Obituaries

Eledia Ann Gillespie, aged 81, of Hemphill, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Tyler. Born on July 27, 1943, in Port Arthur, she was the daughter of Luther Harris and Edith Cessac Harris. Eledia was a dedicated homemaker and a native of Abbeville, Louisiana, before making her home in Sabine County in 2016. She is survived by her sons, Martin Gillespie and his partner, Carlos Sosa, of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Shane Gillespie and his wife, Monica, of Pennsylvania; her daughter, Melinda Lemaire and her husband, John, of Hemphill; her brother, Joseph Harris and his wife, Helen, of Warren; her grandchildren, Cassie, Brooke, Caleb, Blair, Ashley, Barron, and Anna Kate; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Lynda Lou Scott Wood, 84, of San Augustine passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025, at her residence. Lynda was born August 23, 1940, in Newton to parents Pauline (Whittington) Scott and George Adam Scott. She had lived in San Augustine for several years, however, she previously lived in Hemphill and Sabine County. She was a 1959 graduate of Hemphill High School. She was a longtime paraprofessional employee for San Augustine Independent School District. Following her career with the school district, she worked several years operating a childcare service assisting many local families through the years.

Billy Ray Wright, aged 93, of Hemphill, passed away on February 27, 2025, in Hemphill. Born on March 25, 1931, to Mack and Mary Wright, Billy was a lifelong resident of Sabine County. He dedicated many years of his life working as a bulldozer operator until his retirement. In his leisure time, Billy enjoyed fishing and camping, activities that brought him great joy. He is survived by his sons, Danny West and wife, Tammie, of Hemphill, and Randy West of Bronson; his daughters, Donna Brasher and husband, Jamie, of Pineland, and Judy Brown of Brookeland. Billy also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who will cherish his memory.

Gala Fay Mote, 79, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Summit Nursing and Rehab in San Augustine. She was born on March 12, 1945, in Sabine County, to her parents, Rufus and Mattie Bass. Gala worked for many years as a baker at The Feedbox, where she shared her love of cooking and baking with those around her. She found joy in preparing meals and treats for others, a reflection of her caring nature. Outside of the kitchen, she enjoyed fishing and took great pride in tending to 'her flowers,' nurturing them with the same warmth she extended to those in her life.

Funeral services for Mr. Robert Thurman Bobbitt will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025, in the Chapel of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, with Sister Vesta Mangun and Brother Andrew Cox officiating. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Bobbitt Cemetery, Pineland, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.

John Charles 'Johnny' Cleveland, 57, formerly of Hemphill, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Corpus Christi. Johnny was born on November 2, 1967, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Charles Cleveland Jr. and Nina Maude Hughes Cleveland. A native of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, he moved to Sabine County in 1990 and made it his home. He earned his bachelor's degree in forestry from Northwestern University and later retired from Temple-Inland in Pineland.

Marcel Harper, 91, of Hemphill, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Legacies Nursing and Rehab in Hemphill. Marcel was born in Jasper, on March 27, 1933 to Andrew Harris and Julia Stowell Harris.

Sheriff Thomas Neil 'Tom' Maddox, Sr., of Pineland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at his residence. He was born on September 11, 1949, in Henderson, to Oscar McNeil Maddox and Mildred Walling Maddox.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our loving and devoted husband, father, papaw and friend to all whose lives he touched, peacefully at his home on February 14th, 2025. Weldon Lamar Thomas, Sr. was born on June 23, 1943, in the Centerview Community of Pineland, to Willie Taylor Thomas, Sr. and Dollie Lott Thomas. He was a lifelong resident of Sabine County. After serving 3 years in the US Air Force as an aviation fireman, he began a 32-year career with the Texas Department of Transportation followed by 15 years with the United Postal Service as rural carrier.