Johnny Ray Underwood
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Johnny Ray Underwood, 53, were held Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel, with Lindell Mitchell officiating. Mr. Underwood died Wednesday, Jan. 1, at his residence in Livingston. He was born Sept. 30, 1949 in Farmersville, the son of John Robert Underwood and Willie Lee Gower Underwood, both of whom preceded him in death. Survivors include his sisters, Carolyn McWhorter of Giddings and Wanda Underwood of Lewisville; sons, Joshua Underwood of Lincoln, Neb. and Willie Lee Underwood of Lincoln, Neb.; one granddaughter; four nieces; two nephews; five great-nieces and six great-nephews.

Mildred Mary Benoit
LIVINGSTON - Mildred Mary Benoit, 74, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, in Memorial Medical Center - Livingston. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 4, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Clifton Labbe officiating. Burial followed in Brookside Memorial Park in Houston. A rosary was held Friday, Jan. 3, at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel. She was born July 5, 1928 in Gueydan, La., the daughter of Noah and Rosa Istre Menard Sr. She married Daniel F. Benoit on Sept. 4, 1951. Mrs. Benoit was a member of American Legion Post 615 and VFW Ladies Auxiliary No. 4816. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Otis Menard. Survivors include her husband, Daniel F. Benoit of Livingston; daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Kevin Underwood of New Caney; daughter, Bonnie Duff of Chester; grandsons, Joseph Guinn, Brian Baxter, Kenneth Underwood and Kyle Underwood; granddaughter, Jessica Smith; great-granddaughters, Nikki Baxter, Courtlyn Guinn and Hailey Smith; great-grandsons, Hunter Baxter, Cory Guinn and Lance Smith; sisters, Mitzi Louviere of Gueydan, La., Earlene Leger of Gueydan, La. and Laura Menard of Reno, Nev. and brothers, Charles Menard of Lafayette, La. and Noah Menard Jr. of Bryan-College Station. Pallbearers were Brian Baxter, Kevin Underwood, Forrest Smith, Kaylon Grimes, Kenneth Underwood and Kyle Underwood. Honorary pallbearers were Cory Guinn, Lance Smith and Hunter Baxter.

Carolyn Marie Redd
ONALASKA - Funeral services for Carolyn Marie Redd, 49, were held Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Onalaska, with the Rev. Larry Shine officiating. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery in Nogales Prairie. Mrs. Redd died Thursday, Jan 2, at her residence in Onalaska. She was born Aug. 27, 1953 in Lake Charles, La., the daughter of John and Theresa Roy Jones. Survivors include her husband, James "Buddy" Redd of Onalaska; father, John Jones and mother, Theresa Roy Jones of Lake Charles, La.; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Kimmi Soileau of Atascosita; brothers, Leonard Jones of Houston, Wayne Jones of Houston and Ronnie Jones of Vidor; daughter, Crystal Redd of Fairfield, Calif.; grandfather, Louis Roy Sr. of Lake Charles, La.; grandson, Nicholas Soileau of Atascosita; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Willie G. "Slap" Coachman
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Willie G. "Snap" Coachman, 83, of Livingston were held Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, from Garner Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Billy Joe Plattenburg officiating. Interment followed in Victory Place Cemetery in Swartwout. Mr. Coachman died Jan. 1 in Houston. He was born Aug. 31, 1919 in Livingston, the son of the late Martha and Lee Coachman. Survivors include three daughters, Joyce Ann Nowlin and husband Clarence of Houston, Mary Ann Lyons of Livingston and Esther Swanson of Del Ray Beach, Fla.; granddaughter, Chardai Thomas of Houston; sister, Lizzie Coachman of Livingston and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers were Kenneth Plattenburg, Clarence Nowlin, Lloyd Carter, Joseph Phlem, John Platterburg and the Rev. L.C. Youngblood. Honorary pallbearers were James Harrell, Christopher Plattenburg, Keith Plattenburg, Larry Ryans, Elgin Davis and Jeremy Youngblood. Duncan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Shaun Wesley Young
LIVINGSTON - Shaun Wesley Young, 24, died on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, in Livingston. He was born on Jan. 25, 1978 in LaMarque, the son of Raymond E. and Martha Sue Kotz Young. He attended Livingston High School and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dickinson. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, John D. Young, Acie Adams Kotz and "Gramps" Gervis Allen Harrison. Survivors include his parents, Raymond Young and Martha Young of Livingston; sister and brother-in-law, Johnna and Ben Kokenge of Houston; grandmothers, Emma Kotz of Santa Fe and Lilly Harrison of Helmic; special friends, Peggy and Burl White of Apple Springs; special friend, Vesta Worthey of Woodville and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 5, at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, with the Rev. Mike Button officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dale Snell.

Grady Henry Shane
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Grady Henry Shane, 81, of Shepherd were held Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Farley Chapel Cemetery in Shepherd. Military honors were provided by VFW Post 8568. Mr. Shane died Thursday, Jan. 2, in Cleveland Regional Medical Center. He was born April 9, 1921 in LeFlore County, Okla., the son of Green and Katy Pearl Dill Shane. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nettie Catherine Shane; and sons, Grady Henry Shane Jr. and Ronald Thomas Shane. Mr. Shane served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include his daughters, Cathy Pearl Cantu, Martha Jean Kinsey and Sheila Kay Neal, all of Shepherd; grandsons, James Henry Martin of Sugar Land, David Dewayne Martin of Shepherd, Terry Allen Kinsey of Shepherd, Wayland Dale Shane of Channelview and Ronnie Shane of Pasadena; granddaughters, Stephanie Ann Kinsey of Shepherd, Tina Diane Roan of Onalaska and Jodie Shane of Pasadena; sisters, Dorothy McClendon of Pasadena, Mildred Short of LaMarque and Helen Shane of California and brother, Bruce Shane of Houston. Pallbearers were Dale Shane, Sam Oldham, David Martin, Buckey Thain, Juan Magana and Ric Kinsey.

Lela Brown
WOODVILLE - Funeral services for Lela Brown of the Midway community were held Jan. 1, 2003 from the Riley Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville, with Bro. Jerry Marvel, Bro. Harry Coons and Bro. Johnny Durham officiating. Burial followed in Midway Community Cemetery in Polk County, with Bro. Tyra Rich officiating. Mrs. Brown died Dec. 30, 2002 in Woodville Convalescent Center. She was born Sept. 12, 1917 in New Waverly, the daughter of James and Frances Parrish Gurley. She lived most of her life in Polk County. She was retired from the housekeeping department of Tyler County Hospital and was a retired Assembly of God minister. Survivors include her children, Mary Wigley of Jasper, Patsy Dickens of Livingston and Larry Brown of Woodville; brothers, James Alton Gurley of Walla Walla, Wash., George Gurley of Anchorage, Alaska and Henry Gurley of Montgomery; sister, Edna Dickens of Livingston; eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.

Ruby Mae Leu
HOUSTON - Ruby Mae Leu, 89, a former resident of Taylor Lake Estates, died on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003. Survivors include her children, Billy Leu and wife Cheryl and Annette Stamps and husband Virgil; grandchildren, Debbie McDonald, Michael Douglas and Kyle Stamps, Richard Spillman and Linda Stewart and several great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Earthman Resthaven Chapel and a graveside service followed at Peebles Cemetery in Goodrich. The Rev. Davis Wood officiated at both services.

Herman Lee Lowe
LIVINGSTON - Herman Lee Lowe, 89, of Indian Springs died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at his residence. Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 7, from Pace Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mitchell Murphy officiating. Interment followed in Camp Ruby Cemetery. Mr. Lowe was born on Sept. 3, 1913 in Morgan County, Ky., the son of Elbert James and Minnie Jane Russell Lowe. He had been a Polk County resident for 32 years, moving from Houston. He married Lillian Ruth Blackmon on Nov. 24, 1948 in Houston. Mr. Lowe retired from Armco Steel Corp. after 36 years of service. He attended the First Assembly of God Church in Livingston. He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter and was very devoted to his church and family. Survivors include his wife, Lillian Lowe of Indian Springs; two children, Gary Lowe and wife Nancy of Livingston and Brenda Marsh and husband Johnny of Livingston; grandchildren, Jacqueline and Tiffany Marsh and a great-granddaughter, Kylee Dominque Jones. Pallbearers were Kyle Phillips, Leroy Weesner, Homer Leon Durant, Rev. Ron Richardson, Terry Tucker and Kerr Davis.

Douglas Clevon Parker
ONALASKA - Funeral services for Douglas Clevon Parker, 72, were held Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Onalaska, with the Rev. Eric Garrett officiating. Burial followed in Falba Cemetery in Walker County. Mr. Parker died Saturday, Jan. 4, at his residence in Onalaska. He was born Dec. 24, 1930 in Goose Creek, the son of Claude S. and Gladys McKnight Parker. Mr. Parker owned his own trucking company and D.D. Construction. He worked for Montgomery County and retired from Cameron Iron Works. He loved to fish and team rope. He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Alvin Parker. Survivors include his mother, Gladys McKnight Einkauf of Houston; son, Mike Parker of Onalaska; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Gail and John Windham of Onalaska; daughter, Darlene Platt of Sweeny; grandchildren, Heather, Michael, Michelle, Nicole, Buck, Lisa and Traci; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Chance, Jesse and Katie; brother, Billy Parker; sisters, Claudene Piwetz and Margaret Phillips and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers were John Windham, Tommy Cooper, Harold Woodson, Mickey Phillips, Ronnie Baker and Gary Baker.

Wade Hamilton Sweeten Jr.
LIVINGSTON - Graveside services for Wade Hamilton Sweeten Jr., 58, were held Thursday, Jan. 9, 2002, from New Bethlehem Cemetery in Montgomery County, with the Rev. Harold Isaacs and Lloyd Davis officiating. Mr. Sweeten died Sunday, Jan. 5, at his residence in Conroe. He was born Dec. 22, 1944 in Cleveland, the son of Wade Hamilton Sweeten Sr. and Gladys Davis Sweeten. He was preceded in death by his father. Mr. Sweeten served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Sweeten of Conroe; mother, Gladys Davis Sweeten of Ace; sons, Clint Sweeten of Livingston, James Sweeten of Livingston and Joseph Sweeten of Cleveland; daughters, Stephanie Castaneda of Texas City, Shelley Garcia of Billings, Mont., Stacy Runyon of Cleveland and Christy Cothern of Texas City; brothers, Louis Sweeten of Ace, Lloyd Sweeten of Ace and Mack Sweeten of Ace; sisters, Edna Crisp of Hitchcock and Laura Haglar of Livingston and 18 grandchildren. Pallbearers were Justin Sweeten, James Biggar, Terry King, James McDonald, Alvin McCrory and Henry Castaneda. Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Adline Wilkinson
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services for Adline Wilkinson, 84, were held Thursday, Jan. 9, 2002, from the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Lee Poe and the Rev. Frank Hood officiating. Interment followed in Peebles Cemetery. Mrs. Wilkinson died Monday, Jan. 6, in Livingston. She was born Dec. 23, 1918 in Hortense, the daughter of Bonnell and Barbara Elizabeth Penry Cummings. Mrs. Wilkinson was a member of the First Baptist Church in Livingston and was a past member of the Pilot Club and Business and Professional Women's Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan C. Wilkinson; her parents; daughter, Linda Myrle Wilkinson; three brothers and three sisters. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Dixie and Clarence Mihelich of Livingston, Judy and Julian Wallace of Livingston, Jan and Alvin Shandley of Leggett and Nelda and Robert Hauck of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; sisters, Myrtle Phillips of Leggett, Ruth Atchley of Livingston and Barbara Nell Ferris of Arlington; granddaughters, Carolyn Meyers of Seattle, Wash., Patricia Headley of Germantown, Tenn., Pamela Richardson of Livingston, Alicia Singleton of Livingston, Kehle Shandley of Leggett, Amy Shandley of Leggett, Amanda Ray of Sulphur, La., Sara Stracener of DeRidder, La. and Kaye Dearman of DeRidder, La.; grandsons, Nathan Wallace of Livingston and Scott Martin of Lake Charles, La. and 13 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Nathan Wallace, James White, Rick Manchaca, Presley Cummings, Walter Knebel, Jacob Singleton and Scott Martin. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Friendship Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church of Livingston.

Wesley Lee Lagrone
LIVINGSTON - Wesley Lee Lagrone, 63, of Livingston died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in a local hospital. Services were held Friday, Jan. 10, at Pace Funeral Home, with Pastor Lonnie Glenn and Assistant Pastor Bobby Lovett officiating. Graveside services followed in Glade Creek Cemetery near Gilmer. Mr. Lagrone, a retired carpenter, was born on Feb. 3, 1939 in Gilmer to Dave and Marie Courtney Lagrone. He married Letha Yates on Oct. 1, 1955 in Gilmer. Mr. Lagrone was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was also an ordained minister. He had been a Livingston resident for 10 years, moving from Splendora. He was a member of the Jesus Name Apostolic Church in Livingston. Survivors include his wife, Letha Lagrone of Livingston; four children, John Lagrone and wife Michelle of Lindale, Lisa Voorheis and husband Doug of Splendora, Debra Taylor and husband Robert of Tyler and Brenda Ellis and husband Kenny of Diboll; one brother, Davon Lagrone of Gilmer; one sister, Ann Beals of Pearland; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.