Derbert D. Mooney, Sr.

Mr. Derbert D. Mooney, Sr., age 85, of Hawkins, passed away on Friday, September 14, 2018 at his home. Derbert was born at home in Upshur County on October 24, 1932 to the late John Prescott “J.P.” Mooney and Mary Lou (Dunaway) Mooney. Derbert enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952, and served honorably as a ship engineer, for 21 years, including multiple campaigns during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer-II in 1973. He then went to work for Tyler Pipe as a machine maintenance supervisor, retiring after 20 years. He was a member of the Holly Brook Baptist Church in Hawkins. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife Wanda N. (Kennedy) Mooney of Hawkins; sons, Derbert Mooney, Jr., and wife Eleta Taylor of Hawkins, Jonathan Scott Mooney and wife Kim of Big Sandy; daughters, Denise Rickman and husband James of Tuscaloosa, AL., Lisa Owens and husband Bubba of Hawkins; seven grandchildren, Eric Rickman, Hollie Garrison, Lindsay Wilson and husband Jay-Ryan, Hunter Mooney and wife Kayla, Kayla Ziegler and husband Darrell, Jacob Mooney, Jessica Mooney and fiancé Kody DeWolfe; nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sixteen siblings.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Croley Funeral Home in Hawkins. The funeral will follow on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Holly Brook Baptist Church in Hawkins, with Bro. Wade Maberry officiating, interment will follow at Liberty Cemetery in Hawkins. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to: Hospice of East Texas or the Wounded Warrior Project.