Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Francis Mack Hale           Claudia Lucas Hale

Mr. Francis Mack Hale

In the passing of Mr. Francis Mack Hale at the Loos hospital on September 7, 1935, Bay City lost one of its honored and highly respected citizens. Mr. Hale was born September 23, 1880, lacking only a few days of being 55 years old.

He was married to Miss Claudia Caldwell February 22, 1903, at Greenville, Texas. Due to poor health, they moved to Bay City some fourteen years ago, and during this time proved himself a successful farmer. It was a privilege to live as a neighbor to Mr. Hale and his friendly, lovable disposition drew both old and young that came in contact with him. He was a member of the Christian church in Vansickle, Texas, and he leaves behind a knowledge that he loved and respected his God.

Besides his wife, Mr. Hale is survived by two daughters, Mrs. W. C. Meyers of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. J. W. Medlock of Angleton, Texas; and one son, Mr. Marvin L. Hale of this city. These were with him when the end came. He is also survived by two brothers, Mr. Tom Hale of Quinlan, Texas, and Mr. Tate Hale of Bridgeport, Texas.

The funeral for this good man was held from the Walker-Matchett funeral home Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. Dr. G. T. Storey conducted the services at the parlors and Rev. Ernest Deutsch concluded them at Cedarvale cemetery.

Pallbearers were Maurise Broughton, R. Lee Anderson, Jim D. Tabb, J. D. Yancey, W. J. Luder, Jr., Ernest Reiman.

Out-of-town relatives attending the funeral were his brother, Mr. Tom Hale, of Quinlan, Texas; Mrs. Gus Dugan of Greenville, Texas, sister of Mrs. Hale, and Mrs. Dugan’s daughter, Mrs. Anton Koch of Quanah, Texas; Mrs. Dan O’Keefe of Fort Wayne, Indiana, also a sister of Mrs. Hale’s and Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Rose, Caddo Mills, Texas, a niece and nephew; Mr. W. C. Meyers, Los Angeles, California, and Mr. J. W. Medlock, Angleton, Texas.

As a friend of the family I wish to extend my sympathy and cherish with them the memory of a faithful husband and father, a patient sufferer and a worthy friend.

Mrs. J. D. Yancey

Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, September 19, 1935
 

Frank Hale          Maggie Bell Hale

Frank Hale Dies Sunday In Palacios

Mr. Frank Hale, 80, of Palacios, long time resident of the county, died Sunday afternoon in the Bayview hospital in Palacios.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maggie Hale of Palacios and ten children, Mrs. Ethel Higdon of Palacios, Mrs. Mamie Tollison of Compton, California, Mrs. N. A. Newton, Mrs. A. Seerden, Mrs. J. P. Graham of Bay City, Mrs. E. R. Blaylock of Aransas Pass and Tom and Rodney Hale of Bay City, Bland Hale of Wadsworth and Pete Hale of Palacios. Also surviving are two brothers, Pete and Bill Hale of Bonham, 25 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Services were held Monday at 3:30 from Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. W. W. Conerly of the First Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, May 25, 1953
 

Rodney E. Hale

Rodney E. Hale

Hale, Rodney E., 55, of Bay City, passed away Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p. m. Friday in The First Methodist Church of Bay City. Rev. Conrad Winborn will officiate and interment will be at Cedarvale. Survivors include his wife Annie Lee Hale of Bay City, two daughters, Mrs. Marsha Dykes, of Bay City, Mrs. Pam Svetlik, of Port Lavaca. Four sisters, all of Bay City, Mrs. N. A. Newton, Mrs. E. R. Blaylock, Mrs. Louise Seerden, and Mrs. J. P. Graham. Also one brother Pete Hale of Bay City, two grandsons and one granddaughter. Hale was a member of the First Methodist Church in Bay City and the veterans of Foreign Wars. He was employed as an automobile salesman for a local auto agency at the time of his death. Pallbearers will be Charles Hale, Tommy Hale, Jr., Tom Anderson, Bill Mills, J. D. Voyles, and Billy Blaylock. Funeral services will be under the direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Bay City Resident Dies

Rodney Hale, a prominent Bay City auto dealer, died Tuesday [Wednesday] at the age of 55. Hale was a native of Matagorda County.

Hale was working in the sales department of Anderson Bros. at the time of his death. In the past he worked as sales manager for Roy Wright Oldsmobile and owned a used car dealership of his own.

Hale enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served in New Guinea and in the Philippines where he was wounded in the Battle of Leyte. He was honorably discharged from the service in late 1945.

Rodney Hale was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Order of Eagles. He was also a member of the Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Annie Lee and two daughters.

Daily Tribune, January ?, 1970
 

Claude R. Hall

Claude Robert Hall

Claude Robert Hall, passed away on Jan. 17, 1978 in Matagorda General  Hospital. He was born on Aug. 9, 1904. Services will be Thursday, Jan. 19, 1978 at 3:30 p. m. at Taylor Bros. Chapel with Rev. W. D. Baker officiating. Interment will be in the Cedarvale Cemetery. Mr. Hall was a member of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Hall is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bertie Hall of Bay City. Five daughters: Mrs. Clara Fromley of Hurst, Mrs. Shirley Malone of Dallas, Mrs. Barbara Reynold of California, Mrs. Maidelle Yates of San Antonio and Mrs. Dorothy Baker of Galveston. Sisters: Mrs. Elizabeth Smith of Bay City, 16 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Hale was a veteran of World War II, serving overseas in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He earned an EAME campaign medal with 5 Bronze Stars. Active Pallbearers are: D. L. Nobles, Gene Morris, Bill Keller, Frank Howard Smith, Bobby Craft and Henry Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Leon Armatta, Leo Jones, Hudson Pollard, Bill Slone, Doyle Bridges, Maurice Keller, Marvin Peters, Frank Craft and Jimmy Craft. Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, January 18, 1978
 

Bettye M. Ham

Bettye Marlyne Massey Ham
August 21, 1927 - June 14, 2015

Bettye (Pete) Marlyne Massey Ham, 87, joined the Lord on Sunday, June 14, 2015.

She was born August 21, 1927, in Lake Wales, Florida, to Manning Keith and Margaret Aldret Haynes Massey. She met the love of her life, her husband Billy, while working as a Depot Agent for Southern Pacific in Markham, Texas. Betty married Billy (William Jefferson) Ham, on July 18, 1948. They lived and farmed in Sargent, Texas, until Billy’s death, on May 8, 1995.

Bettye is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Ham, and her son Billy J. Ham.

She is survived by daughters, Cheryl Lynn Ham and Linda (David) Lyle, all of Bay City, Texas. She is survived by her sister, Elzie Fortenberry of Sweeny, Texas; and brothers, Manning Keith Massey Jr. (Bud) and wife Dorothy of Damon, Texas, and Robert (Bob) and Geraldine Massey of Hawkins, Texas. Bettye loved her two granddaughters and great-grandchildren, Theresa (Kevin) LeDoux and children Garrett and Brady LeDoux and Anna (Blake) Howe and children Jade and Clay Howe.

Bettye loved gardening, crafting, and homemaking. She worked as an election judge in Sargent for 20 years. She also worked for the Economic Action Committee from 1972 to 1975, teaching crafts to senior citizens. Bettye resided at MNRC, where she made many friends and loved playing bingo.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, Texas.

Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 20, 2015, at Taylor Bros Funeral Home.

Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Kevin LeDoux, Garrett LeDoux, Blake Howe, Terry Lyle, Ricky Lyle, and Leslie Fortenberry.

In lieu of flowers, donate to a charity of your choice, or American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, 979-245-4613.

Bay City Tribune, June 17, 2015

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

William Jefferson Ham

William “Billy” Jefferson Ham, Sr.

William “Billy” Jefferson Ham, Sr., 77 of Sargent, died May 8, 1995 at his residence. Mr. Ham was born July 24, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas to William J. and Minnie Isabella Johnson Ham. Mr. Ham was a resident of Sargent for 46 years and a farmer and rancher in the Sargent area for years, and retired August 31, 1993 from Matagorda Co. Pct. No. 2 as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, served as president of the Van Vleck School Board, as fire chief and a charter member of the Sargent Fire Dept., served on the Matagorda Co. ASCS Board, and was active with the 4-H club. Mr. Ham was a World War II veteran serving overseas in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany as a Sergeant in the Anti-Tank Co., 143^rd Infantry Division, known as the Fighting 36^th or T-Patch.

Mr. Ham married Bettye Marlyne Massey July 18, 1948 in Markham, Texas.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p. m. Tuesday, May 9, 1995 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p. m. Wednesday, May 10, 1995 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Msgr. James Brunner officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Pallbearers include George Deshotels, Paul Johnson, Ray O’Connell, Allen E. O’Connell, Richard Lyle and Joe C. Knight. Honorary pallbearers include the workers of Precinct No. 2, J. D. Sutherland, Terry Lyle and his cousins, Daniel, Simon and Leonard Cornelius and Burt O’Connell.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bettye Marlyne “Pete” Massey Ham, by two daughters and a son-in-law, Cheryl Lynn Ham, and Linda Marlyne and David B. Lyle all of Bay City, by one son, William J. “Billy” Ham, Jr. of Sanger, Texas, and by two Granddaughters, Theresa Marlyne Lyle and Anna Marie Lyle both of Bay City.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Bay City Public Library. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, May 9, 1995
 

William J. Ham, Jr.

William “Billy” Jefferson Ham, Jr.
Oct. 23, 1956 – Nov. 7, 2011

William “Billy” Jefferson Ham, Jr. born October 23, 1956, passed away Monday, November 7, 2011, at his residence in Sanger, Texas. Billy had suffered from a multitude of health problems and died of natural causes.

He is survived by: his mother, Bettye Marlyne (Massey) Ham; sisters, Cheryl Ham and Linda Ham Lyle (husband David); nieces, Theresa Lyle LeDoux and family and Anna Lyle Howe and family; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Billy was preceded in death by his father William “Billy” Jefferson Ham, Sr.

He attended North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas, and studied organ with Charles Brown in the 1970s.

A member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Billy was a charter member and treasurer of the Denton Bach Society and served as tenor, archivist, and tailor for many years. He worked for the Presbyterian Synod of the Sun for many years.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, November 20, 2011, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bay City.

Bay City Tribune, Sunday, November 20, 2011

[Burial Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas]
 

James R. Hanna

James Hanna Dies From Injuries Of Rig Accident

James Hanna, 19, of Van Vleck, one of two roughnecks seriously hurt Tuesday noontime in a rig accident near Clemville, died Thursday at Matagorda General Hospital.

He had suffered injuries to his head when a swab cable slackened, striking him and Harvey Britton of Blessing.

Funeral services will be at 2 p. m. Saturday at the Temple Baptist Church, with Rev. C. S. Dove, Rev. Fincher, and Rev. Menkin officiating.

Interment will be at Cedarvale Cemetery under the direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Mr. Hanna, a long-time Van Vleck resident, is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Hanna of Van Vleck and one sister, Florence Marie Hanna of Van Vleck.

Both injured men were rushed to Matagorda General Hospital, Mr. Hanna in a Taylor Brothers ambulance and Britton in his own car drive by a fellow worker. Britton suffered severe lacerations of the face, necessitating 30 stitches around the face.

Daily Tribune, November 13, 1953
 

Duward Roy Harper, Sr.

Duward Roy “Pete” Harper

Duward Roy “Pete” Harper, 60, of Lockhart were held 5 p. m. Friday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Hugh Jones officiating. Burial was at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Harper was born April 3, 1932 in Bay City to Duward and Margaret Britt Harper and died July 2, 1992.

He served in the U. S. Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. After the war, he farmed rice and did oil field construction and hauling in Alvin. Mr. Harper built missile silos in Wyoming for the U. S. government. When he returned to Alvin, he continued in contracting and construction, particularly the Monsanto Petro-Chemical Complex. He had varied interests in the auto and boat industries. He was a graduate of Alvin High School. He loved to read and was a self-educated man.

His interests were wide and varied and included treasure hunting, salvage and gold mining, an interest he developed with his grandfather, Filmore Harper. More recently in semi-retirement, he operated a machine shop and foundry together with his son, John Glenn Harper. He also built a model steam engine. Mr. Harper was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and boating, both power and sail. He will be sorely missed by his many relatives and friends.

Survivors include his parents, Duward and Margaret Britt Harper of Alvin; four sons, D. R. Harper Jr. of Round Top, Woody Lynn Harper and Robert Glen Harper of Alvin and John Glenn Harper of Rosanky; two brothers, Paul Eugene Harper of Round Top and Phillip Michael Harper of Bay City; a grandson, Duward Britt Harper of Round Top and eight nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, July 5, 1992
 

Louis F. Harper          Helga J. Harper

Helga Johnson Harper was born on July 8, 1918, in Markham, Texas to Albert Henry and Jessie Longuet Johnson.

She passed to her heavenly home on September 5, 2010, at Matagorda Regional Medical Center in Bay City, Texas.

Helga graduated from Markham High School in 1935. She married Louis Fate Harper on May 26, 1936, at the Methodist parsonage in Markham. After celebrating 50 years of marriage, Louis died suddenly at their farm near Clemville, Texas on September 26, 1986.

Helga joins a host of family and friends who preceded her in death including her parents, husband, and siblings: Lorena J. Dawdy, Chester R. Johnson, A. Hoyt Johnson, and Vergie J. Loveless.

Helga is survived by: her daughter Helen and her husband Loy Sneary of Bay City. She is also survived by her grandchildren Shannon and her husband Jim Lucas of Austin; and Adam and his wife Toni Sneary of Buckeye. She is survived by her great grandson Will Lucas and baby boy Sneary due January 2011.

Both Helga and Louis grew up in families that were part of the early day rice farming industry in Matagorda County. After a few years traveling in the oil drilling industry the couple returned to Markham, Texas to establish their own rice and cattle operation near Clemville, Texas. They moved to Bay City in 1953. Helga took care of the household and farm bookkeeping and often helped with the cattle gathering either from horseback or from the kitchen.

The family is active in First United Methodist Church, where Helga assisted for over 30 years in Miss Ethel Gusmans 3 year old Sunday School Class.

Helga was a charter member of the Pink Ladies Hospital Auxiliary at Matagorda General Hospital where she served each Thursday morning, and helped with monthly birthday parties at Matagorda House, the beauty shop, and the Candy Striper program.

Other ways Helga supported her community were through membership in the Matagorda County Museum, Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, Fellowship Sunday School Class of FUMC, Bay City Study Club, Bay City Book Review, Bay City Nature Club, and the Church in the Hallway at The Legacy Assisted Living.

Helga enjoyed gardening, RV travels, sewing, and cooking. She was quick to share these skills with others through example and was ready with her cooking creations on a moments notice.

The family received visitors at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday, September 6, 2010. Funeral Services were at 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Bay City with the Rev. Jeff Gantz and the Rev. Pauline Harvey Storey officiating.

Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Pallbearers will be John Percy Carroll, Hoody Estlinbaum, Howard Harper, Don Matthews, Mike McMahon, and Jerry West.

Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Legacy Assisted Living for their years of dedicated care and the staff of the Matagorda Regional Medical Center for their care in the final days of Helga's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice or the Children's Sunday School Program at First United Methodist Church of Bay City.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.

Bay City Tribune, Published September 8, 2010
 

Ben Harrison

Funeral Services Conducted Monday For B. R. Harrison

Funeral services were held Monday from the chapel at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home for Ben Ralph Harrison, 53, of 2501 Tenth Street, Bay City, a resident of this county for 52 years.

Officiating was the Rev. Jack Lancaster of Austin, former pastor of Bay City’s First Presbyterian Church.

Burial was in Cedarvale Cemetery, with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Harrison, a butcher by occupation, passed away December 5 in the local hospital. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Gertrude Elaine Roth and Mrs. Marian Kathryne Gerhold of Bay City and Mrs. Laura Lee Tillman of Grand Prairie; one son, Ralph William Harrison of Bay City.

Five sisters, Mrs. Iona Louise Stubbeman of Cuero, Mrs. Eleanor Lauderback of Palacios, Mrs. Bernice Reed of Miami, Florida, Mrs. Adelyne Stacy of Houston, Mrs. Matie Lee McManus of Apopoka, Florida.

Four brothers, Fred W. of San Antonio, Frank of Bay City, Earl A. of Beaumont, Archie of Freeport.

Pallbearers were Percy Harrison, Vernon Harrison, Frank Harrison Jr., Richard Harrison, Bobby Dillard, and John Louderback.

Daily Tribune, December 10, 1953