William R. Stewart
PORT ARTHUR - Mr. William R. Stewart of Port Arthur, Texas passed away on Monday September 18, 2006 at the Houston Veteran’s Hospital after a long illness. He is survived by a loving and dedicated wife, Jeanette Hudson Stewart; one sister, Martha Roach of Baltimore Maryland. He also leaves to cherish his memory six children; Keith Stewart, Brenda Harrell, Benjamin Hudson Davis II, MSG Charles Edward Davis Jr., Tammy LaFleur King, and Jerrie R. Fowler.
Visitation is scheduled from 11:00am until 1:00pm., Saturday, September 23, 2006 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 821 Texas St, Port Arthur, Texas. Funeral service is scheduled for 1:00pm at the same location.
Silton Joseph Ardoin
PORT ACRES - Silton Joseph Ardoin, 82, of Port Acres, Texas passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at his daughter’s home in Opelousas, Louisiana.
He was born in Vidrine, Louisiana on October 3, 1923 to Lelia Duprie Ardoin and Fabuis Ardoin. He has been a resident of Port Arthur since 1940. Silton retired from Gulf Oil Refinery in 1983 after 36 and 1/2 years. He was a member of the O.C.A.W. Local 4-23, Cattle Association and St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church. He enjoyed his favorite pastimes that included farming, gardening, and tending to his cattle.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church in Port Acres. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. A gathering of friends and family will be on Friday evening from Noon to 9 p.m. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Hazel Myers Ardoin. He is survived by his daughters, Beverly Deckard of Beaumont, Texas; stepsons, Robert O’Steen of Opelousas, Louisiana, Clayton Myers of Caldwell, Texas, and Robert Ray Myers of Orangefield, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Shauna Lynn Austin
GROVES - Shauna Lynn Austin, 38, of Groves died September 20, 2006 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston. Born in Port Arthur and a lifelong resident of the Golden Triangle area, she was a bank manager for Wachovia Bank on Dowlen Road. Shauna is survived by her husband, Paul Austin of Groves; daughter, Katy Austin of Groves; father, Richard Bourgeois and his wife Debbie of Beaumont; sisters, Dawneen Hebert of Groves, Christi McLaughlin and her husband Kevin of Texas City, Amy Young and her husband Wes of Lumberton and Michelle Bourgeois of Houston; mother-in-law, JoAnn Austin; aunt, Brenda King and her husband Jack of Huntsville. She was preceded in death by her mother Kathy Oswalt.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 23, 2006 at First Christian Church in Sour Lake under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday evening September 22, 2006 beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the mortuary.
Cremation arrangements are held under the direction of Broussard’s Crematorium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726 - 5144.
Evelyn Joyce Crane
PORT ARTHUR - Evelyn Joyce Crane, 72, of Port Arthur, Texas died Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at Christus St. Mary Hospital.
Evelyn was born on December 17, 1933 in Navasota, Texas to Amos Leon Rice and Thelma Lorraine Johnson Rice. She was a resident of Port Arthur for 40 years, longtime member of Memorial Baptist Church and secretary of Donald Crane C.P.A. Evelyn was also a member and past president of North Port Arthur Rotary Anns.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 24, 2006 at Memorial Baptist Church with Reverend Dale Vance officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Survivors include her husband, Donald Crane of Port Arthur, TX; daughter, Cheryl Edgerly and husband, Nelson of Groves, TX; sons, Donald Crane Jr. and wife, Donna of Baytown, TX and Thomas Crane of Port Arthur, TX; sisters, Billie June McEachern of Picayune, MS and Waneta Faye Carnell of Houston, TX; brothers, Wayne Rice of Spring, TX and Paul Rice of Anahuac, TX; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Bobby Lee Werth
BRIDGE CITY - Bobby Lee Werth, 81, of Bridge City, passed away on September 21, 2006 at his residence. Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 23, 11 a.m. at the Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City. Officiating will be Brother Bobby Granger of West Orange Christian Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens
in Orange, under the direction of the Masonic Lodge. Visitation will be on Friday, September 22, from 5-9 p.m. at the funeral home in Bridge City.
Bobby was born March 14, 1925 in Fredonia, KS. to D.V. and Lela Werth. He was employed for 36 years as a carpenter for Texaco Refinery. He was a member for over 55 years of the Bridge City Masonic Lodge, he served in the U.S. Army and he was a survivor of the Malmady Massacre. He was a prisoner of war, earned 2 purple hearts and a good conduct medal. He is preceded in death by his wife, Genoa Werth, son James Werth, granddaughter, Cindy Major and great-grandson, John James Laughlin. He is survived by his son George (Skipper) Werth of Colorado, his daughters; Linda (Ginger) and James Laughlin of Nederland, Johnnie Faye and Joe David Vercher, Sr. of Bridge City, Roberta (Robbi) and Johnny Green of Bridge City and Susan and Cecil Johnson of Port Neches. He is also survived by his sister, Vinita (Dutch) Higgs of Groves along with 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be the Masonic Lodge of Bridge City. 800 Highland Bridge City, TX 77611 409-735-7161
Leroy Ozen
PORT ARTHUR - Leroy Ozen, 78 of Port Arthur, passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006 at his residence. He retired from the National Maritime Union as a merchant marine after 44 years of service.
Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 from 6-9pm at at Gabriel Funeral Home, 2500 Procter Street, Port Arthur, TX. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006 at 2pm at the funeral home with Rev. Wilbert Tripplett officiating.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Betty Ozen; 3 daughters, Cheryl Tripplett and Ardell Ross of Port Arthur and Wilda Gail Wright of Lake Charles, LA; 4 sons, Evans L. Ozen (Sheryl) of Breaux Bridge, LA; Rev. Wilbert Tripplett (Chandra) of St. Louis, MO Wildred Tripplett (Patty) of Livingston, TX and Leroy Sampson of Port Arthur; 4 sisters, Thelma Scott, Mary Ann Hill, Evelyn Joiner, and Helen Green (Wallace); 3 brothers, Sam Ozen (Mildred), Clifford Ozen (Sharon), and Ray Harold Ozen (Ann), all of Port Arthur; 1 brother-in-law, Willie Scott (Earnistine) of Port Arthur; 18 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Sylvia Denise DeJohn Smith
PORT ARTHUR - Sylvia Denise DeJohn Smith, of Port Arthur, TX, born August 27, 1961 to the late Russell and Eula Mae DeJohn departed this life on September 15, 2006 surrounded by her family. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School class of 1979. She attended Prairie View A & M University and earned her Bachelor and Master of Education degrees. She returned home to begin her passion of teaching in the Port Arthur I.S.D. at Washington Elementary, Franklin and Terrell Elementary Schools and retired after 15 years of service.
She was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Russell J. and Eula Mae DeJohn; her sister, Russell Jean DeJohn Hampton; and her nephew, John A. Rogers, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband and friend, Byron K. Smith; a son, Joshua K. Smith of Prairie View, TX; and a daughter, Dutchess D. McKinley of Houston, TX; three sisters, Patricia Mayfield, Mary Bowden (Harvey) and Betty Jean McIntoush all of Port Arthur; one brother, Douglas DeJohn of Los Angeles, CA; a special father-in-law, Wilbert Smith; 3 brother-in-laws, 3 sister-in-laws; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, September 23, 2006 from 8 am to 10 am with funeral services following at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gabriel Funeral Home, 2500 Procter St. at DeQueen Blvd.
Mrs. Geneva Lewis McZeal
PORT ARTHUR - Mrs. Geneva Lewis McZeal, age 95, departed this life on September 14, 2006 at Dubuis Hospital after a brief illness.
She was a native of Loreaville, LA, a resident of Port Arthur for 60+ years and a member of Promise Land Ministries. She was preceded in death by her husband, Curley McZeal Sr.; son, Isreal McZeal Sr.; and daughter, Rose McZeal Turner. She leaves to cherish her memories three daughters, Exie Williams (Leo), Patricia Jason, Pearl Jones Washington (Raymond); son, Curley McZeal Jr. of Port Arthur; step-son, Curtis McZeal of Lafayette, LA; and foster son, Leroy Williams (Lula).
Visitation is scheduled for 12 noon until time of service at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Promise Land Ministries, 4349 Lewis Drive, with Pastor Gene A. Winston Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Live Oak Cemetery, under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.
