Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Betty Joyce Durham
July 14, 1934 - November 9, 2024

Betty Joyce Durham was born July 14, 1934 in Fort Payne, Alabama to Preston and Mae Price.  She passed away in her home on November 9, 2024 after a valiant battle with illness.  Betty is survived by son Ralph A. Durham, daughter Beth Ann Gillett, son Russell Durham and wife Debbie.

Also left to cherish her memory are grandsons and wives, Larry and Roxanne Gillett, Troy and Lauren Gillett, Chance and Mallory Gillett, Dustin and Samantha Durham and Jeremy and Christa Durham.  Great grandchildren, Victoria Gillett, Christian Gillett, Alexander Gillett, Matthew Gillett, Laney Gillett, CJ Gillett, Ryan Gillett, Kaitlyn Durham and Wyatt Durham.

Betty was preceded in death by husband Ralph L Durham, parents Preston and Mae Price and sister Barbara Winette.

Betty was a wonderful, caring and nurturing mother to her three children.  “Mimi” adored and always smiled while talking about her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved to garden and truly had a green thumb along with being a great cook. She loved the beach and travelling to many great destinations around the world with her husband Ralph.  Betty also enjoyed attending concerts and plays with cherished friends.  Anyone who knew her can attest she was an avid Bridge player for most of her life.  She belonged to many Bridge clubs over the years and formed friendships with these loving and wonderful ladies.  She will be truly missed by theses ladies and everyone she ever met.  There is a hole in the hearts of those who knew her as “Mimi”.

There is a special place in our hearts for those who took care of her during the last five months of her life. Her caregivers Rox-an Valencia, Juanita Gonzales, Chella Flores, and Mary Naranjo.  Also, Carrie Arnold and Angels Home Health, Jessica with Angels Hospice as well as all the nurses and aides with Hospice, Leslie Zuniga and Debbie, her daughter in law and best friend in life.

Funeral services will be held at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 17th, followed by a graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to Angles Hospice, St. Jude’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.

Taylor Brothers Funeral Home

Ralph Lee Durham
July 19, 1931 - June 7, 2010

Ralph Lee Durham, 78, of Bay City passed away June 7, 2010.

The youngest of five children, Ralph was born on July 19, 1931 to Jack and Lydia Walker Durham in Fort Payne, Alabama.

He is survived by: his wife of 60 years, Betty Durham and their children Ralph A. Durham and Brenda Sheppard of Magnolia, Beth and Perry Gillett of Monaville and Russell and Debbie Durham of Bay City.

Ralph was a kind man who served his country in the Korean Conflict and was retired from Celanese. He will be remembered for his years of enjoying gardening, fishing, hunting with his grandsons and telling tall tales to his coffee-drinking buddies at Diamond S.

Other survivors include: his grandchildren, Dustin and Samantha Durham of Selkirk; Larry and Roxanne Gillett of Manassas, Virginia; Troy and Lauren Gillett of Fountain, Colorado, Chance and Mallory Gillett of Conroe; Jeremy Durham and Kristi of Katy; Carter Capehart of Chicago, Illinois. Great Grandchildren include, Kaitlyn and Wyatt Durham of Selkirk; Victoria, Christian, Alexander and Matthew Gillett of Manassas, Virginia; Ryan Gillett of Fountain, Colorado his special dog, Opie.

Ralph is also survived by: brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Inez Durham of Rome, Georgia and Bill and Goldie Durham of Fort Payne, Alabama; sister-in-law, Barbara Winnette of Winter Haven, Florida; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by: two sisters, Eloise Durham Suttles and Phyliss Durham Dingler.

The family will receive friends and family from 7 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with the Rev. John Mollet officiating.

Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Marvin Harvel, Quentin Watkins, Bernie Spence, Tommy Harkey, Curtis Franklin and Roger Bennett.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Diamond S Coffee Club. Memorial may be made to Houston Hospice-El Campo; 1102 N. Mechanic; El Campo, TX 77437.

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 June 8, 2010

Jessie Freeman Gaedcke

Mrs. W. F. Gaedcke - Jessie Freeman Gaedcke

The sad news of the death of Mrs. W. F. Gaedcke, which occurred at her home a few miles east of the city last night, reached the city this morning and cast a gloom of sadness over the hearts of her legion of friends and acquaintances in the city.

For several years this good woman lived a neighbor to the writer and family, who found in her a sweet, friendly woman, ever anxious and willing to do her part in anything that was good, Christian-like and elevating.

She was a noble woman in every sense of the word, a devoted mother and wife, a home-lover and builder, and it is with the deepest and sincerest regret that her death is chronicled.

To the bereaved father and son the sympathy and condolence of the entire city is extended.

Daily Tribune, October 12, 1918
 

Lucius J.Gartrell

SHOT THRU THE HEART
L. J. Gartrell of Bay City Killed By the Accidental Discharge of Pistol

The many friends of L. J. Gartrell were shocked on Monday to hear of his accidental death. At this home in Bay City that morning, Mr. Gartrell went to the wardrobe to get some article of clothing and in securing it dislodged a revolver which his father-in-law, Sheriff Rugeley, had placed on the top shelf. The revolver fell and struck the floor, evidently the hammer down, as Mr. Gartrell turned, the ball entering the lower part of back on the left side, ranging upward and through the heart, causing instant death. The scene was witnessed by Mr. Gartrell’s little daughter who was lying on a divan in the hall saw the explosion and her father fall dead.

Mr. Gartrell married Annie, the only daughter of Sheriff Frank Rugeley, about twelve years ago, and four children came to bless the union. Mr. Gartrell was serving his second term as City Tax Assessor and Collector, was a member of the Knights of Pythias and leaves a large circle of friends who deeply sympathize with the bereaved family.

The funeral took place yesterday under the auspices of the Bay City Knights of Pythias.

Matagorda News, September 27, 1912               Obituary courtesy of Susie Adkins
 

Ellen E. Gest

Ellen Elizabeth Gest

Services will be held for Ellen Elizabeth Gest, 87, of Bay City, 3:30 p. m. Friday at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Officiating at the services will be the Rev. Charles Sonnier.

Gest died December 15, 1982 at her residence.

Survivors include daughter and sons-in-law, Dorris and Ottis Birkner of Bay City, Edna and Charles Stephenson of Bay City; sister, Ida Gest of Bay City; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Gest was preceded in death by her husband Fred Gest Sr. and her son, Fred Gest Jr.

She was a life long resident of Bay City.

Rosary will be tonight (Thursday) 7:30 p. m. at the funeral home chapel.

Burial will follow funeral services at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Henry Sherrer Jr., Frank Sherrer Sr., Coy Ramsey, Terry Duncan, Larry Burgess and Gregg Sutherland.

Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune 16, December 1982
 

Mary Gates Glueck

Mrs. Mary Glueck

Mary Gates Glueck was born to Germany, July 7, 1859 coming to America when a very young girl. Married to Herman Glueck in 1880, died at her home northeast of Bay City July 23, 1933 at the age of 74 years and 14 days. Was laid to rest at the Cedarvale Cemetery July 14. Services being held from the Holy Cross Church with solemn requiem high mass. Father Carey, pastor celebrant, delivered the funeral sermon.

Mrs. Glueck was a devoted Catholic and in her early day was a worker of the church. She was loved by all who knew her and her death leaves a vacant space in many hearts. She was fine in every way—mother and to church.

Mrs. Glueck has lived in Matagorda County for the past seventeen years, coming here from Wharton County, where Mr. Glueck died. She has lived in Bay City for the past seven years making friends with everyone she met.

Four children survived her. Mrs. Leslie Melcher and Adolphe Glueck of El Campo; Mrs. Louise Weber, Charlie Glueck and Adam Glueck all of Bay City. Besides six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Matagorda County Tribune, July 27, 1933
 

Frederick Leo Grover           Callie Frances Grover

Death of Leo Grover

Last Sunday afternoon at 6:15 p. m. surrounded by friends and relatives. Mr. Leo Grover passed into the great beyond. The deceased was born in San Patricio county February 25, 1861. He was converted to the Christian religion and baptized into the Baptist church in 1885, of which he was a faithful member until the time of his death.

Mr. Grover was the first of his family to be called from time into eternity. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Caroline Grover and six children: Mrs. Lelah Grover Miller of Bay City, Mrs. Beulah Waterman of Pierce, Orin A. Glover of Houston, Mrs. Alma Givens Gibson of Donna, Mr. J. E. Grover of Waelder, Markham R. Grover of Bay City.

All of his family were with him at the time of his death, and ministered to their father with all of the tenderness and love that thoughtful and obedient children could. It was a pleasure to Mr. Grover, as he so many times expressed it, in his last days to have all of his dear ones with him, as he crossed over the river.

Mr. Grover was a good man, faithful and honest, honored and respected by his friends and acquaintances; he was a faithful, true husband and father, loved and revered by his family. He was conscious until the last moments of his death, and he approached his Maker with an unfaltering trust, and his last prayer was not for himself but for his friends.

Mr. Grover was laid to rest Monday evening at 3 o’clock, Rev. White conducting the funeral service. The floral offerings were many and beautiful, emblematic of the life that had gone to meet its Maker.—By a Friend.

Matagorda County Tribune, July 7, 1916
 

Alvena Mann

Alvena Cross Mann

March 6, 1865 – April 27, 1937

Mrs. Alvena Cross Mann, age 72 years, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. L. R. Moran, in Pierce Tuesday morning. She is survived by: two daughters, Mrs. L. R. Moran of Pierce, Texas, and Mrs. John Spoar of Nederland?, Texas; five sisters and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Mann will be remembered as the wife of G. W. Mann, brother to Judge Mann, and they lived for a number of years in the Simpsonville community.

Funeral services will be held Thursday evening at Taylor Bros. Funeral Chapel, with Rev. R. E. Connell of the First Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery under the direction of Taylor Bros.

The Daily Tribune, April 28, 1937                 Obituary courtesy of Susie Adkins
 

William M. Mann

William Manning Mann

1854 – 1949

Funeral services for William Manning Mann were held here Friday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ernest Deutsch officiating and burial in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Judge Mann, who has been a resident of Bay City for 36 years, would have been 95 on March 10.

He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and until July, 1947, served as city recorder. He was active until a few days ago when he was taken to the hospital.

He is survived by: a son, S. C. Mann of Beaumont, and a grandson, Henry Mann of Houston.

The Daily Tribune, February 17, 1949          Obituary courtesy of Susie Adkins