Obituaries

Nancy Jane Dugger, 86, of Geneva, Texas passed away Monday, June 5, 2023 at her residence. She was born in Cleveland, OH on January 9, 1937 to Eugene Bernard Burberry and Dorothy Jane Mulbarger Burberry. She worked for many years as a manager for AT&T and Southwestern Bell phone companies. She had lived in Geneva since 2008, having previously resided in Wylie, Texas. She loved to cook and was a talented cake decorator and she was a member of the Pioneers of AT&T.

Jefferson Chilton Lyda, 95, of Brookeland, Texas passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2023 at his residence. He was born on January 14, 1928, in Chico, to Ben Lyda and Etta Morrow Lyda.

Michael Wade Polk, 77, of Hemphill, Texas passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at his residence with his wife, JoAnn, and his dear friends Montie and Fay Barmore and Gene and Carolyn Hungerford by his side. He was born on May 5, 1946, in Picayune, MS to Clarence Earl Polk and Johnnie Myrle Pearson Polk. He grew up in the small community of Caesar just outside the city of Picayune. He served his country by enlisting in the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1965. He was given an Honorable Discharge as an SP6, E6 from the 890th Engineering Battalion on March 10th, 1975.

Mary Jane Townsend, 87, of Pineland, Texas passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Larkspur Nursing Home in Lufkin, Texas after a long illness. She was born on April 28, 1936 in Pineland, to the late John Dewey Buckley and Eva Josephine Craig Buckley. She attended school in Pineland and worked at several places over her lifetime, including West Sabine High School cafeteria, Temple Lumber Company, Fin & Feather Marina, San Augustine Fiberglass boat plant and Brookshire Brothers gas pumps.

William Anthony “Bill” Barcheers born August 24, 1950, peacefully passed into his eternity on Sunday, May 28, 2023, surrounded by his family at the age of 72. Bill was a lifelong resident of Hemphill, Texas. He loved his community and found a way to create a career centered around that love and passion by serving his community in their times of most dire needs or situations. Bill served the local community with 50 years in the mortuary business, 32 years as an active member of the Hemphill Volunteer Fire Department, 15 of which he served as Fire Marshal. He worked as a paramedic for over 20 years, owning the local ambulance service for over 15 of those years. He served his local church community in the Knights of Columbus and is a proud 4th degree Knight.

Dianna Joyce Dougall born in Dayton, OH. on Jan.

Ella Lou Jean Rainwater, 83, of Hemphill, Texas passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family Monday evening, May 29, 2023. She was born in Beaumont, on November 1, 1939 to Wallace Judalet and and Eva McBride Judalet. She was a resident of Reeves, LA before moving to Sabine County in 1983. She was a loving mother, grandmother, homemaker and caregiver. She was a lady with a feisty spirit. She was never still, always doing things that she loved to do, mowing the yard being one of her favorites. She was a very talented seamstress who loved quilting, making countless quilts for friends, loved ones and new babies. She enjoyed gardening, often out first thing in the mornings, weeding and tending to her garden, then on to canning everything that she harvested. She was a beloved Maw Maw who loved spending time with her family and her son-in-law, Squeaky, with whom she had a special friendship.

Gretchen Horn, 84, of Bronson, Texas passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023 at Hemphill Care Center. She was born on January 31, 1939, in Houston, to John Henry Schoelzchen and Joyce Cordel. She attended the Incarnate Word Catholic High School in San Antonio, and remained a devoted member of the Catholic Church who went on to become a Director of Religious Education and Faith Information Leader. Gretchen was CEO of Southern Gold Honey Company and distributed their product all over the world. She was a member of the St. Pius I Catholic Church in Hemphill.

Carol Ann Warner, 84, of Hemphill, Texas passed away peacefully Monday, May 22, 2023 at her residence with her family by her side. She was born October 1, 1938 to be with parents Willard Higgs and Vinita 'Dutch' Turner Higgs.

Marion 'Dick' Cauzell Jacks, 81, of Pineland, Texas passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023 at his residence surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on July 18, 1941 in Hemphill, to Marion George Jacks and Bessie Beatrice Wood. He worked as an operator in the oil field industry and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Dick enjoyed a hard day's work and if he ever started whistling the tune of 'Blueberry Hill', everyone better be ready to work. He loved his family, spending time with his grandchildren, and talking with his friends.