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May 26, 1919 – November 7, 2007
Odessa Banks was born on May 26, 1919 in the Two Mile Community near Gause, Texas. Her parents were August and Lugrella (Smith) Long. She married Adolphus Banks on August 16, 1953 in Two Mile Community.
Odessa was a school teacher with San Antonio public schools for ten years and also was the owner and operator of Lugrelia Dressmaking in San Antonio for 9 ½ years. She moved back to the Gause area nine years ago where she died in her home on November 7, 2007.
Odessa was a member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church near Gause.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her step-son, Don Albert Banks, her sisters, Ida L. Roberts, America Gray, Minnie Bryant, Juanita Swift, Rebecca Bolden; her brothers, Bennie Long, Reuben Long, Asia Long and Jack Long.
Odessa is survived by her step-son, Dr. Leonard Banks of New Orleans; daughter, Pastor Marion Ware of San Antonio; sisters, Willie Hawkins of Seattle, Washington and Rosa Rutherford of Two Mile Community; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Her funeral was held on November 10, 2007 at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church near Gause. Burial followed in the Long Cemetery. Pastor Charles H. Ware, Jr. of Eph’phatha Christian Fellowship, Reverend Leroy V. Swift of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church and Dr. Leonard L. Banks of New Orleans presided over the services.
October 22, 1934 – November 5, 2007
Harry Knox Beaman, Jr. was born in Lee County on October 22, 1934 to Harry Knox Beaman, Sr. and Ruth (Rose) Beaman. He died at the age of 74 at his home in Somerville on November 5, 2007.
He worked as a pot room operator at Alcoa. Harry’s parents and brother, B.G. Beaman, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his companion of 16 years, Joyce Zboril of Somerville; daughters, Doedee and Chip Vann of Bastrop, Dovey and James Garton of Round Rock; son, Harry Beaman III of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren, Jordan and Jadon Vann of Bastrop, Danielle and Alexandra Garton of Round Rock, and Hailey Quick of Round Rock; sisters, Betty and Ben Gunter of Ledbetter, Texas, Velma Leverett of Cypress, Texas, Shirley Hosea Yantis and James of Hearne; special caregiver, Eva Zboril of Somerville; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services were held at the Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings on November 7, 2007. Pastor John Boydston presided. Burial was in the Beaman Family Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Brazos Valley Hospice.
July 15, 1917 – November 5, 2007
Ona Mae Cowan died on November 5, 2007 at the age of 90. A life-long resident of Giddings, Texas, Ona Mae was born on July 15, 1917 to Henry Charles Stork and Mary Teennie (Longley) Stork. She was an active longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Giddings. She enjoyed Gardening, cross-word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and her “kitties and doggies.”
She married Maynard Cowan on December 12, 1936 in Lee County and worked as a telephone operator.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth and Marjorie Cowan of Paige; daughters, Janis and Calvin Hannes of Giddings, Eva and Jimmy Ponfick of Beaumont, daughter-in-law, Belle Cowan of Caldwell; grandchildren, Martha Cowan Barnett of Giddings, John L. and Pam Cowan of Smithville, Adrian and Angela Cowan of McDade, Andrea and Kenny Ray of Paige, Allen and Haley Ponfick of Beaumont, Stephen Ponfick of Beaumont, Amy and Derek Taylor of Houston, David and Doreen Hannes of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Shane and Roxanne Cowan of Austin and Aaron Cowan of Canyon Lake; 22 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ona Mae was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Charles H. Cowan; sisters, Flora Belle Placke, Mamie Stork; brothers, infant brother, Junius, Chester, John; grandchildren, William Ashley Cowan, Tommy Cowan, great-granddaughter, Lani Ponfick; and great-great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Cowan.
Funeral services were held on November 8, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Giddings. Pastor Tim Clayton presided. Burial was in the Giddings City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Adrian Cowan, Johnny Cowan, Johnathan Boswell, George Boswell, Stephen Ponfick, Allen Ponfick, Shane Cowan, Aaron Cowan, Andrea Ray, Jared Hannes, Martha Cowan Barnett, Amy Taylor, Rebekah Grimm and Sophie Hannes.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Foundation.
Jack Gambrell was born on June 3, 1924 in Milano, Texas. His parents were Fletcher Summers and Bernice Alga (Howe) Gambrell. He graduated from Milano High School and served the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Billie Joyce Stringer on December 2, 1948 in the Methodist Church in Martindale, Texas. Jack was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rockdale and Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Austin where he was Chairman and Trustee. He was a leader of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Boys Brigade and Awanas. He was a member of the PTA for 35 years.
Jack worked as a child picking cotton in Milano, as a messenger and night manager for Western Union, a receiving clerk for Walter Tipps, a children’s shoe salesman for Buttreys, a route salesman for Dr. Pepper and a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office. Jack worked for the P.O. for 35 years in Austin.
He lived most of his adult life in Austin, but spent five years in Rockdale.
Jack Gambrell died at the age of 83 on November 6, 2007 in the Christopher House in Austin. Funeral services were held on November 9, 2007 at the Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. Burial was in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Rockdale. Reverends Jack Chief and Frank Simcik officiated. Pallbearers were Skip Parker, Terry Parker, Darrell Gambrell, Randy Samuelson, Gary Johnson, and Charles Pevehouse. Joe Duncum was an honorary pallbearer.
Jack is survived by his wife, Billie Gambrell of Austin; sons, Michael William Gambrell of Austin, Jon Charles Gambrell and wife, Robin, of Leander; daughter, Jacqueline Gambrell Samuelson and husband, Mike, of Hutto; grandchildren, Kristi Gauthier and husband, David, of Georgetown, Jessica Gambrell of Tuscan, Arizona, David, Jonathan, James and Benjamin Gambrell of Leander, Kevin Samuelson and wife, Devin, of Georgetown, Amy Grady and husband, Roger, of Taylor, Sarah Samuelson of Marshall, Kyle Samuelson of Hutto; and seven great-grandchildren.
Jack’s parents preceded him in death.
Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 109, Rockdale, Texas 76567 or to Christopher House, 2820 E. MLK, Austin, Texas 78702.
April 11, 1940 – November 7, 2007
Byron Ray Hare was born in Pandora, Texas on April 11, 1940 to Byron and Mary (Asberry) Hare. He married Dorothy Mae Phillips on February 14, 1989 in Odessa, Texas. He worked as a welder in oil fields in Odessa for Capstar Drilling for 52 years.
Byron enjoyed playing jokes on his children and his fellow co-workers. He was a loving father and grandfather and a friend to all.
Byron died in his home in Rockdale on November 7, 2007 after a long illness. His family will love and miss the man they called “Goober.”
His parents; brother, Roy Hare; and sister, Joyce Gentry preceded him in death.
Byron is survived by his wife, Dorothy Hare of Rockdale; sons, Michael Allen and wife, Karla, of Odessa, Harold Allen and wife, Sue, of Rockdale, Joe Simmons and wife, Liz, of Odessa, Jimmy Simmons of Rockdale, Homer Simmons and wife, Jessie, of Odessa, Eddie Hare and wife, Sarah, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Terry Williams and wife, Karen, of Odessa, James Williams and wife, Judy , of Kermit; daughters, Linda Harris of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Shelly Jones and husband, Randy, of Odessa, Tania Rico and husband, Antonio, of Rockdale, Bellinda Rains and husband, Terry, of Odessa, Lanora Allmong and husband, Stanley, of Ohio; brother, James Hare of San Antonio; 50 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held on November 11, 2007 in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Rockdale. Reverend Margaret Clemings officiated.
November 13, 1929 – November 3, 2007
Henry D. Hall, Sr. died at the age of 77 on November 3, 2007 in Rockdale. Graveside services were held at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale with Father Paul McCallum presiding. Pallbearers were: Jack Bastow, Roy Simpson, Jimmy Throckmorton, Don Schraeder, Horace Hammart, and James Beasley.
Honorary pallbearers were Harold Luckey and Edwin Parten.
Henry was born on November 13, 1929 in Luling, Texas to James Henry Hall and Ivy Lois (Mullinax) Hall. He graduated from Rockdale High School and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Henry married Edna M. Brey on March 28, 1953 in Yuma, Arizona.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a life-long member of the American Legion in Rockdale and a member of the Rockdale Knights of Columbus.
Henry worked as a millwright for Alcoa and retired after 38 years. His wife, Edna Hall, and his infant sister preceded Henry in death.
He is survived by his sons, Henry D. Hall, Jr. of Louisiana and Bruce E. Hall and wife, Beverly, of Rockdale; and his granddaughter, Brandy Nacole Hall of Maine.
January 23, 1937 – November 10, 2007
Kenneth Elmer Phillips was born on January 23, 1937 in Jackson, Michigan. His parents were Kenneth Ernest Phillips and Erma Lamoine (Taylor) Phillips. He married Helen Marie Jacobs on June 18, 1960 in Oil City, Philadelphia.
Kenneth served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958 and in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1978, retiring after 23 years of service. He served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam era. He was a member of the VFW Post 4009 in Thorndale.
Kenneth was also a member of the Austin Steam Train Association and the Kountry Squares, Square Dance Club in Thorndale.
Kenneth died on November 10, 2007 in the Richards Memorial Hospital in Rockdale.
Graveside services were held on November 13, 2007 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his father and his daughter, Teresa Lamoine Phillips.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Phillips of Corrigan, Texas; sons, Kenneth Edward Phillips of Thorndale, David Jeffrey Phillips of Hurst, Anthony Patrick Phillips of Woodville, Matthew Charles Phillips of Woodville; daughters, Maria Helena Kuehn of Carrigan, Michelle Renee Singletary of Lufkin; mother, Erma Lamoine Basquill of Jackson, Michigan; sister, Judith Ann Manthel of Clarklake, Michigan; 26 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
November 14, 1927 – November 6, 2007
Gertrude Whited died at the age of 79 on November 6, 2007 at the Burleson St. Joseph Hospital in Caldwell after a sudden illness. A life-long resident of the Chriesman and Milano area, Gertrude was born on November 14, 1927 in Cameron. Her parents were Waldemar and Minnie (Korth) Koehler. She attended school in Chriesman, Texas and married Ray Whited on June 29, 1947 in Somerville. She was a homemaker, wife and mother. Gertrude was a member of the Friendship Church near Milano.
Her brother, Lanny Koehler and sister, Rosalee Ward, preceded her in death.
Gertrude is survived by her husband, Ray Whited of Milano, son, James Whited of Milano, daughters, Dianne Whiteley and husband, Calvin, of Milano, Kay McCarty and husband, Jimmy, of San Marxos; brother, Leroy Loehler and wife, Donna, of Somerville; brother-in-law, Jess Ward of Van, Texas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mildred and Russell Vaughn of Katy; grandchildren, Kevin and Jennifer McCarty of Austin, Jason and Kacey McCarty of New Braunfels, Jayla and Ryan Mohn of Florence; great-grandchild, Major McCarty of New Braunfels.
Services were held on November 10, 2007 at the Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with burial in the Forest Grove Cemetery.
June 13, 1921 – November 7, 2007
Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Smith was born on June 13, 1921 in Dime Box to her parents, Asa and Olena (Reat) Moses. She married Andrew Smith on April 15, 1940 in Liberty, Texas. Libby attended the First Presbyterian Church in Giddings.
Libby died at 86 years old on November 7, 2007 at the Giddings Healthcare Center. Services were held on November 12, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church in Giddings. Pastor Chris Harrison officiated. Burial was at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Dime Box.
Pallbearers were Randy Smith, Andy Smith, Mark Melacon, James J. Dukes, Jim Kyle, Allan Moses, Roy Boling, Guy Moses, Morris Friedell, R.J. Smith Jr., Charles Smith, Alvin Hannes, Jerry Vavra and David Paul.
Memorials may be sent to Itasca Children’s Home or to the First Presbyterian Church in Giddings.
Libby was preceded in death by her parents, three infant children, Kathryn, Robin and Jeffery Smith; sisters, Iris Kyle and Ola Owen; brother, Byron Moses.
She is survived by her husband, Andrew “Andy” Smith of Giddings; daughter, Andrea and Morris Friedell of Houston; son, Patrick and Nina Smith of Giddings; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mark Melacon of Garland, Texas, James J. Dukes of Houston, Randy and Erin Smith of Athens, Andy Smith of El Paso; great-grandchildren, Lexi and Kamryn Melacon of Garland; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
October 27, 1961 – November 9, 2007
Howard Dale Smith, Jr. died at age 46 in Waco, Texas. Graveside services were held on November 12, 2007 at the Trout Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the American Liver Foundation.
Howard was born on October 27, 1961 in Andrews, Texas to Howard Dale Smith, Sr. and Bobbie (Patton) Smith.
Howard is survived by his life partner, Ray Henson of Giddings; sons, Stephen and Rebecca Smith of Chappell Hill, Mark Smith of Latchem, Texas; grandchild, Addison Smith of Chappell Hill, father, Howard Smith, Sr. of Giddings; stepsons, Raymond Henson, Jr. and Floyd and Laura Henson of Des Moines, Iowa; sisters, Terri Clark of Waco, Cheri and Tim Taylor of Edan, Oklahoma; brothers, Frankie and Pam Smith of Giddings, Michael Smith of Houston; brother-in-law, Tommy and Viola Henson of Maricopa, Arizona; sisters-in-law, Terry and Jim Koinzan of Waco, Sandra and Jim Grouthe of Waco, Michelle Mckeever of Hot Sprints, Arkansas; mother-in-law, Kathy and Ernie Dailey of Copperas Cove; nieces and nephews, Amanda and Troy Smith of Giddings, Misti Stone of Ashdown, Arkansas, Riley Smith of Ashdown, Arkansas, Kelly and Cory Smith of Hot Sprints, Arkansas, Tanya Shilling of Caldwell, Bill Stuart of Ft. Worth, Janeete and Tommy Henson of Arizona, Sierra Blevins of Giddings.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Bobbie Smith; nephew, Kevin Smith, cousin, Shawna Rose Simpson, and father-in-law, Waymon Henson.