Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

J. W. Ingram            Keye M. Ingram

Keye Ingram
Local Teacher Dies

Mrs. Ingram, known as "Keye" to her many friends, came to Bay City in August 1923 to teach Spanish in the Bay City High School. In 1950 she added counseling to her teaching duties, and in 1954 became full time counselor in the high school. She occupied this position until her retirement at the end of the 1966-67 school year. In her 44 years of teaching she saw the Bay City school grow from an eleven-grade school to its present 12-grade system; from a high school of 186 students to one that had 189 graduates the year she retired.

One unique contribution that she made, in addition to her teaching activities, coaching basketball and baseball for the girls, would be the drum and bugle club she organized in her early teaching years. Called "Keye's Kadets," this group preceded performing school bands with pep squads, trained yell leaders, and drum majors. In fact, "Keye's Kadets" has been accorded as a "first" in Texas high schools having been organized and used as a pattern for many Texas schools, being the original pattern for such groups as the "Rangerettes" and the "Starlettes" and such.

Upon her retirement from the Bay City schools, the entire student body participated in a school assembly in her honor. And at that time the following words were written summing up some of her accomplishments:

"Every school has a pattern of development which might be compared with a tapestry. And, in the tapestry that represents the picture of education in Bay City schools there are woven endless threads of Mrs. Ingram's work. All the threads are strong and will last. They are bright, and add a cheerful aspect to the picture because she has been the spirit of cheerfulness at all times. There are threads of inspirational tones, representing the depth and sincerity of her devotion to the helping of young people. Actually, the threads representing her work are mingled with every part of the picture because she has been such an integral part of the school itself, and because the students and their welfare always came first with her."

Mrs. Ingram, a graduate of Southwestern University at Georgetown, was an honorary member of the National Honor Society, a chapter organization in the local high school instigated largely by her efforts. Many years ago she was awarded a life membership in the high school P. T. A. She helped write the words to the "Alma Mater," with the music written by Jimmy Barron and the school annual was dedicated to her more than one year.

Mrs. Ingram was a member of the Teachers' Honorary sorority Delta Kappa Gamma, a long time member of the D. A. R., and Vice-Regent and charter member of the recently organized Bay City Mary Rolph Marsh Chapter of the D. A. R., a member of the Chautauqua Club, the Study Club, the Book Review Club, the Texas Personnel and Guidance Association, the American Personnel and Guidance Association, the Texas State Teachers' Association, the Classroom Teachers' Association. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Bay City Chapter 380, and served this group in the capacity of Worthy Matron.

She was a member of the volunteer hospital group of Pink Ladies, and served in every capacity of the local Lions Club wives group, assisting with their annual Rice Festival.

The Daily Tribune, August 2, 1972

Keye Morgan Ingram

Keye Morgan Ingram, 70, passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston Tuesday, August 1. Mrs. Ingram had lived in Bay City for 49 hears and was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star, Bay City Chapter No. 380. Survivors include: husband, J. W. Ingram of Bay City; 5 sisters, Mrs. Rutha Ferguson of Georgetown, Mrs. Alice Dolan of Big Lake, Mrs. Lois Hine of San Antonio, Mrs. Anna Kelly of Giddings and Mrs. Roberta Pierce of Ft. Worth. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 3, at the First United Methodist Church in Bay City at 3 p. m. with Rev. Wayland Elmore officiating. Interment will be at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Bryan Cole, Bill Howze, Bill McAllister, Bob Renfro, Eddie Jecmenek and D. F. Wiginton. Honorary pallbearers will be: Ashley Etie, George Calloway, Dr. Charles Shoultz, Dr. Paul Brewer, Dr. Bryan Simons, Members of the Wesley Bible Class, Bay City High School faculty, and Bay Tex Motors employees. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

The Daily Tribune, August 2, 1972
 

Edgar B. Johnson          Dedia V. Johnson

Edgar Benhart Johnson

Edgar Benhart Johnson, 71, a resident of Bay City for 70 years, died at his residence May 2, 1981. He was a member of Temple Baptist.

Survivors include: wife, Dedia V. Johnson of Bay City and sister, Marie J. Shaw of Bay City. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 4, at 4:00 PM, with Rev. Gene Bynum of the Temple Baptist Church officiating at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Pallbearers include: E. L. Rogers, Johnny Reynolds, Edwin Cerny, M. C. McClanahan, Tommy Rogers, and W. A. Robertson. Honorary pallbearers include: I. E. Ryman, Albert Chambless, LeRoy Thomas and Wade Ashcraft. In lieu of the usual contributions, memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, May 4, 1981                Obituary courtesy of Susie Adkins

Dedia Veleria Johnson

Graveside services for former Bay Citian Dedia Valeria Johnson, 78, of Union City, Calif. were held Thursday at Cedarvale Cemetery with the Rev. David Downey officiating.

Mrs. Johnson was born June 7, 1912 in Oklahoma and she died Sept. 12, 1990 in California.

She was a member of Golden Avenue Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son, Willie J. Cunningham of Houston; grandchildren, Sandra L. Ramirez and William E. Young, both of California; five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar B. Johnson, in 1981.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, August, 1992
 

Don E. Keller

Funeral Services Are Held Sunday For D. E. Keller, 79

Funeral services were held Sunday for Don E. Keller, 79, at the Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, with the Rev. Tom Dyal of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial was in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Keller was a retired barber and had lived in Bay City for 37 years. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and was a member of the V. F. W.

Surviving are: his wife, Mrs. Mary C. Keller of Bay City; one daughter, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Dawson of McAllen; five sons, Don E. Keller of Hobbs, NM, Maurice of Kansas City, Kansas, Dr. Meredith Keller of Galveston, Jack M. and Thomas William of Bay City.

The Bay City News, March 31, 1955                       Obituary courtesy of Susie Adkins
 

Amanda Kelley

Amanda Kelley

BAY CITY - Amanda Kelley, 32, of Bay City, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2012. She was born Dec. 3, 1979 in Bay City to Randy and Linda Kelley.

She is survived by her parents; brother, Heath Kelley; and special friend, Adam Alameda.

A viewing will begin at 9 a.m. until funeral service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Green's Mortuary chapel, with Dr. T.L. Richardson, Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Bay City, officiating. Burial will be at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Green's Mortuary, 2702 Ave. C., Bay City, 979-245-3489.

Published in Victoria Advocate on August 8, 2012