Shelby County Today

05/22/2018

Michael D. Allen, 57, of Center, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in Carthage.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Watson & Sons Chapel. Interment will follow at Shelbyville Cemetery.

Mr. Allen was born August 3, 1960, in Center, to Jesse Truman Allen Jr. “Bubba” and Iris Marie McLean Allen.  He loved reading his Bible, motorcycles, and spending time with his grandchildren and other family members.  Mr. Allen was a member of First Baptist Church in Center.

He is survived by
Daughters:
Alyse Tibbs and husband, Michael, of Carthage
Christina Wills and husband, Ricky Joe, of Carthage

Grandchildren: 
Landon LaGrone
Kali Fulsom
Riley Wills
Ryder Wills
Avery Prudhomme

Brother: Terry Allen and wife, Jan, of Joaquin

Aunts: 
Shirley Carter of Shelbyville
Marilyn Allen of Natalia 

Nephew: J. B. Raymond and wife, Jennifer, of Center

Great-Niece: McKynzie Bush

Great-Nephews:
Justin Raymond
Jaxon Raymond

Numerous cousins and other relatives

Preceded in death by
Parents: Jesse Truman Allen Jr. “Bubba” and Iris Marie McLean Allen
Grandparents: Roy McLean, Rachel McLean, Jesse Truman Allen Sr., Evelyn O’Neill
Uncles: Alton McLean, Donald McLean 

A special thanks to his personal caregivers, Faye Bridge and Diane Briggs. Also, thanks to Carthage Healthcare and HeartsWay Hospice for their compassionate care.

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

05/21/2018

Christopher Krieg, 56, of Shelbyville, Texas, passed away on May 19, 2018 in Joaquin. He was born on June 15, 1961 in South Bend, Indiana to Wayne Eugene Krieg and Laura Newcomer Krieg. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

Christopher was raised in South Bend, Indiana before moving to Florida in 1975 where he finished high school. After a life of hard work in construction and maintenance, Christopher made the trek to Deep East Texas to be closer to his family at Bills Landing in 2011. He continued working locally for Tyson Foods and Holiday Inn locations at Center and Carthage. He loved to tinker with things. You could often find him outside taking something apart and putting it back together just for fun. He also enjoyed spending most of his extra time outdoors black powder shooting, hunting, fishing and cooking.   

He is survived by:

Mother, Laura Krieg of Shelbyville

Sisters:
Kathi Morey and husband, Roy of Shelbyville
LaMona Niver of Palmetto, Florida

Brother, Ty Krieg of Shelbyville

Uncle, James Corey and wife, Grettel of Bradenton, Florida

Aunts:
Mary Schneider and husband, Don of Bremen, Indiana
Marilyn Jones and husband, Bradley of Ulysses, Kansas.

He is preceded in death by his father, Wayne Eugene Krieg; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

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.

05/21/2018

The rock of the Hughes Family, LaRea Hughes (86) of Longview, passed on to her home in heaven on Saturday, May 19, 2018. She went to peace, the same way she lived, surrounded by her loving family. 

Rea was born April 20, 1932 in Patroon, Texas, to Johnnie and Etta Risinger. Rea graduated from Shelbyville High School from a class of 19. She then built her business prowess by attending business school in Beaumont. In 1954, she met the love of her life, OD Hughes, in Center, Texas. 

Together with her husband, this southern beauty, loving sister, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend led a full life where her steadfast nature and quiet support produced an influential and caring family as well as many successful business ventures. She was instrumental in the Hughes’ thriving family business, H&W Power Sports. She found great joy working with, supporting and guiding her husband and family for the last 64 years.

Rea passed down her quick-witted sense of humor and Christian servant’s heart to her family. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for over 40 years and is currently a member at Mobberly Baptist Church. 

The family will receive friends at Radar Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at Mobberly Baptist Church with interment to follow at Rosewood Park Cemetery in Longview. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dunnigan Cemetery at 1936 FM 2261 Shelbyville, Texas 75973. 

Rea is survived by:

Children:
Glynn Hughes and wife, Linda
Mark Hughes and wife, Dianne
Cheryl Hughes
Kyle Hughes and wife, Lisa

Grandchildren:
Collin Hughes and wife, Tracy
Stephanie Lowe and husband, Dustin
Sommer Wadle and husband, John
Becky Davis and husband, Michael
Ashley Hughes
Brittany Taylor and husband, Hunter
Buddy Hughes and wife, Jessica
Cameron Bridges
Matt Hughes and wife, Maddie
Taylor Flechtner
Jordan Brennan and husband, Kaelan
Cole Hughes
Jansen Hughes
Zach Hughes

14 great-grandchildren

Siblings:
Robert Risinger
Ruth Smith and husband, Lamar
Jaunita Smith and husband, Tommy

Sisters-in-law:
June Hughes
Janice Hughes
Edra Hughes

Rea also leaves a host of extended family and friends with special recognition to her caretaker and friend, Angela Singleton. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Etta Risinger; husband, OD Hughes; sister-in-law, Betty Risinger; brothers-in-law, Weldon Hughes; Grady Hughes; Billy Ray Hughes and his wife, Melba; OB Hughes; and Donald Hughes and his wife, Paulette.

A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com.

05/14/2018

Betty Johnston, 85, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Nacogdoches.

Mrs. Johnston was cremated and no services are planned at this time.

Mrs. Johnston was born January 21, 1933, in Omaha, Nebraska, to George Hooker and May Robinson Hooker.  She loved growing plants and flowers.  

She is survived by
Son: Robert Utterback and wife, Sandra, of Huntington

Granddaughter: Amber Roberts of Hominy, Oklahoma

Great-Grandchildren:
Andrew Roberts
William Roberts

Preceded in death by
Husband: Larry Johnston

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

05/13/2018

Funeral service for Mrs. Katy Lucille “Dut” Franklin, 101, of the Tadmor Community of Houston County, Texas will be Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 12-noon at Bethel CME Church. Mrs. Franklin was born April 24, 1917. Mrs. Franklin died at her residence on Friday, May 11, 2018.  Rev. Robert A. Beam will officiate. 

Mrs. Franklin is survived by:
Children:
Carl E. Franklin (Ruby) of Tadmor
Barbara F. Franklin of Houston, Texas
Marva G. Anglin of Mexia, Texas
Charles D. Franklin (Sylvia) of Houston, Texas
Ronald L. Franklin (Ruth) of Sugarland, Texas
Step-daughter Doris Gipson of Houston, Texas.  

Visitation: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Bethel CME Church from the hours of 11:00 am-12-noon.  
Committal: McKelvey Cemetery 
Repass: Immediately following service 

Services entrusted to Hicks Mortuary 804 Martin Luther King Drive, Center, Texas

05/11/2018

Patricia “Pat” Eaves, 72, of the Galloway Community of Panola County, Texas passed away May 10, 2018 at her home in Galloway. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Harville officiating. Burial will follow in the Adams Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Patricia Ann Barnett Eaves was born February 5, 1946 in Panola County, Texas to Crawford and Ivy Dickerson Barnett. Pat married Jerry Wayne Eaves on September 7, 1963 and together they celebrated 47 years until he preceded her in death on December 28, 2010. Mrs. Eaves was a homemaker and loved doing arts and crafts. She attended the Logan Full Gospel Church and was a member of the Eastern Star. Pat is also preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorothy Sparkman.

Mrs. Eaves is survived by her loving children, Craig Eaves of San Antonio, Shaun Eaves and wife Rose of San Antonio, Heather Mason and husband Cecil of Galloway; grandchildren, Connor Eaves, Caleb Eaves, Catelyn Franklin, Grace Mason, Alicia Mason; sister, Jeanette Sanders of Huntsville; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Craig Eaves, Shaun Eaves, Connor Eaves, Cecil Mason, Arthur Beasley and Robert Eaves. Honorary Pallbearer is Coleton Eaves.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.hawthornfuneralhome.com.

05/10/2018

Rodney Keith Hughes, 49, of Carthage, Texas passed away on May 4, 2018 in Carthage, Texas. He was born June 24, 1968 in Pasadena, Texas to Leonard and Rena (Barrett) Hughes. Funeral service will be held Friday May 11, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 4417 CR 4054, Timpson, Texas with Bro. Fred Wilcox and Bro. Eric Pledger officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Visitation will be held Thursday May 10, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home, 511 Ross Graves Dr., Timpson, Texas.  

Rodney began school in Pasadena. School and Rodney did not agree and everyday he would come home crying to go see his Pawpaw in Garrison. In 1975, they moved to Chireno and two years later settled in Center where Rodney completed his education. Rodney felt at home in Deep East Texas. After high school, he went to work at Moore Business Forms and worked there for many years until an accident on the job. 

When he couldn’t be released to work, Rodney decided to use this as an opportunity to further his education. He enrolled in TSTC in Marshall and received his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electrical/Computerized Control Systems Technology in 2004. With his degree, Rodney secured a job with Chesapeake Energy and had a successful and prosperous career there until his failing health forced him to step down. 

On July 29, 1989, Rodney married the love of his life, Janice Schulz. Through their 28 years of marriage, Rodney and Janice stood together and supported each other through years of infertility, Rodney’s injury and recovery while attending college, Janice’s battle with cancer and stepping up to care for Rodney’s father, Leonard during his battle with cancer. Their lives were completed the day they welcomed their only son, Granger into the world. Words cannot describe how much Rodney loved his son. Granger was his pride and joy. He was his biggest fan and found no greater joy than being his Daddy. The bond between father and son will never be broken. 

Rodney was an avid outdoorsman. He could escape the pressures of the world casting a line on the lake, chasing down hogs in the woods or hunting for the perfect deer to hang on the wall. Some of the best times were had with family and friends fishing and hunting. He also very much enjoyed a friendly competition with Granger on xBox live. Those two could really get after it behind those controls and watching and listening to them was more entertaining than the game itself. Janice would say it wasn’t so friendly at times when Granger was winning (which was most of the time) because Rodney could be a sore loser. He also had two special four-legged friends that he enjoyed having around every day, Bell and Abby. Rodney was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Timpson. 

In his younger years, Rodney was described as a “trick driver” by his family. He could always find himself in trouble behind the wheel of a vehicle. Rodney’s dad bought him two used trucks as a teen and the scrap yard became their fate after the tough love he showed them on the road. His Daddy let him purchase a brand new truck when he was 17, a two-toned beauty that he was so proud of. Of course, rambunctious Rodney’s driving soon took its toll and he wrecked that one, too. But that didn’t stop him, and it actually produced one of the fondest memories for his family. Rodney decided to make the best of a terrible situation and totally repainted the truck. 

Rodney was a light-hearted and loving man that was a pleasure to spend time with. He was a devoted husband, caring and compassionate father and a true friend that will be dearly missed. 

Rodney is survived by:
His loving wife, Janice Schulz Hughes

Son: Granger Keith Hughes

Mother: Rena Sue Hughes

Mother-in-law: Sue Schulz

Numerous aunts and uncles; and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by his father, Leonard C. Hughes; maternal grandparents, Gordon and Clotte Barrett; paternal grandparents, Cleave and Gertie Hughes; and father-in-law, John Schulz.

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

05/08/2018

Jacky Williams, 49, of Joaquin, passed away Monday, May 7, 2018, at his residence.
 
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2018, with Bro. Dennis Landroop and Sister Melba Rodgers officiating. Interment will follow at Willow Grove Cemetery in Joaquin.
 
Mr. Williams was born June 9, 1968, in Hope, Arkansas, to Thomas Jackson Williams and Barbara Ann Caulfield Williams. He enjoyed antique shopping and woodworking. Mr. Williams attended Sanctuary of Pentecost in Carthage. He enjoyed being with friends and family and loved His Savior.
 
He is survived by
Wife: Dana A. Williams
 
Children:
Justin Williams
Logan Williams
Destiny Ward and husband, Mason
Jacy Williams
 
Step Children:
Erika White
Tori Burford and husband, Garrett
Chance White
 
Grandchildren:
Pacer Williams
Daegan Williams
Blayke Burford
Blythe Burford
 
Mother: Barbara Williams Partlow
 
Brothers:
Mark Williams and wife, Teresa
Michael Williams and wife, Karla
Tommy Williams and wife, Kirstin
Terry Williams and wife, Vannessa
 
Preceded in death by
Grandson: Cy Williams
Father: Thomas Jackson Williams
Grandparents: Luther and Gladys Williams, Vivian White
 
Pallbearers will be Tommy Williams, Mark Williams, Michael Williams, Terry Williams, Tano Beatriz and Earl Buckley. Honorary pallbearers will be Tucker Williams, Dakota Williams, Dylan Williams, T.J. Williams and McKenzie Williams.
 
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

05/04/2018

Pamela Walker, 70, of Tenaha, passed away Thursday, May 3, 2018, in her home.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Tenaha, with Bro. John Whitworth officiating.  Interment will follow at Woods Cemetery in Panola County.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Walker was born October 14, 1947, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Annice Brown Knight and James Knight.  She graduated as Valedictorian from Tenaha High School and went on to Stephen F. Austin State University, where she graduated with honors.  On August 23, 1969, she married Johnnie M. Walker and they would have been married for 49 years this August.  Mrs. Walker loved to teach and made a career as an English teacher in Humble and Nacogdoches School Districts.  She retired from her passion of 32 years.  Her favorite pastimes were taking care of her family and reading anything she could get her hands on.  The men she left behind believe without a doubt that she was the best wife and mom to ever walk the earth. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Tenaha.

Survivors include:

Husband, Johnnie Walker

Sons:
Johnnie Blake Walker
James Brent Walker

Grandson, Jackson Blake Walker

Brother, James Keith Knight

Sister-in-law, Vera Knight; nephew, James Rodney Knight; Rod’s wife, Nicole; son Colby and daughter, McKinsey

Sister-in-law, Brenda and husband, Jerry Agnew; their children Scott and Amy Agnew; Scott’s wife, Kerry, and their son, Blaine, and daughter, Madison. Amy’s husband, Peter Stevens, and their son, Mylon.

Pallbearers will be Blake Walker, Brent Walker, Jerry Agnew, Scott Agnew, Ron Ainsworth, Rodney Knight and Boyer Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HeartsWay Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas 75633 or First Baptist Church, 200 S George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974.

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