Cedarvale  -  Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Mary Lillie Cloar

Mrs. Leslie Cloar

One of the saddest deaths to have ever occurred in Bay City was that of Mrs. Leslie Cloar, young and vibrant with health, attractive and vivacious, sweet-tempered, kind and accommodating, a splendid neighbor, a devoted wife and a loyal companion, who passed away this morning at one o’clock after a very brief illness.

Mrs. Cloar was driving her car Sunday and was preparing to go to Houston Monday. Within a few hours she was no more and tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock her body will be laid to rest in Cedarvale cemetery.

Mrs. Cloar was one of the dearest of women and the life of her neighborhood. Her heart and hands were ever ready to assist and to plan and to contribute to the comfort and happiness of others. Her smile was constant, her good nature spontaneous and her love and concern for friends, neighbors and acquaintances genuine. She loved life and was happy in everything life held for her. The homes of her neighbors were her homes with every portal always open to receive her.

With her young husband, Mrs. Cloar was building a delightful little love nest and she took unbounded pride in every little plan or detail. She was, in every sense of the word, an “helpmate,” pure, true, unassuming and constantly painstaking in her solicitude for Leslie’s welfare and comfort.

The shock the death of this splendid young matron gave to her neighbor is profound and the grief as poignant as if any number of any family had been taken. Every close associate will miss her and mourn her untimely and unexpected death with a sorrow deep and sincere.

We mingle our tears of sympathy with Leslie’s tears of grief and sincerely, though feebly, bestow upon his aching heart the condolence of saddened and heart-broken neighbors and friends.

Funeral Will Be Held Here

The remains of Mrs. Leslie Cloar who died at one o’clock this morning will take place at Cedarvale cemetery tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 10 o’clock.

It has been reported that her body would be returned to her former home, but this is an error.

Daily Tribune, October 8, 1929
 

Clara Mae Cash Cochran

Clara Mae Cochran

Funeral services for Clara Mae Cochran, 79, of Dallas, will be held at 1 p. m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Hollie Briscoe officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City.

Mrs. Cochran was born Sept. 13, 1906, in Bay City to William and Ora Caverly Cash, and died June 20, 1986, in Meadow Green Nursing Home, Dallas.

She was married June 16, 1931 to Charles J. Cochran of Waco. She attended Baylor College at Belton and graduated with a degree in music. She was in the abstract business with her husband in Weatherford until 1941.

Mrs. Cochran returned to Bay City in 1944 and went to work for her father in his abstract office after selling the Weatherford office and later she worked for Elliott and Waldron Co. until 1947.

Through the years she played the organ for church services—seven years in Weatherford and over 30 years at First Presbyterian Church of Bay  City where she was a member.

She started the first high school choir at the Bay City High School and taught it for four years. In 1952 when the school hired a full-time teacher, she returned to the insurance business. In 1959 she sold her half interest to W. C. Gosling and George W. Townsend.

The next year she went to work in the sheriff’s office as secretary, deputy and file clerk. While working for J. B. “Jack” Cole, she served in the fall term of 1964 as foreman of the grand jury. District Judge T. M. Gupton authenticated the fact that she was the first in Texas.

Survivors include a niece, Ora Lee Hurst Waters of Dallas and a nephew, Dr. M. L. “Buddy” Hurst of Dallas.

A brother and sister preceded her in death, T. C. and Mary Elizabeth Cash Hurst.

Pallbearers include Larry Holloway, James D. Craft, Dr. Robert Kelly, Richard Knapik, George J. Bunk and Jack Huebner.

Honorary pallbearers include Hart Soli, Virgil Fetters and Neal Holloway.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, June 1986

Clara Mae Cochran
Woman Remembered For Contributions to Matagorda County and Bay City
By Charlyn Finn, The Daily Tribune

Clara Mae Cochran, 80, lifelong resident of Bay City and Matagorda County, moved to Dallas recently to join her relatives after having made many contributions to the city and county.

Cochran, who was the Bay City Chamber of Commerce selection for 1957 Woman of the Year, served on the Bay City Independent School District board of directors between 1951 and 1957. During her tenure, the Jeff Davis High School was torn down, and Pierce Elementary, Tenie Holmes Elementary and the Bay City High School auditorium were constructed.

Cochran organized the first Bay City High School choir. "When I returned to Bay City after being away 13 years, I was often asked to substitute as a church organist at all of the churches," she explains. "I noticed that the same voices were singing on all the choirs that were singing on the choirs when I left. I thought we needed some young blood on the choirs. With the idea of helping train some young singers, I went before the school board and proposed working with whatever students who wanted to sing one hour per week during school time. The school board accepted this proposal. The first day I sat on the stage behind the piano while the students sat on folding chairs. A total of 159 students showed up for the first session." Not only did Cochran organize the first choir, but four years later when it was decided to have a full-time choir director, Cochran found that person ... Glenn Sutton.

Cochran was the organist for the First Presbyterian Church for 42 years.

She was an honorary member of the Lions Club because she played the organ for the club and she organized the singing group, Lionettes, whom she directed for 13 years.

Between 1963 and 1972 she taught school at Matagorda Elementary School and since she was driving between Bay City and Matagorda daily, she assumed a second job... she carried the mail sacks from Bay City to Wadsworth and Matagorda, and then brought the mail sacks from Matagorda and Wadsworth to Bay City.

Professionally, Cochran was a school teacher, worked in an abstract office, sold insurance and once was a secretary to the county sheriff.

A graduate of Jefferson Davis High School in Bay City and Mary Hardin Baylor College, Cochran taught school for two years at Bremond, two years at New Gulf and Boling, one year at Waco and nine years at Matagorda.

She was married in June 1931 and she and her husband established Weatherford Abstract Company in Weatherford and operated it for seven years. Cochran returned to Bay City in 1942, where she joined her father, William Cash, in his business, William Cash Abstract and Realty. That business had been established in Bay City in 1900. When her father retired, Cochran stepped into his shoes and later sold it to J. W. Edens. The business is now owned by Merl Teat and is called South Texas Abstract.

After selling the business her father established, Cochran became a co-partner in Serrill-Cochran Insurance Agency between 1947 and 1959. She and her partner later sold the business that is known today as Townsend-Gosling Insurance Agency.

Cochran served as secretary to County Sheriff Jack Cole between 1959 and 1963.

In 1963, she resumed her teaching career at Matagorda County until 1972 when she retired.

Mrs. Cochran was born in 1909 in Bay City, the daughter of William and Ora Coverly Cash, natives of Brazoria. He owned the first typewriter in Matagorda County and she was the first telephone operator in this county.

"My parents saw Bay City grow from a mud puddle," Cochran says.

The Cash family's original home was the graceful two-story structure at 2205 Avenue K which today is the Bay City Funeral Home.

After Cochran married and moved away from home, the Cash family moved to 2404 Avenue H in the home built by I. Ditch in 1909. Today it is shaded by some old magnolia trees that are said among the oldest trees in Matagorda County. Cochran remained in the family home until a couple of months ago when she moved into the Nichols Square Apartments. From there she moved to Dallas to be with family members that include her nephew, Dr. M.L. Hurst Jr., niece, Mrs. Ora Lee Hurst Waters and nephew, Dr. Sam Waters.

In addition to being a member of the Bay City First Presbyterian Church, Cochran was a member of the Matagorda County chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Order of Eastern Star.

The Daily Tribune, date unknown           Courtesy of Virginia Sowell
 

Vivian Ruth Cole

Vivian Ruth Cole

Graveside Funeral Services for Vivian Ruth Cole, 82, of Bellville, were held Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006, at 3 p. m. in Bay City, Texas at Cedarvale Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Olson of First Baptist Church of Bellville officiating. A Visitation was held at Knesek Bros. Funeral Chapel in Bellville Tuesday morning from 8 to 11 a. m. Serving as pallbearers were James G. Spacek, Hunter J. Spacek, Steven W. Davis, Michael Davis, Matthew H. Davis and Joseph Davis.

Born in Old Gulf, Matagorda County, Texas, Vivian was the daughter of Harvey Martin Jackson and Edna Pearl Calhoun Jackson. She was raised in Bay City, Matagorda County and attended school there.

Vivian was a very Christian lady, devoted to God and her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Vivian was employed by Sears at Memorial City in Houston, when the store was first opened, and she retired after more than 20 years faithful service.

She was a homemaker, devoted mother and excellent provider for her three children Gene, Sue and Pat. Her specialty was taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, which gave her much pleasure.

She was fondly known to family and many friends as “Nannie.” They will all miss her greatly.

She loved to take care of her patio garden and would go out each morning and lovingly take care of each plant before breakfast. Vivian loved playing cards and dominoes with her family and friends. She walked in the park at least one mile every day, year around, with her friends from church, until last November when she fell in her yard and broke her right wrist.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bellville since 1955, she loved her Sunday school class and her church and her God.

Vivian Ruth Cole passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, in Palestine, Texas.

Survived by her daughters Barbara Sue Spacek of Bellville, Patricia Ann Cole Davis of Palestine and son Eugene Bernard Cole; grandchildren James Gregory Spacek and wife Kimberly Ann of Bellville, Steven Wayne Davis and wife Melissa of Longview, Charles Michael Davis of Lubbock, Matthew Harold Davis and wife Andrea of Palestine, Randall Clayton Cole and wife Jane of Midland, Daniel Lee Cole of Midland, Christina Marie McGhee and husband Scott of Bellville, Teresa Lynn Cole of Bellville, Teresa Lynn Cole of Bellivlle and Jennifer Joy Krumrey and husband John of Bellville; great grandchildren Amanda Lauren Spacek of Bellville, Elisabeth Davis of Longview, Kimberly Davis of Longview, Stephanie Davis of Longview, Miriam Davis of Midland, Madison McGhee of Bellville, Emmalee McGhee of Bellville, Kati Krumrey of Bellville and Carson Krumrey of Bellville; and great-great granddaughter Jayda Cole of Midland.

Preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Edna Jackson, her brother, Stanley James Jackson and two sons-in-law, Joe L. Spacek and Harold Davis.

Memorial Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 504 East Strauss, Bellville, Texas 77418 or American Heart Association, 10060 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas 77054.

Funeral services under the direction of Knesek Family Funeral Chapels in Bellville.

Bellville Times, October 2006
 

Arthur Swift Collins

Death Claims A. S. Collins In Galveston Following Head Injury
Long Time Resident Of Bay City Was Farmer-Rancher

Mr. A. S. Collins, 75, died this noon in John Sealy Hospital in Galveston. Death resulted from a blow he received on his head when he slipped and struck a rock while fishing two weeks ago.

Following his accident he appeared to be getting along very well and he seemed to take the injury as not serious. However, terrific headaches developed and he was taken to John Sealy Hospital in Galveston. His condition grew steadily worse and hope for his recovery was slight.

Mr. Collins, well known and respected rancher and farmer of this section, had been a resident here almost since the town was founded. He was at the time of his death agent for the Humble Oil Company, a position he had held for years. He kept in close touch with the farming and ranching operations of the county and actively engaged in this business at different times. Here he raised a family, all of whom survive.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Arthur and Victor of Bay City and one daughter, Mrs. DuPree Holman of Houston and six grandchildren.

Matagorda County Tribune, September 21, 1944

A. S. Collins Buried This Afternoon At 5

Funeral services for Mr. A. S. Collins, who died at noon, Thursday in the John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, were held from the Matchett-Newman Funeral home this afternoon at 5 o’clock.

Interment was in Cedarvale Cemetery, Matchett-Newman in charge of the arrangements.

Death came to Mr. Collins, long time resident of Bay City, following a blow he received on his head when he fell, striking a rock while fishing.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Arthur and Victor of Bay City, and one daughter, Mrs. DuPree Holman of Houston and six grandchildren.

Daily Tribune, September 22, 1944
 

Dorothy Douglas Collins

Dorothy Douglas Collins

Funeral services for Dorothy Douglas Collins, 86, of Bay City, will be held 10 a. m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Allan C. Anderson and Dr. Arlis W. Hibbard officiating. Burial will be at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Mrs. Collins was born Oct. 5, 1906 in Vernon to Hugh Boyd and Addie Eugenia Clark Douglas and she died April 5, 1993 at her home.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Collins was a former resident of Aransas Pass and had lived in Bay City since 1976.

Survivors include a daughter, Jeanne Collins Hibbard of Nacogdoches; two sons, Robert Milton Franks Jr. of Watsonville, Calif. and James Arthur Collins Jr. of Durango, Colo.; a sister, Anne Katherine Garrett of San Antonio; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers will be William Douglas, William Douglas Jr., Vic Collins Jr., Victor Collins III, C. B. Keener and Glen White.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Arthur Collins Sr., July 17, 1974, and a brother, Calvin Pierce Douglas, Aug. 1, 1984.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, April 7, 1993
 

James Arthur Collins

James Arthur Collins Sr.

James Arthur Collins Sr., 67, a resident of Aransas Pass, passed away June 29 at the Aransas Pass Hospital. Survivors include: wife, Mrs. Dorothy Collins of Aransas Pass; 1 daughter, Jeanne Collins of Los Angeles, California; 2 sons, J. A. Collins Jr. of Jasper and Robert N. Franks of Salinas, California; 1 brother, W. V. Collins of Bay City; 1 sister, Mrs. DuPree Holman of Houston; 4 grandchildren. Funeral services were held July 1 at 2 p. m. at the Presbyterian-Christian Church in Aransas Pass. Interment was at 6 p. m. at the Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Mr. Collins was a native of Bay City and had lived in Aransas Pass since 1955 operating a drive in grocery. Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, July, 1974
 

Stella Wallace Collins

Mrs. Stella Wallace Collins

Collins, Mrs. Stella Wallace, 85, of Bay City died Thursday afternoon in Matagorda General Hospital. Mrs. Collins was born in Wharton County and moved to Bay City at an early age. Funeral services are scheduled at 3 p. m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church with the Rev. Conrad Winborn and the Rev. Leslie LeGrand officiating. Burial will be in the Cedarvale Cemetery, under the direction of Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Melba Holman of Houston; two sons, Arthur Collins of Aransas Pall and W. V. Collins of Bay City; one sister, Mrs. Fannie Ziegenhals of Bay City; a brother, Hamilton Wallace of Houston, and nine grandchildren.

Daily Tribune, January 26, 1968
 

Margaret E. Cook     Edward C. Cook, Sr.

Margaret Elizabeth Cook
August 26, 1908 – January 10, 1990

Funeral services for Margaret Elizabeth Cook, 81, of Albuquerque, NM, formerly of Bay City, will be held 3:00 PM Sunday at Bay City Funeral Home, with the Rev. W. E. Dugger, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City.

Mrs. Cook was born August 26, 1908, and died January 10, 1990, in Albuquerque. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Survivors include: son and daughter-in-law, Edward C. and Elaine Cook, Jr. of Bay City; daughter and son-in-law, Marge and Jim Brandenburg of Albuquerque; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Mrs. Cook was preceded in death by her husband Edward C. Cook, Sr., in 1980.

The family requests memorials be given to the First United Methodist Church of Bay City. Services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins, Bay City Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, January 1990

Edward Charles Cook, Sr.
1901 – 1980

Edward Charles Cook, Sr., 79, of Bay City, died at Matagorda General Hospital Sunday, December 28. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a retired rice farmer and a member of the Rice Growers Association and Rice Co-Op. Survivors include: wife, Mrs. Margaret E. Cook of Bay City; son, Ed Cook, Jr. of Bay City; daughter, Marjorie Brandenburg of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter-in-law, Mrs. Elaine Cook of Bay City; son-in-law, Jim Brandenburg of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Cindy and Bubba Cook of Bay City, Kathy, Kari, Randy and Marcy Brandenburg of Albuquerque.

Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Thursday January 1, at 10:30 AM, with Rev. Merle Waters of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church.

Pallbearers include: Edward Baca, Louis Harper, Michael Lively, Ralph Seidel, Johnny Nail and John Lynch. Honorary Pallbearers include: Joe Birkner, Sr., Bill Heller, Dr. Mark Poole, Frank Baker, Dr. Everett Lewis, Cap Seerden and Jack Dawdy. Services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins Bay City Funeral Home.

 The Daily Tribune, December 30, 1980
 

Will Craft

Willie “Bill” Craft

Mr. Willie “Bill” Craft passed away in San Antonio, Texas, Monday after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Willie Craft of San Antonio, Texas, two sisters, Mrs. Alma Haines of Bay City, Mrs. Jack Retherford of San Marcos, Texas, and three brothers, H. G. “Bozie” [Craft], Frank Craft of Bay City and Thomas A. Craft of Pearsall, Texas.

Willie, or Bill as he is known here, lived here a number of years ago following the painting business, and was a semi-pro ball player through this section. He has been in San Antonio for a number of years.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 4:00 p. m., from the Funeral Chapel of Taylor Bros. Funeral Bros., Rev. Rollo Rilling of the First Christian Church officiating.

Matagorda County Tribune, July 20, 1939
 

Martin L. "Joe" Crow     Alma Leona Crow Legg

Funeral Services Set For Wednesday For Martin Crow

Funeral services for Mr. Martin Luford Crow, 40, who died Monday morning at the Matagorda county hospital, will be held Wednesday at 3 p. m., from the Methodist Church with Rev. W. W. Conerly officiating. Taylor Bros. Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Crow is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alma Crow, his father, L. U. Crow of Aransas Pass; two daughters, Mrs. John Ryman Jr., of San Diego, California, Joan Crow of Bay City and one son, Allen of Bay City. Also surviving are three sisters, Mrs. W. N. Jennings of Galveston and Mrs. J. R. Dierlam and Mrs. V. R. Patterson of Port Aransas; four brothers, Leon of Houston, Randal of La Marque, Horace of Baton Rouge and Johny of Los Angeles.

Daily Tribune, November 4, 1952

Alma Leona Legg
(September 23, 1913 - October 13, 2005)

Alma Leona Ray Crow Legg, 92, passed from this life on October 13, 2005 at Matagorda General Hospital. Alma was born September 23, 1913 in Austin, Texas to Charley and Emily Janie Maxey Ray. She was raised near Wood Hi then moved to Port Lavaca as a young woman. She married Martin (M. L. ) Crow in 1932. They moved their family to Bay City in the late thirties. She rolled bandages as a volunteer during World War II and worked at Q-P Supermarket. She was widowed in 1952 then married Henry Legg in 1958. They moved to Victoria, Texas in the sixties then to Houston. After Henry’s death in 1990, Alma returned to Bay City.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church and of the Missionary Sunday School Class. She enjoyed the activities of the Jet Set, especially playing 42 and their breakfast meetings. She was also active for many years in the Rebekah Lodge.

Mom was very loving, kind and considerate to all. She will be greatly missed by many family and friends.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; three brothers, Jasper, Charles and John Ray; and two sisters, Mary Bell Newell and Janie Ray.

Alma is survived by her daughters, Valerie Ryman and husband Johnny and Jo Ann Crow all of Bay City; sons, Allen Ray Crow and wife Sue of Bay City and Roger Legg and wife Kathy of Liberty, Texas; four grandchildren, Carla Cox, Duane Ryman, Karen Meier and Kim Ford; and six great grandchildren, Jarred Saizan, Jane Ellen Saizan, Jeremy Ryman, Colleen Ryman, Alli Ford, and Logan Ford.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, October 16, 2005 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Zimmerman officiating and Eulogist Simon DeSoto. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Ryman, Duane Ryman, Jarred Saizan, Larry Ford, Lee Cox and Keith Meier. Honorary pallbearers include, Charles Fonville, Bill Denn, Bryan Fonville and Dale Fonville. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.

www.taylorbros.net