Obituaries

Billy Moran Wise, 82, of Milam, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 at his home. He was born on May 28, 1940 on the Sabine River at Moran Crossing in Sabine County to Robert John Wise and Melissa Ardell Neal Wise. He was a lifetime resident of Sabine County and worked as a welder most of his life. He was a hard worker and loved people. He enjoyed hunting and fishing whenever he had time. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Carol Glenda Wise; son, Robert Glenn Wise; and brothers, Bobby Joe Wise and J. T. Wise.

Martha Milstead Lindsey, age 78, of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born August 28, 1944, in San Augustine County to parents Bud and Tilma (Butler) Milstead and was a lifelong area resident. After graduating from San Augustine High School, she then attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she received her Masters degree in Education. She graduated from SFA in 1965 and later that year began her impressive career in education at West Sabine High School in Pineland. She was a beloved and respected member of the West Sabine faculty for 43 years before retirement.

Mary Linda Campbell, 73, of Hemphill, Texas passed away Friday, February 3, 2023 in Lufkin, Texas. She was born in Mt. Olive, AL on June 28, 1949 to Marion Jack Hayes and Myrle Warren Hayes. She lived in San Diego, California for many years where she worked in Space Control Supervision for General Dynamics. She had been a resident of Hemphill for the past 28 years and was a member of Rosevine Church of God where she loved volunteering in children's church and singing Christian music. She loved her church and her church family.

Sondra Kaye Byley Stapp, 62, of Bronson, Texas passed away at her residence Wednesday, January 25, 2023. She was born in Pineland, on June 19, 1960 to Benny D. Byley, Sr. and Kathryn McBride Byley. She was a lifelong resident of Bronson and a graduate of West Sabine High School. She was a charter member of Sandy Creek Missionary Baptist Church and she loved to play piano there. She worked many years pipelining and was a member of Pipeliners Union Local 798. After retiring, she owned and operated the Trading Post in Bronson for many years.

Jimmye Lou Fuller, 89, of Leakey, Texas passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023 in The Woodlands, Texas. She was born in Milam, on January 19, 1934 to George Rodney “Jim” Wilson and Mattie Elvie Bragg Wilson. She was a long time resident of Houston before moving to Leakey in 2014 and worked for many years as a hair dresser. She loved gardening and could grow anything. She also enjoyed jigsaw and crossword puzzles but her greatest love was spending as much time as possible with her family and friends. She had a quiet strength that influenced the world around her in beautiful ways because she placed such great value on relationships.

Cathy Wynne Bennett, age 73, died peacefully in Greenville, SC, on January 16, 2023, surrounded by all her children and grandchildren. She was born in Springhill, LA, on August 15,1949, daughter of the late Mary Shirley Wynne and James Preston “Shorty” Wynne. After graduating from Springhill High School in 1967, she moved to Beaumont, where she met and married B. Gerald Bennett shortly after. Together they raised their 3 children in Texas and in the oil fields of Saudi Arabia.

Elease Barrow, 93, of Pineland, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Legacies Nursing and Rehab in Hemphill, Texas. She was born in Pineland, Texas on January 15, 1930 to Elmon Tatom and Winnie Marie McDaniel Tatom. She was a lifelong resident of Sabine County and worked for many years as a dietitian with West Sabine ISD. She loved gardening and crocheting. She is survived by her son, Benny Jacks of Pineland; daughters, Marcell Gilbert of Pineland and Billie Simpson and husband, Mark, also of Pineland; four grandchildren, Beverly, Barbara, Betsy Jo and Breanne; eight great grandsons; one great great granddaughter; and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Eva Jean (Impson) Wilkerson, 80, of Hemphill, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 at Hemphill Care Center in Hemphill. Known to many as Jean, she was born May 23, 1942 in Sabine County, to Laurice and Eva Mae. She was a lifelong resident of Sabine County and worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for 30 plus years. Her greatest enjoyment after retiring was spending time with family just sitting around talking. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa and husband, James, of Joaquin; sons, David and wife, Rita, of San Augustine and Tony and wife, Tiffany, of Pineland; grandchildren, JT, Heather, Jennifer, Lonni, Matt, Tyler, and BreeAnn; nine great grandchildren; brother, Donny of Hemphill and sister, Diann of Yellowpine; plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.