Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Kyle Andrew Alford

Kyle Andrew Alford

Funeral services for Kyle Andrew Alford, 77, of Columbia Lakes, will be held 10 a. m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Bay City with the Rev. Mike Zimmerman and Dr. W. D. Baker officiating. Burial will be at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Alford was born Aug. 23, 1915 in Warren to Shelly and Susie Price Alford and did May 24, 1993 at The Plantation Health Care Center in Lake Jackson after battling cancer.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bay City and a former resident of Bay City. He was well known in the golfing community.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Bledsoe Alford of Columbia Lakes; a daughter, Carol Ruth Brown of Houston; a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Daisy Alford of Beaumont; two grandsons and a granddaughter-in-law, Michael Andrew and Andrea and Scott Derek Brown, all of Bay City; and one great-granddaughter, Allison Brown.

Pallbearers will be Gene Amman, Alex Osmand, Ken Culbreth Jr., Ray Kubesch, Morris Brown, Tommy Aycock, Lon Lambert and Neil Arbuckle.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Ken Culbreth, J. P. Diesel, Jay Hebert, Dick Goodridge, Craig Watson, Bob Earles, Jim Ness, Bill Hill, R. J. Nelson and Bum Phillips.

In lieu of the usual contributions, donations may be made to the Brazosport Cancer Center, P. O. Box 90, Lake Jackson, 77566.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral

Daily Tribune, May 25, 1993
 

Frank J. Baker, Sr.

Frank J. Baker

Funeral services for Frank J. Baker Sr., 91, of Bay City will be held 2 p. m. Saturday at the Taylor Brothers Funeral Home chapel with Brother Joe Wrape officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Mr. Baker was born Jan. 10, 1901, to Samuel Houston and Nettie Tidwell Baker in Bastrop and died Feb. 6, 1992, at Matagorda General Hospital.

A resident of Bay City since 1918, Mr. Baker was affiliated with the Church of Christ. He was also a past Master and a 65-year member of the Bay City Masonic Lodge AF & AM No. 865.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and John Fulton of South Houston and Janet and Gerald Gilbert of Grand Saline; three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank J. and Tommy Baker Jr. of Bay City, Aubrey M. and Dorothy Baker of Galveston and Donald K. and Joan Baker of Pearland; a son-in-law, B. J. Schulz of Houston; four sisters, Irene Wofford of Van Vleck, Orene Davis of Bay City, Louise Grubbs of Lake Livingston and Laura Haynes of Weatherford; a devoted friend, Eunice Caton of Alvin; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Baker was preceded in death by a daughter, Inez Schulz, who died on April 2, 1991.

Pallbearers will be Pat Barron, J. C. Glover, John Paul Mielsch, Ed Dare, Ronnie McElhenney and Archie Proffitt.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, February, 1992
 

James "Pat" Boepple          Margaret "Peggy" Boepple

Margaret “Peggy” Polk Boepple

November 10, 1942 – April 11, 1999

A Rosary for Margaret “Peggy” Polk Boepple, 56, of Bay City, was said at 7:00 PM Monday, April 12, 1999, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with Father Casey Jarzombek and Rev. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Mrs. Boepple died April 11 at her residence. She was born November 10, 1942, in Dallas, to Roy Alton and Eleanor Dumond Polk. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, an active and charter member of The Catholic Daughters, past president and past member of Bay City Book Review Club, past president and member of Holy Cross School Board, secretary and past member of Holy Cross School Foundation, a member of the Junior Service League, and a resident of Bay City since 1957.

She and her husband were owners and operators of Matagorda and Clark Pharmacies from 1971 to 1992, then she became a travel consultant until 1997. Mrs. Boepple was a 1960 graduate of Bay City High School, and a graduate of the University of Texas in 1964. After graduating from college, she taught school for several years before starting a family.

Mrs. Boepple is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Daryl Gambrell of Plano, Texas, and Laura and Chris Pustejovsky of El Campo; father, Roy Alton Polk of Bay City; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Henrietta Polk of Honolulu; grandsons, Ty Patrick and Seth David Pustejovsky of El Campo; granddaughter, Sydney Laura Gambrell of Plano; nieces, Paige Shaw of Colorado Springs and Emily Shaw of Austin; and nephew, Hank Polk of Honolulu. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Patrick Boepple; mother, Eleanor Dumond Polk; and brother, David Dumond Polk.

Pallbearers will be her godson, Kent Hicks, nephew, Hank Polk, Don Betts, Garry Johnson, Walter Malone, Fred Boepple, III, Chris Clingingsmith, David Bailey, Bobby Poppenhausen, Scott Pearson, Shawn Duke, John Liberda, Eddie, Michael, Tommy, and Robby Boepple, and Philip Green.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Cowart, E. M. Huitt, Gary and Allen Green, Pat Centilli, Fred Boepple, Jr., Mitch and Jack Boepple.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross School Foundation at 2001 Katy Avenue, Bay City, Texas 77414.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, April 13, 1999                          Courtesy of Susie Adkins

Funeral Services For Bay City Pharmacist Friday - James Patrick “Pat” Boepple

James Patrick “Pat” Boepple, former owner of Matagorda and Clark Pharmacies, died Wednesday at Matagorda General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Boepple will be 10 a. m. Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Everyone who knew the local pharmacist said he was always upbeat and always had a smile on his face.

“He was the eternal optimist,” businessman Taylor Steves said. “I called him Mr. Jolly. You couldn’t ask for a more friendlier, more concerned person. That’s the way he treated his customers.”

Scott Richardson, owner of Secrest Jewelers, was practically a next door neighbor to Mr. Boepple when he was the pharmacist at Matagorda Pharmacy, and he, too, remembered the pleasant attitude of his colleague and friend.

“He was the finest person I’ve ever known. He was a very honest and very capable man and a very good citizen.”

Richardson added that Mr. Beopple always wanted to participate in whatever was happening in the downtown area.

“He always tried to participate or do what everyone wanted to do around the (courthouse) square.

In March, an era came to an end in Bay City when Mr. Boepple sold the inventories and prescription records of Matagorda Pharmacy and Clark Pharmacy to HEB and closed the stores. Matagorda Pharmacy had been part of the courthouse since 1906 and because of this long-time heritage, this decision was not an easy one for Mr. Boepple to make.

“I hate to leave more empty buildings in Bay City right now, but I feel like this is the right choice for me to make at this point,” Boepple said in a Daily Tribune article in March. “I’ve had very mixed emotions about this—it’s hard.”

Boepple then went to work in HEB’s pharmacy until his illness prevented him from returning to the career he enjoyed.

In addition to the pharmacy business, Mr. Boepple was also an active member of the Bay City Rotary Club where he was a past president. Last year he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient of the Rotary Club.

Steves said he was a director in the Rotary Club many times and was “very active in the Rotary Club until his illness forced him to resign.”

Mr. Boepple was also a member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3070, member of the Matagorda County Fair Association Board of Managers, Four County Pharmaceutical Association and an Eucharistic minister for Holy Cross Catholic Church where he was a member.

Born in Ganado 54 years ago, Mr. Boepple resided in Bay City for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; two daughters and a son-in-law, Laura and Chris Pustejovsky and Beth Boepple; two sisters and three brothers.

Daily Tribune, July 2, 1992
 

Mary Clay Stinnett

Mary Stinnett
Mother Stinnett

Mrs. Mary Stinnett, one of Bay City’s oldest citizens who came here from Bell County when our town was young, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. I. Carson on North Avenue F., last night within a few moments after her daughter discovered that she was ill.

Death came to this fine woman as she approached her 88^th year. It came to her peacefully, painlessly and in the quietness of her home, finishing a remarkable life of love and usefulness and one in which she gathered about her many friends and loved ones.

Mother Stinnett, as she was affectionately called was loved, honored and held in the highest esteem by all who knew her.

She leaves to mourn her departure: Miss Florence Stinnett, Mrs. J. I. Carson, Mrs. E. M. Hill and Messrs. Allen and Will Stinnett, all of this city. Another son, Sidney of Wichita Falls and for whom the town of Stinnett, county seat of Hutchinson County is named, also survives, but because of illness, could not attend the funeral.

Another article covering the life and character of this lovely woman will appear in a later issue.

The funeral will be under the direction of the Walker Matchett Company and will be held from Mrs. Carson’s home tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 10 o’clock.

The Daily Tribune, August 5, 1932

Grandmother Stinnett
By Cora B. Moore

It is always a melancholy privilege to recount and recount the nobler qualities of heart and mind of them we love, when they have entered a higher and holier service. Such is the feeling of unworthiness that we always shrink from the attempt, at the same time, there comes a peculiar joy into our hearts, as we recall the happiness, which is only the influence of the ones we have “loved, and lost awhile.”

Right at this moment, we are thinking of Grand Mother Stinnett, that pioneer of the years when Bay City was just a “struggle.”

Eighty-eight years ago, little Mollie Clay Corum was born into the home and hearts of her parents in Clifton, Mo.—‘twas on the glorious Fourth of July she came to bless this home, and after childhood had had its experiences in old Missouri, she came in her early childhood, when she was just fifteen years of age, to Texas to help turn the great vastness of the prairies into homes of strength and culture.

Her vivacity and charm were very deeply impressed upon young W. H. Stinnett and on February 12, 1860, she became the bride, and into her own home she went, still pioneering in a large way—this time, in homemaking in Bell County, Texas. The home from which she came was a deeply religious one, and her husband W. H. Stinnett, founded the first Methodist Church in Bell County, the “Live Oak Methodist Church,” while in the adjourning county, the father of the famous Dr. Marvin L. Graves, was presiding elder of the Georgetown district. So we see the little “Mollie Corum” of the earlier days, the tried and true wife of one just as “pioneering” in spirit as she—building homes, communities, churches and families, for very soon little ones came trooping into the modest home of Mr. and Mrs. Stinnett, and into the training of these little ones went all the strength of character, noble ideals and vigorous physical being they together could command.

Time went on, and the father was called into the vast eternity, leaving the mother with the children of their love to carry on in the creating and fulfilling of their own life problems. Nature did a great deal for Mrs. Stinnett, in giving her the talents of various degrees. Into her life in Bay City, these talents came very lavishly. We are thinking now of her accomplishments in the Methodist Church here. Never aggressive in her manner, yet she was in the fore front of all church activities just so long as her health would, or did permit. Especially in the culinary art did she excel. She could cook the same think more ways than anybody I ever heard of, and each time, the article seemed to be better. In the Missionary Auxiliary she was one of the leading members. The Methodist Church as it stands today is here as a monument to her labor of love for her church. There are so many kind things Mrs. Stinnett has done, that to recall them would take much time and space. So wrought well, during her years of usefulness.

We know we shall miss her and our hearts ache with the loneliness of our longing for her, yet, we would not call her back, if we could, Time will never fill her vacant chair, nor speak the words we have loved to hear, but into our hearts comes the joy that she was our own, our very own, that we were permitted to know and love her, to be near and learn from her vast experiences.

These last years have been years of close confinement to the home, for life’s engine was showing the effects of hard usage, and without warning, the “machinery” gave way, and had to be taken to the “Master Builder” for repairs—into the “Round House of Eternity.” So that once powerful engine, the heart of Grand Mother Stinnett, is in the hands of the One she served for her eighty-eight years of time, and whom she will serve for all the endless eternity.

We who have “passed under the rod,” know the sadness of a motherless home, yet we rejoice with the sons and daughters of the Stinnett home, in that “Mother” was spared the usual suffering and that call came surely, and swiftly so that what we have left us is only the beautiful memory of a mother’s love, sacrifice and devotion.

And that is all that we can every hope to have in time, and in eternity,--the memory of LOVE.

The Daily Tribune, August 8, 1932
 

John Sargent Walker

J. S. Walker Rites Set on Thursday

Jones Creek--Funeral rites for a Jones Creek man who died Tuesday in his home have been set.

Services for John Sargent Walker, 66, will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday in the Lakewood Funeral Chapel on Loop Rd. with the Rev. A. Gordon Johnson, pastor of the Velasco Baptist Church, officiating.

Burial will be in the Cedar Vale Cemetery in Bay City.

Walker's body will lie-in-state in the Freeport Funeral Home until tomorrow morning when it will be transferred to the chapel.

Survivors include one brother, R. C. Walker of Brazoria, three nephews Raymond Walker of Lake Jackson, R. C. Walker Jr. of Kingsville, L. S. Harrison of New Orleans; three nieces, Mrs. Fred Reed of Freeport, Mrs. A. G. Dingle of Brazoria and Mrs. J. A. Means of Brazoria.

Pallbearers will be Perry McNeill, Eddie Rimmer, Odell Houser, A. J. Cayer, Jack Scott, and R. Ward.

Brazosport Facts, October 9, 1968
 

Edna Witham Wood

Mrs. Edna A. Wood

Death entered the home of E. E. Wood at 8:15 this, Wednesday, morning and took from the couch of pain and suffering the gentle spirit of a loving mother, Mrs. Edna Arabella Wood, who had made her home with her son for a great many years.

Mrs. Wood at the time of her death was in her 84^th year, having reached her 83^rd year on January 25^th. She was born in Connecticut on January 27, 1853, where she resided until 1905 when she came to Texas. Her husband died in 1904.

Surviving are her daughters, Misses Lillian and Florence, and son, E. E. with whom she made her home.

Mrs. Wood was a member of the Congregational Church, but because of no place to worship here, attended the Episcopal Church. She was possessed of many friends and always carried a pleasing, happy smile for everyone. Her disposition was gentle and loving and because of her splendid amiability her companionship was sought by the young as well as by her older friends.

The funeral, which will be directed by Taylor Brothers will be held from the E. E. Wood home Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, with religious services conducted by Rev. Paul Engle, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Matagorda County Tribune, February 20, 1936
 

Ernest Edward Wood

Funeral Service Held Wednesday For E. E. Wood

Funeral services were held for Ernest Edward Wood, 61, Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock from the First Baptist Church here with the Rev. E. D. Head of Houston officiating.

Mr. Wood, who for many years operated a feed store here before moving to Houston, died at the family residence November 18, on 8215 Southmore.

Surviving Mr. Wood are his wife, Mrs. Susie Wood; two daughters, Mrs. Manor Stafford of Wharton and Miss Edna Wood of Houston; three sons, E. E. (Jack) Wood Jr. and Victor Wood of Houston, and Wilbur Wood of Danbury; two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Hoopengarner and Miss Florence Wood of Houston.

Active pallbearers were J. C. Lewis, Tom Howard, L. B. Gueno?, W. E. Davant, H. M. Spoar, and J. C. Sisk. Burial was in Cedarvale Cemetery under the direction of Taylor Brothers.

Matagorda Tribune, November 21, 1940
 

Esther Preston Wood

Esther Preston Wood
Funeral Held Tuesday For Mrs. E. E. Wood, Jr.
Was a Former Resident of Bay City
Esther, As She Was Known, Had Many Friends Here

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10:30 o’clock for Mrs. Esther Wood, 35, at the First Methodist Church in Bay City with the Reverend Ira Key officiating.

Burial was in Cedarvale Cemetery under direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wood had lived in Houston for the past year, but had formerly been a resident of Bay City.

She was a member of the Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, E. E. “Jack” Wood Jr. of Houston; a son, E. E. “Jackie” Wood Jr. III of Houston; her mother, Mrs. J. W. Preston of Pleasanton; two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude McKinley of San Antonio and Miss Eula Preston of Corpus Christi; two brothers, G. W. Preston of South America and Erwin Preston of Aqua Dulce.

Pallbearers were Jack Erwin, Fred Fields, Jimmie Castleton, Walter Goslan, Charles Cram, and Frank Shaw Taylor.

Mrs. Wood had many friends here. The Herald adds its sympathy.

The Herald (Bay City) May 30, 1940