Ocie Lee Westmoreland

Ocie Lee Westmoreland of Cushing, Texas passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at his home in Happy Valley, just outside Cushing, TX.  He was born November 14, 1930 in Nacogdoches, Texas,to Charlie Murdock Westmoreland and BessieWilliams Westmoreland.  

In 1959, Ocie met Joyce Marie Barnes, while bothwere working at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse; he as a dispatcher for the sheriff’s department, and oddly enough, she as the secretary for the county judge! They were married on September 10, 1960. The couple formed a blended family, as Ocie had a son, and Joyce had three sons from previous marriages.  Together, they then had a daughter.

Ocie had a long and colorful life. He left home at the age of 14 and spent many of the next few years on the road, including his now infamous trip to Galvestonwhere he ended up working as an elevator operator at Hotel Galvez. Prior to his lengthy career in local politics, Ocie was also a long-haul truck driver.

Ocie attended public school in Nacogdoches and graduated from Massey Business College. He also attended Stephen F. Austin State University and was a long-time reserve with the Texas National Guard. Ociewas also a member of the Milam Lodge #2, a Master Mason for over 50 years, a Royal Arch Mason for over 50 years, a Royal and Select Mason of Council #23 and Commandery #55, and a Shriner. Ocie was also a charter member of the Rural Fire Advisory Committee.

Ocie spent most of his career as a public servant, working hard for Nacogdoches County. He is probably most fondly remembered as the Nacogdoches County Judge for sixteen years (1979 - 1986; 1991 – 1998;however, he had also previously served his community as a Justice of the Peace for sixteen years; and served as a fireman, and a dispatcher for both DPS and the sheriff’s department. As Judge, the creation of the Nacogdoches County Court at Law and the planning and development of Lake Naconiche were among his crowning achievements.

When Ocie was not serving Nacogdoches, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and large family at Hickory Hill Farm. One of Ocie’s favorite things to do was to brag on ALL of his grandchildren.

Ocie and Joyce were long-time, faithful members of Landmark Baptist Church, where he also loved attending Sunday School in addition to enjoying Bro. David’s messages.

In his younger years, he loved to fish. He fished every river in East Texas. He loved to play forty-two and dominoes. After retiring, for many years, he rarelymissed a day going up to “his other office” the Country Kitchen Café to drink coffee, talk politics, and solve the world’s problems. 

He was a proud member of the Stephen F. Austin Old 300 Club, an honor reserved for descendants of the original three hundred families who followed Stephen F. Austin to settle the Texas frontier.

Ocie is preceded in death by both of his parents, hisbrothers; Oliver, Charles, Robert, Ray, Roy and Jimmy and his granddaughter, Katy Westmoreland.  

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Marie (Barnes) Westmoreland, son, Terry Clyde Westmoreland and Teresa (Wright) Westmoreland, daughter Angela Howarth and husband T. D. Howarth;sons, Richard Bruce Ivy and wife Jill Ivy, Randal Brent Ivy and wife Jana Ivy, David Alan Ivy and wife Christie Ivy; sisters, Bessie Spivey and Ann McShanand her husband Gerald; seven grandsons; Joe Franklin, Brent Ivy,  Mitchell Franklin, Tyler Howarth,Logan Ivy, Grant Howarth and Forrest Williams; seven granddaughters; Jamie Jones, Madeline Little, KesliHooks, Kelli Miller, Lauren Sieja, Kallie Barrett, and Kori Westmoreland; 11 great grandchildren and four more on the way.

The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospicefor their loving care, compassion and kindness.

There will be a graveside service at Fenton Cemetery in Cushing, Texas, on August 17, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.with Brother David Snelson, Landmark Baptist Church, officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Franklin, Brent Ivy, Mitchell Franklin, Tyler Howarth, Logan Ivy, Grant Howarth, and Michael Adams.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Landmark Baptist Church, P.O. Box 414, Cushing, TX 75760.

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