Shelby County Today

03/14/2020

Center, Texas native, Del Shofner, passed away Wednesday, March 11 in Los Angeles of natural causes. Family was by his side. He was 85.

Born Delbert Martin Shofner to Bessie and Martin Shofner on December 11, 1934, Del thrived growing up with his brother James Richard and sisters Billie Jean, Mae, Ruth, Linda and Kathi, and surrounded by a large extended family. A Roughrider, he enjoyed all sports and wonderful, lifelong friendships. 

Del attended Baylor University where he was a multi-sport star athlete. In addition to football, where he played running back, defensive back, punter, kickoff and punt returner for the Bears, he played basketball, baseball and was a sprinter on the track team. He was inducted into the Baylor Hall of Fame and is a member of the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.

Del was the 1957 Sugar Bowl MVP as Baylor defeated No. 2 Tennessee, and this year he was inducted into the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame.

A five-time NFL Pro Bowl receiver, Del was the LA Rams’ first round draft pick, 11th overall, in the 1957 draft. After spending his rookie season on the defensive side of the ball, he was switched to offense in 1958 and had immediate success, leading the NFL with 1,097 receiving yards and earning First-Team All-Pro honors. 

Del was also First-Team All-Pro in 1959, and then was traded to the New York Giants following the 1960 season where he had his greatest success. With Y.A. Tittle at quarterback, Tittle and Shofner became one of the most feared QB-receiver duos in NFL history. In 1961, he had 1,125 yards and became the first player in NFL history to have a pair of 1,000 receiving yard seasons. He also made NFL history from 1961-63, becoming the first receiver with 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons. He was voted into the NFL All-Decade team for the 1960s as a First-Team member by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Toward the end of his football career, Del began working in the feed commodities business and enjoyed working with cattlemen, poultrymen, and farmers throughout the country. He and his wife, Carol Seley Shofner, enjoyed family time and breeding and racing thoroughbreds. Their greatest success in horse racing was with Think Snow who raced against Affirmed in 1978. Del also loved playing golf.

Del and Carol were married in 1963 and raised their family in San Marino, California. Carol passed away in 2015. Del is survived in Love by his three children, Laurie Shofner Corwin, Stacey Shofner Gates and David Shofner, five grandchildren; Madison, Alex, Shea, Emily and Jacob, sisters Ruth, Linda and Kathi and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Delbert “Del” Martin Shofner to the Roughrider Scholarship Foundation, Attn: Kelle Williams, PO Box 152, Center, Texas 75935.

03/13/2020

W.J. Goings, 86, of Center, Texas passed away on March 12, 2020 in Longview. He was born on March 30, 1933 in Shelby County to Ennis Goings and Mozell Windham Goings.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Campti Methodist Church Cemetery with Bro. Billy Windham and Bro. Don Windham officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Mangum Funeral Home.

Mr. Goings Served in the United States Army and was a member of the Shelbyville Sam Houston Masonic Lodge 32. A good day fishing was always enjoyed but not as much as the time he was able to spend with his grand and great grandchildren. Mr. Goings was always known for his checking on and visiting with family and friends and was known to tell a good story that would make everyone’s day better. 

W.J. is survived by:

Daughter, Glenda Lutz

Brother, Leon Goings and wife Carol

Sister, Debbie Runnels and husband Tim

Grandchildren:
Connie Quintero and husband, Daniel
Jamie Boshart and wife, Chelsea
Kim Dotson and husband, Bud
Evan Lutz and Jennifer Babin
Travis Lutz

Great-grandchildren: Drake, Benicio, Gabriella, Kaydence, Erin, Jaxon and Tuff.

He is preceded in death by His wife Ida Vernell Goings parents, Ennis and Mozell Goings; daughter, Sherry Boshart; and brothers, Jerrell Goings and Clovis Goings; sisters Sis Mattox and Billie Goings.

Pallbearers will be the Masons of the Sam Houston Lodge 32.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.

03/12/2020

Thomas Earl Jenkins 70, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2020. 

Funeral service is 3pm Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Bright and Morning Star Baptist Church, 623 MLK Blvd., Center, Texas with Bishop Howard Cloudy officiating. Burial will be at Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas.

Thomas was born February 17, 1950 to Julurs and Northeria Jenkins in Center, TX.  Mr. Jenkins attended CH Daniels High school. On April 23, 1986 he married the love of his life, his wife, Sarah Ann “Gill” Jenkins and they shared 33 loving years.
 
Mr. Jenkins was born and raised in the small town of Center, TX. He was known by many family and friends as Tom Cat, Tom, Pied Piper, Earl, and Jenkins. Thomas was a great man, a great spouse, great father, great-grandfather (PaPa), brother, uncle, and a very good friend. If you knew Mr. Jenkins you knew he liked fast cars, the blues, and loved his family.

Thomas is preceded in death by brothers, JC Jenkins and JB Jenkins; and daughter, Sonja Jordan.
 
Those left to cherish his memories are:

Wife, Sarah Ann “Gill” Jenkins

Children:
Tracie Moore-Dario
Johnny Veal Jr.
Alvin C. Hawkins Jr.
Jackie Reagan
Debbra Johnson
Janice McKnight

Sisters
Billie Daniels
Joyce Lavern Edwards

Grandchildren:
Dameon “P-nut” Moore
Shawn Reagan
Darren “DJ” Martin Jr.
Alvin A. Hawkins
Marquesa “Kitty” Moore
Johnneisha “Neisha” Mott
Ashley Reagan
Shea Flemons
Alleah Garrett 

And a host of great-grandchildren.

Services entrusted to Sid Roberts Funeral Home, 3535 S.E. Stallings Dr., Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

03/11/2020

John Henry Bledsoe, Jr., 89 of Joaquin, passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2020 at his residence in Joaquin.

Funeral service is 11am Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Windham Civic Center, 146 Express Blvd, Center, Texas. Interment is at Haslam Cemetery in Joaquin with Bro. Tim Maloy officiating.

He is survived by:

Daughters:
Patricia Bledsoe of Joaquin
Nancy Simon of Center
Eola Fransaw of Odessa
Hortense Blair of Joaquin
Annette Simon of Mansfield, Louisiana

Son, Jamie Bledsoe of Joaquin

20 Grandchildren

Sisters:
Esther Norris of Joaquin
Ruby Bledsoe of Houston
Maree Bledsoe of Houston

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

03/10/2020

Hazel Snider McKinzie, 89, of Center, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020, in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2020, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Son Windham and Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mrs. McKinzie was born September 1, 1930, in Shelbyville, to George W. Snider and Ida Mae Latham Snider. Her hobbies included gardening, caring for hummingbirds, hunting, cooking, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Hillcrest Missionary Baptist Church in Center.

She is survived by: 

Son-in-law, Everett Cougler of Center

Grandchildren: 
Amber Barbee-Bell
Kurtis Cougler and fiancé Hannah Fountain of Center
Lucas Cougler and wife Sherry

Daughter-in-law, Ginger McKinzie

Grandchildren:
Allison McKinzie and fiancé Skylar Evans
Lane McDonald
Landon McDonald

Great-grandchildren: 
Kali Fountain
Phoenix Cougler
Lennon McDonald
Future Baby Cougler

Siblings: 
Ray Edna Snider Permenter
Gladys Snider Vaughn

Sister-in-law, Sylvia Snider

Numerous nieces and nephews

Special friends:
Kellie Jean Baty
Geneva Graves
Her Pine Grove family

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lee McKinzie; daughter, Earnestine McKinzie Cougler; son, Mark McKinzie; parents, George W. Snider and Ida Mae Latham Snider; and brother, George Washington “Pete” Snider.

Pallbearers will be Skylar Evans, Jason Orsak, Johnny Fuller, Lucas Cougler, Kurtis Cougler, and Nathan Lynch.  

Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Brittain, Matthew Stanley, Eric Choron, Brian Fenton, Josh Fuller, Daniel Walton, C.J. Goings, and Lane McDonald.

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

03/09/2020

Frank Garner, age 60, of Geneva, Texas, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020 at CHI St. Luke Health in San Augustine, Texas.

Funeral service is at 1pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Countyline Baptist Church. Interment is at Countyline Cemetery with Rev. Gaylon Taylor officiating. Visitation is Friday, March 13, 2020 from 1pm until 6:30pm at Garner and Son Chapel, San Augustine.

He is survived by:

Daughter, LaBrittany Garner of Nacogdoches, Texas

Brother, Carter Ray Garner (Jackie) of Center, Texas

Sisters:
Mary Weathered Lockett of Lufkin, Texas
Earnie Mae  Jones (Leroy) of Geneva, Texas
Stephanie Garner ( Taurus Jackson) of Geneva, Texas
Cotresa Odem (Tracy) of San Augustine, Texas

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

Services are under the direction of Garner and Son Mortuary, San Augustine, Texas.

03/04/2020

Jeraline Jennings Thomas, 74 of Southfield Michigan, passed away February 15, 2020 at a local hospital in Southfield.

Funeral service will be Saturday, March 7, at 1pm at Gates Chapel Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Texas with Rev. Don Daniels officiating. Visitation is Friday, March 6, 2020 at Hicks Chapel from the hours at 5pm to 7pm. Committal is at Gates Chapel Cemetery and repass is in the Gates Chapel Fellowship Hall.

She is survived by:

Husband, James Henry Thomas II

Son, James Henry Thomas III

Sisters:
Orstella Netherly of Center
Reba Jennings of Center

Service entrust to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Center, Texas 75935. Please visit our website for online condolences at www.hicksmortuary.net

03/03/2020

Tommy Marion Guynes, 71, of Timpson, Texas passed away on March 2, 2020 in Timpson, Texas.Born February 7, 1949, in Silsbee, Texas, to the late Cloyce Elmer Guynes and Dollie (Helton) Guynes. 

Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 4:00PM at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas, with Bro. Cecil Chessher and Bro. Bobby Waller officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Timpson, Texas.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday, March 6, 2020 beginning at 3:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, Texas.

Tommy was raised in Cleveland, Texas and the surrounding area. He graduated Cleveland High School. Later in life he made his home in Deep East Texas. Here he met his wife, Becky Mefford, and the two were married on December 23, 2013, spending over 6 years together. He loved the Lord, his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Tommy was an avid outdoorsman. You could find him fishing, hunting, doing woodwork, or just tinkering outside any day of the week. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tommy enjoyed serving the Lord in many capacities and was a member of Called Out Church in Center, Texas.  

He is survived by:
His loving wife, Becky Mefford of Timpson

Son, Tommy Guynes Jr. and wife Stephanie of Gary

Daughters:
Tammy Marie Guynes of Deberry
Tina Miller of Timpson

Sister, Thelma Smith of Cleveland, Texas

Grandchildren: 
Kaitlyn Paige Milam
Jade Guynes
Dillon Hodge and wife Tiffany
Eric Guynes
Christopher Guynes
Emberlyn Thompson

Great-grandchildren: 
Mason Miller
Lilly Thompson
Violet Thompson
George Estes
Mark Estes
Leland Hodge
Ricky Miller

5 great-great-grandchildren

Ahost of family and friends that will miss him dearly

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Cloyce Elmer and Dollie Helton Guynes; son, Jimmy Michael Guynes; daughter, Terri Michelle Guynes; brother, Clifford Guynes; and sister, Joyce Evelyn

To send condolences and sign the online guest book you may go to www.taylorfh.net. Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, is in charge of arrangements.

02/29/2020

Angel Kristian De La Rosa, 16, of Joaquin, passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020, in Joaquin.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.

Angel was born June 11, 2003, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cesar De La Rosa and Rebecca Coronado De La Rosa.  He was presently a student at Joaquin ISD and was very involved in the athletic department. Angel was a member of Old Center Baptist Church.

He is survived by his parents, Cesar De La Rosa and Rebecca Coronado De La Rosa

Sister and brothers: 
Tomasa M. De La Rosa of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cesar De La Rosa Jr. of Keatchie, Louisiana
Diamond M. De La Rosa of Redding, Pennsylvania

Nieces: 
Angeline Flores
Gaia De La Rosa

Aunts and uncles: 
Ruby Garza
Jessica Chavez
Elaine Chavez
Mary Jane Marcus
Sandra Lynn Leonard
Fonso Chavez
Susie Davis of Joaquin

Numerous cousins

Special friend, Kim Davis.

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

Angel Kristian De La Rosa, de 16 años, de Joaquín, falleció el Miércoles 26 de Febrero de 2020 en Joaquín.

La visita se llevará a cabo desde la 1:00 p.m. hasta las 2:00 p.m., Domingo 1 de Marzo de 2020, en la funeraria Watson & Sons en Center. El funeral se llevará a cabo a las 2:00 p.m.

Angel nació el 11 de Junio de 2003 en Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hijo de Cesar De La Rosa y Rebecca Coronado De La Rosa. Actualmente era estudiante en Joaquin ISD y estaba muy involucrado en el departamento de atletismo. Angel era miembro de la Iglesia Bautista Old Center.

Le Sobreviven sus Padres, Cesar De La Rosa y Rebecca Coronado De La Rosa

Hermana y Hermanos
Tomasa M. De La Rosa de Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cesar De La Rosa Jr. de Keatchie, Louisiana
Diamond M. De La Rosa de Redding, Pennsylvania

Sobrinas:
Angeline Flores
Gaia De La Rosa

Tías y Tíos:
Ruby Garza
Jessica Chavez
Elaine Chavez
Mary Jane Marcus
Sandra Lynn Leonard
Fonso Chavez
Susie Davis de Joaquin

Amiga especial, Kim Davis.

Las condolencias y homenajes en línea se pueden enviar a www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com