Shelby County Today

03/20/2020

Johnny Roy Fenton, of Center, Texas, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Johnny was born July 7, 1948 to Roy and LaVerne Fenton.

He is survived by:

Wife, Caryn Fenton of Center

Children:

Sons:
James Paul Fenton and wife Jessica of Center
David Fenton and wife Carrie of Milboro, Virginia

Daughter, Arin Fenton of Tenaha

Stepdaughter, Teresa Shear of Center

Stepson, William Maxfield and wife Rebecca of Lake Jackson

Grandchildren:
Darren Fenton
Darbie Fenton
Bridget Wortham
Charity Shear
Stephen Maxfield
Patrick Maxfield
Richard Maxfield
Alex Maxfield

Mother, LaVerne Fenton

Brothers:
Spencer Fenton and wife, Tonya
Bill Fenton and wife, Judy

4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Johnny is proceded in death by his father, Roy Fenton, 2 brothers, Jeffrey and Jimmy Fenton, and a nephew Clint Fenton.

There will not be a service at this time due to rising health concerns facing our nation. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the nurses and staff at Affinity Hospice, as well as our friends and family.

Allen Dave Funeral Homes, Carthage, Texas.

Hicks Mortuary is announcing funeral service for Mr. Albert Mills, 84, of Kennard, Texas. Mr. Mills passed away Friday, March 13, 2020 at CHI St Luke in Lufkin, Texas. Mr. Mills was born on June 14, 1935. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 11am at Bethel C.M.E Church in the Tadmor Community. Rev. Robert Beam will be officiating.   

Mr. Mills is survived by:

Wife: Eva Mills of Kennard, Texas 

Son: Albert Mills Jr. of Kennard, Texas 

Daughters: 
Cynthia Jones of Lufkin
Barbara Lamb (Donald) of Kennard

Visitation:  Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Bethel C.M.E Church at 10am.

Committal will follow at McKelvey Cemetery in the Tadmor Community.

Service entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Center, Texas 75935

Please visit our website for online condolences at www.hicksmortuary.net 

03/16/2020

Jimmie Darlene Windham Lea, 90, of Temple passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at a Belton nursing home. Graveside services for Jimmie will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson, Texas with Rick Fletcher officiating.

Jimmie Darlene Windham Lea was born in Weaver Community on December 26, 1929.  Her parents and siblings worked the farm when she was very young, and her Dad would read the bible to her every evening after supper. Some of her fondest childhood memories included traveling 4 miles to church each Sunday in a wagon pulled by 2 work mules.
  
She met Robert Lea, “the best thing that ever happened to her,” in 1947, on the church steps in Timpson, TX and they married one year later. They enjoyed life together for 60 years. Most of her adult life, was spent raising three children, providing care for elderly parents, and working as an office assistant to various companies, including two medical offices. She & Dad really enjoyed the “retirement years” which included spending time with grandkids, working on house projects (with several coffee breaks), watching the birds and squirrels from their back porch swing, and playing Canasta each day at 4.

According to her, “The most important thing to know is to believe in God’s love and provisions, love each other (most of the time), love our children, (all of the time), and always be thankful for every day of life…….” And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19
 
Preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lynn Lea; son, Don Edward Lea; parents, Derious & Jessie Windham; brothers, Vertis and Walter Windham; and sister, Addie Mae Whiteside.

Survived by:
Her daughter, Janis Lynn Byrd, and spouse, Charles, of Temple

Son, Russell Wayne Lea, and spouse, Becky, of Salado

Grandchildren: 
Wendy Staes, and spouse, Mark
Clinton Lea
Crystal Lea
Adam Lea
Erica Lea-Simka and spouse, Ryan
Rachel Lea Roacho and spouse, Thomas

Ten great-grandchildren and many friends

Dossman Funeral Home in Belton is in charge of the arrangements.

03/16/2020

Domingo Alejo Almaraz III, of Center, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 8pm, Thursday, March 19, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10am, Friday, March 20, 2020, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Kevin Windham and Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mr. Almaraz was born January 13, 1960, in Alice, to Domingo Alejo Almaraz Jr. and Maria Carbajal Almaraz. He worked in the oilfield for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman with hobbies including saltwater fishing, camping, and hunting. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with family.

He is survived by:

Wife, Penny Almaraz of Center

Children:
Joshua Eli Almaraz of Center
Domingo Almaraz of Center
Debra Espinoza and husband Ricardo of Center
Joseph Almaraz of Center
Danielle Kendrick and husband Terry of Joaquin

Stepsons:
Michael Johnson of Fort Smith, Arkansas
Mitchell Johnson of Center

Grandchildren: Briana Gonzalez, Janelle Lugo, Jace Espinoza, Jaxen Espinoza, Liam Espinoza, Marcus Almaraz, Isabella Almaraz, Cooper Taylor

Mother, Maria Guadalupe Carbajal

Brothers and sister:
David Angel Almaraz and wife Nora
Dora Almaraz
Javier Almaraz and wife Delia Lopez

Numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Rosie Chavez; father, Domingo Alejo Almaraz Jr.; grandparents, Alejo and Guadalupe Almaraz, and Pedro and Bárbara Carbajal.
Pallbearers will be Joseph Almaraz, Domingo Almaraz, Terry Kendrick, Ricardo Espinoza, Alberto Campos, and Herman Ramirez.  Honorary pallbearer will be Joshua Eli Almaraz.

Per Mr. Almaraz’s wishes, donations can be made toward the future needs of Joshua Eli Almaraz.

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

03/14/2020

Center, Texas native, Del Shofner, passed away Wednesday, March 11 in Los Angeles of natural causes. Family was by his side. He was 85.

Born Delbert Martin Shofner to Bessie and Martin Shofner on December 11, 1934, Del thrived growing up with his brother James Richard and sisters Billie Jean, Mae, Ruth, Linda and Kathi, and surrounded by a large extended family. A Roughrider, he enjoyed all sports and wonderful, lifelong friendships. 

Del attended Baylor University where he was a multi-sport star athlete. In addition to football, where he played running back, defensive back, punter, kickoff and punt returner for the Bears, he played basketball, baseball and was a sprinter on the track team. He was inducted into the Baylor Hall of Fame and is a member of the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.

Del was the 1957 Sugar Bowl MVP as Baylor defeated No. 2 Tennessee, and this year he was inducted into the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame.

A five-time NFL Pro Bowl receiver, Del was the LA Rams’ first round draft pick, 11th overall, in the 1957 draft. After spending his rookie season on the defensive side of the ball, he was switched to offense in 1958 and had immediate success, leading the NFL with 1,097 receiving yards and earning First-Team All-Pro honors. 

Del was also First-Team All-Pro in 1959, and then was traded to the New York Giants following the 1960 season where he had his greatest success. With Y.A. Tittle at quarterback, Tittle and Shofner became one of the most feared QB-receiver duos in NFL history. In 1961, he had 1,125 yards and became the first player in NFL history to have a pair of 1,000 receiving yard seasons. He also made NFL history from 1961-63, becoming the first receiver with 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons. He was voted into the NFL All-Decade team for the 1960s as a First-Team member by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Toward the end of his football career, Del began working in the feed commodities business and enjoyed working with cattlemen, poultrymen, and farmers throughout the country. He and his wife, Carol Seley Shofner, enjoyed family time and breeding and racing thoroughbreds. Their greatest success in horse racing was with Think Snow who raced against Affirmed in 1978. Del also loved playing golf.

Del and Carol were married in 1963 and raised their family in San Marino, California. Carol passed away in 2015. Del is survived in Love by his three children, Laurie Shofner Corwin, Stacey Shofner Gates and David Shofner, five grandchildren; Madison, Alex, Shea, Emily and Jacob, sisters Ruth, Linda and Kathi and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Delbert “Del” Martin Shofner to the Roughrider Scholarship Foundation, Attn: Kelle Williams, PO Box 152, Center, Texas 75935.

03/13/2020

W.J. Goings, 86, of Center, Texas passed away on March 12, 2020 in Longview. He was born on March 30, 1933 in Shelby County to Ennis Goings and Mozell Windham Goings.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Campti Methodist Church Cemetery with Bro. Billy Windham and Bro. Don Windham officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Mangum Funeral Home.

Mr. Goings Served in the United States Army and was a member of the Shelbyville Sam Houston Masonic Lodge 32. A good day fishing was always enjoyed but not as much as the time he was able to spend with his grand and great grandchildren. Mr. Goings was always known for his checking on and visiting with family and friends and was known to tell a good story that would make everyone’s day better. 

W.J. is survived by:

Daughter, Glenda Lutz

Brother, Leon Goings and wife Carol

Sister, Debbie Runnels and husband Tim

Grandchildren:
Connie Quintero and husband, Daniel
Jamie Boshart and wife, Chelsea
Kim Dotson and husband, Bud
Evan Lutz and Jennifer Babin
Travis Lutz

Great-grandchildren: Drake, Benicio, Gabriella, Kaydence, Erin, Jaxon and Tuff.

He is preceded in death by His wife Ida Vernell Goings parents, Ennis and Mozell Goings; daughter, Sherry Boshart; and brothers, Jerrell Goings and Clovis Goings; sisters Sis Mattox and Billie Goings.

Pallbearers will be the Masons of the Sam Houston Lodge 32.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

03/12/2020

Thomas Earl Jenkins 70, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2020. 

Funeral service is 3pm Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Bright and Morning Star Baptist Church, 623 MLK Blvd., Center, Texas with Bishop Howard Cloudy officiating. Burial will be at Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas.

Thomas was born February 17, 1950 to Julurs and Northeria Jenkins in Center, TX.  Mr. Jenkins attended CH Daniels High school. On April 23, 1986 he married the love of his life, his wife, Sarah Ann “Gill” Jenkins and they shared 33 loving years.
 
Mr. Jenkins was born and raised in the small town of Center, TX. He was known by many family and friends as Tom Cat, Tom, Pied Piper, Earl, and Jenkins. Thomas was a great man, a great spouse, great father, great-grandfather (PaPa), brother, uncle, and a very good friend. If you knew Mr. Jenkins you knew he liked fast cars, the blues, and loved his family.

Thomas is preceded in death by brothers, JC Jenkins and JB Jenkins; and daughter, Sonja Jordan.
 
Those left to cherish his memories are:

Wife, Sarah Ann “Gill” Jenkins

Children:
Tracie Moore-Dario
Johnny Veal Jr.
Alvin C. Hawkins Jr.
Jackie Reagan
Debbra Johnson
Janice McKnight

Sisters
Billie Daniels
Joyce Lavern Edwards

Grandchildren:
Dameon “P-nut” Moore
Shawn Reagan
Darren “DJ” Martin Jr.
Alvin A. Hawkins
Marquesa “Kitty” Moore
Johnneisha “Neisha” Mott
Ashley Reagan
Shea Flemons
Alleah Garrett 

And a host of great-grandchildren.

Services entrusted to Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Dr., Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

03/11/2020

John Henry Bledsoe, Jr., 89 of Joaquin, passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2020 at his residence in Joaquin.

Funeral service is 11am Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Windham Civic Center, 146 Express Blvd, Center, Texas. Interment is at Haslam Cemetery in Joaquin with Bro. Tim Maloy officiating.

He is survived by:

Daughters:
Patricia Bledsoe of Joaquin
Nancy Simon of Center
Eola Fransaw of Odessa
Hortense Blair of Joaquin
Annette Simon of Mansfield, Louisiana

Son, Jamie Bledsoe of Joaquin

20 Grandchildren

Sisters:
Esther Norris of Joaquin
Ruby Bledsoe of Houston
Maree Bledsoe of Houston

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

03/10/2020

Hazel Snider McKinzie, 89, of Center, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2020, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Son Windham and Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mrs. McKinzie was born September 1, 1930, in Shelbyville, to George W. Snider and Ida Mae Latham Snider. Her hobbies included gardening, caring for hummingbirds, hunting, cooking, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Hillcrest Missionary Baptist Church in Center.

She is survived by: 

Son-in-law, Everett Cougler of Center

Grandchildren: 
Amber Barbee-Bell
Kurtis Cougler and fiancé Hannah Fountain of Center
Lucas Cougler and wife Sherry

Daughter-in-law, Ginger McKinzie

Grandchildren:
Allison McKinzie and fiancé Skylar Evans
Lane McDonald
Landon McDonald

Great-grandchildren: 
Kali Fountain
Phoenix Cougler
Lennon McDonald
Future Baby Cougler

Siblings: 
Ray Edna Snider Permenter
Gladys Snider Vaughn

Sister-in-law, Sylvia Snider

Numerous nieces and nephews

Special friends:
Kellie Jean Baty
Geneva Graves
Her Pine Grove family

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lee McKinzie; daughter, Earnestine McKinzie Cougler; son, Mark McKinzie; parents, George W. Snider and Ida Mae Latham Snider; and brother, George Washington “Pete” Snider.

Pallbearers will be Skylar Evans, Jason Orsak, Johnny Fuller, Lucas Cougler, Kurtis Cougler, and Nathan Lynch.  

Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Brittain, Matthew Stanley, Eric Choron, Brian Fenton, Josh Fuller, Daniel Walton, C.J. Goings, and Lane McDonald.

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