Obituaries Page 2

Known to her family and many friends as Nanie, Juanita Griggs McMahon was born on December 20, 1927 to Bee Logan Griggs and Eunice Deason Griggs in Newton, Texas. Juanita passed away on Sunday, October 1st at the age of 95, surrounded by her family at her home in Kerrville.
 

Juanita was born and raised in Newton, married and raised her 

Known to her family and many friends as Nanie, Juanita Griggs McMahon was born on December 20, 1927 to Bee Logan Griggs and Eunice Deason Griggs in Newton, Texas. Juanita passed away on Sunday, October 1st at the age of 95, surrounded by her family at her home in Kerrville.
 

Juanita was born and raised in Newton, married and raised her children there. She moved to Henderson, Texas in the early 90’s to be near her daughter, Ginger, and then moved to Kerrville in 2012 to be near more family. She was an avid reader, cook, gardener and photographer until she lost her sight to macular degeneration. She loved NASCAR, antiques, flowers and plants, the Dallas Cowboys and most of all, her family and friends.
 

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Sam Wilson McMahon. Juanita is survived by daughter Ginger Needham and husband Jim, daughter, Cheri Popejoy, grandson Scott Brooks and fiancé Colinda Love, granddaughter Kelly Kerth and husband Jeremy, grandson Jason Dickerson and wife Lora Lee, granddaughter Casey Wilson and husband Van, granddaughter Meagan Biscamp and partner Kim Johnson, great-grandsons Colin Brooks, Jack Wilson, Sam Dickerson, Grady Dickerson, Jackson Kerth, and great-granddaughters Emma White and husband Drew, and Annie Kerth.
 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation or The Dementia Society of America.

Mary Elizabeth Gray Fortenberry, 93, went to her Lord and Savior September 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and friends in the home she and her late husband occupied for 70 plus years. She was born to George Lee Gray and Lydia Bell Sims Gray on December 8, 1929.

She was a 1947 graduate of Newton High School and a 1950 graduate of 

Mary Elizabeth Gray Fortenberry, 93, went to her Lord and Savior September 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and friends in the home she and her late husband occupied for 70 plus years. She was born to George Lee Gray and Lydia Bell Sims Gray on December 8, 1929.

She was a 1947 graduate of Newton High School and a 1950 graduate of East Texas Baptist University. She taught school in Newton for 43 years, teaching 4 generations of students. She coached junior high girls basketball, directed numerous plays, produced annuals, sponsored class activities, and sponsored UIL competitions. She wrote for two devotional magazines, Open Windows and Encounter. She was Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for East Texas Baptist College. Some of her awards include Citizen of the Year by Newton Chamber of Commerce and Appreciation Award by Newton County Historical Commission. She was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution. One of her proudest accomplishments was her work on the Newton County Veterans Memorial. Her most prestigious award was being named 1994 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.

She was a member of First Baptist Church Newton for almost 80 years. She was active in all areas of church life from teaching Sunday School, youth activities, to working in the kitchen.

She was preceded in death by her mom and dad, George L. and Lydia Bell Gray; husband of 73 years, Walter M. Fortenberry, Sr.; son, Walter M. Fortenberry, Jr.; brother, Charles Gray; and brother-in-law, Reverend Bob Gordan.

She is survived by sisters-in-law, Mildred Gordan and Bessie Fortenberry; son, John Fortenberry and wife Sybil; daughter-in-law, Jeri Fortenberry; grandsons, William Fortenberry and wife Teri, Jason Fortenberry and wife Stormy, Chris Fortenberry and wife Erin; granddaughters, Ali Stewart, and Cherish Shamblin and husband Kaleb; and great-grandchildren, Kaegan, Kiera, Kole, William, David, Anastasia, Ashlin, Avalon, Erik, Aurora, Justin, Zanica, Grayson, Karis, Kyra, Maddox, and Gunnar.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Newton. The funeral service will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Newton. Burial will follow at Newton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Newton County Historical Commission (213 E Court St., Newton, Texas 75966) or Newton Cemetery (551 FM 2626, Newton, Texas 75966).

Funeral services for Lora Mae Hamilton Cobb Perry will be 2:00 pm Saturday September 16, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Newton, Texas with burial at Newton City Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 1:00 pm until service time. 

Ms. Perry died September 12, 2023 at Brighton Senior Living at Regency Village in Webster, Texas. 

She was b

Funeral services for Lora Mae Hamilton Cobb Perry will be 2:00 pm Saturday September 16, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Newton, Texas with burial at Newton City Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 1:00 pm until service time. 

Ms. Perry died September 12, 2023 at Brighton Senior Living at Regency Village in Webster, Texas. 

She was born April 1, 1931 in Newton, Texas to Thomas and Mattie Sue Woods Hamilton. Lora Mae worked as a Clerk in a clothing store for many years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Alvin Cobb and Johnny Perry; brothers, Benton Hamilton and Raymond Hamilton.  

Survivors include son, Dennis Cobb and wife Pam of Friendswood, Tx; daughter Dianne Hanegan and husband Robert of League City, Tx; brother Jim Hamilton of Hartburg, Tx; sisters Betty Sue Holmes of Newton and Nelda Moon of Wildwood, Tx; grandchildren Clint Cobb and wife Erin, Brian Cobb and wife Shellie, Aaron Cobb and wife Jennifer, Wade Hanegan and wife Lauren, Katie Hanegan Brabham and husband Brandon and Valorie Hanegan Ramsey and husband Roy; and sixteen great grandchildren. 

Ms. Perry will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Thomas Stephen Hughes, 48 years of age, of Buckhorn, Texas, died August 26, 2023. He was born February 9, 1975, in Beaumont, Texas, to James Hughes and Margaret Miller Hughes.

Thom was the youngest of three boys born to James and Margaret Hughes. He was raised in the Buckhorn community and attended school in Newton, Texas. He was a 1993 

Thomas Stephen Hughes, 48 years of age, of Buckhorn, Texas, died August 26, 2023. He was born February 9, 1975, in Beaumont, Texas, to James Hughes and Margaret Miller Hughes.

Thom was the youngest of three boys born to James and Margaret Hughes. He was raised in the Buckhorn community and attended school in Newton, Texas. He was a 1993 graduate of Newton High School and continued his education at Stephen F. Austin State University. He graduated SFA with a double major in Social Studies and Criminal Justice along with obtaining a few minors. Thom joined Sigma Tau Gamma while attending Stephen F. Austin and was also elected as President of the Student Senate at SFA.

Thom was a loving father to his only son, John Thomas (JT) Hughes, age 8. Anyone he spoke with could see the joy his son brought him. He often planned weekend adventures and day trips for them to enjoy while making memories during their time together.

Thom worked as an Insurance Agent in Jasper for many years servicing the surrounding area and at one time also had an office located in Beaumont. He helped many local residents find the best health and life insurance for their particular needs. He eventually focused on helping older individuals find the best Medicare supplement or Medicare advantage plan based on their particular situation. He excelled in his career as he was extremely patient, kind and was a great listener. Thom was also a past President of the Beaumont Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Thom was a strong Christian who served the Lord in various ways including offering the sermon on occasion and by lending his beautiful voice to the church during service.

Thom could be described as a big teddy bear. He was very intelligent and had a great sense of humor. He was witty and would bring the gift you never knew you needed (200 microfiber towels) to the family exchange, or the appetizer of exotic olives and pickles to the holiday gathering. Thom enjoyed cooking and trying new and different types of cuisine and was a true foodie.

Thom chose to go out on his own terms. He made a voluntary decision to discontinue dialysis on Thursday, August 17th and let his loved ones know he had decided to go on hospice. Something very unique occurred after this decision. As family and friends visited him Thom became the consoler and uplifter to others telling them “it was all going to be alright” and it was apparent he knew he was going to a better place. Thom passed away in the early morning hours on August 26, 2023, after a tiring battle with kidney disease.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Hughes and Margaret Miller Hughes.

He is survived by his only son, John Thomas Hughes, of Franklin, Texas, his brother James E. “Jim” Hughes Jr. and wife Rita, of Buckhorn, Texas, brother D. Scott Hughes of Buckhorn, Texas, his nephews and nieces Derrick Hughes, Ashlye Hughes-Walker, Emilye Hughes-Smith, Jim Ed Hughes III, and his loving great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, 305 Houston Street, Newton, Texas, 75966. Funeral Services will be at Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Hughes Buckhorn Cemetery.

Jayne was born August 24, 1946 in Newton, Texas to David Edward and Eva Hillard Davis. She passed away August 9, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas. 

Jayne worked in central supply for Newton County Hospital for many years. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Sam Greninger; son Jerry Sam Greninger; four brothers David Davis, Henry Davi

Jayne was born August 24, 1946 in Newton, Texas to David Edward and Eva Hillard Davis. She passed away August 9, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas. 

Jayne worked in central supply for Newton County Hospital for many years. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Sam Greninger; son Jerry Sam Greninger; four brothers David Davis, Henry Davis, Donald Davis and John Carol Davis; and three sisters Betty Shelton, Helen Dewalt and Becky Couey.

Jayne is survived by her son Greg Greninger of Newton, Texas.

Visitation will be Thursday August 10, 2023 from 6pm until 8pm at Smith Funeral Home.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Friday August 11, 2023 at the funeral home with burial at Greninger Family Cemetery in Newton.

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

    Susan Janelle Cook Inman passed away August 3, 2023. She was born April 22, 2023 in Ipswich, England and had lived in Bon Wier for many years. 

She is preceded in death by her father Ernest Edward Cook Sr. and Mother Evelyn Hughes Cook. Janelle is survived by her sons J.C. Inman and Jacob Inman both of Bon Wier; two sisters Sharon Gage

    Susan Janelle Cook Inman passed away August 3, 2023. She was born April 22, 2023 in Ipswich, England and had lived in Bon Wier for many years. 

She is preceded in death by her father Ernest Edward Cook Sr. and Mother Evelyn Hughes Cook. Janelle is survived by her sons J.C. Inman and Jacob Inman both of Bon Wier; two sisters Sharon Gage of Bon Wier and Cindy Preston of Austin, and 2 grandchildren Ruby and Leila Inman.

Visitation will be Wednesday August 9, 2023 at Smith Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Thursday August 10, 2023 at Smith Funeral Home with burial to following the service at Hoot Hughes Cemetery in Bon Wier, Texas. 

Janelle will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.