Una Mae Nichols

Una Mae (Sanders) Nichols went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 1, 2026. She was born on Dec. 8, 1935, in Douglass, TX to C. F. and Grace Sanders.

A funeral Service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in San Augustine, TX and the Burial Service will follow immediately thereafter. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home , Jacksonville.

She graduated from Douglass High School in 1954 and Nacogdoches Business College in 1957.

On Oct. 19, 1957, she married Raymond Nichols at Fredonia Hill Baptist Church where she served as the Church Secretary.

She was the Educational Secretary at Frankston ISD for 31 years where she touched many people’s lives.

She was a strong Christian woman who was a longtime member and served in various positions at the First Baptist Church in Frankston.

She was very active in the Frankston Garden Club, where she served as secretary for several years and took great pride in tending to her many beautiful ornamental plants.

Una Mae studied under renowned painter Dalhart Windberg and became an accomplished artist. Many homes and businesses are adorned with some of her original oil paintings today.

She was an outstanding cook and prepared many delicious meals for friends and family but her family’s favorite would have to be her chocolate pies and her signature sourdough bread.

Una Mae was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years; parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law J. R. and Evie Nichols; brother James Sanders and sister Ann Hancock; brothers-in-law Preston Nichols, Cliff Nichols, Neal Nichols, Vernis Stanaland and Gene Hancock.

Her loving surviving family includes daughters and sons-in-law Gloria and Fred Johnson, Sandra and Steve Westbrook and Janet and Paul Jordan; grandchildren Kristen Westbrook, Wesley and Claire Westbrook, Jared and Morgan Johnson, Jacob and Haley Jordan and Rachel and Jacob Svadlenak; great grandchildren Charlie Westbrook, Lily, Levi and Lucas Johnson, Harper and Aubrey Jordan and Scarlett and Landon Svadlenak; brothers Earl Sanders and Davy (Ginny) Sanders; sister Carolyn (Jerry) McMillan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jerry and Linda Nichols, Ann Nichols, Sandra Nichols, Donna Nichols and Iris Stanaland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Frankston, 408 Garner St., Frankston TX 75763

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(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or requested by families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.)

Julia Mae Terrell (Heaslet)

Funeral services for Julia Terrell, 93, of LaRue, are scheduled for 11 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2026, at New York Baptist Church with Bro. Olin Bowles and Bro. Jorge Gonzales officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2026, at New York Baptist Church.

Julia Mae Terrell, lovingly known as “Ma”, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, at her home in LaRue surrounded by her family.

Julia Mae (Heaslet) Terrell was born on Dec. 28, 1932, in Fort Worth  to James Henry and Julia Mae (Catron) Heaslet. She graduated from LaPoynor High School in 1951, where she served as captain of the basketball team. Her love for activity and family never faded, and even in her 80s she could often be found playing kickball with her grandchildren.

Ma attended LaRue Baptist Church and found great joy in caring for others. She was especially known for her homemade biscuits and hot rolls, which she lovingly prepared for family and friends through the years. Her generous heart, unwavering love and nurturing spirit touched everyone who knew her.

As the matriarch of five generations, her legacy will continue through the family she cherished so deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband John Nealon Terrell; grandson Rowdy Gandy; son-in-law Ronny Gandy; brothers Charlie Heaslet, James Heaslet and Alfred Heaslet; and sister Ethel Wood.

She is survived by her children Allen Terrell and wife Sandra of New York, Kay Gandy of New York and Lynn Almon and husband Gary of New York; siblings Helen Colley, Irene Boothe and J.T. Heaslet; grandchildren, DeAnn Morton and husband Clay, Wade Almon and wife Paige, Craig Gandy and wife Wendy, Shelly Tanner and husband Todd, Heath Almon and wife Jacquline, Josh Gandy and wife Chera, Cody Almon and Allie Terrell; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her special caretakers Anna Gonzales, Kristen Young and Sheila Wallace, as well as the compassionate staff of Choice Hospice for the loving care shown to both Ma and her family.

Serving as pallbearers will be Wade Almon, Craig Gandy, Heath Almon, Josh Gandy, Cody Almon, Todd Tanner and Clay Morton. Honorary pallbearers will be the great-grandchildren.

The Terrell family would like memorial donations made to the LaRue or New York Baptist Churches.

Douglas Wayne Steger

Doug Steger, age 84, of Poynor, passed away on Saturday, May 2, at a hospital in Tyler after suffering a sudden cardiac event with family at his side. Doug was born on Dec. 1, 1941, in Corsicana to John Dudley and Annie Louise Middleton Steger.

A Memorial Service will be held in honor of Doug Steger on Saturday, May 16 at the Poynor Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. with the Service immediately following.

Doug grew up in Quinlan, Texas, the oldest of five siblings and the son of a Baptist Preacher and his beloved mother. After graduating from Quinlan High School in 1960 where he excelled in basketball, he enrolled in East Texas State University at the urging of his high school AG teacher, Mr. Jack Cobb, to pursue a degree in Education with a major in English and eventually a Master’s degree in Education. 

After graduating from college, he accepted a position as a coach and teacher at his alma mater, Quinlan High School in 1964. This launched a successful stint as a basketball coach while climbing the ranks in Wills Point ISD, Van ISD, Grand Saline ISD, Navasota ISD and returning to Wills Point in 1971 for a five year stint as the Head Basketball Coach.

In 1976, Doug accepted the position of high school principal in Rains ISD where he had high expectations for his students and was highly respected during his time with the district. In 1980, Doug accepted his first Superintendency in Martins Mill ISD where he was charged with expanding the school from a K-8 district back to a K-12 system. 

After seeing the first group of students cross the stage at Martins Mill High School in 1984, he became superintendent of LaPoynor ISD. This proved to be the stopping point in his career after serving one of the longest tenures of 18 years as a public school superintendent in the state of Texas. Because the LaPoynor Flyers were known for their winning tradition in both girls’ and boys’ basketball, and Doug felt at home in the small community of Poynor, this proved to be a great match! 

Doug would never take credit for such a feat, but one of his proudest achievements at LaPoynor that he celebrated privately, was orchestrating the first ever bond proposal and passage of a bond in 2002 just before his retirement.

The highlight of his time in the LaPoynor school system was the opportunity he had to watch his son, Curtis, become a 1984 State Champion in basketball and a Regional Finalist in 1985 for the Flyer basketball team. After 38 years of service in education, Doug retired in 2002, spending most of his time playing golf at his leisure with best pals, Mr. Gene Behea and Mr. Don McKinnerney. 

In 2006, Doug married his best friend and greatest love, Lisa Ledbetter. They have been married nearly 20 years and spent their time enjoying their beautiful grandchildren and their beautiful home in Poynor. He was most grateful for the life they built during their time together. Doug has been a pillar in the LaRue and Poynor communities respectively and a member of Poynor Baptist Church for 42 years. 

Doug is survived by his wife of almost 20 years, Lisa Ledbetter Steger of Poynor; children Andrea Steger Seale and husband John of Longview, Curtis Steger and Bridget Johnston of Donie, TX, Tonya and Jon Tiner of Poynor and Amber and Bradley Crenshaw of Gunter; brother Will and Marilyn Steger of Lindsey; sisters Priscilla Steger of Quinlan, David and Liza Steger Powers of Dallas and Steve and Debbie Steger Plato of Heath; his beloved grandchildren Dylan and Gretchen Jolley, Molly Seale, Bryan Seale, Cannon and Madison Steger, Eric Davis, Kylie and Jarrod Spafford, Emma Johnston, Haylee and Ansley Simmons, Lexi and Justin Jones, Brianna Crenshaw, Payton Crenshaw, Lauren and Sabastian Macaluso, Lainey Tiner; and 13 great grandchildren. In addition, are nine nephews and nieces and 15 great nephews and nieces that he loved dearly.

Memorial donations may be made in Doug’s honor to the American Heart Assn. 

Cornelius Hambrick

A celebration of life for  Cornelius Hambrick, 26, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Poynor First Baptist Church.

Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Frankston under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co. in Tyler.

Visitation will be Friday 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Hambrick was born on Aug. 20, 1999 and passed on May 24, 2026.

Kenneth Lookabaugh

Funeral services for Kenneth Lookabaugh, 78, of Athens, was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home at Athensvwith Pastor Matt Thomas officiating.

Interment was to follow at Myrtle Springs Cemetery near LaRue under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Mr. Lookabaugh passed away on May 23, 2026, in Athens.

Kenneth Lookabaugh was born on Sept. 1, 1947, in Athens, to Brient Ray Lookabaugh and Vera Marie (Wood) Lookabaugh. He was a graduate of Athens High School and Kilgore College and worked as a home builder throughout his career. Kenneth was a faithful member of Carroll Springs Community Church.

He was a junk dealer and collector of all things and especially enjoyed attending estate sales. Kenneth raised chickens, doves, guineas, and pigeons. Above all else, he loved his family and cherished being “Poppy” to his grandchildren. He also dearly loved his special fur baby, Ringo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his son, Stephen Ray Lookabaugh.

Survivors include his wife Judy (Dunklin) Lookabaugh of Athens; his children James Lookabaugh and wife Renee of Crossroads, Wayne Lookabaugh of Athens, and Heather Lookabaugh of Athens; his siblings LaDona Hensley of Athens, Mary Sargent of Carrolton, Homer Lookabaugh and wife Pat of LaRue, Lana Whitten and husband Donnie of Monte Vista, California, and Terri Hanks and husband Mike of Poynor; his grandchildren Blayne Lookabaugh and wife Chelsie, Kelsi Lookabaugh and husband Harley, Kylee Lookabaugh and Lillie Lookabaugh; his great-grandchildren, Caiden Lookabaugh, Slayde Lookabaugh, Kestlyn McGlaun, Zuri Lookabaugh and Kenna Corbell; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brian Lookabaugh, Blayne Lookabaugh, James Cathey, Cody Almond, Caiden Lookabaugh and Lawrence Gates.

Honorary pallbearers will be Louis Greene, AP Torti, Big Torti, Arion Pierce, Cody Wylie, Glen Wayne Warren, Brian Wilbanks, Tommy Adams, Jim Cathey, John Boone, Jeremy Hix, Clint Hart, Kane Crist and the men of Carroll Springs Community Church.