Obituaries

Bettyann Ashworth, 83, of Hemphill, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2024 in Nacogdoches. Bettyann was born May 30, 1940 in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. A former resident of Vidor, she had lived in Hemphill for the past seven years. She was a loving wife and mother that enjoyed cooking and taking care of her husband. She was a good woman that knew Jesus and loved her church and her cat, Wilbur. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Coiless Ashworth of Hemphill; son, Michael Ashworth of Bridge City; daughters, Towanna Ashworth of Port St. Joe, Florida and Crystal Ashworth Berg and husband, Chuck Smith, of Hosford, Florida; son-in-law, John Berg of Bristol, Florida; and grandchildren, Ashley Palermo and husband, Ian, Cassidy Ashworth, Dakoda Berg and Megan Hill.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Carol Louise Ferguson of Rosevine, was called to her heavenly home. She passed from this life in Lufkin, surrounded by her family. She was 80 years young. Carol was born August 6, 1943, in San Antonio, to Jesse George Beavers and Eudora Elizabeth Frazier Beavers. In September of 1963, she married the love of her life, Bruce Kennard Ferguson. For fifty-eight of their wonderful 60 years together, Bruce and Carol resided at their beautiful homestead in Rosevine where they raised their three children and welcomed each son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchild, and great-grandson.

Marsha Kay Williams Jackson, 69, of Milam, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Sabine County Hospital in Hemphill. Marsha was born September 25, 1954 in Nacogdoches, to Lindell Brown and Joyce Neal Brown. She was a lifetime resident of Sabine County and a member of East Mayfield Baptist Church. She had worked as a secretary for Hemphill ISD for many years where her smile was the first to greet you as you entered the school.

Wanda Sue Moody Loper was called to her heavenly home on January 30th, 2024 at the age of 75 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Sue was born on June 24th, 1948 in Six Mile, to Denton David Moody and Adalene Smith Moody. A longtime resident of Longview, Wanda (Sue) was a family woman. When her mother died when she was twelve years old, Sue eagerly helped take care of her younger brothers, whether it be school work or other daily tasks. This love of family grew even more when she and her late husband, Jerry Loper welcomed a child of their own. Their son Trent was born while Jerry was serving in Vietnam. Sue dedicated her whole life to Trent, as he was her pride and joy.

Rev. Wesley Lane Pate, 88, of Bronson, passed away Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Lufkin. Bro. Pate was born October 1, 1935 in Nacogdoches County, to James Benjamin Pate and Belva Kate Pate. He was a longtime, beloved minister in Sabine County and pastor of Hemphill Missionary Baptist Church. He had resided in Bronson since 1988, having previously lived in Houston. When he wasn't preaching or ministering, you could find him faithfully studying his Bible.

Shirley Ann Williams, 88, of Hemphill, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Legacies Nursing Home in Hemphill. Shirley was born on March 22, 1935 in Hemphill, to Dalton Paul 'Shine' Smith and Lemmie Coussons Smith. She worked at First State Bank in Hemphill, for over 30 years. She enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and dancing. She is survived by her son, Randy Williams and wife, Jan of Mont Belvieu, ; brothers, Paul Smith and wife, Shirley of San Augustine, , Phillip Smith and wife, Pauline of Hemphill, and Michael Smith and wife Johnette of Hemphill, ; sisters, Tanya Walker and husband, Buckshot of Hemphill, and Stella Frances 'Sissy' Smith of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Jennifer Ferguson and husband, Jody, Jason Williams and wife, Leah, Krystal Fuller and husband, Cole, Christy Tyer and husband, Mike, and Jennifer Foster and husband, Jay; 11 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

com. Earl Douglas Behan, 71, of Hemphill, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024 at his residence.

Reba Jean Cooper, 81, of Pineland, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024 at Harbor Hospice in Jasper. She was born July 9, 1942 in Milam, to Edward James and Lula McGown James. She was a graduate of Hemphill High School and had worked as a secretary for the Sabine County Sheriff's Office for many years. A longtime resident of Sabine County, she had moved to Fort Worth with her husband when she was only 17 years old. They returned to Pineland in 1979 where she became a member of First Baptist Church.

Mary Luana Sample Montgomery, daughter of Jack and Noba Dean Sample of Geneva, passed from this world to the next on Saturday, January 26, in Sugar Land. She was a member of Geneva Baptist Church. Luana attended San Jacinto High School in Houston and regularly attended their reunions as recently as 2019. She obtained her BA and Masters degrees in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. She joined the Pine Burrs Sorority there which later became Chi Omega Sorority, into which she was also inducted in the early 2010s. Luana taught deaf children in Houston, 1st Grade at Thomas Johnson in Hemphill, and Special Education at Hemphill and in Houston.

Timothy G Shrader, Jr. of Hemphill, formerly of Havre de Grace, Maryland, passed away at home on January 24, 2024 with his wife by his side after a brief fight with Leukemia. He was 83 years old. He was predeceased by his first wife and love of his life, Mary Catherine Shrader (nee Sine) and his parents, Timothy G. Shrader, Sr. and Louise Shrader (nee Jones). He is survived by his second wife, Sara J. Shrader and his three children, Nancy Roxanne Lynch (David) of Havre de Grace, Maryland, Timothy G. Shrader, III (Katherine) of Bridgewater, Virginia, and Bonnie Lee Ritter (Eric) of Darlington, Maryland. He is also survived by his sister, Penelope Jo Giampapa (Michael) of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Tim had 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren with another due in a couple months. Also cherishing his memory are Sara’s daughters, Michelle Baldwin, Kimberly Thomas, and Laura Bess Frye whom he loved and thought of as his daughters, as well.