Obituaries

William Arvin Coppedge, 82, of Hemphill, passed away on September 4, 2023, in Bullard. Bill (Arvin to his family) was born in Sweetwater to William Joseph and Annie Clendennen Coppedge on June 5th, 1941.

Deva Naomi McBride, 87, of Pineland, Texas passed away Monday, September 4, 2023 at Hemphill Care Center in Hemphill, Texas. Deva was born August 16, 1936 in Bronson, Texas to Willie Taylor Thomas, Sr. and Dollie Lott Thomas. She was a loving housewife and mother and a longtime member of Centerview Baptist Church. She loved gardening, particularly working in her rose garden. Deva is survived by her son, Jeffrey McBride of Pineland and daughter, Paula Booty and husband, Travis, of Brookeland; brother, Weldon Thomas and wife, Mary, of Bronson; and grandchildren, Robert McBride and Kaitlyn Booty.

Edna Lee “Tootsie” Armstrong Robinson Coyle passed away on Aug. 29, 2023 at the age of 96 in Lubbock. She was born on December 4, 1926 in Milam to Lottie and Blue Armstrong. She graduated from Hemphill High School. She married Howard G. Robinson in 1948. They had two sons, Dennis and Terry. Howard passed away in 1982. She later married Jim Coyle. He passed away in 2009. She lived in many places during her early married years, including Ingleside, Port Lavaca, Seville, Spain, Sweeny, and Fredricksburg, Virginia. She and Howard returned to Hemphill in the 1970’s.

Simon Hamilton, Jr., 85, of Center, Texas passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 at St. Luke's Hospital in San Augustine, Texas. Simon, known to friends and family as 'Polecat', was born August 5, 1938 in the Robinson Bend Community of Hemphill, Texas to Simon Hamilton, Sr. and Ola Simmons Hamilton. He worked for many years as a Supervisor in the Lumber Industry. He was a 23 year resident of Center, having previously resided in Lufkin, Texas since 1957. Over the years, he had worked for Louisiana Pacific, Delwin Burgess Logging and L & R Timber.

Robert Lee Hoffer, 63, of Hemphill passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on January 25, 1960 to Robert Bernard Hoffer and Mary Ann Perry Hoffer. Bob was a 15 year resident of Sabine County, having previously resided in Burleson. He worked in road construction for H B. Zachary. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He could make just about anything grow. He also enjoyed checking in on his neighbors everyday.

Denise Huckman, 72, of Hemphill passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Woodland Height Medical Center in Lufkin. She was born November 11, 1950 in Metairie, Louisiana to Charles Louis Antonini and Mary Frances Young Antonini.

Jack Edward Lane, 93, of Camp Wood passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023 in San Antonio. He was born June 21, 1930 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

William Lucius Leger, 63, of Milam, Texas passed away Friday, August 18, 2023 at his residence. William, known to friends and family as Billy, was born in August 19, 1959 in Orange, Texas to James D. Leger and Billie L. Delaney Leger. He worked as a Brick Layer for J. T. Thorp and was a member of BAC3 Union. He was also a member of St. Maurice Catholic Church in Mauriceville and had lived in Sabine County for the past three years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, riding motorcycles and spoiling his nieces and nephews.

Robert Joseph Wells, 71, of Hemphill, Texas passed away peacefully Thursday, August 17, 2023 at his home with his wife by his side. Robert was born May 27, 1952 in Rome, New York to Murrie Dale Wells and Mary Ellen Paumier Wells. He had earned his associate's degree and served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. He later went on to work as a Police Officer in Orange, Texas for many years before retiring and some of his favorite stories were from when he was working in undercover narcotics. He then moved closer to Toledo Bend Reservoir to pursue his love of fishing. After moving to Sabine County, he came out of retirement to serve as manager of South Sabine Water Supply for several years.