KCHS CBDHS EES Ex-Student Information

08/19/2026

Mrs. Peggy Jean Starr Portley, C. B. Dansby attendee for one year, Class of 1968

Funeral services for Peggy Jean Starr Portley, 75, of Overton, Texas, will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Harmony Pirtle Baptist Church with Rev. Lynnshya Ward as officiating eulogist. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery. Victory Funeral Services is in charge of the services.

Peggy was born on Friday, September 15, 1950, in Overton, Texas, to parents Archie Lee Washington and Ester Kate Marlin, and her foster mother was Victoria Starr Roberson. She departed this life surrounded by her loved ones on August 17, 2026, in Tyler, Texas.

As a child, she united with and was baptized at Mt. Comfort Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Once married, she became a member at New Hope Baptist Church, where she and her husband helped organize the Gospel Choir. Later in 1998, she concluded her earthly service to God at Harmony Pirtle Baptist Church, where she served as a Deaconess, in the culinary department, assistant secretary of the Sunday school, gospel choir member, and the WMU treasurer.

Her early education was garnered in the Starr Bailey public schools system. Her ninth-grade year was spent at C. B. Dansby High School, where she was a member of the drill team. Completion of her school days came at West Rusk High School, graduating in 1968.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and her talent for cooking, she and her husband, Richard, owned Porky’s BBQ for several years. Most of her working days were spent in the food service industry, with her last employment being held as a supervisor in the cafeteria at Parkway Elementary School in the Pine Tree Independent School District.

She previously held membership as a Heroine of Jericho.

Her parents, her foster mother, brother, Archie Washington, Jr., daughter-in-law, Regina Portley, all her aunts and uncles, and best friend, Linda Faye Dudley Williams, all preceded her in death.

Left to mourn her passing are her husband of 61 years, Richard Earl Portley of Overton, TX; daughter, Roshanda Portley Clark of Tyler, TX; son, Rodrick Portley and his wife, Lori of Longview, TX; grandchildren, Dominique McGaha of Grand Prairie, TX; Adrian Washington of Waco, TX; and Grayson Schave and Addyson Schave of Longview, TX; great-grandchildren, Raven and Robyn Washington of Waco, TX; sister, Carrie Lacy and her husband, Sharruan of Overton, TX; Sheila Guillory and Lisa Hammonds and her husband, John, all of Dallas, TX; brothers, Bernard Marlin and his wife, Lila of Overton, TX; and Michael Washington and his wife, Mary of Richardson, TX; special brother/friend, Robert Raney, brother and sisters-in-law, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore, Texas and one hour before the funeral service.

07/22/2026

Mr. Curtis Franklin Jones, Jr., Kilgore Colored High School Class of 1951

Funeral services for Curtis Franklin Jones, Jr., 93, of Gilmer, Texas, formerly of Oakland, California, will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Harmony Pirtle Baptist Church with Rev. Lynnshya Ward as officiating eulogist. Burial will follow at Kennedy-Butts Cemetery. Victory Funeral Services is in charge of the services.

Curtis, better known to many as C. F., was born on Wednesday, January 11, 1933, in Overton to Curtis and Josie Reddic Jones. He departed this world on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at home while being cared for by both of his daughters.

As a child, he united with and was baptized at Harmony Pirtle Baptist Church. After his military service and upon relocating to Utah, he became a member at Holladay Baptist Church. His Christian walk concluded with membership at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California.

C. F. was educated in the Kilgore public school system and played football, graduating in the Kilgore Colored High School Class of 1951. He continued his education at Prairie View A&M College (now University), receiving his degree in Biology. He later earned his master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Utah.

After graduation from Prairie View, he entered the United States Army in 1956 and served for seven years, attaining the rank of Captain. He was stationed as a physical scientist from 1956 until 1963 at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, which was dedicated to testing U.S. and allied chemical and biological defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and equipment survivability. He continued in this same position as a civilian until his retirement in 1988.

He was a great family man, always showing love for his wife and children. In his spare time, he volunteered at Parker Elementary School in Oakland. He also served the community with the noted humanitarian activist Mother Wright for more than 20 years. In adopting a new hobby of photography, he ran the Photocraft Studio in Oakland for 15 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed the North Oakland Senior Center, delighting in the discussion groups.

He traveled extensively and was a great travel partner. He also served as a Mason in the Monarch Lodge in Oakland. In his leftover time, he drove his wife crazy chasing down small, negligible savings while not saving much.

In 1956, he married Orex Neal, and three children completed his family.

His parents, all his siblings, sisters, Evelyn Jones, Sara Jones, Arah Trimble, Alva L. Jones, Clara Bradford, and Mavis Jones, brothers, Otis Jones, Roscoe Jones, William E. Jones, and Charles Jones all preceded him in death.

Those to mourn his passing are his children, Susan Harris and her husband, Floyd of Gilmer, TX; Curtis Neal Jones of Bakersfield, CA; and Sharon Jones-Harrison and her husband, Bruce of Oakland, CA; grandchildren, Derek Daniels, Jr. of Reno, NV; Curtis Neal Jones, Jr. and his wife, Kelly of Irvine, CA; Derek Heath of Denton, TX; Kenya Holloman of Oakland, CA; and Jordan Jones of Reno, NV; and six great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Victory Funeral Services.

07/21/2026

Mr. Robert London, Elder Elementary Class / KHS of 1975

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07/16/2026

Ms. Annece Smith, KCHS Class of 1953

Funeral services for Annece Smith, 88, of Kilgore, Texas, will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Faith Tabernacle of God in Christ, with Rev. Marvin Taylor as eulogist. Burial will follow at Kilgore Memorial Garden. Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore is in charge of the services.

Annece began her journey as one of eight children born to Roy “Monk” and Allena Dudley Smith in Gladewater, Texas on March 21, 1938. She departed this life as the last of her sibling group on July 8, 2026, at her son’s home in Gilmer, Texas
In her early years, she united with and was baptized at St. John Baptist Church in Kilgore, Texas.

Her early education was garnered in the public schools of Leverette’s Chapel Independent School District and completed at Kilgore Colored High School.

The love for her family was deep to the point that she delighted in babysitting and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved fishing and reading as well.

Her parents, her children, Annette Ector and Bruce Ector, siblings, Arvie Daniels, Ida Roberson, Frances Johnson, George Smith, Rosie Lee Dixon, Floyd Smith, and Leroy Smith, her grandchildren, Lameka Smith, LaDatrion Smith, great-grandson, Riley Coles and Jakob Anderson, and daughter-in-law, Wanda Ector all preceded her in death.

Left to mourn her passing are her daughters, Sherly Horton and her husband, Harvey of Kilgore, TX and Pamela Smith Norman of Longview, TX; sons, Larry Smith and his wife Beverly of Grove, OK; Mikel Ector of Kilgore, TX; Andrew Ector and his wife Kelly of Gilmer, TX; Dalton Smith and his wife, Amber of Gladewater, TX; and Anthany Smith, Sr., and his wife Valerie of Kilgore, TX; 46 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, special great niece, Teresa Pegues of Kilgore, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore, Texas.

07/13/2026

Mr. Adolphus Stafford, C. B. Dansby Class of 1964.

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07/07/2026

Mrs. Jimmie Ruth Mauldin, C. B. Dansby High Class of 1964

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06/19/2026

Mr. Michael Devon Haynes - son of Roy Henry Haynes, C. B. Dansby High Class of 19

Funeral services for Michael Devon Haynes, 23, of Gladewater, Texas, will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Union Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Zappa as eulogist. Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore is in charge of the services.

Michael was born May 15, 2003, in Kilgore, Texas, to the parentage of Gina Marie Tovar and Roy Henry Haynes, and his biological father, Olin Lee Reagan. He departed this life on June 11, 2026, in Logansport, Louisiana, due to a fatal car accident.

He united with and was baptized at the Union Grove Baptist Church, where he served until his demise.

Through the years, he attended several public schools and culminated his education in the Leveretts Chapel Independent School District.

After high school, he secured employment as an oilfield worker, often working offshore. He also held employment with AXIS, and was currently employed by BTW, a well-service company.

When not working, he could be found doting on his precious son and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

His grandparents, Lydia Tovar, and Thomas and Willie Mae Haynes, all preceded him in death.

He is survived by his son, Michael Denton Haynes of Arp, TX; mother of his son, Maddison Pritchett of Arp, TX; his mother, Gina Marie Tovar of Overton, TX; his father, Roy Henry Haynes of Overton, TX; his biological father, Olin Lee Reagan of Tyler, TX; sisters, Emily Biggs of Tyler, TX, and Kristina Haynes of Gladewater, TX; brother, Alexander Biggs and his wife, Elrica of Beaumont, TX; grandparents, Gerald and Marla Hamilton of Palestine, TX; uncles, Scott Weaver, Donnie Haynes, and Cleo Haynes; aunts, JoAnn Haynes Kennard and Billie Sue Haynes; special friend, Alex Jones of Overton, TX; special cousins, Terran Leon McNeal, II, Jordan Haynes, Jennifer Haynes, Taiona McNeal, Gordon Haynes, Ethan Cravens, Telea McNeal, Tommy Nelson, Mary Nelson, Latoya Nelson, and Frances Haynes, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. before the funeral service at the church.

06/07/2026

Mrs. Jacqueline Reddic Roy, Kilgore Colored High School Class of 1955

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