Obituaries

Caroline Stanley Walls, 87, of Bronson, passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Born on December 1, 1937, in Colmesneil, Caroline was the daughter of Carrol Stanley and Maude Shumway Stanley.

Kenneth Lee Wick, affectionately known as ‘Mr. Kenny’, passed away on January 8, 2025. Born on November 21, 1955, Kenny grew up in Nixon, and went on to attend an architectural drafting technical college.

James Patrick Johnson, age 64, of San Augustine, departed this physical life on December 27, 2024, at UT Southwest William Clements Jr. University Hospital in Dallas. Mr. James Patrick Johnson was born December 06, 1960. He is survived by his wife, Kay A. Shambaugh of San Augustine; three sons, Timothy Hubbard, Shun Hoyt and Brad Johnson (Ally); nine grandchildren, five God children; three brothers, Arthur Johnson of San Augustine, Alfred Johnson (Alice) of Lufkin, and Curtis Johnson of San Augustine. As well as a multitude of other nieces and nephews and host of other relatives and friends.

Michael Eugene Smith, 72, of Milam, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Hemphill Care Center in Hemphill. Born on January 2, 1953, in Clayton, New Mexico, Michael was the son of William and Eunice Smith. Over the course of his life, he worked in various fields, including the oil industry and as a millworker. Later in his career, he served as a security guard in Arlington. A resident of Sabine County for the past nine years, Michael previously lived in Dallas before making Milam his home. He was a member of Geneva Baptist Church and also dedicated his time to serving with the Shamrock Shores Volunteer Fire Department.

David Arthur Rhodes, Sr., of Hemphill, passed away at his residence on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 82. David was born on November 10, 1942, in Port Arthur, to Charles Lucien Rhodes and Hannah Cope Rhodes. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a Financial Manager with Barclay's Financial before retiring.A former resident of Grapevine. David had made his home in Sabine County for the past three years. David attended services at St. Pius Catholic Church and found great joy in life’s simple pleasures. An avid golfer since his youth, he played every chance he got and participated in tournaments over the years. He also loved fishing and spent peaceful moments feeding birds, appreciating the beauty of nature around him.

Lanny Dale 'Butch' Jackson, 83, of Milam, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, in Lufkin. Born on June 5, 1941, in Corsicana, he was the son of Thomas Edward Jackson and Mary Frances Collins Jackson.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our mother, Ellen Darlene Spinks Boehlke, the morning of Sunday, December 22, 2024. She left this world at the age of 59 years. Darlene was born in San Augustine, on August 26, 1965 to Claudie Jim Spinks and Jewel Townsend Spinks. She had been a resident of Orange, for ten years, previously living in San Augustine for many years. She was a kind and thoughtful person who loved talking on the phone and was always calling to check on us kids. She had a deep love for her grandkids and her dog, Pluto, as well as sitting out on the porch with Kenneth and his mom, Shirley. Darlene always remembered everyone's birthday and would call or text to make sure you knew that she wished you a happy birthday. As a Christian, she had a profound love for Jesus and looked forward to being in Heaven with Him one day. Now that the day has come, it was undoubtably sooner than we expected. We will always remember your kind words, your caring heart, all the prayers, the bacon wrapped jalapeno cream cheese pork chops, you and Mary Lynn laughing at the words 'chicken s***' and without further ado, she would probably say to you - 'Hooey, one time for By God East Texas'!