Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries
Mr. Chad Lamont Butler "Pimp C"
PORT ARTHUR - Mr. Chad Lamont Butler "Pimp C" passed away on December 4, 2007. Chad Lamont Butler was born to the union of Charleston L. and Weslyn Jacob Butler on December 29, 1973 in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended public schools in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Chad's interest in music surfaced at an early age. Given the onset and grass root popularity of urban music, Chad knew, as early as nine years old, HIS DESTINY. He began playing various musical instruments and received his vocal aptitude in school and church choirs. Over the next several years, with the guidance and encouragement of his step-father, Mr. Norward E. "Bill" Monroe, Chad honed his skills at writing and instrumentation.
Underground Kings (UGK), a collaboration with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, was formed in 1992. This union constituted the second step in realizing "THE DREAM". There were enormous struggles, given the fact that they were two young teenagers from a "Not so Urban" town, but dogged persistence soon gave way to visible rewards. Music was his JOY. He was doing what he loved. He never had a job, just another SHOW.
The hit single "BIG PIMPIN" By Jay-Z brought UGK into national prominence and was subsequently nominated for a Grammy in 2001. This year "INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS ANTHEM (I CHOOSE YOU) featuring OutKast has also been nominated for a Grammy. Their album Underground Kings Debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Charts where it remained for several weeks. The professional recognition completes the third step in realizing "THE DREAM". Chad is survived by his wife, Chinara; two sons, Chad II and Dahcory; one daughter, Christian; Father, Charleston L. Butler and Mother, Weslyn "Mama" Monroe, all of Port Arthur, TX. His grandmother, Mrs. Bessie S. Jacob of Crowley, LA; Mother and Father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jackson and Brother-in -law, Chama Jackson of Port Arthur, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, 11:00 AM at the Robert Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center, Port Arthur, Texas. Dr. John R. Adolph, Officiating. Interment - Greenlawn Memorial Park. Anthony C Kay, Directing. Services Entrusted to: Pruitt's in the Heights, 7518 North Main Street, Houston, Texas, (713)864-2609.
Harrell Osborne"Honk" Nunez
VIDOR - Harrell Osborne "Honk" Nunez, 79, of Vidor passed away on December 11, 2007, at the Medical Center in Port Arthur.
Honk was born on July 6, 1928, in Port Arthur, Texas to Iris Vaughan Nunez and Cleve Nunez. He graduated from St. Mary Catholic High School in 1947 and had lived in Port Arthur until 1972 when he and his family moved to Vidor and have lived ever since. Honk was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and was a retired Supervisor for Texaco Oil Refinery in Port Arthur where he worked for thirty-six years until he retired in 1985. Honk was also a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Vidor, the Knights of Columbus; he loved to bowl and was a member of a league many years ago; he liked to travel and loved to dance with his lovely wife of forty-two years, Verna LeBlanc Nunez.
Additional survivors include his sons, Thad Nunez and Todd Nunez and his wife Alicia all of Vidor; daughters, Kerry Strahan and her husband Rick of Austin and Kristi Rayon of Buna; grandchildren, Destin Strahan and Derek Strahan, Joe Rayon and Taylor Rayon, Brett Nunez, Brad Nunez, Lauren Nunez and Seth Nunez; son-in-law, Robert Rayon of Buna.
Honk was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Winston Nunez and sister, Willa Nell Nolan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 14, 2007, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Port Arthur with Rev. T.R. Blanco officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves. A gathering of friends and family will take place from 4:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Thursday, December 13, 2007, at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur with a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Tramaine Dee Jackson "Squeaky"
PORT ARTHUR - Tramaine Dee Jackson "Squeaky", 24, departed this life on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.
He was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur. He attended Stephen F. Austin High School and worked at Masterpiece Construction Company. Tramaine was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon and Carmelete Pleasant of Port Arthur and Charlie and Ruby Jackson of Morrow, Louisiana.
A Christian wake will be held Friday, December 14th from 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. at Gabriel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 15th at 2:00 P.M. at Christian Faith Baptist Church, 1919 Jefferson Drive in Port Arthur, Pastor Albert Moses, Jr., officiating. He is survived by his parents, Shelvin and Cynthia Pleasant- Jackson Sr., of Port Arthur; one brother and sister-in-law, Shelvin Jackson, Jr. (LaTara) of Tacoma, Washington; one sister, Darnika Jackson of Phoenix, Arizona; one niece, Niko Sade Wilson and one nephew, Shelvin N. T. Jackson both of Phoenix, Arizona; four aunts, Minister Leona Nell Wilson (Albert) of Beaumont, Mattie Mae Thomas of Big Cane, Louisiana, Mary Jane Alexander and Alice Jackson both of Port Arthur; two great aunts, Leola Pleasant Lair and Susie Parker, both of Alexandria, Louisiana; god-parents, Diana Broussard and Anderson Lucas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Nora Lee Guidry
PORT ARTHUR - Nora Lee Guidry was born October 23, 1938 in Port Arthur Texas to Clarence Lewis and Evelyn Lewis. Nora was a graduate of Lincoln High School. Nora was a loving wife, good friend, and wonderful mother. Nora departed this life December 10, 2007.
She leaves to cherish her memories her husband of 51 years, Thomas Paul Guidry, Sr.; one daughter, Sonya Guidry of Houston, TX; one son, Thomas Guidry, Jr. of London, England; one grandson, Jayden Glenn Young of Houston, TX; seven sister-in -laws, Maliney Guidry, Mildred Jackson, Laura Horton, Bessie Daniels, Beatrice Andrus, Gwen Guidry, and Buella Morris (deceased); three brother-in-laws, Warren Guidry, John Guidry, and Willard Daniels; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Viewing of the body is 9:00 am to 11:00 am with funeral services at 11:00 am on Friday, December 14, 2007 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 920 Booker T, Washington Ave., Port Arthur, Texas.
Vernon "Curly" Mayo
Vernon "Curly" Mayo, went home to heaven on Thursday, December 6, 2007, he was 80 years old.
A native of Glenmora, LA, he lived in the Nederland - Port Neches area for twenty years before moving to Orange County. He retired from the lab at Jefferson Chemical and ran a real estate business for many years, before finally retiring again as a dispatcher.
Curly was a speaker for various organizations and events throughout his life and was active in local politics. However, he was best known as a gifted musician and singer.
Curly was preceded in death by his parents, W.A. and Delia "Dutchman" Mayo; his sisters, Opal, Vera and Velma; his brothers, Everett and J.C.; his wife and best friend, Margaret; and his son, Scotty. Among the many family and friends who will miss him are his son, Ronnie Barra, and wife Cathy; daughter, Margorie Mayo; daughter, Lisa Juneau and husband Don; grandsons, Brad Barra, Pete Kinnett, Jamey Mayo, and Joey Mayo; granddaughter, Stacie Barra; and five great-grandchildren. Curly was loved and treasured by many, as was evident by the out pouring of love and support received during his illness. To celebrate his life, rather than a traditional service, the family would like to have a time of fellowship and remembrance for all friends and relatives at Liberty Baptist Church, Bridge City, Texas, on Saturday, December 15, 2007 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. It was Curly's wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Liberty Baptist Church; P.O. Box 851, Bridge City, Texas 77611.
William "Bill" P. Jones
"Mr. Green Jeans"
PORT ARTHUR - William P. Jones of Port Arthur passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Cypress Glen Nursing Home in Port Arthur at the age of 86.Bill was born in Port Arthur, Texas on December 29, 1920 to Agnes and Fred Jones.
He was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1938. He graduated from St. Mary College in Laporte, Texas.Bill served overseas in the U. S. Air Force during WWII.
He retired from Gulf Oil as a Lab Technician in the Testing Lab in 1975. He was the co-owner and operator along with his wife, Donna of Jones Greenhouse in Port Arthur from 1975 to 1984. He enjoyed working with the community and helping customers with their plants. Bill was a avid golfer and was very instrumental as one of the developers of the original Pleasure Island Golf Course. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Port Arthur, where he served as one of the first altar boys for St. James Church, and as an adult he served as an extra ordinary minister and a lector. He was a member of the Pompano Club, where he and his wife enjoyed many evenings together.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. with a rosary to be recited at 6 P.M. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 14, 2007 at St. James Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jay Bernard, Chris Evans, Dennis Ruddy, and Bobby Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Marcel, Maldred Chauvin and Jay Trahan.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna Morrissey Jones of Port Arthur; his daughter, Cathy Kasper and her husband, David of Houston, Texas; his son, Bill Jones and his wife, Gail of Port Neches, Texas. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Holly Blank and her husband, Matt of Vail, Colorado, Kim Evans and her husband, Chris of Houston, Texas, Jennifer Bernard and her husband, Jay of Nederland, Texas, one great-granddaughter, Ava Blank. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Ruby Jones of Port Arthur along with his nephew, Robert Jones and his niece, Elizabeth McDaniel both of Austin, Texas along with his caregiver and close friend, Leon Marcel of Port Arthur.
Manon "Blue" McFarland
Manon "Blue" McFarland, entered into the gates of Heaven on December 11, 2007. She was born to Lula and W.R. "Tony" Fontenot on March 15, 1929, and was a lifetime resident of Port Acres.
Mrs. McFarland was retired from PAISD where she worked as a teacher's aide at Sam Houston and Tyrrell School and office aide at Hughen School. She was known by friends and former students as "Miss Blue". She was a member of the Port Arthur Retired School Personnel Organization.
Mrs. McFarland was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Port Acres. She loved her church and was active in Sunday school, always ready to help wherever she was needed.
One of her great loves was gardening. She diligently cared for the many flowerbeds surrounding her home and her entire yard. Her sons described her as a "master gardener" as she enlisted their help in moving and regrouping plants from one location to another. "Blue" loved to design and sew her own clothes and was known for the beautiful styles she created.
She loved spending time with her family and a host of friends at her camp on Toledo Bend Lake. Mrs. McFarland was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George McFarland; and daughter, Lisa McFarland Prosperie. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Jerry Sparks of Pasadena and Johnny Sparks and wife, Mary of Port Arthur; two sisters, Gladys Walsh of Richardson, Louise Schenkewitz of Port Arthur; four brothers, Bobby Fontenot and wife, Rose Ann, Donald Joe Fontenot and wife, Janita of Groves, Jim Fonteno and wife, Jo Ann of Houston, and Kermit Fonteno and wife, Ouida of Red Oak; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Levingston Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2007. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.
The family extends thanks and appreciation for her care to the doctors, nurses and therapists at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas and Cypress Glen East Nursing Home. A special thanks goes to Mary Sparks and neighbor, Shirley Thornell, nurse, Mary Gordon and the staff of Texas Home Health/Hospice for their care.
