Obituaries

Rose June Spector beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother of Mauriceville, Texas joined Jesus on December 28, 2017 at the age of 80 after a long hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s. At her request her body was donated to Science Care facility in Colorado for research in hopes of helping find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Rose was born on April 12, 1937, in Port Arthur, Texas, to June Marie Young Sheffield and Rufus Sheffield. She was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in 1955 and then she attended Lamar University and graduated from Hotel Dieu as a Registered Nurse in 1958. Rose worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, Green Acres Nursing Home and Polly’s Nursing home as director of nurses, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital before becoming a school nurse for Deweyville ISD where after 16 years of service she retired in 1994. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Mauriceville, Texas.

Melinda Knight Richey, 69, of Nederland died Saturday, December 29 at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. She was a native of the Golden Triangle and taught second and third grade at Helena Park Elementary until 2012. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. She is survived by sons Devon Richey of Vidor and Colin Richey of West Orange; daughter Lauren Richey Beller of New Braunfels; three granddaughters; and sister, Beth Ann Knight McGaffey of Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the no-kill cat shelter All God’s Creatures, 13695 Thousand Oaks, Beaumont, TX 77713, or other animal rescue groups.

Mary “Vondell” Newton, 78, of Vidor, TX died Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018 in Orange, TX. A native of Kirbyville, TX she was a longtime resident of Vidor who enjoyed cooking, playing pokeno, and going to family picnics. She also enjoyed spending time with her family especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Visitation will be Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor with her funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Davis Cemetery in Kirbyville at 1:30 p.m. Vondell is survived by her daughter; Brenda Newton of Vidor, 2 sons; Darrell Newton and his wife Shree of Vidor and Milton Newton and his girlfriend Lynetta Massey of Orange, 3 grandchildren; Bailey, Alexis, and Brandon and 3 great grandchildren; Taeygan, Hannah and Hadley.

Elvera Langley Barbay, 100, of Port Neches, died Friday, December 22, 2017. She was born on January 22, 1917, at Edgerly, Louisiana, to Dora Simar Langley and Fernest Langley. Survivors include her daughters, Elaine Aldridge of Vidor and Carol Barbay of Port Neches; sons, Robert Barbay, Jr. and his wife, Lynda, of Port Arthur; and Gordon Barbay and his wife, Frances, of Torrance, California; granddaughter, Heather Aldridge Lilback and her husband, Kenneth, of Vidor; grandson, Matthew Barbay of Torrance, California; great-grandchildren, Abby and Nathaniel both of Vidor. Vera was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert J. Barbay, Sr.; and sisters, Effie Persyn and Arthurine Hubert. Mrs. Barbay loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Vera made many sacrifices throughout her life so that her family might enjoy wonderful opportunities to experience success in life.

Frank J. Siti, 73 of Vidor died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. A native of Hammond, IN, he was a long time resident od Vidor. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. He is survived by his sisters Kathrine Jernigan of Arvada, CO and Barbara Fine of Westminster, CO, brother Joe Siti of Westminster, CO.

Latta Rearick, 89 of Vidor died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Oakwood Manor Nursing Home in Vidor. She was a native and a lifelong resident of Vidor. Latta was a member of First United Methodist Church in Vidor. Her family said she was an excellent cook and enjoyed flower gardening. Latta also enjoyed fishing with her husband Walter. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am Friday, December 29, 2017 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor with burial to follow at Stephenson Cemetery in Vidor. Latta was survived by her daughters Rhonda Haskins, Stella Williamson and husband Frank, Marie Goins and husband David all of Vidor, TX, brother Billy Peno of Vidor, TX, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Thelma Morton, 87 of Vidor died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Oakwood Manor Nursing Home of Vidor. Thelma was a native of Rayne, Louisiana, she was a longtime resident of Vidor. Thelma enjoyed gardening and raising their livestock and Walker dogs. Visitation will begin at 6:00 pm Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, December 29, 2017 at Memorial Fuenral Home with burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents Ovey and Florence Richard, son Ronnie Morton and sister Jeanette Domingue. She is survived by her son Bobby Morton of Vidor, TX, daughters Connie Dincans of Victoria, TX and Kathleen Haines of Texas, brother Lawrence “Pete” Richard of Rosenburge, TX, sister Gloria Wyatt of Rayne, LA, 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. May the work I have done speak for me.

Elvera Langley Barbay, 100, of Port Neches, died Friday, December 22, 2017. She was born on January 22, 1917, at Edgerly, Louisiana, to Dora Simar Langley and Fernest Langley. Survivors include her daughters, Elaine Aldridge of Vidor and Carol Barbay of Port Neches; sons, Robert Barbay, Jr. and his wife, Lynda, of Port Arthur; and Gordon Barbay and his wife, Frances, of Torrance, California; grand daughter, Heather Aldridge Lilback and her husband, Kenneth, of Vidor; grandson, Matthew Barbay of Torrance, California; great-grandchildren, Abby and Nathaniel both of Vidor. Vera was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert J. Barbay, Sr.; and sisters, Effie Persyn and Arthurine Hubert. Mrs. Barbay loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Vera made many sacrifices throughout her life so that her family might enjoy wonderful opportunities to experience success in life.

Donald Earl Kemp, the son of Andrew and Olive (Tayler) Kemp, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at the age of 88. Donald is survived by his siblings, Harry W. Kemp of Griswold, Iowa and Karen K. Alff (Don) of Tucson, Arizona; grandsons, David & Donald Hargrave; great-grandchildren, Shelbie Gaspard, Gracie and Hunter Hargrave; nieces, Cindy Phillips and Stephanie Valenzuela and nephew, Kim Kemp. He is preceded in death by his parents; spouse, Vernice Kemp; daughter, Karen “Mimi” Frances Hargrave and sisters, Dorella Alff and Bonnie Kemp. Funeral services are Friday, December 29, 2017 at 10 a.m. in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home – Iowa. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor, Texas. Visitation will begin Thursday in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home – Iowa, from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. and will resume Friday at 8 a.m. Donald was a retired machinist, having worked for Dresser Ideco and Noble Machine. He served in the U. S. Army and enjoyed woodworking and machine work.

Cammie Mooney, 94, of Vidor, died Monday, December 18, 2017 in Orange. A native of Ville Platte, LA, she was a longtime resident of Vidor. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at LaVille Funeral Home in Ville Platte, LA, with interment to follow at St. Andrews Cemetery in Plaisance, LA. She is survived by daughter, Jo Ann Ashmore of Orange; son, Andy Fontenot of Phoenix, AZ; stepson; Jimmy Mooney of Vidor; and stepdaughter-in-law, Aileen Mooney also of Vidor. She is also survived by three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.