Shelby County Today

07/28/2020

Virginia Baker, 84, of Center, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Watson & Sons Chapel.

Born May 30, 1936, Virginia is the daughter of the late Pat Ford Westbrook and Euna Adell Seago Westbrook. She was a member of Center Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as pianist and organist.

She is survived by:

Children:
Rhonda Gregston of Center
Barry Baker and wife Stella of Tenaha
Mitzi Matthews and husband Jimmy of Shreveport

Grandchildren:
April Prince and husband Derrick of Shelbyville
Josh Baker of College Station
Taylor Kennedy of Shreveport
Justin Kennedy and wife Taylor of Shreveport

Great-grandchildren:
Joshua Ryan Baker Jr. of College Station
Haisley Baker of College Station
Camryn Prince of Shelbyville
Jaxon Kennedy of Shreveport

Brother, Hugh Daw of Joaquin

Sister-in-law, Judy Agnew and husband Robert of Tenaha

Niece:
Joel Bumback of Joaquin
Dawn Hutchins of Joaquin

Preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth Baker; sister, Patty Kupnicki; brother, Maurice Westbrook; mother, Euna Daw; father, Pat Westbrook; niece, Shelly Swint; and nephew, Michael Agnew.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of your choice. 

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

07/26/2020

John Emmett Burns, 67, of Houston, Texas passed away on July 23, 2020 in Kingwood, Texas.  Born December 23, 1952, in Normangee, Texas, John is the son of the late John Wilson Burns and Mae (Parrish) Burns.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

John graduated from high school and attended the University of Texas and the University of Houston. Beginning life as an adult, he entered the workforce and worked diligently until he was impaired by schizophrenia. John enjoyed being around people. His kind, caring, generous, sociable personality made him the person he was. After a brave battle with a long illness, John passed away due to complications relating to COVID-19.

He is survived by:

Sister, Margie Burns

Nephew, Edmund Burns Townsend

Beloved cousins:
Robert “Bob” Burns
Barry Burns and wife Lisa
Mary Cantrell and husband John
Janet Neel
Klaas Tadema and wife Dorothy
Patsy Smith and husband Larry
Karen Burns Meriwether and Tom Snow
Karan Schaefer
Penny Casteel and husband Dan
Larry Miller and wife Edie
Jason Miller and wife Donnette
Kevin Miller and wife Mary Ana

Aunt, Jeanne Parrish Miller

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

John is preceded in death by his parents, John Wilson Burns and Mae Parrish Burns.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

07/24/2020

Funeral services celebrating the life of Helon Elizabeth Foshee, age 100 and six months, will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 25, 2020 at Rose-Neath Funeral Homes’ Logansport Chapel, with Bro. Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Cool Springs Cemetery near Logansport. A visitation with the family will be held from 2:00 PM until service time at the funeral home Saturday. 

Helon was born on January 17, 1920 in Logansport, LA to Marvin Miller Sutton and Lilian Fletcher Sutton. She passed away July 23, 2020 in Shreveport, LA. Helon is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Van Foshee, her brother Williard Sutton, and her grandson Zachary Jacques.

Left to cherish her memory are:
Her sons:
Jerry Foshee
Robert Foshee
Donald Foshee
Edwin Foshee

Her daughter, Juanita Ballard

Nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren

Honoring Helon as pallbearers will be Colby Van Henigan, Cassidy Henigan, Duncan Foshee, Dodge Foshee, Dustin Foshee, and Charles Van Foshee. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Logansport, and to the Cool Spring Cemetery Fund.

Services are under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, Louisiana

07/24/2020

Oren Eugene McSwain, age 97, of North Little Rock, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

He was born on February 20, 1923 in east Texas near the town of Center to Lonnie and Della Anthony McSwain. At age 19, he joined the Merchant Marines which supplied the military during WWII. And during the Korean War he served until it ended. He was a Razorback fan, an avid fisherman and deer hunter. He was retired from AP and L which is now called Entergy where he worked as a storeroom clerk.

He was a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a member of Somers Avenue Church of Christ in North Little Rock and as long as his health permitted, he was there everytime the church doors were open.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty Jean Dickey McSwain and their son, Phillip E. McSwain. He outlived all of his siblings- Pauline Howard, Lorene Kirtley, Lester McSwain, Lois Kaufman, Avis Lee and Ray McSwain.

He is survived by:

Wife of 8 years, Nettie Jo McSwain

Daughters:
Sharon Moran (James)
Beverly McSwain

Daughter-in-law, Karen Wrobleski McSwain

Step-daughter, Debbie Owens

8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren

Numerous other friends, relatives and acquaintances.

His family wishes to acknowledge the large number of caregivers who helped take care of him in the last few years of his life from Seniors Helping Seniors and Superior Senior Care. They also want to thank Ann Cross, Ruby Scott, Darlene Robinson, Thiva Sykes, Rachel Wrobleski, and especially Tiffany White. Their loving care and devotion to his comfort and to his family went beyond their job parameters. We are eternally grateful.

A graveside service was held on Friday, July 10, 2020 and can be viewed online on Facebook page of Griffen Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home. Interment is at Rest Hills Memorial Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Services are under the direction of Roller-Owens Funeral Home, North Little Rock, AR 72116. Online condolences can be made at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com

07/23/2020

Lynn Burke Cogswell, age 84, died on July 22, 2020, in Garrison, Texas. He was born March 14, 1936, in Center, Texas to Ed Cogswell and Lena Bridges Cogswell.

The service will be graveside at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at Antioch Cemetery in Center, Texas. 

Lynn honorably retired from the United States Air Force, where he served as a flight engineer with the 84th MA’s Air Lift Command. He loved his country very much. Lynn thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and could be found gardening and working in the yard. He also loved spending time on the farm which included working cows and riding horses. 

Lynn was involved with Antioch Baptist Church where he served his God whole heartedly and with sincere love. He loved time with family and friends and will be greatly missed. 

Lynn is survived by:

Daughter, Stephanie and husband Justin Tatom

Sons:
Michael Cogswell
Ricky Cogswell

Step-daughter: Nicole Gatlin

Granddaughters:
Presley and Henley Tatom
Nicole Hammer and husband Matthew

Great-grandchildren: Tassie, Tatum, Troy and Talene

Sister, Linda Lawler

Sisters-in-law:
Joyce Cogswell
Nelda Shillings
Bobbie Cogswell

Special niece, Keela Johnson

Lynn is preceded in death by his son Randy Burke Cogswell; parents, Ed and Lena Mae Cogswell; brothers, Alton Cogswell, Barney Cogswell, Benton Cogswell, Julius Ray Cogswell, Billy Cogswell, Harold Cogswell, and Leon Shillings; sisters Elna Lout, Claudia Martin, and Hazel Metz.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Antioch Cemetery Fund.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

07/21/2020

Cecil Alton Dean Jr., 54, died on July 18, 2020, in Center, Texas. He was born June 6, 1966, in Houston, Texas to Cecil Alton Dean Sr. and Shirley Marie Goldman Dean.

Visitation will be at Mangum Funeral Home Thursday, July 23, at 11:00 am. The service will start at 1:00 pm on Thursday, July 23, at Mangum Funeral Home.

Cecil enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and soaking up the fresh air. He was a bit of a cowboy, loving horse back riding, rodeos, and watching bull riding. Cecil also loved to travel, which made his job extra special due to being able to visit all kinds of different places and sceneries. 

Cecil was an active member of the 100 Club. He had a strong faith as a Pentecostal, was an avid reader, and took on a huge role in exchange student programs. He housed many students over the years and took them in as his own. 

Cecil is survived by:

Special friend, Romney Sample and husband Derek of San Augustine

Exchange students:
Camilla Dahl of Denmark
Cille Roth of Denmark
Stephanie Scholnick of Germany
Nina Klingeman of Germany
Sarah VanLoo of Belgum
Stine Eliki of Norway

Step-mother, Jeri Dean of Timpson

Nephew, Rustyn Sample and wife Kristina of Sherman

Great-nephew, Tristan Sample of Sherman

Great-nieces, Kylenn and Audrey Sample of Sherman

Aunt, Lanell Edge of Clute

Aunt, Merlyon Chandler and husband Larry of Shelbyville

Numerous family and a host of friends who will miss him greatly.

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

07/20/2020

Alice Beasley, 88, of Nacogdoches, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Watson & Sons Chapel in Center with Bro. Paul Sevar and Dr. Jack Smith officiating.  Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Silas.

Alice Ann Bishop was born March 22, 1932 to Aaron Van and Maggie Baker Bishop in the Arcadia Community, Shelby County Texas. Her father told her six year old sister, Nina Lee, that the Easter Bunny had brought her a baby bunny. Nina cried when she saw she had a baby sister and not a baby rabbit.

Alice spent most of her young life in Arcadia, attending a one-room school, Cooper, near her home. They later moved to Timpson, Texas where Alice attended junior high and high school.

At 13 years old, while attending First Baptist Church Timpson, Alice was saved.

At 15 years old, while on a date with another boy, Alice met Bill Beasley, who she immediately thought was very handsome. She found out he worked at a furniture store in Timpson so a few days later, she went to town, lingering on the sidewalk outside the store. Sure enough, Bill saw her and came out and asked her on a date. And the rest, as they say, is history.

At 16 years old on July 17, 1948, Bill and Alice were married in the parsonage of First Baptist Church by the pastor, Bro. W.A. Dollahite. Not long after their marriage, Bill began working road and bridge construction, taking them all over the state of Texas moving more than 50 times over the course of Bill's career. Alice always attended church wherever they moved.

Many of those moves were very short in duration. One pastor told, her she should wait to move her letter as it was still two churches behind! For a brief time early in their marriage, Bill worked in Carthage, Texas and Alice worked in a dress shop. Eight years after their marriage, Bill and Alice welcomed what would be an only child, a daughter, Becky Kay.

Over the next 69 years of marriage, Alice worked tirelessly as wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an excellent cook and all of the family enjoyed many wonderful meals at her table. When Becky was in high school in Angleton, Texas, Alice and her best buddy Dorothy decided they wanted to go to cosmetology school. They attended for several weeks and were fiercely competitive in their grades. At the end of one long day of being on their feet without a break, Dorothy quipped, "Alice, it would be easier to be a prostitute. At least we could work lying down!" Dorothy was, and continues to be, quite a character and they decided their lives at home were fulfilling enough. They continued to be close friends and spent many hours visiting each other.

In 1979, Bill and Alice made a permanent move to Garrison, Texas although Bill continued to travel doing construction work. They continued to live there until Bill's heart bypass surgery forced him to retire in 2006 at age 82. In 2008, they moved to Nacogdoches, Texas where Alice and Bill lived until 2016 when Alice fell and fractured her hip, shoulder, and arm. She went to Garrison Nursing Home for rehab and of course, Bill went with her. Bill's health declined and he passed away March 24, 2017. Alice's mobility had declined and she decided to stay in Garrison.

While there, she came to love games, especially BINGO, which she often won. She enjoyed attending Sunday school and listening to the many churches who came there to sing and play. She was also a member of the handbell choir which she absolutely loved. They played for Garrison as well as neighboring nursing facilities. She also continued her long friendship with Dorothy and they spent many hours on the phone.

She was in her usual state of good health and had tested negative for coronavirus four times. She had just lost a close friend in the facility to the virus and was depressed because no family could come to visit. Becky and her husband took her on a trip to visit her grandson and his family in North Richland Hills, who she had not seen for months, and also to visit her niece and her family in Big Spring, who she had not seen for years. While there, we were notified her last test came back positive. She seemed fine at that time, but in the next 48 hours, she developed symptoms and was hospitalized where she quickly declined. She lost her battle here July 18, 2020, but won the victory re-uniting with the love of her life one day after what would have been their 72nd wedding anniversary.

She is survived by:

Daughter, Becky Smith and husband Dr. Jack Smith of Nacogdoches

Grandchildren:
Brandy Rowland and husband Michael of Center
Devin Rieger and wife Monica of North Richland Hills

Great grandchildren:
Victoria Gilchrist of Nacogdoches
Austin Gilchrist of Center

Special long-time friend, Dorothy Hunt of Henderson

A number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Preceded in death by husband, Willard “Bill” Beasley; parents, Aaron Van and Maggie Baker Bishop; brother, Johnny Bishop; and sister, Nina Tyer.

Pallbearers will be Devin Rieger, Austin Gilchrist, Lark Gilchrist, Jeff Renick, and Eric Renick. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Rowland and The Renewal Sunday School Class at Calvary Baptist Church Nacogdoches, Texas.

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

07/17/2020

Lou Ester Moore Byndom, 72, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2020. She was born on January 28, 1948 to the late Zebedee and Louisa Moore of Shelbyville, Texas. She united with East Hamilton Baptist Church at an early age but continued her faith with a strong presence at Gates Chapel Baptist Church. She united with her beloved husband the late Charlie Byndom Jr and boar two children: the late Felix Byndom and Leslie Byndom-Bell.

She graduated and received her High School Diploma from East Liberty School and went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree from Jarvis Christian School and later achieved her Masters from Stephen F. Austin to become a teacher with 32 years of Service before retiring from Shelbyville ISD.

She is preceded in death by: Father, Zebedee Moore; Mother, Louisa Moore; Brothers, Lee Arvis Moore, Ellis Moore, Willie Earl Moore; Sister, Queen Ester Garrett; Husband, Charlie Byndom Jr.; and Son, Felix Byndom.

She leaves to cherish her memories:

Daughter, Leslie Byndom-Bell (Anthony)

Granddaughter, Beyonce Bell (Dezmond Watts)

Grandsons:
Antavian Bell
A’Braylon Bell

Brothers:
Earl Moore (Peggy)
Zebedee Moore (Lula)
Carl Moore (Dazella)
R.L. Moore
Mervin Moore

Brother-in-Law, V.K. Byndom

Sister-in-Laws:
Iva Dean Boykins (Joe)
Mildred Gardner
Girtha Swindle (Roosevelt)
Minnie Stansberry

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

Viewing will be available for Lou Byndom at Community Funeral Home in Center, TX on Saturday, July 18 from 1-6 for anyone who would like to pay their last respects.

A private funeral service will be held for immediate family on Sunday.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Center.

07/15/2020

Kailey Nicole Agnew, 21, of Tenaha, left this world to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 16, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

There will be a private family graveside with Brother Keith Keele of Ramah Baptist Church, Tenaha officiating.

Kailey graced our world on January 2, 1999, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Robert Michael Agnew and Patti Elaine Stanaland Agnew. To know her was to love her. Kailey lived life to the fullest. She loved with her whole heart and would tell you often. Kailey was always full of energy and always had the most beautiful smile that would light up the world. Kailey worked full time at Southern Lemonade Boutique. Kailey even had plans of opening her own online business while obtaining her degree and working at the boutique. She was presently a college student working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene. Kailey had big dreams and was not afraid to put in the work to obtain them. Her hobbies included re-finishing furniture, spending time on the lake, fishing, riding horses, and riding four-wheelers; she loved watching the beauty in sunrises and sunsets, and shopping, of course. Above all else, she loved spending time with her family and friends. There aren’t enough words that can be used to describe this wonderful young lady, but some of them are: beautiful, considerate, respectful, thoughtful, dependable, honest, trustworthy, headstrong, and as she would say, “she put the lit in little”.

She was a loving daughter and a compassionate sister and granddaughter. A source of strength to so many and such a joy to be around with her uplifting spirit. Her positive influence reached everyone that knew her. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by:
Her mother, Patti Agnew of Tenaha

Dearest brothers: 
Jonathan Agnew of Tenaha
Colton Wilson of Tenaha 

Brother and sister: 
Cameron Agnew and wife Kursti of Timpson
Ashley Agnew Kitten and husband Cole of Austin

Uncles: 
Craig Stanaland of Carthage
Beau Stanaland and wife Toye of Kyle

Grandparents: 
Arch Stanaland of Tenaha
Barbara Stanaland of Carthage
Robert and Judy Agnew of Tenaha

Great-grandparents:
Herbert Michalek of Sugar Land
Carmen Stanaland

Cousins:
Ashley Stanaland of Tyler
Josh Stanaland of Tyler
Luke Stanaland of Kyle

Very special family friend, Devin Sanford of Timpson

Special dad, Micheal “Mickey” Wilson of Carlsbad, New Mexico

Special friends: 
Jennifer McGee of Shelbyville
Jessica Brown of Shelbyville

Special uncle and aunt, Daryle and Becky LaGrone of Tenaha

Uncle, Jerry Agnew and wife Brenda of Tenaha

Special friends: 
Shakira “Kira” Johnson of Center
Brianna Rivera of Center
David and Shauna Sanford of Timpson
Dakota Sanford of Timpson
Diana Fenton and Charles Metcalf of Paxton
Henry and Helen Heitman of Sugar Land

Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Agnes Bergamini and Jessie Michalek; great-grandparents, Johnnie and Omie Agnew, Ernest and Maudie Baker, Kenneth Baker, and Archie Stanaland; aunt, Shelly Swint; father, Mike Agnew; and brother, Bradley Agnew.

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