Shelby County Today

09/29/2026

Clifford “J.C.” Hamilton, 96, of Joaquin, entered into his eternal home on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Watson & Sons Chapewith Jonathan Baker officiating, assisted by Phil Worsham and Rev. Mike Stowell. Interment will follow at Lone Cedar Cemetery in Joaquin.

Born October 5, 1929, in Shelby County, Clifford is the son of Curtis Leard Hamilton and Pairlee Cleo Taylor Hamilton. In 1992, he retired from Beard Industries.  Clifford spent his life as a cattleman and farmer, providing for his family and helping feed his community.  

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Clifford cherished his family and the time spent with them. Above all, he loved his Lord with all his heart. He was a lifelong member of Lone Cedar Missionary Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as deacon. Clifford was also a sixty-five-year member of Joaquin Masonic Lodge No. 856. 

He is survived by:
Daughter, Linda Headrick Hamilton and husband Lance of Longstreet, Louisiana

Son, Jimmy Hamilton and wife Tammy of Joaquin

Grandchildren:
Tara Leigh Headrick of Longstreet, Louisiana
Kyle Hamilton Headrick and wife Katelyn of DeBerry, Texas
Cody Hamilton and wife Cassidy of Joaquin
Colby Hamilton and Alexis Byrd of Joaquin

Great-grandchildren:
Hallie Headrick
Hadley Hamilton
Lyndie Headrick
Heston Headrick
Jace Hamilton

Sisters:
Tillie Lilly of Joaquin
Fay Baker of Tyler

Brother-in-law, Tommy Gray and wife Jaunell of Joaquin

Sister-in-law, Doshia Hamilton of Joaquin

Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by wife, Wanda Gray Hamilton; infant daughter; son-in-law, Ken Headrick; parents, Curtis Leard Hamilton and Pairlee Cleo Taylor Hamilton; brother, Spencer Hamilton; half-brother, Curtis Hamilton; brothers-in-law, Tommy Lilly and Daniel Baker; sisters-in-law, Frances Crocker and husband Elvin and Era Lou Gray; and nephew, Scooter Gray.

Pallbearers will be Glenn Oates, John Paul Lawson, Gary Nixon, Mike Taylor, Mike Lawson, and Mark Owens.  Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Lawrence, Craylon Hughes, and Mr. Hamilton’s nephews.

Special thanks to fellow members of Lone Cedar Missionary Baptist Church, Melissa Rodgers, Avir Nursing Center, and Heart to Heart Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lone Cedar Cemetery Fund or Joaquin Masonic Lodge No. 856 Scholarship Fund.

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

09/25/2026

Charles “Bill” Kay, 93, of Shelbyville, Texas, passed away on September 24, 2026, in Huxley, Texas. He was born on November 27, 1932, in Shelby County, to the late Homer Kay and Ruby (Bounds) Kay.

Bill graduated from Strong High School. He later married the love of his life, LaJuan Still, and together they shared more than 56 years of marriage before her passing. Their life together was filled with love, laughter, family, and countless memories. They traveled America together in their camper, enjoying the beauty of new places and, most importantly, each other’s company. Together, they raised two children and built a family that meant everything to Bill.

He worked as a machinist until his retirement. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and treasured the time he spent doing the things he loved with those closest to him. But above all, Bill was a family man. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather and great-grandfather.

Bill was the kind of man his family could always count on. He loved deeply, gave generously, and took great pride in his family. He was a wonderful example of what it means to love and care for those around you, and the lessons he taught through the way he lived his life will continue through generations. His family will forever cherish the memories they made with him and hold close the love he gave so freely. Bill was truly a great man, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by:
Son, Marty Kay and wife Rene

Grandchildren:
Matthew Kay
Sarah (Kay) Pyle and husband Nate
Mason Kay

Great-grandchildren:
Erik Pyle
Riley Pyle

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, LaJuan Kay; parents, Homer and Ruby Kay; daughter, Lisa Kay; and Bills six sisters. 

Per Bills wishes, there will be no services at this time, a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. 

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

09/25/2026

Willie Mae Hudson McCoy (Ingram) entered eternal rest on the afternoon of September 17, 2026, just five days before her 92nd birthday.

Funeral service is at 11am on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 96 CR 4356, Tenaha, Texas with Rev. Johnny Jones, Officiating Pastor, and Rochelle Robinson, Mistress of Ceremony. Visitation is from 10am until 6pm on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Interment is at Westview Cemetery in Center.

Willie Mae was the first of ten children born September 22, 1934 to Dora Hudson Polley and Kaleb Hudson. She was raised in Milam, Texas, where the values of faith, family, and hard work became the foundation of her life. For more than 30 years, Willie Mae worked faithfully at E. L. Bruce Company in Center, Texas, until her retirement. She was known for her dedication, strength, and steadfast spirit.

Willie Mae married Hudson McCoy, and four children were born to their union. Three of her children preceded her in death. Following her retirement, she married Ulyssie Ingram in 1995, with whom she shared her life until her peaceful passing. A devoted member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Willie Mae served faithfully as a dedicated choir member. She was also honored as the Mother of the Church, a role that reflected her wisdom, spiritual leadership, and loving presence within the congregation. Her life was a beautiful testimony of faith, perseverance, service, and love.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Dora Hudson Polley and Kaleb Hudson; three of her children, Benny McCoy, Sarah McCoy, and Billy Ray McCoy; three brothers, Willie Lee Hudson, J. W. Hudson, and Little Polley; and four sisters, Stella Lee Hudson (Sweet), Eloise Hudson (Glenn), Dorie Lee Hudson (Handy), and Viola Polley (Shaw).

She leaves to cherish her precious memory:

Loving husband, Ulyssie Ingram

Daughter, Jean McCoy Ragster

Sisters:
Lousie Hudson (Taylor)
Lou Willie Polley (Johnson)

Grandsons:
Corey Mosby
Derrick Mosby

Granddaughters:
LaShonia Ragster-Gordon
Tami Coleman
Michelle Ragster-Walter

A host of other relatives, church family, and friends.

Though her earthly voice is now still, the songs she sang, the wisdom she shared, and the love she gave will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew her.

Services entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

09/24/2026

Cynthia Jane Moore, lovingly known to everyone as Cindy, was born in Conroe, Texas, on September 2, 1961, to her late parents, James and Linda Brent. Cindy gained her heavenly wings on Monday, September 21, 2026. She was deeply loved by so many and will be forever missed.

Memorial service will be held at 4pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Pleasant Grove Church, 1440 CR 1470, Timpson, Texas. 

Cindy dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed singing and writing in her journals. Cindy had a loving heart and treated everyone with the same kindness, even those she had just met.

She is survived by her brothers:
Ray Carollton & Glenda Brent
John Brent
Joe & Shauna Brent
Jimmie & Tracie Brent

Children:
James Pounders and wife Desiree
Stephen Pounders and wife Tabitha
Jennifer Fleming and husband Jeret
Dakota Moore and wife Becca
Joshua Moore

Grandchildren: Mary, Lawna, Alexis, Landyn, Erienne, Erika, Daymean, Aryell, Adalynn, Jessalyn, Miyah, Kaden, Lilah, Mason, Allen, and Zayden

Great-grandchildren: Nova, Brinley, KJ, Keegan, Levi, and soon-to-arrive Leighton

She is also survived by a host of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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

09/21/2026

Tharon Jeanette Nelson Sanders will live forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Surrounded by family, Tharon passed away peacefully at her home on September 9, 2026.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 10am on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Fairview Cemetery with Bro. Harold Hanson officiating.

Tharon was born in Austin on April 30, 1935. Her parents were Hugh and Gladys Nelson. She met her husband, Kenneth Sanders, while attending the University of Texas at Austin. Together they built a life and family in Center where they owned and operated Sanders Food Store for many years. They shared 61 years of marriage, creating a legacy of love, commitment and family that will continue for generations.

Tharon devoted her life to motherhood and the people she loved most. She was a woman of unwavering faith, drawing her strength from the Holy Spirit. She attended First Baptist Church in Center for many years until declining health would no longer permit. She loved her four children with a depth and tenderness that never faltered. She was a dedicated and loyal daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend steadfast in her love and generous in her support.

She will be remembered for her beautiful spirit, impeccable sense of style, love of home and family, and the grace with which she lived her life. She found great happiness in the simple beauty of gardening, the excitement of Texas Longhorn football, and the sport of tennis. She will be remembered mostly for the love she gave so freely – a love that will remain with her family and friends forever.

Tharon is preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Gladys Nelson; her husband, Kenneth Sanders; and her son, Kenneth Sanders, Jr.

She is survived by:

Three daughters:
Lisa Massey and husband John of Kerrville
Shari Smith and husband Rick of Colorado Springs
Angela Howard and husband Thomas of Center

Six grandchildren:
Eric Massey and wife Nancy
Kristen Massey Way and husband Kyle
Wesley Howard and wife Carolina
Emily Howard
Ashlynn Smith
Anslee Smith

Two great-grandchildren:
Woodson Way
Willa Way

A host of other family and friends including devoted caregivers: Gloria Gonzalez and Jasmine Salinas.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Center, or a charity of your choice.

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

09/19/2026

David Allen McDonald, 66, of Joaquin, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Joaquin. He was born May 30, 1960, in Houma, Louisiana to Joseph McDonald and Ruby Woolsey McDonald.

Visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm, Friday, September 25, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Graveside service will be held at 10am, Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Cassel Cemetery in Converse, Louisiana.

David was a big-truck driver who truly loved being behind the wheel. He was happiest when he had a project to work on, always tinkering, fixing something, or working on his Jeep. He enjoyed NASCAR and spending time doing the things he loved, but above all, David loved his family. He loved his children and grandchildren deeply and shared a close bond with his brothers. His family will always remember his hardworking spirit, his love of fixing things, and the fact that he always seemed to have another project waiting to be done.

He is survived by:

Wife, Patricia “Pat” Hilliard McDonald

Children:
Cynthia Kline
Mary Hilliard
Damian McDonald
Daniel McDonald
Heather Hilliard Gardner
Jason Hilliard

Grandchildren:
Anthony McDonald
Alexis McDonald
Catherine McDonald
Ryan McDonald
Sierra McDonald
Jackson McDonald
Kendyl Kline
Bryelle Kline
Hynlee Kline
Emma Dunn
Hadley Gardner
Wren Gardner
Hunter Hilliard
Sage Hilliard

Brothers:
Calvin McDonald and wife Tammy
James McDonald

Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews

Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph McDonald and Ruby Woolsey McDonald; sister, Ann Lampley; brothers, Joe Paul McDonald, Alvin McDonald, and Doug McDonald; daughter-in-law, Mary Gentry McDonald; and niece, Wendy Lynnette McDonald.

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

09/18/2026

Jimmy Ray Ward, 89, of Center passed away September 17, 2026, at home on his farm with family present.

Funeral service will be held at 2PM on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Mangum Funeral Home with Bro. LD Eddins officiating. Interment will follow at Waterman Cemetery.

Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12PM until service time.

Jimmy was born on August 14, 1937, in Tyler, TX, Smith County to John Brady Ward II and Myrtle Ruth Connell Ward. Jimmy graduated from John Tyler High School in 1956. While attending Stephen F. Austin, Jimmy rode a bronc in the first ever SFA rodeo and worked as a bell hop at the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches, TX. There he met Sherry Ann Yarborough, a red headed beauty from Shelby County who also worked at the hotel as a book keeper. After a brief courtship, they married on December 21, 1958, and their marriage would last for over 64 years until she proceeded him in death.

Jimmy and Sherry made their home in Nacogdoches where their son Jason was born. A few years later they moved to the Waterman community in Shelby County where their son John was born and several years later their daughter Gina. They raised their children along with countless head of livestock and horses as Jimmy was a rancher and cattle buyer. Jimmy and Sherry had the opportunity of traveling to Europe, Alaska and British Columbia and even living at their place in Paonia, Colorado for a while.
As he would often say, Jimmy’s only “real” job was working for Pioneer Beef out of Grenada, MS for over 25 years as a cattle buyer. Fiercely independent, he carved his own path and went his own way also buying, selling and trading cattle, land and timber tracts all over East TX, LA, MS and beyond. He trailered cattle as far as NM and CO to graze them on the excellent pasture lands there and sent cattle to feedlots in West Texas numerous times. He knew by sight what a cow would weigh, what she would bring at auction and where to take her to auction to bring the most profit. He never needed a calculator to do the math.

While cattle were his livelihood and career, his passion was hunting which he instilled in his sons, grandsons and great grandsons. He hunted all over E. Texas as well as many trips to New Mexico and Colorado. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. His greatest trip which he would often recount was hunting Dahl sheep in Alaska which required a float plane ride and landing on a sand bar on the Wood River to reach the hunting area. His biggest regret was never completing an African hunt. He did, however, read every Capstick book ever written on Africa and went to Africa many times through his reading.

After his family, and along with hunting, Jimmy loved everything about Alaska. He would often recount all the trips he made to Alaska in great detail to friends especially driving the AL-CAN Highway when it was still gravel. We’ve all lost count of how many flat tires they had on the RV trailer on that long drive. Needless to say, we believe all the tires had to be replaced once or twice over. He loved recounting his adventures for family and friends and he sure had a lot of them.

Jimmy is survived by:

Daughter-in-law, Rhonda Ward

Son, John Ward and wife Bridgette of Center

Daughter, Gina Castro and husband Sergio of Hurst, TX

Grandchildren:
Chad Ward
Landry Ward
Brady Ward
Colton Ward
Dillon Ward
Krista Collum Warren
Danbert Collum

Jimmy is also survived by 12 great-grand-children: Hayden, Connor, Slone, John Ray, Ronan, Slate, Darcy, Waverly, Kyla, Gentry, Mason and Abbott.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sherry Ward; and eldest son, Jason Ward.

The family would like to recognize and give heartfelt thanks to Jimmy’s long-time care giver, Shana Bearden. Shana welcomed Jimmy into her own family and made it possible for him to stay comfortably in his home. Shana even joined Jimmy and family on his last trip to Colorado earlier in 2026.

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

09/14/2026

It is time to say good-bye to Christine McSwain Mahan - our family’s strongest link, our window to the past, the one who kept us all connected by keeping each of us in her heart.

Family was everything in her life. She personally knew every single person in every branch. Her house was open to anyone needing a place to stay for a day or week or months. Distant cousins, in-laws, maybe even a few outlaws - they were all welcomed.

She kept up with every sibling, every nephew and niece, every cousin and even the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of all. Family was the ties that bind.

Christine passed away September 13, 2026 after suffering a fall on September 11. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12 noon to 2pm at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will follow at 2pm, under the direction of her son, the Rev. Eddie Lee Mahan, and her grandson, Zach Mahan.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons - Jesse Mahan, Will Mahan, Calder Mahan, Ryder Mahan, Jason Stinger, and JJ Stinger.

She will be laid to rest in the family plot at Old Salem Cemetery.

Christine McSwain Mahan was born July 26, 1928, the daughter of Lee and Ethel Warr McSwain. She grew up in the Old Salem Community, later graduating from high school in Nacogdoches in 1945.

She married Edward W. Mahan in 1946 and they were the parents of three boys - Eddie Lee, Sammy Joe, and Jerry Don.

After relocating to the Texas coast, she earned her Associate Degree and became a successful real estate broker in Deer Park as owner of Mahan Realty. She and Eddie retired in 1990, building their dream home log cabin on Hwy 96 South in Center.

Genealogy was her passion and she spent decades researching and writing the history of the Warr, Fountain and McSwain families in books that are cherished today. Her biggest regret was that she could never successfully trace the Mahan name. She discovered a great-grandmother in an unmarked grave at Old Salem and purchased a marker for her. Just a few years ago she traced the McSwains back to the Mayflower. She attended every Homecoming at Old Salem and Sardis and encouraged all of her family to do the same. She was instrumental in raising funds for the historical marker the McSwains erected at Salem.

For more than 20 years, she volunteered at the Shelby County Museum, helping countless others with their family research and proudly setting up exhibits.

Art was a passion from the time she was a teenager and her home was filled with her paintings. She was generous with her work and today her award-winning artwork is cherished in homes across Texas.

Christianity was always important to her. She was a charter member of Central Baptist Church in the 1950s and a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Center, where she was a member of the Martha Sunday School class.
She and Eddie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 17, 1996, surrounded by family and friends. Another special day was in July 2018 when her family hosted her 90th birthday celebration and they have hosted birthday parties every year since, the last one on July 25.

At the age of 98, she was blessed to be still living in her home, physically and mentally taking care of herself. But, as in the Longfellow poem, Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary this year was hard as she lost two sons, Jerry on January 17, 2026 and Sammy on September 10, 2026.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, by her husband Eddie Mahan, her granddaughter Mandy Mahan Evans, her brother Earl McSwain, her sisters Luna Waller, Janie Johnson and Maxine Jernigan and daughter-in-law Sandy Mahan.

She is survived by:

Son, Eddie Lee Mahan and wife Tish

Daughters-in-law:
Pam Mahan
Sara Mahan

Brother, Bobby McSwain (Connie)

Grandchildren:
Jesse Mahan (Jenny)
Matthew Mahan
Christie Stringer (Jason)
Zack Mahan (Robyn)
Willie Mahan (Candace)

Great-grandchildren: Madison, Arden, Calder, Noah, Ty, Olivia, Eve, Ryder, Mia, Sophia, Abbi, J.J., Austyn, Jaylon, Rihana, Ava, Savannah, Macayla and Raelynn, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins, and many friends.

All our lives were richer from having known her.

In lieu of flowers, Christine had requested donations to a place she cherished - the Shelby County Historical Museum.

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

09/13/2026

Sammy Joe Mahan passed away peacefully on September 10, 2026, at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. He was born to Eddie and Christine Mahan and was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm at Mangum Funeral Home, 420 San Augustine St., Center, Texas.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2pm at Mangum Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Old Salem Cemetery.

Sammy lived a very interesting and colorful life. For as far back as anyone can remember, he was all about cars. His love for cars started at a young age. When he was just 12 years old, Sammy bused tables and saved every penny he made so he could buy his first car. The car didn’t run, but that didn’t stop him. He pulled the motor out, got it running, and by the age of 13, he had taught himself to drive.

With his love of cars came his love of racing, and Sammy was racing from day one. His adventures even took him to Canada, where he was deported for street racing. In his later years, Sammy got involved in the NHRA drag racing circuit, where he met and worked alongside many great people. One of his proudest accomplishments was building his own Pro Mod Corvette and taking it to the track to race.

After retiring from racing, Sammy still found a way to stay close to the sport he loved. He had the pleasure of hosting an ESPN radio show about racing with his good friend, Bob Mungle. The show was called The Sammy and Bob Show, giving Sammy another opportunity to share his love of racing, his stories, and his larger-than-life personality with others.

Sammy was also a man who believed in helping his community. At one point, he served as a council member for the City of Baytown. He was well known throughout the area for his wrecker service, and you could never miss one of his unmistakable flame-covered trucks.

Sammy had a larger-than-life personality and a story for just about everything. He was truly the man, the myth, the legend. His love for cars, racing, his community, and the people around him made him unforgettable. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his stories, his adventures, and his memory will live on for generations to come.

Sammy is survived by:

Mom, Christine Mahan

Wife, Sara Mahan

Daughter, Christie Stringer and husband, Jason

Granddaughter, Abbi Stringer

Grandson, JJ Stringer

Brother, Ed Mahan, and wife Tish

Nephews:
Jesse Mahan, and wife Jenny
Zack Mahan, and wife Robyn
Will Mahan, and wife Candice

Step-daughter, Shara Jameson, and husband, Payton

Grandson, Shane Jameson

Daughter, Marley

Along with numerous great nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by: father, Eddie Mahan; brother, Jerry Mahan; niece, Mandy Evans; and previous wife, Sandy Mahan.

Pallbearers: Jason Stringer, Zack Mahan, Will Mahan, Ryder Mahan, Jesse Mahan, Ed Johnson, James Vaughn (007), and Payton Jameson.

Honorary Pallbearers: Royce Lynn Johnson, Prentice Anderson, Bob Mungle, and Danny Licatino.

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