Obituaries

The Homegoing Celebration for Dr. Elizabeth A. Reneau, 86, of Lufkin was held, March 9, 2023, in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Joshua Reneau and Reverend Samuel Reneau officiating. Graveside service followed at Woods Cemetery in Broaddus, Texas. She was born February 10, 1937 in San Augustine, Texas to the late Linnie (Wright) and Pete Du Bose, and departed this life on Monday, March 6, 2023. She grew up in the Yellow Ridge Community in San Augustine. At 15, she was married to the love of her life, Bill, Sr. with whom she eventually helped raise four children, mostly on her own, while he served overseas in the US Navy. It is notable that, after World War II, she was part of the workforce of women that helped assemble war planes for the military. Dr. Reneau served as the Principal of Brookeland Elementary School for many years until her retirement. Pursuing her dream, she achieved her Doctorate in Education at the age of 60. She loved to shop and always dressed fashionable and elegant. She loved her coffee. She was a formidable contender at the game of 42 and would not be denied. Dr. Reneau cherished her family and loved spending time with them. Due to her ability to rebound from numerous life-threatening health issues, her family doctor called her the 8th wonder of the world. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Bubba Thompson of Pollok; daughter-in-law, Tammy Reneau of Hudson; daughter, Patricia Matthews of Pollok; son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and Leesa Reneau of Franklin, Ohio; grandchildren and spouses, Bud and Sharra Green, Joe and Angel Green, Brad and Lakeisha Green, all of Buna, Bob and Jennifer Scott of Hudson, Amanda Aguilar of Pollok, Joshua and Amy Reneau of Nacogdoches, Jared and Sonia Reneau of Kingwood, Bill and Ashley Reneau of Hudson, and April and Michael Allen of Pollok; and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings - she was the last of nine; husband, William Edward Reneau, Sr.; son, William Edward “Sonny” Reneau, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Sandra Eddings Reneau. Pallbearers are Bud Green, Joe Green, Brad Green, Bob Scott, Bill Reneau III, and Jared Reneau. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome. com.

Lendy Ray 'Lynn' Miller, 71, of Pineland, Texas passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Legacies Nursing and Rehab in Hemphill, Texas. Hewas born in Kilgore, on February 16, 1952 to Welba D.

A Celebration of Barry Powell’s Life, age 73, of Jasper, will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 13, 2023 at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home, Jasper, Texas with burial to follow at Townsend Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas with Military honors. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the funeral home. He passed away on Thursday, March 9, at St Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont. He was a lifelong resident of Jasper. He retired from AT&T/Southwestern Bell. He liked motorcycles, camping and loved being outside with family.

Frank Joseph Zitkovic, Jr., 78, of Hemphill, Texas passed away Monday, March 6, 2023 at Hemphill Care Center. He was born in Lafayette, on May 11, 1944 to Frank Joseph Zitkovic, Sr. and Maryanne Crouchet Zitkovic. He served his country as a member of the United States Air Force and later earned his associates degree at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He worked for many years as a Directional Driller in the oil industry for several companies, the last being Schlumberger. He moved from Casper, WY to Sabine County in 2016. He was an adventurous man who loved to travel. He was also an outdoorsman who loved fishing, boating and camping.

Bobby Wayne Weatherford, 81, of Broaddus passed away Monday, February 20, 2023. He was born July 26, 1941, on the family homeplace in the Hebron community to Enoch Daniel Weatherford and Ollie Mae Williams Weatherford. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Kingsley, on June 21, 1963. He was a log truck driver for 48 years. Everyone knew him as 'Santa Claus' on the CB radio. He enjoyed his retirement being outdoors and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed deer hunting and killed his last deer at the age of 79.

Lillie “Fay” Johnson Joliffe passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family at the age of 85. She was born January 15, 1938 in Lake Charles, to Ivan L. Johnson, Sr. and Noely M. Hawkins Johnson. She was a long time resident of the Toledo Bend Fairmount area. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Noely Johnson and grandson, William Kyle Blanton. She is survived by her husband, Ron Joliffe; brother, Ivan Leon Johnson Jr.; her six children and their spouses: Mark Blanton and wife, Carmen. Kevin Blanton and wife, Carolyn, Terri Hiaumet and husband, Paul, Sylvia Blanchard and husband, Glen, Christopher Blanton and John Blanton; grandchildren Felix Patxot, Jason Anderson, James Kyle Blanton, Katrisha Smith, Andrea Hernandez, Stephani Dalhaus, Haley McCorkle, Sara Blanton and Ivan Dylan Blanton; and she also had 13 (soon to be 14) great grandchildren.

Norman Leon McMurry (known as Leon) was born March 7, 1926, in Roganville, and died peacefully in Chicago, IL, on February 21, 2023, at the age of 96 years. He travelled the world first in the US Merchant Marines (WWII), then on numerous pipeline jobs. He was a much loved father of eight children (Ronald McMurry, MD; Judy Hutchinson; Sue Davenport; Debra Zugaro; Terry McMurry; David McMurry; Sarah McMurry Hogue, MD; and Amy Taylor, DVM) and grandfather of 23. He was a beloved husband of 50 years to Amanda McMurry (nee Wiggins) of Great Britain. Amanda preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2018.

Karon Sue Wooldridge was born on July 12, 1949 to Billie L. Wooldridge and Dorothy J. Wooldridge (Mangrum) at Methodist Hospital in Paragould, Arkansas. She spent most of her growing up years in the St. Louis, MO area. She moved with her daughter, Leslie, to Friendswood, in 1991. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved niece, Sarah Louise Wooldridge. She is survived by her loving daughter, Leslie Wright and grandson, Joshua Davis Wright, her sister Clara Anne Dittmar and wife Jill, and brother Samuel Wooldridge and wife, Sheree. She was loving and proud of her numerous nieces and nephews.

On Friday, January 27, 2023, Richard Elvin Deason, loving father of 3, passed away peacefully at the age of 72 in Orange, TX. He was born on March 28, 1950, in Deridder, La. to Elvin Deason and Ruth (White) Deason. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1968-1972, receiving The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. After honorable discharge from the military, Richard worked as a sheet metal fabricator and was a member of Union Local 196.