Local Obituaries for Cleveland, Dayton, Coldspring & Surrounding Communities

January 29, 2026

JAMES HOWARD REECE WAS BORN ON JULY 5, 1945, IN ROME, GEORGIA. HE ENTERED THE PRESENCE OF HIS LORD AND SAVIOR ON JANUARY 29, 2026, FOLLOWING A COURAGEOUS BATTLE WITH CANCER. HOWARD LIVED A LIFE MARKED BYDEEP FAITH, STEADFAST LOVE, AND JOYFUL SERVICE TO OTHERS.

HOWARD WAS A DEVOTED SON, BROTHER, HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT-GRANDFATHER. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY FIERCELY...

January 21, 2026

Marvin Dennis McDowell, 79, passed away on January 21, 2026. Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Marvin spent much of his early life in Lone Star, Texas, where the values of hard work, perseverance, and faith that shaped him would remain constants throughout his life. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Kathryn McDowell; sisters, Kathy Riley and Peggy...

February 17, 2026

February 16, 2026

February 15, 2026

James “Marvin” Holifield was born on October 2, 1935, in Ellisville, Mississippi, to John and Emily Holifield. He peacefully passed away on February 15, 2026.

Marvin was raised working in the cotton fields of Mississippi, where he learned the value of hard work at an early age. While attending school in Ellisville, he met the love of his life, Jessie Holifield....

February 14, 2026

Floyd Edward Smith was born on October 26, 1938, in Marlin, Texas. Surrounded by the love of his family, he peacefully passed away at home on February 14, 2026—Valentine’s Day, a day that beautifully represents love—with his devoted wife, children, and grandchildren by his side.

Floyd was truly the life of the party. Known for his quick wit, warm smile, and...

February 12, 2026

Joseph Allen Ruby, 76, of Channelview, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026.

Joseph was born on July 13, 1949, in San Diego, Texas, to Benjamin Ruby and Bessie Louise Adams. He was a devoted Catholic whose faith remained an important part of his life.

A longtime resident of Channelview for 54 years, Joseph previously lived in Hondo, Texas. He was...

February 12, 2026

Fred C. Rice III was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 2, 1954 to parents, Fred C. Rice Jr and Mary Lou Davis Rice, who both preceded him in death. He entered Heavens Gates on February 12, 2026 at the age of 71. Sons, Clifford Rice and wife Teresa, and Brady Rice; beloved brothers, Richard Rice and Charles Rice;...

February 11, 2026

Audrey Smith Kelley, 79, of Dayton, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026. She was born on August 20, 1946, in Morehead, Kentucky, to William A. Nickell and Genevia Buckner.

Audrey was a devoted Christian whose faith guided her life. She had a generous heart and a deep love for helping others, especially through her crafting. She lovingly knitted beanie hats...

February 11, 2026

Willie Frances Hogan was born in Texas on September 24, 1948 to William and Agnes Millican. She passed away in New Caney, Texas on February 11, 2026 at the age of 77. Willie worked in the school cafeteria for many years and was loved by her students and teachers. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Andrea Gunnells and her...

February 7, 2026

Clarissa Atkinson Malone was born November 4, 1941 in Houston, Texas and presided in Coldspring for over 4 decades. She entered Heavens Gates on February 7, 2026 at the age of 84. Mama as we all called her loved first and foremost her family, she was truly the matriarch of the family. She also had a passion for the Houston...

February 7, 2026

Abbey Thompson Lemke of Coldspring, Texas passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 13, 1956, in Winamac, Indiana, Abbey was the youngest daughter of Dr. William and Jane Thompson. From an early age, she was known for her warmth, energy, and deep love for people—qualities that marked her entire life.

Abbey married the...

February 6, 2026

Barbara E. Ahre, better known as Chick, passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on February 6, 2026 at the age of 69. She was born on September 23,1956 as the 7th of 10 children in Ponca City, OK. Chick married the love of her life and the perfect man for her, Frank Denny “Dennis” Ahre on December...

February 4, 2026

February 3, 2026

Wayne “Bubba” Abshire, 72, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Bubba was born on October 24, 1953, to Ophed “Sube” Abshire and Nola Mary Monceaux.

A lifelong resident of Dayton, Bubba was deeply rooted in his community and his faith as a member of the Catholic Church. In his younger years, he had a...

February 3, 2026

February 2, 2026

Lynda Horn Kilgore, age 79, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Baytown, Texas.

Lynda was born on October 24, 1946, in Logansport, Louisiana, to James Oliver Horn and Margaret Breedlove Horn. She spent the last 48 years of her life in Baytown, Texas, and previously lived in Mont Belvieu with her beloved husband of 59 years, Billie Kilgore.

A woman...

February 2, 2026

February 2, 2026

Dewey Gordon “Bubba” Graves, 75, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on February 2, 2026.

Bubba was born on November 24, 1950, to Dewey Gordon Graves Sr. and J. Ola Braden Graves. A lifelong resident of Dayton, he was deeply rooted in the community he loved and proudly raised his family there alongside his wife of 56 years, Linda.

Bubba attended Calvary Baptist...

January 31, 2026

Anna Lee Ripkowski Campbell, age 93, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 31, 2026.

Anna Lee was born on September 8, 1932, in New Waverly, Texas, to Stash Ripkowski and Mattie Olbrych Ripkowski. She was the fifteenth of sixteen children, growing up in a large, close-knit family that shaped her lifelong devotion to faith, service, and...