Burdett F. Pulliam
Burdett Ford Pulliam, of Jasper, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the age of 84. He was born on December 16th, 1935 to Burdett and Elsie Ford Pulliam, in San Augustine County, Texas. He was a 1953 graduate of Newton High School. Burdett attended Stephen F. Austin State College where he received his B.B.A. degree with an accounting major in August of 1956. Upon graduation, he began his career working at Arthur Andersen & Co. and later Fed Mart Corporation while concurrently serving as an Airman First Class in the Air Force Reserve. While working in Houston, Burdett met his future wife, Barbara Sue Jones, at a Wednesday night prayer meeting at Eastwood Baptist Church. They fell in love instantly, but he teased her that he wouldn’t marry her until she weighed at least 100 pounds. After eating many cheeseburgers and fries for almost 2 years, Barbara made it to 98 pounds. The two were then married on November 21, 1959.
In 1961, Burdett was granted his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant, and he and Barbara began growing their family. In 1966, he returned to East Texas with his family and started his private CPA practice in Jasper, Texas. In 1995 Burdett and his son, Ross W. Pulliam, C.P.A., formed Pulliam & Pulliam, P.C. Certified Public Accountants, where he was a shareholder and officer until his retirement.
In addition to running his business, Burdett was passionate about serving the Jasper community through involvement in the Jasper Lions Club, The Jasper Chamber of Commerce, his church, and various local boards. He served as Deacon and Treasurer at Tanglewood Baptist Church for many years. He also served in every officer position within the Lions Club during his tenure since 1966 and was awarded the 1999 Lion of the Year Award in recognition of his dedication and service.
In his free time, Burdett loved fishing, gardening, and was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed squirrel hunting and camping on Bear Creek with his father and son. Burdett was a self-taught guitar player and loved pickin’ and grinnin’ on his Gibson Les Paul guitar. His grandkids hold fond memories of him playing his favorite songs such as Old Rattler every evening when they would go over to stay the night.
Burdett’s legacy is carried on by his wife, Barbara Sue Pulliam; daughter, Cindy Pulliam Bozeman and her husband, David; son, Ross W. Pulliam and his wife, Ann; daughter, Valerie Pulliam Hicks and her husband, Jeff; 6 grandchildren: Brittany Bozeman Durbin and her husband, Cory, Danielle Bozeman, Allan & James Pulliam, and Rachel & Caleb Hicks; and 1 great-grandson, Conner Durbin. He is also survived by his sister, Lee Ann Enos, and 2 nephews, Walter Enos & wife Traci and Brandon Enos & wife Amy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burdett & Elsie Ford Pulliam.
A visitation with family and friends will be held at Shultz Funeral Home & Crematory in Jasper, Texas from 5 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. A private graveside service will be held at Little Flock Cemetery in San Augustine County. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Burdett’s memory may make a memorial contribution to Little Flock Cemetery Association, 561 CR 4330 Bronson, TX 75930 or to Jasper Lions Inc. at P.O. Box 415 Jasper, TX 75951.
Billy "Bubba" Minter
Billy "Bubba" Minter, 38, of Jasper, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2020. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.at 364 CR 149 in Jasper.
Billy "Bubba" was born in Crockett, Texas on January 12, 1982 to Billy Wayne & Linda Sue Minter. He was a lifelong resident of Jasper and worked in the oilfield. He is survived by his wife of six years Jessica Holmes Minter of Huntington; son Billy Jack Minter II of Jasper; daughter Dixie Lynn Minter of Huntington; brother Elvis Wayne Minter of Jasper; sisters Amanda Harris & husband Doug of Jasper, Melissa Minter of Houston, and Cloria Mouton of Beaumont; and a step-dad Roger Eppler. He is preceded in death by his parents Billy Wayne & Linda Sue Minter.
Mary Berniece Clerc
Mary Berniece Clerc, 97, of Jasper, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 at home with her family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Shultz Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Hancock Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
A native of Stromsburg, Nebraska, she was born on April 15, 1923 to Svante & Leila Stenbeck. Moving from Denver, Colorado to Jasper in 1970, she worked at Mr. Q gas station for many years, but her most important career was being a dedicated mother and housewife. In her younger years, she was a Rosie the Riveter in California. She was a member of the Eastern Star and enjoyed to crochet, knit and paint. She also loved playing Bingo and slot machines. She was a member of Peachtree Baptist Church and loved her family. She is survived by her sons James Hejsek & wife Vickie of Security, Colorado, Clarence Clerc Jr. & wife Cheryl of Silsbee, and Allan Clerc & wife Mary Beth of Jasper; daughters Suzanne Morgan & husband Gerry of Jasper and Donna Armstrong of Jasper; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Bobbie Jean Bennett Warner
Bobbie Jean Bennett Warner, 73, of Brookeland, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Shultz Funeral Home. The family will greet friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Bobbie Jean was born on October 22, 1946 to Robert & Ezell Bennett in Jasper. A loving housewife, she married Durwood Warner on January 2, 1965 and raised three children and six grandchildren. A talented seamstress, she also loved her grandchildren and loved watching them play sports. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Durwood Warner of Brookeland; son Darryl Paul & wife Arelene Warner of Brookeland; daughters Kimber DeeAnn Warner of Brookeland and Marcia Warner Morgan of Kyle; a sister Darnell Bennett of Tyler; and grandchildren Kellie, Dalton, Zachary, Zane, Rachel & Abigail. Condolences can be posted at www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com or on Facebook at Shultz Funeral Home & Crematory.
Betsy Rhames
Betsy Rhames, 68, of Jasper, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, peacefully at home. A private Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2020. A public reception will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Shultz Funeral Home. The family would like for friends to wear green in honor of Betsy, as that was her favorite color.
Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” was born on May 17, 1951 in Beaumont. She grew up in Beaumont and was a member of the French High School Buffalo Belles Drill Team, where she served as lieutenant. She graduated from French High School in 1969. At the age of 15 at a basketball game, she met a young man who would become her husband of 49 years. Betsy and Robert were married in Beaumont on May 16, 1971. An avid shopper, she loved a good sale, resale shops and getting Amazon packages. She also loved the color green, magnolia blooms, and lemon desserts. She had four grandchildren, who lovingly called her Bets, whom she was very proud and loved to brag. She loved watching them do what they loved, Haley playing softball, Maggy and Miley dancing on the football field or at recitals, and Blake baking goodies. She was a teacher and director of First Baptist Day School for over 30 years. She taught and influenced many over the years until her retirement in 2017. Her retired years were spent with Robert in Houston. She enjoyed being in Houston during the week and Jasper on the weekends. She is survived by her husband Robert Rhames; daughters Stacy Shultz & husband David, Mandy Seybold & husband John; mother Betty Hamilton; grandchildren Haley, Maggy, Blake, and Miley; a sister Lynne Rivera & husband Reggie; dear friends, Sharon, Becca, Katelyn, Seth; and her “Ya Ya’s”, her high school friends; as well as nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church, 329 N. Bowie St., Jasper, Texas 75951 or go to www.fumcjasper.org, click giving and memorials please put Betsy Rhames.
Robert "Bobby" Kines
Robert "Bobby" Kines, 55, of Newton, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2020. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Newton First United Pentecostal Church. The family will greet friends from 12:30 p.m. until service time.
Bobby was born on October 11, 1964 to Billy & Linda Kines in Jasper, Texas. He was a long-time resident of Newton and was a member of the Newton First United Pentecostal Church. On June 3, 2005 he married his wife Marsha in Ragley, Louisiana. He worked as an equipment manager for Trinity Industrial Services. He is survived by his wife Marsha Kines of Newton; mother Linda Bishop of Stringtown; son Brandon & wife Hannah Kines of the Woodlands; daughters Heather Kines of Houston, Stephanie & husband Bret Childs of Kirbyville, Harley & husband Donovan Watson of Silsbee, and Daphene Kines of Burkeville; sisters Myleika & husband Chad Henson of Stringtown and Tara & husband Todd Hall of Stringtown; as well as grandchildren Layla, Lillie, Liam, Lexi, Savanna, Glynn & Jake.
Alton Mitchell
Alton Mitchell, 80, of Jasper, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2020. Private services were held. A native of Bronson, he was born on February 29, 1940 to Alton & Mavis Mitchell. He lived in Kirbyville until 1990, when he moved to Jasper. He worked for Southern Pacific Railroad, where he worked as a dispatcher. He also served his country in the United States Marines, where he served for ten years and served two tours in Vietnam. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alton & Mavis Mitchell, his wife Mary Mitchell, a sister Geraldine Hiatt, and brothers Billy Mitchell & Pete Mitchell. He is survived by his sons David Allen Mitchell of Churchview, Virginia and John "Bubba" Mitchell of Bronson; daughters Debra Joyce Wolf of Hampshire, Dewayna Lee Jacks of Vidor, Rachell Darlene Mitchell of Buna, and Joann Mitchell of Port Arthur; brother Sammy Mitchell of Vidor; a step-daughter Lana Castleman of Hemphill; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
James Rodney "Rocky" Johnson Sr.
James Rodney "Rocky" Johnson, 46, of Jasper, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Jasper. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Huff Creek Cemetery on Saturday, April 4, 2020.
A native and lifelong resident of Jasper, he was born on December 31, 1973 to Elijah Johnson, Sr. & Betty Hafford Johnson. He was a member of the Jasper High School graduating class of 1993 and was employed with TLC Cleaners. He is survived by his sons James Johnson Jr. & Jacob Johnson of Diboll, Zacheri James Johnson & Zacheus James Johnson of Newton, and Zarriun Kenebrew of Newton; a special friend Alicia Kenebrew of Newton; a daughter Ebony Robinson of Buna; brothers Marvin Hafford & wife Ana of Salt Lake City, Utah and Darryl Johnson & wife Krystal of Wharton; sisters Darcella Armstrong of Vinton, Louisiana, Juanita Johnson of Fort Worth, and Lisa Johnson of Jasper; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Elijah Johnson Sr. and Betty Johnson and brother Elijah Johnson Jr. (Pookey)
Jackie Jordan
Jackie Jordan, 85, of San Augustine, Texas, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020. A native of San Angelo, she was a resident of Newton and had resided in San Augustine since 2007. She was born on February 1, 1935 to Ray & Bennie Ellis and was married to Robert "Bob" Jordan until his passing in 2015. She is survived by her sons Darrell Alston of Las Vegas, Nevada, Shannon Jordan of Kirbyville, & Buck Jordan of Houston; daughters "Maggie" Margaret Gibson of San Augustine, Rhonda Breaux of Kirbyville, * Brenda Smothers of Silsbee; grandchildren Ethan Howell, Payton Breaux, Jacob Jordan, Chris Kartous, & Buck Jordan Jr. The family will have a private Celebration of Life service at a later date.
Leon Luttrell
Leon "Chief" Luttrell, 77, of Jasper, passed away on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at his home in Jasper. The family will greet friends on Friday, March 20, 2020 from12:30 PM - 1:00 PM at Shultz Funeral Home in Jasper with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 1:00 PM.
Leon was born on July 27, 1942 in Iuka, Illinois to Douglas & Opal Luttrell. A member of Jasper County Cowboy Church, Patriot Guard, NRA and a previous member of Beaumont Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club. He was a certified gunsmith and retired from Equistar Chemical in Port Arthur, TX. He was also an avid hunter and had a passion for motorcycles. In April 1998 he married the love of his life Melody Jo Massey in Fannett, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents Douglas & Opal Luttrell; as well as a son Richard Luttrell Sr. Survivors include his wife of 21 years Melody Luttrell of Jasper, TX; a daughter Sally Denise Luttrell of Crofton, MD; step daughters Jamie Ryder Morain of Jasper, TX and Becky Matthews & husband Glenn of Center, TX; brothers Bill Luttrell of Salem, IL and DeWitt Luttrell of North Pole, AK; sisters Mirrium Graetz of Fairbanks, AK and Deanna Phelps of Salem, IL; grandchildren Sarah Hinds of Crofton, MD, Richard W. Luttrell III of Port Arthur, TX, Luke Matthews of Center, TX, Daniel Matthews of Center, TX, Rex Hall Jr. of Silsbee, TX and Mary Whitt of Lumberton, TX; as well as numerous great-grandchildren.
