Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Mrs. Ira Anderson – Ida Thompson Anderson

Mrs. Ira T. Anderson died at the Gulf hospital last night at 8:30 o’clock, following an illness of several days which necessitated a major operation, and will be laid to rest in the family burial grounds on the Thompson ranch, two miles south of Bay City, tomorrow, Saturday afternoon, at 3:30 o’clock.

Mrs. Anderson, nee Miss Ida Thompson, was a daughter of one of the oldest families in Matagorda county and this section of the state. She was born 52 years ago near the place where her remains will be laid away.

Eighteen years ago decedent was united in marriage to Mr. Ira T. Anderson who survives her. Also, of the immediate family who are left to mourn are her mother, Mrs. Hannah Thompson, now in her 92^nd year; her brother, Mr. J. E. Thompson, of this city, and a sister, Mrs. Annie Higgins of Pecos, Texas.

The Thompson family settled perhaps three quarters of a century ago on a considerable body of land near Bay City and long before Bay City was thought of, on what has always been known as the Thompson ranch, and which is now intact, practically.

On this ranch decedent was born and reared as were the other members of the family. The mother is a typical pioneer of this historic old county and in possession of her faculties at the age of 92. It is at her request that the remains of her daughter and a constant companion be laid to rest in the family burying grounds.

The Tribune joins the hosts of friends of the family in its expression of sorrow over this much loved wife daughter and friend.

Matagorda County Tribune, July 6, 1928
 

Funeral Services Held Friday For Ira T. Anderson

Funeral services for Ira T. Anderson were held Friday morning at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ernest Deutsch officiating.

Surviving Mr. Anderson, longtime resident of Bay City, are his wife and son; two sisters, Mrs. J. N. Keith and Miss Lucy Anderson, and one brother, W. D., all of Austin.

Burial was in Cedarvale Cemetery under the direction of Walker-Matchett. Active pallbearers were J. C. Lewis, Layton Moore, Jim Tabb, Rowland Rugeley, Eskar McDonald, and Gifford Reiman.

Matagorda County Tribune, November 7, 1940
 

Richard C. Bachman

Richard C. Bachman, 75, died shortly after noon on Saturday, Nov. 16, 1996.

He was born June 19, 1921 in Bay City, Texas. He was an automobile dealer for over 40 years, and a local business leader. He had served as president of the Rotary Club, President of the Bay City Country Club, and president of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce. At the time of his death he was on the Board of Directors of the Bay City Country Club. He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and a communicant at Christ Church in Matagorda, Texas. He served on the board of the Literacy Volunteers of America, and has worked as a volunteer at the Bay City Public Library.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Bess Cloar Bachman, and his son, Rowland Rugeley Bachman. He is survived by his wife, Martha R. Bachman of Bay City, his son and daughter-in-law, Richard C. Bachman, Jr. and Janet and a granddaughter, Sarah, of Seabrook, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bay City Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996 at 11 a. m. with Rev. Nick Novak and Rev. Karl Choate officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Wilkinson, Bert Huebner, James Allen, Scott Peden, Clyde Workman and Bruce Grover. Honorary pallbearers are William Green, William Thompson, Frank Lewis and Harley Savage.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, November 19, 1996
 

Bertha Baker

Funeral services for Bertha Baker, 93, of Freeport will be held at 2 p. m. Friday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bay City, the Rev. B. Fred Hannan officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mrs. Baker was born June 28, 1893, in New Orleans, La., and died April 22, 1987, in Clute.

Survivors include a daughter, Francis Alice Etie of Freeport; a son, Robert E. Baker Jr. of Victoria, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers include grandsons and nephews James Thomas Etie, Douglas Etie, George Robert Baker, Tommy Hansen, Jacque DeCoux and Raymond Mayo.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, April 23, 1987
 

Clarence Ray Sellers
June 18, 1945 - November 24, 2025

Clarence Ray Sellers, 80, of Lake Jackson passed away November 24, 2025.  He was born June 18, 1945 in Bay City, Texas to the late Roy Clarence Sellers and Ruby White Sellers.

Clarence is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Johnson Sellers, daughter Stephanie Sellers Ketchum, Sons Michael Ray Sellers (Yvonne Thomas) and Roy Clarence Sellers.  Grandchildren Johnathan Ray Ketchum, Samantha Nielsen, Sara Sellers, Teresa Sellers, and Joshua Thomas Sellers; great grandchildren Jaycee Blair and Angelica Montoya; his aunt Della White and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.  Preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, Butch Sellers, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Sellers, and niece, Tracy Sellers.

Clarence was a long-time employee of Celanese Chemical Company having been hired at the Bay City plant and transferred to the Clear Lake Plant in August, 1968.  He retired in June, 2000.

Clarence became a Master Mason in February, 1989 when he joined Clear Lake Lodge #1417. A.F. & A.M of Seabrook, Texas.  He served as Worshipful Master 1993-1994. He was a Charter member of Tranquility Lodge #2000. Clarence joined Brazoria Lodge # 327 A.F. & A.M. in 2001. Clarence was involved and member of most of the Masonic organizations.  Including Order of the Eastern Star where he and Dorothy served for over 30 years.  He was most proud when he was asked to be the District Deputy Grand Master in 2005 for the Grand Lodge of Texas.  He received his Golden Trowel Award from Brazoria Lodge in 2006.  In October, 2007 Clarence received from the Houston Valley Scottish Rite his K.C.C.H. (Knights Commander Court of Honor).

Clarence was a deer hunter since he first went with his dad while a teenager.  He spent many weekends in the Hill Country in a deer blind with his rifle close by and a hot cup of coffee warming his hands!!!  

He loved children and was a Vice President of the Seabrook Little League for many years while his sons played.  The last few years were spent in front of his big screen tv watching westerns and any sport that had a ball in it, especially the Astros!!   Loved his 'Stros!!!  During the summer, don’t turn the channel when the Women and Men Collegiate Baseball World Series were on and especially the Little League World Series came on, he was glued to that television until the last play of each series.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with services starting at 2:00 PM.   The Pallbearers will be members of Brazoria Lodge # 327, Brazoria, Tx.  Graveside services at Cedarvale Cemetery where the Masonic Final Rites will be held.   Honor Guard provided by Fort Bend Commandery No. 74 of Knights Templar .

Those attending the service are kindly asked to dress casually.

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
 

Roy C. Sellers
 

Roy C. Sellers

Funeral services for Roy C. Sellers, 67, of Victoria will be held 10 am Wednesday at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, Victoria, with the Rev. Jim Shamburger officiating.  Burial will be 2 pm Wednesday at Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City.

Mr. Sellers was born Dec. 5, 1921, in Del High La., to John W. and Katy Harris Sellers and died Sept 12, 1988, at a local hospital.  He was a veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby Lee Sellers of Victoria; mother, Katy Sellers of Austin; two sons, Burl W. “Butch” Sellers of Pampa, Texas, and Clarence R. Sellers of Seabrook; a sister, Minnie Mae Eubanks of Austin; three brothers, John Seller Jr. of Baytown, Claude Sellers of Morgan City, La., and Harvey Sellers of Austin; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Arrangements are with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria.

Daily Tribune, September 13, 1988               Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Carey O. Smith

Carey Smith Dies

Carey O. Smith Jr., 87, of Bay City, will be held 2:30 p. m. Wednesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Hugh B. Jones Jr. officiating. Burial will be at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Mr. Smith was born July 6, 1903 in Lockhart to Carey O. Smith Sr. and Nettie Mohle Smith and died May 8, 1993 at Matagorda General Hospital.

He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith was a resident of Bay City since 1912. He married Esther Dienst in 1929. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Smith was a member of the Rotary Club, served 50 years on the Bay City Public Library’s board of directors and on the Bay City Cemetery Association for 14 years. His 34-year career with the Matagorda County weekly and Daily Tribune included more than 20 years as owner and publisher.

Survivors include his wife, Esther Dienst Smith of Bay City; a son, Manis Dale Smith of Chula Vista, S. A., Mexico; two grandchildren, Mrs. Andrew Mytelka of Galveston and Tyn Suttle Smith of Bryan; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Vaden Miles Smith, Feb. 16, 1991.

Pallbearers will be Don Haley, Bill Green, Jack Nagel, Frank Hawkins, Abel Pierce and Fred Walker. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Joe Cannon, Dr. Bali Netaji, Burt Steves and Raleigh Huebner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bay City Public Library.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

The Daily Tribune, May 10, 1993
 

Kathryn S. Upchurch

Kathryn Stegent Upchurch

Kathryn Stegent Upchurch, 69, of Bay City passed away August 23, 1995 at Sea Breeze Nursing Home in Bay City.

She was born Sept. 12, 1925 in Brenham, Texas to Albert and Wanda Superchinski Stegent. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and was a former resident of Brenham having lived in Bay City the past 32 years.

She is survived by her husband, Milton Upchurch of Bay City; by three daughters, Susan Terrazes of Silver City, New Mexico, Katy Ruiz of Brenham, and Pamela White of Matagorda; by two sons, Robert Upchurch, Jr. of La Grange and Ronnie Upchurch of Bay City; five brothers; two sisters; and eight grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm Wednesday August 30, 1995 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Chpel. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 am Thursday, August 31, 1995 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Chapel with Msgr. James Brunner officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, August 30, 1995
 

Minnie Branon Whitfield

Mrs. Minnie Whitfield

After an illness of four months Mrs. Minnie Whitfield expired at her home in Dallas early Saturday morning, and was buried here today at ten o’clock, with Rev. E. A. Peterson of the First Methodist Church conducting the funeral.

Mrs. Whitfield is survived by four daughters, namely, Mrs. Frances Von Der Harr and Mrs. R. E. Fried of Dallas, and Mrs. W. C. Lloyd and Mrs. John R. Castleton of this city; one son, V. C. Whitfield of Dallas. Miss Frances Bentley, granddaughter, was present at the funeral.

Mrs. Whitfield resided in Bay City for some time, making her home with Mrs. W. C. Lloyd. A number of years ago she moved to Dallas where she has lived since that time.

The Tribune joins the many friends of the surviving families in offering condolences.

The Matagorda County Tribune, July 9, 1936
 

Dempsey Williams

Dempsey Williams

Mr. Dempsey Williams, age 79 years 6 months and 27 days, died Friday at the home of his son who resides east of the city, and will be buried in Cedarvale cemetery Sunday at 2 p. m.

Decedent is survived by his sons, J. F. and H. S. Williams and had been making his home with them. His death was due to a complication of troubles aggravated by his advanced years.

Daily Tribune, January 18, 1929
 

R. M. Winston          March 15, 1857 - May 31, 1916

R. M. Winston

In the death of Mr. R. M. Winston, which occurred sometime during Tuesday night on the Cox ranch in Brazoria county, this section loses a splendid citizen and many of us a good, true friend. The loss to the family is irreparable.

Mr. Winston had been a sufferer for a long time with rheumatism and his death due, it is supposed, from heart failure. No one was expecting it, consequently did not know anything about it until Wednesday morning when he was found dead.

Decedent was born in Brazoria county March 15, 1857. In 1883 he was married to Miss Fannie Robbins at  Matagorda, who survives him. To Mr. and Mrs. Winston were born seven children, six sons and one daughter. Three of the sons are dead. The children surviving are Rob, Leland and Walter and Miss Lila, who are now at home with the exception of Walter.

Mr. Winston was a strong character, full of ragged honesty and frank with all with whom he came in contact. Owing to his business, that of handling and dealing in cattle, he was well known all over the coast country. Many of his friends have gathered from various sections to pay their last sad respects to his memory and to mingle their sympathy with the grief of the family.

The final arrangements for the funeral have not been made, but it is expected the remains will be laid away tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.

The Daily Tribune, June 1, 1916

Leland Winston, of Company G, now stationed at Mercedes, arrived home this morning to attend the funeral of his father.

R. M. Winston, Jr., of San Antonio, arrived here today to attend the funeral of his father.

The Daily Tribune, June 1, 1916

The funeral of Mr. R. M. Winston was largely attended by friends and acquaintances from many sections of the surrounding country. The floral offerings were beautiful and profuse.

Walter Winston arrived today from El Paso to attend the funeral of his father, which took place this afternoon.

The Daily Tribune, June 2, 1916