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May 8, 2020 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary would normally be on the Center square today May 8, 2020, in front of the Shelby County Veteran's Memorial to recognize the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day); however, due to the threat of COVID-19 the post does not feel it is yet safe for a formal gathering as in past years.
Included with this article is a video of the ceremony held May 8, 2017 on the 72nd anniversary of VE Day. During that program Hume stated, "We will always remember their service and sacrifice of our military even if others don't."
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, has shared the program which would have been handed out to those in attendance this year. The information includes 65 names of Shelby County Veterans who died in the European Theater. Click here to view the program.
The following names are those 65 Shelby County, Texas World War II Veterans who died in service to our country in the European Theater:
- Ralph T. Amoss - Killed in Action, August 5, 1944, England
- John C. Anderson - Killed in Action, September 8, 1944, France
- Nolan R. Anderson - Killed in Action, June 12, 1944, France
- William L. Anding - Killed in Action, December 22, Italy
- Lloyd L. Andrews - Missing in Action, December 25, 1944, English Channel
- Cecil A. Armstreet - Missing in Action, August 31, 1942, at sea
- Bruce C. Baker, Jr. - Killed in Action, July 15, 1944, England
- Marvin Beard - Killed in Action, September 6, 1944, Italy
- Oscar L. Belser - Killed in Action, April 5, 1943, North Africa
- Ray W. Bolton - Killed in Action, November 8, 1945, Italy
- Joseph B. Brannon - Killed in Action, March 3, 1945, Germany
- Richard D. Bray - Killed in Action, July 11, 1944, France
- Thomas B. Brittain - Died of Combat Wounds, January 16, 1945, France
- Bryan N. Brittain - Killed in Action, September 23, 1945, North Africa
- Lee O. Brunson - Missing in Action, December 8, 1944, France
- E.T. Burgess, Jr. - Killed in Action, January 11, 1944, Germany
- John B. Byrn - Missing in Action, August 24, 1943, North Africa
- Richard E. Crawford - Killed in Action, November 20, 1944, France
- Early Davis - Killed in Action, October 12, 1944, Italy
- Barron Davis - Killed in Action, February 28, 1945, Germany
- Robert E. Daw, Jr. - Killed in Action, December 30, 1944, Belgium
- Lewis Dockens - Killed in Action, July 1942, Coast of South America
- Reed H. Dominy - Missing in Action, April 15, 1944, European Theater
- Austin E. Dunaway - Killed in Action, February 17, 1944, Italy
- William P. Durham - Killed in Action, May 28, 1944, Italy
- Arlie L. Eddins - Died Non-Combat, January 1, 1945, England
- O.J. Edwards - Killed in Action, December 16, 1944, Italy
- Charles R. Frame - Killed in Action, January 8, 1945, England
- Randle B. Golden - Died Non-Battle, October 4, 1944, France
- E.C. Gunnels - Killed in Action, January 10, 1945, Germany
- Hubert B. Haley - Missing in Action, May 14, 1942, Gulf of Mexico
- Hulon M. Hardage - Killed in Action, August 22, 1944, France
- Walter B. Henry - Missing in Action, August 7, 1943, Atlantic Ocean
- Harold W. Hooper - Killed in Action, November 2, 1944, Netherlands
- William S. Hopkins - Killed in Action, November 26, 1945, Germany
- Roy D. Hughes - Killed in Action, August 15, 1944, Germany
- Arthur T. Hutcherson - Died in Accident, December 23, 1944, France
- Walter B. Hutto - Killed in Action, August 25, 1944, France
- James R. Kirkland - Killed in Action, September 30, 1944, Holland
- Howard L. Lovell - Killed in Action, December 27, 1944, Italy
- Charlie Majors - Died of Wounds, December 21, 1944, England
- Clarence M. Mahan - Died Non-Battle, October 2, 1944, France
- James A. McDaniel - Missing in Action, April 20, 1944, Mediterranean Sea
- John W. Minter - Killed in Action, July 9, 1944, France
- Roy H. Mitchell - Killed in Action, December 28, 1944, France
- Woodrow W. Moro - Missing in Action, May 5, 1942, at sea
- Jimmie H. Mott - Killed in Action, July 26, 1944, France
- Hoya B. Murphy - Killed in Action, December 8, 1944, Germany
- James E. Pate - Killed in Action, August 18, 1944, France
- Pershing Pate - Killed in Action, June 8, 1944, France
- Jack Powell - Killed in Action, July 6, 1944, France
- Arlen Rhame - Killed in Action, July 28, 1944, France
- Ben M. Simon - Killed in Action, March 14, 1945, Germany
- Hugh J. Smith - Killed in Action, January 27, 1945, Italy
- Choron Smotherman - Missing in Action, November 27, 1943, Mediterranean Sea
- Robert Swanzy - Killed in Action, July 12, 1944
- William R. Todd - Killed in Action, September 13, 1944, France
- Richard M. Wallace - Missing in Action, July 26, 1942, New Guinea
- Sidney E. Watson - Killed in Action, August 22, 1944, France
- E.C. White - Killed in Accident, July 4, 1944, England
- Robert Wilburn - Died of Combat Wounds, August 26, 1944, Italy
- Clifton Williams - Killed in Action, December 15, 1944, Germany
- Elmer E. Williams - Missing in Action, November 8, 1942, Puerto Rico
- Ray D. Williams - Missing in Action, July 11, 1944, European Theater
- Wrayful Willis - Died Non-Battle, July 29, 1945, France
May 8, 2020 - I am sure everyone has a special aunt to brag on this week of Mother’s Day. I will do the same for my Aunt Hazel Garrett Brown. Auntie has reached that Golden Old Age where the family must be careful with her. I think she is 90 years old. She is the only child remaining of Edgar and Sally Ann Garrett who were prominent citizens of Center and members of St. Paul Church before their demise. I always wanted to be like my Aunt Hazel. She worked as a hairdresser in a shop in Center for many years before moving to Longview Texas after her marriage to Prentiss Brown. She worked many years in Longview in a day care nursery school and enjoyed mothering the young people. Aunt Hazel had two sons who she is immensely proud of now. The second son has become her sole comfortable companion. During her early years, she was so proud to have her nieces visit for the summers and one of them lived with her for a while. I think that was to get a change from just the two sons. My schedule has prevented me from visiting as much as I wish I could through the years. My Aunt Hazel deserves the right to receive this special tribute during this Mother’s Day week. The family loves her very much.
May 7, 2020 - The RIO Theatre decided to add an additional 'spotlight on the graduating class of 2020' by featuring a special message to the graduates on their marquee. The RIO Theatre and its staff are proud of the hard work all the seniors have put into graduating high school and COVID-19 has put a damper on the celebration. Which is why Mike and Nita Adkison invites all the graduates to 'take a bow' because we and all of Shelby County applaud you! Congratulations!
May 7, 2020 - Reagan Hovey is a former graduate of Joaquin ISD and will be graduating Magna Cum Laude Friday, May 8, 2020, via Web Ceremony from Texas A&M University, College Station.
Reagan has worked very hard earning his degree in three short years. He is a member of both Student Bonfire and the Texas A & M Honors Council.
He would like to thank all of those in the community that supported him in his education at Texas A & M! Shelby County Aggie Moms, Jackson Missionary Baptist Church, Joaquin Mason Lodge, American State Bank, and any other Scholarships that he was given, faculty and staff of JISD and community members that checked in on him! Judge LeAnn Kay Rafferty and her staff for an internship filled with memories he will use in pursuit of his Law Degree.
May 7, 2020 - Known as three Ds, Donna, Dedra and Dadra have been active most of their lives. They were young in Center when their mother passed away. They were raised by their dad and by other siblings assisting in Houston. These three grew up to be fine women. They were active in sports while in school and beyond even learning how to ride motorcycles. The three went into the cosmetology business where they were successful for many years, winning many awards while attending national shows. Many relatives have joined them in this environment.
Donna, Dedra and Dadra have demonstrated motherly attributes toward their children. Ironically, their children are close in age. Can you imagine at least two of them were expecting at the same time. Donna has three children, Dedra has three children and Dadra has two. Their children are all young adults now except the ten-year-old of Dedra. They have shown others that their love for their children is more than just the care for them, but also with the participation in their sport events and other community participations.
I admire the Swindell Triplets (each one has been my hairdresser) because they are very business oriented and they love their family. So, these ladies deserve a tribute for this Mother’s Day.
May 5, 2020 - The Center Garden Club is pleased to present the Yard of the Month Award for May 2020 to Mr. Remigio Diaz whose home at 303 Henrietta features not only a wide variety of plantings, artistically-trimmed shrubs and topiaries, and manicured grass, but also several pieces of lovely statuary. Center Garden Club urges everyone to drive by Mr. Diaz’s home and enjoy his delightful landscape composition.
May 5, 2020 - This week of May leads to Mothers Day on Sunday, May 10th. This is the day the Nation celebrates the woman who have done great things for her children as well as the community. Several mothers have meant a lot to me so I will pay tribute to them beginning with my cousins, Imogene and Tabitha Williams.
Imogene Daniels Williams has been like a sister to me through the years since we are a few months apart. Even though my family moved to Houston in my early teen years, she and I have always been close. She just celebrated a birthday in April without her twin sister, Earnestine who passed two years ago. Imogene has been the area AVON sales person for years but I hear she is downsizing now. She has two sons and a daughter who are her pride and joy and she will do anything to help them. They in turn, will do the same for her She is an usher at her church and involved in many programs.
Ironically, her daughter married a Williams making her name, Tabitha Williams Williams. The same attitude as her mother, she is friendly, business-minded, and works in the church. She received her degree from Stephen F. Austin some years ago and has had good jobs in the city and surrounding areas. Tabitha is proud of her family with the son and daughter who she helps as needed. She has grandchildren now and treats them as her own when she is not working.
This mother and daughter team deserve the tribute from me this week for Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day!
April 27, 2020 - Even during this time of uncertainty, we will continue the fight against child abuse in our community. Join us by learning the signs of abuse.
https://www.cactx.org/public/upload/files/general/Signs_of_Child_Abuse_Card_2019_English.pdf
April 23, 2020 - In an effort to enhance our social distancing practices, Shelby Savings Bank will be instituting shift work with teller staff. We will be temporarily closing the drive-thru at 4:30 p.m. each day.
The two Center locations will be temporarily closed on Saturdays.
Please know that our San Augustine, Hemphill, and Palestine Branch locations will continue to operate normal Saturday hours. We apologize for any inconvenience. Our goal is to continue providing the highest level of service to you, our valued customers.
April 22, 2020 - Since 2012, the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center has hosted a Butterfly Release during the month of April to recognize April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.
In the past the Butterfly Release has been held at 4:30pm which is why this story was posted today at this time. April 22nd was the planned day for the 2020 Butterfly release, however, COVID-19 has caused so many community events to be cancelled which is why Shelby County Today released these electronic butterflies on the Around Town page.
The Butterfly release is an event which doesn't raise money but raises awareness. In the 2017 Butterfly Release, City of Center Mayor David Chadwick spoke and told the story of the butterfly. "Remember the Indian Legend of the butterfly and what it means and how we had learned you would tell a butterfly a secret." He continued to explain the butterfly is symbolic of the gesture that we try to instill in a child to tell someone what their problems are. According to the legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens to be granted.
Statistics - During fiscal year 2019, 59,919 children receive critical services at a children’s advocacy center in Texas. 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Out of 59,919 child victims served at a CAC in Texas last year:
- 98% KNEW their alleged perpetrator.
- 47% were between the ages of 6 and 12.
- 35% of these children are male.
- 65% of these children are female.
Resources:
- Shelbycountycac.com - Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center
- CACTX.org - Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas
- Childwelfare.gov - National child Abuse Prevention Month 2020 Strong and Thriving Families
- Preventchildabuse.org - 2020 Child Abuse Prevention Month
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