Matagorda County Obituaries
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Emma Jewell Earls

June 06, 1932 - May 08, 2020

Emma Jewell Earls, 87, formerly of Bay City passed away May 8, 2020. She was born June 6, 1932 in Wharton County, Texas to the late L. E. Johnson and Alja Montgomery Johnson.

Visitation will be 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 12:00 PM with Rev. Clinton Wallace officiating. Interment will follow at Eastview Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home          Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham


 


Donald Wayne Eastman

December 12, 1949 - March 20, 2020

Donald Wayne Eastman, 70, of Bay City, Texas passed away March 20, 2020. He was born December 12, 1949 in Bryan, Texas to Robert Eugene Eastman and Pansy Post Markert.

You may have known him as Donald, Don or Donnie.  He worked in the public for many years, both at Evans Oil Company and IBC Bank.  He was a hard worker and spent much of his off time mowing and caring for other people’s yards.  Donnie always had a smile on his face and in most cases, he would greet you by calling you by name.

Donald was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his mother, Pansy Markert; brother, Robert Charles Eastman and wife Linda; aunt, Maude Cocking; and many cousins.

Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2020 at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck, Texas with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating.

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, March 25, 2020
 


Clifford Charles Edge, Jr.

February 20, 1933 - August 12, 2020

Clifford Charles Edge, Jr. should have written his own obituary. He was one of the finest writers I have known. He was born to Clifford Charles Edge, Sr. and Grace Brown Edge in Bryan, Texas on February 20th, 1933. He was their only child, and I won’t say he was spoiled, but he told me once that he cried when his mother took down the Christmas Tree so she left it up and just re-decorated it every month with themed ornaments. His mother also wrote and self-published two books filled with her son’s precocious witticisms called “Let there Be Laughter” and “Let There Be Laughter 2”. He was a cherished and beloved child.

As a young man, Clifford found that his writing talent and capacity to learn served him well in pursuit of his career choice, a Methodist pastor. He achieved two Master’s degrees and a Doctorate of Philosophy from University of Texas.

He always had a plan for his life which included meeting and marrying a lovely Methodist woman, who turned out to be a superb pianist as well: Carla Ehlers. They were a handsome young couple ready to serve in the Methodist church wherever God sent them.

Clifford and Carla were told they would not be able to have children, but the children apparently thought otherwise. I can honestly say Clifford’s children were the light of his life. They came in rapid succession: Clifford Charles (Kippy) in 1962, David Carl in 1963, Craig Martin in 1967, James Christian in 1969 and Cara Diane in 1972. He was a dad who played with his kids, loved to travel to amusement parks with them, enjoyed cooking for them, loved to plan parties for them and just loved being with them.

Being a Methodist pastor meant moving many times; Clifford served in many Methodist churches including appointments in: Alvin, Bryan, Utopia, Houston, Fredericksburg, Brownsville, Llano, and Robstown until 1979 when he took sabbatical so that his kids could complete high school without having to move. He worked at Del Mar College, Texas A & I Kingsville, Robstown High School and the Robstown Record using his writing skills and his penchant for history in his new careers. He later rejoined the ministry and commuted to smaller rural Methodist churches so that his family could stay put.

Clifford loved historical buildings; his specialty was old movie theaters, particularly those which still housed pipe organs. He belonged to the national historical theater society and often used his planning skills to set up trips for the group’s summer conventions. He coordinated and made agendas for the hundreds of members with ease. And he had a map in his head of the entire U.S. including where the historic theaters were in the cities. I know his kids and even his grandkids liked to “test” this map with: “What street is the theater in Lexington Kentucky located on, Daddy?” His reply: “You mean the one downtown, or the one on the east side?” This type of exchange happened many, many times in the course of our conversations with Clifford.

Clifford loved to have his family all together. When his kids started marrying and having kids, he was a very happy man. He was Granddaddy to his grandkids. They knew he would sit with them for hours reading a book or playing Pick a Patch, Uncle Wiggly or Candyland without losing patience. When the grandkids were old enough, he loved to take them to movies, plays and concerts. A particular favorite activity was taking the family out to a restaurant. He loved seeing a table of 16 to 20 people including his kids, grandkids and friends who tagged along sitting in a restaurant at several tables pushed together. And he always footed the bill; no question that he’d do so.

Family Christmas-tide was full of fun “traditions” that Clifford created; for years he would bring a full-size advent wreath with candles and an advent calendar to every family meal during the time of Advent. Those at other tables in restaurants may have looked sideways as he lit the candles, but he didn’t care. He loved reading from the prayer book or having one of the kids do it and then passing out treats to everyone after the ceremony.

Clifford also kept track of birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and any other notable milestones and always made a point to send a card or treat a group to dinner to honor those special occasions in our lives. For him, any excuse to get together as a family was important.

His intelligence was astounding, but you would only find that out if you took the time to ask him something. If you had interest in: movies, historic buildings, downtown revitalization, politics, history, rock music, electricity, or most any topic, you could easily write a school essay on the information you gleaned from a conversation with Clifford. In fact, some kids may have done just that…But, he was always humble in his interactions with others and never belittled anyone in any way. He loved learning new things and often commented that something was “interesting” or “highly entertaining” if he particularly liked it.

Clifford, we know you had no allergies or ailments and you never complained about being uncomfortable. We know your family was your joy in life. We just wish you were here to write this and then join us for dinner after the service. We will miss you so much.

Clifford is now with his wife of 59 years, Carla Diane Ehlers Edge as well as his loving parents, uncles and aunts; he is survived by his five kids: Kippy (Debbie) of Portland, Texas; Carl of San Luis Obispo California; Craig (Michelle) of Andover, Kansas; Chris (Mimi) of Los Fresnos, Texas; Cara (Louis) of Cedar Park, Texas. He is also survived by his twelve grandkids: Chelsea, Caitlin (Hunter), Courtny, Camber, Caven, Cora, Cenna, Camie, Carly, Casey, Jacques and Emile.

If you’d like to honor Clifford’s memory with a gift, the family is requesting donations be sent to The Ritz Theater in Corpus Christi Texas, a place that was near and dear to Clifford’s heart.

To donate, go to: http://www.ccritz.com/donate or send checks to: Corpus Christi Patch, 402 Peoples St. Suite 1A, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Taylor Bros. – Palacios Funeral Home
 


Lawrence Douglas Edison Sr.

Lawrence Douglas Edison Sr., 73, formerly of Bay City, Texas passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 in Edna, Texas.

Visitation and guest book registry will be on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home in Bay City.

Graveside services and burial will be on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Eastview Cemetery in Bay City.

Arrangements with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, Bay City, Texas; 979-245-5197.

Bay City Tribune, January 27, 2021                                    Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham


 


William “Bud” Bradford Eicke, Jr.

April 29, 1933 - October 22, 2020

William “Bud” Bradford Eicke, Jr., formerly of Bay City, Texas, passed away on October 22, 2020 at the age of 87. He was born on April 29, 1933 to William Bradford Eicke and Lura Mae (Strickland) Eicke in Hemphill, Texas. Bud was raised in Bronson, Texas and graduated from high school at the age of 15.  He joined the Army and spent time overseas in Metz France. After the Army, Bud joined Sun Oil Company (SUNOCO) in Texas as a “doodlebugger” searching for oil reserves across the southwest. While working in west Texas, Bud met Deloris (Dee) Fockler while she was working in a restaurant. They fell in love and married, eventually raising five boys.

In 1963, Bud and Dee settled down in Vidor, Texas. Bud continued to progress his career with SUNOCO, and started tinkering with a new technology – color TV’s. Bud would spend some of his evenings with friends and family carrying a collection of vacuum tubes and “optimizing” everyone’s color TV sets. Bud and the family would make special trips to Bronson and Lake City Michigan, so the boys could spend time with their grandparents – going fishing, shooting, farming, horse riding, milking cows and bailing hay.

In 1970, the family moved to Plano, Texas so Bud could work at the SUNOCO Dallas office. He was recognized as a Senior Geophysicists. He was very proud and would tell everyone he was the first Senior Geophysicist without a college degree.  While working for SUNOCO, Bud travelled all over the world including two trips to the North Pole looking for oil. 

Bud worked for SUNOCO for over 30 years and retired at 55 years old.

In 1988, Bud moved to Bay City, Texas so he could spend more time fishing in the gulf. While at Bay City, Bud started a second career working as a sales representative for Trojan Explosives. Bud developed a shaped charge explosive that more efficiently focused the energy wave so lighter weight explosives could be used for oil exploration and is continued to be used today in seismic research. With Trojan, Bud travelled all over Mexico and South America helping those countries establish their oil exploration industries.

Bud lived in Bay City, Texas over the last 20 years and would enjoy his children and grandchildren when they would come down to visit. He always took them to Matagorda beach and he enjoyed watching them play in the sand and water. Some days he would take his boat and grandkids out fishing or just for a ride. Afterward, he always took them to his local watering hole, K-2 Steakhouse, and would fill them up with food and brag to everyone what great grandkids he had.  We will forever be grateful to his K-2 friends. They became our friends and we truly loved them as they were “his Bay City Family”.

Bud is survived by his sons; Michael Dennis Eicke and wife, Karen of Benbrook, Texas; Charles Eicke and wife, Rose of The Colony, Texas; Philip Barry Eicke of Trenton, Texas; and George David (Sam) Eicke of Wylie, Texas; his grandchildren, Mark William Eicke, Jessica Eicke-Reinartz, Alex Eicke, Brandon Hartwell, Cody Eicke, Ryan Eicke, Jeremy Eicke, and Joshua Eicke, and his brother; Paul Eicke, and sister; Emily McClinton and husband, Herman, and many Nieces and Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; William Bradford and Lura Mae Eicke; his son, William Bradford Eicke; his younger brothers, Cecil and George Eicke; and his older sister, Louise Eicke-Childs.

A “come and go” remembrance gathering will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.

Bay City Tribune, November 1, 2020
 


Shirley Thomas “S.T.” Eidson

Shirley Thomas “S.T.” Eidson, 93, of Bay City was born May 27, 1927 in Carrolton, GA to the late Robert F. and Kate Gower Eidson. He went to his Heavenly Home on February 28, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Durward Gower Eidson and Adrian Franklin Eidson, three sons Michael Durward Eidson, James Franklin Eidson and Earnest Eugene Eidson and step-son Michael James McCreight.

He served two years in the Marines during WWII, and always said “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” He loved cooking Bar-B-Que and frying fish for the VFW Post, his Church and anyone who wanted help with any event.

He was member of Bay City Baptist Church and enjoyed doing small carpenter jobs around the Church, mowing grass and trimming the flower beds. You can see some of his handy-work around his Church. He retired from Texas Gulf Sulphur Co. in 1987 after 40 years. He was a life member of VFW Post 2438 and served as Commander, Quartermaster for 12 years and Post Service Officer several years. He enjoyed doing carpenter work there and you can see his handy-work on several things in the VFW Post. He was also a life member of MOC, DAV, American Legion and the 100 Club.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wilma Grace Goodnight Eidson; son Thomas Lynn Eidson and wife Gena; daughter Shirley Sue Folmar and husband Gary; step-daughter Linda Gail Anderson; step-son Larry Wayne McCreight and wife Jane; his sister Virginia Willegalle and husband Arnold; eight grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Bay City Baptist Church. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM with Rev. Lee Watson officiating. Graveside services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Norris Cemetery on FM 563 about 10 miles South of Liberty, Texas. Pallbearers will be James “Jim Bob” Anderson, Jr., Thomas Eidson, Jr., Stephen Folmar, Hunter Anderson, Ezra Nava, Hayden Eidson, Trent LeJeune and Landon Folmar.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 


Louis Eitel

Mr. Louis Eitel departed this life Wednesday May 9th at 1:15 A. M. at the age of 86 years, 9 months, and 25 days.

His death was not unexpected as he was a great sufferer from heart trouble for a number of years, but his tireless energy and long habits of industry kept him busy when he could have prolonged his life had he been less ambitious.

In 1910 he married Mrs. Mackey, whom he leaves to mourn his death, two daughters by a former marriage, one grandson, two great grandsons, two sisters and three brothers, all of whom except the widow reside near Hampton, Iowa.

Mr. Eitel emigrated to Wisconsin, from Germany, with his parents at the age of eight, and his early life was spent on the pioneer farm there. Later he took up a Government claim in South Dakota and from there moved to Hampton, Iowa, where he was a neighbor of the late Walter F. Harriman, whom he accompanied to this place seventeen years ago.

He was a typical successful pioneer, meeting the difficulties and hardships of the early settler with a thoughtful courage and open mind as well as a determination to succeed through hard work.

He was a most interesting man with whom to talk and his experiments with farming and dairying without modern equipment were a revelation to the younger men.

His membership is still in a Baptist Church in Hampton, Iowa, and he has lived a quiet life honesty, uprightness and kindly deeds, and he was one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War.

His mind was well stored with the results of his own thinking as well as the garnered store, the result of a wide range of reading, and his inability to read the last year was a source of regret to him.

His body was laid to rest in the quiet cemetery at Palacios at 3 P. M. Wednesday by his family and many friends, services being conducted at the grave by C. F. Conner.

Palacios Beacon, May 10, 1928
 


Frank McGhee Elam

February 18, 1932 – February 4, 2013

Frank McGhee Elam, son of Frank Haynes Elam and Nan Oriel Victoria McGhee Elam, passed away Feb. 4, 2013 in Clear Lake City, age 80. He was born Feb. 18, 1932 in Ft. Worth, TX. He was 2 weeks away from his 81st birthday.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annabel Beyer (d. May 10, 1993), and his sisters Leila Carol Sanders Cleveland (d. 2010) and Nan Alice Phillips Hamby (d. 2013).

Frank was a graduate of the University of Texas with a Master’s of Science degree in petroleum engineering, which he received on June 1, 1957. He married Annabel Beyer one week later on June 8, 1957 in Austin. Frank later received a law degree from the University of Houston, Bates College and was also a patent law attorney. One of his early jobs was at Convair Aircraft, but his main career was in aerospace engineering at NASA, starting around 1964. He worked on the Apollo space program to the moon in the Control Systems Branch perfecting the Little Joe II attitude and motion control unit, and also worked on the guidance system and other aspects of the space shuttle and tracking system data. He retired from NASA about 1994. He knew a lot about the Bible and history, and enjoyed auto mechanics.

He is survived by nieces and husbands, Kathy & Mike Clark, Michele & Dave Feuerborn, Brenda and Tom Young, Susan Sanders & Steve Tollefson, and nephew and wife, Jim and Vickie Hamby, and nephew William Sanders, Jr., niece Heather Barrick, and numerous cousins. Visitation will be at Forest Park East, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 PM, followed by a memorial service at 3 PM.

Forest Park East Funeral Home, Webster, Texas                   Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham


 


Ernesto Elizalde
January 14, 1937 - July 03, 2020

Ernesto Elizalde, 83, of Bay City, passed away July 3, 2020. He was born in Refugio, TX to Guadalupe Elizalde and Elvira Garcia Elizalde.

Ernesto served his county in the United States Army.

Ernesto is preceded in death by his parents, Solia Morales (sister), Gloria De La Rosa (sister), Virginia Galindo (sister) and Lauro Elizalde (brother). He is survived by his daughters Elia Rodriguez, Laura Elizalde and Diana DeWitt; sons Ernest Elizalde, Jr. and Estevan Elizalde; sisters Lydia Cantu and Erizola Mahaffey; brothers Henry Elizalde, Guadalupe Elizalde, Jr., Reynaldo Elizalde, and grandchildren Angela Elizalde, Eric Elizalde, Elisa Navarrete, Anthony Rodriguez, Erica Elizalde, Jesse Valenzuela III, Crystal Elizalde, Owen DeWitt, Allie Chavarria, Jonathan Cabrera, Alyssa Cabrera, Miraya Elizalde, Kiarra Elizalde, Emily Navarrete and Reign Elizalde

Arrangements are private.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home     [Burial: Roselawn Memorial Park]              Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham


 


Bert Elliott Dies At San Diego, Tex.

On Friday of last week Dr. T. F. Driskill was notified by telephone, of the death of Bert Elliott, which had occurred the night before, at San Diego, Tex., where he was making his home with his brother-in-law, Dr. Richard Elliott. His death came very unexpectedly, as he had been busy at his usual duties on Thursday and was ill only about 30 minutes with acute indigestion.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church there Saturday afternoon and interment made beside the sister who had preceded him in death a few years ago.

Bertram Trevor Elliott was born in the Isle of Ceylon. He was a brother of the late Dr. J. R. Elliott, and made his home a number of years ago.

Palacios Beacon, September 6, 1934
 


Homer Chester Ellis
Rites Set For Crash Victim

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p. m. at the First Pentecostal Church in Bay City for Homer Chester Ellis, 45.

Ellis, who lived at 3209 Sixth Street, Bay City, died as result of injuries sustained in a two-car auto crash near Van Vleck Tuesday.

Services will be under direction of the Rev. Marvin S. Cole. Interment will be in the Stafford Cemetery at Stafford.

Ellis is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nobie Ellis, and one son, Mike Ellis, 5, of Bay City; three sisters, Mrs. Hettie Finch of Agua Dulce, Mrs. Von Cannon of Greggton, and Mrs. O. T. Davis of Van Vleck, and a brother, Bruce, also of Van Vleck.

Daily Tribune, May 14, 1959
 


Randy Ellis

Funeral services for Randy Ellis of Palacios will be Saturday, November 29, 2014, 11:00 a. m. at Bay City Baptist Church, Pastor Lee Watson will be officiating.

Viewing will be from 9:00 a. m. - 11:00 a. m. at the church.

He was preceded in death by wife, Sheeree Ellis; grandparents, Ed and Rose Ella Frick; survived by mother, Rose Marie Peters; sister, Patricia R. Ellis; daughter, Ashley R. Shelton; son in law, Bradford J. Shelton, Sr.; four grandchildren, Justice M. Shelton, Jazzlynn L. Shelton, Jordon R. Shelton, and Bradford J. Shelton, Jr.

Pallbearers, Bradford Shelton, Sr., Wendell Reed, Jimmy Johnson, Leroy Zboral, D. L. Layton, Johnny Parr.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Green's Mortuary.

Bay City Tribune, November 30, 2014
 


Rita Sue Ellis

July 28, 1943 - December 28, 2020

Sue Ellis, 77, of Bay City passed away December 28, 2020. She was born July 28, 1943 in Matagorda County, TX to the late Jim Edgar Hamilton and Amy Emma Whittlesey Hamilton.

Sue was a dedicated wife and mother, and a doting grandmother. She taught Business and English in the surrounding counties, retiring from Bay City ISD in 2001.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Hamilton and one nephew.

Survivors include her husband, Leonard Ellis; sons Edgar Oncken (Karen) and Todd Oncken (Tiffany); step-daughters Stephanie Shepheard (Stan) and Glenda Ellis (James Nesbit); grandchildren Ashley Nance, Clayton Oncken, Olivia Oncken, Jacob Oncken, Morgan Shepheard, Mackenzie Shepheard, Cameron Shepheard and Brendan Pierce; five great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, January 4, 2021 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. Lane Pardue officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bay City ISD Education Foundation, PO Box 2007, Bay City, TX 77404.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City Tribune, January 3, 2021
 


N. L. Elwood

Mr. N. L. Elwood died Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 and his remains were carried to his home in Creighton, Neb. Wednesday over the S. P. Mrs. Elwood and his son, A. R. Elwood, returned home with the body and interment will be made in Creighton. Mr. and Mrs. Elwood were spending the winter in Palacios and seemingly Mr. Elwood was doing nicely, until Sunday, when he became ill and grew worse, until the end came suddenly, Tuesday afternoon.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 11 in the Bonner Home, where Mr. and Mrs. Elwood had apartments. A large circle of friends were present for the funeral and accompanied them to the train, which carried the family north on their sad journey.

Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones in their sorrow and loss. May the Master above comfort their hearts and give abiding peace.

Palacios Beacon, March 28, 1929
 


Linda Louise Lamkin Ely

September 7, 1945 - August 10, 2020

Linda Louise Lamkin Ely was born in Wellington Kansas, on September 7, 1945 to James and Frances Lamkin. She was gathered unto God on August 10, 2020 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease and a short battle with Covid-19.

Mrs. Ely attended Kansas State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marymount College in Salina, Kansas.  She was a flight nurse in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and retired with the rank of captain.  Mrs. Ely went on to receive her Master of Science Degree in Community Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and establish the Parenting Education Program for Bay City High School.  She completed the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Texas Woman’s University.   However, a diagnosis of breast cancer and advancing Alzheimer’s disease precluded her practicing. Mrs. Ely was also a nurse educator at Wharton County Junior College.

Mrs. Ely was active in the Episcopal Church. She taught Sunday school and was an active member of the Order of Daughters of the King. After completing the four-year Education for Ministry course from the University of the South School of Theology in 1992, she mentored the program in area Episcopal Churches for several years. In addition, she served as Lay Eucharistic Minister, vestry member, and in almost every capacity open to a lay person in her home parish of St. Mark’s.  She completed the Leadership Matagorda training, was active in Garden Club, and received Master Gardener certification after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Mrs. Ely also made ten medical mission trips to Honduras.

In 1968, she married James E. Ely.   She is survived by her husband, the Reverend Dr. James E Ely; daughter, Megan Lewis and her husband Chris; and granddaughters, Kristen and Emily who reside in Milton, Ga.; her son, James Morgan and his wife Laura and their two children Lucy and James who reside in Houston; and her son, Matthew of Austin. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Frances Barker who resides in Plano, her niece Jennifer, nephews Sam and Jason along with numerous other friends, family, and loved ones.

Mrs. Ely was a passionate basket weaver and world traveler.  She enjoyed sharing her weaving skills and taught numerous classes for community education.  On Market Days, Mrs. Ely could often be seen on the Courthouse Square exhibiting her skills and selling handmade baskets.  In addition, Mrs. Ely was a Certified Childbirth Educator and taught birthing classes to generations of Bay City mothers and fathers.

A funeral Mass will be held for this extraordinary child of God whose life impacted so many other lives, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bay City at a date to be announced after the Covid-19 pandemic risk has abated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2200 Ave. E Street, Bay City TX 77414; St. John’s Episcopal Church, 301 E. Main, Palacios 77465; or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago Ill, 60601.

Bay City Tribune online
 


Michael Engle

Michael Engle died at his home on East Bay Monday at 2 p. m., following an illness that had confined him to his bed the past several months. Mr. Engle was 84 years, 11 months and nine days old, and had been a citizen of Palacios a number of years.

When he came to the city to make his home, he invested in a number of pieces of property which he improved and became one of our most progressive workers and continued so as long as his health permitted.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Charles J. Engle, of Medford, Mass.; Rev. Paul Engle, of Bay City; and two daughters, Mrs. Victor Duttera, Gettysburg, Pa., and Mrs. C. G. Jeffers, of Palacios.

Funeral services were held here Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in the Episcopal Church, conducted by Bishop Quinn.

The remains were taken overland to Houston and from there shipped to York, Penn., his former home, where interment will be made. Rev. Engle and his mother accompanied the body.

Palacios Beacon, September 27, 1934
 


Livia Eve Enochs

June 26, 1952 - September 22, 2020

Livia Eve Enochs, 68, of Markham passed away September 22, 2020. She was born June 26, 1952 in Bay City to John Ellington Lewis and Mildred June Bankhead Lewis. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jerry Ann Pyle and her brother James Leroy Lewis.

Livia was a woman of faith and family. She was a hard worker, and retired from Lower Colorado River Authority where she was the first woman to be hired as a water operator. She made many friends of her coworkers, as she did wherever she went. She was known as a strong, caring person, always quick to help out family, friends and strangers, most particularly her family. Her main objectives in life were to care for her parents and raise her children, and she did. She loved to cook and feed people, especially around the holidays. She loved fishing and gardening, and was known for her special abilities to catch the biggest fish and grow the best tomatoes. An accomplished seamstress, she was also an expert quilt maker, crochet crafter, and often created her own patterns for quilts and clothes. She was loved by many, and will be missed severely.

Survivors include children Jennifer Orr Ashcraft (Darryl), Holly Jo Bray (Gary), Alden David Orr (Cheryl) and titular son James Enochs (Sara); brother Alden Bollinger; grandchildren John Bradley Enochs, Dawson Orr, Darryl, Dalton and Douglas Ashcraft, Rebecca and James Bray, Stephanie and Michael Mueth, Florentino Castillo, Andrew Wager, Kiera Enochs, Joshua Lewis and Ashlee Rush; great grandchildren Kason, Zoey and Anthony Mueth, Brentley Carpenter and Brayden Spurgeon; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her Aunt Jessie. She also had a lot of “adopted” grandkids around, and they all called her Granny.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Monday, September 28, 2020 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 AM with Rev. Damon Rambo officiating. Interment will be at Hawley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Mueth, Florentino Castillo, T.J. Edwards, Felix Martinez, Michael Rush, and Tyler Rush.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 


Dorothy Virginia Eppright

March 12, 1915 - March 19, 2020

Dorothy (“Dot”) Leigh Eppright, of Austin, died on March 19, 2020, three days shy of her 105th birthday. Dot was born on March 22, 1915, in McKinney, Texas, to Henry Thomas Leigh and Rena Maude Ogilvie Leigh and was raised on the family farm in Melissa, Texas.

After attending public schools in Melissa and McKinney, Dot attended and graduated from Trinity University in 1936, which was then located in Waxahachie. After graduating from Trinity, Dot lived and taught school in San Antonio to bi-lingual students. During summer breaks in 1940 and 1941, Dot worked in Havana, Cuba translating correspondence from Spanish to English and attended the University of Havana. While in San Antonio, Dot met her future husband, Charles C. Eppright, Jr. They were married on May 25, 1946, and lived for several years in Houston, before moving to Bay City, Texas in 1949. Dot and Charlie had two sons, Charles and David. After David started school, Dot went to work at Bay City Federal Savings & Loan Association. She began work as a teller and served as one of the first female officers of the Association for many years before her retirement in 1980.

After retirement, Dot was active in many civic organizations and clubs in Bay City, including the Pilot Club, Friends of the Bay City Library, Matagorda County Museum, and Bay City Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bay City. Dot loved to travel and traveled to Cuba, Mexico, Hawaii, Seattle, San Francisco, Montreal, Boston, London, and Israel, among other places. She was an avid game player and loved to teach others, including her grandchildren, how to play the games she loved. Dot lived in Bay City until 2005, when she moved to Austin to be closer to her family. While in Austin, she resided at the Continental Retirement Community and Brookdale Westlake Hills. She was loved by everyone around her for her kindness, big smile, and good nature. She never went anywhere without her signature red lipstick.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie. She is survived by her sons, Charles Eppright and wife, Patsy, of Austin and David Eppright and wife, Scarlett, of Pensacola Beach, Florida, her grandchildren Brian Eppright and wife, Susan, of Lubbock and Megan Matza and husband, Matthew, of Austin, and her great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Hunter, and William Eppright, and Halliday and Palmer Matza. When asked the key to living a long and happy life-she said “There’s no one I don’t like and if there was, I forgot about them.”

There will be a private graveside service for immediate family at Manor Cemetery.

Bay City Tribune, March 25, 2020
 


Alicia Chacon Espinosa
August 19, 1934 - August 02, 2020

Alicia Chacon Espinosa, 85, of Markham passed away August 2, 2020. She was born August 19, 1934 in Mexico.

Beloved and adored wife and mother is survived by her husband Jesus Espinosa, 2 daughters Elsa Morales and Ana Maria Espinoza, 2 sons Raul Espinosa and Jesse Espinosa and 3 grandchildren Faith Perez, Roman Espinosa, and Gabriel Morales.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Thursday, August 6, 2020 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Thursday with Rev. Howard Harper officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Raul Espinosa, Jorge Morales, Gabriel Morales and Ramiro Martinez.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 

PALACIOS [Matagorda County, Texas] - Services for Armando "Mando" Espinosa Sr., 75, of Palacios, who died Saturday, will be 10 a.m. today at St Anthony's de Padua Catholic Church, the Rev. Charles Dwomoh officiating. Burial with military honors, under the auspices of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Queen Hamlin Post 2467, will be at Palacios Cemetery. Artero Memorial Chapels, Port Lavaca, 361-552-2300.

Pallbearers: Cory Thurman, Kyle Thurman, Ray Guerra Jr., Alfred Guerra, Santiago Guerra and Arthur Miranda.

Honorary pallbearers: Homer Aparicio, David Aparicio, Pete Aparicio, Christopher Meir, Michael Meir and Pete Sardelich.

Memorials: Armando Espinosa Sr. Scholarship Fund, City State Bank, 459 Main, Palacios, Texas.

Victoria Advocate, August 6, 2003
 


Maria Garcia Espinosa

A Funeral Mass for Maria Garcia Espinosa, 91, of Palacios was held November 21 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Palacios.

Maria was born on Aug. 2, 1929 to Serafin and Eloisa Garcia in Matagorda, and she passed away at Bethany Senior Living on Nov. 16, 2020.

Maria Espinosa loved all of her family and friends dearly. She is remembered for her love of sewing and quilting and for her family and friends. She also loved to cook her signature enchiladas and tortillas for family and friends.

She married Armando Espinosa who preceded her in death.

Maria is survived by her sister Trinie Rios, Elva Villegas and Anjelica Tamez. Maria is also survived by her children: Armando and his wife Ofelia Espinosa, four daughters: Liz and husband Ray Guerra, Martha and husband Steve Thurman, Yolanda and husband Rob Ferguson and Mary Ann Meir. Grandchildren: Ray, Tiffany, and Alfred Guerra, Cory, Kyle and Charity Thurman, Christopher, Nicholas, Michael, Amber, Nathaniel and Bianca Meir, Victoria, Erika and Armando Espinosa III, and Patrick Ferrell. She is survived by nineteen great grand children.

Pall Bearers were Ray Guerra, Cory Thurman, Alfred Guerra, Kyle Thurman, Armando Espinosa TIT, Rick Rios, David Espinosa, and Anthony Espinosa.

Honorary Pall Bearers were: Patrick Ferrell, Alfred Guerra Jr. Homer Aparicio, David Aparicio, Tommy Aparicio, Nick Aparicio, Barney Aparicio, Alfred Aparicio, and Ernie Aparicio.

Thank you to Port Lavaca Nursing Home and Rehab and Bethany Senior Living for their excellent care of our Mother Maria Espinosa.

Funeral Arrangements were made with Angel Lucy’s Funeral Home

Palacios Beacon, November 25, 2020
 


Randy Estep

July 05, 1952 - May 05, 2021

Randal “Randy” Lynn Estep, 68, of Markham passed away May 5, 2021.  He was born July 5, 1952 in Kermit, Texas to Albert Kenneth Estep and Virginia Louise Hume Estep.

Randy was a 1971 graduate of Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca, TX.  He worked as a ranch hand on several South Texas ranches most of his younger years.  He then began working at Wal-Mart in Bay City, TX in 1999.  He was very dedicated to working at Wal-Mart.  Randy was a Christian and attended First Baptist Church in Markham, TX.  Randy lived life to the fullest by spending time with his family and enjoyed watching movies.  Randy had a way of finding humor in everything.  Even on the darkest of days Randy would find light in things and make you laugh.  He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Kenneth Estep.  Survivors include his mother, Virginia L. Estep; his sister Jan Kirchner (Kenneth); niece Pamela K. Vannoy (Matthew F.); great nephew Matthew K. Vannoy (Braden) and great nieces Kelsey K. Vannoy and Mallory K. Vannoy.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Monday at the First Baptist Church in Markham.  Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM with Rev. Damon Rambo officiating.  Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Pat Patterson, Grady Quinney, Kenneth Kirchner, Matthew F. Vannoy, Matthew K. Vannoy

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 


Antonio Z. Estrada

October 07, 1947 - June 24, 2020

Antonio Z. Estrada, Jr., 72, of Texas City, TX passed away June 24, 2020. He was born October 7, 1947 in San Benito, TX to the late Antonio Estrada and Santos Zuniga Estrada.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Joe Estrada and Rey Estrada.

Survivors include his wife Maria Sanchez Estrada; daughter Melissa Estrada; son Antonio Estrada III & his wife Stephanie; sisters Janie Castillo, Cruz Ortega, Lydia Tabarres, Rosa Perez and Delia Castillo; brothers Christopher Estrada and Danny Estrada; grandchildren Justin Estrada & his wife Michelle; Samuel Warren, Harley Estrada, Hayley Estrada and Valerie Alameda and great grandson Giovanni Garcia.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM with Rev. Gabriel Espinosa officiating.  Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.  Pallbearers will be Antonio Estrada, Justin Estrada, David Sanchez, Orlando Sanchez, Jessie Gonzales, and Julius Ramirez.

Please wear face masks while inside the Church Building.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home               Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham


 


Jerriel L. Evans Sr.
November 28, 1939 - February 1, 2020

On Saturday, February 1, 2020, Jerriel L. Evans Sr., loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 80. Jerriel Layne Evans Sr. was born on November 28, 1939 in Flint, Texas to parents, Fred and Treva Evans.

Jerriel graduated from Woodsboro High School in 1957 and married the love of his life, Maybell (Hobbins) Evans in that same year.  They began their life together with a move to San Antonio, Texas, where J.L. attended classes at San Antonio Community College and accepted a position with Amoco Oil Company as a Sales Manager.

 After ten years, J. L. moved his young family to Bay City, Texas to pursue his dream of starting his own business.  That business was Evans Oil Company, which distributed oil and gas products to counties along the Texas Gulf Coast.  After years of hard work and determination, Evans Oil Company grew to become Evans Systems, Inc.  At the time, the company was ranked in the top 10% of petroleum distributors nationwide.  Despite very humble beginnings, ESI prospered and underwent a public offering on the NASDAQ stock exchange in 1993.  In the year 1995, J. L. received the honor of being selected as a Finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Houston area.  Over the years, J. L. was an active supporter of many local organizations and charities in Matagorda County.  J. L. also gave his time and efforts to serve Bay City, by serving on the Home Rule Charter Commission, as a member and director of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce, Board member of Bay City Bank & Trust, and the Bay City Country Club.

After leaving the business he founded in 2002, J. L., along with wife Maybell, retired to manage the family cattle business, Triple E Farm & Ranch.  Along with his business successes, Jerriel would often say that what he valued most was family.  Jerriel and Maybell were blessed with three children, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

J. L. is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Treva Evans; and his two brothers, Charles David and Fred Mack Evans. 

Jerriel is survived by wife of 63 years, Maybell Evans; his daughter, Darlene and son-in-law Brian Jones; his sons, Jerry Evans and daughter-in-law Kelly, and Terry Evans and daughter-in-law Candiss; grandchildren, Matthew Jones and wife Whitney, Katherine Sewell and husband Kody, Stephanie Zuniga and husband Dr. Fabricio Zuniga, Jonathan Evans, Rachel Riley, Dane Evans and wife Shawyn, Madison Evans and Austin Evans;  great-grandchildren, Meredith and Kaitlyn Jones, Kaden Sewell, Christian and Sophia Zuniga and Klara, Harper and Rhett Evans. Jerriel is also survived by his sister, Wanda McGehee; and several nieces and nephews.

The Family will receive friends and relative from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas.

Services for Jerriel will be at 10 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2020 at the funeral home with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating.

Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons, Fabricio, Matthew, Kody, Dane, Jonathan, and Austin.

Honorary pallbearers are all employees and coworkers of Evans Systems, Inc. They were his extended family.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Dr. Lee with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Fabricio Zuniga, Matagorda Regional Medical Center, A-Med Hospice, and his caregivers, Sandra Trevino and Mena Torres.

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, February 5, 2020
 


Robert David Evans

September 27, 1942 - April 06, 2020

Robert David “Bobby” Evans, 77, of Bay City, passed away April 6, 2020. He was born September 27, 1942 in Tulia, TX to William Jefferson Evans and Dessie Marie Bivens Evans.

Robert graduated from Tulia High School and attended Texas Tech University. Then he began working as a mechanic at the Chevrolet dealership in Tulia. While working there, he was chosen to attend the GM Training Center in Oklahoma City. His training there earned him the ranking of Master Mechanic. He worked as a mechanic for several years before finding his true calling. With a few more hours of special college courses, he could become a certified auto-mechanics teacher.

Robert also served his country in the National Guard.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, and sister Sue McCune. He is survived by his wife Betty Evans; daughter Lauren Kile and partner Craig Kile; son Will Evans and wife Ginger Iovanna; brother Tommy Evans, and grandchildren Bryleigh Evans, Robert “Bubba” Evans, M’Kenna Kile and Scarlett Kile.

Due to current situations concerning public health, services will be private. Pallbearers will include his past students.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home             Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham


 


Troy Mitchell Evans

March 3, 1943 – June 2, 2020

Troy Mitchell Evans, 77, of Bay City, Texas passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2020 in Marietta, GA. He was born March 3, 1943 in Jacksonville, TX to Foy Evans and Bertie Bee Lambert Evans.

He was a VP-Retail Operations for Evans Oil Company and a long-time resident of Bay City.

HE is survived by his children, his daughter, Carolyn Nicole Schneider & husband Jarrod of San Antonio, TX; his sons, Craig Troy Evans of Van Vleck, TX, David Charles Evans and wife Rebecca of Marietta, GA and Travis Mitchell Evans & wife Doris Elizabeth of Sealy, TX; his brothers, Roger Evans of Flint, TX, Mark Evans of Flint, TX and brother-in-law, Kyle E. Dauth & wife Barbara of Hurst, TX; his grandchildren, Tabetha Skylar, Troy Eugene, Loraine Nicole, Makayla Rayne, Jordan Thomas, Samantha Paige, Cara Michelle, Marlowe Jane, Samantha London, Benjamin Mason, and Timothy Elijah; and great grandchildren, Isaac Terell Travis and Bailey Renee Elizabeth. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Michelle Jo Dauth Evans; parents, Foy Evans and Bertie Bee Lambert Evans; brother, Foy Micheal Evans; and cousin, Jerriel L. Evans Sr.

Private family graveside burial service will be in Flint, TX.

Bay City Tribune online
 


Craig Douglas Eversole

July 23, 1952 - June 10, 2020

Craig Douglas Eversole of Sweeny, Texas passed away on June 10, 2020 at the age of 67.

He was born on July 23, 1952 in Bay City, Texas to Boyd and Florene Eversole.

Craig was raised in Bay City and graduated from Bay City High School in 1970. Before starting his career at Phillips, he owned a boat shop in Rosenberg and worked at Celanese. In 1979 he started working for Phillips 66 as a Process Operator and was a dedicated employee there for 35 years. Craig married his wife of 38 years, Patti, on June 13, 1981. He built their home in Sweeny himself, where they’ve lived since 1985. He retired from Phillips 66 in 2011 but continued to work as a consultant afterwards on various jobs.

Craig was genuine, funny and truly one of a kind. He was a devoted husband, amazing father, Pops and dependable friend. Craig was known for his big smile and contagious laugh. He had many nicknames from those closest to him, including CC, Sugar Boy, Bubba and Craigory. He was also a man of many talents and there weren’t many things he couldn’t fix himself. Craig lived life to its fullest, loved riding his motorcycle, dirt bike racing, fishing, building things, repairing boat motors, and tinkering in his garage. Most of all, he enjoyed swinging on his deck with his beloved family and dogs by his side.

Craig is preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Florene Eversole.

Survivors include his loving wife, Patti; son, Catlin Eversole and his wife Taylor; daughter, Carly Eversole and her fiance Payton Pawlosky; granddaughter, Avery Eversole; sister, Cheryl Harrison and her husband Jim Harrison; and nephews and nieces.

There will be a celebration of Craig’s life on Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 4-8 p.m. at The Brisket House (previously known as Belles Landing), located at 11937 W. Hwy 35 in West Columbia, Texas. This will be a very casual affair so please dress for an outdoor occasion.

In lieu of flowers/plants please make donations to:  First United Methodist Church, c/o Diane Barnes           Surf Camp P.O. Box 113 Matagorda, Texas 77457.

Bay City Tribune online
 

 

Copyright 2020 - Present by Carol Sue Gibbs
All rights reserved

Created
Feb. 11, 2020
Updated
Feb. 11, 2020
   

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