Obituaries

Howard Gaylon Waller, 84, of Hemphill, passed away Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. Gaylon was born Aug. 18, 1939 in Milam, to Clarence Washington Waller and Leona Bragg Waller. He was a life-long resident of Sabine County and a graduate of Hemphill High School. Shortly after graduating from high school, he started his career in the automotive field at Hemphill Motor Company where he worked for many years doing what he loved. While there, he worked as a mechanic, parts manager, and shop manager. After the dealership closed, he stayed on. You could count on him being there, always smiling, to help with all your automotive issues and inspections. His favorite things to work on were old tractors and old trucks.

Amy Lea Carr, 64, of Milam, Texas passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at her residence. Amy was born April 23, 1959 in Granite City, Illinois to Ernest Archie Cochran and Anna Lee Futrell Cochran. She was a graduate of Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois. After graduation, she moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank. She later moved back to Illinois where she studied at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.

Sept.11, 2023 at Starr Funeral Home. Graveside services began at 11 a.m.

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.