Obituaries

    Jeremy Bruce Vickery of Edna passed away Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at the age of 35. He was born in Port Lavaca on Jan. 3, 1978, to John Raymond and Cynthia Ann Whitt Vickery of Edna.
    Jeremy was a loving son, husband and father and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 
    Jeremy is survived by his parents; wife, Nicole Pipkin Vickery; sons, Draven Michael Vickery and Mason Walker Vickery; daughter, Jordan Ann Vickery, all of Edna; brother, John Madison Vickery of Edna; sisters, Zona Margert Jones of Ganado, Samantha Kay Vickery of Edna, Annie Marie Vickery; grandmother, Genell Whitt; and  numerous nieces and nephews.
    He is preceded in death by his sister, Tina Ann Vickery and brother, John Raymond Vickery.

    Murus Dibrell “Dib or MD” Pumphrey III set sail on his eternal life Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. He was born on Nov. 10, 1938 in Baytown to Murus Dibrell “Bud” Pumphrey Jr. and his wife Marguerite Marie who preceded him in death. He grew up in Baytown graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1957 where he was involved in the FFA. He joined the United States Coast Guard where he achieved the rank of Gunners Mate 3rd class and was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, Mobile, Ala., and Panama City, Fla.. He later attended the University of Houston. Over the years he enjoyed racing boats, raising cattle, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and spending time with his many grandchildren and great grandson. Through his work career his was employed at Marbon, Bayer, Witt Marine and Franklin Ford.

    Murus Dibrell “Dib or MD” Pumphrey III set sail on his eternal life Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. He was born on Nov. 10, 1938 in Baytown to Murus Dibrell “Bud” Pumphrey Jr. and his wife Marguerite Marie who preceded him in death. He grew up in Baytown graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1957 where he was involved in the FFA. He joined the United States Coast Guard where he achieved the rank of Gunners Mate 3rd class and was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, Mobile, Ala., and Panama City, Fla.. He later attended the University of Houston. Over the years he enjoyed racing boats, raising cattle, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and spending time with his many grandchildren and great grandson. Through his work career his was employed at Marbon, Bayer, Witt Marine and Franklin Ford.

    Matthew Travis Palacios of Fort Worth, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at the age of 23. He was born on April 29, 1990 to Manuel Palacios Jr. and Lisa Palacios.
    Matthew graduated from Crowley High School in 2008 and joined the United States Marine Corps. His military occupation specialty was aviation ordinance. He achieved the rank of sergeant and received the National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Citation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Medal.
    He is survived by his parents; grandmothers Mary T. Palacios and Tina Romero; brothers Brandon, Brian, Brad, and Greg; and sisters Brittany, Brooke, Kourtney, Skyler, Clarrissa, and Madyson.
    He was preceded in death by his older brother, Manuel E. Palacios and grandfathers Manuel Palacios Sr. and Robert Vallejo.

    Alma G. Lowrance, age 95, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 in San Antonio.  She was born Sunday, Aug. 4, 1918, to Rosa C. and John F. Gerjes in Edna.  Mrs. Lowrance was a founding member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the Altar Society.  Alma was also a 61-year member and the oldest living member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court of St. Theresa in Edna. 
    She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Edward A. Lowrance; sisters, Alfreida Woodall and Lydia Bratton; and an infant brother. 
    Alma is survived by her devoted son, Eddie Lowrance; beloved grandsons, David E. and John M. Lowrance; their mother, Kathy Lowrance; granddaughter-in-law, Melanie Diana Lowrance; great-grandson, Gage Edward Lowrance; great-granddaughter, Jessica Michelle Lowrance; nieces, Martha Carolla, Sharon Willoughby, Patti Martinez; nephews, Gene Bratton and Jimmy Woodall; numerous grand nephews and nieces. 

    Hazel Louise Weiser Taylor, 85, of Ganado, passed away Nov. 11, 2013. She was born July 11, 1928 in Ganado to the late Theodore Joseph and Ida Belle Weiser of Ganado. Hazel was a homemaker and devoted mother to her three children.

    Ramona Vasquez Zarate, 78, of Edna, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. She was born April 2, 1935 in Edna to the late Juan and Regina Gonzales Vasquez.
    urvivors include her daughter, Lydia Avalos and husband Steve of Edna; sons, Trinidad V. Zarate of Edna, Robert  Zarate and wife Norma of Edna, Daniel Zarate and wife Cecilia of Victoria; John Zarate and wife Cindy of Virginia; sisters, Victoria Marroquinn of Houston, Adela Nix of Ganado; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
    In addition to her parents, Mrs. Zarate was preceded in death by a grandson, Daniel Zarate, Jr.
    The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 8 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Interment followed in Resurrection Cemetery.
    Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

    Hubert “Sandy” Lunn Knudsen, age 91, of Rockwall, passed away Oct. 31, 2013 in Rowlett. He was born July 21, 1922 in Ganado to Forrest M. Knudsen and Grace Louise (Johnson) Knudsen. Herbert proudly served his country in the Merchant Marines. He was a supervisor at Coastal States, an oil refinery. Sandy attended Lake Pointe Church.
    He is survived by his wife, Marilynne Knudsen of Rockwall; son, Don Knudsen and wife Molly of Plano; daughters Lynda Woolam and Husband Tommy of O;Donnell; and Debbié Brown and husband Bill of Idaho; grandchildren Shannon Clark and Tracey Fouche; great-grandchildren Egan Clark, Aelyn Clark and Olivia Grace Fouche; nephews Tommy Knudsen and James Knudsen; and cousin Phillip Green.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Rest Haven Funeral Home - Rockwall Chapel with Rev. Sam Douglas officiating. The family received friends at the funeral home prior to the service. Interment was in the Ganado Cemetery.

    Karl A. Keith, Sr. 58, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. Born August 12, 1955 in Ganado to Georgia Keith and the
late Robert Keith. Karl was a maintenance technician for Inteplast Group.
    He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, a daughter, Chandra Keith, two sons, Karl Keith, Jr. and Kolton Keith; sister, Shirley Kloesel and husband Chad; and nine grandchildren.
    Visitation was held Sunday evening, Nov. 3 at Slavik Funeral Home and a graveside service will be held Monday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Red Bluff Cemetery.
    Services were under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, Edna, 361-782-2152.

    Sybil Marie Presley Tise, 94, of Ganado passed away at home in the loving presence of her family on Nov. 2, 2013. She was born on July 5, 1919 in Louise to the late William Henry and Myrtle Morton Presley.
    She was a homemaker and a very active member of First Church of God in El Campo. After completing all the education that was available to her in the rural community of Round Mott, she sought to fulfill her nurturing spirit and left her family to become a nurse.  She completed her nurse training at Caney Valley Hospital in Wharton. She pursued her nursing career at Bell Hospital in Columbus.  While living in Columbus, she met and married Frank Tise in 1944. He being stationed at Foster Field, they moved to Victoria where she worked as a nurse at DeTar Hospital.