Obituaries

Billie Barbara Smith, 77, of Galveston, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. She was born on September 12, 1946, in Nacogdoches, to the late Walter and Ivy Mae Shelton. Formerly of Beaumont, she had resided in Port Neches, since 1995. Billie had worked as Payroll Clerk for the Port of Beaumont. She was a member of Amelia Baptist Church and the Red Hat Ladies. She is survived by her sons, Casey Smith of Kountze and Curtis Smith of Friendswood, and her grandchildren, Roman Smith and Maxim Smith. Services are pending at this time.

William Nolan 'Bill' Brown, 66, of Pineland, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024. He was born on May 8, 1958, in Houston, to J. C. Brown and Helen Oleta Gray Brown. Bill, was a lifetime resident of Sabine County and an active member of the Pineland community. He was a Project Manager for Matrix Service Company and a member of the Boiler Maker's Union, traveling for 47 years before retiring. He worshiped at the Little Flock Baptist Church and enjoyed camping and spending time with friends and family. Bill cherished his wife, children and grandchildren.

Catherine Biggers Christensen, 67, of Milam, passed away peacefully in her home on May 8, 2024. She was born on December 29, 1956, in New Orleans, LA. to C.L. “Red” Biggers and Elizabeth Shuff Biggers. Cathy was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved without boundaries asking nothing in return. She became a kind and compassionate caregiver to several friends and family when the need arose. She was outgoing, fun loving and a perfect friend; the kind of friend we all want in our life. In many cases her friends were more like family.

Norma Jean Harder, 85, of Hemphill, passed away on May 7, 2024. She was born on May 16, 1938, in Galveston, to Douglas and Lola Moores. Norma had resided in Hemphill since 1999. A longtime resident of Vidor, she had worked for Vidor ISD as a homemaking teacher for many years before her retirement. She enjoyed music, quilting, and genealogy in her free time. Norma will be remembered for her love of her family and her community.

Doris Jane Green, 84, of Hemphill, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. She was born on May 28, 1939, in Orange, to Lloyd Ellis and Fern Peet Ellis. Doris was a beloved member of the Hemphill community, having been a Sabine County resident since the late 1980s. She was a native of Orange, and a member of the Eastern Star. In her professional life, Doris served as a school bus driver for Little Cypress-Mauriceville schools for many years before transitioning to become the Driver's Education teacher for Region 5 schools.

A Celebration of Glenn Bell’s Life, age 96, of Pineland, was held Friday, May 3, 2024 at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Jasper, burial with military honors followed at Lone Star Cemetery in McElroy just south of Pineland. Glenn Louis Bell slipped peacefully from this earthly plane, surrounded by family in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 27 in San Augustine, not far from his birthplace in Pineland. Glenn was born at home on Cherry Street on October 24, 1927 to Mae and Louis Bell, who was a longtime employee of Temple Lumber Co. He completed all years of schooling in Pineland, where he was an honor student, played saxophone in the Pineland High School Band, starred on the Pineland Indians basketball team and graduated with academic honors as class valedictorian in 1944.

com. James T.

Wanda Sue Grupa, 75, of Hemphill, passed away on April 26, 2024 at her residence. She was born on November 5, 1948, in Talladega, Alabama, to Arthur Elder and Catherine Wright Elder. Wanda worked many years as an Accounts Payable Specialist in the Oil and Gas industry.

Wanda Joy Walker passed away on April 25, 2024, at her residence in Milam, at the age of 80. She was born on September 3, 1943, in Many, Louisiana, to Clifton Roy Horn and Malva Carter Horn.