Obituaries
LaBauve Cemetery
Francitas, Jackson County, Texas
 

Infant Dorris

A bright angel came for a few hours to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Dorris in the person of a 9 1/2 pound baby boy on Feb. 2 then passed to a brighter realm on Feb. 3. Interment was in Francitas Cemetery.

The mother, tho very ill for a few days, is on the road to recovery.

The sympathy of the entire community is extended the family in this hour of sorrow.

Palacios Beacon, February 8, 1940

Parents: James Elmer Dorris & Pauline Ethredge Dorris
Baby born in Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas
 

Clemons Evans

Clemons A. Evans, 89, of Palacios died April 14 in Wagner General Hospital.

Funeral services were held April 17 at the Palacios Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Collins officiating. Interment was at LaBauve Cemetery in Francitas.

Survivors include: wife, Ruth Buffaloe Evans of Palacios; brother, Walter Evans of Lufkin and Gene Evans of Houston; numerous nieces and nephews.

Palacios Beacon, April 22, 1981

Final Rites Monday For Mrs. Sadie Evans

Funeral services for Mrs. Sadie V. Evans were held at the Palacios Funeral Home at 2 p. m. Monday March 5, with Rev. V. E. Moore pastor of the Pentecostal Church in Port Lavaca, officiating. Interment was in the Francitas Cemetery.

A resident of the Turtle Bay Community, Mrs. Evans was born December 3, 1872 in Bonnard, Mo. She died Wednesday night, February 28, at her home.

She is survived by her husband, C. A. Evans, and two sons, Claude Bryant of Lincoln, Nebr. and A. O. Cassady of Indianapolis, Ind.

Palacios Beacon, March 8, 1962                 
 

Corbit Edward Fisher

 

Adonia M. LaBauve Fluery

 

The Passing Of Uncle Bob Fleury

The Last Post sounded for Uncle Bob Fleury on Sunday morning, March 25th at 8 a. m. We who had known him well for 8 years, and some of us for many more, were glad that he passed out without any suffering. He was able to be around as usual on Saturday, and was called away the next morning. Uncle Bob--as he was known to everyone--was born in Washington County in 1843, the son of Major Fleury, who fought at the battle of San Jacinto in 1836. The Fleury family settled in Jackson county, near the town of Roxana, about the year 1860. At the time the Fleury family settled in Jackson County there were two tribes of Indians in the adjacent territory--the Carancahua and Cado tribes. The old town of Roxana, beautiful for location, at the confluence of the Lavaca and Navidad rivers, is now no more. When the Missouri Pacific passed through that country, the inhabitants of Roxana refused a right-of-way unless at a prohibitive price. The Missouri Pacific passed them by, and the town is now in ruins, only chimneys and underground cisterns to be seen--and these a sad reflection on the non-progressiveness of the citizens.

Major Fleury was a well-known cattleman and farmer in the early days. He was succeeded by his son, Uncle Bob, whose demise we are recording, and to whom we are paying a last tribute of respect. Uncle Bob married Miss Adonia LaBauve about the end of the Civil War. We laid him to rest in the little LaBauve cemetery, one mile on this side of Francitas, fenced off many years ago by the LaBauve family as a place to bury their own beloved dead, and as a God's acre for their neighbors, too. At that time there were no roads hereabouts--only a cattle range. The LaBauve family came to Jackson County from Louisiana about the year 1859.

Uncle Bob was a Presbyterian. But it matters not what he was called, so long as he was a believer. There is neither Presbyterian, nor Methodist, nor Baptist, nor Roman Catholic in heaven, where all are one in Christ Jesus. The funeral service was held by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, Pastor of the Palacios Presbyterian Church, who delivered a short address both at the home of Mr. Grover Lawson where he lived, and at the graveside--basing his remarks on Psalm 23, Vs. 1: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

Uncle Bob did not lack a protecting providence, patriotism, courage, common sense, generosity. He joined the Confederate Army at the age of 17, and during the great part of the Civil War fought for the South Land that he love so well. He was captured at the Battle of Vicksburg, returning home when an exchange of prisoners was made. For some years he had roomed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Grover Lawson, who treated him with great kindness, and who have earned the Master's blessing: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." His own children would have been glad to have him live with them, but he preferred to live in Palacios.

The State of Texas had given him a small pension for some years, pitiably small, but perhaps sufficient for his needs. We who met him often on the croquet ground, or occasionally played forty-two with him, wondered at the strength of mind and memory he possessed for a man of his years--and let it be confessed that we were sometimes taken aback by his language, which we all overlooked because he had fought for his country, and because, too, he was an old cattleman. Mr. Grover Lawson informs us that he was naturally generous in all his dealings.

Three sons, Ed, Jim and Ernest, were present at the funeral, and two daughters, Mrs. O'Brien and Mrs. O'Brien?, with other relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Grover Lawson were present together with a few neighbors and friends, at the funeral service at the home. We looked around for some of the old cronies with whom he had played forty-two so often, but alas! some of them were missing--perhaps they had not heard. The pallbearers were Messrs. John Bolling, Ron Huddleston, E. Mosier, Guy Stulting, Grady Walker, Walter Williams.

We laid him to rest in the land of the setting sun, among the live oaks, and the tangled underbrush and the wild flowers.

"And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light;
In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward look, the land is bright."

I have said we laid him to rest in the land of the setting sun, but best of all we laid him to rest in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection from the dead, where "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more: neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

On a modest headstone in the little LaBauve Cemetery, marking the resting place of a woman, we found these two inscriptions--at the top the picture of an angel:--

"Farewell, dear--, angels guard thy tomb."
"Dear friends on earth I love you all."

May angels guard Uncle Bob's last resting place, and may his spirit hear the mocking bird sing in the live oaks.

Palacios Beacon, March 29, 1928

"Uncle Bob" Fleury Passes Away Sunday

John Robert "Uncle Bob" Fleury died at his home in this city early Sunday morning, and after a service Monday morning, conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, his remains were taken to the family burying lot on the other side of the Carancahua river near Francitas and interred beside those of his wife, who had preceded him to the Great Beyond some years ago. Six children survive him, two daughters and four sons.

Palacios Beacon, March 29, 1928

Timothy Duane Flores

Palacios--Timothy Duane Flores, 49, of Palacios, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. He was born Aug. 21, 1959, in Palacios, to Martin Maurice Knipp III of Bandera and the late Lottie Dell Campbell Knipp. He was a commercial shrimper.

He is survived by his wife, Krystal Sablatura Carmack of Palacios; daughters, Lottie Shell Flores and Dennie Jo Flores, both of Palacios; son, Timothy Yancey Flores of Palacios; stepson, Christopher Sablatura of Palacios; sisters, Gina Schelle Ellis of Victoria and Robin Rene Harr of Corpus Christi; and brothers, Russell Eugene Flores of Palacios and Mark Randall Flores of Bandera.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p. m. Thursday at Agape Family Outreach Church, 1811 Newsom, in Palacios. Visitation will continue at 1 p. m. Friday, followed by the funeral service at 2 p. m., at Agape Family Outreach Church in Palacios, Pastor Eric Young officiating. Burial will follow at Francitas Cemetery in Francitas.

Pallbearers: Creg Henson, Billy Christmas, Henry Fletcher, Bobby Rogers, Jerry Mahaffie, and Robert Schnider.

Honorary pallbearers: John Rodriguez Sr., John Rodriguez Jr., Benny DeLeon, Alfred Rocha, Mike Woodriff, Cory Brackman and Sammy Huff.

Artero Memorial Chapels, Port Lavaca, 361-552-2300.

Victoria Advocate, January 28, 2009
 

Glenn Richard Fry

Francitas - Glenn Richard Fry, 82, of Francitas, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2012 in Victoria. He was born July 8, 1930 in Meadville, Pa. to the late Harry Alfred and Ora Anna Smeltzer Fry. He was a pipe fitter and a Baptist.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Lee Mosley of Cleveland; son, Henry M. Totman (Shirlie) of Francitas; 7 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois Mae Depew Fry; and son, Edward C. Totman. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Under the direction of Artero Memorial Chapels, Victoria, 361-575-3212.

Victoria Advocate, December 22, 2012

Lois Mae Fry

Francitas—Services for Lois Mae Fry, 77, of Francitas, who died Saturday, will be 10 a. m. today at Artero Memorial Chapels in Port Lavaca, the Rev. Eric Treaster officiating.

Burial will be at LaBauve Cemetery in Francitas. Artero Memorial Chapels, Port Lavaca, 361-552-2300.

Pallbearers: Rodney Stokley, Shannon Stokley, Richie Stokley, Henry M. Totman III, Jason McBride and Travis Graman.

Honorary Pallbearers: David Thedford.

Victoria Advocate, January 21, 2003
 

Clois Allen Gresham

Ganado--Services for Clois Allen Gresham, 56, of Ganado, who died Sunday, will be 2 p. m. today, First Baptist Church in Ganado, the Revs. Larry Helms and Dennis Vyvial officiating.

Burial: LaBauve Cemetery in Francitas, Ganado Funeral Home. 771-2120.

Pallbearers: Mike VanPelt, Ted Byrd, Mike Welch, Robbie Baker, Roland Skoruppa and Bill Morris.

Honorary pallbearers: June Dale Jackson and Patrick Moore.

Victoria Advocate, November 30, 1993

Doviee Gresham

Doviee Onada Gresham GANADO - There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Doviee Gresham on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Soul Harbour Baptist Church in Ganado with Eric Prove officiating. Interment will be at Francitas Cemetery. Services by Ganado Funeral Home, 361-771-2120.

Victoria Advocate, October 24, 2018
 

Baby Girl Griffith

 

Evelyn M. Griffith

Blessing—Evelyn Maudine Griffith, 57, of Blessing died Sunday, Jan. 9, 1977.

She was born Aug. 18, 1939, in Liberty County.

Survivors: husband, Raymond Lee Griffith; sons, Edward Rountree of Spring, Terry Rountree of Gonzales, La., John Rountree of Batson, Lewis Griffith of Midfield, and Pete Griffith and Willie Griffith, both of Blessing; daughter, Phyllis Gill of New Caney; sister, Melba Heck of Robert Lee; brother, Jimmy Doucette of Ville Platte, La., and 17 grandchildren.

Visitation will begin Tuesday morning until noon Wednesday at Bay City Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be 2 p. m. Wednesday at Francitas Cemetery, the Rev. John Nelson officiating.

Dick R. Elkins Funeral Home, Bay City, (409) 245-4893.

Victoria Advocate, January 21, 1997

Raymond Lee Griffith

Graveside services for Raymond Lee Griffith, 80, of Blessing, TX, were held Feb. 5, 2010 at the La Bauve Cemetery in Francitas, TX with Mike Griffith officiating.

Mr. Griffith was born Sept. 20, 1929 in Francitas, TX to the late Walton William Griffith and Jessie Faye Green Griffith. He passed away Feb. 2, 2010 in Victoria, TX.

He was a life long resident of Matagorda County and was a retired farmer, rancher, and oil field worker.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law Durrell and Deean Griffith of Markham, Lewis Ray and Linda Griffith of Midfield, and Willie Lee and Robin Griffith of Blessing; sisters Medina Nelson of Cape Carancahua, Faye Haskell of Matagorda, and Susie Jalufka of Francitas; brothers K. O. Griffith of Francitas, Irvin Griffith of Victoria, and Sterling Griffith of Port Lavaca; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis Alvena Gill; sisters Annie Mae Long and Ethel Tanner; brothers J. W. Griffith, Mack Griffith, and Vernon Griffith; and a grandson, Bryan Griffith.

Honorary pallbearers were his grandsons.

Donations in memory of Raymond Griffith may be made to: Francitas (LaBauve) Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 134 Francitas, TX 77961 or to the charity of choice.

Arrangements were with Palacios Funeral Home.

Palacios Beacon, February 10, 2010
 

Griffith Rites Held – Jessie Griffith

Graveside services for Jessie Griffith, 82, of Francitas were held at 4 p. m. Oct. 2 at Francitas Cemetery with Eddie Callender officiating.

Burial followed at Francitas Cemetery under the direction of Richardson Funeral Home.

She was born Feb. 20, 1904, at Palacios. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She died Sept. 30 at a Port Lavaca hospital.

Surviving re her husband, W. W. Griffith of Francitas; seven sons, Ervin Griffith of Edna, Vernon Griffith of Bay City, Sterling Griffith of Port Lavaca, Raymond Griffith of Blessing, J. W. Griffith, Mack Griffith and Kerry O’Neil Griffith, all of Francitas; five daughters, Annie May Long and Susie Jalufka, both of Francitas, Ethel Tanner of Port Lavaca, Faye Sparks of Bay City, and Melvina Nelson of Cape Carancahua; a sister, Fannie Doris of Wharton; 32 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Edna Herald, October 9, 1986

Walton William Griffith

Graveside services for Walton William Griffith of Francitas will be held 2:30 p. m. today at the Francitas Cemetery.

Mr. Griffith was born May 9, 1900, to Walter and Sarah Griffith in Oklahoma and died April 4, 1992, in Citizens Memorial Hospital in Victoria.

He was a Church of Christ preacher for more than 50 years.

He is survived by seven sons, J. W. Mack and K. O. “Nokie” of Francitas, Vernon of Bay City, Raymond of Palacios, Sterling of Port Lavaca and Ervin of Victoria; five daughters, Annie Mae Long and Sue Jalufka of Francitas, Ethel Tanner of Port Lavaca, Melvina Nelson of Palacios and Fay Sparks of Bay City; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and some great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Vernon Ray Jr., Mike, Randy, Eugene, Kerry and Durrell “Pete.”

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Jessie Faye Green Griffith, who died Sept. 30, 1986; one child; his parents; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Daily Tribune, April 1992
 

K. O. "Nokie" Griffith
(April 9, 1934 - November 6, 2017)

K. O. “Nokie” Griffith, Sr., 83, of Francitas, TX passed away November 6, 2017. He was born April 9, 1934 in Francitas, TX to the late W. W. Griffith and Jessie Fay Green Griffith.

He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter Kelly Griffith and by 8 siblings.

Survivors include his wife of 62 ½ years Margie Brown Griffith of Francitas; daughter Karen Taylor (Allen) of Francitas; sons Kerry Griffith, Jr. (Carol) of Edna and Kevin Griffith (Sheila) of France; sisters Faye Cooke (Haskell) of Matagorda and Susie Jalufka (Fred) of Francitas; brother Ervin Griffith (Shirley) of Victoria and grandchildren Kyle Griffith, Kylann Griffith, Connor Griffith, Joanna Taylor, Michelle Taylor and Rebekah Taylor.

Graveside services will be 11:30 AM Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the La Bauve Cemetery in Francitas with Rev. Larry Swift officiating. Pallbearers will be Tom Blair, James Brown, Willis Brown, Ashley Jalufka, Pete Griffith, Lewis Griffith, Willie Griffith, Kyle Griffith and Connor Griffith.

Please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society in his name.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 

Mack Griffith
Alcoa retiree

Graveside services for Mack Griffith, 66, of Francitas were held at 2 p. m. Oct. 13, 1994, at LaBauve Cemetery with the Rev. Ralph Mann and the Rev. Don Delaplain co-officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Richardson Funeral Home of Port Lavaca.

Pallbearers were nephews, Wesley Batchelder, Ray Griffith, Kerry Griffith, Randy Griffith, Pete Griffith, Butch Griffith, Mike Griffith and Kevin Deyton.

Born June 4, 1928, in Francitas to the late W. W. and Jesse Green Griffith, he served in the Korean War and was an active member of V. F. W. Lodge 4403. He was also a retired tapper in the pot room for Alcoa and was a member of Point Comfort United Methodist Church. He died Oct. 11, 1994.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Batchelder Griffith; sisters, Annie Mae Long and Sue Jalufka, both of Francitas, Ethel Tanner of Port Lavaca, Faylene Sparks of Matagorda and Melvina Nelson of Cape Carancahua; brothers, K. O. Griffith and J. W. Griffith, both of Francitas, Raymond Griffith of Blessing, Sterling Griffith of Port Lavaca and Irvin Griffith of Victoria.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Vernon Griffith, on Aug. 1, 1992.

Memorials may be made to the LaBauve Cemetery, P. O. Box 203, Point Comfort, Texas 77978; or Point Comfort United Methodist Church.

Jackson County Herald-Tribune, October 20, 1994

Sterling D. Griffith
April 25, 1939 - December 9, 2014

Sterling Douglas Griffith Sr. was born April 25, 1939 and went to his Lord, our Savior, December 9, 2014.

Sterling was a man who loved his family, his friends, and Christ. He spent 57 wonderful years with his wife, Betty. Sterling had 4 children: Gary (wife Patricia), Mike, Tamy (husband Steve), Sterling Jr. (wife Melodie); he had 8 grandchildren: Melanie, Marli, Miranda, Cody, Casey, Brandon, Rene and Michael Jr. and 3 great-grandchildren: Ashlyn, Brilen and Conner.

Sterling was born to the late Jessie Faye Green Griffith and Walton Griffith. He grew up in Francitas, Texas and was one of twelve children: Faye Cook (husband Haskel), Susie Jalufka (husband Fred), Irvin (wife Shirley), Kerry O’Neal (wife Margie). Preceded in death by: Jay W. Griffith, Annie Mae Long, Vernon Griffith, Melvina Nelson, Ethel Tanner, Mack Griffith, Raymond Griffith.

Sterling’s love of country music and his God given talent to entertain gave the Crossroads area almost 40 years of Country Opry Shows.

A private family burial will take place. A Sterling Griffith Memorial Opry will be held sometime in January.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com

Richardson Colonial Funeral Home
 

Vernon Ray Griffith

Graveside services for Vernon Ray Griffith Sr., 66, of Bay City are scheduled for 4 p. m. today at Francitas Cemetery in Francitas with Bros. Eddie Calender and Doug Raymer officiating.

Mr. Griffith was born Sept. 27, 1925 in Francitas to Walton W. and Jessie Green Griffith and he died Aug. 1, 1992 at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton.

He was a member of the Church of Christ and a resident of Bay City for 24 years. He was married for 43 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Reese Griffith of Bay City; two daughters, Marilyn Beaty of Deutschburg and Shirley Burt of Bay City; two sons, Vernon Ray Griffith Jr. of Van Vleck and Barney Griffith of Bay City; five sisters, Annie Mae Long and Sue Jalufka, both of Francitas, Ethel Tanner of Port Lavaca, Faye Sparks of Matagorda and Melvina Nelson of Cape Carancahua; six brothers, J. W. Griffith of Kingsville, Mack Griffith and Kerry “Nokie” Griffith, both of Francitas, Raymond Griffith of Blessing, Sterling Griffith of Port Lavaca and Ervin Griffith of Victoria and 10 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Purswell, James Page, Hollie Hairston, Jeff Mitchell, Mark Watkins and David Krenek. Mr. Griffith’s grandsons will be honorary pallbearers.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, August 3, 1992

Mildred Faye Griffith
January 31, 1930 - December 17, 2019

Mildred Griffith, 89, passed away December 17, 2019.  She was born January 31, 1930.

Mildred is preceded in death by her parents Charlie James Reese and Omay Delores Williams Reese; her husband Vernon Griffith; sisters Rosa Lea and Treasie, and brothers Gillus, Eddie, Charlie, Tony Calvin and Tommy.  She is survived by her brother Johnny Reese of Olivia, TX; sister Dorothy Haze of Crockett, TX; children Vernon “Ray” Griffith, Jr. & wife Caroline, Barnny Griffith & wife Donna, Marilyn Beaty & husband Ron, Shirley Burt & husband Jack; her grandchildren; great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren ; a very special friend who is more like a family member, Kathy Jackson, as well as many other family members and friends.

Mildred was a Christian, and a member of Matthew Street Church of Christ for more than 50 years.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 9:00 am Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow visitation at 11:00 am with Roy Brewer officiating. Interment will follow at LaBauve Cemetery in Francitas, TX with Jack Burt officiating. Pallbearers are grandchildren Jason Hayden, Susan Lewis, Chris Griffith, Julie Deckard, DeAndra Schmersahl, Camille Griffith, Justin Hayden, Kelli Panfilli and Griffin “L.J.” Burt. Honorary pallbearer is Delana Burt-Henderson.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home