Bethlehem Cemetery

including

Petteway Cemetery & Smith Cemetery

Cedar Lake, Texas

Bethlehem Cemetery Home
 

Wesley Smith Sr.
Jan. 5, 1922 - Aug. 2, 2006

Funeral services for Wesley Smith, Sr., 84 will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at Church of Christ at Fifth Street and Elm in Sweeny with the Brother George McKnight, officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery in Cedar Lake.

He died Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at Sweeny House.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Smith of Sweeny; daughters, Hattie Smith Wright of Freeport, Amy Smith Wright and Dave, Shirley Bullocks, Bobbie Wilcher and Joel, Katherine Bonner and A.C., all of Sweeny, Diane McDonald and Artie of Texas City, Annie Lunford and Anthony, Dora Bonner and Wilbert, Pauletta Times and Rooney of Brazoria; sons, Wesley Smith, Jr. and Daphne of Houston, Vernice Smith, Sr., of Sweeny; brothers, Matthew Smith, Sr. and Lula of Bay City, Robert L. Smith and Mammie of Cedar Lake, Albert J. Smith of Bay City, Franklin L. Smith of Bay City; sister, Lucinda Smith of Bay City; 32 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation was from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2006 at Dixon Funeral Home in Brazoria.

Send online condolences to www.dixonfuneralhome.com.

Bay City Tribune, August 6, 2006               Photo courtesy of Mary Beth Newland Ross

Alma Lois Smith Spiller

Funeral services for Alma Lois Smith Spiller, 43, of Bay City, will be held at 1 P. M. tomorrow, Feb. 28, at the Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, where Rev. K. W. Bree is pastor, and Brother Elliott Moore of Moore Avenue Church of Christ, officiant. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Cedar Lake.

Visitation will be Friday until 9 p. m. at the chapel of Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, and Saturday from noon until 1 p. m. at the church.

Mrs. Spiller passed away Saturday, February 21, 1998, at St. Luke Hospital in Houston. She was born in Bay City, Tuesday, July 20, 1954, to Matthew and Evangie Merchant Smith.

She was added to the Church of Christ at an early age, and kept the faith. Alma was a 1972 graduate of Bay City High School. She furthered her education by attending Wharton Jr. College and Bishop College.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Spiller, and three daughters, Teela Ann Spiller, Tina Andra’ Spiller and Toni Avon Spiller, all of Bay City.

Also her father and step-mother, Matthews Smith, Sr. with wife Lula Mae of Bay City; eight sisters and four brothers-in-lw, Mrs. Elnora “Betty” Moore, Mrs. Jessie Lee Brooks, Mrs. Elma Gladys Allen with husband Artis, and Mrs. Patricia Maudine Williams with husband Gregory, all of Bay City, Mrs. Nancy Lee Harman (and Kenneth) of Freeport, Mrs. Grace Ann King with husband Donnie of Gary Indiana, Ms. Sharon LaVon Smith and Ms. Kennetha Michelle Smith, both of Houston. Also five brothers, Matthew Smith, Jr., Arthur Smith, and Williams Charles Smith, all of Houston, Roosevelt Smith of Manesa, Virginia, and Purvis Smith of Bay City; father and mother-in-law, Floyd, Sr. and Gladys Spiller of Bay City, two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Patricia Spiller Jackson (and Earl) of Austin, and Mrs. Pamela Spiller King with husband Anthony of Giddings; as well as three brothers-in-law, Floyd Spiller, Jr. with wife Willie Louise of Virginia, Samuel Spiller, Sr. with wife Carol of Arizona, and Billy Spiller, Sr. of Killeen.

Also by two aunts, Mrs. Francis Jones of Brazoria, and Mrs. Lucinda Smith of Bay City, and eight uncles, Rev. Jimmie Wrenn, Phillip Merchant, Sr., A. J. Smith, Franklin L. Smith, Wesley Smith, Marseen Smith, Robert Lee Smith and John Smith.

Also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and a family of many friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Evangie Lee Smith, one sister, Peggy Ann Knowles, and a brother-in-law, Cunnie Moore, Sr.

Serving as active pallbearers are Troy Smith, Harry Brooks, Anthony King, Cunnie Moore, Jr., Curtis Moore, Edwin Knowles, Stevie Franklin and Sammie Revis. Honorary pallbearers will be Teela Spiller, Tina Spiller, Toni Spiller, well as her brothers and brothers-in-law.

Arrangements with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, February 27, 1998              Photo courtesy of Mary Beth Newland Ross

Eunice Lee Stevenson, Sr.

Funeral services for Eunice Lee Stevenson, Sr., 62, of Freeport, are pending for 11 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2004, with the Rev. Sandie White, pastor of New Jerusalem Church in Freeport, eulogist. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Cedar Lake. Visitation will be Friday from 3 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.

He was born in Cedar Lake, Texas, October 4, 1942 and passed away January 26, 2004, at Brazosport Memorial Hospital in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Among his survivors include: his wife, Betty Stevenson of Freeport, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home.

The Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, January 28, 2004
 

James Benjamin Stratton

Elder James Benjamin Stratton, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Stratton was born September 29, 1898 at Hawkinsville, Matagorda County, Texas.

He attended public school in the Hawkinsville and Cedar Lake Communities. He attended college in Palestine, Texas under Prof. I. Q. Hurdle. This college is now known as Jarvis Christian College.

He confessed Christ and was baptized in 1910 by Elder Woodard.

In December, 1923 he was married to Miss Polly E. Woodard who preceded him in death.

He became Superintendent of the Bethlehem Christian Church Sunday School in 1948 and served faithfully until death.

He was ordained as a Deacon of Bethlehem Christian Church in 1958. In the summer of 1961 he was installed as an Elder Deacon by Rev. Lloyd Brown.

In 1936 he was made Clerk of the American Woodmen Camp 243, Cedar Lake, Texas.

In 1960 he was made Treasurer of the Christian Men Fellowship.

He holds membership in the Masonic Lodge Number 272 and serves in many other activities for community improvement. His main interest was in upgrading the Youth of the Community.

He departed this life Sunday, August 13, 1967.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Libbie Cleo Hawkins of LaMarque, Texas. Three sisters, Mrs. Cleopatra Higgins, Mrs. Alinor Austin, Mrs. Annie M. Colvin; Two brothers, Mr. Ausby and Mr. Jim Stratton; five grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Active pallbearers: Deacons of Bethlehem Christian Church

Honorary pallbearers: Masonic Lodge Number 272

Service was held Sunday, August 20, 1967 at 2:00 P. M. at Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, Texas.

Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery

Funeral program
 

Margaret Lee Taylor

Funeral services for Margaret Lee Taylor, 80, of Bay City, will be held Saturday, January 26, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, with the Rev. K. W. Bree, eulogist. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday until 9 p.m. in the Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel.

She was born in Cedar Lake, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 1921, to Tom Roberson and Nealie Ward Roberson, and passed away Sunday, January 20, 2002, at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Wharton, Texas.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she dedicated much of her life to serving as caretaker to many members of her family. Her strength and courage will always be remembered.

Survivors include her husband, Willie Taylor of Bay City, one daughter, Rosetta Taylor Bivens and Lloyd, three grandchildren, Robert Comfort, Jr., Ronica Comfort and Reginald Comfort, and one great-granddaughter, Ronisha Comfort; one brother, Travis Roberson and Ola, a favorite nephew, Bobby Joe Thomas, two sister-in-law, Velma Tatum and Charles and Tina Roberson ; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Molly Parks and Minnie Bell Harris, and four brothers, George Austin, Wilson Gee, Tommie Roberson, Sr., and John L Roberson, Sr.

Active pallbearers will be Robert Comfort, George Roberson, Tommie Roberson, Jr., Roosevelt Green, John L. Roberson, Jr. and Harry Williams.

Arrangements are with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home in Bay City. A00011A2002JA25

The Daily Tribune, Friday, January 25, 2002
 

Willie LeRoy Taylor
February 22, 1923 – November 7, 2016

On February 22, 1923 in Matagorda County a baby boy was born to Texana Dillingham Taylor and Arthur Taylor. They named him Willie LeRoy Taylor. He confessed Christ in Cedar Lake, Texas. Later joining First Sacred Baptist, he was a faithful, devoted member and became Deacon under the leadership of Pastor Harry Williams. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #272.

Mr. Taylor attended public schools in Cedar Lake, Texas. After graduating high school, he served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 in New Guinea and New Zealand during World War II. After his discharge, he attended the Houston College for Negroes in 1946 to 1947. He received his certificate in shoe repair. He started the only shoe repair shop in the south end of Bay City, Texas in 1949. Later he moved to Freeport, Texas where he was in the shoe repair business for 41 years. Mr. Taylor drove Kermit Taxi Cabs.

He married Margaret Roberson on January 1, 1950 in Cedar Lake, Texas. To this union was born a daughter, Rosetta Marie Taylor. He was devoted to his grandchildren and a loving caretaker to others.

Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his parents Texana and Arthur Taylor, his wife Margaret Taylor, daughter Rosetta Bivens, brother Andrew Taylor, and sister Velma Tatum.

He leaves to cherish his memories; his grandsons, Robert Wayne Comfort, Jr. (Sharon) and Reginald Wayne Comfort both of Bay City, Texas; one granddaughter, Ronica Lynn Comfort of Houston, Texas; five great grandchildren: Ronisha Comfort, Jalon Comfort, Raven Richardson, Javion Comfort, and Rylee Comfort; son-in-law, Lloyd Bivens of Hitchcock, Texas; special nephew, Bobbie Joe Thompson; sister-in-law, Rosie Lee Taylor (Andrew) of Bay City, Texas; brother-in-law, Charles Tatum (Velma) of Houston, Texas; special friends, John Alliniece of Van Vleck, Texas and Elder John Aldridge of Bay City, Texas.

A celebration of life service was held Saturday, November 19, 2016, 11 a. m. at Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, Texas. Pastor Kenneth Bree was eulogist.

Active pallbearers: Anthony Woods, Jr., Montra Roberson, Lee Allen, John O’Neil, Jr., Chris Allen and Aldrice Wiley.

Honorary pallbearers: Robert Wayne Comfort, Jr., Jaylon Comfort, Bobbye Joe Thomas, Eddie F. Roberts, Sr., John Allniece, Jr., Reginald Wayne Comfort, Javion Comfort, John Aldridge and James Williams, Sr.

Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery

Final arrangements entrusted to Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas.

Funeral program
 

Andrew Gip Thomas Jr.

Funeral services for Andrew Gip Thomas Jr., “Lil Gip,” were held Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 11 a. m., at Bethlehem Christian Church with the Rev. L. W. Bree officiating.

Burial was in Bethlehem Cemetery.

Viewing was held Friday, May 22, 2015, from 4:30 p. m. to 8 p. m., in the chapel of Green’s Mortuary.

Most sacred arrangements entrusted to Green’s Mortuary, 2702 Avenue C, Bay City, Texas 77414. 979-245-3489

Bay City Tribune, May 24, 2015
 

Gertrude Woodard Thomas

Funeral services for Gertrude Woodard Thomas, 73, of Cedar Lake, will be held Saturday, October 27, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, with the Rev. K. W. Bree, eulogist. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday until 9 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

She was born in Cedar Lake, Texas, Thursday, September 20, 1928 to George Woodard and Tina Gee Woodard and passed away Monday, October 22, 2001 in Cedar Lake, Texas.

Affectionately known as “Mutt”, she was a friend to all mankind.

Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Hubert Brown, Jr. and Burma Jean of Houston; and one daughter; Gertie C. Brown of Cedar Lake; one sister and brother-in-law, Lillie Price and L. C. Wright of Brazoria, one brother and sister-in-law, George Woodard, Jr., and Rosie Lee of Houston; eight grandchildren, Yvonne Barnes, Jacqueline Thornton, Angela Brown, Cheryl Brown, Katina Brown, Rosita Brown, Hubert Brown, III and Kevin Brown; 13 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and seven step-children, Don Thomas, Hazel Thomas, Emma Thomas, James Thomas, Wayne Thomas and Wilma Jean Gatson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends.

Active pallbearers will be Ray Simmons, Kenneth Spears, Emmanuel Bree, Bobby Woodard, Ken Tennell, Vernon Jackson, Albert Smith, Jeffery Woodard and Tommy Williams.

Arrangements are with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home. A00011A2001OT26

The Daily Tribune, Friday, October 26, 2001