Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors

Vida Lynne (Kowalski) Vacula Smith Raney, age 82, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024. She was born February 25, 1942, in Beaumont, Texas, to parents Harry B. Kowalski and Helen Spicer Kowalski. Vida graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, Texas. She was a homemaker, a school bus driver and managed a dental office. Vida was a member of First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches and the Nacogdoches Safari Club. It is hard to put into only a few words the full breadth of Vida's life. Vida is Spanish for "life" and she was full of it. She enjoyed tennis, gardening, sewing, and especially loved entertaining family and friends. Vida never met a stranger and...

Nancy Carter Speck, age 84, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024. With her ever impeccable sense of timing for big moments, and with family beside her, mom headed to Heaven to be with her mother and brother as the first rays of sunshine were peeking through on Easter morning, March 31 of 2024. Born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 8, 1939, Dr. Nancy Carter Speck was raised on a beautiful ranch in Blanco County. She had a great number of family adventures as a young girl that are stories we still share. In particular, she was the Carter family champion finder of arrowheads that populated a great number of Mason jars in our Grandmother's house. When mom wasn't...

Christine Champion McKinney, of Odem, Texas went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday March 14, 2024. Christine was born at Sacul, Nacogdoches County, Texas on October 17, 1933, to Lester and Etha Belle Champion. Christine was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, her parents and her half-brother Bill. She is survived by her two children; a son, Mitchell "Butch" McKinney, and a daughter, LaRue (Ralph) Stephens, both of Odem, Texas; three grandchildren, Lori (James) Sisson, Rory (Sarah) Stephens, and Casey (Bobbie) Kite; and four great-grandchildren, Christine Grace Sisson, James Garret Sisson, Roger Glenn Stephens, and Rigdon Dale Stephens. Online condolences may be...

Mary Elizabeth "Liz" McCaslin was born to Earla Rita (Bekman) and Darrell Jesse Mattison on April 22, 1941 in Wright City, Texas. Liz was a graduate of Gaston High School. In June 1958, she married Elton Earl "Mac" McCaslin, Sr, in Wright City. In the early 1960's, Liz and Mac moved their young family to Angleton, TX. In Angleton, Liz worked as a secretary at Calvary Baptist Church where she also played piano and was a frequent soloist. She and Mac were part of the Texas Rabbit Breeder's Association, members of Brazoria County 4H, and the Simmental Cattle Association. Liz was known to have a green thumb. She loved plants and knew how to make them grow! She loved arts, crafts, and gave...

Mary Elizabeth "Liz" McCaslin was born to Earla Rita (Bekman) and Darrell Jesse Mattison on April 22, 1941 in Wright City, Texas. Liz was a graduate of Gaston High School. In June 1958, she married Elton Earl "Mac" McCaslin, Sr, in Wright City. In the early 1960's, Liz and Mac moved their young family to Angleton, TX. In Angleton, Liz worked as a secretary at Calvary Baptist Church where she also played piano and was a frequent soloist. She and Mac were part of the Texas Rabbit Breeder's Association, members of Brazoria County 4H, and the Simmental Cattle Association. Liz was known to have a green thumb. She loved plants and knew how to make them grow! She loved arts, crafts, and gave...

Mary Ann Miles passed away on February 26, 2024, in Nacogdoches, Texas, at the age of 76. She was born May 31, 1947 in Jefferson, Texas to parents Hubert Bender Thornton and Patsy Gene O'Brien Thornton. Mary Ann graduated from Jefferson High School and attended Stephen F. Austin State University. She worked 30 plus years at SFA in various departments eventually retiring as assistant to the Dean of Math and Sciences. Mary Ann was a 20+ year breast cancer survivor and participated in the "Walk for the Cure". She was a world traveler, an avid Ladyjacks supporter, and a Perritte Pie Crust Leader/volunteer. Mary Ann served as a Pink Lady for over 10 years in the gift shop at Medical Center...

Robert Rance Hutto III passed away Saturday, February 3rd, 2024. He was born on January 31st, 1957 in Pasadena, Texas. He served 10 years in the Armed Forces. After his military service, he worked many years at Grace Bible Church in Nacogdoches. Mr. Hutto is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Jr and Margaret (Smelley) Hutto and sister, Kristen Hutto Gallo. He is survived by brother, Thomas E. Hutto and wife, Melissa, of Rockwall, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 11th, at 1:00pm at Grace Baptist Church, 4120 NW Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches.

Helen Seelbach Skinner, "Honey" 81, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on January 23, 2024, at her home. She was born in Mount Enterprise, Texas on August 18, 1942. Helen is the 8th sibling of 10 children in the Seelbach family. She is survived by two sisters, Sue Sullivan and Carolyn Jo Seelbach. One brother, Don Seelbach and multiple nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Skinner, Parents Elmer and Anna Caver Seelbach. Siblings: Billie Poteet, John Seelbach, Bettie Whatley, Charles Seelbach, Maurice Malinowski-Dunn, and Dean Seelbach. Helen was a career phone operator for Southwestern Bell/AT&T where she made lifelong friends. She was part of a special...

Jason Alan Ward, 63 of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on January 8th surrounded by his family after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Jason was a quiet example of what a man should be that he instilled in his sons, his family, and his friends. Jason was born on November 7, 1960 in Nacogdoches to Jimmy and Sherry Ward. Jason graduated from Center High School in 1979 but not before meeting the love of his life, Rhonda. They dated their senior year and married on December 1, 1979 in Center, TX. Jason and Rhonda defied the odds of marrying at 18 and 19 as they just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. Their first "date" was Jason taking Rhonda home after church, that set the tone...

Fredora "Jan" Janiece (Crisp) Byrd, age 82, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:20-22 (Jan's "life" verse) On December 26, 2023, at the age of 82, Fredora Janiece "Jan" Crisp Byrd, a woman of great, enduring faith, passed from this life and entered her eternal Heavenly home. Jan was born on November 10, 1941 in Nacogdoches, Texas to Fred and Ruth Crisp. She was raised in Nacogdoches where she attended and excelled...