Shelby County Today

05/17/2024

Gerald Dennis Hansen, 89, of Sulphur, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. He was born to his late parents, Jim and Gladys Hansen on November 11, 1934 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Gerald's dad was a truck driver which in turn influenced Gerald to become one and he drove for Nabisco for three years. After three years of driving a truck, he realized it wasn't for him. One day he just happened to be driving by the Air Force recruiting office and decided to enlist. He spent several years in Japan before being stationed at Chennault in Lake Charles. 

Gerald was proud of his military service and served in the United States Air Force from May 1956 until May 1960 and rose to rank of Airman 1st Class. When he was stationed in Chennault, his roommate at the time did not have a car, so he would drive his friend to his girlfriend's house. 

Through his friend's girlfriend, he met his future wife, Jeannette, at the Cal Cam Fair which turned out to be their first date. They met in October, were engaged in December, and finally married in February. They were married for 54 years before she passed in September 2014. They loved to dance and he taught her the polka. Gerald was employed by Himont where he would retire after 32 years of service. In his later years, Gerald loved attending the monthly L.I.F.T. (Living Information for Today), a social program for Widows/Widowers program in Sulphur, Louisiana, hosted by Jody Tyler.

He is survived by:
Son, James B. Hansen and son-in-law Brent McRoberts of Grand Junction, Colorado

Brother, Lowell Hansen (Bonnie) of Denmark, Wisconsin

Sister and brother-in-law, Veryl and Melvin Kiekhaefer (Mel) of Neenah, Wisconsin

Numerous nieces and nephews

Special-nephew, Lucas Ellender

Sister-in-law, Ramona Ellender, who was more like a daughter

Gerald is preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette Hansen; parents, Jim and Gladys; and his brother, Gordon Hansen.

A Celebration of Gerald's life will be held at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10:00 am, with Hixson Celebrant Jody Tyler. Visitation will be at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Friday, from 8:30 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Mimosa Pines South Cemetery in Carlyss, Louisiana.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com

05/15/2024

Doris Jannette Swanzy, 86, of Garrison, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Garrison.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Truitt Cemetery in Joaquin with Hal Rymel officiating.

Doris was known by many names, she was lovingly called Momma, G, Granny, and sister by those that adored her. She was a loving, caring mother and a devoted Grandmother and Great-Grandmother to so many.  Each one of her family members have such fond and lasting memories of their time with her.

Doris Jannette Swanzy was born to Monroe and Sybil Whiddon on June 9, 1937, in Logansport, Louisiana.

She grew up in Joaquin, Texas, and graduated from Joaquin High School.  After high school, she furthered her career goals at Massey Business College in Houston, Texas.

She worked at Moore Business forms for 34 years in the accounting department and retired in 1999.

Doris Married Hugh “Sonny” Levi Swanzy, Sr. on September 3, 1957, and passed away on May 14, 2024.

She attended Bethel Baptist Church of Appleby and was a devoted and active member until her illness kept her homebound.  She loved her church family very much.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Sybil Whiddon; her husband, Hugh Levi Swanzy, Sr.; her brother, Kenneth Whiddon; and her sister-in-law, Retha; her brother, Royce “Mann” Whiddon; and her brother-in-law, David Vickery.

Left to cherish her loving memory are:
Sisters: 
Helen, and husband, Walter Craft 
Linda Vickery
Brenda, and husband, Robert Sears

Sister-in-law, Yvonne Whiddon 

Sons: 
Hugh Levi Swanzy, Jr., and wife, Karla
William “Bubba” Julius Monroe Swanzy, and wife, Jennifer

Grandchildren:
Brett Swanzy, and wife, Sarah
Lee Allen, and wife, Kendra
Justin Allen, and wife, Amber
Wendy Brandenburg
Crystal Swanzy
Brooke Reynolds, and husband, Justin
Krystopher “Bo” Davenport
Jessy Davenport

Great-grandchildren:
Brayden Swanzy
Rowan Swanzy
Tyler Allen 
Karly Allen
Kynleigh Allen
Samantha Allen 
Rebekah Allen
Gracie Allen
Kelly Allen
Will Elizabeth
Levi Brandenburg
Zachary “Tanner” Swanzy
Joshua Berry
Christian Johnson
Hayden Ward
Justis Reynolds
Chason Davenport
Maddison Davenport
Lexi Davenport
Jaydyn Davenport
Jhayce Davenport
Kenleigh Davenport
Bodhi Davenport
Jhourni Davenport

Along with numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

Her family would like to graciously thank Dr. Reddy and his wonderful staff of nurses, the A Pineywoods Home Health nursing staff, and Harbor Hospice’s awesome staff with a special thanks to Brittany and LaTonya for their loving care at home.

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

05/13/2024

Pudden Head Lout, 86, of Center, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Center.

Graveside service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Born July 3, 1937, in Shelby County, Pudden Head is the son of Charlie Lout and Dolly Mae Blackstock Lout.

He is survived by:

Sons:
Randall Lout of Center
Larry Windham and wife Ina of Lufkin

Grandchildren:
Joey Windham and wife Claudia of Palestine
Jena and Andrew Nichols of Huntsville
Savannah and Terrance Weathered of West Sabine
Lori and Jeremy Walker of San Antonio

Preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Lout; parents, Charlie Lout and Dolly Mae Blackstock Lout; and brothers, Kenneth Lout, Donice Lout, and Wilbur Lout.

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

05/10/2024

Kaye Francis (Pilot) McCoy, 87, departed from this life early Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Dallas, TX.  Kaye was born to E.D. Pilot and Willie Pearl (Wilson) Pilot on October 15, 1936 in Center, Texas.

Kaye was a graduated of CH Daniels High School.  Kaye also graduated from Prairie View A&M University. Kaye worked many years and retired from Texas Instruments.

Kaye married Rober Earl McCoy and to this union four children were born.  Kaye joined Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, TX and served in many capacities.  If you were looking for Kaye, you could find her at Mt. Tabor busy doing the work of the Lord.

Kaye is survived by her children:
Derek (Barbara) McCoy
Byron (Tamiko) McCoy
Kenneth McCoy
Karla (Richard) Shaw

Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren

Siblings:
Shirley Suell of Center, TX
Myrna Williams of Melissa, TX

Nieces and Nephews:

Vicki Barnes
Ricky McCoy
Elzie White Jr.
Pam (Chauncey) Grant
Greg (Hattie) Horton
Kimberly Horton
Anitra Johnson
Monica (Morgan) Hill
Gary (Pamela) Suell
Marcia (Julius) Jones
Debbie Suell-Tanner
Jennifer (Larry) Ingram
And other nieces and nephews

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rober Earl McCoy; parents, E.D. and Willie Pearl Pilot; brother, James Pilot and sisters, Lillie V. Horton, Elma C. White and Eddie R. Davis.

The Memorial Service was Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11a.m. at Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, 3700 Simpson Stuart Road, Dallas, TX 75241. To view the Memorial on YouTube, click here.

05/09/2024

Tommy Wayne Barton, age 86, passed away on May 7, 2024, with his loving family by his side. He was a resident of Kingwood, Texas for the past 45 years.

Tommy was born on December 19, 1937, in Paxton, Texas. He graduated from Tenaha, Texas, playing on both the basketball and football teams. He was president of his Senior class and an active member of the Tenaha chapter of Future Farmers of America. He went to Stephen F. Austin State University, where he received a B.S. degree with a major in Agriculture Education. Tommy began his career with Shell Chemical Company in Research and Development. During his time at Shell, he lived in California, Texas and Florida before moving to Kingwood, Texas. He received the Golden Plowshare Award. After DuPont Chemical purchased the Agricultural Chemical Division of Shell, Tommy remained as the Southwest District Sales Manager for DuPont. He was elected president of the Texas Agrichemical Company Association (TACA) and named Member of the Year in 1997. He enjoyed his work in the agriculture community and made many friends.

Tommy was a member and faithful attendee of Kingwood First Baptist Church for twenty-five years. He served on the Ticket Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He was excited and proud to have the opportunity to appear as an extra in the 1990 movie “Tin Cup,” filmed in Houston. He maintained a close relationship with the other members of Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEOs), meeting with them every Thursday for lunch and fellowship. An active member of Gideons International, he also served as Vice President, Secretary and Membership Chairman of Church Ministries Faith Fund. Tommy’s faith and his church were central to his life.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Erma Barton, his brother, Leroy Barton, two of his nephews, Donald and Douglas Barton, his sister-in-law, Gladys Barton, and his niece, Janet Barton.

He is survived by:

Wife, Jeanne Barton

Daughters:
Rhonda Heatly
Tracey Callaghan
Tammy Brooks

Sons-in-law:
Gene Heatly
Paul Callaghan, III

Grandchildren:
Kyra Heatly
Paul Callaghan, IV
Cody Brooks
Tommy Callaghan
Dillon Brooks
Ethan Heatly
Ashley Callaghan

Sister and her husband, Judy and James Rodriguez, and their children and grandchildren.

He is also survived by Jeanne’s children, Barbara and Andy Drumheller and Elizabeth Ballard and Berkley Lee Collins, III, and their four children, Jude Drumheller, Jackson Drumheller, Berkley Collins, IV, and Julia Drumheller.

In addition, Tommy is survived by many loving friends and relatives.

A visitation for Tommy will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kingwood Funeral Home, 22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, Texas 77339. A funeral service will occur Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Kingwood First Baptist Church, 3500 Woodland Hills Dr, Houston, Texas 77339. A committal service will occur Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 4:00 PM at Old Home Cemetery, Tenaha, Texas.

Services under the direction of Kingwood Funeral Home, Houston, Texas.

05/09/2024

Wilbur Murray Borders, 89, of Center, Texas, passed away on May 5, 2024, in Center, Texas. He was born on July 16, 1934, in Milledgeville, Georgia, to the late Jack Borders and Pearl (Lingold) Borders.  

Funeral service will be held at 11AM on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home, with Bro. Porter Brewer officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10AM on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Mangum Funeral Home.

The Jack Borders family moved from Georgia to Bordersville, Texas, north of Houston on February 8, 1938, and later permanently settled nearby in Humble, Texas, where Murray spent most of his early years. Murray joined First Baptist Church, Humble, Texas, as a teenager and as most Baptists, he was “once a Baptist always a Baptist”. He married Dorris Denise Serres, and they had two children, a son, Jeffrey Wayne Borders and a daughter, Karen Lynette Borders. 

In the mid 50’s, Murray started his 6-year obligation to the United States Army, spending 2 years active duty with basic training at Ft. Carson, Colorado, and the remaining active duty at the former Presidio US Army post, at the northern tip of the San Fransisco peninsula, the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. His remaining years were served in the Reserves. He served his entire active service as a The Company Clerk because he was the only one in the company who raised his hand when the company was asked, “Can anyone use a typewriter?” This turned out to be a very serious experience for Murray, as the responsibility of clerical detail required extreme accuracy. This was during the onset of the “ballistic missile” era. “Top Clearance” and “Secrecy” were Standard Operating Procedures. Murray worked well under the stress and rigid requirements; he greatly loved his country and immensely enjoyed his time in the United States Military. He liked driving top level commanders, including generals, to various locations and meetings and was fascinated by their brain power and their personalities. 

Murray then returned to civilian life in the Houston area and worked for Baker Oil Tools for over 25 years, first domestically, then residing and working internationally, in Venezuela, Indonesia, and Australia.  Murray and Quincy were married in 1965 and the two have spent over 58 years together. They traveled extensively during their time together, while Murray was working on various jobs. After retirement, they moved back to the states and went to work for the Jaffa Company in Waxahachie for his brother-in-law, Sam Jaffa and his sister, Geneva, in their crystal and glass etching business. Later he and Quincy settled in Center, Texas, where Quincy’s mother was, and he worked many years at Walmart just for fun. 

He is survived by his spouse, Quincy Borders, Center

Son, Jeffrey Wayne Borders, Groveton

Daughter, Karen (Borders) Washington and husband, Robert Washington, of Yoakum

Sister, Geneva (Borders) Jaffa, of Red Oak

Brother, Carl Thomas Borders, Mountainair, New Mexico

Grandchildren:
Courtney Washington, Texas
Brittany Washington, Texas
Carson Everett Washington, Louisiana

Pseudo-Grandchildren, Taylor Blankenstein, and twins, Ray and Ethan Blankenstein, Wyoming

Great-Grandchildren:
Everett Paul Washington, Louisiana
Declan Henry Washington, Louisiana
Sloane Nicole Washington, Louisiana
Elijah Anthony De La Rosa, Texas

Nephew, Rick Jaffa, Pacific Palisades, California

Niece, Jennifer Borders, New Jersey

Murray is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Pearl Borders; brother, Jack Matthew Borders; nephews, Gary Jaffa and Kevin Borders.

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements

05/08/2024

Willa Dean Bohannon, 92, of Center, passed away Monday, April 29, 2024, in Nacogdoches. She was born October 21, 1931, in Oologah, Oklahoma.

Memorial service will be held at 6pm, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Chireno Baptist Church in Chireno.

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

05/05/2024

Mary Janell (Jill) Franks, 77 of Bay City, Texas went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born February 3, 1947, in Nacogdoches, Texas to Henry Ferman and Edna Lee Franks.

Janell graduated from Bay City High School in the class of 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts & Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She married Wayne Stephens of Bay City, Texas on December 22, 1967, and they had two children, Rachel, and Ryan. Upon graduating from college, Ms. Franks taught Art, ESL, and English in Bay City for over many  years. Janell later ran two businesses: real estate rentals and the Golden ‘T’ bar in Bay City until 1989 when she returned to East Texas to help care for her parents and teach at Timpson ISD. In 2018 she moved to Elkhart, Texas where she created “an ancestral “home (so designated by her grandson) where she enjoyed sharing life with her two dogs, Jake and Peaches, and her children and grandchildren.

Ms. Franks was a woman of many talents: creating and gifting beautiful works of art; giving of herself when family or friends needed help, her passionate love of family, and devotion to her students.

Janell was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.

She is survived by:

Daughter, Rachel Lynn Francois and husband Chad of Jarrell

Son, Ryan Dow Stephens and wife, Tracy of Seguin

Brother, K. Edward Franks and wife, Francesca of Cleveland

Sister, Kathy Sue (Franks) Cannon and husband, Lawson McElvy (Mackie) Cannon of Seabrook

Grandchildren:
Connor Stephens
Collin Stephens
Teagan Francois

Along with numerous nieces, nephews and a circle of dear lifelong friends. 

There will be a memorial for Janell on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 from 11am-1pm at First Methodist Church, 2300 Ave H, Bay City TX 77414. If you would like to send flowers, please let the florist know the church is closed on Fridays so to coordinate delivery with the church, (979) 245-4627. 

Alternatively if you’d like to make a donation to one of Janell’s favorite organizations, you can donate to the following: Anderson County Humane Society, Becky’s Hope Horse Rescue, Dove Creek Equine Rescue, or My Pegasus Project Horse Rehab and Rescue.

Services under the direction of Boren-Conner Funeral Home, Bullard, Texas.

05/02/2024

Arma Arnold Bolton, (98) of Center, Texas, died at her residence surrounded by her family May 1, 2024. She was born to the late Jim Arnold and Willie Lovell Arnold in Shelbyville, Texas.   

Funeral service will be held at St. John Baptist Church at 11am on Saturday, May 4, 2024, (2308 CR 2050 Center, Texas). Rev. Alvin J. Davis, Sr. will do the eulogist.

Visitation is Saturday, May 4, 2024, from the hours of 10am to 11am at St. John Baptist Church. Committal is at St. John Baptist Africa Community. Repass is at St. John Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

She is survived by:

Son, Eddie (Genera) Bolton of Center

Daughters:
Peggy Johnson of Center
Shirley Watts of Center
Rhonda (Chris) Cartwright of Shelbyville

Grandchildren:
Courtney Johnson of Center
Adric Watts (Kelly) of Center
Justin Watts (Jessica) of Ft. Worth
Kia Ross (Darius) of Arlington
Derrick Bolton (Mary) of Mansfield, Louisiana
VaTera Barnes (Brandon) of Center
Chandler Cartwright of Arlington
Katelyn Bolton of Houston
Kentrell Bolton of Mansfield, Louisiana

Great-grandchildren that kept her young:
Ashley Johnson of Houston
Jay'lah Brinson of Center
Ja'Kadric and Ja'Kedric Watts of Dallas
Adrian Johnson of Center
Jaxon Watts of Ft. Worth
Brandon Barnes of Center
Braylon and Brooklyn Roland of Center
Da Maya Collins of Nacogdoches
My'Laya and My'Kymzie Collins of Timpson
Heaven, Keelan, Maisyn, and Leilani Bolton

2 great-great-grandchildren

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.