Matagorda Cemetery

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Matagorda Cemetery Home
 

Tommy Ray Miller

Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
 

Funeral Services Held On Monday For Frank Mitchell

Services for Frank Mitchell of Matagorda were held December 27 at 2 o’clock at the Methodist Church in Matagorda, with the Rev. George L. Olson officiating.

Mr. Mitchell died December 24. He was 80 years old. Burial was in the Matagorda Cemetery, with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers for the services were J. F. Ward of Bay City, H. D. Havard of Matagorda, Michael Carmichael of Matagorda, Jimmy Yeamans of Matagorda, and M. M Cook.

Bay City News, December 30, 1954
 

Funeral Rites for Elbert S. Moberley Held in Matagorda

Mr. Elbert Slaughter Moberley, age 65 years, passed away at 2:20 p. m. Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie Fanson of Wadsworth.

The survivors included another daughter, Mrs. Edith Milliss of New Waverly, four grandsons and one brother, J. D. Moberley of Matagorda.

Funeral services were held from the First Methodist Church in Matagorda at 4:00 p. m. today, with Rev. A. J. Adrain, pastor, officiating. Pall bearers were W. E. McNabb, Ed Baker, H. B. Serrill, A. E. Gottschalk, Clayton Watson and Arthur Culver.

Interment was in the Matagorda Cemetery under the directions of Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, November 2, 1949
 

Services Held For James D. Moberley Sunday Afternoon

Services were held at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon for James D. Moberley at Christ Church in Matagorda, with the Rev. A. C Maxted officiating.

Mr. Moberley passed away November 5 at the age of 75 years. Burial was in the Matagorda Cemetery, with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. J. D. Moberley of Matagorda.

Daily Tribune, November 11, 1954
 

James D. “Jim” Moberley

Matagorda, Texas, January 3.—Although realizing that little Jim, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Moberley was very sick, the neighborhood was shocked when told that he was dead at 1:30 p. m., December 23.

The little fellow had been ill for twelve days and seemed to be doing nicely. His mother was standing at his bedside not dreaming that he was to leave her forever, when he gasped and was gone.

People were in the midst of Christmas preparations and everything was dropped when the death message went out, even to those who were preparing the annual Christmas tree left it all and the work was not resumed.

When it comes to sorrows of this kind, Matagorda is truly one big family, the bereavements of one friend being the bereavements of all.

This season that is one of rejoicing throughout the world, had turned into mourning in this city; everyone seeming to forget the festive occasion.

With tender hands, loving friends prepared the little form for its last long sleep and he was robed in his favorite little suit, looking as he lay with folded hands, as if he were ready for Sunday School.

On Christmas eve at 10 a. m. the funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. S. Williford at the home and concluded at the grave. The pallbearers taking charge of the snow white casket were Cecil Inglehart, Austin Savage, Henry Rugeley, Zuch Serrill, Sydney Schindler, Guy Smith.

The excavation made for the casket was all in white with evergreen wreaths, symbolical of the eternal life this pure had entered into.

There was no singing and when all that remained of little Jim Moberley was lowered into the grave, there was not a dry eye among the sorrowing relatives and sympathizing friends. An evergreen blanket and flowers covered the new made mound of earth all contributed by loving friends.

Little Jim was three years old in September, and was the pride and hope of his parents, being the only boy of four children.

Beside being a beautiful child he was so sweet and attractive in his baby ways that he had long been a pet of the neighborhood and is sadly missed by all of us.

…but a babe his delight was Sunday. After he became ill he told them to tell his teacher that he would not be at Sunday school that day as he was sick.

Only those who have had like experience knew what it means to those parents to return to that home where every spot reminds them of their pure babe, who knew not the name of sin, and who had been transplanted to that eternal and happy land of which Jesus spake of children saying, “of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Time alone can assuage such great grief as theirs, and they have this comforting assurance that “I shall go to him but he shall not return to me”—II Sam. 12:23. If there is a balm in the sympathy…may God’s grace truly have…

Matagorda County Tribune, January 3, 1916  [obituary was damaged]

Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
 

James Ratliff Moberley

Mr. James Ratliff Moberley, aged 68 years and 8 months, died at 9:15 o’clock Sunday night, at the home of his son, O. Rucks Moberley, in this city, after an illness of over six weeks. He was on the dredge boat San Bernard when he had an apoplectic stroke, with partial paralysis, from which he never rallied. Mr. Moberley was born in Talladega, Ala., where he spent the best years of his life. He was married there, his wife dying while their children were quite small. He was a Confederate veteran, serving under General Forrest in Alabama. He was of the Baptist faith. He came with his family to Texas in 1895 and has resided in this state ever since. His three sons, James D., O. Rucks and Elbert S., and five grandchildren survive him. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Joseph Carden and he was interred in the Matagorda cemetery. Sympathizing friends of the family followed him to his last resting place. The grave was beautifully lined with flowers and many floral offerings were contributed and placed on the new-made mound by sincere friends.

Matagorda County Tribune, June 26, 1914

Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
 

Oscar Rucks Moberley, Jr.

Oscar Rucks Moberley, Jr., was born in Matagorda on August 24, 1916 to Oscar Rucks and Lyda Baxter Moberley.

He was a life long resident of that town. He had three sisters: Bess Brown, Eileen Patterson, Kathryn and a brother James; along with an extended family of Minnie Moberley Fanson and Edith Moberley Milliff.

He lost his brother to diphtheria; and his sister Kathryn and father O. R. to the flu epidemic of 1918. He was a member of the Matagorda United Methodist Church all his life. Oscar was a forty year Mason, a charter member of the Matagorda Volunteer Fire Department, and an early auxiliary Deputy Sheriff of Matagorda County. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Matagorda County on many of the roads in Precinct 2 and was involved in the building of the original road from Matagorda to the Gulf of Mexico. He was drafted into the Army Air Corp during World War II. Oscar worked for 22 years for the Corp of Engineers at the Colorado Locks facility until his retirement.

A rancher most of his life, he always enjoyed working with the "old time" cowboys. He swam cattle across the Colorado River every year for winter pasture for many years. He, along with his wife, created the first trail ride from Matagorda to the Matagorda County Fair and Livestock Show in 1959. This first ride paraded through Bay City initiating what became an annual trail ride and rodeo parade.

Oscar is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Doris Bell Moberley; two daughters, Connie Moberley and Pat Moberley Moore and her husband Clifford Moore; and Minnie Moberley Fanson; nephews, Mack Brown, Wayne Brown, Kenneth Patterson, James Edward Patterson; and niece Marilyn Patterson Padgett. He was much loved by the extended family of Nora and Frank Bell; and his "chosen" grandchildren, Lee Ann Bell and Donald "Bubba" Bell and by his many friends throughout the county.

His wife and daughters wish to thank his church family, and his friends and relatives who were so faithful with their prayers and visits; and the staff of The Legacy for their excellent care and concern.

Funeral services for Oscar Rucks Moberley will be held at the Matagorda United Methodist Church on Monday, March 25, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Dottie Dumas of Matagorda and the Reverend Kay Johnson of Fulshear officiating. Interment will follow at the Matagorda Cemetery.

The family will be present for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Active and honorary pallbearers will be Mack Brown, Wayne Brown, James Edward Patterson, Kenneth Patterson, George Fanson, Mike Milliff, Jerry Milliff, Donald "Bubba" Bell, Jr., Bill Bell, Jr., Tim Bell, Bob Bell, Jr., Barry Bell, J. R. Lukefahr, Gary Middleton, H. N. "Chip" Hartsfield, and Mike Daugherty.

Memorials may be made to The Matagorda Methodist Church, Hospice of Houston serving Matagorda County, or a charity of choice. A00014B2002MR24

The Daily Tribune, Sunday, March 24, 2002

Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
 

Dario Montelongo
Death of Mexican

Dario Montelongo, age 24 years, died May 2, 1939 in Newgulf from nephritis and was buried in the Mexican section of the Matagorda cemetery, the following evening. Dario was the son of John Juan Montelongo and wife and was reared in Matagorda, the family moving to Newgulf two years ago.

Juan and his wife wish to thank the white people here and elsewhere for their many kindnesses to them in the death and burial of their son.

Daily Tribune, May 11, 1939