KOGT Radio 1600 AM - Orange, Texas

Obituaries

Charles A. Morvent, 59, of Mauriceville, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at his residence. Services to remember his life will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 13, 2010 in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Kevin Brown, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Mauriceville. Interment will follow in Bland Cemetery in Orange. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Born on November 10, 1950 in Orange, Texas to Velma Lee (Raymer) Morvent and Charles Morvent, Jr., he was a lifelong resident of the Mauriceville area, he graduated in 1969 from Mauriceville High School, he worked as a mechanic for the Road and Bridge Division of Orange County and retired in 2008 with 20 years of service. Charlie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mauriceville, he enjoyed being a father and grandfather, he had a good sense of humor and he enjoyed playing practical jokes on everyone. Charlie is preceded in death by his father and those who will most cherish his memory are his wife, Marilyn Morvent of Mauriceville; his daughters, Christy Cunningham and husband Steven of Buna and Michele LeBleu and husband Ricky of Little Cypress; his mother, Velma Lee Morvent of Vidor; his sister, Mary Lummus of Vidor; his grandchildren, Jadyn Cunningham, Joely Cunningham, Jordan Cunningham, Colt LeBleu and Devin LeBleu. Charlie is also survived by numerous extended family and friends.

Ruby Whatley, 79, of Orange, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 13, 2010 in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Frank Walton, brother of Mrs. Whatley. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. A gathering of family and friends for a time of reflection will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Born on November 26, 1930 in Clovis, New Mexico to Hazie B. (Owens) Walton and Willie L. Walton, she had lived in the Orange area since 1951, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She worked as a dietician at Orange Memorial Hospital and she retired in 1984. Ruby was very mothering to many young people she befriended and she enjoyed fishing, playing cards, playing dominoes, cooking, taking care of plants and spending time with her family. Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Lois Scott and Juanita Scholton; her brothers, L.D. Walton and Bill Walton and her great grandson, Hayden Granger. Those who will cherish her memory most are her loving husband of 40 years, James E. Whatley, Sr. of Orange; her daughters, Brenda Robinson of Baton Rouge, LA., Lisa Marsiglia and husband Mike of Beaumont, TX and Susan Sankowich of Lincolnton, NC; her sons, Bill Blanchard and wife Mary Helen of Baton Rouge, LA., James Eugene Whatley, II of Houston, TX and Guy Whatley of North Carrollton, MS; her sisters, Irene Knight of Idleyld Park, OR., Lucita Cunningham of Mariposa, CA., Wanda Grizzell of Port Orchard, WA and Bondred Derr of Del Rio, TX; her brother, Frank Walton of Paso Robles, CA.; her best friend of many years, Sarah Lavergne of Starks, LA.; thirteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Ruby is also survived by many extended family and friends. For those desiring memorial contributions, please make a donation in memory of Ruby to the American Heart Association, 1125 Judson Road, Suite 150, Longview, Texas 75601, (409) 980-8800 or www.americanheart.org.

Jerry Wesley Meeks, 79 years old, of Carriere, MS, passed away at Slidell Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, March 9, 2010 following a long illness. Jerry was born January 12, 1931 in Philadelphia, MS to Jesse Wayne Meeks and Eula Ann Pierce. He grew up in Rayville, LA the eighth of nine children and was taught the carpentry craft by his father. After serving as a lineman in the Army during the Korean War, he spent most of his adult life in Southeast Texas as a building contractor and active contributor to the communities where he lived. He will be remembered on the third base sideline or in the dugout by many of the young men he coached during a period of more than twenty years from Little League to Connie Mack League to Semi-Pro Baseball. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce in Bridge City and served as its president. He was also a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the owner of Meeks Builders. Jerry enjoyed a respected reputation for building quality custom homes and commercial properties in and around the Golden Triangle area over a time spanning five decades. He leaves a legacy of love, caring, loyalty, perseverance, strength, and willingness to face challenges. He will be missed by many, but his life has provided many colorful stories to recall and retell. His memory will provide comfort and serve as an example of hope. He is survived by his wife Lorrize Meeks of Carriere, MS, and children Connie Meeks and her husband James McDaniel of Jonesboro, AR, Jerry Wayne Meeks and his wife Cathy Meeks of Hamshire, TX, Carol Leone and her husband Louie Leone of Bridge City, TX, Pat Meeks and his wife Angie Meeks of Bridge City, TX, stepson Clarence Lick, Jr. and his wife Renee of Waveland, MS, and stepdaughter Vannessa Dahn also of Waveland, MS. Other survivors include his grandchildren Joran Meeks, Wesley Meeks, Tony Lute, Rebecca Frederick, Marisa Oliver, Jason Stringer, Joey Stringer, Jeff Stringer, Phillip Meeks, Piper Meeks, Josh Stringer, Jaime Stringer, John McDaniel, Patrick McDaniel, Tesha Riley, and Ryan Davis. Great-grandchildren Skyler Lowery, Destiny Mann , Kayleigh Lute, Grace Sample, Lacey Meeks, Gavin Stringer, Austin and Brayden Frederick, Morgan Riley, and Charles Riley. He leaves his sister Inez Balsters and his brother Joe Meeks. He is predeceased by his parents Jesse Wayne and Eula Ann Meeks and siblings Paschal Pat Meeks, Mavis Fortenberry, Eva Norwood, Sarah Hale, IsaJean Hale, and Ida Wayne Middleton. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, March 12, 2010 from 5-8 PM at Broussards in Nederland, TX. The funeral service will be Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2 PM at Broussards with Rev. Jeff Anderson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, TX. Pall bearers will be Keith Hale, Dickey Meeks, Doug Frederick, Joran Meeks, Wes Meeks and Tony Lute with honorary pall bearers Harold Henderson, Clarence Lick Jr., Louie Leone and James McDaniel.

Carole June Morgan-Hutson, 75, of Orange, died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont. Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with Sue Cleveland officiating. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Born in Edinburg, Texas on June 1, 1934, Carole was the daughter of Arthur Lee Jolly and Gladys Ruth Smith. She was an Engineer Tech IV Record Keeper for the Department of Public Transportation. She was an artist and a member of the Beaumont Art League. Carole was also a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Beaumont. She was preceded in death by her husbands, John R. Morgan and Charles E. Hutson; and grandson, Jacob Shawn Davis. Carole is survived by her daughters, Dianna Kay Porter and her husband, Mark of Nacogdoches and Patty Morgan Finley and her husband Lester of Vidor; sons, Matthew Montgomery Morgan and his wife, Terri of Orange and James Richard Morgan and his wife, Gail of Austin. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Tammy Leger, Zachariah Murphy, Christy LaCour, John Allen III, J.R. Morgan, Chris Morgan, Derek Stark and Lacie Morgan; ten great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.

Funeral services for Ada Lea Heard, 85, of Leesville, will be held Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Leesville, with Rev. Jerry Penfield and Rev. Wayne Kite officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Leesville. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 9th from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and March 10th from 8 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of the Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville. Ada Lea, the daughter of David Carson and Lillie Jonsey Richardson Craft was born, October 5, 1924, in Orange, Texas. She passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Byrd Regional Hospital in Leesville. She retired in 1978 as a Civil Service Worker at Fort Polk. She attended First Baptist Church of Leesville. She was also a member and officer of NARFE. After retirement she enjoyed, taking king cake decorating classes and painting classes, traveling with her husband in their travel trailer, walking with her friend every morning, shopping with Trelvis Thomas, gardening and being with friends. She is preceded in death by sister, Martha Zenter, brother, Carson Craft, and grandson, Chuck Weeks. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Henry Heard, daughter, Patti Richardson (husband, Todd) of DeRidder and brother, Wayne Craft of Shreveport. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gideon's International. Words of comfort may be expressed to the Heard family at www.labbymemorial.com

Charles Clarence Risinger, Jr., 49, of Indian Lake, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at his residence. A gathering of family and friends for a time of reflection will be from 12:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Born on July 7, 1960 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Jo Ann (Foster) Risinger and Charles Clarence Risinger, Sr., he lived in the Orange area for 34 years, he was of the Baptist faith, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, being in the outdoors and spending time with his family. Charles had worked in the water department for the City of Orange, he also worked installing fiber optic cable in the Houston area and he was also a veteran of the United States Army. Preceded in death by his father and his brother, Cecil Eugene Risinger, those who will most cherish his memory are his mother, Jo Ann Risinger of Indian Lake; his sisters, Willie Jo Stone of Center, Texas and Jessica Harris of Orange; his brother, David Allen Risinger of Orange and numerous extended family and friends. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to assist with final expenses.

Helen Vaughan Crowder, 78, of LaBelle died Friday March 5, 2010 at her residence. Helen was born July 9, 1931 in Port Arthur, Texas. She was a resident of Labelle for 12 years and a member of Labelle Baptist Church, formerly of Bridge City, Texas for 27 years where she was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Bridge City. Helen was a secretary for the Goodrich/Polysar Refinery for many years and a member of the Red Hat Society. Funeral services will be held Tuesday March 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the LaBelle Baptist Church in LaBelle, Texas with Reverend Bill Fondren officiating under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Burial will follow at Week's Chapel Cemetery in Wiergate, Texas at 3:00 p.m. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday March 8, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Survivors include her husband, Tolbert Crowder of Labelle; six daughters, Cindy VandeVoort of Waxahachie, Texas, Trudy Berry of Ovilla, Texas, Vicky Chavez of Irving, Texas, Becky Voges of Richardson, Texas, Laurie Crowder of Fannett, Texas, and Joanna Crowder Trahan of LaBelle, Texas; one son Mark Crowder of Port Acres, Texas; one sister Charlotte Rice Peters; two brothers, Earl Daily and Jimmy Daily; seventeen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

John “Howard” Bergeron, 60, died Thursday, March 4, 2010, at his home in Mauriceville. A viewing will be held from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Cremation will be handled by Dorman Funeral Home. Howard was born on March 12, 1949, in Orange, TX to Lenics Bergeron Sr. and Laura Lillian Janice Bergeron. He was a longtime resident of the Orange area. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Leroy Bergeron Sr.; his son David Lee Bergeron; and his grandson, C.J. Stephens II. Howard leaves to cherish his memories his wife Delda Jean Lakey Bergeron; sons, Howard John “Snoopy” Bergeron and wife Tina of Orange; Rodney Gene Bergeron and wife Tabitha of Aurora, CO; Joseph Wayne Janise and wife Sandy of Vinton, LA; Jacob Janise of Beaumont; Corry Jayson Stephens of Aurora, CO; Jeremy Paul Stephens of Yuma, CO; John Howard Bergeron Jr. and Daniel Wayne Bergeron and wife Sandra of Orange; Jimmy Earl Bergeron and wife Valarie of Waxahachie, TX; daughters Tina Marie Smith of Flint, MI; Wendy Gayle Bergeron McKnight and husband David of Aurora, CO; and Laura Trusty of Deweyville; his brothers, Lenics Bergeron and wife Norma of Orange; Robert Bergeron of Deweyville; and Earl Bergeron and wife Linda of Lufkin, TX. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Josephine “Jo” Dunkin Hewitt, 85, of Orange, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Beaumont. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Minister Barry Jones of 9th and Elm Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Visitation will be from 6:00-9:00 p.m., Monday at the funeral home in Orange. Josephine was born on April 23, 1924 in Angelina County, Texas. She was the daughter of Emmett Payton and Allie (Welch) Dunkin. Josephine worked in child care services. She is preceded in death by her parents, Emmett and Allie Dunkin; five sisters; and two brothers. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Charles “Chuck” B. Conner Jr., and wife, Judy of Lufkin; daughter, Karen Jo Rider; grandchildren, Chad Conner, Christy Conner, Stacey Flournoy, Terrie Marshall, and Betsy Peavy; great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Brittany, Craig, Nikki, Samantha, Cassie, Austin, Taylor, and Christian; and great-great grandchild, Wyatt. She is also survived by her sisters, Ruby Abbey, Augusta Ingram, Sarah McNamara, and Fara Doggett; and brothers, Mack Dunkin and George Dunkin.

Cruz Saenz Arvizo 85, of Mauriceville passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Meadows Nursing Home in Orange. Cruz was born March 15, 1924, in Matachic, Chihuahua, Mexico to Cruz Arvizo Mena and Claria Eustoria Saenz. He was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur and Mauriceville. He retired from Labor Local 853, as a Construction Laborer after 25 years of service. Cruz was preceded in death by his parents and one son Cruz Arvizo, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lisa Cormier Arvizo, and children, Carol Branham & husband David of Port Neches, Texas; Paul Arvizo & wife Laura of Port Neches, Texas; Lupe Arvizo of Abilene, Texas; Oscar Arvizo & wife Amanda of Nederland, Texas; Thomas Arvizo of Beaumont, Texas; Louisa Longoria & husband Lorenso of Rosenberg, Texas; Jesse Arvizo & wife Angela of Orange, Texas. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Visitation will be on Thursday,March 4, 2010 from 5pm – 8pm at Nederland Apostolic Church in Nederland. Funeral Service will be Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:00am at Nederland Apostolic Church with Pastor James Corkhran officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Hwy 87 in Bridge City.

Harold M. Lonadier, 75, of Orange, died Monday, March 1, 2010, at Promise Hospital in Port Arthur. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday March 5, 2010, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Bridge City with Reverend Brad Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Born in Natitoches, Louisiana on July 18, 1934, Harold was the son of William Alvin Lonadier and Myrtie Elrod Philen. He worked as a machinist for Citgo Petroleum and loved working the land with his hands. He was very persistent and was willing to help anyone in the community. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, C.W. Rainwater; daughter-in-law, Linda Lonadier; granddaughter, Teresa Lonadier; and brothers, A.E. Lonadier and E.L. Lonadier. Harold is survived by his wife, Betty Lonadier; sons, Melvin James Lonadier of Deer Park and Tommy John Lonadier of Orange; daughter, Patsy Darlene Rainwater of Deridder, Louisiana; and step-sons, Michael Aymond of Lafayette, Louisiana and Marcus Aymond and his wife, Heather of Orange. Also surviving are his twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, R. D. Lonadier; and sisters, Carolyn Hebert and Lucille Philen.

Billie Jo Chelette, 69, of Bridge City, died Monday, March 1, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday March 6, 2010, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with Mr. James M. Foster, Sr., officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana on May 28, 1940, Billie Jo was the daughter of Ora Odell Ham and Agnes Jolly. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Bridge City. She was preceded in death by her parents; and five brothers, Alva G. Ham, Tracy A. Ham, Olles M. Ham, Lonnie R. Ham and Marvin O. Ham. Billie Jo is survived by her husband, O.J. Chelette; son, “Jimmy” Chelette of Bridge City; daughter, Charlotte Diane Chelette Cole of Warren; and son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Vonda Chelette of Bridge City. Also surviving are her six grandchildren, Misty, Jeremy, Heather, Chea, Amber and Brandy; five great-grandchildren; brother, “O.E.” Ham of Maragouin, Louisiana; and three sisters, Rita Zachary of Red Oak, Clara Bean of Orange and “Marie” Maxwell of Lago Vista; Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Bean, Sr., Richard Bean, Jr., Armando Martinez, Juan Lopez, Jeremy McGough and Robert Harvey.