Shelby County Today

01/06/2020

Mary Elizabeth Whittlesey of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Monday, January 6, 2020, in San Augustine at the age of 79 years, 1 month, 23 days.

Mrs. Whittlesey was born November 14, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas, to parents Howell Bickham and Maxine Sharpton Bickham and had lived in San Augustine most of her life and was a member of First Baptist Church. Mary was a dedicated teacher with 56 years of service, the last 52 years at San Augustine Independent School District, where she was still a member of the faculty at the time of her passing. She adored her students and through these years as a teacher, she made many close ties to the student body and friends. Mrs. Whittlesey had received numerous awards and accolades during her career, including VFW Teacher of the Year and the Buddy Lowe Award.

Her survivors include her husband, Henry Whittlesey of San Augustine, Texas; daughter, Leslie Nichols and husband Terry of Nacogdoches, Texas; son, Joe Whittlesey and wife Jennifer of Center, Texas; grandchildren, Aaron Nichols and wife Megan of Nacogdoches, Texas, Carsen McFarland and husband Wil of Spring, Texas, Dylan Whittlesey of Center, Texas, Andrew Nichols of Nacogdoches, Texas, Lexie Nichols of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Mary-Grace Whittlesey of Center, Texas; a sister, Charlotte Davis and husband Mike of Hideaway, Texas; a cousin, Rebecca Cowart of Jacksonville, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kim Whittlesey; her parents, Howell and Maxine Bickham; and brothers, Hal Bickham, Travis Bickham, and Robert Bickham.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, located at 316 W. Columbia Street in San Augustine, Texas.

Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2020, at San Augustine High School Gym, located at 702 N. Clark Street in San Augustine, Texas, with Bro. Jim Moss officiating. Committal service and interment will follow at Liberty Hill Memorial Garden, located on Texas Hwy. 147 North.

Visit www.WymanRobertsFuneralHome.com for memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine, Texas.

01/06/2020

Roy Ray Windham, 87, passed away December 22, 2019, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2020, at White Rock Cemetery in Center.
Mr. Windham was born April 17, 1932.

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

01/05/2020

Marion Dannie (Dan) Heina,76, was born February 20, 1943 in McAllen, Texas to Carlos Daniel and Laura Caroline Heina. Dan entered into eternal rest Saturday December 28, 2019 at his home in Edinburg.

Left to cherish his memory is:
His wife of 53 years Lana Sue Heina of McAllen

His children:
Marian Sue and husband Shawn Swanberg of Meridian, Idaho
James Daniel and wife Bety of Edinburg

Grandchildren: 
Byron Norman Swanberg
Brandon Allen Swanberg
Tyler James Heina

His brother: Carlos Robert "Bob" Heina and wife Liza of Sterling, Virginia.

Dan, as he was lovingly known by family and friends, attended McAllen and Edinburg schools before graduating from Largo High School in Largo, Florida in 1963. Dan returned to Texas and attended Pan American University while working at the McAllen airport. Dan was working for G.A.C. finance where he met the love of his life Lana Sue Summers. They married in McAllen on July 8, 1967. During their fifty three years in marriage Dan and Lana Sue were close partners in marriage and in business.   

A gathering of family and friends will take place Thursday, January 2, 2020 at Legacy Chapels, 4610 South Jackson Rd in Edinburg from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Graveside service will be Friday, January 3, 2020 at 10:00 am at Valley Memorial Cemetery in Mission, Texas.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Legacy Chapels in Edinburg, Texas

01/05/2020

James E. Higginbotham, 77, of Center, passed away Friday, January 3, 2020, in Center.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 6, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Mr. Higginbotham was born March 24, 1942, in Gilmer, Texas, to Henry Woodrow Higginbotham and Avalene Mauk Higginbotham. He worked for Houston Lighting and Power for forty-two years and later became the minister at Center Church of the Nazarene in Center. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and visiting his grandchildren.

He is survived by:
His wife: Elaine Higginbotham of Center

Son: Chris Higginbotham and wife Ana of Alvin

Daughter-in-law: Karen Higginbotham of Houston

Seven grandchildren 

Sisters: 
Nancy Letts of Houston
Mary Higginbotham of Houston
Dorothy Cisneros of Houston
Alice Clark of Houston

Sister-in-law: Kathy Higginbotham of Quitman

Brother-in-law: Stan Ballard of Mont Belvieu

Numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family members.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Woodrow Higginbotham and Avalene Mauk Higginbotham; son, Keith Higginbotham; and brother, Glen Ray Higginbotham.

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

01/05/2020

Leroy Verl Bowley, 82, of Timpson, Texas passed away on January 2, 2020 in Henderson, Texas. Born August 16, 1937, in Houston, Texas. Leroy is the son of the late Willie Verl Bowley and Geraldine Hazel (Ashley) Bowley. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 6, 2020 at 11:00 am at Springs of Living Water Church.

Visitation will be held Sunday, January 5, 2020 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

Leroy graduated from Jeff Davis High School in Houston, Texas as a basketball superstar. He received a full scholarship and attended The University of Houston playing Cougar basketball. He later decided to transfer to Sam Houston State University where he completed his Bachelors and Masters in Education. He married the love of his life, Jeanette Hicks, on June 30, 1956. The two spent over 63 years together before his passing. 

Leroy brought his family to East Texas in 1977 to accept the call of being a pastor. He taught Math in Tenaha and Garrison for many years while establishing the church. Leroy allowed the Lord to lead him in many endeavors, but the most rewarding was pastoring the church, Springs of Living Water, which was opened 23 years ago. He dearly loved the Lord and his family.

Leroy was a loving and devoted husband, father and Pepaw to not only his grandkids and great grandkids, but many others as well. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and a good game of basketball, but he especially loved spending time with his family. He would take every opportunity to attend his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events as well as other activity he could be involved with.

Leroy is survived by: 
His loving wife: Jeanette Hicks Bowley

Son: Joel Bowley and wife Tammy

Daughter: Tammy Strong

Grandchildren: 
Chris Young
Tyler McDonough
Courtney Ritter
Cody Bowley
Crystal Reagan
Josh Bowley
Amy Williford
Stephen Bowley
Jeremy Bowley
Scooter Churchman
Brock Strong
Blake Strong
Mathew Strong
Brayden Strong
Amitiel Craig
Kaitlyn Bowley

31 great grandchildren

One great-great-grandchild

Brother: Leroy Cecil “LC” Bowley and wife, Lola

Sisters: 
Doris Jones
Delores Liedtke
Adalee Steward

As well as a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie Bowley and Geraldine Bowley; sons, Lee Bowley and Mark Bowley.

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

Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, is in charge or arrangements.

01/03/2020

Wanda Trudy Cox, 89, of Center, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2020, in Center.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 5, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mrs. Cox was born February 28, 1930, in Walnut Springs, to Walter Randolph Yocham and Fannie B Dunlap Yocham. While her main occupation was being a homemaker, she also worked for Center ISD. Mrs. Cox was a member of Lone Star Baptist Church in Center.

She is survived by:

Children:
Connie Belgard and husband Mike of Center
Karen Sharp and husband Bill of Garland
Jim Cox of Center
Jeff Cox and wife Angela of Center

Grandchildren:
Tory Rogers and husband Charles
Jessica Price and husband Josh
Adam Cox and wife Brooke
Brittany Kimbro
Kristen Pinkston and husband Ryan
Loren Jones and husband Bradley
Dana Sharp and husband Toby
Heather Sharp
Ryan Sharp
Kyle Sharp and wife Kaitlin
Rebecca Marchbanks and husband Chris
Erin Pitts and husband Jeremy
Jillian Batson and husband Joseph
Elizabeth Pinkston and husband Richard
Darcie Hays Belgard

Twenty-seven great-grandchildren

Numerous other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Cox; parents, Walter Randolph Yocham and Fannie B Dunlap Yocham; brothers, Ralph, Russell, and Glenn Yocham; sister-in-law, Juanita Yocham; and special cousins, George and Georgia Chadwick.

A special thanks to Kay Powell and the staff of Lakeside Assisted Living.

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

01/02/2020

L.A. Ratcliff, 71 of Dallas, passed away Friday, December 27, 2019 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Funeral service is Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 1pm at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center with Pastor Darnelle Cranford officiating.

He is survived by:

Daughter, April Ratcliff of Dallas

Sons:
Aaron Elliot Ratcliff of Wisconsin
Clifton Ratcliff of Wisconsin

Sisters:
Zella Mae Davis of Lufkin
Vira Poole of Wells

4 Grandchildren

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

12/31/2019

Oscar Lee “Jack” Lister, 85 of Houston, Texas, passed away on December 18, 2019.

He was a native of Shelbyville but lived in Houston most of his adult life.  

Oscar, better known to many as “Uncle Jack” leaves to cherish his memory:

Daughters:
Anita and husband Jackie Williams of Center
Sherri and husband Thurston Love of Humble

Sons:
Cedric Lister and wife Alicia of Houston
Eric Lister of Houston

Brother, Hollis Lister of Houston, Texas

Sister, Shirley Lister Hardy Whitman and husband Rick of Los Angeles, California.

He also leaves 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

A memorial for “Uncle Jack” Lister will be on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 12noon at Lockwood Funeral Home, 9402 Lockwood Drive, Houston, Texas 77016.

Services entrusted to Lockwood Funeral Home, Houston, Texas.

12/31/2019

Watson “Mack” McCreary, Jr., 92 of Joaquin, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019, in Shreveport, LA.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport, LA. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, in the Chapel of Osborn. Officiating will be Brother J. Paul Silvey. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Mack was born on March 29, 1927, in Parker, TX. He was a member of the Lucas Baptist Church, Lucas, TX, where his mother wished his membership to remain.

Mack was a life member of the VFW, Grady-Brown post 4588 Bossier City, LA and also a member of the American Legion, Lowe McFarlane Post 14 on Cross Lake in Shreveport, LA. He was a Master Mason in the Masonic Atkins Lodge No. 266 Taylor Town, LA. He was a member of Shelby County Shooters, in Center, TX and a past member of the Corrosion Engineers in Shreveport, LA. Since around 1954 he has been a Life Member of the National Rifle Association of America which he strongly believed in. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts of America for 56 years. He was a Scoutmaster in McKinney, TX and in Chelsea, MI. In Shreveport he was a Scoutmaster of Troop 59, Scout Hut located on the school grounds of Caddo Heights Elementary School and sponsored by The American Legion Post 14 Lowe-McFarlane on Cross Lake. The Norwella Council of Scouting in Shreveport awarded Mack with a Silver Beaver award around 1971.

Mack was retired in 1985 as Chief Maintenance and Operations from the V.A. Medical Center in Shreveport, LA. He had a 37-year career with the V.A. working at McKinney, TX as Chief Buildings and Grounds until it closed in 1965 and he was transferred to Ann Arbor, MI as Chief of Maintenance. During his 37-year V.A. career he worked for 23 different Chief Engineer Officers at three different hospitals and received 24 yearly outstanding or sustained Superior awards from 17 different V.A. Chief Engineers and most were with cash awards. In 1973, Mack was selected to receive the Department Award for Supervisory Excellence in the Incentive Awards Program. He was selected by the Washington D.C. Chief Medical Director over all 176 V.A. hospitals in the nation. Prior to his V.A. career he worked for the Internal Revenue in Dallas, TX.

Mack joined the Navy during World War II while he was still in High School in Plano, TX. After graduation while in the Navy he served in the Asiatic Pacific Area and China. He operated a VP 40-man amphibious boats as a 3rd class Boatswain Mate. On Okinawa the boat could not be backed from the Beach to return to his ship after unloading Marines and he then became a Marine for 37 days until the Navy picked him up. During the Korean Conflict he was a Staff Sergeant in the 443 Communication Squadron in charge of crypto, radio, teletype, and telephone at Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville, SC. His military service ribbons include: American Defense Service, Asiatic Pacific Area, World War II Victory, China Service, and Navy Good Conduct. After his discharge from the Air Force he attended night school and graduated from Collin County Vocational School in McKinney, TX.

While working at the V.A. Hospital in McKinney, TX he met and married, Janelle Cole, of Jacksonville, TX, who was a V.A. Dietitian. They had two sons, Charles Wayne McCreary, Sr. (2012) who was a State Farm Agent and Michael Glenn McCreary, Sr. (1998) who was a Sergeant on the Plano, TX Police Department, both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Watson “Jack” and Clara Edith McCreary, of Parker, TX; and granddaughter, Rebecca McCreary, of Shreveport, LA.

He is survived by:

Loving wife of 69 years, Jan

Daughter-in-law, (Charles’ widow) Sherrill and their two children, Charles Wayne McCreary, Jr. and Elisabeth McCreary, all of Shreveport, LA

Daughter-in-law, (Michael’s widow) Debbie Hastings, of Plano, TX and their two children, Michael Glenn McCreary, Jr. and wife, Emma, McKinney, TX and Jennifer Nicole Childress and husband, Josh, all of The Colony, TX

Great-grandchildren, Jordan Elizabeth and Michael Glenn, III

A host of cousins.

His family was very, very dear to him. 

Mack was an avid hunter and fisherman and grew a large variety of vegetables. He liked traveling and sight-seeing. He also liked flying and obtained his pilot’s license in 1953, but soon gave it up. He played golf for many years and loved working with boys in the Boy Scouts. He often said he was still a “boy in the body of an old man”. He was one who loved the outdoors and backwoods.

Pallbearers will be Willie Edwards, Ronnie Stone, John Witham, and Craig Hendricks. Honorary pallbearers Dr. Tom Mosby, Billy Puckett, King Vidler, Bobby Craft, Richard Pridgen, and Johnny Pridgen. 

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Rajan Kahanna and the Christus Highland Hospital nurses and staff. 

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport, LA and memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Norwela Council, 3508 Beverly Place, Shreveport, LA 71104 or First Baptist Church, 100 Connell Ferry Road, Joaquin, TX 75954.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

Mack believed “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) He was a consummate “Southern Gentleman”, whose word and handshake were his bond.