Shelby County Today

04/21/2026

Gay Nell Fausett, born July 9, 1938, in Houston, passed on April 21, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of devotion to family, music, and a life well lived. She was the daughter of Guva and Maxine Eaves Kimbro and was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Jerry Fausett.

Gay Nell shared 45 years of marriage with Jerry, a collegiate and professional athlete who later coached many athletes. Throughout his career, she was by his side, actively participating in and supporting the life of sports that shaped their family. Together they raised two sons, Rodney Fausett and David Fausett, who carry forward her strength and values.

She is lovingly remembered by:
Her daughters-in-law: 
Tina Fausett
Nichol Fausett

Cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her legacy continues through Brandi Potter and her husband Josh, along with their children Brynli and Beck; Brittni Mitchell and her husband Tanner, along with their children Holden, Barron, and Madden; and Sydney and Jacob Fausett.

She is also survived by her brother, Tom Kimbro, sister-in-law, JoBeth Kimbro, and their sons, Adam and Stephen.

Gay Nell was an early graduate of Center High School, completing her studies in December of 1955. She went on to attend Stephen F. Austin State University, where she majored in Music. During her time there, she was the feature twirler for the SFA Lumberjacks and a proud member of the Chi Omega sorority. She was also honored as Miss Nacogdoches and competed as a Miss Texas contestant.

Before beginning her long career, Gay Nell worked as a model. She later dedicated 38 years to a career in banking, where she was known for her consistency, professionalism, and strong work ethic.

Sports were a constant thread throughout her life. With a husband who was a collegiate and professional athlete and later a coach, Gay Nell developed a deep and lasting love for sports that carried through every season of her life, as she supported and participated alongside him throughout his career. She faithfully followed her sons’ collegiate athletics and found great joy in watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren compete and grow. Everything revolved around her family and the games they played. Even in later years, she remained an avid sports enthusiast, keeping up with games and highlights.

Mimi is now reunited with Dada, her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, and together they leave behind a legacy of devotion, strength, and family that will continue to live on through every generation they shaped.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Spann’s Chapel Cemetery in Shelby County with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Bro. Keith Keele will officiate.

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

04/21/2026

Funeral services for Rayburn Doyle Marshall, Jr., 72, of Timpson will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Timpson with Bro. Kris Craig officiating.  Visitation will be held the hour prior to the service from 1pm to 2pm, also at First Baptist Church. He was born on October 20, 1953 in Marshall. Burial will be at Tennessee Cemetery

Ray held the bible in the highest respect as the Word of God. It was worth understanding precisely, explaining completely, and believing entirely. He would not define anything as truth that conflicted with God’s word. In church or in life.

He had bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry, and his knowledge in that area brought him closer to the bible. He went to creationism conferences and studied Genesis and other creation scripture with a scientist's interest. He found it mathematically absurd that random amino acids could accidentally fall into place to make a large protein, more so in adding complexity after complexity to become life.

His seriousness about the Bible was not limited to Genesis and Creation. He had a sharp eye for understanding when tradition or opinion was conflicting with the Word of God, and he would re-establish the Word as authority.

His co-workers saw it. Although he always worked in secular jobs, not in occupational ministry, there was free discussion of the bible and faith and Jesus at his workplace. Several of his colleagues credited Ray with finding Jesus or becoming closer to Him.

God gave Ray a love of detail and accuracy. His hobbies included archery and ammunition loading – both requiring testing, math, and research. The only books bigger than theology ones were reloading manuals. He tried combinations of materials and weights and calibers. He could tell you the optimal trajectories and cartridge packages to fit any need. Sometimes, there would be gun parts soaking in the kitchen sink. Sometimes, the smell of acetone filled the house. He built his own arrows and discarded fletching’s were everywhere. He abandoned rifle hunting for a while, because it was too easy.

He liked methods and answering questions carefully. One time just before deer-hunting season started, he received multiple, large, lightweight boxes at the house. Then, on the first cold night of the fall, we saw a shadowed figure, apparently larger by eight inches than Ray in every direction, standing still, in the dark, outside. He had bought multiple insulated coveralls to test and was trying them one by one. “I’ll never be cold again!” he said when finished his testing.

He was a lifelong learner and craved information. From the physics of weather patterns to the rules of badminton, he wanted to know and understand, because he had joy in curiosity.
Ray grew up in Tennessee Community outside Timpson and for a few years in Little Rock, Arkansas. He met his future wife, Diane Bogue, in junior high.

Ray published a book of poems in 1997, including one that was recognized by a regional poetry society. He would sit on a deer stand, waiting for deer, and compose poetry in his head. The topics were mostly narratives from his life, things he learned, God – and things he loved.

“Chinquapin eyes down a junior high hallway…” starts one of Ray’s poems. Diane says she saw him first and knew right then that she would marry Ray. Ray says his first solid memory of her was in “number sense” competition practice. Diane then and now believes in love at first sight. But their connection didn’t happen immediately.

Their two families were friends growing up. Diane was always the middle child, where Ray and Diane’s sister Becky were always together, and Ray’s brother Rusty would play with Diane’s brother Donald. It wasn’t until Ray was at college and Diane was a junior in high school before they got together. They would meet in Center at dances, so it wasn’t a date – and Barbara would approve. Then, frog gigging. Bicycle rides on weekends. They were married in August 1974, remaining together over 51 years.

Ray was a Timpson valedictorian and Texas state champion in the UIL science competition, and then a scholarship recipient for his accomplishments. He converted that scholarship to a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry and physics at Stephen F. Austin State University. Then he began a career of applied chemistry that led to designing quality-control processes for industrial laboratories at Lone Star Feed, Borden Chemical, and ultimately the mining company Covia.

Ray was a conscientious father who was constantly teaching his two sons, Matt (1977) and Nathan (1979). Frequent road trips were chances to give math word problems on the distances between towns. He would critique the physics and chemistry gimmicks on advertised products on TV. Those pumps that go over a 2-liter Coke bottle to keep the liquid from going flat? Sorry, the “partial pressure” of the CO2 is still low. Won' t work.

Nathan once heard Ray and Matt screaming at each other once with the door closed. It was only Ray teaching Matt how to bark a quarterback’s cadence while wearing a mouth guard. Ray was also observed wearing a couch cushion on his chest while Matt practiced blocking on him.

He was an outstanding teacher in science, sports, and life. While living in Troup, he had Matt’s UIL science team over at the house to teach them test-taking strategies and tutor them on science topics they had not yet covered in the limited curriculum at Troup High School. Of course, they won a state competition, too, just like their coach. Matt also won the same individual title that Ray did, then received the same scholarship. Not bad for a volunteer.

Ray intuitively used data research in sports before it was popularized later. There was no Internet in 1989, but he somehow found Nathan’s competitors’ times for distance races, made charts and graphs, and created a plan for Nathan to beat them. Ray and Diane took Nathan to meets all over the state, and ultimately Nathan ran in the Junior Olympics.

Ray was quiet, but that just means he was thinking and studying while you were talking. He had a love of games shows (not just trivia). He tried out for Jeopardy, aced the tests, but he says the other hopefuls had more personality. He submitted applications to Survivor TV show. But he did get on The Weakest Link game show and won! He only missed one question.

He was exceptionally intelligent, and he used those gifts in a variety of ways – sometimes quirky. He would measure the amount of wear on the instep and outside of his shoe soles, then go find running shoes that corrected the pronation. He numbered his socks so they would always match and wear-out consistently. He designed elastic sleeves that would train runners (Nathan) to keep their arms high and tight. He sketched out a deer stand with mirrors on the outside for camouflage. He kinda invented the microwave oven…but too late.

He was East Texas through and through, appreciating the complexity of God’s creation and also the simple things of contentment. Watermelon, warm and fresh off the vine was a delicacy. He could put a lizard to sleep by rubbing its belly and would get them to bite his earlobe and hang like earrings. His favorite smell? Puppy’s breath.

Ray lost his parents at an early age. His father died in 1978 (Ray was 24); his mother, in 1988. Both were quick heart attacks. But Ray made sure he maintained his own health. He pushed and pushed for a diagnosis for a chest pain he had when running, and doctors finally found a kink in a cardiac artery and fixed it with a stent.

Ray moved his family to Gonzales and Shiner, Texas in 1988, but had the chance to move back to East Texas in 1990. Another move to Timpson in 1996, and soon they began restoring an old home on Austin Street that dates back to when Timpson was only a couple decades old. He finished his race there, under the pecan trees and beside that famous railroad line. Of course, Diane was right there, as he wrote more than 30 years earlier in a poem: “How long will my love last? / ‘Til we’re parted by death. / May I lie in your arms / As I breathe my last breath.”

These days, we expect Ray is quite busy enjoying the comfort and glory of his savior and creator, Jesus Christ.

Ray is survived by his wife, Diane, of 51 years, in Timpson, TX. Ray had two sons and five grandchildren. His first son Matt (1977), lives in Houston with his wife Jena and four children, Abilene (2012), Boaz (2014), Sabine (2015), and Fisher (2017). His younger son, Nathan (1979), lives in Timpson with his daughter Abigail (2018).

Services are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson.

04/20/2026

Ivis Mae Fenley Stotts, 93, of Center, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Center.

Funeral service will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 1pm. Bro. Greg Sutis will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Herman Cemetery in Center.

Born July 10, 1932, in San Augustine, Mae is the daughter of Ira Fenley and Effie Mae Ware Fenley. On January 1, 1949, she married Calvin Leonard Jernigan. They were married for forty-four years until his passing on November 15, 1993. They had two children, Rhonda and Calvin Lynn. On February 14, 1998, she married Doniece Stotts. They were married for fourteen years until his passing on February 8, 2017. She worked as a beautician for many years and was also a very talented artist. She loved to go fishing with her husband and grandkids, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, as she loved them all unconditionally. She was loved, admired, and respected by all of her family and friends. She knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior and had a mother’s loving heart of gold. She was a member of White Rock Missionary Baptist Church. She expressed her love of God by telling everyone, “God Bless You.” She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

She is survived by:

Daughter, Rhonda and husband Rex Davis of Center

Son, Calvin Lynn Jernigan and wife Nelia of Longview

Grandchildren:
Jason Davis and wife Linda
Keith Davis and wife Tammy
Cristopher Davis of Pennsylvania
Lisa Marie Parker of Houston
Richard Bradley Jernigan of Tyler

Great-grandchildren:
Collin Davis and wife Morgan of Center
Caitlyn Davis of Center
Jordon Davis of Houston
Bailey Jernigan of Tyler
Joscelyn Jernigan of Tyler
Jaxon Parker of Houston
London Parker of Houston

Great-great-grandchildren:
Darcy Davis of Center
Mason Davis of Center

Preceded in death by parents, Ira Fenley and Effie Mae Ware Fenley; brothers, Dub Fenley and Dewey Eugene Fenley; and sisters, Joyce Fenley Lucas and Jo Ellen Bush.

Pallbearers will be Jason Davis, Keith Davis, Collin Davis, Bradley Jernigan, Denny Mack Jernigan, and Caitlyn Davis.

The family would like to thank Pine Grove Nursing Home and Heart to Heart Hospice for all of the wonderful care they gave to our mother.

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

04/15/2026

Steve Russell, 61, of Joaquin, Texas, passed away on April 12, 2026, in Center, Texas, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on July 1, 1964, in Ohio.

Steve is survived by:

Brother, Don Russell and Shery of Joaquin

Friend, David Green

A number of nieces, nephews, and cousins who will forever cherish his memory and the time they shared with him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Faye Russell and Walter Russell; his sisters Gail Scruggs and Darlene Miller; and Darlene’s husband, Jackie Miller.

Steve will be remembered for his presence in the lives of those who knew and loved him, and for the lasting memories shared with family and friends.

In accordance with his wishes, Steve will be cremated, and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the administration and staff of Focused Care of Center and Affinity Hospice for their compassionate care, kindness, and support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in Steve’s honor, contributions may be made to Boo’s Battle, 1130 CR 3182, Joaquin, TX 75954.

04/15/2026

Thelma Jayne Hinton (Smith), aged 83, passed away on April 14, 2026, in Garrison, Texas. Born on January 28, 1943, in Aiken Community, Shelby County, Texas, Thelma was a lifelong resident of Texas who dedicated her life to her family and community.

Graveside services will be held at 11am on Friday, April 17, 2026, at White Rock Cemetery, with Bro. Tim Perkins officiating.

Thelma graduated from Center High School and spent many years nurturing her family and managing her home, which she considered her most rewarding career. She was a devoted wife to her late husband, Charles Hinton, and a loving mother to her three sons. Her family was her pride and joy.

Known for her love of cooking and her kind, compassionate nature, Thelma enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren and took great pleasure in keeping an inviting home. She was a member of the Center Church of Christ, where she participated actively in the community.

Thelma is survived by:

Sons:
Brad Hinton and wife Dena
Larry Hinton

Daughter-in-law, Debra Hinton

Grandchildren:
Harley Hinton and fiancé Ervey Sanchez
Clayton Hinton
Charles Hugh Hinton
John Ross Hinton

Also a number of great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Thelma is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Hinton; son, Hugh Hinton; brother, Winston G. Smith; sister, Flossie Caroline Smith; and sister-in-law, Alice Hall.

The family would like to thank Garrison Nursing Home and Affinity Hospice for the exceptional care provided over the past year. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the White Rock Cemetery at 2966 CR 1245, Center, Texas 75935, a place she held dear.

Thelma's legacy of love and devotion will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her.

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

04/14/2026

Lylie Ann Bennett Jackson, 78 of Grand Cane, Louisiana passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at hospital in Shreveport La. She was born to the late Bennie Bennett and Maxine Smith Bennett on April 22, 1947, in Center, Texas.

Mrs. Jackson is a graduate of C. H. Daniels High School and worked at Tyson Food for numerous years.

Funeral services for Mrs. Jackson will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1pm at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church located at 623 Martin Luthe King Drive Center, Texas. Rev. Clifton Fuller of Memorial SDA Church Mansfield, La will be the Eulogist. Visitation is at Hicks Chapel from 1pm to 6pm on Friday, April 17, 2026. Committal is at Westview Cemetery. Repass is at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church.

She is survived by: 

Children:
Alfreta Pennington
Mathew Pennington
Thereas Pennington-White (Bryan)

Grandchild, Benjamin White 

Sisters:
Francis Eadan
Ella Bennett

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.

04/13/2026

Sarah Elizabeth “Liz” Warr, 76, of Center, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Shaw, Jeff Wilburn, and Sister Melba Rodgers officiating. Interment will follow at Old Salem Cemetery in Center.

Born March 14, 1950, in Shelby County, Liz is the daughter of Clifton James Wilburn and Cora Lanelle Nichols Wilburn. She spent her life working in law enforcement, where she served as the first female deputy in Shelby County as well as the first female Justice of the Peace. Liz also served as City Judge for Joaquin and Timpson. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and fishing, spending time with family, and attending her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities and events.

She is survived by:

Daughters:
Pam and husband Larry Weaver of Center
Penny Sowell of Center
Paula Haley of Center

Grandchildren:
Lindsey Weaver
Weston Sowell
Lainey Ford and husband Jordan
Gema Haley
Noah Haley and wife Angel

Great-grandchildren:
Chesney Davis
Clint Davis
Tennyson Weaver
Sarah Haley
Paisley Ford
Landry Ford
Maverick Ford

Sister-in-law, Helen Warr Windham of Center

Brother, Jeff Wilburn and wife Vicky of Center

Sisters:
Judy Oates of Keachie, Louisiana
Suzanne and husband Eddie Edwards of Emory

Numerous other relatives and friends

Preceded in death by husband, Jimmy Warr; grandson, Clint Weaver; parents, Cliff Wilburn and Cora “Sissy” Nichols Wilburn; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Velt and Joyce Warr; and special cousin, Becky “Jane” Nichols Hudnall.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Tennyson Weaver, Jeff Wilburn, and Larry Weaver.

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

04/08/2026

John Lee Mathis, 52 of Shelbyville, Texas departed this physical life on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at UT Health Center in Tyler, Texas. 

Funeral service is at 11am on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at St. Matthews Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Boyer, Officiating Minister. Interment is at Greer Cemetery.

Viewing is from 8:30am until 10am on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Garner and Son Chapel.

He is survived by:

Children:
Desmond Mathis (Raven) of San Augustine
Don’Karvian Dickson of California
Breanna Rodgers (Jerdarius) of San Augustine
Ja’Davian Mathis of San Augustine
Jonavian Mathis of Shelbyville
Bracilyn Mathis of San Augustine

7 Grandchildren

Parents, Vickie and Stanley Edwards of San Augustine

Sister, Jennifer Pogue of Houston

Brother, Odis Mathis of Diboll

As well as, a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services are under the direction Percy Garner and Son Mortuary, 304 Ironosa Road, San Augustine, Texas 75972.

04/06/2026

Surrounded by love and held in God’s peace, Joy L. Sullivan passed on December 12, 2025 in Odessa, Tx after a courageous battle with cancer. Her strength, kindness & unwavering spirit touched everyone who knew her.

Memorial service will be held at 2pm, April 11, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 10am.

Joy lived her life with such care, compassion, and endless selflessness. She poured herself into others and asked for nothing in return. She was an amazing wife of 38 and a half years to her dear Husband Robbie. A mother, sister, grandmother & friend. She always put the needs of those around her before her own and worked very hard at everything she did. She loved her family, her Sloan work family & her clientele as a hairdresser of 40 years. Joy was passionate about taking care of the people around her, giving them a laugh, a shoulder to cry on, a hot meal, or anything you could ever need. Her dedication, strength & unwavering heart leave a void that cannot be filled, but her legacy of love will continue to guide and comfort all who were blessed to know her.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., April 11, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Born July 16, 1963, in Downey, California, Joy is the daughter of Delia Lewis and the late Stanley Lewis

She is survived by:
Husband, Robbie Sullivan of Center, Tx

Son, Casson and wife Miranda Sullivan of Midland, Tx

Daughter, Chesnie and Husband Michael Moore of Seminole, Tx

Daughter, Crystan and husband Sean Bindschusz of Cuba, Mo

Mother, Delia Lewis

Sister, Pamela and husband Ben Wesley and children Shaina, Anne, & Hannah

Sister, Jenell & husband Heath Englert, and children Lillian & Evan

Brother, Wayne Lewis and children Keely, Gwendalyn & Jonathan

Grandchildren:
Fallon Sullivan
Cobey Forester
Shailey Forester
Brantley Lake
Emberley Bindschusz
Kensley Bindschusz

Great-grandchild, Silas Bowen

Preceded in death by:
Grandmother, LaVaughn R. Stilwell
Father, Stanley W. Lewis

Beloved Joy will truly be missed.

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