Local Obituaries for Cleveland, Dayton, Coldspring & Surrounding Communities

August 27, 2025

August 26, 2025

Stuart Shannon Jowell January 31, 1956 – August 26, 2025

Stuart Shannon Jowell, 69, passed away on August 26, 2025. Born on January 31, 1956, in Odessa, Texas, Stuart was the beloved son of the late Mel and Joy Corley Jowell.

A devoted member of Grace Community Baptist Church, Stuart lived his life anchored in faith. He loved Jesus deeply and embodied...

August 26, 2025

Sylvia Ann Kinney January 21, 1935 – August 26, 2025

Sylvia Ann Kinney, 90, of Liberty, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, in Liberty. Born on January 21, 1935, in Houston, Texas, to Allen and Thelma Corser, Sylvia was a lifelong resident of Liberty and a beacon of generosity, faith, and fierce loyalty to all who knew her.

Sylvia was...

August 25, 2025

Lavora June Moehle was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 9, 1951 to parents, Rayford Presley Owens and Dorothy May Hoy Owens. She entered Heaven’s Gates, surrounded by her loving family, on August 25, 2025 at the age of 74 years.

June came from a large and loving family, and she enjoyed the time she had raising her son and providing...

August 23, 2025

Plans to celebrate Cole’s life are currently underway. We’ll share service details as soon as they’re available. 

August 23, 2025

Norma Darlene Bice, 74, of Kenefick, Texas, passed away on August 23, 2025, in Beaumont, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.

Darlene was born on December 25, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas, to James T. Pike and Norma Melveda Pike. She spent her early years in Baytown and Pasadena, where she attended elementary and junior high school,...

August 23, 2025

Taft Joseph Merka, 84, a devoted husband, father and friend entered eternal rest on August 23, 2025. Born on June 15, 1941, he lived a life full of faith, generosity and love for his family.

He was known for his dedication to the church, and his ability to make everyone laugh. He is survived by his loving family and friends who will...

August 23, 2025

James Vernon Lilley, age 92 of Cleveland, Texas, began his heavenly journey on August 23, 2025, peacefully at his home in San Jacinto County.

Vernon was born October 21, 1932, the son of Laura Elizabeth Everett Lilley and James Robert “Pete” Lilley.

He graduated from Coldspring High School in 1950 and went on to serve our nation in the U.S. Army from...

August 23, 2025

Frances Elaine Risner was born in Houston, Texas on December 12, 1946 to parents, Nolan Chastain and Johnie Mae Selph Chastain. She passed away in Coldspring, Texas on August 23, 2025 at the age of 78 years. 

Frances was a loving and devoted person who always put other’s needs before her own needs. She cared about people and also cared for...

August 23, 2025

Merle Katherine Watson Dabney passed peacefully on August 23, 2025. She was 102 years old.

Born May 12, 1923, to Joseph Bartley Watson and Minnie Ola Maxey Watson, she lived in Corrigan, Texas, with her siblings, all preceding her in death. Brother JB Watson and wife Eileen; sister Marie Watson; sister Charlie Faye Watson Strong and husband Rudy; brother William Ronnie...

August 23, 2025

Billy J. Lewis was born May 25, 1926 in Limestone County, Texas to parents, John Wesley Lewis and Bessie Rowan Lewis. He passed away August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Texas at the age of 99 years. 

Billy proudly served our country in the US Navy during WWII. He worked for Tennessee Oil and Gas as a heavy equipment operator. Billy had...

August 22, 2025

Tommy Lee Sheppeard was born in Eupora, Mississippi on January 11, 1948 to parents, Luther Martin Sheppeard and Addie Lee Weeks Sheppeard. He passed away on August 22, 2025 at the age of 77 years.

Tommy proudly served our country in the US Army. He was a asbestos worker for Local #22 for many years. Tommy’s greatest love was for his...

August 22, 2025

Bonnie Ruth McAdams Smith was born in Ben Wheeler, Texas, on January 12, 1929, to John and Ila McAdams. She was fifth oldest in a large family of twelve children. Bonnie graduated from Shepherd High School in 1947, the first in her family to graduate. After graduating, she moved to Houston and worked for Dun & Bradstreet. Later that year,...

August 20, 2025

Arthur Buckles (Buck), age 94, of Old River, Texas entered the gates of Heaven on August 20, 2025.

He was born February 24, 1931 in Houston, to parents, Hobart and Lalla Buckles.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jonell Clemens Buckels of Old River, two children, daughter Gwen Christopherson and husband Gary of Old River and son Paul and...

August 20, 2025

Cynthia Louise Pace-Evans was born July 31, 1954 in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents, Earl Jack Merritt and Doris Laverne Lewis Merritt. She passed away August 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas at the age of 71.

Cynthia retired after many years working in the Radiology field. Her greatest joy in life was for her family. She treasured all the memories of spending...

August 18, 2025

It is with love and remembrance that we share the passing of Janet Lynn Hurlbut Hopkins, who was called to her heavenly home on August 18, 2025, at the age of 65. She was born on March 8, 1960, in Houston, Texas, to her parents D.C. and Virginia Ellington Hurlbut.

She was raised on Tarkington Prairie in Cleveland, Texas, and graduated...

August 18, 2025

Obituary for Lon Paul Hobbs January 24, 1942 – August 18, 2025

Lon Paul Hobbs, 83, of Liberty, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, in Humble, Texas. He was born on January 24, 1942, in Odessa, Texas, to the late Paul Malloy Hobbs and Willie Victoria Cathey.

Lon lived a life full of devotion—to his family, his faith, and the...

August 18, 2025

Obituary for Robert (Bobby) Wayne Johns

Robert (Bobby) Wayne Johns, 69, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on August 18, 2025. He was born on June 7, 1956, to parents David Johns and Helen Stoker.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and man of unwavering faith, Bobby lived in Dayton for the past 31 years, having previously called North Shore, Cleveland, and Shepherd home....

August 18, 2025

Louise Carolyn Psencik Lyrock September 12, 1939 – August 18, 2025

Louise Carolyn Psencik Lyrock, age 85, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025.

Born on September 12, 1939, at her family’s home in Dayton, Louise was the daughter of Miloslav Psencik and Martha Lesikar. Remarkably, she spent her entire life on the very same property where she was...

August 18, 2025

Rufus Gerald Lum was born in Macedonia, Texas on July 5, 1945 to parents, William Erastus Lum and Myrtle Corrine Cole Lum. Gerald passed away August 18, 2025 at his residence at the age of 80 years. He worked as a tool grinder for many years and loved his family dearly. 

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, William Erastus...