Obituaries

Charlie Venetis (Venis) passed from this life into his eternal life on March 24, 2024. Born on May 8, 1936, in a small mountain village in Greece (Terpsithea), he came to the United States as a young adult.

Joyce Fay Smith, age 90, of Hemphill, passed from this world on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at HCA Houston Healthcare Hospital in Conroe. Joyce was born on November 3, 1933, in Newton, to Robert Everett Smith and Ellie Edgar Smith. She graduated from Hemphill High School in 1951. After graduating she moved from Sabine County, returning in 2022 to be near her family.

Jaliyah LaVonne Wymer, age 8 months 27 days, of Hemphill, passed from this earth into the arms of angels on March 17, 2024. She was born on June 28, 2023, in Lufkin . Jaliyah was the happiest baby who loved everyone dearly and always brought a smile to everyone's face. She found joy in watching Spongebob and Peppa Pig and loved her BaBa. She is survived by her loving family who will miss her so much: her mother, Kalista York of Pineland; father, Jeremiah Wymer of Pineland; sister, Kambri LeeAnn Wymer of Pineland; grandparents, Kristina York of Fort Wayne, IN, Barbara Westhead of Pineland, Shane O'Neal of Anna, John Wymer of Youngstown, OH, Donald Asher of Fort Wayne, IN and Brian Merwin of Jasper; godfather, Pooda O'Hara of Six Mile Community; aunts and uncles, Tamara Wymer, Kristy Wymer, Dustin Kukes, Brent Wymer, and Dax O'Neal; numerous cousins, and other close family members.

William 'Bill' Eugene Bertrand passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Hemphill, at the age of 86. Born to the late Atley Bertrand and Alma Joyner Bertrand on March 2, 1938, in Port Arthur, Bill lived a life marked by dedication, hard work, and service to his community. As a self-employed Civil Engineer and the respected owner of CSM Canvas Mfg., Bill, along with his wife, Chris, provided invaluable custom equipment to athletic trainers across the globe. His unwavering support of athletic professionals, through both his enterprise and his personal endeavors, touched many lives within the sports community.

Dorothy Gertrude Birdwell, 94, of Gravel Hill Community, passed away on March 14, 2024. She was born on June 25, 1929, in Yellowpine, to Hollis E. Stewart and Lillie Mae McDonald Stewart. She was a beloved member of her community. Dorothy was a graduate of Hemphill High School Class of 1946. She began her career at Temple Lumber Company the day after graduating high school in 1946. Dorothy dedicated 52 years to the company, serving as an office secretary, dispatcher, and records clerk for the Forest Division until her retirement in 1998. Her co-workers and contractors held a very special place in her heart during her time at Temple as well as her Rosevine neighbors, family and many friends who helped her so much in many ways after she moved to Rosevine in 2000.

Billy Bruce 'Bill' Ener, 80, of Pineland, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Sabine County Hospital in Hemphill. Bill was born September 22, 1943 in Jasper, to Bennie C. Ener and Inez Iles Ener. He was a lifelong resident of Sabine County and had worked in construction as a welder for many years. Bill is survived by his son, Todd Ener and wife, Cheryl, of El Campo,; sister, Beth McDaniel and husband, Weldon, of Hemphill; two grandchildren, Ty and Ally; two nieces and three nephews.

Clydelle Cook Rudeseal, the only child of June M. Cook and Norma Plunkett Cook was born August 6, 1923, in Ringgold, Louisiana. She departed this life on March 8, 2024, at the age of 100, in Hemphill.

Rosemary Kathleen Gumm, age 88, of Hemphill, passed away on March 7, 2024 at her residence. She was born on June 12, 1935, in Missouri to Timothy Burroughs and Dorothy Freeman Burroughs. Rosemary, also known as Kathleen, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She was a resident of Fairmount, for the past 35 years and previously lived in West Lake, Louisiana. In her early years, Kathleen enjoyed playing softball and was her team's pitcher. She also had a passion for fishing, flower gardening, and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan.