Nelda Loraine Moon

       Nelda Lorraine Moon, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2024 at the age of 78. Born on March 22, 1946, to the late Thomas and Mattie Sue, Nell was strong, loyal and a beacon of love to all who knew her. Nell was the devoted wife of Charles Glenn Moon, with whom she shared a life full of joy, challenges, and unwavering love for 60 years.

She leaves behind a legacy of love in her three children: Keith Moon and his wife Penny Moon, Mark Moon and his wife Jana Moon, and Janet Moon. Nell’s greatest joy came from her role as a mother, and she poured her heart into supporting her children.

Nell cherished her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren: Karli, Jakeb and his wife Melissa, Reece and his fiancée Hallie Domagas, Ryan and his wife Taylor, Kristen, Donna and her husband Jeremy, Mackenzie and her husband Kyle, and Morgan and her husband Christian. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Paxton, Hayes, Isla, Laikyn, Olivia, Caroline, Harrison, Chase, and Trevor, brought immense joy into her life and she cherished every moment spent with them. As the youngest of ten, family was the cornerstone of Nell’s life. She is survived by siblings Betty Holmes and Jim Hamilton and his wife Earnestine, whom she held dear to her heart. Their bond was unbreakable, and their love for one another was a testament to the strength of family ties. In addition to her devotion to her family, 

Nell had a passion for knitting and crocheting, skills she lovingly shared with those around her. She found solace and joy in creating beautiful pieces. Nell's love extended to her furry companions, her dogs, Rascal and Princess, who brought her comfort and companionship throughout the years. An avid basketball enthusiast, Nell's love for the sport began in her high school years when she played with passion and determination. She continued to follow the game closely throughout her life, finding joy in cheering on her favorite teams and players. Nell's spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her kindness, strength and unwavering love touched the lives of many and will continue to inspire generations to come. She will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Nelda Lorainne's life will be held at Smith Funeral Home, in Newton Texas on Friday, June 7, 2024. Visitation is at 1pm and service at 2pm.

Rest in peace, dear Nelda Lorraine. Your love will live in our hearts forever. 

Tammy Lucille Smith Callaway, 64, of Fred, Texas passed away June 4, 2024 at her residence. She was born August 24, 1959 in Groves, Texas to William O. Smith Sr. and Vonita Smith. 

Funeral services will be 10am Friday June 7, 2024 at Mount Olivet Church in Fred Texas. Visitation will be from 9am until service time.

Tammy was a resident of Fred, Texas and was married to Bill Callaway for 24 years even though they had been together for 37 years. 

She loved her family and also enjoyed fishing and hunting. Tammy worked many jobs throughout her years. She worked as bus driver and a custodian for Warren ISD until she retired to be at home with Bill and spend time with her family.

Tammy is preceded in death by her father; William O. Smith Sr., mother; Vonita Wales Smith, son; Raymond Joe Callaway, sisters, Peggy Moore, Jean Martin, Kay Whitehorn and a brother; Orren Smith. 

Survivors include her husband; William (Bill) Callaway, sons; Cody McGallion, Dustin Hinson, and William E. (Tooter Bill) Callaway, daughters; Patricia Callaway, Amanda Stephens and husband Charles, and Valerie McGallion, brothers; Remick Coward, Victor Reese, and Kevin Reese and wife Evon, sisters; Judy Fyke, Joyce Moore and husband Derrell, Linda Watts and husband Bob, Vonda Gore and husband Darrel, Essley Smith, and Paje Callaway and husband John, ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

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

Robert Shelton Eaves, Sr., age 93, of Bon Wier, Texas passed from this life on May 20, 2024.  Robert was born October 28, 1930 to Jesse Arsene and Minnie Pearl Eaves of Merryville, Louisiana. Robert lived a remarkable life.  

Robert was preceded in death by his precious wife of 69 years, Delma Hughes Eaves of Bon Wier, Texas. He is survived by his son, Bob Eaves, Jr. and his daughter, Shannah Eaves Mackey, husband Mitch Mackey, and two grandsons Austin Mackey and Tyler Mackey. 

Robert was also preceded in death by his parents Jesse Arsene and Minnie Pearl. He was the last surviving member of 10 siblings. His sisters and brothers that have passed before him include Norma Eaves Bacon, Bryan Eaves, Nina Eaves Cornes, Murray Eaves, Johnny Eaves, Teddy Eaves, Becky Eaves Tribou, Huey P. Eaves, and Patsy Eaves Rhake. 

Robert was a member of the United Pentecostal Church in Bon Wier for many years where in younger years he and his wife, Delma would often sing duets. 

Robert attended school in Merryville where he lettered in football as a tight end. His love for football continued by watching the Dallas Cowboys, LSU and University of Texas. 

He had a spirit of curiosity and passion for exploration which led him on many adventures with great friends and dear family members.  Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping.  He enjoyed collecting a variety of items which led him on a lifetime quest. In this pursuit Robert accumulated a collection of stamps, date nails, insulators, and a small collection of special coins. 

Robert was a hunter, awaiting each hunting season with great anticipation and preparation. As an avid bird watcher he documented sightings of birds all over the United States.  Robert was also an accomplished guitarist, focusing on the fingerpicking - “Chet Atkins” style which he enjoyed playing many hours of picking and grinning with his brothers, nephews and other avid guitarists. 

Robert loved his family and enjoyed visiting with extended family and friends. One of his greatest joys was spending time out in the woods, appreciating the beauty of nature that the Lord had made.  His respect for the land and fervor for hunting took him on many adventures. He was fortunate to experience rare expeditions into the very remote wilds of Alaska.

Most of Robert’s career was spent working for the U.S. Corp of Engineers at Lake Sam Rayburn and Dam B as a Ranger.  He also spent a few years working at Lake Conchas Dam near Tucumcari, New Mexico as the Reservoir Manager.  In addition to his career, he was a hard-working man, learning farming and gardening skills, having gained insight and knowledge from his youth and growing up during the Great Depression. When he retired, he and his wife Delma traveled around the U.S. but was always happy to return home for gardening, trapping and of course - more hunting. His legacy of love for his family, beauty of nature and the fervor for living will continue on in those fortunate to know him. 

A funeral service honoring Robert will take place at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas on Saturday, June 1, 2024 with Randy Hughes officiating.  Visitation will be at 1:30 pm followed by the funeral at 3:00 pm. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many. 

Pallbearers include: Bob Eaves, Jr., Mitch Mackey, Randy Eaves, Carlos Hughes, John Allen Eaves, Lloyd Downing, Paul Eaves, Thomas Downing

Jo Della Fowler, Mother, Wife, Celebrated Artist and Mentor to Many On May 24, 2024, Jo Della Fowler went home to be with the Lord at the age of eighty-four. She passed away peacefully at her home in the presence of her family. Born on December 2, 1939, in Call, Texas, Jo Della lived a life filled with creativity, family, and unwavering love. A talented and cherished artist, wife, mother and matriarch of her family.

She was born on December 2, 1939 to Hillary Middleton Cooley and Myrtle Faye Dubose in Call, Texas in Newton County. Jo Della and her family were lifelong East Texans, having lived in communities such as Nederland, Newton and, for a time, in Mauriceville and Merryville, Louisiana. In spring of 1956, Jo Della graduated from Newton High School. During that time she met her husband and they were married that same year, on Christmas Eve.

After marriage, the young couple started their family in Houston, Texas where their children were born, and where she worked for Meyer Food Brokers and the Houston Apartment Association. In 1971, the family returned to Newton County and planted roots in Pine Grove. Here, Jo Della and John raised they family. Jo Della, for nearly 10 years was an award winning salesperson for Celebrity Jewelry out of New York. Additionally, Jo Della in only the way someone like Jo Della could, was the business brain behind her and John’s business, Fowler Drilling Company, where she kept the lights on until her retirement in 2007 after the death of John.

Throughout her life, Jo Della's artistic talents shone brightly. Her works have been displayed in numerous galleries and exhibitions, earning her recognition and acclaim within the artistic community. Jo Della's passion for creating beautiful and meaningful art will continue to inspire generations to come. Jo Della's artistic journey was enriched by her collaborations with many renowned artists and her art students that spans over forty years. Though the full list of her artistic peers is unknown, it is documented that she studied under the renowned portrait artist John Howard Sanden in New York. Additionally, she spent several years learning from the esteemed and nationally renowned artist, Dick Turner, with whom she was an international apprentice in Paris.

Jo Della's artistic talents were further honed through her interactions with N.A. Noel, a celebrated painter known for her depictions of Amish children, during her time in Zionsville, Indiana. She also accompanied Dick Turner on an additional international trip, though the specific location has been forgotten. She was an artist and instructor with dedication to her craft that was unparalleled. She was known to immerse herself fully in the artistic process, whether that meant picking flowers to paint or swimming in bodies of water she sought to capture on canvas. Her students and peers recognized her as a true artist who never stopped teaching, and she was widely regarded as the best critique they had ever experienced.

Jo Della Fowler's legacy as an accomplished artist and beloved mentor will continue to inspire generations to come. Her unwavering passion, technical mastery, and commitment to nurturing young talent have left an indelible mark on the art community.

She joins her heavenly family above, as she was preceded in death, by her beloved husband, John Wesley Fowler, who passed away on August 21, 2007. Proceeded in death also by her grandparents as well as her father, Hilary M. Cooley, her mother, Myrtle Faye Dubose-Cooley, and her grandson, John Conner.

Jo Della is survived by her two beloved daughters, Sandra Faith Fowler of Newton, Texas, and Dawn Deanna Sykora and her husband Brian of West Texas. She is also survived by her sisters, Dee Burdge and husband Robert, Claudia Burnett and husband Matt, and her brother, David Cooley and wife Diana.

She was the proud grandmother of Magen Nelson and Husband John, Luke Bullock and Wife, CC, Lauren Wall and husband Charlee, Clint Sykora and wife Catia, Collin Sykora and wife Caitlin, Casie Helleck and husband Lucas, Layla Singletary, and Adley Sykora. Jo Della's legacy lives on through her 13 great-grandchildren: Barron, Dawson, Naomi, Brinley, Jentry, Mildred, Joslyn, Sutton DuBose, Maggie, Sadie, Judah, Brian, Conner and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5-7 at Smith Funeral Home.

A celebration of Jo Della's life will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 10:00AM at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 664 FM 2626, Newton, Texas 76691.

Procession and graveside service to follow at Ford Cemetery in Bon Weir, Texas.

Pallbearers:

Luke Bullock, John Nelson, Charlee Wall, Brad Skinner, Clint Sykora, and Collin Sykora.

Lunch to be served for family, friends and guests at The First United Methodist Church, 308 High St. Newton, 75966 (The Gym-Green Building) Jo Della Fowler will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were touched by her talent, kindness, and unwavering spirit. Her legacy will live on through the lives she has enriched and the art she has left behind.

  Henry Hollie Jr., 75, of Pasadena, Texas passed away April 4, 2024. He was born October 14, 1948 in Bay City, Texas to Henry Hollie Sr. and Naomi Smith Hollie. 

Henry proudly served our country in United States Army. He worked many years as a correctional officer. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a son Charles Smith III.

Henry is survived by his wife, Belinda Lanelle Horn Hollie; daughter, Kellie Leger and spouse of Pasadena; brothers, Ronald Hollie of DeQuincy, La, and Gary Hollie of Fields, La; a sister, Henrietta Foster of Starks, La; and a grandchild Chantelle Smith. 

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday April 5, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday April 6, 2024 at First United Pentecostal Church in Newton. 

Mr. Hollie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

  Linda Kay Walters, 65 of Burkeville, Texas passed away March 18, 2024 in Burkeville. She was born August 18, 1958 in Macon, Georgia to David E. and Meldress Stafford Burns. 

She is preceded in death by her mother, and a nephew, Fred Allen Neece.

Survivors include her father, David E. Burns; husband, Kenneth A Walters; daughters, Kenda Adkins and husband James Jr. of Deer Park, Tx, and Kayla Duty and husband Kevin of Texas City, Tx; one sister Krystal Tipton and husband Douglas of Montgomery, Tx; grandchildren, Harper, Hudson, Olivia, and Aubrey; and many Nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 am until service time Sunday March 24, 2024 at Spears Chapel CMC Church in Burkeville. Funeral services will be at 12 Noon at the Church with burial at Spears Chapel Cemetery. 

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