Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Sarah Catherine Bell

Mrs. Sarah Catherine Bell

After an illness of several weeks, Mrs. Sarah Catherine Bell died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. S. Perry, yesterday afternoon at 2:45 o’clock and was laid to rest in Cedarvale Cemetery this afternoon with religious ceremonies conducted by the pastor of the Baptist Church, Rev. J. P. Gilliam. At the hour of her death, Mrs. Bell was 78 years and 3 months of age. The end came peacefully just as this noble creature of God had always lived. At her bedside to watch over her and to say the long, last, loving farewell were her affectionate sons and daughters, who had gathered from various parts of the State to be and remain with her until the final summons came.

As we journey through life it is our nature to look up to and reverence those who have performed well and uncomplainingly the duties they owe to the world, mankind and to their creator. This good woman was a living example of all that was noble, all that was good and all that one could expect from another. There are but few, if any, who ever lived a life of greater devotion and unselfish love to her children or a sweeter or purer Christian life; for all that real Christianity stands for. No artist could execute a replica of a sweeter soul than that which took its flight from its worldly abode to its Maker, at whose throne no accusations can be made or excuses need be offered.

Mrs. Bell was born on November 13, 1840, in Prince, Edwards County, Virginia, where she was reared to womanhood by illustrious “Old Virginia” parents. After her marriage, with her husband and two children they left Virginia on the day Ft. Sumpter fell for Texas to pioneer their way in an undeveloped country, and took up their home in Guadalupe County, while her husband, Nathan Edward Bell, took up military duties for the South again at Galveston for the remainder of the war.

After the war Mr. Bell moved to Colorado County where he engaged in farming for many years, until death claimed him in 1898. Mrs. Bell then moved to Bay City where she has made her home with her children, who never missed an opportunity to make her last years in life a pleasure and a source of happiness for her. All of her children except Mr. N. S. Bell, of Tucumcari, N. M., were with her and at her bedside when the last earthly moment came.

Decedent leaves ten children, seven daughters and three sons. Those are: Mrs. L. A. LaCrosse, of Del Rio; Mrs. H. M. Overstreet, of Valentine; Mrs. V. L. LeTulle, of Bay City Mrs. Frank Vaughn, of Bay City; Mrs. Chas. Herndon of Bay City; Mrs. E. W. Fate, of Bay City; Mrs. M. S. Perry, of Bay City, at whose home she died, and Mr. A. C. Bell, of Houston; Mr. T. E. Bell of El Campo, and Mr. E. M. Bell, of Wharton.

Mrs. Bell was a member of the Baptist Church since early childhood and lived a true, consistent Christian life, full of love for all and devotion to the Almighty King in whose Paradise she is now at joyous and never-ending rest.

God loves such lives as these and crowns their souls with everlasting glory.

Matagorda County Tribune, February 14, 1919
 

Irvin T. Blake

Houston Lady Will Be Laid To Rest in Cedarvale – Katie Blake

Mrs. Katye Blake, 607 York St., Houston, passed away at 12:10 a. m. today.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Rella Kalsey of Houston, A. C. of Stowell, Texas., and Roy D. of Beaumont, one sister, Mrs. Hannah Weber of Weber, Kan., and six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held this morning in Houston and at 3 p. m. at the Cedarvale Cemetery here. Taylor Bros. had charge of local arrangements.

Daily Tribune, March 26, 1941
 

Henry S. Branch

Henry Stewart Branch

Henry Stewart Branch, the eleven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Branch, died yesterday morning at 9 o’clock and was buried in Cedarvale Cemetery this morning at 10 o’clock. The cause of his death was infantile paralysis.

This is one of the saddest events it has ever been the duty of the Tribune to chronicle. Henry Stewart was a promising lad of eleven years and until a few short days ago was the picture of health and happiness. His life had been one of activity and boyish buoyancy; he was one loved by companions and always to the front in all plays and pastimes of the younger boys. He was loved by all who knew him and did all that was in the power of his young life to make it pleasant for those with whom he associated.

But death had claimed him and all that avails us now is to sympathize deeply and sincerely with father and mother, sisters and brothers.

Daily Tribune, November 24, 1913
 

Kathryn Poole Muse Burbank

Kathryn Poole Burbank

Burbank, Kathryn Poole, passed away May 16 in New York City. She was a former resident of this area and had many friends in Bay City. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Reginald Burbank and one daughter, Martha Muse. Graveside services will be held Monday, May 18 at 7:30 p. m. at the Cedar Vale Cemetery with the Rev. W. D. O’Neal officiating. Taylor Brothers Funeral home is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be: George Burke Jr., Francis Savage, Irving Savage, Jack Huebner, Hayes Hamilton and Dr. Robert Kelly. Honorary pallbearers are: Galen Savage, Jim Lewis, Esker McDonald, John Camp, W. W. Rugeley, Charles Shoultz, Rowland Rugeley, Layton Moore, Ludolph Heiligbrodt, E. M. Huitt, P. R. Hamill, Thomas Fletcher, Dr. Allen McMurrey, and Harry Wirth.

Daily Tribune, May 17? 1970
 

Elizabeth Burke

Elizabeth Burke

Once more it falls to our painful lot to publish the notice of another sad death, that of little Elizabeth Burke, ten years old daughter, and eldest child, of Mr. and Mrs. George Burke, which occurred Saturday night.

The passing away of the little sufferer occurred just after her grandmother, Mrs. T. J. Poole, left for Austin to secure a temporary home in the hope that the change would benefit the patient, who has been an invalid for practically her whole life, during which time the fond parents have traveled widely with her and consulted noted physicians in all parts of the country.

Every attention, every care and every amusement that love and means could provide have been given little Elizabeth throughout all the years. Parents, grandparents, close friends bestowed upon her every comfort possible to give her and her short stay, burdened with a stubborn illness, was made as happy and as light as affection and attention could make it.

The funeral was held today at 3 o’clock, the Rev. L. E. Selfridge, former pastor of the Bay City Presbyterian Church and now of San Antonio conducting the services.

The Tribune joins the friends of the family, who are legion, in sympathy and condolences in the dark hour of their sorrows.

Matagorda County Tribune, February 11, 1927
 

Frances Poole Burke          George Roswell Burke

Frances Burke Leaves Behind Pioneer Heritage

Frances Elizabeth Burke, member of a prominent family in Bay City, died Monday night, following a lengthy illness which had left her an invalid since May of 1972.

Burke, a life time resident of Matagorda County, was born Feb. 21, 1893 at Keller’s Ranch, which is located on the Tres Palacios Bay.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jefferson Poole, prominent rancher and farmer in Matagorda County.

On June 17, 1914, she married George R. Burke, a businessman and farmer.

Mrs. Burke was an active member in the First Presbyterian Church, where she was a charter member and taught Sunday School for many years.

She was involved in the Community Chorus and Bay City Book Review Club.

As a graduate of Bay City High School, she was valedictorian of her class and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Austin College.

Survivors include her son, George R. Burke, Jr. of Eagle Lake, daughter, Kathleen Burke Freudenmann, brother, Dr. Mark Poole and sister, Mrs. Lane Barbour all of Bay City, four grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 4 p. m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

Daily Tribune, March 24, 1981

George Roswell Burke, Jr.           Marian Smith Burke

George Roswell Burke, Jr.

Funeral services for George Roswell Burke, Jr., 77, of Eagle Lake will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 1998 at the First Presbyterian Church in Eagle Lake, Rev. Emmett Adair, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow at 5 p. m. in Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Burke died Tuesday, Sept. 1 in a California hospital.

He was born Sept. 4, 1920 in Bay City to George R. Burke, Sr. and Frances Poole Burke.

He was raised here and graduated from Bay City High School. He earned an Associates of Arts Degree from Schreiner Institute, then a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston, followed by post-graduate school. Burke has been a resident of Eagle Lake since 1946. He married Marian Storey Smith on June 1, 1946 in Redlands, Calif. Burke was one of the original founders and past President of the Altair Dryer in Altair, TX., and a past director and President of the Bay City Rice Drying Company. Burke had been engaged in farming rice, grain sorghums, and soybeans in Wharton and Matagorda Counties along with other interests in farming operations in Colorado and Brazoria Counties.

He was a member of the Danevang Farmers Cooperative Society, Modern Farmers Coop. of El Campo, Matagorda County Farmers Coop. of Bay City, L. C. R. A. Farm and Ranch Improvement Council for over a decade; Texas Rice Improvement Assn. and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn. for 40 years.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Eagle Lake serving as Church Elder; Eagle Lake Lodge #366 A. F. & A. M. ; Houston Consistory of Scottish Rite Bodies; Noble of Arabia Temple Shrine; and Eagle Lake Director for Colorado Valley Shrine Club.

Burke had a passion for the outdoors, hunting & fishing, and loved sharing it with his children, grandchildren, and many friends.

Burke was the type of man who never met a stranger.

His devotion to family and dedication to his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends, will be long remembered by the lived he touched.

Burke is survived by his wife of 52 years; Marian Storey Smith Burke, daughters, and sons-in-law, Elizabeth and Dr. Jay Thomas of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Marianne and Dr. Tshiswaka Kayembe of St. Louis, Mo.; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Mark Storey Burke and Kathy Christensen of Edina, Minn.; sister, Kathleen Burke of Bay City and San Antonio; and nine grandchildren, John and Mark Thomas; Caroline and Cleveland Rosewell Burke and their mother, Mary Bachman Burke; Sophia and Daniel Burke; and Danielle, Mary Kathleen, and Tshisy Kayembe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, George Roswell “Rozzie” Burke, III in 1991; and sister, Elizabeth Burke.

Arrangements are with Dulany Funeral Home of Eagle Lake.

Daily Tribune, September 6, 1998

George Roswell Burke III

George Roswell “Rozzie” Burke III

Funeral services for George Roswell “Rozzie” Burke III, 43, of Austin and Eagle Lake will be held 3:30 p. m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 2216 Ave. H in Bay City. Officiating will be John Howard Reed of Silsbee, a childhood and lifelong friend, and the Rev. Allan Anderson, interim pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Burke was killed instantly Feb. 17, 1993 when he was pinned between the frame and steel bed of a gravel-loaded dump truck on Burke Farms southwest of Markham. He was born Sept. 15, 1949 to George R. Burke Jr. and Marian Storey Burke of Eagle Lake.

He attended and graduated with honors from St. Stephens Episcopal School in Austin. Mr. Burke graduated from Cornell University in 1971 as a Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering. He was president of his fraternity, Sigma Chi, while in college.

Mr. Burke owned and managed rice and soybean farming operations in Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda counties. One year he was awarded Du Pont’s Man of the Year in Agriculture for the entire United States. He returned to the University of Texas to graduate with a master of business administration degree in 1989.

He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Wharton the years he lived in El Campo. At the time of his death, he was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Eagle Lake while living both there and in Austin.

Survivors include a daughter, Caroline, 17; a son, Cleve, 13; their mother, Mary Bachman Burke, all three of Austin; his parents, Marian and George R. Burke Jr. of Eagle Lake; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and Jay Thomas of Salt Lake City, Utah and Marianne and Tshiswaka Kayembe of St. Louis, Mo.; a brother, Dr. Mark Storey Burke of St. Paul, Minn. and their families; two aunts, Kathleen Burke of Bay City and Mrs. Don Albert of California; as well as other close relatives, residents of Bay City and the Poole Ranch in Brazoria County.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Berglund, Jim Leslie and Jim Bouligny of El Campo; Bill Gerhardt of Austin and Bob Boswell and Michael C. Howard of Houston.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Don Shepherd of Conroe, Stephen Zapalac of Markham, Robert L. Wright of Houston, E. M. Huitt of Bay City and Randy Partain and George Tanner, college classmates.

Gifts in his memory may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal School Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 1868, Austin 78767.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, February 19?, 1993
 

Willia Edna Worden

Willie Edna Worden

Funeral services were held for Willie Edna Worden, 85, of Houston 2 p. m. today (Monday) at First Baptist Church of Bay City.

Worden died April 22, 1982 in Hermann Hospital in Houston as the result of an automobile accident.

Officiating at the services was the Rev. Joe Slone of Tyler.

Survivors include son, Dr. Ralph Worden of Los Angeles, California; daughter, Ruth Kuhleman of Houston; sisters, Minnie Harmon of Baytown, Freddie Mae Frieze of Wadsworth, Hilma Huitt of Bay City, Omega Machen of Olive Hill, Ky., Annie Ella Adams of Markham; brothers, Jones Slone of Ganado, J. C. Slone of Bay City, W. H. Slone of Rodgers, Joe Slone of Tyler, Teddy Slone of Edna; 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers included Fred Huitt, E. M. Huitt, David Slone, Horace Kuhleman, George Kuhleman and Dan Cheek.

Services under the direction of Dick R. Elkins Bay City Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, April 25, 1982
 

Roy Yarborough, Jr.

Roy Yarborough Jr.

Funeral services for Roy Yarborough Jr., 30, of Van Vleck were scheduled for 10 a. m. today at the Taylor Brothers Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Mike Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Yarborough was born Sept. 30, 1960, to Roy and Mary Ann Zigo Yarborough in Bay City and died Oct. 5, 1990, at John Sealy Burns Hospital in Galveston.

A lifelong resident of the Bay City area, he was a member of the Baptist church.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Bond Yarborough of Van Vleck; two daughters, Tabitha Yarborough and Linda Yarborough of Van Vleck; a stepdaughter, Shantel Davis, also of Van Vleck; a son, Billy Wayne Yarborough of Bay City; two stepsons, Dennis and James Russell, both of Houston; his parents, Roy and Mary Ann Yarborough Sr. of Bay City; two sisters, Kathy Eidlebach of Bay City and Shirley Paschall of Van Vleck.

Pallbearers are David Radford, Ben Davis, Jim Mullino, Billy Joe Zigo, Gene Eidlebach and Gary Paschall.

Honorary pallbearers are Earl Eidlebach, Marcus Frazier, Louis Fisher, Wayne Burditt and James Bond.

In lieu of the usual contributions, donations may be made to the John Sealy Hospital Burns Unit, Galveston.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, October 1990
 

Robert L. Zahradnik           Blanch S. Zahradnik

Blanche Zahradnik
June 11, 1923 - Dec. 22, 2006

Blanche Zahradnik, 83, passed away December 22, 2006.

She was born June 11, 1923 to the late Otto and Mae Fickle.

Survivors include: a sister, Wily Mae and husband Willy Horlicia of Beaumont and sister-in-law, Evelyn and husband, Bill McKinley of Katy and a host of relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held January 13, 2007 at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Bay City Tribune, Published February 4, 2007