Roger “Tiger” Howard Bacon

Roger “Tiger” Howard Bacon of Newton, Texas, passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Born on November 29, 1960, he was raised in Newton, Texas, and graduated from Newton High School in 1979. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and was a lifelong Texas Longhorn

football  fan.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Judge O’Neal Bacon and Sue Bacon. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karla Bacon; daughter Lawren Garza and her husband Marcos Garza; granddaughter Isla “Izzy” Garza; daughter Brittny Bacon; his siblings, brother Drew Bacon (Judy),

sister Sylvia Thompson (Randy), and sister DeLayne Pascal; as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

Roger was a lifelong outdoorsman, a fishing guide on Sam Rayburn for over 20 years, an outdoor writer, and an industry professional. His passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors was matched only by his dedication as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He mentored many young outdoorsmen and was honored to witness countless first catches and personal bests. The Zoom Fluke was his favorite lure, and he was one of the best at using it. However, as soon as the north wind blew in, you would see him casting his signature "Chrome Bacon" chrome-and-blue trap. Roger will forever be remembered as our "Sunrise Superman."

His legacy lives on through his friends, family, and the time they spend in the outdoors. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 19 at Umphrey Family Pavilion, Brookeland, TX. A short service on the water will take place at 2 PM, with the Celebration of Life to follow.

 Cheryl Lillian Cook was born in Lima, Ohio, January 3, 1951 and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Jasper, Texas, September 12, 2024. She is preceded in death by her mother, Wanda Jean Paulsel, step-father, Hervey McDonald Paulsel, husband Donald Wayne Cook, son, Donald Wayne Cook, Jr., and brother Nolan Ronald Harrison Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Shawn Wilkerson and her husband Jay; daughter, Deanna Dougharty and her husband Steven; daughter Melissa Cook and her husband Heath; daughter, Lauren Cook-Swonke and her husband Chris; grandchildren Caleb and Kelsie Wilkerson and children Jane and Todd, Noah and Anna Wilkerson and children Maci and Jack, Catherine and Luke Hughes and children Jackson and Avery, Raegan and Tyler Gibson and children Cooper, Titus and Eden Gibson, Blair and Luis Cruz, Christopher Dougharty, Lance Corporal Seth Cook and, Bailee and Autumn Cook, Quinn, and Judah and Lilyjane Swonke, siblings Rickey and Julie Martin, Kathy and Randy Short and Niles and Cheryl Harrison. 

For anyone that has ever known Cheryl, the consensus is the same - she was a beautiful representation of the love of Jesus, hospitable to anyone who stopped in to say ‘hello’, a classy lady with a beautiful smile, the absolute best mother and grandma that can be imagined, a faithful, loving wife, and a woman who walked in the fruits of the spirit consistently - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Cheryl and Don raised their daughters to love Jesus and to honor God with their lives. Her favorite place was with family all around her. She cared about everyone she met, and prayed daily for a long list of loved ones and family, community, national and world concerns. She ministered to everyone she came into contact with, even up to the time she went to heaven. She saw the good in everyone and cared about small things that are not always noticed by others. The Cooks came to Newton County from Houston, Texas, because Don was a pastor with the Methodist Church. When God called the family to start Crossroad Christian Fellowship in 1982 in Newton, it was all hands on deck. Cheryl served faithfully alongside her husband and children for many years in Sunday school, prayer, cleaning, nursery and many other areas. It seems clear that the ministry of the church wouldn’t be here without its founding by Pastor Don and Cheryl. The impact of their lives here on earth and sacrifice for the kingdom will be making an impact on generations to come and into eternity. In addition to ministry, she also worked in banking and as the Newton County Voter Registrar. She worked excellently at everything she did. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman. She was clothed with strength and dignity. She spoke with wisdom and faithful instruction. She watched over her household. Because of all these things and a million more, her family rises up and calls her blessed. 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8 

Visitation will be Sunday September 15, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Crossroad Christian Fellowship in Newton, Texas. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday at Crossroad Christian Fellowship with burial to follow at Newton City Cemetery.

  Funeral services for Sabrina Wynell Stephens, 23, of Burkeville, Texas will be 3:00 pm Saturday September 14, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date at Black Cemetery in Black, Alabama. 

She is preceded in death by a half sister, Ashley Nicole Dean.

Sabrina is survived by her father and step mother, Wade and Nicole Stephens of Burkeville; grandmother, Louise Virginia Anderson; daughter, Kinsley Wynell Stephens of Burkeville; brothers, Johnathon Wade Stephens of Dothan, Ala, Michael Alexander Stephens of Geneva, Ala, and Dave Anderson of Coffee, Ala; sisters, Ashley Deguliam of Gainesville, Fla, and Aniessa Stephens of Dothan, Ala. 

Sabrina will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

  LOVING TRIBUTE

Lena Louise Sheffield Fitzgerald (Ms. Weezie), was called to her heavenly home on September 10, 2024. There she reunited with her family including her husband Bill.

She was born April 4, 1930 in Gadsden, Alabama, during the great depression. Her childhood memories were that although they did not have much, no one else did either… so she only remembers the true happiness of running and playing in the hills in Alabama with her siblings and cousins.

She was 16-years old when her family moved to Houston. Her dad got a job at Sheffield Steel, and in 1948, Lena graduated at Galena Park High School. She was the first in her family to graduate high school. Afterward, she worked as a sacker at Weingarten’s grocery and put herself thru secretarial school to learn typing, shorthand and dictation. With her new skills, she landed a job as a secretary at Texas Natural Gas.

Louise married her first husband in 1951. They owned and operated a large trucking company in Houston for many years. In 1965, Louise’s brother Raymond was tragically killed. And a few years later they took over the care of Raymond’s young daughter, Dodie, and raised her until she was grown, although the teen years were a bit of a challenge. Years later, Raymond’s two teenage boys also moved in with them for a time.

Louise never lost her quest for knowledge. She went to San Jacinto College where she earned a two-year degree in both history and art. She had many hobbies, but she especially loved “planning/navigating/back-seat driving” road trips, reading, painting, sewing, crochet, singing, playing piano and playing accordion. She said her only regret was that she didn’t focus on just one hobby. She is certain she would have become a master seamstress. 

Louise divorced and went to work as an executive secretary to the Vice-President of Entex (now CenterPoint Energy). There she met her future husband over the phone. It is said that Bill would often make up reasons to call the downtown office from the Baytown field office. They married in 1980 and were married for 34 years before his death. They both retired from the gas company, lived in Holly Springs, and they were longtime members of the Holly Springs Baptist Church. 

Louise is preceded in death by her husband William A. “Bill” Fitzgerald, father Leonard Sheffield, mother Effie Nila Owen Sheffield, sister Nelleen Gregory, brother Raymond Sheffield, sister Julia Corder and her beloved nephews Johnny Payne, Jimmy Payne, and niece Teresa Payne.

Louise is survived by her adopted daughter Dodie Sheffield, step-son James Fitzgerald, step-daughter Amanda Jordan, nephew Mike Sheffield, nephew Guy Sheffield and all of their extended families. She is also survived by her precious dog, Prince Albert. 

Visitation will be from 10:30 am until service time at 11:30 am Saturday September 14, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas.  Burial will follow the service at Magnolia Cemetery in Holly Springs, Texas. 

  A graveside service for Elizabeth Ann Elliott, 81, of Newton, Texas will be 10:00 am Saturday September 7, 2024 at Ford Cemetery in Newton. Visitation will be Friday September 06, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.  

Ms. Elliott was born March 02, 1943 in DeRidder, Louisiana, to Richard Charles and Trudie Elizabeth Austin Keel. 

She was an operator for the telephone company for many years. 

Ms. Elliott is preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Elliott; and two sons, Paul Elliott and Michael Elliott. 

She is survived by daughter-in-laws, Linda Clark of Burkeville, and Marguerite Spivey of Newton; brothers, Jerry Keel, Kenneth Keel, and Charles Keel all of DeRidder; sisters, Sharon Ann Cooley of Deridder, Sue Cooley of DeRidder and Linda Keel of South Dakota; grandchildren, Hailey Williams and husband Brian of Jasper, and Paige Elliott and fiancée Morgan Williams of Newton; and one great grandchild, Maven Williams.

Ms. Elliott will be greatly missed and always remembered by all who knew and loved her. 

  Rebecca Loraine Watson Martin, 56, of Newton, Texas passed away August 31, 2024 in Newton, Texas. She was born March 25, 1968 in Merryville, Louisiana. 

She was known to most as Becky and was a loving mother and grandmother. She left this world to soon. Our sorrow runs deep but will never overshadow the joy and love she gave that fills our hearts.

Becky is survived by her father, Thomas Watson of Newton; mother, Betsy Ancelot of Hemphill; sons, Kyle Martin and wife Sadie of Orange, Kegon “James” Biscamp of Kirbyville and Brandon Stark of Beaumont; a daughter, Brittany Spearman and husband David of Newton; brothers, Claude A. “Willie” Watson of Newton, and Thomas E. “Eddie” Watson Jr. of Newton; four grandchildren, Etrullia Spearman, Maverick Spearman, Skylar Martin and Eli Martin.

Funeral services will be held at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas, Friday September 6, 2024 at 12 noon. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home with burial at Spearman Hill Cemetery in Newton.