Obituaries

Ophelia Zeigler Eddings, aged 88, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Hemphill. She was born on March 23, 1936, in SanAugustine County, to Cecil 'Doc' Zeigler and Ester Mae Harvey Zeigler. Ophelia was a lifelong resident of Sabine County and attended school in Bronson, before graduating from Hemphill High School. She began her career working at Parker's Drug Store at the Soda Fountain and later served as a paraprofessional for Hemphill ISD until her retirement. Beyond her professional life, she was a dedicated wife and mother, having married Arvie Gene Eddings, with whom she shared 66 loving years.

Vernon Hutsell Smith, 89, passed away November 6, 2024, at 8:50 p.m. in Hemphill. He was born in Fairdale on November 15, 1934, to E.M. Smith and Annie Bell Byrd Smith. Vernon married Nellie Faye Cole on October 25, 1959. They went on to have three children, Kenneth, Tammy and Clifford. In 1978, he retired from Ford Motor Company where he had worked for 27 years. He spent the following years working for the county, raising cows and spending as much time as possible on his Kubota.

Stuart Davis Bagala, 43, of Geneva, passed away on November 3, 2024, at his residence. Born on September 9, 1981, in Houma, Louisiana to Michael Joseph Bagala and Ella Ann Verret Bagala, Stuart spent his early years in Jeanerette, Louisiana, before becoming a long-time resident of Sabine County.

William “Dick” Letney, 66, of Brookeland passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Shultz Funeral Home in Jasper at 1:00 p.m. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Townsend Cemetery in SanAugustine.

Dwana Lynn Wilson Babin, passed away on February 28, 2024, at the age of 66 at her residence in the Parkway II Community. She was born on February 27, 1958, in Batesville, Arkansas, the cherished daughter of Clarence Mathis Wilson and Wanda Lucille Lively Wilson. Dwana spent many years in Deer Park, before becoming a full-time resident of the Parkway II Community on Sam Rayburn Lake.A devoted educator, she dedicated many years to teaching at Deer Park ISD before her retirement. Dwana held an associate's degree, underscoring her commitment to education and personal growth. She leaves behind a loving family, including her mother, Lucille Wilson of Bossier City, Louisiana; her husband of 46 years, Craig Babin; her daughter, Amy LaRue and her husband, Aaron, of Huntington; her brothers, Matt Wilson and his wife, Glenda, of Ohio, and Mike Wilson and his partner, Brenda, of Missouri; and her grandchildren, Jacquelyn and Jaxson. Dwana was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Mathis Wilson, and her son, Heath Allen Babin.

Lester Lewis Little Jr., “Sug”, 71, of Hemphill, passed away, Friday, October 25, 2024, at Sabine County Hospital. Lester was born December 14, 1952, in Vidor, to Lester Lewis Little, Sr. and Geraldine Poole Little.

Tommy Lee Blanchard, 67, of Milam, passed away on October 22, 2024. He was born on November 5, 1956, in Liberty, to James Charles Blanchard and Doris Thompson Blanchard.

Verl Marie McGough (née Ellison), aged 95, passed away on October 21, 2024, in Hemphill. Born on January 20, 1929, in Bronson, to Lonnie Ellison and Martha Dickerson Ellison, Verl was a cherished lifetime resident of Sabine County.