MABLE LANETTE ELS
Mable Lanette Els, 88, died July 20, 2026. She was born July 30, 1937 in Panola County to Jim and Odessa Keating.  Her celebration of life was held Saturday, July 25, 2026 in Waco, Texas.  She was preceded in death by, Husband, Roy Els; Parents, Jim and Emma Odessa Keating; Sisters, Donella Jimmerson, Marie Simpson, Lilly Smith, Joann Gary; Brothers, Harold Keating, Glenn Keating, Leo Keating, Douglas Keating.  Survivors include, Children, Bradley and Paige Els of Lufkin, Dayla and Terry Hill of Cypress.

CHARLLETTE RENAE GIBBS JACKSON
Charllette Renae Gibbs Jackson “Renae,” 61, of Center, died July 19, 2026. Interment was in Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas.  She was born to Mr. Ray Gibbs and Ms. Essie Mae Randle in Center, Texas on January 19, 1965. She was preceded in death by, Father, Ray Gibbs; Mother, Essie Gibbs; Brother, Dana Randle.  Survivors include, Husband, Patrick Jackson of Ferris; Daughters, Curtiska Gibbs of Venus, Charlletta Jackson of Ferris; Sons, Patrick O. Jackson (Emily) of San Augustine,
Alex Jackson of San Diego, California; Sisters, Sherry Chiles of Grand Prairie, Jacqueline Gibbs of Dallas.

VICKIE DIANN SAMPLE MARTIN
Vickie Diann Sample Martin, 77, of Center, died July 27, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer.  Interment is at Sample Cemetery in Shelbyville beside her beloved Bruce.  She was born to Avis Snider Sample and Travis Monroe Sample on August 8, 1948 in Center, Texas as a 9th generation Texan. She attended Shelbyville ISD from elementary until she graduated in 1966 from high school. After living in Houston and Shreveport for short periods, they returned back to Shelby County in 1977 and Bruce opened a mechanic shop in Huxley. The family moved to 'Martin Hill' in 1981 and they became chicken growers.  She was an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has been a volunteer for the Shelby County Museum for many years - Wednesdays were her day to open the doors, dust the books and displays, answer emails and phone calls, and help set up new displays. She also researched and then shared her findings in 'Tidbits' which were shared with museum supporters and subscribers. She volunteered at the Shelby County Historic Courthouse as a DRT member serving as a docent on Fridays. Serving at the museum and courthouse gave her the opportunity to share her love for history with others. She has also served on the board of the Shelby County Historical Commission since 2010. Also, in 2010 she talked her children into buying Shelby County Today and while she worked at SCT she wrote 'Vickie's This and That.' She became a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and was a member of the 2009 Leadership of Shelby County program. Around 2013, she decided her volunteering activities were plenty to keep her busy and retired officially.  She was preceded in death by, Parents, Travis and Avis Sample; Husband, Allen Bruce Martin; Sister and Brother-in-law, Barbara Lindley and David Lindley; Sister-in-law, Margaret Hardy and husband Tommy; Brother-in-law, Lamar Martin and wife Kay.  Survivors include, Children, Sean Martin, Kevin Martin and wife Reneé, J.J. Ford and Scott Flowers; Brother, David Sample and wife Sandi; Special first cousin, Phyllis Wagstaff; DRT and DAR sisters and her Shelby County Museum family.
To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit http://www.mangumfh.net. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.

ROBERT LOUIS SANFORD, JR.
Robert Louis Sanford, Jr., 74, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, died July 25, 2026, at Quality Center Rehabilitation following a brief illness.  In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held. His ashes will be scattered on a lake in Texas, where he spent his childhood and created many of his most cherished memories.  Robert honorably served his country in the United States Army.  He was preceded in death by, Daughter, Misty Dawn Sanford Parker; Parents, Robert Louis Sanford, Sr. and Jewell Sanford; Brothers, Mikel Sanford and W.C. Sanford; Sister, Ada Rasberry.  Survivors include, Daughter, Tracy Sanford; Son, Russell Sanford; Sisters, Vada Skelton, Betty Byrd, Geeter Pyburn, Linda Adams, Jeanie Sanford; Brother, David Sanford.
Services are under the direction of Hillcrest Funeral Home, Shelbyville, TN.

WALTER THOMAS
Walter Thomas, 83, died July 25, 226 at Carpenter House in Shreveport. Interment was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.  He was born February 02, 1943 in Center, Texas to  Adline and Jessie Thomas.  He was united in Holy Matrimony to Edith Mae Sanders on February 10, 1973. He was preceded in death by, Parents; Brothers, Robert Earl Thomas, Willie Rellford; Sisters, Vera Lee Garrett, Mary Williams, Katherine Nicholas, Jessie Lee Clark, Jessie Mae Barton, Velma Higgins, Nannie Lee Thomas.  Survivors include, Wife, Edith Mae Thomas; Daughter, Candace Thomas; Sons, Kelvin Barnes of Center, Alex Thomas (Donna) of Center, Eldric Thomas of Center, Jeremaine Thomas (Ashley) of Center; Sisters, Debra K. Thomas of Longview, Kathy Thomas of Philadelphia, PA.; Brother, John A. Thomas of Texas City; Sisters-in-law, Belinda Rellford of Mansfield, LA, Elaine Greer of Tenaha, Patry Casey of Tenaha, Joyce Garrett (Jackie) of Beaumont; God-child, JaCobe Garrett; Brother-in-law, Rodrick Ratcliff.
Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.

GLYNN BITTICK
Glynn Bittick, 72, of Center, died July 23, 2026, in Nacogdoches.  His wishes were to be cremated.  He was born April 16, 1954, in Houston, to Johnnie Olive Bittick and Lillian Robbins Bittick.  He was preceded in death by, Parents; Brother, Thomas Carroll Bittick.  Survivors include, Siblings, Janie Murle Mulla of Joaquin, David Lee Bittick and wife Linda of Colorado, Larry Daniel Bittick of Center, Jeremy Wade Bittick and wife Tina of San Augustine.