Shelby County Today

08/28/2020

Mason Cole Masterson, 2, of Center, Tx, passed away August 16, 2020 in Center, Tx

Funeral service will be held this Saturday August 29th 2pm at the First Baptist Church 117 Cora St. Center, Tx 75935.

There will be a private graveside service for immediate family only. 

Oh Bubby, mama’s sweet sweet Bubby! Our hearts ache as we try to put into words who you are a as a person. You where my baby, my bubby, mama’s boy. While shy, your true personality was brighter than any star. While Mason and Daddy were best buddies, he was a Momma’s boy and loved his cuddles just as much as he loved his pow-pow and truck trail time with daddy. He had the chunkiest feet, the biggest heart, cutest under bite smile, the sweetest bashful face, the smoothest lips, and he never met a meal he didn’t like.

If you left a drink around him, you would no longer have a drink. Our little sneaky snake! He loved our family nerf gun wars, riding his trike, or scooting on his sister pink scooter, he loved when the girls would build anything just so that he could knock it down! We called him our little Masonite! He recently became fearless in the pool, jumping in with every splash of water hitting him like another dream achieved. Mason could at times be a conundrum, because while he loved cuddles with Mama and playing with his sisters, he loved motors. I mean ALL motors if he even heard a loud truck passing by it would stop him in his tracks, he just started riding dirt bikes with daddy, he loved everything fast and loud, and he couldn’t wait to pow-pow his first deer with his Daddy.

Mason loved fishing and was beginning to bloom into his personality. The sweetest, most gentle soul, that was impossible not to love. Anyone who got the chance to be loved by Mason Cole, was a soul that was touched forever. Oh bubby, my baby boy I wish I could feel you sweet arms holding me again. Daddy and Mommy love you always and forever! 

Mason is survived by:
Parents:
Michael and Lauren Masterson of Center, Tx

Grandparents:
David and Mary Masterson of Center, Tx
Douglas and Nancy Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx

Great-Grandparents:
Alice Smith of Sherman, Tx
Michelle Mitchell of Florida 

Aunts:
Michelle Masterson “Auntie Chelly” of Dallas, Tx 
Megan Mitchell “Aunt Mimi” of Waller, Tx
Rosa Lamas of Magnolia, Tx

Uncles:
Zachary Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx
Douglas Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx
Dalton Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx

Cousins:
Landen Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx
Drake Mitchell of Cypress, Tx

Mason is preceded in death by his Great-grandparents, Roy and Doris Masterson; Great-Grandma, Carmen Reina and Papa Frank Reina; Great-Grandfather, Big Daddy Dr. SE Smith and cousin Beckett Spencer. 

08/28/2020

Victoria Christine Hogan 10, of Center, Tx, passed away August 16, 2020 in Center, Tx

Funeral service will be held this Saturday August 29th 2pm at the First Baptist Church 117 Cora St. Center, Tx 75935. 

There will be a private graveside service for immediate family only. 

Mama’s first baby girl! Oh my sweet baby girl. So many things I can share but I will try to make it brief. First if you knew Victoria was to know that she had a pure heart of gold! She cared so much about others and never wanted anyone left out. She was so kind and open hearted. We’ve always known her heart was too big for Center, Tx. Her pure kind heart was meant to be seen by the world! If you were lucky enough to know her than you know exactly what I am talking about.

Victoria was born to perform. She loved being on stage, singing, dancing, teaching anyone dance routines (many we couldn’t keep up with) but man, could she dance! Just as her voice carried with beauty and grace throughout the church, she could also belt out some of her favorite Justin Bieber, Lauren Daigle, Taylor Swift, and many TikTok songs. Some of the things she was very proud of. First, being able to sing her brother to sleep at any time. I mean any time with her calming songs! She loved fixing Ella’s hair, playing mama and baby with Ella and Mase, getting Mason dressed for church, finding new earrings that match her outfits, all of this and much more. She really loved visiting Poppy’s art gallery and painting everything that came into her immense imagination. She also really looked forward to her “special nights” at Meme and Poppy’s house, shopping with Meme, doing stunts with Aunt Chelly in the pool.

Any chance she got to be with her Meme she did! She loved putting on makeup, designing clothes, doing back flips on the trampoline, mastering her martial art stretches or kicks, family movie nights, building forts and slime upon slime upon slime! She also loved spending time with her father, going fishing (lipping her own fish), riding the lawn mower and oh her sweet scrunched nose belly laughs! We miss every single second of you my sweet baby! Daddy and I love you always and forever! 

Victoria is survived by:
Parents:
Michael and Lauren Masterson of Center, Tx
David Hogan of Nacogdoches, Tx

Grandparents:
David and Mary Masterson of Center, Tx
Douglas and Nancy Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx

Great-Grandparents:
Alice Smith of Sherman, Tx
Michelle Mitchell of Florida 

Aunts:
Michelle Masterson “Auntie Chelly” of Dallas, Tx 
Megan Mitchell “Aunt Mimi” of Waller, Tx
Rosa Lamas of Magnolia, Tx

Uncles:
Michael Hogan “Uncle Mikey” of Dallas, Tx
Donald Morrison “Uncle Opie”
Zachary Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx
Douglas Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx
Chris Jackson 
Justen Jackson
Andrew Jackson 
Dalton Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx

Cousins:
Landen Mitchell of Magnolia, Tx
Drake Mitchell of Cypress, Tx
Ashten Baker
Jaylin Jackson Zayden Morrison

Victoria is preceded in death by her Grandmother, Evelyn Haris: Great-Grandma Carmen Reina and Papa Frank Reina; Great-Grandfather Big Daddy Dr. SE Smith; Great-grandparents, Roy and Doris Masterson; and cousin Alyssa Jackson and Beckett Spencer.

08/26/2020

Y.D. (Plum) Jackson, Jr., 84 of Center, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2020 at Lufkin Specialty Hospital.

Graveside service is 11am Saturday, August 29, 2020 at St. John Cemetery in Center. Visitation is from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, August 28 at Community Funeral Home in Center. Interment is at St. John Cemetery in Center with Rev. Winston Kibbles officiating.

He is survived by:

Wife, Sandrel Jackson of Center

Sons:
Willie D. Jackson (Sherian) of Center
Young D. Jackson of Center
Louis Jackson of Center
Michael Smith of Center
Jimmy Lee Smith (Mercedes) of Center

Daughters:
Tiffanie King (Robert) of Center
Demetra Slaughter (Desmond) of Center

10 Grandchildren

12 Great-grandchildren

Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Center, Texas.

08/25/2020

Charles Baggett, 81, of Center, passed away Monday, August 24, 2020, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2020, at White Rock Cemetery in Center.  

Mr. Baggett was born May 24, 1939, in Center, to Curtis Lee Baggett and Loyce Louise Akin Baggett.

He is survived by:

Brothers:
Glenn Baggett and wife Joy of Douglass
Robert Lee Baggett and wife Linda of Nacogdoches

Numerous other relatives.

Preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Lee Baggett and Loyce Louise Akin Baggett; sister, Patricia Ann Fletcher; nephews, Mitchell Baggett and Christopher Fletcher; and niece, Amanda Baggett.

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

08/24/2020

Kelly “Pops” Robertson, 84, of Tenaha passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020 in Longview. 

He was born on July 18, 1936 in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Robertson was raised in Cyprus Bayou and loved to hunt and fish. Mr. Robertson moved to Tenaha in 1993 where he remained with his beautiful wife until she passed away in 2011. Mr. Robertson was a veteran, fisherman, and grandfather. Kelly was a longtime resident of Tenaha and proudly supported the Tenaha Tigers.

Graveside services were held on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Union Cemetery with Jeff Stewart officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to assist with funeral expense.

He is survived by:

Sons:
Jack Thompson and wife Leslie of Anthem, Arizona
James Watson of Tenaha 
Michael Vaughn and wife Carrie of Kilgore 
Johnny Vaughn and wife Consuella of Longview 
Kenneth Robertson and wife Meagan of Hawkins

Daughters:
Renee Brittain of Tenaha
Michelle McDonald and husband Jason of Tenaha

Daughter-in-law, Pam Whitton of Joaquin

Eighteen Grandchildren

Three Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by wife, Audria Regina Robertson and grandson, Mitchell Brittain.

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

08/21/2020

Tony Donald (Don) Lovell, 72, was born November 6, 1947 to H.V. (Tony) Lovell and Ura Johnson Lovell in Center, Texas. He passed away August 20, 2020 in Garrison, Texas after a long battle with several health problems. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 23, 2020, At Watson & Sons Chapel officiated by Rev. Bobby Warr and Richard Livingston.  Burial to follow at Mt. Herman Cemetery in Center, Texas.

Don was born and raised in the Mt. Herman community in Center, Texas and graduated Center High School in 1965. He worked at Nibco for several years before becoming a full-time farmer. Don married Deborah Jo Livingston in 1970 and they had 3 children: Deanne, Dewayne & Delana. He was of the Baptist faith. He raised chickens for over 40 years, farmed several hundred acres of watermelons as well as a variety of other produce. He spent many long hot summers on the tractor pulling a field trailer and loading melons to put in trucks to send off to the supermarket. In recent years he enjoyed baling hay and made his living from that until he was no longer able to work.

Don was an avid hunter and fisherman. When not working you could catch him most days at the river or lake or even a small pond trying to catch a big one. When hunting season hit, he would carry either a shotgun or rifle with him everywhere he went. He most enjoyed squirrel hunting and spent many years and walked many miles chasing squirrels where he would take to the camp for dinner and skinning, followed by a big mess of squirrel and usually a few rounds of 42. He spent many years with his lifelong friends enjoying many hunting and fishing trips. He would tell of the stories of dove, duck, deer, squirrel, quail and anything else he could hunt or fish he could catch along with his hunting buddies and later his children. He taught his kids to hunt, fish, and live the good outdoor life and work for a dollar. He won many a fishing tournament and hunting competition and bragged about how lucky he was.

The lucky ones were his family and friends and knew and loved him. He liked to spend his time with those closest to him and ride through back roads remembering all the places he hunted, fished or farmed. There's nothing he wouldn't do for a friend or someone in need and loaned out and gave away many things just to be able to help those less fortunate or someone in a bind. He had a loving heart and will be missed deeply by those that knew him most.

Don is survived by
Mother: Ura Lovell of Center

Children:
Deanne Lovell Sample & husband, Jason of Center
Dewayne Lovell of Center
Delana Lovell of Center

Grandkids:
Gauge Sample, Hunter Sample & Briar Sample of Center
Toni Lovell & Connor Lovell of Center
Jax Haislip, Kaycee Vaughn, Jake Lovell & Zane Lovell of Center 

Longtime girlfriend and special friend:
Donna Hulsey of Patroon

Many friends

He was preceeded in death by his father, H.V. (Tony) Lovell; grandparents, Rev. Lewis & Trudy Johnson and Minnie Barlow; infant grandson, Tony Dustin Lovell.

Pallbearers will be Gauge Sample, Hunter Sample, Briar Sample, Jax Haislip, Jason Sample, Justin Lee, Darin Borders & Mike Scates.

Honorary Pallbarrers will be Richard Livingston, James Lynn Livingston, Royce Lynn Johnson, Marcus Wilson, Richard Tomlin & Jimmy Strong.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mt. Herman Cemetery fund c/o Deanne Sample, 1106 CR 4314, Tenaha, TX 75974 or to the family for final expenses. 

The family would like to express a special Thank You to the staff at Garrison Nursing Home and to Hospice of East Texas in both Tyler and Nacogdoches offices.

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

08/19/2020

Charles Yarborough, 84, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, in Boerne, TX. He was born July 27, 1936.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.

Charles Yarborough was born and raised in Shelby County where he was proud to be a Center Roughrider where he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams. In 1957, Charles met the love of his life and soon made her his wife. He and Judy (Chandler) Yarborough have made many memories over their 63 years of marriage. Together, they raised their daughter to be exactly what they had wished for her. His best and most valuable treasure in life was his family. Charles spent many days coaching little league baseball and was the proud coach of a World Championship Team. His role as “Paw Paw” sent him to many sporting events with his grandsons and he was a regular at the Nacogdoches High School football games.

Charles had many talents but found a particular interest in his flower gardens. He was taught the love of day lilies from his mother which led to his expertise with other beautiful flowers in his gardens. Charles made his career at Nibco and also worked as the Nacogdoches County Road Administrator. He made many lasting friendships during his tenure at both these places and enjoyed working with great co-workers.

Among other things that Charles took pride in was his abilities at bowling and dominoes. In 1962 he bowled a 300 game and gained the title of “domino champ” one year at The Blueberry Festival. He was kind and loving and often referred to as being an ultimate servant. His daughter and grandchildren and their families adored him, as did others who met him. He was humble and lived a simple life but was always available when someone needed him and expected nothing in return.

Above all, Charles was a godly man who loved his Lord and Savior. He was a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church for many years and quoted his favorite scripture often, Psalm 23.

Charles is survived by:

Loving wife and best friend, Judy Chandler Yarborough

Daughter, Kimberly Yarborough Ball and husband, Danny

Grandsons:
Major Daniel Ball, Jr and wife, Samantha
Matthew Ball and wife, Kristine
Joshua Ball and wife, Megan
Jacob Ball

Sister, Sherry Yarborough Ward

8 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Chester Yarborough, mother, Creva Mae Abbott Yarborough; and sisters, Charlotte Yarborough Baily, Chestine Yarborough and Johnnie Sue Yarborough.

The Yarborough family is being served by Laird Funeral Home. To convey condolences or to sign an online register, visit lairdfh.net.

08/19/2020

Dennis Wayne Bruton, 59, of Henderson, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020, in Henderson.

As per his wishes, Mr. Bruton will be cremated and no services are planned at this time.

Born February 10, 1961, Dennis is the son of the late Douglas Ray Bruton and Linda Reather Anderson Bruton. He worked as a cook in a restaurant and served as the treasurer of his local AA Chapter. Dennis was a member of Bar-None Cowboy Church.

He is survived by: 
His brothers: 
John Bruton of Trinity
Douglas Edward Bruton of Coldwater, Mississippi

Numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, Douglas Ray Bruton and Linda Reather Anderson Bruton; and sister, Kerin Jordan.

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

08/19/2020

David Dewayne Fountain, 53, was born April 17,1967. Passed away August 15, 2020 at UT Health Tyler, Texas.

Parents: Evangelina Fountain Jeffress and The Late Bryant Bryon Lee Fountain

Brothers & Sisters:
Bryant E. Fountain and Wife Patricia of Tenaha, TX
Angie J. Spurlock of Springfield, MO
John G. Fountain and Wife Brandy of Henderson, TX
Raymond L. Fountain and Wife Jodi of Center, TX
Lawrence G. Fountain of Tenaha, TX
Serita M Porter and Husband George of Corpus Christi, TX

Nieces and Nephews:
Crystal Barbee
Brandie Parrish McGee
Starlla Spurlock Cooper
Dustin Fountain
Joshua Fountain
Brandon Fountain
Daylon Fountain
Tyler J. Fountian
J. Bryce Fountain
Issac Fountain
Angel Fountain

Many great nieces and nephews he loved as his own.

Preceded in death by: His Father, Bryant Bryon Lee Fountain; Brother, Mark Anthony Fountain and
Sister, Darlene Fountain.

David was dedicated to his work having spent 18 years at Tidewater Industries out of Morgan City, LA. He then spent the last 13 years in his work career close to home with General Shelters in Center, TX.

His main love, outside of his family, was fishing wherever his travels took him. He enjoyed bringing his stories of his adventures back to his family. Not having children of his own, he found happiness with his nieces and nephews. His honest smile and his genuine love always left everyone with memories that only David Fountain could do in his own unique way 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.