KOGT Radio 1600 AM - Orange, Texas

Obituaries

Debbie LeBlanc, 56, of Mauriceville, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Christus Hospital-St. Mary in Port Arthur. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 25, 2008 in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Rodney Powell with the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Port Neches. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Thursday, July 24, 2008 at the funeral home. Born on June 25, 1952 in Port Arthur, Texas to Harold James and Jessie Mae (Gaston) Foreman, she was a longtime resident of the area, she enjoyed spending time with her family, learning of her family history and genealogy and she also enjoyed cooking, especially from scratch. Debbie is preceded in death by her father. Those who will most cherish her memory are her husband, Steve Patton of Mauriceville; her mother, Jessie Mae Gaston Foreman of Orange; daughters, Katherine Louise Fowler of Mauriceville, April Denise Moore of Sulphur, Louisiana and Sheena LeBlanc of Mauriceville; sons, Robert Glen LeBlanc, Jr. of Mauriceville, James LeBlanc of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Joshua LeBlanc of Dover, Delaware and Aaron LeBlanc of Orange; sister, Carol Puckett of Orange; grandchildren, Victoria Fowler, Justin Fowler, Desiree Fowler, Dakota Fowler, Dalton Fowler, Joseph Moore, Andria Moore, Michael Moore and Cassie Moore. Numerous extended family and friends.

A memorial service honoring the life of Mary Alice Callahan, 87, who passed away July 21, 2008, will be held Saturday, July 26, at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 502 N. 6th St., Orange, Texas. Mary Alice was born in Orange, Texas, October 3, 1920, to Mary Clyde Lester Ingram and George Ingram. She lived in Orange until 2004 when she moved to Austin to be closer to her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael J. Callahan, and her daughter, Carolyn Callahan Jones. Survivors include her son, Michael J. Callahan, Jr. and wife, Georgia, of Austin, Tx; four grandchildren: James Patrick Jones and wife, Noelle, of Pflugerville, Tx; John Stephen Jones and wife, Cammie, of Prairieville, La; Rebecca Callahan Cipriano and husband, Jason, of Austin, Tx; and Travis Callahan and wife, Tasha, of Austin, Tx. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and 7 great grandchildren. Dancing was her passion. She started dancing at age 10, and began teaching neighborhood children when she was 13. In 1938, while studying in New York, Mary Alice auditioned for the Radio City Music Hall ballet company and was accepted, but decided to return to Orange to teach. She established the Ingram School of Dance, and in 1954 she and her husband, Mike, built a home with the dance studio above it. In 1986, after 52 years of teaching, she sold the school to Pam Boehme Simon, a former student, who still operates the school under the same name in the same location. “Miss Mary Alice” often said that she probably taught half of Orange County to dance. She loved all her students and took great pride in their progress and accomplishments. Several of her students became dancing teachers and professional dancers. She also spent countless hours choreographing musicals for the Orange Community Players and other organizations, taking her students to perform for various groups and to march in parades, and taking students to summer workshops and classes. Mary Alice was a life member of Dance Masters of America, a life member of the Chicago Association of Dance Teachers, and a member of the Southeast Texas Chapter of Dance Masters of America where she served 3 years as president and 2 years as secretary/treasurer. In 1981 she was named Member of the Year of the Texas chapter. Mary Alice had many other interests in her life, also. Family was very important to her, and she looked forward to having her grandchildren visit her in the summers. She holds a very special place in their hearts. She was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church in Orange having been in the first baptismal class christened in the “new” Methodist Church building in 1921. She was an active participant in her Sunday school class, circle, and bell choir. She was a member of the Leaf and Petal Garden Club and was a past president of the group, the Orange Business and Professional Women’s Club where she was honored as woman of the year, the Town Club where she also served a term as president, and the Altrusa Club. In her spare time she loved playing bridge, knitting, and traveling. She spent several summers in Singapore and enjoyed sightseeing in Asia and Europe. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Orange, or to the Miss Mary Alice Scholarship Fund, Lamar University, Department of Dance, PO Box 10011, Beaumont, TX 77710.

Lora Faye “Nanny” White, 82, of Orange, passed away June 21, 2008, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont. Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Jim Hardwick of First Christian Church in Orangefield. Interment will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday the 23rd, at Claybar Funeral Home. Faye was born June 10, 1926, in Pittsburg, Texas to Ennis W. and Maggie E. (Fleming) Wilkerson. She moved to Orange in 1943 and married Leonard Roy White. She became a homemaker, was a loving mother, talented seamstress, enjoyed painting, crafts and carpentry. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard; sister, Helen Morris; brother, Ennis “Buddy” Wilkerson; granddaughter, Lora Suzanne White-Stewart and son-in- law, Kenneth Smith. She is survived by her identical twin sister, Lola Mae Brooks of Stoutland, MO; sons, Lee Roy White of Orange and Mike White and wife Willa of Beaumont; daughter, Judy Smith of Orange; Five grandchildren, Cyndee Doucet of Groves, Chad White of Clear Lake, Codie Vasquez of Orange, Alex White of Orange and Pamela Lynn Walton of Orange; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother-in-law, Claude White of Orange; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Alaniz Vasquez, Rico Vasquez, Chad White, Danny White, Claude White, Jr., and Don Walton.

Frankie LaCombe, 70, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2008 in Livingston, Texas. She was a former resident of Deweyville, Texas and moved to Livingston in 1987. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert LaCombe; daughter, Angie LaCombe Richard; son, Clay Keith LaCombe and granddaughter, Misty LaCombe Townley. She is survived by her Daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Ben Williams of Livingston, TX; son and daughter-in-law, Neal and Vicki LaCombe of Orange, TX; son, Tony LaCombe of Deer Park, TX; sister and husband, Paulette and Harris Albarado of Abbeville, LA; brother, Gerald Labit of Houston, TX; five grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM at Dorman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Dorman Funeral Home chapel. with Rev. Joseph Daleo officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow in Deweyville Cemetery.

Emma Lena Journeay, 98, lifelong resident of Orange, passed away Monday, July 21, 2008, in Houston, TX. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26, 2008, at First Baptist Church in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Barry Bradley. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Orange. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday the 25th at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Emma was born August 11, 1909, in Orange to A.F. and Ada (Phillips) Burns, Sr. Emma was a member of First Baptist Church in Orange, the TNT Club and in her younger days wrote for the society column of the Orange Leader. Emma is preceded in death by her husband, David Journeay, Jr., son, David Journeay; two sisters and three brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Harkrider of Missouri City, TX; grandchildren, Julie Arivett, Janet Darr, Wendy Markwalter and Scott Harkrider; great grandchildren, Emily Watson, Lauren Darr, Denton Markwalter, Rider Markwalter, Barrett Markwalter, Haden Harkrider and Lexi Harkrider; and great great granddaughter, Lilly Grace Watson. Serving as pallbearers will be Scott Harkrider, Vince Markwalter, Denton Journeay Markwalter, Wayne Morris, David Arivett, Wesly Journeay and Rider Markwalter. Emma was deeply loved by her family and friends who would like to send a special thanks to the staff of Colonial Oaks Assisted Living facility in Houston for all of their loving care. For those desiring to make contributions in Emma’s memory, please send to: Alzheimer’s Association, Houston & SE Texas Chapter, 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030-2008.

Jerry “Boo Boo” Marks, 77, of Orange, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2008 at the Harbor Hospital of Southeast Texas in Orange. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 24, 2008 in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Jeff Bell, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Port Acres. Entombment will follow in the Apostles Mausoleum at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Military honors will be provided by the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Born on February 4, 1931 in Orange, Texas to Joe and Pearlie Mae (Dyson) Marks, he was a lifelong resident of the Orange area, he enjoyed sports, was involved in the local little league baseball as a coach, umpire and commissioner and he graduated from Stark High School in Orange in 1950 where he set and held the record for the 100 yard dash until it was broken again much later. Mr. Marks enjoyed spending time with his family and was a member of the Old First Orange Baptist Church in the McLewis community of Orange. Mr. Marks worked for and retired in 1993 from the Texaco Refinery in Port Arthur as a warehouseman with 43 years of service and he was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Marks is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Gertrude Tinsley and Florine Marks, nephew, Greg Marks and his stepdaughter, Zena Crouch. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Barbara Marks of Orange; daughters, Bobbie Howeth and her husband Jerry of Orange, Debbie Smith of Orange and Sherry Smecca and her husband Joey of League City and Debra Hunt and her husband Dennis of Orangefield; step daughters, Barbara Woods and her husband Charles of Arkansas and Brenda Cagle and her husband Lynn of Tennessee; sons, Jerry Dean Marks and his wife Diana of Hamilton, Ohio, Henry Maddox and his wife Angie of Orange and Joe Maddox and his wife Nina of Orange; brothers, Joseph P. Marks and his wife Lois of Orange, Malcolm Marks and his wife Liz of Houston and Gene “Teney” Marks and his wife June of Orange; grandchildren, Kevin Fleming, Ryan Denmon, Mindy Stringfellow, Marc Howeth, Jay Maddox, Myles Smecca, Reggie Salas, Lauren Smith, Justin Edwards, Veronica Edwards, Sheena Vaughn, Devon Neil and William Hunt. Numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, extended family and friends. Pallbearers will be Ryan Denmon, Marc Howeth, Reggie Salas, Justin Edwards, Dustin Stringfellow and Kevin Fleming. Honorary pallbearer is David Vaughn. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of Harbor Hospital in Orange for their care of Mr. Marks. For those desiring memorial contributions, please make a donation in honor of Mr. Marks to the American Diabetes Association, 800-342-2383 or www.diabetes.org.

Raymond James Magness passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008, at his home in Baytown, Texas, after a stoic battle with pancreatic cancer. He met his Lord and Savior on his 70th birthday. Jim was born July 17, 1938, in Churchpoint, La., the son of Una Marie and John C. Magness. He graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in Orange, Texas, in 1956 and served as a radio operator for four years in the United States Air Force while stationed in England. After returning to Texas, he met and married Delores Eileen Stevens in 1964. Jim played semipro baseball and went to work for United States Steel in Orange, Texas, where he worked for 22 years. After taking an early retirement from U.S. Steel, Jim worked independently as a general contractor. Jim was a member of the Catholic Church and a fourth-degree brother in the Knights of Columbus. Through the years, he dedicated much of his time, effort, and resources toward helping those in need. He was widely respected by his numerous “friends in low places,” who knew him affectionately as “Coonass.” He had a legendary memory for jokes and could entertain a crowd for hours on end. He was preceded in death by his father, John Cates Magness; mother, Una Marie Magness; daughter, Cynthia Marie Magness; granddaughter, Casey Marie Magness; brother, John Kennith Magness; and brother-in-law, Brandon Brantley. He is survived by his sons, Greg Magness of Austin, Texas; Robbie Magness and wife, Wendy, of Baytown, Texas; daughter, Amy Magness, of Houston; grandchildren, Timothy, Derian and Braden Magness, of Baytown; and Jacob and Alec Melton, of Houston; stepmother, Lida Magness, of Golden, CO.; sister, Francis Winters, of Hobbs, N.M.; brother, Kenneth Magness and wife, Cheryl, of Pittsburgh, PA.; sister, Charlotte Brantley, of Golden, CO.; brother, Bill Magness and wife, Jessica, of Austin, TX; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Visitation will begin Sunday at 5:00 p.m. and a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., both at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orange at 11:00 a.m. Monday. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens cemetery in Bridge City. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in his name to: American Hospice, 11200 Richmond, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77082.

Margaret Saint, 87, of Bridge City, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Christus St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City. Officiating will be Reverend Marv Howland of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday the 18th at the funeral home. Margaret was born in Goldsboro, TX in 1921 to James and Lillie Mae Sartor. She was the 11th of 13 children. Margaret graduated from San Marcus College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition. One of her positions was as the Director over the Dietary Department at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX. She was responsible for the design of the new hospital’s public cafeteria and received an award for her design at a presentation in Atlantic City. Margaret has been a resident of Bridge City since 1951, when she started work for DuPont as Director of Food Services. It was there that she met John Saint, a Safety Inspector who she married in 1953. They later moved for a short time to Colorado and lived on Saint’s Mountain. Because the high altitude was not favorable to John’s health, they soon returned to Bridge City. Margaret and close friend, Dot Eshbach, went into business in 1957 opening the Kiddie Kottage in Dot’s home in Bridge City. They later moved the business to Texas Avenue. Margaret and Dot have been neighbors and best friends for 55 years. Having been called Thelma and Louise, together they have traveled all over the world and motor homed throughout the U.S. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Saint. She is survived by her sister, Pearl Moates of Cisco and sister in law, Maude Sartor of Granbury; and many nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be T. R. Sartor, David Sartor, Cal Eshbach, Pat Bruce, Jay M. Eshbach, III and Eric Eshbach. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, or the charity of your choice.

Ivan O. Cain, 87, of Orange died Thursday, July 17, 2008, at his residence. A Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Reverend Rob Fisher of First United Methodist Church in Orange and Deacon Harvey Dubois of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church will officiate. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, prior to the service. Ivan was born July 31, 1920, in Leesville, LA, to Charles Lincoln and Amanda O. (Seal) Cain. A native of Orange, Ivan worked for Dupont 32 years and retired in 1978 as a maintenance supervisor. He was also a 32nd degree Mason. Ivan and Frances were avid golfers and enjoyed playing at Sunset Grove Country Club, and he was proud of his 3 holes in one. He also enjoyed fishing with friends, the Kroger coffee club and playing with his favorite pet, Lucky. Ivan is survived by his wife of 66 years, Frances and daughters, Sandra and husband Delbert Hopkins of Nederland; Cathy and husband Bruce Davis of Lumberton; and Shelley Cain of Orange. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Laurie and Erik Sotelo of Spring, John and Kelly Reese of Houston, and Amanda Young and Jackie Padgett of Lumberton and two great grandchildren, Jacob and Michael Sotelo. Family wishes to extend a special thanks to Home Health Care, Southeast Texas Hospice, Tommy Conway, Sr. and other dear friends and relatives who visited during his illness.

Richard Eugene “Gene” Hicks, Jr., 56, of Orange, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2008 in Starks, Louisiana. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday July 19, 2008 at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor E. Dale Lee of Cowboy Church in Orange. Interment will be held at Houston National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at the funeral home. Gene was born on July 4, 1952 in Orange to Dickey and Beulah Hicks. He worked as a welder for American Bridge and is a U.S. Army veteran. Gene was a graduate of West Orange High School who loved to fish and also had great love and pride for his country.Gene is preceded in death by his parents. Those left to cherish his memories are his daughter, Kathy Lenz of Holland, Netherlands and sister, Patricia Sullivan and husband John of Sugar Land. Also surviving Gene are three nephews, Matthew Sullivan of Mountain View, Arkansas, Mark Sullivan of Houston and Gregory Sullivan of Brooklyn, New York.

Elray Bergeaux, 67, of Orange, passed away, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in Orange. Graveside Services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Friday, July 18, 2008 in the Evergreen Cemetery with Pastors Jerry and Sheila Smith of the Serenities Oaks Ministries officiating. Mr. Elray Bergeaux was born February 16, 1941 in Jennings, LA to Willis and Felicia (Comeaux). He was preceded in death by his sister, Eula Mae Vergne and brothers, Maften Bergeaux, Roy Bergeaux, and Ivan Bergeaux. He is survived by his sisters, Jean Barnhart of Gist, TX, Dorothy Jeanise of Jennings, LA, and a brother Wilfred Bergeaux of West Orange. He also leaves behind a host of relatives from TX and LA. Dorman Funeral Home of Orange is in charge of arrangements.

Wesley Kay Franklin, 76, a lifelong resident of Orange, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2008 at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be the Reverend Jeff Bell of Calvary Baptist Church in Port Acres. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 17, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Wesley Kay was born May 7, 1932 in Port Arthur to Valray Franklin of Nederland and Gertrude Belle Coffee of Mauriceville. Wesley Kay was a retired construction supervisor for Stone & Webster Engineering and a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force. Wesley Kay died after a lengthy illness and was devotedly cared for by his wife by which for her this was a “Labor of Love.” He loved hunting, fishing, and flying. He was a loving husband, father and friend. Wesley Kay was also a 50 year member of IBEW Local 479, a 32 degree Mason, he was a member of Masonic Lodge 126 AF & AM for 45 years and a life long member of the El Mina Shriners. Wesley Kay is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bernie Franklin. Those left to cherish his memory are wife, Olly Franklin of Orange; daughters, Susan Wilson and husband Don, Desiree Plant and husband Randy, Beverly Duhon and husband Joey all of Orange, and Stephanie Telfer and Stuart of London, England. Also surviving Wesley Kay are five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and brothers, Garlan Franklin of Marksville, LA and Ronnie Franklin of Orange. Serving as pallbearers will be Stuart Telfer, Joey Duhon, Brian Wilson, Erik Duhon, Don Wilson and Joshua Briggs. Honorary pallbearers will be Zachary Plant and Dillon Trahan.

Marvine McCullough, 82, of Deweyville, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at the Oakwood Manor Nursing Center in Vidor. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 18, 2008 in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Brother John Fortenberry, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Deweyville. Born on February 6, 1926 in Hosston, Louisiana to William Archie and Mary Elizabeth (Johnston) Rheel, she was a longtime resident of the Deweyville community and a member of the Baptist faith. She worked through the years as an election judge in Deweyville and Newton County. Mrs. McCullough was an extremely compassionate lady who allowed her heart and her home open to many people, especially children. She helped in the care and raising of many children in her extended family and many children who were friends of her family called her “Grandma”. Mrs. McCullough is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Icam Henry McCullough, grandson, Paul Cortez, three sisters and one brother. Those who will most cherish her memory are her daughters, Mary Lou Cortez and husband Peter of Vidor and Frances Nell Gilland of Sulphur, Louisiana; son, Jerry McCullough and wife Diana of Beaumont; sister, Frances White and brother, Alvin Rheel both of Deweyville; nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, a great great granddaughter and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Alma Grierson Hebert, 70, of Orange, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 19, 2008, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Reverend Steven Leger of St. Henry Catholic Church will officiate. Entombment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday the 18th, 5:00-9:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Alma was born November 16, 1937, in Beaumont to Raymond and Jennie (Goode) Grierson. Alma loved to cook, decorate and go shopping. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 48 years, Ronald J. Hebert, Sr., sister; Jimmie Stratton and nephew Keith Parish. She is survived by her children, Tammy Roland, Ronald “Bubba” Hebert and wife Alicia and Jennie Luce all of Orange; grandchildren, Sarah Glasser, Shawna Hebert, Ronald Hebert, III, Victoria Luce and Leeanne Luce; great grandchildren, Azriel Haley and Hannah Murphy; brother, Raymond Grierson and wife Martha of Lafayette, IN and sister, Margie Schultz of Orange.