to the staff at Holiday Nursing Home for their love and care.

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

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

11/3/2022

Jessie Mae Garrett, 79 of Center, passed away Monday, October 31, 2022 at her home in Center. She was born on November 24, 1943 to the union of Eddie Lee and Christy Bell McCain in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Funeral service is 2pm Saturday, November 5, 2022 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 617 Hopkins Street, Center, Texas with Pastor Freddie D. Wilson officiating. Interment is at Westview Cemetery in Center. Viewing is from 10am until 6pm on Friday, November 4, 2022 at Community Funeral Home, Center.

Jessie accepted Christ in her life at an early age and was a faithful and baptized member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Center, Texas. She served faithfully in St. Paul choir and was filled with the joy of singing praises unto the Lord with her fellow servants.

Jessie Garrett went to the all-black school C.H. Daniels where she was the leading drummer in the band. Our uncle Choice Garrett said she was second to nobody on those drums. She graduated in 1961 from C.H. Daniels. Jessie furthered her education in College and became an x-ray technician at Shelby Regional Medical Center, where she worked over forty years until she retired.

She married Joe Mitchell Garrett in 1961, to this union they started their family, three boys: Howard, Randy, and Michael Garrett. In the 1970s, her mother-in-law, Ethel Lee Stewart passed away and she left her two children to her daughter-in-law to raise as her own children: Jerelene Stewart and Lonnie Ray Stewart. At this time, Jessie was a single mother raising five children on her own. She was a working woman and by the help of God she done well.

She is preceded in death by her father, Eddie Lee McCain and mother, Christy Bell McCain; former husband, Joe Mitchell Garrett; and guardian son, Lonnie Ray Stewart.

She leaves to cherish her memories:

Sons:
Howard Garrett Sr. (Ethel) of McClain, Mississippi
Randy G. Garrett of Austin
Michael Garrett of Center

Daughter, Kalisa Garrett of Center

Grandchildren:
Shanay Johnson
Ladon Johnson
Howard Garrett
Hakka Garrett
Naphalie Williams
Leondus Garrett
Ameerah Victoria
Kaneesha Murray
Jercarius Berry
Burnnard Murray
Michaela Garrett
Guardian Marvin Wash, Sr.

Fifteen great-grandchildren, ten guardian grandchildren, and a host of many other love ones who saw her as Aunt Jessie and Cousin Jessie.

Special friends: Sallie Wilson, Gertha B. White, Josephine Moore, Brenda Williams, Lucy Garrett, Vernell Brinson Hicks

Special daughter-in-laws, special co-workers, special choir members, and special church members.

We the family appreciate your relationship with our Mother, please forgive us if we left off any special person in her life, she loved everybody and especially you.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Center, Texas.

11/03/2022

Ronnie Fields was born on August 26, 1954 to Elbert Lorenzo Fields and Ruby Maxine (Dot) McSwain Fields. Ronnie entered into rest August 10, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. 

Ronnie grew up in Orange, Texas with his loving family…an aunt & uncle next door, and cousins around. In his younger years, he would take trips out to the camp at Sam Rayburn with his cousins. Ronnie enjoyed visiting Shelby County where he enjoyed spending time with all his cousins and the aunts and uncles he loved so much. Ronnie along with his brother, Bennie Gene, always enjoyed himself fishing in the pond at the Belrose farm whenever they visited his grandmother, Florence (Mama) Fields. It always took a day or two for Ronnie to find his comfort zone in the country, and to remember he liked home cooked meals instead of cereal. 

Ronnie was a simple man. As the years went by Ronnie became more of an introvert, but that all changed when he met Cindy Hebert. Soon Ronnie and Cindy became one and she was his person. They made a good team. As the years went by Ronnie, enjoyed reading and watching old westerns, where he let his mind take him on adventures while content to stay home. Ronnie still loved to fish occasionally and mow the yard. He stayed pretty close to home, but he always wanted Cindy to check on his beloved Aunt Gay in Sardis. Aunt Gay’s house is where Ronnie, Cindy and Adam found refuge when Hurricane Ike took their home and belongings in 2008. Ronnie and family always knew they had a safe place here in Shelby County.

Ronnie loved his family above all else, his parents were his connection and safe place, and he was so proud to have a dad that had fought in WW2 and loved to tell his stories. He was especially proud that his dad had fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in Italy. In addition, he was so proud of Cindy and Adam. Cindy was his caretaker and made sure the family functioned on a daily basis. He loved to hear Adam tell of his escapades watching and chasing storms. It was not unusual to get a phone call from Adam late at night to say “Hey, cousin, there’s a storm cell near you… so be prepared.” Adam, their only child, was and is still the apple of their eye. Ronnie loved and cherished his family and those he loved so dear will surely miss him.

Ronnie is survived by:

Loving wife, Cindy Hebert Fields

Son, Adam Fields and wife, Sidney, of Vidor

Grandchild, Remi Fields

Nephew, Gene Fields

Aunts:
Zannie Gay Fields Belrose, of Sardis, Texas
Margie Fields Hinton, of Winnie, Texas

Ronnie was preceded in death by parents, Elbert and Ruby (Dot) Fields; brother, Bennie Gene Fields; grandparents, Martha Dale and Amos Paul McSwain, and Julian Henry and Florence Squyers Fields.

Ronnie Fields will have a graveside service Saturday, November 5, 2022 in Sardis Cemetery at 2:00 PM. Bring a chair if you need to sit.