Obituaries

    Edna LaNora Evans LaFour, 75, was born April 1, 1941 in Edna, Texas, to the late Calvin and Thelma Evans. She went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a courageous fight with cancer on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016
    Edna was a rancher in Edna for many years along with her late husband Gerald 'Buddy' LaFour. Edna was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend who will be missed dearly.
    She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Gail Nyegaard of Cuero; son, James Michael Duffy; sister, Mary Sue Woods of Port Lavaca; brother, Warren Evans of College Station; grandchildren, Brittany (Doug) Pharr, Kendra (Matt) Meador and Clint Nyegaard; great-grandchildren, Presley and Maddox Pharr and Breielle and Creed Meador;
    Edna is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Gerald 'Buddy' LaFour.

    Charlotte Jean Schattel Bonelli, 81, passed from this life, to life eternal Aug. 15, 2016.
    Charlotte was a loving wife and an awesome mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her love was fierce and above all was her love for the Lord God of Israell. She was a mighty warrior and stood in the gap for many during her time on earth. She will be greatly missed.
    Psalm 116:15-16 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant Lord, I serve You just as my mother did, you have freed me from my chains.”
    Charlotte is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Eugene; their three children, Stella (Eddy) Prochaska, Tony (Linda) Bonelli and John (DeAnn) Bonelli; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; along with her sister Clemmie (Poochi) Schroeder Applet.

    Vivian M. Callis, 84, of Edna, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. She was born Feb. 23, 1932 in Edna to the late June and Leona Brigham Parson. She was devoted to her children and family. She worked as a housekeeper for one family for over 40 years.
    She leaves to cherish her memory, her son L.C. (Linda) Callis of Port Lavaca; stepsons, Wayne (Joan) Callis of Edna and Fredick (Dorothy) Callis of Arizona; foster son, Horace (Brenda) Callis of Victoria; daughter-in-law, Maria Callis (Leslie) of Goliad; 7 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
    In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband; 1 son; 2 sisters; 2 brothers; 2 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.
    A visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19 at Cook-Butler Funeral Home in Edna. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Aug. 20, at Shiloh Baptist Church. Burial followed at Ganado Cemetery.

GANADO: Rebecca Denise Hahn Gutierrez: January 5, 1974 ~ August 2, 2016.  Wife of Mark Gutierrez, mother of Corbin, daughter of Kenneth and Gloria Hahn, granddaughter of Mike Dworaczyk went to be with her Lord after a brave fight with cancer.  She was preceded in death by her father: Kenneth, grandparents: Charlie Hahn, Louise Hahn Dworaczyk, Claud Nelson and Elvera Nelson Weiser.

Rebecca worked in the medical field for El Campo Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospital Port Lavaca, Jackson County Hospital in Edna, and as secretary for St. James Lutheran Church.  She was a past member of the Altar Guild and helped for several years with Vacation Bible School.  She was very active with Corbin's sport activities, serving as Team Mom for both little league and youth football on the board of GYFL.

    Betty Lou Davis, of Edna, Texas, passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the age of 79. She was born in Victoria, Texas on February 6, 1937, to the late Clifford Parker and Lou Shannon.
    Betty is survived by her son, John Davis and his wife Melissa; daughter, Linda Clark; sister, Kim Kroat; grandchildren, Trisha Davis, Lacey Davis, Melanie Minter, Samantha Minter, Caleb Davis, Kristen Crow (Joey), and Dustin Clark (Pam); great-grandchildren, Skyler, Elijah, and Samuel; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be truly missed.  
    She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gail Davis; sister, Lola Parker.
    Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Edna. Reverend Robert Krause will be officiating.  

Thomas Emitt Stanaland, 92, formerly of Edna, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016. Thomas was born on Nov. 22, 1923 in Jayton, Kent County, Texas to William N. Stanaland and Mina Smith Stanaland. He was one of 11 children blessed to the couple.     Thomas married Nolia Marie Dardar on Dec. 10, 1952 in Baytown, and were blessed with one son. Thomas was a resident of Jackson County for 57 years and he supported his family as a plumber.     Thomas is survived by his son Thomas C. (Chris) and his wife Becky Stanaland; and his two grandsons Blake and David Stanaland.     He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 57 years, Nolia; six sisters, and four brothers.     A graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Edna on Wednesday, July 27, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Andy Schroer officiating.     Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Slavik Funeral Home, Edna, 361-782-2152.

Debra Ellen Valverde, of Baytown, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 23, 2016, with her loving family by her side at the age of 54. She was born Jan. 21, 1962, in Ganado, to the late Emil Gonzales and Janie Garza Gonzales.       She is survived by her loving husband of 14 years, Rudy Valverde; mother, Janie Garza Gonzales; son, Chad Davis; step-son, Joshua Valverde; sister, Peggy Ballin (Noel); brothers, Joseph Gonzales (Sandra), and Isacc Gonzales; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.     Debra is preceded in death by her father, Emil Leos Gonzales.     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 28 at 2 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel in Edna. Pastor Ruben Mesa will be officiating. Burial to follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Ganado.

    Miquela Gonzales Servantes, 74, of Edna passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2016. She was born on Sept. 29, 1941 in Edna to Joe Gonzales, Sr. and Frances Altimeta Gonzales. She was one of 11 children blessed to the family.     Miquela is survived by her two children, Sylvia and George Garza, Sr. and John and Grace Servantes; her grandchildren B.J., Lisa, and Steven Servantes, Crystal Garza and George Garza Jr.; her great-grandchildren Kenzie, Arianna, and Jayden Garza and E. J. Benivamonde; sisters Simona Ramos, Sabrina Flores, Frances Montano, Bessie Delon, Mary Tijerina, Liz Maya, Gloria Gonzales, and Lupe Zarate; and her brothers Joe Gonzales, Jr. and Henry Gonzales.     She is preceded in death by her parents.     A Rosary and funeral mass will be held Monday, July 25, at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Petering officiating, Interment will immediately follow at Edna Latin America Cemetery.

    Gloria Ann Nieto, of Edna, Texas went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, with her loving family by her side at the age of 56.     She was born February 15, 1960, in Victoria, Texas, to Juan E. Samora and the late Eloisa Partida Samora.     Gloria was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be missed dearly.       She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Miguel Nieto, Sr.; daughters, Sonia Quick and her husband Greg, and Julie Nieto; son, Miguel Nieto, Jr. and his wife Brandi; sister, Virgina Figirova; brother, Albert Samora; grandchildren, Ivan Joe Nieto and Colt Alexander Quick; fur babies, Oscar and Roscoe; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.     Gloria is preceded in death by her mother; sister, Esther Garza; and niece, Abigail Zapata.     Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m.

Ettie Marilla Hodges, of Edna, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the age of 71. She was born Dec. 20, 1944, in Rusk, Texas, to the late Perry Frances Downs and Lillie Melzoria Collins Downs.       After losing both parents by the age of 3, Ettie became a part of J.N. and Pinky Wade’s family, as was requested by her mother. She was baptized at First Baptist Church, Edna at the age of 8. Ettie attended Edna High School, beauty school, nursing training, and received an associate’s degree from Victoria College.     She is survived by her foster mother, Pinky Wade Milby; loving longtime companion of 16 years, Burton Davis; and numerous family and friends.     She is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Downs; brothers, Frances Adale Downs and Calvin Ray Downs; foster father, J.N. Wade, Jr.; and foster brother, Don Wade.     A memorial service was held on Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev.