Eva Katherine Gilchrist Dillenbeck

  Eva Katherine Gilchrist Dillenbeck, 88, of Newton, Texas, peacefully passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at her lifelong home. 

Born to Loxie Virginia Humphrey and Wallace Monroe Gilchrist, Eva grew up in the Jamestown community as the oldest daughter alongside her three siblings. In October 1963, she married Sanford Dillenbeck at the United Methodist Church in Newton, establishing their family home in the Woods Community.

Eva was a deeply faithful, lifelong member of the Newton Church of Christ and an active pillar of her community. She dedicated her time to the Newton Homemakers’ Association, Newton County Fair, Newton Garden Club, and served as a Docent for the Powell Hotel Soup Service. Known for her kind, compassionate nature, she never met a stranger, loved gardening, and took great joy in sharing her fresh produce and inviting others to worship.

She is survived by her children, Frank Glenn Dillenbeck of Austin, and Frida Lynn Dillenbeck of Houston and Newton; her sisters, Mary Virginia Morgan and husband Willie of Lumberton and Charlene Medley and husband Lavon of Newton; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Newton Cemetery Association, 275 County Road 4002, Newton, TX 75966.

Service Information

• Visitation:     Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
• Memorial Service:     Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
• Location:     Smith Funeral Home, 305 Houston Street, Newton, TX.
• Contact:     409-379-5041

Debra Kay Shofner, 67, of Newton Texas passed away August 19, 2026 in Newton, Texas. She was born February 22, 1959.

She was preceded in death by her father, Buster Perry; mother, Betty Myers; sister, Joyce Smith; brother, Terry Jenkins,; step-son, Chad Shofner; and her first husband, Hank Wilkerson.

Debra is survived by her husband, Donnie Lynn Shofner;  daughters, Michelle Wilkerson of Newton, Texas, Ann McGown and husband Tommy of Lubbock, Texas, and Gayla Bailiff and husband Clint of Orangefield, Texas; step-son, Brian Shofner of Newton, Texas; sisters, Rebekah Mosley of Newton, Texas, Patricie Jones of Bon Wier, Texas and Sheila Collins of Deweyville, Texas; grandchildren, Zac Belcher, Chance Wilkerson, Wytney Windham, Jorei Torres, Madison Mechling, M’kenzie Mechling, Kaleb McFatter, Zoe Molina, Blain Shofner, Brock Shofner; great grandchildren, Cooper Belcher, Deacon Belcher, Memphis Belcher, Freya Windham, Kinsley Molina, Asher Molina and Hadley Faith Shofner; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. 

She will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Friday, August 21, 2026 at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas with Burial at Ford Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 until service time Friday. 

Martha Faye Fomby, age 64, of Bon Wier, Texas passed away on August 12, 2026 in Beaumont, Texas. Martha was born December 08, 1961 to Thomas Carlton and Joyce Faye Herrin. 

Martha loved her family and many others who she came to know. She loved to plant and grow most any kind of flower. She loved the pretty colors and smells of them growing in her yard. 

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bobby Don Fomby, and her brother, Merlin Herrin.

She is survived by her son, Justin Odom and wife Jessica of Newton, Texas; daughter, Savannah Hebert and husband Anthony of Hillister, Texas: brother, Arthur Herrin of Bon Wier; grandchildren, Kennedi Vosti and husband Medallion, Lane Odom, Harper Odom, Payton Odom, Natalie Odom, Olivia Frasier, Karlee Hebert, Kynlee Hebert, Kambree Hebert, Kyndall Hebert, Makayla Jones and JD, Scarlet Chevalier and Jack Chevalier; and three great grandchildren, Cohen and Callan Vosti and Beau Jones. 

As her family we hope she is remembered for the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the memories she left behind. 

In lieu of  flowers, if you feel led to make a donation to help cover medical and funeral expenses. 

Paypal-@SavannahHebert

Cash App- $VannaBrook86

Funeral services for Martha will be 11:00 am Saturday at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas. Visitation will be from 9:00am until service time Saturday. 

Today,  we gather to celebrate the life of David Harvey, a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and servant of the Lord. 

David was born on September 18,1956, in Beaumont, Texas. From and early age, he learned the value of hard work, dedication, and family. Those values would become the foundation of the life he built and legacy he leaves behind.

One of the greatest blessings of Dad's life was marrying his high school sweetheart, Patricia Harvey, in 1977. Together they built a life centered around family, faith, and perseverance. They raised five children and created a home where love was shown though sacrifice, commitment, and hard work. 

David was preceded in death by the love of his life, Patricia Harvey; his father, Millard Harvey; his mother, Mary Bonner; his stepmother, Pat Harvey; his sister, Linda Sue Smith; his brother-in-law, Larry Jarrell; his sister-in-law, Connie Crowder; and his brothers, Michael Northern, Jerry Hussey.

He leaves behind a family that loves him dearly and will carry his memory forward each day: 

His Children:

Carolyn and husband Kenneth Whitney

TaShana Gustafson 

Melinda and husband Jason Wiggins

David Harvey and wife Meagan

Amanda and husband Eddie Torres

Sister Glenda Hussy

Sister Itaska Harvey

His grandchildren:

Zachary Gustafson

Kirsten Gustafson

Garrett Harvey

Joey Stanley

Kimberly Harvey

Kailey Harvey

Caleb Harvey

Mason Torres

Ethan Harvey

And his precious great- grandchild:

Oakley Gustafson

While these names represent his family, they also represent David's greatest accomplishment. More than anything else in his life, Dad was proud of his family. 

David spent his life doing what fathers are called to do. He worked hard. He provided. He sacrificed. He made sure his family had what they needed. He believed in earning your way, keeping your word, and taking care of those you love. 

Services will be 1:00 pm Monday August 03, 2026 at Sycamore Church.. Burial will follow the service at Sycamore Cemetery.

John Edison Ebarb, 81, of Newton, Texas, passed away on July 24, 2026, in Newton, Texas. He was born on October 14, 1944, in Silsbee, Texas, to Henry Edison and Vivian Gail Price Ebarb.

For many years, John faithfully served as a music minister in churches throughout Southeast Texas. He was known for his rich singing voice, his love for Southern Gospel music, and his ability to lead others in worship. Music was one of God’s gifts to him, and he used that gift to encourage and bless countless people over the years.

John also enjoyed working outdoors, taking care of his home, tending flower beds, and spending time with his family. His grandchildren remember him as a fun-loving Papa who was always up for an adventure. Whether it was an outing, a project, or simply time together, he rarely turned down an opportunity to make memories with them.

John was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Ebarb.

He is survived by his three daughters, Michelle Ebarb of Wills Point, Texas; Cindy McPhail and her husband, Wesley, of Gulfport, Mississippi; and Ginny Smith and her husband, Steven, of Wills Point, Texas; his sister, Darlene Smith of Marshall, Texas; and his five grandchildren, Nicholas McPhail, Grayson McPhail, Emma McPhail, Lucas Smith, and David Smith.

Like every life, John’s journey included both seasons of great joy and seasons of deep struggle. Those who knew him over the years will remember the laughter he shared, the music he loved, the family he cherished, and the many lives he touched through his ministry. He will be remembered with love and missed by those who knew him.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

  Joey Ed Clift passed away July 19, 2026 in Burkeville, Texas. He was born November 21, 1958 in Opelousas, Louisiana to Lucille and Newton Wilson Clift. 

Joey lived life on his terms. He worked construction and several other jobs.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, being in the woods, animals, hunting arrowheads, and motorcycles. Joey was a really good person and loved to tell many stories to anyone who would listen. He loved people. 

Joey is preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Newton Clift; daughter, Jamie Clift; grandparents, Ed and Helen Foster; niece, Lindy Mae Foreman and childhood friends, Ricky and Ronnie Dykes. 

Left to cherish his memory are his siblings, daughter, Kaylynn, sister, Terry Cooley and husband Bucky; brothers, Reddick Stevens and wife Beverly, Randy Stevens, and Rudy Stevens and wife Melissa, a granddaughter, several nieces , nephews and really good friends. 

Joey will be greatly missed and remembered by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday August 04, 2026 at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas.