Shelby County Today

08/26/2025

Enid Elaine Nation of Springfield, MO passed away on August 25, 2025. 

Enid was born on August 13, 1947, in Center, TX to parents Earnest Nation and Doris Mitchell Nation. After graduating from Logansport High School in 1965, Enid moved to Springfield, MO to attend Baptist Bible College. Enid enjoyed sewing and crafts. She made clothes for nieces and nephews and was always up for a morning run to the donut shop. Enid was active in church throughout her life serving as the church secretary in a couple of churches. She knew Scripture well and enjoyed quoting, “Liars shall be fryers” - Enid 1:1. Enid spent the majority of her adult life in Springfield, MO and had met many friends there. 

Enid is preceded in death by her parents Earnest Nation and Doris Nation and several aunts and uncles.

Left to cherish her memory are her brother Edsel Nation of Shreveport, sister Rebbie Burnitt (George) of Charolette and sister Reta Keeny (David) of Shreveport and many nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to thank Enid’s longtime friend Brenda Long for her care of Enid over the last several years. Also, a special thanks to the staff of Springfield Skilled Care and Cox Health for their care of Enid the last few months.

Memorial graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home.  

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

08/27/2025

Mr. Joe Lee Cotton, Sr. was born December 11, 1958 in Nacogdoches, TX; raised in Garrison, TX; to the late Lee Nolan and Corine Cotton.  Hometown- Henderson, TX; passed away on August 20, 2025 in Tyler, TX.

Funeral service scheduled Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 12 Noon location at Sweet Union Baptist Church, Garrison, TX; Rev. Bryan Gates, Eulogist; Rev. Kevin Boyer, Officiating.

Visitations Friday, August 29, 2025 at 2pm until 6 pm located at Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Dr. Nacogdoches, TX with Burial Saturday, August 30, 2025m at New Liberty Cemetery, Caldonia Community, Garrison, TX better known as Egypt Cemetery under the directions of Sid Roberts Funeral Home, Nacogdoches, TX.

Joe leaves to cherish his memories:

His 2 children:
Miss Angela Shaunta’ Graves of Dallas, TX
Mr. Joe Lee Cotton Jr. (Tynecia) of Forney, TX

14 grandchildren,:
Mrs. Ebony Cooks (Cedric)
Destiny
Chandini
Aaliyah
Amanda
Deasia
Diamond
Breanna
Jadarius
Kenedi
Kaniah
Kamari
Sania
Tanisha

8 great-grandchildren:
Jo’siah,
Brandon
Donya
Legacy
Journee
Kayden
Amiyah
Na’kaiya

4 brothers:
Leo Cotton (Sandra)
Jimmie,
Bob (Brenda)
Terrell 
all of Garrison, TX

Special friend Mildred Anthony and  a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Services Entrusted To His Family of Professionals at: Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Dr.  Nacogdoches, TX 75961 (936) 564-4351 “Where The Family Comes First”

08/23/2025

Dudley Cox, 86, of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025. He was born to Jasper and Lizzie (Parker) Cox in 1939 on July 31st (or 30th if you took his mother’s word over that of the doctor).

A service to celebrate Dudley’s life will be held at 2pm on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at East Hamilton Cemetery, a place he cared for so deeply.

For 48 years, Dudley shared a steadfast marriage with Viva Mae Franklin Cox, a model relationship built on daily devotion and quiet humor. After Viva passed away last year, Dudley kept her photograph by his chair and talked to her every day, sharing family news as if she were with him. On what would have been their 49th wedding anniversary, August 20, he went to sleep and never woke up. He died the following day, remaining true to the vow he had so faithfully lived.

Dudley lived his life like he tended his garden: faithfully, attentively, and with the aim to nourish. Each spring, he broke new ground, and every season, he harvested what his hands and the good Lord provided. Just as his garden rows ran true, so did his life: family first, work done right, church on Sunday, and a helping hand extended before anyone had to ask. During tough times—especially the losses that marked his family’s history—he stood like an old oak in a storm: rooted, dependable, present.

An outdoorsman through and through, Dudley found joy in hunting and fishing. Many family memories are marked by the meals it provided—fried fish at gatherings, deer chili on cold nights, or deer sausage for breakfast. His work life was defined by grit and resilience: a career as a Boilermaker with Union 587, shrimping during layoffs to make ends meet, and years of tending to the East Hamilton Cemetery with reverence and care. He was also a faithful and active member of Dunnigan Missionary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Viva Cox; his parents; his son, Bruce Rodriguez; his daughter, Carole Buell; son-in-law, Mark Cox; and brothers, Dewey Cox Sr., Billy Joe Cox, and James Cox.

He is survived by:

Daughters:
Melinda Mannino and husband Bob of Lumberton
Brenda Reinhardt and husband Randy of Mauriceville
Patty Cox of Kilgore

Brother, Tommy Cox of Shelbyville

Brother-in-law, Virgil Franklin of Huxley

Nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren

A host of extended family and friends who will dearly miss him.

Serving as pallbearers are Brad Rodriguez, Cris Miller, Jason Cox, Michael Buell, Bryce Miller, and Landon Miller. Honorary pallbearers are Brad Morgan, Randy Couthran, Doyle Miller, Robert Risinger, Randy Reinhardt, Bob Mannino, Bill Locke, Caleb Smith, and Jeff Buell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the East Hamilton Cemetery Fund.

Dudley’s legacy is not one of words but of action—a life of love tended, family nurtured, faith practiced, and work done with quiet devotion. May his memory be like that of a shade tree for all of us, a rooted presence that will endure across generations.

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

08/19/2025

Dominga Hernandez Palacios, 82, of Center, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 4pm to 9pm, Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2pm, Friday, August 22, 2025, at St. Therese Catholic Church in Center. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Born January 8, 1943, in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, Dominga is the daughter of Jose Hernandez and Paula Juarez. She loved crocheting. Dominga attended of St. Therese Catholic Church in Center.

She is survived by:

Children:
Maria and Estela
Cecilio and Maricela
Juan Jose and Margarita
Efren and Lourdes
Tono and Gerarda
Alejandro and Eva
Bertha and Delfino
Rosario and Oscar
Dario and San Juana
Daniel and Nancy

52 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; and brother, Luis Juarez.

Preceded in death by parents, Jose Hernandez and Paula Juarez; and sister, Lucia Hernandez.

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

08/18/2025

Robert David Cousins went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 14, 2025.

Visitation will be held at Taylor Funeral Home located in Timpson, Texas on Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 2pm to 4pm. Funeral Services will be held at Garrison First Baptist Church on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 2pm with interment to follow at Martinsville Cemetery. 

He was born on December 3, 1945 in Kountze, Texas to parents, Weldon and Francis Cousins. He graduated from San Augustine High School in 1964. He started college at Stephen F. Austin State University where he met the love of his life, Sheila Sue Fancher. With just one look, they immediately fell head over heels for each other! Robert was drafted into the United States Marine Corp in 1966 to serve in Vietnam for two tours and returned to Nacogdoches in 1968 to complete his college career at Stephen F. Austin State University. Robert and Sheila were married on December 20th, 1968 and shared a wonderful marriage of 56 years. 

With the birth of his precious girls, Kristin and Rebecca, Robert fully embodied the definition of a “girl dad” with his parenting being full of love, care, and true presence with a willingness to always be there throughout their lives. He was a father who loved his girls more than anything. Robert’s devotion to Sheila and his girls was the perfect example of unconditional love.

As a follower of Christ, Robert’s servant heart and love for others was clear, especially when it came to his family. He was the most patient, loving, and wise grandfather and recently became a great grandfather. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loved, and he made sure they knew it.

Robert was instilled with the values of integrity, loyalty, and true grit. He was a Christian, a teacher, mentor, friend, and giver of his time, knowledge and care. He always sought knowledge and was a lover of learning. He had a knack for fixing anything and enjoyed being a steward of the land and cattle that he loved so dearly. Robert had an unlimited amount of tenacity and willpower and was never known as someone to give up easily. He served as a Marine in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine, 3rd Division as a Corporal – Radio Operator in Vietnam and earned the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, and a Presidential Unit Citation as a United States Marine. He took his time as a Marine as a calling of service not only to his country but to his fellow men in arms. He once said his fondest memory in the Marine Corp was that he “respected the closeness that all of us had for each other, and the fact that we were willing to risk our lives to save other people, and we all fought as one.” 

In 1994, Robert entered a new phase of life with his first-born grandchild. All four of his grandchildren gave him a great sense of pride. Always teaching, pouring knowledge into the grandchildren and sharing the importance of education not only from books but the Good Book as well. In July and August of 2024, he was thrilled to welcome two great grandchildren. Robert knew he had a family that loved him dearly and we have clung to every piece of advice and words of encouragement he ever shared. Robert spoke with intention and love, so there was never any doubt about how proud he was of each child, grandchild, and great grandchild.

Robert had a keen ability to connect with anyone and share his zest for life, all while emulating the love and kindness of Christ. He served joyfully as a Deacon of First Baptist Church Timpson being ordained in 1980 and continued to serve as a deacon at Martinsville Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Garrison. His heart for nurturing and serving others went beyond his time leading worship, teaching Sunday school, singing specials and being a loyal member of the choir. For over 10 years, he led Sunday School along with Kristin playing piano to sing hymns at Garrison Nursing Home. He took pride in giving not only his time but his ability to share what the Lord had laid on his heart for the lesson each and every Sunday. 

Robert’s passion for teaching and love for others was most evident in the hallways of Timpson High School. He was a beloved Agriculture Science teacher for 26 years and High School Principal for eight years. After retirement, he continued his love for agriculture by building broiler houses and working cows. He loved to wake up with the sun and start his day with a good cup of coffee. From feeding cows, baling hay, fixing fence, to just sitting on the porch petting his dogs, Robert found joy in all facets of life. Intentional and meaningful tasks made his retirement days joyful and rewarding. Many times, he would accompany Rebecca on her many trips across Texas working in various courthouses to share special time on the road, always willing to come along for the rides of life. Whether at the farm or elsewhere, Robert would go anywhere for “his girls”, Sheila, Kristin, and Rebecca. 

Robert was a man with unspoken accomplishments. These accomplishments came from the hundreds of students’ lives he touched as a teacher and Principal. Lessons taught in the ag shop and in the classroom, life lessons through thoughtful conversations, wisdom imparted on the back porch watching a storm roll in, insights gained while driving a school bus, life understandings sitting on the tail gate of an old pickup truck or sitting on the fender of an old tractor headed to the hay field. He gave so much to so many and was incredibly important to the lives he touched.

As we lay our father, husband, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend to rest, we are grateful that he gave generously and fervently to so many and we will always love and cherish him for the precious gifts he gave to us all.

Preceded in Death by his father, Weldon Daniel Cousins and mother, Francis Butler Cousins, and grandfather, W.R. Cousins, Sr., and siblings, Alice Faye Perry Johnson, Charlotte Perry, DeAnn Dorward, Diane Watson, Jill Rose, David Misck along with loving mother-in-law, Winna Jean Fancher and uncle, Tucker Weems, sister-in-law, Linda Pierce and brother-in-law, Randy Fancher.

Survived by loving family including:

Beloved wife, Sheila Sue Fancher Cousins

Daughter, Kristin Cousins Powers and husband, Justin Lee Powers

Daughter, Rebecca Cousins Brightwell, and husband, Samuel Mark Brightwell

Grandchildren:
Rexanna Powers deGruy and husband, Dylan deGruy
Haylon Lee Powers, and wife, Myla Powers
Savannah Grace Brightwell
Sawyer Lane Brightwell

Great-Grandchildren:
Dean Joseph deGruy
Haddie Mae Powers

Siblings:
Jack Cohn
Ruby Bull
Barb Mathews

Special thank you for the generous care and attention of Daddy’s devoted and loving caretakers, Ann Paige and Glenda King along with the medical staff of Heart to Heart Hospice and Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Pallbearers include Justin Lee Powers, Samuel Mark Brightwell, Haylon Lee Powers, Dylan deGruy, Sawyer Lane Brightwell, and Zachary Crawford.

Honorary Pallbearers include Kenneth Lane Barton, Terry Chandler, Jack Cohn, George Cox, Christopher Crawford, Ivan Pierce, Jimmy Rose, Tinny Harris, and William Rial Taylor, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Robert D. Cousins Memorial Scholarship Fund to support higher education in care to address 101 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

08/15/2025

Mozelle Smith, age 90, passed away on August 12, 2025. She was born January 2, 1935 to Sam Jackson and Mamie Dixon Jackson in Rural, Shelby County, Texas.

Funeral scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, 2pm at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church, 623 MLK Drive, Center, Texas with Rev. Steven Stanley, Eulogist and Minister Gregory Jenkins, Officiant. Visitation will begin on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 2pm until 6pm at Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas. Burial will be at Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas.

She will be lovingly remembered by:

Cherished children:
Sons:
Jackie Canton (Irmgard) of Las Vegas, Nevada
Wilbert Simmons, Jr. (Louniece) of Center
Alvin Smith Sr. of Nacogdoches
Daughters:
Charlene Cooper (Robert) of Center
Brenda Malone (Odell) of Center

Brother, Dennis Jackson of San Augustine

21 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren

Host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Services are under the directions of Sid Roberts Funeral Home, Nacogdoches, Texas.

08/12/2025

Eddie Lockey II, age 57, of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2025, in an automobile accident in Shelbyville, Texas.

"Eddie II" was born July 26, 1968, at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, to parents Eddie and Cornelia (Sparks) Lockey. 

His survivors include:

Mother, Cornelia Sparks Lockey of San Augustine, Texas

Sister, Lisa Lockey Gates and husband Steve of Troup, Texas

Aunt, Judy Sparks of Hemphill, Texas

Step-brother, Michael Denby of Conroe, Texas

Cousins:
Jennifer Sparks Morgan of Diboll, Texas
Alan Youngs of Denver, Colorado
Lance Youngs of Troup, Texas
Billy Wayne Slaughter of Tyler, Texas

A host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eddie Lockey; a sister, Leslie Lockey; grandparents, Beeman and Gertha Sparks and Savannah Lockey Carnes; and uncle, John Richard Sparks.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2025, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home Chapel, located at 316 W. Columbia Street in San Augustine, Texas, with Bro. Stevie Oaks and Bro. Tim Turner officiating. Committal service and interment will follow at Liberty Hill Cemetery. 

Pallbearers: Kolby Bryant, John Baxter Metcalf, Steve Gates, Christian Sparks, Michael Denby, and Mike Foster.

Visit www.wymanrobertsfh.com for memories and condolences. Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine, Texas.

08/10/2025

John Henry Holloway Jr., age 79, of Center, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025. He was born on October 4, 1945, in Hall Summit, Louisiana, to John and Myrtis Holloway. Although he began his life in Louisiana, John spent the majority of his years as a proud resident of Shelby County.

Visitation will be held beginning at 10AM on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Mangum Funeral Home. Graveside service will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery, County Road 1490, Center, Texas, with Bro. Josh Sanford officiating.

As a graduate of Center High School, John went on to an exciting career as an offshore crane operator, a profession that allowed him to travel the world. He loved to bring gifts back to family and friends from his travels sharing a piece of his adventures with those he loved. John was also passionate about logging in the beautiful Pineywoods of East Texas, where he found joy in the great outdoors. He cherished his time trot-lining, hunting and spending time in nature.

Known for quick wit and charming personality, John never met a stranger. He loved gathering with friends to play 42 and share tall tales. A true prankster at heart, he had a knack for lighthearted fun and never missed an opportunity to bring laughter to those around him. His generous nature shone through in his many trips to South Louisiana, where he helped deliver supplies for hurricane relief. Even giving up his home for many months to displaced hurricane victims.

John will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will remember him for always living life to the fullest.

He is survived by his:

Children:
John Henry Holloway III and wife Chelsea
Holly Duck and husband Trey

Grandsons:
Logan Holloway and wife Gracen
Lance Holloway

Great-granddaughter, Sutton Holloway

Siblings:
Linda Coleman
James Holloway and wife Scheli
Lon Holloway and wife Linda
David Holloway

Special friend, Ms. Pat Wells

John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Myrtis Holloway, and his sister, Sue Walker.

Pallbearers will be John’s nephews, Lowell Coleman, Lawrence Coleman, Brent Coleman, James Justin Holloway, Chad Holloway, and Scott Holloway.

Honorary pallbearers include Mike Baldwin, Roger Burton, Tommy Stockstill, Max Whitley, and Gene Edward Smith.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Happy Tails Adoption Center of Shelby County, an organization that reflects John’s love for dogs and in memory of his best fur friend Pearl.

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