Cedarvale  - Bay City Cemetery

Photos courtesy of Betty Crosby
 

Harley C. Ralls

H. C. “Cohen” Ralls

Graveside services for H. C. “Cohen” Ralls, 69, of Bay City, will be held at 10 a. m. Friday at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City, the Rev. Mike Mercer officiating.

Ralls was born Aug. 21, 1917, in Empire, Ark., to Everett and Ola Faulkner Ralls and died Aug. 18, 1987 at Bay Villa Nursing Home.

He was a resident of Bay City for 35 years and a Baptist.

Survivors include a daughter, Melba Murphey of Houston; a son, Larry Ralls of Houston; a sister, Juanita Thornton of San Antonio; a brother, Henry Ralls of New Mexico; very close friend, Lessa Smith of Bay City; and four grandchildren.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, August 1987
 

Kenneth Reneau          Peggy Reese Reneau

Peggy Ann Reneau
(November 5, 1924 - August 12, 2005)

Peggy Ann Reneau, 80, of Bay City died August 12, 2005 at her residence. She was born November 5, 1924 in Birmingham, AL to the late John Miles and Aileen Smith Reese. Mrs. Reneau was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a resident of Bay City since 1987.

Survivors include: daughter: Elizabeth Ann Sullivan; son: Kenneth Michael Reneau; and 2 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband: Kenneth Reneau.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM Monday, August 15, 2005 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. Pauline Harvey officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City (979)245-4613.

www.taylorbros.net
 

Ira Elton Rice          Mary Rena Ramzel Rice

Ira Elton “Jack” Rice

Funeral services for Ira Elton “Jack” Rice, 85, of Bay City will be held 2 p. m. Sunday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. David Kleinfeldt officiating. Burial will be at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Rice was born Oct. 3, 1907 in Hasse, Texas to Thomas Allen and Irene Valentine Laxson Rice and he died Dec. 3, 1992 at his home.

He married the former Mary Rena Ramzel on Feb. 23, 1929 at her parents’ home in Sweetwater.

Mr. Rice was a resident of Nolan County before moving to Matagorda County in the 1930s. The Rices settled in Bay City in 1937.

He retired in 1972 as an operating engineer with Dow Chemical after 30 years of service. For 10 years he was the owner/operator of the Sycamore Inn across from the high school during the 1950s where he served lunches to many high school students.

He was active in the Bay City area, being one of the founders of the Girls Softball Association, where Jack Rice Field was named in his honor. He was also a charter member of the Texas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and a charter member of the Eagles and a member of the Woodmen of the World and a former member of the Bay City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

He was a member of the Texas National Guard during World War II and served as a sergeant in the Texas State Guard for Matagorda County.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary Rena Ramzel Rice; a daughter and son-in-law, Georgia Irene and A. C. Herreth of Bay City; a sister and brother-in-law, Anna Beth Rice and G. B. “Bud” Fondon of Van Vleck; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Ora E. and Lillie Rice of El Paso, Thomas Allen and Anna Rice Jr. of Chula Vista, Calif. and G. E. Rice of Mexico; three grandchildren, Diane Herreth and Albert Elton “Abby” Herreth, both of Bay City, Brett Ramzel Herreth and wife Sandy of Tres-Palacios Oaks and three great-grandchildren, Shawn and Justin Guess and Albert William Rice Herreth, all of Tres-Palacios Oaks.

Mr. Rice was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Oleta Vaughn and by two brothers, Ret. Maj. Roy E. Rice and Raymond E. Rice.

Pallbearers will be Albert Elton “Abby” Herreth, Brett Ramzel Herreth, Bryan Hale, Glen White, Mike Rodriguez and Billy Kelly.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, December, 1992

Founder of Girls Softball Dies

Civic leader Ira Elton “Jack” Rice, for whom Rice Field was named, died suddenly Thursday at his home.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p. m. Sunday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. David Kleinfeldt officiating. Burial will be at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Rice was born Oct. 3, 1907 in Hasse, Texas to Thomas Allen and Irene Valentine Laxson Rice. He married the former Mary Rena Ramzel Feb. 23, 1929 at her parents’ home in Sweetwater.

Mr. Rice was a resident of Nolan County before moving to Matagorda County in the 1930s. The Rices settled in Bay City in 1937. They traveled to other areas for several years where Mr. Rice was engaged in road paving work. He helped build the first concrete highways in Matagorda County, which included the highways from Blessing to Bay City and from Matagorda County to Wharton’s city limits. Rice was paving foreman at the San Jacinto Monument when it was being constructed.

He retired in 1972 as an operating engineer with Dow Chemical after 30 years of service. For 10 years he was the owner/operator of the Sycamore Inn across from the high school during the 1950s where he served lunches to many high school students. A good many of his student friends kept up with him over the years.

He was active in the Bay City area, being one of the founders of the Girls Softball Association, where Jack Rice Field was named in his honor. He was also a charter member of the Texas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and a charter member of the Eagles and a member of the Woodmen of the World and a former member of the Bay City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. and Mrs. Rice both served on the Matagorda County Historical Commission.

He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Bay City.

Rice was a member of the Texas National Guard during World War II and served as a sergeant in the Texas State Guard for Matagorda County. He received a citation from Tom Hale, the chairman of the American Red Cross in Matagorda County.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary Rena Ramzel Rice; a daughter and son-in-law, Georgia Irene and A. C. Herreth of Bay City; a sister and three brothers.

Daily Tribune, December 4, 1992

Mary Rena Ramzel Rice

Mary Rena Ramzel Rice, 82, of Bay City died suddenly and unexpectedly on May 29, 1996 at Matagorda General Hospital in Bay city.

She was born June 30, 1913 in the Decker community, Nolan County to Charles Stuart and Mary Esther Hobbs Ramzel. She was married on Feb. 23, 1929 to Ira Elton “Jack” Rice at the home of her parents in Sweetwater, Tx. They were a devoted Christian couple who were happily married for 63 years. They were honored with a resolution by the Texas House of Rep. on their 50^th anniversary. It was read and presented to them at their celebration party by Speaker Pro-Tem of the House of Rep. the Honorable D. R. “Tom” Uher. Her husband preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 1992. She was a faithful and active member of the First Christian Church of Bay City for over 60 years, the United Daughters of 1812, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Matagorda County Historical Commission, the Matagorda County Genealogical Society, The Federated Women’s Club, Friends of the Library, member of, and past president of, The Woodmen of the World, The Historical Society of Fort Bend Co., where her great great great grandfather, Williams Stiles, who was one of Austin’s old 300, is buried in the Historic Nancy Stiles & Henry Jones private family cemetery, located on the George Ranch in Richmond, Tx. William Stiles’ land grant was part of his ranch. He was personally appointed by General Sam Houston to guard Santa Anna after the battle of San Jacinto. In 1981 she received a citation from Governor Clements for “Distinguished Service in the Texas Historical Commission.” She and her late husband owned the Sycamore Inn from 1948-1958, which was operated by them and their daughter Georgia and son-in-law A. C. Herreth and by her mother Mary Ramzel. This establishment was a lunch room for Bay City High School, as there was not a cafeteria at that time. This was a gathering place for students, teachers, and coaches, with lots of Monday morning quarter backing.

She and her husband, Jack, were very active in the Girls’ Softball Association, and their field “The Jack Rice Field” was named in his honor. She was an avid reader of Texas and American History, and a meticulous researcher in history and genealogy. She was gifted with many talents including playing the piano by ear, writing beautiful poetry and drawing. She and her husband, Jack, enjoyed hunting and fishing at their country home near Hallettsville, and also at a home on the Colorado River where they entertained their many friend and relatives. Rice was a devoted, caring and loving daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother and dear friend to many. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Georgia Irene and A. C. Herreth; by one granddaughter, Melissa Diane Herreth, two grandsons, Albert Elton “Abby” Herreth and Brett Ramzel Herreth, and his wife, Sandra “Sandy” Lynn Hazlewood Herreth; three great grandsons, Albert William Rice Herreth, Shawn Guess and Justin Guess all of Bay City; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Anna Beth Rice Fondon of Bay City, Ora E. and Lily Rice of Boise, Idaho, Thomas Allen Rice, Jr. of Chula Vista, Calif., She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of loving friends who all loved and visited here often. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her five brothers: Rae Alexander Ramzel, Ross Downing “Jack” Ramzel, Charles Bruce Ramzel, Donald Hobbs Ramzel and Vernon Gerald Ramzel.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p. m. Saturday, June 1, 1996 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Stephens officiating.

Pallbearers will be her nephews, Charles Ramzel of Bartlesville, Okla., Lee Ramzel of San Antonio, N. M., Martin Rae Vandenbrook of Houston, James “Jimmy” Rudinger of Uvalde, Thomas Allen Rice III of Galveston, and close family friend Bryan Hale of El Campo and formerly of Bay City. Honorary Pallbearers will be Criss Gorley, Roland Spur, Mike Rodriguez, Billy W. Kelly, Pasqual “Packy” Martinez, former Mayor Glen White and Elders and Deacons of the First Christian Church. Following the services she will be laid to rest beside her husband at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

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

Daily Tribune, June 2, 1996
 

Nathan Herbert Rice          Ada B. Ryman Rice

Ada Bertha Rice

Funeral services for Mrs. Ada Bertha Rice, 86, of West Columbia are scheduled for 2:30 p. m. Sunday at the United Methodist Chapel in Bay City with the Rev. John Richardson officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mrs. Rice was born June 3, 1901, in Wadsworth to Nolan Ryman and Martha Elizabeth Miller Ryman, and died June 19, 1987, at her residence in West Columbia.

She was a member of the First Christian Church.

Survivors include: her husband, Nathan Herbert Rice of West Columbia; daughter Mary Rice Harras of Victoria; sister Ella Cummings of Bay City; brothers April Ryman of Wadsworth and John Ryman of Bay City; and grandchildren John Mark Harras of Austin and Alexandria Von Kirschner of Boulder, Colorado.

Pallbearers will be John Mark Harras, Rex Brannon, A. C. Herreth, Shelly DuPont, Jack Brannon and Maurice Ashcraft. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Beal and Johnny Poke.

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

Daily Tribune, June 19?,1987

Nathan Herbert Rice

Funeral services for Nathan Herbert Rice, 88, of Victoria, are pending with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Mr. Rice was born Jan. 23, 1901, to John Allen and Rebekah Tena Hovey Rice and died Sept. 11, 1989, following a short illness.

Mr. Rice worked for 41 years for Carl and Bess Bachman when they owned Bachman’s Grocery. He started to work for the Bachmans when they were operating their grocery store on the north side of the courthouse and continued to work for them after they built their building at 2245 Ave G.

When Backmans closed their store after the death of the owners, Mr. Rice moved to West Columbia where he worked until retirement a few years ago.

He was a member of the Christian church.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Harras; a son-in-law, Martin Harras of Victoria; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Bertha Ryman Rice.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, September 1989
 

Joe Ellis Rogers          Geraldine Brown Rogers

JOE E. ROGERS
May 18, 1916 - June 25, 2006

Joe E. Rogers died peacefully at Alz Care in Victoria on June 25, 2006.

Joe Ellis Rogers was born on May 18, 1916 in Greenville, Texas; the son of Joe Mack Rogers and Bessie Clark Rogers. After graduating from Greenville High school he attended North Texas State University on a football scholarship, receiving a B.S. degree in economics. He coached at Whitney High School and Newcastle High School until World War II was eminent. He was then drafted into the Army Air Force, where he served for four and one half years. He was a member of the Eighth Air Force and was based in England for three of the almost five years he served his country.

Following the war, he returned to coaching at Newcastle, Texas, where he met and later married Geraldine (Gerry) Brown in June of 1946. In 1947 Joe and Gerry moved to Bay City where Joe taught and coached for over thirty years. In 1951 he earned his M.S. degree in administration from the University of Houston.

In 1950 he supervised the construction of the first track that Bay City High School ever had. He initiated the Black Cat Relays in 1951, with more than 20 area teams attending. After Joe's retirement this annual track meet was renamed "The Joe Rogers Black Cat Relays".

He was one of the thirty initial "Black Cat Hall of Fame" inductees in November 2001.

Joe's greatest love was his church, the Nichols Street Church of Christ. He was a devoted member of this congregation since 1947. He taught Sunday School classes for over forty years and served in many other areas until age and declining health, caused him to have to assume a passive role.

He is survived by: his wife of sixty years, Gerry Rogers; their two sons, Joe Landon and wife Jill of Katy, and Donny Rogers and wife Dina of Victoria. Also by three grandsons, Dustin Rogers, Derek Rogers, and Keith Rogers.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at Nichols Street Church of Christ with Joe Wrape officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery with military honors.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sam and Martha Maglitto, Landa and Marcella Schraub, Evelyn Haley, James White, and Damon Rutherford.

Active pallbearers will be Dustin Rogers, Derek Rogers, Keith Rogers, Bill Klein, John Westbrook, Jean Springfield, and Alford Sabrsula.

For those desiring, the family suggest memorial contributions to Nichols Street Church of Christ, 1200 Nichols Street, Bay City, Texas 77414.

Arrangements by Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, (979) 245-4613.

Bay City Tribune, Published June 28, 2006

Geraldine "Gerry" Brown Rogers
(August 15, 1926 - December 12, 2013)

Geraldine (Gerry) Brown Rogers, 87, passed away in Bay City, Texas December 12, 2013. She was born in Rochester, Texas August 15, 1926, the daughter of Alton E. Brown and Doris Rea Brown. After graduating from high school as salutatorian of her class she attended and graduated from North Texas State University majoring in Foods and Nutrition. In 1945 she accepted a job at Newcastle High School teaching chemistry and biology. Soon afterwards Joe E. Rogers returned to Newcastle High School after World War II, having spent 4 ½ years in the Army Air Force. They were married in June of 1946. In 1947, Joe and Gerry moved to Bay City where their two sons were born and where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

Gerry continued her education by earning a Masters Degree from the University of Houston. She taught a the college level, in high school, junior high school , and elementary school. For the last ten years before her retirement she was the principal of Pierce Elementary School.

Gerry was a devoted member of the Nichols Street Church of Christ, enjoying and seeing the church grow from a small building on the Wharton Highway, to Sixth Street, and finally to Nichols Street. She taught Sunday School classes for forty-five years.

Survivors include her sons; Joe Landon Rogers & wife Jill of Katy, Donny Rogers and wife Dina of Victoria; grandsons Dustin Rogers, Derek Rogers and Keith Rogers. Also brother A. C. Brown of Victoria, half-sisters, Patsy Radenz of Alvarado, Texas and Carol Hooper of Olton, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Ellis Rogers, her brother Landon Brown, and her parents.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 4-6pm at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:00am, Monday, December 16, 2013 at Nichols Street Church of Christ.

Memorials may be made to Nichols Street Church of Christ.

Bay City Tribune, December 15, 2013
 

Ira S. Rose Sr.          Lizzie Porter Rose

Lizzie Porter Rose

Mrs. Lizzie Porter Rose, 78, of Bay City died March 2, 1976 in Matagorda General Hospital. She was born Oct. 9, 1897 in Courtland, Ala. Survivors include her widower, Ira S. Rose of Bay City; one son, Ira S. Rose Jr. of Bay City and three sisters, Mrs. Annie Pierce and Mrs. James E. Birkner of Bay City and Mrs. Millard Pulliam of Searcy, Ark. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church March 4, at 2 p. m. with the Rev. James Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery. Mrs. Rose came to Bay City in 1919 with her brother, Vance Porter. She was retired from Central Power and Light Co. and was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Bay City Chapter number 380 Order of the Eastern Star. Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, March 3 or 4, 1976
 

James W. Sanders

James W. Sanders, Sr.
August 11, 1920 – February 18, 1981

James Winifred Sanders, Sr., 60, of Bay City, died at Gulf Coast Hospital in Wharton Wednesday, February 18, 1981. His affiliation was Baptist and he was a member of Masonic Lodge AM and AF 865, Youth Rodeo, FFA, past president of County Auditors’ Association of Texas and Red Cross of Constantine.

Survivors include: wife, Mrs. Mary Francis (Ward) Sanders of Bay City; mother, Susie Alsup of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Diane Sue and Carl Foshee of El Campo; son and daughter-in-law, James W. Jr. and Carol Sanders of El Campo; sister, Louise Bussell of Houston; brother, Winston Sanders of Hearne, TX; 3 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church Saturday, February 21, at 3:00 PM with Rev. W. D. Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers include Hugh Strickland, Bubba Byrd, Clyde Ashcraft, Sam Hurta, Bob Parker, Jr. and G. P. Hardy. Honorary pallbearers include Commissioner’s Court, G. W. Townsend, P. R. Hamil, Billy Mitchell and Charles Sebesta. Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, February 20, 1981                   Obituary courtesy of Susie Adkins
 

Alvin R. Schilhab

Alvin Raymond Schilhab

Funeral services for Alvin Raymond Schilhab, 58, of Bay City will be held 11:30 a. m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church with the Rev. Charles Sonnier officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery.

A rosary will be said 7:30 p. m. today at Bay City Funeral Home.

Mr. Schilhab was born Nov. 17, 1928, in Ammonsville, Texas, to Albert and Wilhelmina Mican Schilhab and died Oct. 26, 1987, at Veterans Hospital, Houston.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, American Legion and the Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Eldrid Schilhab of Bay City; a son and daughter-in-law, Lonnie and Teresa Schilhab of Clute, four daughters and sons-in-law, Carlene and Larry Jackson of Orange Park, Fla., Christine and Jon Ward of Riverside, Calif., Teresa and David Bolton of Van Vleck, and Ramona and Patty Schilhab of Houston; a brother, Albert Schilhab of Victoria; and three sisters, Violet Hempel of Victoria, Delores Peters of Liverpool and Lillian York of Katy.

Pallbearers include Odis Newton, Bill Newton, Elliss Newton, Arthur Priesmeyer, John Bannister and Mike Wade.

Services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins, Bay city Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, October 27, 1987

Eldrid Florence Schilhab
November 08, 1931 - January 14, 2021

Eldrid Florence Schilhab, 89, of Bay City passed away January 14, 2021. She was born November 8, 1931 in Schulenberg, TX to the late Beno Besetsny and Agnes Konvicka Besetsny.

Eldrid was born and raised in Schulenburg on the family farm which instilled in her a love for country life.

In her earlier years, Eldrid obtained her LVN license and practiced nursing in El Campo for several years at Garden Villa Nursing Home. She was a loving mother and housewife while raising her six children.  The family moved to Bay City from El Campo in 1979 and worked alongside her husband at Schilhab’s Tire Store.  Eldrid was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Bay City after the many years in El Campo and a member of the Catholic Daughters.  Year after year she would be found at various establishments selling the Veterans poppies on Veterans Day.

She greatly enjoyed gardening, being in her backyard watching the red birds and reading. Deer camp was another great joy, being master chef, cooking breakfast for grandkids, and four-wheeling.

Casino trips and family outings were another favorite. If ever there was room for a complaint, you would never hear it from mother.  She accepted whatever came her way and wanted to be no trouble at all.  Eldrid was one of the most righteous people you might ever meet.

The family is grateful to the devoted Caretaker, Alice DeWitt, whose company Eldrid cherished. Eldrid is now free and at peace with the Lord.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Schilhab and daughters Carlene Jackson and Ramona Schilhab.

Survivors include daughters Teresa Bolton (Toby), Patty Tufro (Gerald) and Christine Ward (Jon); son Lonnie Schilhab (Teresa Ann Holland); sister Lucille Robinson; grandchildren Coby Bolton, Blake Bolton (Jerrica Weathers), Matthew Schilhab (Kaitlyn) and Luke Schilhab (Allie Nail) and great grandchildren Madelyn Schilhab, Emersyn Schilhab, Briarlyn Schilhab and Nash Schilhab, and many nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 AM with Rev. Gabriel Espinosa officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Coby Bolton, Blake Bolton, Matthew Schilhab, Luke Schilhab, and Bill Newton.

Bay City Tribune, January 17, 2021
 

Ertis Earl Self          Ouida Nell Self

Ouida Nell Self

Funeral services for Ouida Nell Self, 67, of Bay City will be held 3 p. m. today at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Chester Sassman officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mrs. Self was born June 28, 1924, to William Franklin and Effie Viola Pate Sanford in Jacksonville and died Dec. 1, 1991, at her home.

She worked t Matagorda Pharmacy for more than 30 years and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Beverly Self of Bay City; a daughter, and son-in-law, Phyllis and Bruce Jacobs of Katy; three sisters-in-law, Jennieve Sanford of Alexandria, La., Mary Sanford of Vidor and Evelyn Sanford of Jacksonville; a sister, Ruby Gay of Bay City; three grandchildren, Wayne Self II, Brian Dale Chancey and Kelly Ann Carter, all of Bay City; and a great-grandson, Bradley Wayne Carter of Bay City.

Pallbearers are Herbert Wendel, Bruce Jacobs, Roger Gay, Claude Gay, Edwin Gay Jr. and Joe Gay.

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

The Daily Tribune, December, 1991

W. Woodrow Sharrock           Reta J. Sharrock

William Woodrow Sharrock

Funeral services for William Woodrow Sharrock, 75, of Bay City will be held 3 p. m. Tuesday at the Bay City Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Mike Zimmerman of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Sharrock was born Jan. 7, 1916, to Henry Wade and Arizona Green Sharrock in Ravia, Okla., and died Dec. 28, 1991, at Matagorda General Hospital.

He retired as a heavy equipment operator after 25 years service with Brown & Root, 16 years in Bay City. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Bay City.

Survivors include his wife, Reta Sharrock of Bay City; a son, Donald Eugene Sharrock of Gilchrist; two stepsons, George Howard Rickard of Highlands and Edwin Ray Rickard of Philadelphia, Pa.; a brother, Gene Sharrock of Cassette, S. C.; six grandsons; two granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter.

Pallbearers will be Albert Munn, Gerald Rowland, Bill Ehlert, Woody Riedel, Robbie Woodard and George McDonald.

The Daily Tribune, December, 1991

Rita J. Sharrock

Rita J. Sharrock, 77, of Bay City, died Wednesday, May 1, 1996 at Matagorda House in Bay City.

She was born Nov. 28, 1918 to parents, Arley and Etta Campbell Rogers in Neodesha, Kansas. She has been a resident of Bay City for several years. She was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors are Sons, Edwin Ray Rickard, George H. Rickard, Highlands, and Donald E. Sharrock of Gilchrist; brothers, Kenneth, Lee Roy and Evert Rogers of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Edsel Rogers of Oolagah, Oklahoma; Twin sister, Neta Hendricks, Fresno, California and eight grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Sharrock in 1991.

Service will be Saturday, May 4 at 10 a. m. from the Bay City Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Michael Zimmerman of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarvale Cemetery.

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

The Daily Tribune, May 3, 1996
 

Robert Lee Sifford

Robert L. Sifford, 92, of Bay City, passed away March 30, 2008 at Bay Villa Nursing Center in Bay City.

He was born in Palacios, Texas on March 6, 1916 to parents Oscar Lee and Mary May Downer Sifford. He was a veteran of the Army and the Navy and served in World War II and worked for years in the oilfield as a roughneck.

He is survived by: his brother, William Sifford of Bay City; a stepson and his wife, Roy and Peggy Reed of Markham and a granddaughter, Dominique Dabalos.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City with the Rev. Howard Harper officiating.

Services are under the direction of Bay City Funeral Home.

Bay City Tribune, Published April 2, 2008
 

Brooksy Smith           Nancy Jane Smith

Brooksy Smith

Mr. Brooksy Smith of Wharton, died at Gulf Coast Hospital in Wharton. Survivors include: wife, Mrs. Nancy Jane Smith; daughter, Patricia Ann Rackley; son, Robert L. Smith; sisters, Mrs. Alfreda Isenhour, Mrs. Margaret Harrison; brother, James Arthur Smith and five grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Chapel Thursday August 9, at 2:00 p. m. Interment will be at the Cedarvale Cemetery with pallbearers being: Percy Harrison, Harold Lukefar, Rip Prasifka, Glen White, Frank Hurley, Raleigh Huebner. Honorary pallbearers, Clyde Suplessey, George W. Townsend, Claude Blacksher, E. W. Bailey. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, August 8, 1979

Nancy Jane Smith

Nancy Jane Smith, 88 of The Woodlands, Texas, died peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2003. She was born November 18, 1914 to the late James L. and Lillian Petty Williams in Sherman, Texas.

As a legacy she leaves her creativity, especially her needlepoint, crochet, knitting, miniatures and love for every living thing as demonstrated by the ever-present pets, both wild and domestic.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Rackley and husband Weldon of Wilmington, N.C., and her son Robert Smith and wife Barbara of The Woodlands as well as grandchildren Shawn, Kip and Gina Rackley, and Brooksy and Buffy Smith; Great-grandchildren Allissa, Mckenzie and Tyler Rackley, and Madison and Ryan Smith; Step Great-grandchildren Michael and John Amantea.

She is preceded in death by Brooksy, her beloved husband of 44 years, and her grandson Stephen Rackley.

Nancy Jane moved to Bay City following her marriage and resided there until she relocated to Wharton, Texas, following the death of Brooksy. While living in Bay City, she was active in the First Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher, leader of a Girl Scout Troop and in the various roles that supported the main activities of her children.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, July 18, 2003 at Taylor Bro. Funeral Home in Bay City, with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Internment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements were by Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A00014D2003JL20

The Bay City Tribune, July 20, 2003 & The Victoria Advocate, July 18, 2003