Obituaries

    Carrie Lee Callies passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013 at the age of 80. She ws born in Jackson County on Dec. 5, 1932 to Svalia and Olean Boston.
    She is survived by her husband Elder Callies; sons Eldridge Callies, Benjamin Callies, Alvin Callies, William Callies, Raymond Callies, and Calvin Callies; daughter Alice Callies; sisters Ollie Visor and Willie Dilworth; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Ruth Ester Stafford, sister Valean Bosto, brothers J.W. Boston, S.V. Boston, and Irvin Boston, and two grandsons.
    Visitation services will be Friday, Sept. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Prosperity Baptist Church, 130 Oberg in Ganado. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m., at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 604 MLK in Edna.
    Tracy's M.J. Santellana Funeral Directors, Edna, in charge of arrangements, 361- 782-9234.

Albert Walter Earl Dutcher Jr., 80, of Ganado, passed peacefully from this world to be with his heavenly Father on Sept. 2, 2103. He was born on Aug. 4, 1933 in Lissie. Albert was one of three children born to the late Jewel and Albert Walter Earl Dutcher Sr. 
     He was welcomed into his new life with Christ by his beloved mother and father; sister, Elenor Sunderman; brother, James Dutcher; and daughters Tina Sexton and Susie Dutcher. 
    He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Sharron Dutcher, his five children, Jeff Dutcher, Chris Dutcher, Billy Swift, Kendra Moseley, and Kari Clingingsmith and their spouses; 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as his beloved nephew Earl Dutcher.

Emil Anton Belicek of Edna died Aug. 30, 2013. He was born on Dec. 21, 1920 in Schulenburg. One of seven children born to the late Josef and Rosina Reha Belicek, Emil had three sisters, Mary, Rosie and Albina also known as Billie and three brothers Joe, Frank and Bill.
    Their father Josef, a farmer, and their mother Rosina, a homemaker, emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the United States in 1908, making Emil the first generation native American. In 1927 the family moved to Ganado.
    Emil was in the United States Army, having seen the concentration camp at Dachau just after it was captured by the U.S. Army and before it had been cleaned up. He served in the United States as well as overseas in Northern Ireland, England, Germany, France and Salzburg, Austria. One of his most memorable feats occurred in 1987 when he attended Czechoslovakia, his parents’ native country. After bravely serving his country, Emil retired a farmer and a carpenter.

Mary “China” Figirova of Edna passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at the age of 83. She was born April 9, 1930, in Edna to the late Francisco and Cornelia Garcia Figirova.
    Mary was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, whom will be missed dearly. Her time on earth was cherished by all that knew her.
    She is survived by her daughters, Antonia “Toni” Giron of Fayetteville, N.C, Cookie Cruz and husband Albert of El Campo, Mary Ann Figirova of El Campo and Loretta Hernandez and husband Rodrigo of Edna; sons, Joe Figirova Jr. and wife Alice of Edna and Hilario Figirova of Edna; sisters, Cornelia Ochoa of Victoria and Connie Menchaca of Victoria; brother, Tony Cavazos of Edna; grandchildren, Marisol, Arlette, Melissa, Tony, Casey, Jason, Elizabeth, Jon Paul, Jennifer, Jake, Tracy, Carlos, Danielle, J.R., Juan, Brianna, Kimmi and 21 great-grandchildren.

    Retired Master Sgt. Alton Ray “Jobbie” Harris of Edna passed away Friday, Aug. 9 at the age of 79. He was born Nov. 25, 1933, in Edna to the late Bertho and Rose Mae Carmichael Harris.
    Alton retired from the United States Marine Corps with 27 years of service. During his time in service, he received The Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Supershooter Badge., National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Mast, Good Conduct Medal, Certificate of Appreciation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He was a loving companion, brother, stepfather, godfather, uncle, and friend who will be missed dearly.