Shelby County Today

07/02/2021

Patricia Clepper, 74, of Timpson, passed away on June 28, 2021, in Timpson. She was born October 12, 1946, in the Silas Community.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, with Bro. Fred Wilcox officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

As a child, Patricia was born into a very simple way of life. She was raised in the tiny little community of Silas, located outside of Timpson in Shelby County.  Her way of life as a young girl was just as anyone could imagine. She spent time working and playing outside. Her childhood was also a part of her life when she learned the all-important things young ladies need to know how to do, including cooking and sewing and making things she needed from whatever she had. These lessons turned into great talents that she loved and passed onto her children and grandchildren. She was quite the cook, and everyone enjoyed the meals she made when surrounded by her favorite people. She also loved trail rides, but if asked, her favorite things would be her family. Great emphasis would be placed on the love for her grandchildren, of whom she would pretty much do anything for! She was entertaining and supportive, loving and caring and always had time to plan the ultimate gathering. Patricia loved God and was a lifetime member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, where she made many friends over the years. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Patricia is survived by:

Son, Doye Wayne Cantrell, and wife Robin

Daughter, Toni Kay Jackson

Son, Gene Edward Clepper

Daughter-in-laws:
Karina Wilhoite and husband Robin
Angela Nell Clepper

Brothers:
Bobby Gene Crump
Doye Rodney Crump and wife Mary
Ronnie Crump, and wife Debbie

Sister, Vickie Miller, and husband Randy

Brother-in-law, Everett A. Ross

Grandchildren:
Tiffany R. Newman
A. Layne Cantrell
Whitley Williams and husband Taylor
Beverly K. Hurst
Nicholas Cade Hurst and wife Riley
John “Justin” Richerson and wife Chelsea
Harley Richerson and husband Ty Cheshire
Chelsea K. Hall and husband Rusty
Andrew Chase Clepper
Joshua Clepper and wife Erika
Jason Blake Clepper
Emily Blake and husband, Eric
Luke E. Clepper

Great-grandchildren:
Hunter W. Newman
Fisher B. Newman
Remington B. Newman
Tayley Callyn Williams
Dozier Williams
Jackson C. Hurst Alexander
Micha Lee Hurst
Brynlee Kate Hurst
Brooklyn Richerson
Alivia Deason
Lil Johnny Richerson
Tylie Cheshire
Lawson Hall
Sophia Blake
Caroline Blake
Jade Clepper
Jace Clepper
Riley Tarpley
Adelyn Tarpley
Peyton Tarpley

A host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She is preceded by her parents, Alfred, and Winnie (Ramsey) Crump; beloved husband, Delbert Gene Clepper; daughter, Lesia Lynette Richerson; son-in-law, John B. Richerson III; son, Stacy A. Clepper; great-granddughter, Sophie Tallyn Williams; grandson, Derrick Clepper; and sister Alice Joy Ross.

Taylor Funeral Home 

07/01/2021

Edna Askew, 95, of Center, Tx passed away on June 30, 2021. She was born on March 29, 1926.

Visitation will be held Saturday July 3, 2021, from 5-7PM at Mangum Funeral Home Center, TX. Graveside Service will be Sunday July 4, 2021, at 1:00PM at McClelland Cemetery.

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

07/01/2021

Diane Henderson, 62 of Tenaha, passed away Thursday night, June 24, 2021 at Christos Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, Texas.

Services are 1pm Saturday, July 3 at St. John Baptist Church, Tenaha, Texas with Pastor Chandler Pettis as Eulogist. Interment is at St. John Cemetery, Tenaha.

She is survived by:

Children:
Chregg (Melissa) Henderson of Longview
Kennis (Jalanie) Henderson of Cushing
Jared Thomas of Dallas
Tierria Henderson of Garland

Brothers:
Amos (Mary) Henderson of Houston
Jesse (Nadia) Henderson of Center
Curtis Henderson of Tenaha

Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

06/30/2021

James Beasley, 77, of Center, died June 27, 2021 in Beaumont, Texas. James was born May 2, 1944 to James Furlon Beasley and Margaret Frances (Creech) Beasely. James was a graduate of Shelbyville High School class of ’62.

A Masonic graveside service will be held at 10am on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center, Texas.

06/29/2021

Rebecca Jo Womack King, 68, of Monroe, Louisiana, passed away Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Monroe, Louisiana.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation Wednesday, June 30, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Andrew King will officiate. Interment will be at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha.

Born February 1, 1953 in Carthage, TX, Becky is the daughter of Joe Dan and Wandell Womack. Though once a teacher, Becky found her calling as a homemaker and dedicated her life to the happiness and well-being of her family. Beyond caring for her family, Becky was an avid reader, accomplished seamstress, and talented pianist. Above all, Becky had a smile that no one could forget, and an unshakeable faith in Jesus.

She is survived by:

Husband, Joe Allen King of Monroe, Louisiana

Daughters:
Katie Sanders with her husband Bob of Las Vegas, Nevada
Jenni Pevoto with husband Sean of Las Vegas, Nevada

Grandchildren:
Benjamin Sanders of Las Vegas, Nevada
Joseph Pevoto of Las Vegas, Nevada

Mother, Wandell Womack of Tenaha

Sister, Lou Jane Womack of Tenaha

Brother, Jerry Womack of Woodlawn

Preceded in death by her father, Joe Dan Womack; and sister, Terrie Womack.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Womack (honorary), Sean Pevoto, Bob Sanders, Reginald Parks, Andrew King, Aaron King, and Timothy Roberson.

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

06/27/2021

Hermenegildo “Herman” Martinez-Ramirez, 45, of Center, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Longview, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 8pm, Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center with funeral service at 1pm, Monday, June 28, 2021. Fausto Balderas and Alberto Leos will officiate. Interment will follow at Neuville Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born July 23, 1975, in Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico, Herman is the son of Adan Ramirez and Victoria Martinez Ramirez. He loved gardening, carpentry, cooking, and spending time with family. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Shelby County.

He is survived by:

Children:
Adam Ramirez and girlfriend Ashley of Center
Tori Ramirez and boyfriend JaMichael of Center
Angelique Sigler and husband Corey of Center
John Parks and wife Briget of Center

Grandchildren:
Kasen and Korbyn Sigler
Kingston Hurst
Kellon Parks

Brothers:
Fernando Ramirez and wife Adriana of Center
Silvestre Ramirez and wife Aleyda of Center
Adam Ramirez and wife Rebeca of Center

Former wife of 21 years, Rose Parks, of Center

Nieces and nephews:
Kelly Ramirez
Taylor Ramirez
Allison Ramirez
Seth Ramirez
Niari Ramirez
Eliel Ramirez and wife, Kieana

He is joined in heaven with his sister, whom he often thought about and loved, Maria Ramirez; and grandparents, Silvestre Ramirez Ramirez, Josefa Aguilera, Juan Martinez, and Amalia Cruz.

Pallbearers will be Tyrone Jones, Fernando Ramirez, Silvestre Ramirez, Adam Ramirez, Adam Ramirez Jr., JaMichael Weathered, Corey Sigler, and Fermin Ramirez. Honorary pallbearers will be John Parks, Kasen Sigler, and Kingston Hurst.

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

06/25/2021

Mable Montgomery Johnson, 96, was born on July 27, 1924 in Shelbyville, Texas to Bertha and William Montgomery. She passed on June 4, 2021. She attended elementary school in the area and went on to attend high school at Timpson High School. With great encouragement to pursue higher education by her parents, Mable went on to attend Texas College where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She later attended Texas Southern University with aspirations of a Master’s Degree.

After college, Mable moved to Orange, Texas where she married William Johnson and they started a life together. They worked hard to provide for their family and Mable’s aging mother. They had three children, Wendell, Larry and Cynthia.

Mable began teaching in the Orange Public School System and West Orange Cove CISD where she taught for 30 plus years. She taught 2nd grade, 4th grade and specialized reading. She was also a member of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

In her retirement, Mable enjoyed volunteering with Orange Christian Services where she served as an interviewer and pantry worker. She was an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church for 70 plus years, where she served with her church’s Caring Kitchen food ministry program and was a faithful and dedicated member of The Senior Gospel Choir, Deaconess Ministry, Senior Mission and Vacation Bible School Ministry. She was honored by the church for her dedicated service as one of the oldest members and for her faithful service to the Senior Gospel Choir.

After pledging Delta Sigma Theta at Texas College, Mable became a charter member of the Orange Alumnae Chapter in 1953, along with her sister Lillian. Mable served on many committees for the organization and was a representative to many National Conventions. During her many years of service, she created life long friendships with so many of her Sorors. She was a dedicated member until death.

Nannie, as she was affectionately called by those who loved and admired her, was always known for keeping things in order, had a love for plants, and loved her sweets and treats.

Mable was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and William Montgomery, her husband, William Johnson, her son, Wendell Johnson and her sisters, Mariam Montgomery and Lillian Lister and her nephews, Daryl, Adrian, and Raymond Lister. 

She leaves to cherish her memory:

Son, Larry Johnson (Claudette Byrd)

Daughter, Cynthia Adams (Howard, Jr.)

Grandchildren:
Shawn Hunter
Jarvis Johnson
Corey (Barbara) Blair
Cedric Broussard (Shantee)
Kenisha Sappington (Kareem)
DeAndrea Strong (Willie, Jr.)
Charissa Scott (Martin)
Jacorey Johnson
Chase Adams
William C. Johnson

8 great-grandchildren

1 soon to be great-great grandchild

Godson, Mathellis Wilson

Extended special families: McClelland, Lister, Johnson, Adams, Scott, Byrd, Delta Sorority sisters, Pastor Crockett and MOBC church family, special neighbors and friends.

Final care was provided by Calvary Mortuary, Beaumont, Texas.

06/22/2021

Patti Gaubatz of Mobile, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. She was born in Shreveport on June 19, (Juneteenth) 1948. However, Patti grew up in Center, Texas and attended school there. She was the daughter of Mac Shelby Smith and Mozelle Lumen Smith. 

After graduation from Center High School, Patti moved to Dallas, then to Houston where she worked as a medical secretary. In 1971 she married Dr. Jim Gaubatz and they began an adventurous journey through various states before settling in Mobile in 1979. She had two children: a daughter, Shelby Elizabeth, and a son, Benjamin Andrew. Patti was able to fulfill her dreams of being a mother and homemaker. 

Patti was the most kind and generous person; very outgoing and loved making new friends. She had a passion for baking and shared her cakes and cookies with friends and neighbors. Her life truly centered around her home. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dorcas Ann Smith Sonmor, and her brother-in-law, Donald Sonmor. 

She leaves behind her husband of 50 years, her children, her nephew, Young Sonmor and his wife Amanda. And of course, her many friends. 

Patti’s wishes were to be cremated with a private celebration to be held at a later date. 

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Saad Hospice and Home Health Care for their outstanding kindness and support. 

Online condolences and comments can be sent to https://www.serenityfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Patti-Gaubatz/.

06/21/2021

Charles Denton, 84, of Chandler, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2021 in Chandler, Texas. He was born on May 28, 1937, in Crossett, Arkansas, to the late Paul Denton and Marie (Miller) Denton.

Graveside service will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Corinth Cemetery, FM 1970, Timpson, Texas, 75975.

Charlie grew up in a nomad-type life. He moved around a lot, but he had adventures everywhere he went. He even attended Jr. High and High School with Elvis! After High School, he joined the Army. While serving in the military, Charlie was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. From his experiences while in the Army and just throughout life he lived life to the fullest and had plenty of stories to tell about all the adventures he had been through. Charlie loved his daughter and all of his grandkids. One of his greatest joys was hearing his grands call him “Paw Paw”. Charlie absolutely loved being outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish, or just go out boating. He also loved to take care of his yard, and you better not mess up his grass. He had a great dry and sarcastic sense of humor that kept everyone around him laughing. Charlie had also been known to play a prank or two. He loved playing 42 with family and friends. He was such a regular customer at Whataburger that they knew just what he wanted when he pulled up and they missed him when he didn’t come. Charlie always had to have his daily paper and would fuss if he didn’t get it. Charlie was known to give the greatest “Coffee Sugars”. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who loved him dearly.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Marie (Miller) Denton; his wife, Merle Denton; and his infant son, Charlie Joe Denton.

Charlie is survived by his daughter, Debra McIntyre and husband, Rob; grandchildren, Eva Marie Brown, Keely Merle Graves, and Amanda Jo Deaton and husband, Carl; great-grandchildren, Kat, Haidyn, Matthew, and David; and a host of other family and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are: Mark Lawson, Andrew Dyer, Lane Harrison, Haidyn Rude, and Bill Meeler.

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