Centenarians Buried in Matagorda County

Deceased County Residents Who Reached the Age of 100 and Beyond

A centenarian is a person who has attained the age of 100 or more.  These are the centenarians who have been identified to date. The page is for all of Matagorda County and additions of others buried in the County are welcomed. Submissions can be emailed .

Centenarians Born in Matagorda County and Buried Elsewhere

PART 1 - A-I          PART 2 - J-Z
 

Cecilia Polasek Jalufka, 100 years young, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016. 

Cecilia was born February 10, 1916, in Shiner, TX, to Joe and Annie Pekar Polasek.  Cecilia was one of eleven children.  She married August John Jalufka in October of 1935, in Shiner, and together they raised their ten children.  Cecilia was a wonderful homemaker, who loved to cook and bake for her family, her kolaches and chicken soup were among their favorites. She loved gardening in her yard, and even won “Yard of the Month” with her wonderful green thumb.  She also loved playing dominos and bingo.

She is survived by her children; her daughters, Justine Hubenak, Delores Kemp, Virginia Tucker and Linda Raab, her sons; Fred Jalufka, Frank Jalufka, Edward Jalufka, and Adolf Jalufka; also her thirty grandchildren; fifty-six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Cecilia Chamrad; her son, August Jalufka; and her ten siblings.

Visitation will be at St. Peter Catholic Church in Blessing, TX, at 9 a.m., with Rosary being recited at 9:30 a.m., and Funeral Mass beginning at 10 a.m., on Monday, March 7, 2016.

Interment will immediately follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing, TX.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to Adolf Jalufka at P. O. Box 44, Blessing, TX  77919.

Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Slavik -Edna Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St. Edna, TX  77957. 361-782-2152.

Bay City Tribune, March 9, 2016
 

A memorial service for Nellie G. Jesse of Kerrville, formerly of Markham, will be held 2 p. m. Sunday at the Markham Methodist Church with the Rev. William A. Haskell officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City.

Mrs. Jesse was born Dec. 6, 1887, in Gonzales, Texas, and died May 16, 1988, in Kerrville.

She was the first telephone switchboard operator in Markham.

Survivors include a daughter, Kay Conlee of Kerrville; a son, Walter V. Jesse of Austin; and three grandchildren, Carolyn Robertson and Kathy Jo Hanson, both of Houston, and Vinna Farhoudi of Kerrville.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Markham Methodist Church.

The Daily Tribune, May, 1988              Walter F. Jesse              Marker photo courtesy of Betty Crosby

Final Rites Were Held Sunday For Mr. W. F. Jesse
Veteran Texas Highway Foreman Laid To Rest In Cedarvale Cemetery

Funeral services for Mr. Walter F. Jesse, long-time Matagorda County resident, and veteran Texas Highway section foreman were held Sunday, beginning at 3 p. m. at the Markham Baptist Church.

Mr. Jesse, age 59 years, 9 months and 27 days, had lived in Matagorda County 39 years, and had been in the service of the Highway department for 10 years. His home is at Markham.

Survivors, other than his widow, include one brother, B. F. Jesse of Wellington, Tex., two sisters, Mrs. F. H. Price of Rogers, Tex., and Mrs. Harry Dillard of Thompson, Tex., one son, W. V. Jesse of Austin and one daughter, Miss Kaleta Jesse of Markham.

The Rev. A. E. Guyon of the Markham Methodist Church officiated at the final rites. Active pallbearers included H. T. Barber, Albert Johnson, M. L. Hale, T. G. Walker, Luther Robertson and Wayne Butler.

Honorary pallbearers included W. J. Luder, B. F. Sirmon, Jack Reeves, Ed Wendt, R. A. Wendt, S. C. McElrath, P. T. Lipscomb, W. J. Van London, L. V. Mings, and Frank Insall.

Funeral arrangements were in charge if Walker-Matchett.

Matagorda County Tribune, December 23, 1940

Funeral Services Held Sunday For W. F Jesse

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 8 o’clock for W. F. Jesse of Markham, section foreman of the State Highway Department.

Surviving him are his wife; one daughter, Kaleta, and one son, Vincent. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Walker-Matchett.

Daily Tribune, December 26 1940
 

Mrs. Roxie Emma (Dunlap) Johnson, a resident of Pasadena, Texas for the last five years and formerly of West Columbia, passed away August 6, 2007. She lived to be 100 years old having been born July 18, 1907 to Sarah Emma Dunlap and Doctor Meakins Dunlap of Rosefield, Louisiana.

Funeral services will be held at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia, Texas on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 10:00 a. m. with Pastor Danny Johnson officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 from 5:00 p. m. until 7:00 p. m. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers are Glenn Daley, Great Grandson, Bryan Daley, Grandson, Danny Dahlgren, Tim Pelata, David Banks & Ray Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Ori, Johnny Chancellor, Chris & Daniel Fabrygel, James Patterson & Joe Jackson.

Roxie married Robert “Bob” Johnson April 17, 1921 and were married for 62 wonderful years. She was one of the sweetest people anyone could ever know and was the salt of the earth. She was an extraordinary woman with a tender heart, a strong faith in God and a limitless capacity to love unconditionally. She loved to sit out on her front porch on a cool spring morning, drink a hot cup of coffee, gaze at her beautiful flowers and watch the hummingbirds fly around her feeder. She had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed sharing stories with family and friends. These special memories have now become jewels for her family to treasure forever.

When talking about her early life, she said, “Times were hard then, but we didn’t know it.” However, she loved her new conveniences. Air conditioning, washers, dryers and clothes that don’t have to be ironed were wonderful luxuries that became necessities. Two of her sons fought in WWII and her father fought in the Civil War. In 1943, she and her husband owned a shoe shop and then later owned and ran the Pit, a Bar-B-Q restaurant in West Columbia, Texas.

She is survived by her daughter, Roxie Marlene Johnson Miller of Lake Jackson; granddaughter, Carolyn Jean Davis Daley of Pasadena; great granddaughters, Dana Carol Daley Pelata of Clear Lake and Angela Marlene Daley Banks of Deer Park; great grandsons, Bryan Daniel Daley of Pasadena, Danny Curtis Dahlgren, Eric James Williams of Tekemah, Nebraska and Jason Lee Reynoldson of Omaha, Nebraska; great great grandsons, Logan Alexander Pelata and Gavin Connor Banks.

Arrangements are by Baker Funeral Home, 634 S. Columbia Dr., West Columbia, Texas. Online Condolences may be sent to www.bakerfuneralhome.net .

Courtesy of Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 

Sallie Johnson was born in 1822 in Kentucky and died May 13, 1930 in Galveston, Texas. She was buried in Eastview Cemetery in Bay City, Texas on May 15, 1930.

[Information from death certificate]
 

Funeral services for Jessie Ann Lewis, 101, of Bay City, will be held at 2 p. m. Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at Enterprise Baptist Church, Bay City, with the Rev. J. Weldon Gilbert, eulogist.

Burial will follow at Matagorda Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 until 8 p. m. Tuesday at the chapel.

She was born in Beaumont, Texas, January 30, 1908, to Jesse Dixon and Martha Mason Dixon, and passed away February 9, 2009 in Bay City.

Survivors include: two sons, Hayward Lewis of Valejo, California and Diaz Lewis of Bay City; also a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, Bay City, Texas (979) 235-5197.

Bay City Tribune, February 15, 2008

Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
 

Pedro Lopez was a fisherman who was born in Mexico. He was buried in Palacios Cemetery on April 9, 1919.

[Information from death certificate]
 

Longtime Resident Dies
101 on June 14

Mrs. Victoria Lewis McElrath, 101, of Markham died late Sunday afternoon at the home of her son, G. C. McElrath in Markham. She was a lifelong resident of the Baptist church and a Matagorda County resident for 27 years.

She was the widow of the late Frank A. McElrath who died several years ago.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday in the drawing room of the Bay City Funeral Home with Rev. Robert E. Black of Markham First Baptist Church and Rev. Ferman R. Weedon of Bay City First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Survivors, besides the son, include one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Leathers of Snow, Okla.; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Three children preceded her in death.

Pallbearers will be G. L. McElrath, Carl McElrath, George W. Hall, Richard Bowers, Hoyt Johnson and Weldon Bowers.

Mrs. McElrath was born in Bloomfield, Mo., to a college professor and his wife as the Confederate troops were moving into camp at that town. Her father later became a lieutenant in the Confederate army and was among those that did not return after the war. Her mother died at the age of 35.

She married her husband in 1879 and moved with him to Bay City 27 years ago.

The Daily Tribune, December 31, 1962

Roy Eugene McGlaun, 100, of Texas City, passed away Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Kingwood Memorial Hospital.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City, Texas under the direction of Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City.

Mr. McGlaun was born September 11, 1912 in Bay City, Texas.

He was retired from Union Carbide. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge A.F & A.M #1118 Texas City and the El Mina Shrine.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marie McGlaun.

Survivors include his niece, Linda Broughton and husband Fred of New Caney, Texas; and numerous other friends and relatives.

Bay City Tribune, November 14, 2012            Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Final Rites Held For 101-Year Old Bay City Mexican

One of the oldest residents of Bay City, Julian Mendoza, age 101years, 3 months and 20 days, died at his home on Avenue H Saturday night at 8 p. m.

He had been a resident of Bay City for 23 years. His wife passed away about 9 days ago at the age of 85.

Funeral services were held from the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Sunday at 5 p. m. with Father Elmendorf officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Walker-Matchett Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, October 14, 1940

[Death certificate indicated that Mr. Mendoza was born in Mexico and was the son of Francisco Mendoza. He was buried in Bay City, Texas, which would indicate Cedarvale, however, he is in an unmarked grave.]
 

Blanche Beatrice Miller, our beloved “Yidah”, passed away March 15, 2015, at the age of 106.

She was born September 17, 1908, in Elvins, Missouri, to the late Paul Roegner and Nettie Gough Roegner. Formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, she had been a resident of Bay City, TX, since 2003.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Eugene Miller; and son, Gene Paul Miller.

Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Katherine (Collins) Miller of Bay City; grandchildren, Stewart N. Miller (Nena Duvall) of Seabrook, TX, Karen D. LaBouve (Ray) of Nederland, TX, and Barbara A. Blanchard (James) of Friendswood, TX; great-grandchildren, Christopher N. Miller (Trisha), Tyler C. Miller, Cornelia A. Miller-Rubach (Charles), Jesse S. Miller, Cody I. Blanchard (Erin), Mitchell P. Blanchard and Katherine M. Blanchard; and great-great-grandchildren, Madison Miller, Tessa Miller and Karlee Blanchard.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Her family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to the staff at Matagorda House, especially the 500 hall, for their love and care.

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

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

Bay City Tribune, March 22, 2015
 

Mollie Yeamans Miller, 106, of Matagorda, Texas, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009 in Wharton, Texas.

She was born March 21, 1903 in Matagorda to Philip Yeamans and Pauline Bunk Yeamans. She was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Boling.

She is survived by: her daughter, Evelyn Anne Wofford of Lake Jackson; by grandchildren, Roger Wofford and wife Brenda of Jones Creek; by great grandchildren, Lisa Woffard Brown and husband Bill of Oyster Creek, Steven Turnquist, Samantha and Megan Fancher; by great-great grandchildren, Cole Hines and wife Amber, and Hunter Artwell; and by great-great-great grandchild, Aubrey Hines.

She is preceded in death by: her parents, by husband, Ray Miller; by son-in-law, Burt Wofford, Jr; by grandson, Ray Wofford; and by eight brothers and sisters.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at Matagorda Cemetery, Matagorda, Texas with the Rev. Oliver Southall officiating.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Avalon Place and the staff of Houston Hospice of El Campo.

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 December 23, 2009
 

Cedarvale Cemetery            Rumaldo G. Mora

DICKINSON - Edna "Eshie" Long Muller, 102, of Dickinson, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005.

She was born Aug. 7, 1902, in Albany, to the late Will and Florence Mangum. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Dickinson, a life member of VFW Post 6378 Ladies Auxiliary of Dickinson, and she was a Gold Star Mother.

Survivors: daughters, Virginia Long Meyer and Joyce Long Rogers, both of Dickinson; son, Steven Long of Houston; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: husbands, Jacob Hayward Long and Harry Muller; daughter, Lee; son, GM3C William Frank "Billy" Long, USN; five sisters; and two brothers.

The family will receive visitors 5-9 p.m. tonight at James Crowder Funeral Home chapel.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church.

Burial with full VFW Auxiliary honors will be 3:30 p.m. at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. James Crowder Funeral Home, Dickinson, 281-337-1515.
 

The Victoria Advocate, Monday, February 21, 2005

Helen Elizabeth Cates Coe Neary, always known as “Miss Boo”, entered into eternal life February 28, 2019 shortly after she celebrated her 100^th birthday! She was born on February 22, 1919 to Helen Holt Kilbride and Charles Craig Cates in Bay City, Texas. During her childhood, she lived in Tiptonville, Tennessee and Kerrville, Texas—returning to Bay City, Texas in 1933 as a freshman in Bay City High School. Since then, Bay City has been her home. She loved being a part of this community and supported so many organizations and activities throughout her century. Miss Boo’s lifetime accomplishments were celebrated when she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Bay City Independent School District in October, 2018. She was so proud of this honor!

Preceding her in death are her parents, a brother, Charles Craig Cates, Jr.; a sister, Patricia Wright Cates; her husband, John S. Neary; her Godmother, Josephine Sargent Smith (Miss Jo), her nephew Houston Holt Browning, and her granddaughter, Helen Elizabeth Simons.

Those surviving are her daughter, Helen Dale Coe Simons, her son in law, James Kirk Simons, DDS; grandchildren-- John Sargent Simons (Elaine), Dr. Bryan Christian Simons (Traci); great grandchildren—Zack, Ashleigh, Ally, Addison, Samantha, Katherine, Mason and Mia Simons; nieces and nephew—Soraya Cates Parr, Cathy Browning Griggs, Colleen Browning and Charles Craig Cates III; her Godsons—Gerald Ludwig and Bruce Grover; very special family members—Anthony S. Doubek, Cyndy Doubek Young, Gene and Pam Coe, Cheli Coe Henderson, Margaret and Charles Goolsbee, Elizabeth Barkley Williams, Lea Logan, Missy and Curtis Howard, Kevin and Rosemary Moodie,

Miss Boo also leaves behind so many special and caring cousins and friends and their families whom she has loved through the generations. These lifetime friendships were her extended family and it was her joy to love them all. Thank you for being a part of her life and know that you have given her so much love and joy throughout her 100 years.

Her family wishes to thank the team of very dedicated, professional and extraordinary caretakers who have made these final years at her home the very best—Wilma Stredic, Willie Bonner, Ida Nelson, Beverly West, Mary Ashby, Zucchini Gaston Hill, Sharon Lenzy; the Team at Houston Hospice for the excellent compassionate care and support for her and for her family, especially Marie McComb; the congregation of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, whose love and care have been the center of Miss Boo’s life always, and to Dr. Jim Ely and Dr. Dane Simons for providing both medical and spiritual guidance and friendship.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church with a reception following in the Parish Hall. The burial of her ashes will be held with the family at a later date. Because she always said “I want my beautiful flowers while I am living,” , we ask that in lieu of flowers your remembrances in Miss Boo’s name be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2200 Avenue E, Bay City, TX 77414 or Columbia College 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216.

Honorary Pallbearers: Gerald Ludwig, Bruce Grover, Eugene Coe, Dr. Charles Goolsbee, Michael Davis, Charles Baker, Patrick Keen, Richard Rakestraw, Michael Otis, Allan Green, Gary Green, Jack H. Moore, George R. Harrison, James Allen, Carey Homra.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”     Ralph Waldo Emerson

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 

BLESSING [Matagorda County, Texas] - Martha Eureka Martin Neuszer was born on Feb. 24, 1906, in Gillette, Karnes County. This baby girl, destined to live life to its fullest, was the daughter of Eureka Billings Martin and Frank Duffy Martin. Mrs. Neuszer was a longtime resident of Blessing. She died on May 2, 2007, in Matagorda General Hospital, Bay City, after having lived over a century at the age of 101 years, 2 months, 8 days.

Mrs. Neuszer was preceded in death by her husband, Leo P. Neuszer; her parents; two brothers, Clyde and Earl Martin; and three sisters, Eula Martin, Selma Rollins, and Leona Rackley; her son-in-law, Bob Ackerman of Blessing, and one infant granddaughter, Connie Lynnette Neuszer.

She is survived by one daughter, Margie Ackerman of Blessing; one son, Leo Neuszer and wife Nalona of Bay City; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Dora Martin of Columbus; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Martha Eureka Martin completed high school, in Sample, in April 1925. She later married Leo P. Neuszer, in Gonzales, on Dec. 21, 1927, after which time they later moved to Matagorda County in 1927, first in Deutschburg Community, then to the Blessing Community. The family moved to the present home site in January 1939, where Mrs. Neuszer lived until November 2005, before becoming a resident in the Matagorda House Nursing Home.

During her latter years Mrs. Neuszer remained quite active in spite of her advanced age. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Blessing. She was an avid member of the Midfield Home Demonstration Club. Her publicized hobby has been crocheting baby and children's caps. In April 2001, M.D. Anderson-Houston recorded 810 caps, which she donated to their children's unit. Since then, until November 2005, Mrs. Neuszer continued to crochet caps for the hospital, as well as for Women's Pregnancy Center in Bay City.

Funeral services, conducted by her grandson-in-law, the Rev. James Collins, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at Palacios Funeral Home in Palacios.

Interment will be at Hawley Cemetery immediately following the services.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.taylorbros.net.

Funeral services are arranged by Palacios Funeral Home, Palacios, 361-972-2012.

Published in the Victoria Advocate on 5/4/2007
 

Margaret Rosamond “Rose” Langham Newman, 102, passed away at her home on Tuesday July 21, 2009.
 

A lifetime resident of Bay City, she was born to Bay City Pioneers Charles and Martha Dantzler Langham. Meeting her at Heaven’s Gate are her parents, her husband Charles, her sisters Charlotte, Martha, and Connie and her beloved grandson Blake Newman Bunk. Surviving to cherish her memory are her daughter, Nanci Bunk and husband Dr. John Bunk, grandsons Charles and wife Denise, Craig and wife Elizabeth and great-grandchildren Foley Blake, Samantha Rose, Carter Langham and Charles Davis Bunk, niece Martha Engman and dear friend Annelle Gann.
 

She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for over 70 years and served tirelessly and lovingly in numerous capacities. She was the Chamber of Commerce Woman of the year in 1978 and Methodist Woman of the year in 1968. She was a charter member of the Pink Ladies at Matagorda General Hospital with over 8,000 hours served, and a charter member of the Pilot Club, being Pilot of the Year in 1973. She was a past Matron and Deputy Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and was awarded the Grand Cross of Color for organizing and working with the Rainbow Girls. She was on the Board of the Bay City Cemetery for many years where she served as Vice President. Also, she was Matagorda County Treasurer for two terms in 1936.

She was a compassionate, loving, totally unselfish and generous lady who never said “No” to any individual group with which she was associated.

The family will be eternally grateful to her wonderful caretakers, Melba Edison, who cared for her for over 6 years, Dora Jackson, and Ernestine Sardinia as well as the wonderful people with Houston-El Campo Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 7pm to 8pm Friday, July 24, 2009 at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 25, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Pauline Harvey officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers are Charles Bunk, Craig Bunk, Foley Bunk, George Chadwick, Jim Gann and Dennis Gann. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bay City.

Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Services Held – Charles Newman

Mr. Charles Newman, a Bay City resident for many years, died Sunday afternoon in Matagorda General Hospital.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 10 a. m. at the First Methodist Church with Rev. G. R. House, pastor, officiating. Interment was at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Newman was a stockholder and manager of the Union Truck Lines office here in Bay City.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Charles Newman, one daughter, Nanci, his parents Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Segrest of Wharton and one brother, Guy Segrest, Jr.

Bay City News, April 23, 1958
 

Maria “Tia” Oros went to be with her Lord on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Maria was born August 15, 1910 in Mexico to Modesto and Bartola Oros.

Maria was a loving, God-fearing woman, and felt blessed to live to be 104 years old. She enjoyed cooking and tending to the flowers in her garden. Maria was like a mother and grandmother to her nieces, great-nieces and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Maria is survived by her sister, Anita Oros; brother, Juan Oros Sr.; special nieces, Esther Cantu, Inez Ochoa, Viola Rivera, Olga Mata, Amelia Garza, Belia Avila, Minerva Gutierrez, Gracie Martinez, Joann Garza, and numerous other great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Maria is preceded in death by parents; sisters, Felicitas Oros and Petra Ortiz; brothers, Jessie Oros, Candelario Oros, Santiago Oros and Sebastian Oros.

The family will receive visitors from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2015, with a 6:30 p.m. rosary, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel, Bay City, Texas.

Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Bay City, Texas, with Msgr. Gerry Cernoch celebrant.

Rite of committal to follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ezekiel Garza Jr., Adam Oros, Arnulfo “Cookie” Arriaga Jr., Robert Rivera Jr., Jessie Oros, Roy Gutierrez, Ronald Rivera and Daniel Zepeda.

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

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

Bay City Tribune, April 8, 2015                     Photo courtesy of Betty Crosby

Myrtle Lee Thurmond Parish, 101, of Smithville passed away Thursday, April 7, 2010. She was born February 28, 1909 in East Bernard, TX to the late Annie Louise Rieger Malone and Marion Matthew Malone. Myrtle had been a resident of the Towers Nursing Home in Smithville for the past 8 years. She was a 60 year resident of the Pledger Community, and a member of the Abell St. Church of Christ in Wharton. She was well-known and very active in the Pledger, Texas, community and wore many hats. She served as Pledger Postmaster for 35 years, a leader in EAC, cattle rancher, seamstress, activities for the elderly, and very active in politics. She was instrumental in the building of the Pledger Community Center and obtaining the playground equipment. She will be remembered and missed by family and friends.

She is survived by daughter-in-law, Minnie Thurmond; two granddaughters (Sheri Doguet and husband, David, Vicki Ray Wiggins and husband, Steve); one grandson, Marion T. (Tommy) Thurmond; eight great-grandchildren (David Doguet, Jr., Daric Doguet (Erin), Darin Doguet (Katy), Ashley Doguet, Kristyn Ray Shahan (Michael), Kole Ray, Ty Thurmond (Karen), Whitney Thurmond; five great-great-grandchildren (Elena Doguet, Atticus Wootton, Sonny Shahan, Paisley Doguet, Ethan Vrana).

She was preceded in death by parents, Annie Louise Rieger Malone and Marion Matthew Malone; sisters (Rescia Malone Burridge, Willie Malone Horvath, Alta Malone Thompson, Pearl Malone Reed); brothers (Horace Malone and Mack Malone); husband (Floyd Parish); and her only child, a son, Marion T. (Sonny) Thurmond. A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck, TX, on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 11:00 a.m.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home

104-Year-Old Bay City Man Dies At Home

Hilario Perez, who would have celebrated his 104^th birthday on Nov. 6, died at his home, 1705 Avenue L, Bay City Monday.

Perez, a native of Mexico, had been residing in Bay City for the past 33 years.

Rosary will be said at 7:30 o’clock Tuesday night followed by requiem mass at 9:30 a. m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. J. P. Shannon officiating.

Surviving are daughters, Mrs. Guadalupe Martinez and Miss Janie Perez, both of Bay City, and Miss Luz Perez, Mexico; sons, Pedro Perez, Tom Perez, Rosalio and Jesse Perez, all of Bay City; a brother, Carman Perez, Corpus Christi; 39 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

The Daily Tribune, August 22, 1961

Buried: Cedarvale Cemetery

Catarina R. Perez

 

Dies at 101

Nicholas Perez, 101 year old resident of 1606 Avenue K, died late Friday afternoon in Matagorda General Hospital after an extended illness.

Perez, a Bay Citian for 38 years, was a member of the Catholic Church. The Rosary was recited in the drawing room of the Bay City Funeral Home Sunday evening at 8:00 p. m. A Requiem Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church with the Rev. C. J. Martin as the celebrant was held this morning at 9:00 a. m. with committal services following at the Bay City Cemetery.

Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Annie Zamora of Bay City, Mrs. Josefa Trevino of Cuero, Mrs. Natvidad Gauna of Earth and Mrs. Josefina Medina of Mark[ham]; four sons, J. C. of McAllen, Lorenzo of Bay City, Isidore of El Paso, Isidro of Houston; 63 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

The Daily Tribune, September 30, 1963

Sabina H. Ramirez, 103, passed away May 15, 2019. She was born December 30, 1915 in Karnes City, TX to the late Heriberto Hernandez and Micaela Garcia Hernandez.  She was a member of Rose of Sharon Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Adolfo Ramirez, son Romaldo Ramirez and daughter Lidia Rodriguez.

Survivors include daughters Lucy Mendez and Maria Castillo both of Denison, TX, Connie Munoz (Bert) and Carolina Garza (Ray) both of Victoria and Manuela Ramirez of Bakersfield, CA; sons Alex Ramirez (Rosa) of Amarillo, TX, Albert Ramirez (Julie) of Telferner, TX, Ruben Ramirez of Victoria, TX, Adolph Ramirez (Lupe) of Houston, TX, and Abel Rodriguez of Florida.

Visitation will be 6PM until 8PM Friday with a prayer service beginning at 6PM at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Rose of Sharon Church. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home                     Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Funeral services for William Louis Reitz, 100, of Blessing will be held 10 a. m. Saturday at Palacios Funeral Home with the Rev. Herbert A. Willke officiating. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery, Blessing.

Mr. Reitz was born July 17, 1889, in Bernardo Prairie, Colorado County, Texas, to John and Otillia Burttschell Reitz and died Nov. 8, 1989, at Matagorda General Hospital, Bay City.

A resident of Blessing since 1961, he was a member of the Catholic church.

Survivors include two daughters, Maxine Hilton of Floresville, Texas, and Willie Marie Holsworth of Palacios; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Mr. Reitz was preceded in death by his wife, Essie Reitz, on July 27, 1984.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Palacios.

The Daily Tribune, November 9 or 10, 1989
 

Rosary will be recited at 8 p. m. Wednesday for centenarian Mrs. Romulo[a] Reyes, 102, of 1009 Avenue J at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, and mass will be held at 8 a. m. Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Mrs. Reyes died Tuesday afternoon and is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Juna Molinar of Bay City, 23 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was born on Feb. 12, 1861 in Mexico and was a longtime Bay Citian.

The Daily Tribune, May 8, 1963               Cedarvale Cemetery                          Photo courtesy of Betty Crosby

CEDAR LANE - Edna "Grandma" Ross, 102, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 14, 2009 at her home in Cedar Lane. Grandma was born on April 11, 1907 in McComb, Okla. to parents Elvira and Wade Hampton. She was a long time member of the Cedar Lane Baptist Church and was a member of the Home Demonstration Club since 1967.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey Lee Ross; her son, Gale Ross; three sisters; and four brothers.

She is survived by her son and his wife, Don and Maxine Ross; and five grandchildren, Patricia Reaves and her husband David, Steve Ross, Fay Allen and her husband, James, Darron Ross and his wife, Sharilyn, and Gaylynn Goodman and her husband, Jimmy. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Clay and Raelynn Scroggin, Lacy and Doug Rosson, Bruce Meyer, Stephen and Jennifer Ross, Jimmy Don and Wendy Ross, Caren and David Murdoch, Tony and Tiffany Ross, Cory Kruse, Ryan Goodman, Blaine Ross, Jordan Ross, and Mackenzie Goodman. She has 11 great-great-grandchildren, Stephan Lee Ross, Noah Rosson, Travis Ross, Madalyn Lamb, Sarah Ross, Taylor Ross, Austin Ross, Tyler Rosson, Trenton Ross, Levi Scroggin, and Camden Ross.

A visitation was held on Monday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Bay City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 at the Cedar Lane Baptist Church with Rev. Maurice Morrow and Rev. David Roach officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

Pallbearers will be Steve Ross, Darron Ross, Stephen Ross, Tony Ross, Bruce Meyer, and Clay Scroggin.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Cedar Lane Baptist Church, Glenn Roberson, Ray Horton, Larry Lewis, Jimmy Grisham, Paul Hill and Raymond Brooker.

She loved her immediate family and always wanted to be helpful. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Services are under the direction of Bay City Funeral Home.

The Victoria Advocate, November 17, 2009
 

Johnnie Rowton
(March 8, 1915 - February 25, 2016)

On the morning of February 25, 2016 Johanna “Johnnie” Rowton passed away at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home in Waco, TX. She was 100 years of age. Johnnie was born in McLennan County, TX on March 8, 1915 to Martin and Emma Schiemenz. She moved to Palacios, TX in the early 1950’s where she resided until 2008.

She is survived by her grand-children, Joe Blair Rowton and wife Jaime and Natalie Kaiser and husband Lou, great grand-child Beau Rowton, son-in-law Gerard Holloway, and Nieces and Nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Alva Milton Rowton, children Phyllis Holloway and John “Butch” Rowton, parents and siblings. Graveside services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Palacios Cemetery in Palacios, TX with Rev. Kathy Vineyard officiating. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mildred Jupe, Marguerite Henriksen and the staff at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home in Waco, TX for their dedicated care of Johnnie in her last years.

Taylor Brothers Funeral Home
 

Cora May Anderson Sears, 102, of Bay City, died May 23, 2000 at the Matagorda House Nursing Center. She was born April 18, 1898 in Crawford County, Ill. to the late James and Mary Weirich Anderson. Cora married Odin Eli Sears in Robinson, Ill. on Nov. 20, 1915 and had three children. She was a resident of Bay City since 1952. Mrs. Sears was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, playing the piano in Sunday School, and until her move to the Legacy in Jan. 1997, she took an active part in the Gleaner Sunday School Class, picking up any of her classmates who needed a ride until she stopped driving at the age of 93. Before her eyesight failed at 98, she rarely missed sending birthday cards to all members of her class and her extended family members. She was faithful at journaling the events of her life, and regularly corresponding with friends and relatives. She was a very caring, giving person who passed these unselfish attributes and her love of music to her family.

Survivors include: a daughter, Mary Keller of Bay City; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 16 great great grandchildren; and her cherished roommate, Anne Terry.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Odin Eli in 1966; her son, Paul Evert; and daughter, Ruth Marie Cadenhead.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2000, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tom Crowe and the Rev. Mike Toland officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include: her grandsons, Charles Cadenhead, Don Keller III, Evert Keller, James Sears, Jerald Sears, Ronald Cadenhead and great grandsons, Don Keller IV and Jeff McMillan.

Honorary pallbearers will include: Lamar Evans, Bob Holland, Pete Arnold, and her other great grandsons, Steve, Ryan and Adam Cadenhead, John Paul, and James Sears, Jr.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 2317 Ave. G, Bay City, Texas 77414 or to the charity of choice. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, May 25, 2000                        Odin Eli Sears                     Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Oden Eli Sears
Sears Rites Set Today

Oden Eli Sears, 72, of 2017 Rugeley passed away in Matagorda General Hospital early Friday evening. Services will be held t 3:30 p. m. today from the First Methodist Church. Rev. Leslie Scott officiating, and interment will follow in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Cora Sears of Bay City; two daughters, Mrs. Don E. Keller, Jr. of Bay City and Mrs. James Cadenhead of Bay City; one sister, Mrs. Susie Lynn of Robinson, Ill., eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Born in Robinson, Illinois, on April 23, 1894, Sears was a retired employee of Marathon Oil Company and had lived in Bay City since 1951.

Sears was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Hardinsville, Illinois, Masonic Lodge 756.

Pallbearers will be Jack Herring, Roy Bradshaw, Gerald Rowland, Tom Rowland, Earl Pauley and Elmer Denbow. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Wendt, John Camp, Walter Mayer, A. O. Olson, Sims McDonald, F. H. Moser, Bill Ingram, T. P. Bledsoe, Ivan Burrell, Claude Pickett, John Snyder, E. L. McDonald, H. J. Warnock and Johnny Wright.

The Daily Tribune, December 26, 1966
 

Lenore Hall Simons of Bay City, Texas passed away peacefully on July 28, 2014. She was born on January 30, 1911 and lived 103 years and 7 months. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lenore Pipkin Hall and Kirk Hall of Dallas, Texas; her beloved husband, Dr. Bryan E. Simons of Bay City: her son, Dr. Bryan E. Simons, Jr.; her daughter, Barbara Simons Slone: her sisters, Nancy Hall Keller, Dorothy Hall and Helen Hall; her grandson, Bryan Gregory Simons, and her granddaughter, Helen Elizabeth Simons.

Mrs. Simons is survived by her son, Dr. James Kirk Simons and wife, Dale of Driftwood, TX; a daughter in law, Glenda Simons Gottlich: eight grandchildren and their spouses: Tod and Lonna Slone, Keet, and Tina Slone, Kirk and Cecilia Slone, Gary and April Simons, John and Elaine Simons, Bryan and Traci Simons., Lanette and Sheahan Paul and Laura and Jason Hudson. Her grandchildren produced 25 great grandchildren: Kailey, Ace, Ky, Kale, Cole, Owen, Simon , Christiana, Garrison, Savannah, Elliana, Arriella, Conil, Caven, Cade, Seth, Tyce, Zack, Ashleigh, Ally, Addison, Mason, Mia, Katherine and Samantha. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 2:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Bay City, Texas with Rev. Dr. Mark W. Stoub and Pastor Gary Simons officiating. Interment will be at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

The entire family wishes to especially thank Mrs. Simons’ caretaker and friend, Wilma Stredik, for her true faithfulness and care, and the medical staff at Matagorda Regional Medical Center’s ICU who gave her excellent and compassionate care.

Lenore Hall Simons will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her for her love for God, for her family, her church and the community of Bay City. Throughout her life, she was so involved with bringing the spirit of culture in music and the arts to this community and in making her gift of music important in all of her family’s lives. Our “Nanny” was the true matriarch of the Simons’ family and will enjoy her eternal life in knowing that she gave all of her God-given gifts to all who loved her. God has a true angel in Heaven.

Bay City Tribune, July 30, 2014
 

A funeral mass for Annie Sliva, 100, of Bay City, is scheduled for 10 a. m. Tuesday, March 28, 1995, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Msgr. James Brunner officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

A rosary was said at 7:30 p. m. Monday, March 27, 1995, in the Chapel of Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Mrs. Sliva was born Jan. 31, 1895, in Latium, to Paul and Frances Zaboralek Pisklak and died Sunday, March 26, 1995, in Bay City.

She was a member of the Catholic church and was married to Emil Sliva in Bellville on Sept. 15, 1916.

Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Sylvester and Bernice Sliva, Benjamin Sliva, Gilbert and Jan Sliva and Frank and Barbara Sliva, all of Bay City; five daughters and sons-in-law, Carmel and Frank Harrison and Ann and John Webber, all of Bay City, Marie and Ambrose Harrison of Hope, Ark., Gertrude and Marshall King of Lake Charles, La., and Flo and Alvin Saha of Angleton; 24 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Joey Sliva, Steve Sliva, Hurshel Harrison, Mark King, Kelly Webber, Paul Sliva, Britt Saha and Stuart Sliva.

Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Catholic School Foundation.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home of Bay City.

The Daily Tribune, March 28, 1995
 

Esther Dienst Smith, 103, of Bay City passed away Sunday, June 3, 2012. She was born February 28, 1909 in Parson, Kansas to the late Theodore F. & Dora H. Magner Dienst. They came to Bay City when Esther was 5 years old. She attended the Bay City Schools, and the C. I. A. College in Denton, Texas. Esther received her Teaching degree from Sam Houston State University late in life.

She and Carey Smith Jr. were married in Wharton, Texas, and were the parents of 2 sons: Vaden Miles and Manis Dale Smith. Esther and Carey spent their time in community service, and gave special attention to the Bay City Public Library. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Daughter’s of the American Revolution, Study Club, Book Review, and was Captain of the Motor Corps during World War II.

Esther is survived by her son: Manis Dale Smith of Chapala Jalisco, Mexico; 2 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Carey O. Smith Jr. in 1993; son Vaden Miles Smith in 1991; and 2 brothers Theodore and Vance Dienst.

No services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Bay City Public Library, 1100 7th St., Bay City, TX 77414 or charity of choice.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home                                Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Alva Lela Stanford, 101, of Bay City passed away December 18, 2006. She was born September 30, 1905 in Saltillo, Tennessee to Jim and Isabelle Hopper Meador. She had been a resident of Bay City since 1928 and was a very active member of the Pentecostal Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willard F. Stanford, daughter Jo Etta Fern Stanford and grandson Buddy Hammock. Survivors include two daughters Ural Lee Donohoe of Bay City and Joyce Hammock of Killeen; six grandchildren Bruce, Terry & Roger Donohoe, Tony Hammock, Fawn Acuff, and Bobby Hammock and by fourteen great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 10:00 am Friday, December 22, 2006 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sam Starks officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Pallbearers include Bruce Donohoe, Terry Donohoe, Roger Donohoe, Tony Hammock, Jonny Hammock and John Milner. The family would like for you to wear something red if you plan to attend the funeral service. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 

Alva Lela Meador Stanford

Alva Lela Meador was born September 30, 1905, in Saltillo, Hardin County, Tennessee. She was the second child of James “Jim” Alan Meador and his wife Helen Elizabeth “Isabelle” Hopper Meador. Her older sister, Cella Mamie was always there to take care of little sister. There were three younger brothers, Truman, Cornia and Hershall. There was another younger little girl named Veatris, who died at the age of two.

Jim worked as a timber estimator and the family moved around quite a bit, but always returned to home base in Hardin County. When Alva was only 14 years old, her dad died during the flu epidemic of 1920. Only two years later her mother died of tuberculosis. Alva was devastated. The children went to live with their grandparents, but their grandmother also died just a few months later. From then on, the children went from one relative to another and Alva never felt like she belonged anywhere. She attended various schools but eventually just quit and went to work. She worked in various factories and packing plants.

When her sister, Cella, married Frank White and they moved to Texas, it wasn’t long until Alva came to live with them. It was then that she met Willard Stanford and after a long distance courtship they married. She used to laugh and say Willard asked her to marry him fourteen times before she said yes and she only said yes then because he promised he would hire her a cook. She never did get the cook, but Willard did do a lot of the cooking himself, until she finally learned how.

Alva and Willard got married December 3, 1931. The country was deep in “The Great Depression.” Their first months were spent in Odem, Texas, where Willard worked on a turnip farm. The pay was not good and Alva says there were days when they had turnips three meals a day. She hated turnips for the rest of her life. Alva was expecting their first child when they moved to Bay City. Their little girl, Jo Etta, died at birth. Alva was very depressed and almost died herself, but a year later, Ural Lee was born.

Willard worked at various jobs until he finally got on with Skelly Oil Company where he worked until he retired almost thirty years later. They built a simple home at the edge of town where they lived for most of their married life.

Alva’s health continued to cause her problems and she even spent some time in a sanitarium near Kerrville. When she came home, she had a strict diet to follow and had to eat a lot of oranges. She began to put on weight for the first time in her life. She and Willard joined the Pentecostal Church and a year or so later their third child, Joyce, was born.

Alva loved church and love to work for her church. She baked many, many pound cakes and lots and lots of pecan pies to sell for the church building fund. It was at church they met the Blackwell family who became lifelong friends. Alva could be found in the kitchen when the church had something special going.

One of her favorite ways to pass time was fishing She could sit for hours with a cane pole on a creek bank or bayside waiting for a fish to bite. She could make some of the best broiled flounder you ever ate—loads of butter, but oh so good.

She never did much craft work, but did make beautiful crepe paper roses which she dipped in paraffin. She also did some embroidery. When she first started going to the Pentecostal Church, one of the ladies, Sister Adams, tried to teach her to crochet. They got string from rice sacks at the rice mill and over a long period of time, Alva finally finished a bedspread for a twin bed.

Almost every Sunday, Alva and Fawn fixed dinner together. Mother never complained about us bringing home half the kids from church for Sunday dinner. Lots of time us kids would play baseball and Mother, Daddy, Aunt Fawn and Uncle Wade would be freezing up a batch of homemade ice cream.

Alva loved to sing the old songs of the “Tennessee Hills” and told many stories she had been told as a child sitting at the feet of an old ex-slave woman she called “Aunt Jane Cooper.” Joyce’s favorite song Alva used to sing was “The Baggage Coach Ahead.” Years later, one of her Tennessee friends asked Alva if she still played the guitar. She said no. She had never in my lifetime. I didn’t even know she ever had.

As long as she was able, Alva did lots of reading. She read a very wide range of books. She loved it when Willard opened a used book store in their garage. Her one regret in life was that she never learned to drive.

The great love of Alva’s live was her grandchildren and she spoiled every one of them. They all thought her sole job was to be their playmate.

She and Willard loved garage sales and every Saturday morning would find them going from one to another seeking bargains. They would keep the stuff until they got tired of it and then have a sale of their own to sell it to someone else. We didn’t dare leave anything at the house because she was sure to put it in a garage sale.

Eventually Alva reached the point she could no longer care for herself and Willard couldn’t care for her and himself, too, so she moved in with Ural Lee and Bill. She lived with them for two and a half years and then with Joyce for another year and a half until finally going to live at the Legacy. A few years later, Willard joined her there where they shared a room until Willard’s final illness. Alva continued to live there until her final moving day, December 18, 2006.

Courtesy of Ural Lee Stanford Donohoe                                      

Photo courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Vevi Stevens died peacefully surrounded by a loving family on December 3, 2006.

She was born October 27, 1906, to Benjamin and Mattie Meredith Stevens in Markham.

Preceded in death by brothers, Luther Stevens of Wharton, Lee, Abe, Ben, John M. and Robert Stevens of Matagorda County, and sisters, May Werlla, Frances Patterson and Mollie Bullard. She and her family demonstrated an intense loyalty to family and a strong strength of character with their beliefs and lives.

She is survived by three nieces and seven nephews and their families, Jack and Margaret Stevens of Cedar Lane, Tece and John Parker of Van Vleck, Abe Jr. and Charlotte Stevens of Cedar Lane, Bennie and Laverne Stevens of Bay City, John Francis and Ruth Stevens of Sargent, B.F. and Jeanne Stevens of California, Anna Ve and Jerry Farr of San Marcos, Billy Jr. and Marion Bullard of Cedar Lane, Mollie Ann and Roger Gaeckler of Cedar Lane and Lonnie and Elisa Bullard of Markham.

Miss Stevens and her sisters all were teachers graduating from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. They completed their degrees in the summertime and began teaching at age 16. Miss Stevens began her teaching career in a one-room school in Sargent in 1945 and taught math in Bay City for the remainder of her career. Miss Stevens, her sisters and their brother, John, who was a school board member, were honored in 1962 and featured in the Houston Chronicle for collectively contributing 137 years to public school education. Since then, five siblings have collectively contributed an additional 160-plus years to education.

From 1946 to 1988, Miss Stevens, the last surviving charter member of Cedar Lane Baptist Church, was an inspirational and lively leader of its youth. She with other assistants, including “Mr. Joe” Wyse, taught life lessons mixed with a sense of fun and life-changing directions toward discipline, love and Biblical values in a training union class at Cedar Lane Baptist Church known as the “Go-Getters.” She sponsored and participated in many memorable and exciting events for the youth, such as trips and picnics to the beach, to parks with volleyball and/or crochet, church-associated meetings for the youth and Playland Park. She mixed these activities often with visits to an elderly or shut-in person. Her influence and the memories from those times with “Miss Vevi” have had a long-lasting impact on Cedar Lane Baptist Church.

Miss Stevens has been a lifelong resident of Matagorda County and an active rancher for most of her life. She had her own cows until recently and harvested her own pecans. She demonstrated a strong sense of independence and unyielding work ethic despite the interest and willingness of her brother, John, and other siblings to share her ranging responsibilities.

Her declining years were enhanced by her timely and sharp sense of humor, her never-ceasing thoughtful attitude toward others and five years of excellent support from her caregivers. She was an amazing lady and loved by everyone who knew her.

Visitation was from 6 until 9 p. m. Monday at Bay City Funeral Home.
 

Services were Tuesday at 10:30 a. m. at Cedar Lane Baptist Church with the Pastor Zak Nicholson officiating. Burial was at Cedarvale in Bay City.

Pallbearers: Mark Grisham, Jody Wyse, Ray Horton, Butch Beavers, Mike Pruitt, Ronnie Pruitt, James Lee Stevens and John Drachenberg.

Honorary pallbearers: E. M. Huitt, Tom Uher, Elmer Billington, Phillip Bowie and Glen Robinson.

Those who wish to make donations can either make donations to the Stevens Family Scholarship for local youth at Texas State University through Anna Ve Farr at 1022 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas 78666, or to Cedar Lane Baptist Church, Attention: Treasurer Barbara Bevers, at P.O. Box 90, Cedar Lane, Texas 77415.

The Daily Tribune, December 6, 2006

Courtesy of Betty Crosby

Funeral services for Ella Hawkins Taylor, 101, of Bay City will be held at 2 p. m. Sunday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bay City with the Rev. Hugh Jones officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Mrs. Taylor, who was born on Sept. 16, 1886, in Hawkinsville, died Feb. 20, 1988, at Matagorda House Nursing Home.

She was a resident of Bay City for nearly all her life and was a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. She was the wife of the late Seth S. Taylor, the founder of Taylor-Steves Furniture Company and Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Frances Taylor Steves and Bert C. Steves of Bay City; five grandchildren, Taylor and Sandra Steves and Savanna and Albert Franklin of Bay City, Marthella and Ed Simpson of Kingwood, Diana and John Null of Missouri City and Lewis and Judy Steves of Bellevue, Wash.; 13 great-grandchildren, Mary Frances Steves, Scott Steves, Jean Claire Kubeczka, Kerry Savage and Rob Glassett, all of Bay City, Martha Lindsey of Dundee, Ill., Steve Simpson of Glen Burnie, Md., Dan Simpson of Kingwood, Chris Null, Bradley Null and Tracy Null, all of Missouri City, and Dana and Sarah Steves of Bellevue, Wash.; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be great-grandsons Steve and Dan Simpson, Chris Null, Rob Glassett, Scott Steves, Kirby Savage and Gary Kubeczka.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

The Daily Tribune, Sunday, February 21, 1988                Seth S. Taylor             Photo courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Texas
 

Funeral service for Mrs. Margaret Young Times, age 103, of Bay City, will be held Thursday, August 25^th, at 1 p. m., at the First Sacred Memorial Christian Church in Bay City, with Rev. H. S. Williams, officiating, and Rev. A. H. Floyd, presiding. Burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery in Bay City.

Visitation will be Wednesday until 9 p. m. in the Chapel of Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, and Thursday from noon until 1 p. m. at the church.

Mrs. Times was born in Edna, Texas, on Wednesday, September 30, 1891, to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Young, and died Wednesday, August 16, 1995, in Sweeny House, Sweeny, Texas.

She was married to the Rev. Clarence Times of Live Oak, whom she assisted in the rearing of five children by which she provided motherly love and Christian principles.

In her Christian living, she exemplified true Christianity, and was recognized for her dedication, devotion and loyalty to her church and God. While a member of First Sacred Memorial Christian Church, at which one time her husband was pastor, she served the role of “First Lady” remarkably.

Mrs. Times was recognized throughout the community for her elegant character, her radiant smile and extraordinary cheerfulness. She was admired for her “beautiful snow white hair,” and for such kindness she shared with loved ones and friends.

Survivors include 6 grandchildren, Clark Murphy, Jr., Doreen Loretta Times Coyle, Clarence Times, Pravis Times, Donald Ray Murphy and Calvin Murphy. Also 15 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She leaves also 5 nieces, Mrs. Lucille Mosley Johnson of Bowie, Maryland, Ms. Eula Brown and Ms. Alberta Brown of Bay City, Mrs. Nona Peters of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Francis Grice of Inglewood, California. She is survived also by a host of other relatives and a family of friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Clarence Times, January 24, 1966, five step-children and one grandson.

Active pallbearers include Clarence Times, Pravis Times, Calvin Murphy, Joe Times, Jimmie Times and Felix Walley.

Honorary pallbearers include the Deacons, Trustees and Elders of First Sacred Memorial Christian Church.

Arrangements with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home in Bay City.

The Daily Tribune, August 23, 1995

Bay City Tribune, April 1, 2020              Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham                     Harold Monroe Wheat

100 Year Old Woman Saved Here Today

Nellie White who is more than 100 years old, has been blind for past ten years, and is practically an invalid is alive this afternoon because the woman who brings her lunch every day came by two minutes early.

“Aunt” Nellie lives alone at 1120 Avenue B in North End. At noon today, a fire of undetermined origin set her house aflame. She says she was just sitting “by the door and I felt the hot blast coming at me, then I tried to get out.”

At just this time, Beulah Brown who lives across the street at 1121 Avenue B was bringing her lunch. She hadn’t noticed the fire because it was largely confined indoors. When she stepped on the porch, she heard Nellie pounding on the front door trying to get out.

Beulah opened the door and led “Aunt” Nellie out.

Following the fire which destroyed her bed, most of the furniture, and scorched the walls in the two rooms where Nellie lived, she spoke calmly, being primarily concerned about her bed.

Volunteer firemen had the blaze under control almost immediately after their arrival on the scene. Exterior of the frame house was not damaged.

Although, the cause of the blaze was undetermined, a wood-burning heater and stove was burning in the house and it was speculated that sparks from the heater set the blaze off.

Beulah Brown said the house was full of smoke and when she led “Aunt” Nellie out and added that the aged woman probably would have suffocated if she had been two or three minutes late.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, April 20, 1950

[Death certificate information: Mrs. White was born in Texas and died in Houston, Harris County, Texas. She was buried in Eastview Cemetery. She was a widowed housewife.]
 

Leonarda "Nora" Martinez Whittington passed away on August 8, 2018 at 102 and 8 months and 2 days.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory two daughters: Florence Adams Kane and Janie Adams De Jesus (George), three granddaughters Alexis Smith (Justin), Ashley and Alyssa De Jesus, two great-granddaughters Gwendolyn and Gabriella Smith, one sister, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She resided most of her life in Freeport, Texas where she raised her two daughters. She was a caring and loving mother and grandmother. She worked hard all her life to provide for her family.       

Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. ~ 11:00 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church with a rosary at 10:30 and Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Hawley Cemetery, Blessing, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Alyssa De Jesus, Ernest Lugo, Cruz Lugo, Justin Smith, Paul Fullmer amd Charlie Torres.

The family would like to thank the staff at Creekside Village Healthcare, John Westerfield, RN., and Dignity Hospice Care for the wonderful job they did in caring for their mother.

Palms Funeral Home, Angleton, Texas
 

Funeral services for Mr. Joel Williams, Sr., age 105, of Cedar Lake, will be held Sunday, June 11th, at 2:00 p. m. at the Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, with the Rev. Kenneth W. Bree officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Cedar Lake.

Visitation will be Saturday until 9 p. m. in the Chapel of Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 7 til 9 p. m. in the Chapel.

Mr. Williams was born December 28, 1889, to Polk Williams and Amy Hawkins Williams, in the Hawkinsville Community, Matagorda County, Texas, and died June 8, 1995, at 3:30 a. m. at Matagorda General Hospital in Bay City.

His religious affiliations included membership with the Bethlehem Christian Church for 95 years. He also served as Church Secretary for 78 years, as an Elder and member of the Deacon Board. Prior to his illness, he served as Sunday School Superintendent.

He graduated from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama in 1912, with a degree in civil engineering. Among his career experiences include teaching and principalship in Public School from 1936-1966. He served as teacher of the Cedar Lake School from 1936-1942, at which time he was promoted to principalship, a position he held until 1952. When the Cedar Lake School consolidated with the Van Vleck School District in 1952, Joel Williams transferred to O. H. Herman School where he taught mathematics until his retirement.

Among his accomplishments include receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from Tuskegee University, he was especially proud of being taught by George Washington Carver, and sharing his school years with Booker T. Washington. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Christian Missionary Fellowship, and also was the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service to the Cedar Lake Community. He was a member of the Retired Teacher's Association and a member of the Gulf Coast Masonic Lodge #272.

Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Faye Woodard, Mrs. Wilhelm Moye and Mrs. Girtha Woodard, all of Cedar Lake, and Mrs. Tena Simien of Sweeny. Also one son, Augustus Williams, Sr. of Houston. He leaves also a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and also a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives, and a family of many, many friends.

Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Clarinda Gee Williams, February 5, 1964, and two sons, Ralph Williams, December 19, 1974, and Joel Williams, Jr., August 21, 1977.

Active pallbearers include his grandsons Tracy Simien, Arthur Williams, Augustus Williams, Jr., Christopher Williams, Danny Woodard and Horace Woodard, Jr. Honorary pallbearers include the Deacons and Elders of Bethlehem Christian Church.

Arrangements are with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home of Bay City.

The Daily Tribune, June 1995