Vicki (Files) Jernigan, 63, of Center, Texas, passed away on March 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones in Center, Texas.  She was born on May 19, 1961, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Gerald Files and Jackie (McCullough) Files.

Graveside service will be held at 2PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Prude Cemetery in Stanley, Louisiana, with Pastor Michael Brittain officiating.

Visitation will be held prior to the graveside beginning at 12PM at Mangum Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.  

Vicki was raised in Louisiana. She graduated high school. Upon graduation she went to work at various schools assisting teachers. She was a substitute teacher for many years. Vicki impacted many lives throughout the years. Her patience and kindness were just some of her attributes. She married her best friend, Adam Jernigan, on December 23, 2012. The two have spent over 12 years together. Her contagious smile would brighten the room when she entered. She enjoyed hunting, riding her horse “Fancy”, and taking care of her cat “Zebra”. Vicki was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She adored her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them.
 
She is survived by her loving husband,
Adam Jernigan

Daughter,
Rachal Miller and husband Cammron

Brothers,
Jim Files and wife Amanda
Ronnie Bailey

Grandchildren, 
Jack Miller
Hoyt Miller
Remi Miller

A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the funeral home to help with the funeral expenses. 

Vicki is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Jackie Files; birth mom, Shirley Laden; and brother, Mark Bailey. 

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Services

Visitation

Wednesday
March 19, 2025
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Mangum Funeral Home
420 San Augustine St
Center, Texas 75935

 

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Graveside Service

Wednesday
March 19, 2025
2:00 PM
Prude Cemetery
Off Blunt Mill Rd
Stanley, LA 71049

Raul M. Soto, 69, of Timpson, passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, in Timpson.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 21, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with
visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Soto Family Cemetery in Shelby County.
Born October 8, 1955, in Mercedes, Texas, Raul is the son of Rafael Soto Sr. and Ursula Munoz Soto. His hobbies
included horseback riding, caring for his horses, dogs, and cattle, camping, and fishing. Raul especially loved
time spent with family. He attended St. Therese Catholic Church in Center.
He is survived by his son, Raul Mavrick Soto Jr. of Mishawaka, Indiana; stepdaughter, Paula M. Wright of Elkhart,
Indiana; brothers and sisters, Ralph Soto Sr. of Center, Vangie McGraw of Goshen, Indiana, Jane Smith and
husband Eddie of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Roland Soto and wife Donna of Elkhart, Indiana, Raymond Soto and wife
Bonnie of San Antonio, Rose Heady and husband Mike of Center, Mary Walker and Allen Thompson of Timpson,
Rudy Soto and wife Leslie of Shreveport, Louisiana, Jackie Soto and wife Kristle of Logansport, Louisiana, and
Moses Soto and wife Alicia of Nacogdoches; also numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents, Rafael Soto Sr. and Ursula Munoz Soto; siblings, Herlinda Soto, Helen Simmons,
Rey Soto, Ruben Soto, and Ramiro Soto.
Pallbearers will be Rudy Soto, Roland Soto, Toby McGraw, Antonio Heady, Nathan Soto, and Mike Mangrum.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Heady and Tyler Soto.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Dixie Whiteside, 88, of Center, passed away Monday, March 10, 2025, in Center.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in
Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Watson & Sons Chapel with
Sister Melba Rodgers officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.
Born September 11, 1936, in Center, Dixie is the daughter of George Mitchell and Lela Hughes Mitchell. She
loved gardening and checking on her cows.
She is survived by her children, Dannie Helton and Darrell Whiteside and wife Michelle; daughter-in-law, Sheila
Whiteside; grandchildren, Dan Helton and wife Stephanie, Charla and husband John Young, Darren Whiteside and
wife Tina, Chad Nichols and wife Georgia, Connor Whiteside and wife Jaiden, Lindsey Eddins, Megan and husband
Ridge Delahoussaye, Chavaletta Johnson and husband Brad, Waylon Whiteside, Jennifer Whiteside, Tiffany
Whiteside, David Whiteside II, and Colt Whiteside; 31 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; sister,
Georgia Bloodgood; and family friends, Aron Stockton and wife Misty and Connie Hodges.
Preceded in death by husband, Wayland Bacle Whiteside; children, Donese Whiteside and David Whiteside; and
parents, George Mitchell and Lela Hughes Mitchell.
Pallbearers will be Jessie Rose, Shawn Whiteside, Darren Whiteside, Cecil Jackson, Aaron Stockton, and Zack
Mahan. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Whiteside, Kenneth Noble, Shane Whiteside, and Chad Nichols.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Michael Joseph Wulf, 75, of Center, Texas, passed away on March 8, 2025, surrounded by loved ones in Center, Texas.  He was born on September 1, 1949, to the late Ed and Rose Marie (Nowicki) Wulf.

A funeral mass will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at St. Therese Lisieux Catholic Church, with Father Luis Pena officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas. 

Mike proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. When called to duty to serve in the Vietnam War, he nobly answered the call. During his time of service, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star and many other medals. As an honored Vietnam Veteran, he continued to “serve those who have served”, as the present VFW Post 8904 Commander and Gold Legacy Member. Michael was also a lifetime member of the Catholic War Veterans.

Mike Moved to Center, Texas in 1977 and made many friends and lasting memories. Known locally as “Uncle Mike”, he was a “people” person with a heart of gold and lived life to its fullest. Mike enjoyed hunting and other outdoor activities and serving the community. He was an avid sports fan, particularly college football and Notre Dame. He enjoyed watching his granddaughters, nieces, and nephews in all their sports activities. Mike regularly checked on and called his niece, Cori, who has suffered with a debilitating form of Stephens Johnson Syndrome for the past eleven years. 

Mike was a past member of the Shelby County Cookers and currently served on the board of the Shelby County Outreach Ministries. He was the chief cook for the Friends of the Roughrider Athletic Booster Club. 

Mike worked at General Shelters for eleven years and served as the plant manager for the production plant in Munday, Texas. He also worked for Port-a-Cool and was a Regional Sales Manager. In his travels as a salesman, Mike made many friends across the country. In his retirement, he enjoyed serving his community and spending time with his granddaughters and great-grandson. 

He is survived by his daughter,
Delanda (Wulf) Agocs-Baker

Granddaughter,
Shaelyn Agocs-Motichek (Skyliar)

Stepdaughter,
Stevie Sanchez (Doug)

Granddaughters, 
Madisen and Mattilyn Sanchez

Great Grandson,
“Big John” Agocs-Motichek

Siblings,
Fred Wulf (Mickey) of Center, Texas
Paul “Pickles” Wulf of Curtice, Ohio
Larry Wulf (Rita) of Toledo, Ohio
Lori Wieczorek of Toledo, Ohio
Tim Wulf (Jennifer) of Center, Texas
Mary Lou Lubinski (Ken) of Toledo, Ohio
Jim Wulf (Jenni) of Napoleon, Ohio

He was also survived by special friends, Derrick, Mary and Dylan Roberts, and Ashley Flick. 

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Rose Marie Wulf, infant brother, Joseph Michael Wulf; grandparents, Fred and Minnie Nowicki, and Anthony and Josefa Wulf; sister-in-law, Peggy Wulf; and brother-in-law, Larry Wieczorek.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one the following:
VFW Post 8904, PO Box 53, Center, Texas, 75935
Friends of Roughrider Boosters, 153 Foster St., Center, Texas, 75935
Roughrider Scholarship, 153 Foster St., Center, Texas, 75935

Pallbearers serving will be members of the VFW Post 8904.

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Services

Visitation

Tuesday
March 11, 2025
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Mangum Funeral Home
420 San Augustine St
Center, Texas 75935

 

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Funeral Mass

Wednesday
March 12, 2025
11:00 AM
St. Therese Catholic Church
717 FM 2974
Center, TX 75935

James David Rudd, 89, of Center, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Center.
Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center
with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. Bro. Don Moore will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Herman Cemetery
in Center.
Born December 28, 1935, in Center, James was the son of Anderson Bryan Rudd and Gladys Marie Brown Rudd.
He raised cattle for many years. James was a member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a
Deacon for 45 years.
He is survived by his wife, Faye Graves Rudd; children, Randy Rudd and wife Cherie of Center, and Ronny Rudd
of Center; grandchildren, Randi Lunsford of Nacogdoches, Adam Rudd of Philadelphia, PA, Kristi Sibley of Center,
and Jamie Rose of Center; great grandchildren, Ryan Lunsford, Lanie Lunsford, Josey Rudd, Bo Green, Tripp
Green, Emmie Sibley, Jericho Rose, and Joanna Rose.
Proceeded in death by his parents, Anderson Bryan Rudd and Gladys Marie Brown Rudd; and sister, Marie
DuBose.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Providence Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 751 Center, Texas
75935
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Michael Lance Brittain, 49, of Bossier City, LA, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Shreveport, LA.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 10, 2025, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Watson and Sons Funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Bro. Rusty Hall and Bro. Harold Shelton will officiate. Interment will follow at Duncan Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Born September 5, 1975, in Shreveport, Michael was the son of Ben J. Brittain and Shirley Shull Brittain. Michael
was a member of Airline Baptist Church.
He is survived by his mother, Shirley Shull Brittain; children, Natalie Erin Brittain and Donovan Lance Brittain;
sister, Karen Brittain Mitchell and husband Jimmy; niece and nephew, Susan Mitchell and Brian Mitchell and wife
Amanda; great niece, Hailey Mitchell; and special friend, Cheri Payne.
Proceeded in death by his father, Ben J. Brittain.
Pallbearers will be Donovan Brittain, Clinton Payne, Daniel Duzan, Clint Carroll, Aaron Steptoe, and Brian Mitchell.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Mitchell, Natalie Brittain, and Shirley Shull Brittain.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Margaret Carlisle Waldrop, 91, of Bossier City, LA, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Bossier City.
Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 10, 2025, at Wimberly Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center. Bro. Scott
Waldrop will officiate.
Born July 20, 1933, in Eastland County, Texas, Margaret was the daughter of Joseph Love Carlisle and Cora
Archer Carlisle. She enjoyed sewing and crafting and was also a voracious reader. Margaret was a dedicated
longtime member of Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, LA. She was a resident for 11 years at The Bloom at
Bossier. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at The Bloom, Laurie Manno and Beth Hopper, Demitri
Turks with Point of Grace Ministry, and St. Joesph Hospice.
She is survived by her son, Kevin Waldrop and wife Cindy; grandchildren, Tana Barron and husband Jacob, Sheri
Allen and husband Mark, Cindy Harris and husband Beau, Scott Waldrop and wife Jessica, and Lucy Grantham; 11
great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren and one on the way; brothers, Melvin Carlisle and Richard
Carlisle; and daughter-in-law, Denise Cummings.
Proceeded in death by her husband, Clyde Waldrop; son, Clyde Royce Waldrop; great grandson, Bryce River
Waldrop; parents, Joseph Love Carlisle and Cora Archer Carlisle, siblings, Billy Joe Carlisle, Robert Lee Carlisle,
Marvin Carlisle, and Ouida Walker.
Pallbearers will be Lucy Grantham, Scott Waldrop, Zane Torregrossa, Mark Allen, Beau Harris, and Mathew
Walker.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Bunkcome Wayne Williams, 67, of Center, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Center.
Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 9, 2025, at White Rock Cemetery in Center with
visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Born December 19, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Bunkcome was raised in the Waterman Community. He
married the love of his life, Marlena Jackson, in 2007, and the two have enjoyed over 17 years together.
Bunkcome was an exceptional truck driver. He was also a man who could fix anything and enjoyed doing
carpentry work. Bunkcome enjoyed the outdoors, whether he was fishing, hunting, or just spending time in the
sun. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Bunkcome loved spending time with his family and
especially his grandchildren and was a good friend to many.
He is survived by his wife, Marlena Williams; children, Bunkcome John Williams and wife Krystal Fenley, and
Miranda Houston and husband Josh; grandchildren, Bunkcome Jaxon Williams, Brendan Jakeb Williams, Brilyn
Jayd Williams, and Kason John Williams; sisters, Marry Ann Rowe, and Hattie Cochran.
Preceded in death by his parents, Bunkcome and Thelma Williams.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Melissa Sue Richard, 57, of Joaquin, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Joaquin.
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center
with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. Bro. Eric Garrett will officiate. Interment will follow at Truitt Cemetery in
Joaquin.
Born January 31, 1968, in Center, Melissa is the daughter of LeRoy Richard and Mary Jolley Richard. Her hobbies
included cooking, fishing, and gardening. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Renee Cummings and husband Lance, John Estes, Bradly Estes and fiancé Jackie
Calloway; grandchildren, Hunner Cummings, Blaine Ramsey, Addison Cummings, Jordan Marshall, J.J. White,
Jace Estes, Emilee Estes, and Leah Estes; great granddaughter, Hadley Martin; sisters, Judy Chapman and
husband Buddy and Kathy Madden and husband Joe; brothers, John Richard and Jean Richard; cousin, Steve
Russell; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, David Green.
Preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy Richard and Mary Jolley Richard.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com

Chelette Lavell Reed, 58, of Tenaha, passed away Monday, March 3, 2025, in Tenaha.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Triumph Church in Center with visitation
beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Friendship Bobo Baptist Church Cemetery in Tenaha.
Born January 11, 1967, in Carthage, Chelette is the daughter of J.D. Reed Jr. and Annie Equilla Evans Reed.
She is survived by her siblings, Robert Richards and wife Sandra of Tenaha, Thessa Dock of Center, Chinita Belin
of Center, and Tina Matthews and husband Jon Adams Matthews of San Antonio; numerous nieces, nephews,
and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents; J.D. Reed Jr. and Annie Equilla Evans Reed; sister, Yvonne DeCarlo
Smith; brother-in-law, James Belin; grandparents, Molly and Emerson Evans and Lenora Crawford; and
stepfather, Roy Tillman.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com