Local resident Monica Briggs has recently opened up a new e-commerce business with her sister, Lori Nix of Dallas. The two sisters have teamed up to bring you Loco Sisters Boutique.

Their exquisite style of home decor and jewelry items are available thru their website and also at their location at First Monday Canton Trade Days, Trade Center Two.

The community of Beckville is mourning the loss of Rev. Larry Eugene Hutto who died Sunday, June 4 in Longview, following a brief hospital stay.

Mr. Hutto was a well known and well loved figure in our community. He will be greatly missed by his friends at Poppy's and all over town. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time.

The body will lie in state at Hawthorn Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 beginning at noon. The family will receive visitors at Hawthorn Funeral Home, Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. Bro. Lynn Ogden will officiate services at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at Central Baptist Church.

Rev. Larry Eugene Hutto was born February 23, 1947 in Center, Texas to George Eugene and Ruth Myer Hutto, and was raised by Ruth Maris Soape. He attended Beckville schools graduating with the class of 1965. Larry married Sherry Darlynn Lorance on September 4, 1970 and together they celebrated 35 years of marriage. Rev. Hutto loved the Lord and served Him as associate pastor of both Grand Bluff and Liberty Chapel Baptist Churches. He then became the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1990. Larry retired from Union Pacific Resources where he worked as an operator. Larry enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, but mostly he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife Sherry Hutto of Beckville, children, Michele Reese of Wake Village; Tanneja Doughty and husband Allen of Beckville; Tony Hutto and fiance Amy of Beckville. Brothers, George Hutto and wife Becky of Gill Community, and Bob Graves of Joaquin. Sisters, Jackie Lovejoy and husband Mike of Center; Brenda and husband Mike Whittlesey of Center. Grandchildren, Meagan, Morgan and Macie Peavy; Breanna, Summer, and Hunter Hutto, and Caitlin Craver.

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"The Sweet Lucy Festival" will be held November 4, 2006 in Downtown Beckville. Please call 903-678-3798, 903-235-6807, or 903-678-3795 for information. We are looking for entertainers, vendors, exhibits.

More information to follow.

Our thoughts and prayers go out the Baker's during this time of unexpected loss.

Hawthorn Funeral Home announces services for Mr. William H. "Bill" Baker who passed away January 4, 2006. Visitation for friends and family will be Friday, January 8th, 6-8 p.m. at Hawthorn Funeral Home. Services to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7th at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial to follow at Youngblood Cemetery on Hwy 124 in Beckville.

(Courtesy of Hawthorn Funeral Home)

Mr. William Baker was born May 24, 1950 in Carthage, Texas to James Enoch and Billie B. Hammett Baker. After attending Leggett and Beckville Schools, Bill graduated with the "Class of 1968". It was then that he start the most joyful part of his life, beginning with marrying Delanna Buchanan on Feb. 7, 1970. They were blessed with two sons, who married and blessed them with 8 grandchildren, that he considered the "favorite loves of his life".

Survivors include his mother, Billy J. Baker of Longview; wife, Delanna Baker of Beckville; two sons, William Scott Baker and wife Kim of Beckville and John Michael Baker & wife Traci Williams of Beckville. Two brothers, James D. Baker of Panola; and Ricky D. Baker and wife Donna of Lake Murvaul. Three sisters, Edna Camber & EJ of Lake Jackson; Judy Ruckner & Jerry of Longview; Sherry Brown & Marshall, of Tatum. Mr. Baker's grandchildren are Donte', Cameron, DeAnna, Colby, Kagen, Kaleb, Harley, and Lindsey.

Pallbearers: Ray Anders, John Jeffress, Chris Wilkins, David George, Jeff Bachman, Joey Sullivan

Honorary Pallbearers: Grandsons: Cameron Baker, Colby Baker, Kagen Baker, Kaleb Baker, Donte' "Chocolate Chip" Baker.

Beckville residents turned out in full force Wednesday despite a chilling wind and threats of rain.

Last night's parade drew quite a crowd in downtown Beckville last night. Children and adults alike enjoyed the 29 entries in this year's festivities. Local church groups, school entries and countless 4-wheeler entries delighted the crowd despite the threat of rain. Only a light rain fell and the rain drenching Carthage did not arrive to mar the event.

Lights and bells started the event as the train passed through. BISD Superintendent, Devin Tate announced each participant as they passed by the KGAS bandstand.

Photos of the event will be posted soon.

AEP Swepco reported 400 customers in the Beckville area were without power yesterday, December 7th, following a single vehicle accident in Beckville.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Will Searcy was involved in a single vehicle accident within a few feet of the AEP substation located at the intersection of Hwy. 959 and Hwy. 124 East.

Reports are that Will's brakes failed and caused him to lose control of the vehicle. He was shaken from the incident but not seriously injured. His vehicle was burned completely. Beckville VFD responded to the accident and were able to control the resulting fire.

Downed power lines and blown transformers were handled by personnel from AEP/Swepco and power was restored to the area at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Courtesy of The Panola Watchman - Sunday, August 7, 2005

BECKVILLE - Funeral services for Alton Larry Jones, 65 of Beckville were held at 10 a.m. August 5, 2005 at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Stan Kindig and Dr. George Taylor officiated. Burial followed in Liberty Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. He died August 3 in Beckville.

Born Nov. 25, 1939 in Beckville, he was the son of Thurston and Hettie Crawford Jones. Alton successfully managed his construction company for 43 years and served 28 years as an assistant fire chief for the Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church for over 55 years and president of the East Texas Antique Tractor & Engine Association for 10 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Preston, Ray and Harold Jones; and his granddaughter, Erica Jones.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Mandy Jones, and Clint and Samantha Jones, all of Beckville; sisters, Emmie Guest, of Beckville and Adelle Hall, of Houston; and grandchildren, Adam, Ty, Aarron and Laney Jones.

Pallbearers were William Doerge, Rudy Snow, Glen Harrison, Marty Elman, Jim Esbenshade, Don McGuffin, Euel Faulkner and Carrol Brooks.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department and East Texas Antique Tractor and Engine Association.

The family suggests donations be made to Longview Cancer Center or Heartsway Hospice.

It is with very sad hearts we report the passing of Mrs. Sandra Hudson. Sandra died last night after bravely battling cancer for several long months. She was only 56.

Services will be held Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Rev. Larry Hutto. Burial to follow at Martin Cemetery in Beckville.

Mrs. Sandra Hudson was born April 23, 1949 to Carlton and Minnie Weaver in Henderson, Texas. Sandra graduated from Beckville schools with the "Class of 1967". She then attended Panola College and graduated in 1970 from Stephen F. Austin University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Sandra's love for children led her to 35 years of teaching. Sandra taught Kindergarten in Grapeland, Tatum, Longview and Beckville Independent School districts. Sandra was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Order of the Eastern Star and The Red Hat Society. She enjoyed sewing, crafts and shopping, but mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Mrs. Hudson is preceded in death by her father and two brothers, Carlton Ray Weaver and Wiley Weaver.

Survivors include her loving husband, Noble Hudson of Beckville. Mother, Minnie Bell Weaver of Beckville. Daughters, Holly Britton and her husband George W. Britton, Jr. of Gary and Andi Hudson of Beckville. Sister Judy Seeger and husband Ted of Beckville, and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved dearly and grand-nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Clint William, Clint Weaver, Rob Tuttle, Michael Crim, Andy Tillman and Chris Sipes.

Family suggests donations be made to The Sandra Hudson Scholarship Fund through Beckville Independent School District. Please call 903-678-3601 for address.

Private Josh Harris requests mail from friends & family in Beckville. Check out his address in the Address Section. Let's be sure to stay in contact with our local service men and women.

Rev. Jack Harris will be honored Wednesday, March 9th for his 80th birthday. Festivities will begin at 6:00 at Pine Grove Assembly Church on Hwy 149. Please join the Harris family and friends in celebrating this momentous event.

The Miss Jane Library and Museum will be serving food at the Christmas Parade, Dec. 3 starting 4:00pm. They will be having their annual craft Christmas fund raiser on Dec. 5th starting 2:00pm, and Dec. 6th starting 9:00am until 6:00 pm.

If they can get the wiring done in time, they are hoping to have heat this year.

A pre-Thanksgiving fellowship covered dish luncheon will be held at noon, Nov. 25 at the Beckville Senior Citizen Center. Barbecue will be provided.

The Beckville Sunset Alumni Association will be hosting a Sweet Lucy and Trades Day Festival on November 15, 2003 at the old elementary school in Beckville. Booths available for $25.00. Scheduled events will include at Health Fair from 8-10 am, Small Business Seminar presented by the State Comptrollers Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife will have exhibits of the Buffalo Soldiers, Popular Singers Terry Beall and Group, Daughters of Guadelupe Dancers, East Texas Truckers Association. For additional information and to rent booth space please contact Gloria Adams (903-678-3798), Paulette Goree (903-678-3795) or Annette Fite (903-678-2112).

The Beckville Sunset Alumni Association is holding tutorials at the old elementary school each Tuesday evening from 4-6 pm. We need volunteers to help tutor students. For more information please contact Annette Fite (903-678-2112), Carmen Jackson (903-678-4037) or Paulette Goree (903-678-3795). Need computers, books, pencils, paper, and learning tools.

By Tom Burkindine, The Panola Watchman, Sunday, November 2, 2003

A local couple recently became concerned about the safety of keeping firearms in their home when the learned they had a child on the way. After searching for ways to rid themselves of the guns, they found an interesting alternative to simply giving them away.

Brent and Rocsie Brightwell, of Beckville, were expecting their first child when they watched Bowling for Columbine, the Michael Moore documentary which investigates gun violence in America. The couple said they realized the likelihood of the guns being involved in an accident at home was much greater than actually protecting them against an intruder.

The Brightwells also said they were increasingly concerned that if the guns were simply given away, the weapons may be involved in harming someone else. After researching their possibilities, they learned of a facility in the area that destroys guns and other materials.

Sharps Environmental Services in Carthage incinerates guns and illegal drugs for law enforcement agencies as well as domestic waste from home healthcare agencies. The Brightwells approached Sharps to request their guns be incinerated and said although the company was inquisitive, they were more than willing to destroy their weapons on one condition.

Sharps requires the presence of a representative from the local Sheriff’s Department during the destruction, according to Judy Lawhorn, Sharps office manager. Lawhorn said the company has to be assured that the weapons were not involved in a crime or stolen before they incinerate them.

The Brightwells were accompanied by Panola Country Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Joe Mims and had their weapons destroyed on October 16. The couple said they feel safer without danger weapons in their home.

Sharps Environmental Services destroys approximately 1,000 pounds of weapons every couple of months from law enforcement agencies in the area. The firearms were typical used in a crime. The company also destroys thousands of pounds of illegal drugs from the border patrol and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.

All materials which are being incinerated are burned at a temperature between 1,800 degrees to 2,200 degrees. During the burning, smoke is sent through an environmentally safe caustic tank where it is filtered and neutralized.

Please post any information (time, location, etc.) here so we can keep everyone updated on this event.

Check out Beckville's Community Profile.

from The Panola Watchman 10/01/03

The Miss Jane Library of Beckville has been busy this year trying to preserve the last historical building remaining in the city. The old 1918 Continental Bank building, which held the post office later for approximately 30 years, was donated for the library six years ago. The process of converting the building to a library has been depressingly slow due to the lack of funds and not enough interest from the community.

A city library would be a wonderful asset to the community. A place to go to relax with a good book they didn’t have to purchase, a place for student to come for tutoring or research, or a place open in the summer for children’s reading and craft workshops.
“We are accepting donations of new or almost new items for a ‘White Elephant’ Sale,” said Sally Dawson, treasurer of the Miss Jane Library.

“I know most of us have bought our received something great but couldn’t find the perfect place for it. Now is a wonderful opportunity to get rid of it and make a donation to a worthy cause. Mary Deibert, who lives at the corner of Daniels and Washington, and Gloria Faye Bowman, who lives at the corner of 959 and Grand Bluff, are accepting those donations. You can call Mary at 903-678-2145 or Gloria Faye at 903-678-3650. If you have any questions, you can call me at 903-678-2300 after 6 p.m.” added Dawson.
Everyone cooks and baked items are always a hit. Donated items from home businesses would be a great way to advertise for the coming gift-giving seasons.

Because of the annual bazaar’s success the last two year, the library has three scheduled bazaars and book sales for the remaining part of the year. This gives everyone a chance to make a donation and plan their shopping for books and gifts. The dates are October 3-4, Nov. 7-8, and Dec. 5-6. They will also serve food the night of the annual Christmas parade on Dec. 10. The times will be Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 6:00, and Saturdays starting 9 a.m.

Beckville website full of information
By Elaine P. McPherson – The Panola Watchman 9/24/03

Although not generally known, the town of Beckville has a place on the Internet that focuses completely on Beckvillians.

Beckville.com is up and running with local news and other items that should be interesting to those from the Beckville area.

Developed by Brent and Rocsie Brightwell, the website is an interactive one. It uses blog, an on-line journal database, software which allows website visitors to comment on issues facing the area or respond to comments made by other people.

The website uses no color in order for the site to load faster on computers with dial-up internet connections.

The Brightwells have donated their time and money to get the site designed, developed and available to internet users.

Brightwell is the son of Jerry Davidson, and works for a software company that develops security for large companies, nVision in Houston and Austin.

The domain name was bought by Brightwell in 1996, with the intention of getting the website developed for Panola County, but time and money made the project take longer than expected.

There is an address book that Brightwell encourages those who visit the site to register upon so others interested in the area may contact.

“This website will be great for finding people for reunions, among other uses,” said Brightwell.

With the project finished, Brightwell said that he is looking for someone or some group to take over the management and promotion of the local site.

The Brightwells plan to continue to support the site financially, but with the couple soon to become parents, their personal time is limited.

For those interested in the future of the site who are closely connected with Beckville and computer literate, e-mail Brent or his wife Rocsie at brent@itrw.com. Brightwell stated it isn’t hard to learn how to keep the site up and that he would teach anyone willing how to do the management.

The Brightwells are also involved in the airing of an episode of City Confidential on A&E. The episode focuses on the small town of Carthage, its tourism, oil and gas industry, Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and one of the town’s most famous murder trials, the Nugent/Tiede case.

The show will air October 20 on A&E.

by Tom Burkindine

This article appeared in The Panola Watchman Wednesday, July 30, 2003 paper.

Design planners and engineers for the Texas Department of Transportation met with Panola County commissioners and the mayor of Beckville to hold preliminary discussions about proposed changes to State Highway 149.
Community disapproval of the proposed route of Hwy 149 which will bypass Beckville and widen the roadway to four lanes, has caused the consideration of other routes for the project, according to Mike Anderson, TxDOT area engineer.
TxDOT has begun looking into the possibility of widening the existing Hwy 149 to four lanes as one option, although this would likely increase costs for right of way, displacing utilities, environmental hazards, and safety concerns.
Beckville Mayor Gene Mothershed said he would like to conduct an official poll in Beckville to gather a more accurate impression of the citizens’ feelings on the matter.
Anderson said it was important to realize that these preliminary planning stages are only the beginning of a long process that could take many years.
He pointed out the construction that I currently underway on the U.S. 79 Loop in Carthage was planned in the mid- to late- 60s. Those planning stages were the equivalent of the planning currently underway for Hwy 149.
TxDOT District Engineer, Bob Ratcliff said it is important to realize how much traffic will use the highway by the time construction is completed and how this would affect Beckville if it ran through the town.
“We would already anticipate installing a traffic light at the intersection of F.M. 124 in the future. If we were to run a four lane highway by a school, we would probably need more stop lights. This is going to cause more congestion, when the purpose of the project is to reduce congestion,” Ratcliff said.
TxDOT now plans to review other possible routes to see if they are feasible. This process could take several months, according to Dennis Beckham, TxDOT transportation director of planning and development, because they would have to wait for the trees to lose their leaves to get aerial pictures.
TxDOT officials would then meet with county officials again to discuss their findings.

If you would like to discuss this issue, please put your comments below.

"Hwy 149 yet to be funded, but in preliminary stages"
from The Panola Watchman, 5/25/03, by Elaine P. McPherson

Texas Highway 149 will be the straightest route possible between the Carthage loop and the big town of Tatum, which many fear will bypass Beckville.

According to the current map, which is still not set in stone, the four-lane divided highway will miss the light at the intersection of Hwy, 149 and County Road 124 by about one and one-half to two miles.

Even though most of the comments at the Texas Department of Public Safety community meeting in Beckville were against the new road, state engineers decided that the project was needed for the overall traveling public.

Susan McClain, of the Texas Department of Public Safety district planning section, said, “This route is the best alternative for the road because of cost, displacement of the community, utility impact, and environmental concerns.”

Engineers consider these and other problems including the actual lay of the land both vertically and horizontally and traffic patterns and accidents.

McClain said that the feasibility study looked at even more concerns including whether the road was actually needed or whether the old road should just be widened. She added that this plan will service the local and area public, not necessarily the community.

The project was first initiated by local Texas Department of Public Safety employees after years of area citizens asking when will something be done about Hwy149?”

Mike Anderson, local engineer, said that public questions stimulate new projects.

Surveyors are currently out in the Carthage to Tatum area, looking for gas wells that have to be gone around for the environments sake, said McClain. Also avoided is land that has been reclaimed after Texas Utilities is finished with it. “That land is not settled and many times cracks roads,” said Anderson.

“When the surveyors are all through, we will be able to get a final route, and hopefully it will be soon, maybe within the next six month,” said McClain.

The whole project is still in the preliminary stage, the first ten percent. The rest of the project, 90 percent, is still not funded.

After the preliminary plans and environmental studies are finished, they are sent to Austin to be approved by several entities for their approval, said McClain. Each of those groups have 45 days to respond.

She added that the next step would be talking to the landowners to makes deals for their property. “Sometimes that takes three to five years just to get the land, “said McClain.

The approximate cost of the project will end up being every bit of $80 million, by the time all the steps are finished, said McClain. Of the 14 mile stretch of Hwy 79, eight miles of it will take a new route.

It will begin at the Carthage loop intersection of Hwy 149 and end about one mile before the intersection at Tatum.

Local Beckville people who built or live in homes in the “country” are worried about several areas of the project, but three of the biggest concerns are the loss of the small community of Beckville, the lack of housing in Beckville for those displaced to move, and the wasting of government money on a project not needed.

Kenneth Pierce, local Beckville employer of Pierce Construction, said, “This is not prudent expenditure of public lands.

“This is the place where many of use have come to live in the peace and quit ad even retire, now we will have a new, unneeded highway right through out back yards,” Pierce said.

Beckville's Mayor Gene Mothershed has recently posted:

"The city could use all the help possible to keep the town clean and free of litter. One of our goals is to mow as many weedy lots as possible to prevent vermin and mosquito problems. (Not to mention snakes, of which several have already been sighted). Please put trash in the proper place and help us do our job."

As we all know it takes a lot to keep a city clean and we all need to do our part. If we can all take care of our own areas, then taking care of the rest of the city will be much easier.

If you have any concerns or comments on this topic, please post them here or call the city at 903-678-9002.

This category is for all local community related questions, news, events, or discussions. Please feel free to Post a Comment with anything you want to discuss or email us at info@beckville.com if you have a particular topic you want posted.