James “Buddy” Pratt, 71, of Center, Texas, passed away on September 26, 2018 in Nacogdoches. He was born on March 12, 1947 in Center to Jimmy Pratt and Zelma Samford Pratt. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at White Rock Cemetery with Bro. Larry Byrd officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 to 1:30 PM on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home. 

Buddy, as everyone knew him, grew up in Center. His father passed away when Buddy was very young. His mother knew that Buddy would need a father figure in his life and later married Hollis Smith who would raise him as his own. Buddy graduated from Center High School and then entered the United States Army. He served his country honorably before returning home. Buddy took a job with Southwester Bell Telephone Company where he worked as a customer service technician for his entire career until retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He spent a beautiful 42 years with the love of his life, Vicky Harris and they built an amazing life together. More than anything, Buddy treasured his time spent surrounded by family. 

Buddy leaves behind his beloved wife, Vicky Pratt of Center; sons, Eric Pratt and wife, Allison of Center, Ryan Pratt of Baytown, Dion Pratt of Houston and Shane Pratt and wife, Dena of Mesa, Colorado; daughter, Dache Pratt Sneath and husband, Michael of Sachse, Texas; sister, Elizabeth Kay Langley of Kilgore; grandchildren, Kaleigh and Keaton “Bam” Pratt, Ian and Lyla Sneath, Destiney and Britney Pratt, Cagan and Louis Pratt, Addison and Tatum Pratt, Lauren Townley and Tyler Newcomb; and special family friend, Dr. Mark Cline.

He is preceded in death by his fathers, Jimmy Pratt and Hollis Smith and mother, Zelma Pratt Smith. 

Pallbearers will be Ken Ramsey, Joe White, Villis Dowden, Chase Hooper, Brandon Tyler and Doug Tyler. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Harris, Cecil Tyler and Brian Tyler.
To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net. 

Ovias Michael Bailey, 66, of Center, Texas, passed away on September 23, 2018 in Nacogdoches. He was born on December 30, 1951 in Pasadena, Texas to Ovias Asburry Bailey and Ray Nell Jones Bailey. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. 

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

Funeral Services for Robert Broas, Sr., age 88, of San Augustine County, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2018, in the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with Dr. W. Wayne Barth, Bro. Cliff Durham, and Bro. David Boyd officiating.  Visitation will be Tuesday evening, September 25, 2018, from the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wyman Roberts.  Burial will follow in the Townsend Cemetery in Broaddus.

Robert was born November 16, 1929, in New York, and passed from this life on Saturday, September 22, 2018, in Shreveport, Louisiana.  He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the Winnfield Fire Department for 10 years, and worked as a EMS for the Astrodome for 15 years.  He retired from the Continental Can Company and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Broaddus.

Those to whom he is survived by include, sons, Robert Broas, Jr, and his wife, Alene of Miami, Florida; Richard Thomas Broas and his wife, Elizabeth of Davenport, Florida and daughter, Rita Gilcrease and her husband, Tom Gilcrease of San Augustine. His beloved grandchildren, Craig Broas and his wife Mary of Ft. Worth; Keith Broas and his wife, Aki of Miami, Florida; Megan Robinson and her husband, Jason of Alaska; Miranda Gilcrease and David Gilcrease both of San Augustine; 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, his brother-in-law, Junior Ward of Oklahoma; Sisters-in-law, Faye Haley of Beaumont; Willie Fay Ward of Nacogdoches; and Mickie McElwee of Lufkin.

He is preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Roetta (Ward) Broas; brother, Tom Broas and mother-in-law. Lucille Runnels.

Serving as pallbearers will be the First Baptist Church of Broaddus.

Online obituary and condolences may be posted at https://www.wymanrobertsfuneralhome.com/

Services under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, San Augustine, Texas  

Funeral Services for Curtis Lee Johnson, age 57, of San Augustine, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 21, 2018, in the White Rock Baptist Church in San Augustine County, with burial following in the San Augustine City Cemetery.  Officiating will be Bro. Tim Swanson.  Visitation will be from the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the White Rock Baptist Church where he will lie-in-state at the church until the funeral.

Curtis Lee was born August 4, 1961, in San Augustine, Texas, to the late Eloyse (Moon) Johnson and Lyndall E. Johnson.  He attended San Augustine High School, and worked as a mechanic, and also tree trim business and was of the Assembly of God faith.

Those who are left to cherish his memory include, his son, Lydall Curtis Johnson and his wife, April of San Augustine; daughter, Christian LeAnn Johnson of San Augustine; brother, Charles Johnson of San Augustine, and sisters, Gay Neal of Mauriceville, and sister, Kathy Ann Hussey of Colmesniel;  his loving grandchildren, April Lynn Johnson, Jacob Johnson, and Jada Bryan, also several nieces and nephews including, Clayton Peace; Billy Bobbitt; Charles Johnson, Jr.; Catherine Ann Luma; Gaylynn Bobbitt; Tabitha Allen and Jennifer Iles. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Eloyse and Lyndall E. Johnson and son, Kenneth Kody Johnson.

Online obituary and condolences may be posted at http://www.wymanrobertsfuneralhome.com/

Services under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, San Augustine, Texas.

Dale William Otto, 88, of Center, passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2018, in Center.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, September 30, 2018, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Center.

Mr. Otto was born August 19, 1930, in Joice, Iowa, to Wilhelm Otto and Tressa Ulstead Otto.  He enjoyed camping, gardening and traveling.  

He is survived by

Wife: Marilyn S. Otto of Center

Daughters:
Susan Stephens and husband, Harry, of Hallsville
Julie Rholes and husband, Gary, of Center

Grandchildren:
Justin Peterson and Alisha Fritz
Alyssa Ray and husband, Nathan
Katie Bowen and husband, Eric
Karla North
Kelly Bara and husband, Troy
Ryan Rholes and wife, Irina

Great Grandchildren:
Finley
Blake 
Sofia

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

Memorial Services for Jo Ellen Dismukes will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018 in the Church of Christ in Broaddus. She passed from this life on Friday, September 14, 2018, in Broaddus.

Jo Ellen was born to Mildred (Beard) Chapman and Robert C. Chapman on October 28, 1952, on Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.  She dearly loved her family, and had worked in the oil industry.

Those to whom will cherish her memory include, her beloved mother, Mildred Chapman; her brother, Andrew Chapman and his wife, Jean; Sister-in-law, Tammie Chapman; Brother-in-law, Sim Abel and beloved aunt, Cora Humble.

She was preceded in death by her beloved father, Robert Chapman; her brothers, Ben Chapman, and Cecil Chapman; sister, Mary Abel, along with nephews, Buck Abel and Drew Chapman.

Services under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, San Augustine, Texas 

online obituary and condolences may be posted at https://www.wymanrobertsfuneralhome.com/

Graveside Services for Shirley Jean Milstead, age 77, of San Augustine, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 20, 2018,  in the Blue Springs Cemetery, located off FM 226 in Etoile.  She passed from this life on Tuesday morning, September 18, 2018, in San Augustine.

Shirley Jean was born August 30, 1941, in San Augustine County, Texas to the late Louethel (Gipson) Milstead and James Leon Mistead.  She attended Massey Business College and had worked as a switchboard operator, and was a member of the Northwood Baptist Church.

She is survived by her cousins, Veva and Terry Jessup of San Augustine; Lovene Price of San Augustine and Debbie Graham and family of San Augustine.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Louethel (Gipson) Milstead and James Leon Milstead.

Services under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, San Augustine, Texas 

Online obituary and condolences may be posted at http://www.wymanrobertsfuneralhome.com/

Funeral service for Mrs. Avalon M. O’Neal-Norris (83) of Joaquin, Texas will be Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Abundant Love Ministries at 1:00pm.   Mrs. Norris died Monday, September 17, 2018 at Willis Knighton South in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Mrs. Norris was born on May 12, 1935.  Bro. Marlin Cloudy will be officiating.      

Mrs. Norris is survived by: 

Sons: Ricky Howard of Center, Texas; Darren O’Neal of Nacogdoches, Texas; and Dennis O’Neal, wife Sherrelle of Logansport, Louisiana 

Daughters:  Tracee (Yvette), husband Milford and Tammy Nelson, husband Alonzo all of Mansfield, Louisiana 

Brother:  Michelle McClelland of Houston, Texas

Visitation:   Friday, September 21, 2018, from the hours of 12 noon to 6:00pm at Hicks Chapel 

Committal:  Rather Cemetery in Shelbyville, Texas  

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

Virgil Wayne Duke, 82, of Center, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday morning, September 14, 2018. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Mt. Calvary on 417 East in Shelbyville, Texas.

He was a strong, tall, man’s man, who was blessed to not outlive his ability to care for himself and his family.  He was proud and grateful for the time he had on earth and the quality of life he was able to experience right up to the moment the Lord called him home.

Virgil served his country in the US Navy aboard the USS Skagit (105) from 1954-1956.

For many years, Virgil worked and managed several well-known Houston establishments.  He shot a pretty good game of pool, but never learned to play the piano.  Later, he was a successful REPO man, even more successful after his wife, Ruth Ann, became his partner.  She could hook the chains as fast as any man and they almost always got away before shots were fired.  They knew Houston like the back of their hands and Virgil gave better directions and travel advice than MapQuest, especially on where NOT to go.

After retiring and returning home, Virgil was an active member and usher at Mt. Calvary and was loved and respected greatly by his church family and Pastor Don Windham and wife, Linda.  He attended and supported all church functions with the exception of a very few that coincided with Astros games.

Virgil could be seen most any day under the pecan tree and was always ready for a game of dominos or 42. (He especially enjoyed beating James Earl, but would take on anyone willing to play.)  Before losing his best friend, Michael Lee, they could be seen cruising 699 with radio on and windows down, both wearing their cool shades…They were both smooth talkers and impeccable dressers, always starched and pressed.  And that’s only a couple of the many traits they shared.  Michael would tell anyone that Virgil was the coolest sidekick he ever had…Losing his friend was hard on Virgil.

Friends and family enjoyed teasing Virgil about a variety of things including but not limited to the Astros, his age, his exes, and his pointed toed cowboy boots, but he could dish it out as well as take it with a smile.  He was always knowledgeable of current events and seemed to know where everyone was and who was doing what…We finally figured out that he had become quite the proficient at “ghosting” on Ruth Ann’s Facebook!  We love him and we always knew he loved us.  The “Hill on 699” won’t be the same without him.

Virgil is survived by

Wife, friend, and soulmate for almost 24 years: Ruth Ann Weatherford Duke

Brother: James “Jim” Duke and wife, Betty

Sister-in-law: Lynn Locke

Children:
Megan Waite
Dee Ann Dockens
Kris and Glenda Dockens
Kevin and Anita Dockens

Grandchildren:
Cory Causey and wife, Kim
(Kylee, Skylar, Lauren)
Kevin Askew
Kristopher Dockens
Raylee Askew
Brodie Sibley and wife, Kristi
(Bo, Tripp, Emmarie)
Mackenzie Dockens
Witt Dockens

Nieces and nephews:
Lester and Teresa Belrose
(Austin, Tyler, Jordan, Grant)
Bruce and Judy Snider
(Alex, Blaine, Caleb)
Mark and Rusty Gorby
(Jacob, Katie, Justin)
Terry and Tari Dammel
(Carl, Chris)
Ted and Karen Duke
(Kelly, Kevin)
Mark and Tina Myrick
(Stephen, Shawn, Kristin)
Tom and Linda Duke
(James, Brian)

Numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends

He was preceded in death by
Son: Billy Duke
Brother: Smitty Duke
Parents: Virgil and Clara Belle Duke

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

Barbara Nell Chavers-Copeland, 74, of Shelbyville, Texas, went into Jesus’ arms on September 17, 2018 in Shelbyville. She was born on June 21, 1944 in Alpine, Texas to William Cuyler Chavers and Doris Marie Magee Chavers. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

 
Barbara was a bit of a traveler during her youth and teenage years. Her family spent time in Yoakum, Texas, Pensacola, Florida and El Paso, Texas where she completed high school. The desire for travel and exploration carried into her life beyond school. Barbara had a passion for the outdoors. She collected rocks from all of the United States. She also loved to hike and explore in the mountains. She enjoyed camping and visiting state and national parks during her travels. Barbara was a involved with Toledo Bend Cowboy Church in Huxley and Word of Hope in Pecos. 

Barbara is survived by her husband, Wesley Copeland of Shelbyville; sons, Cliffton D. Pert and wife, Geri of Dundee, Michigan and Cleveland G. Pert and wife, Bonnie of Arlington, Texas; daughters, Cellina F. Stokes and husband, David of Humble, Texas and Casondra L. Trevino and husband, Lee of Conover, Wisconsin; brothers, Raymond Chavers of Lawrenceville, Minnesota, Floyd Chavers and wife, Esther of Eden, Texas, Herbert Chavers and wife, Suzette of Riverside, California, W.J. Chavers and Laura Atkinson of Milton, Florida, Charles Chavers and wife, Darlene of Graysville, Florida and Clyde Chavers of Knoxville, Tennessee; sister, Carolyn Beach of Harlingen, Texas and Marie C. Callahan of Florida; grandchildren, Jacqelyn Dunn, Brandon Trevino, Justin Trevino, Chelsea Stokes, Jerry Hollingshead, Krysten Pert, Carl Pert, Destiny Pert, Crystal Trevino and Matthew Trevino; five step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren with one on the way; and 5 step-great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Doris Chavers, sisters, Marjorie Chavers, Nancy Zachy and Jackie Gammel; and brothers, Earnest Chavers, James Chavers and Donald Chavers.

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