Edith Maxine Howard, 89, of Uvalde died on Nov. 22, 2016, at her residence. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary, followed by internment at Hillcrest Cemetery. Refreshments will be provided at the Rushing-Estes-Knowles family center. A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of the Uvalde Leader-News.
Edith M. Howard
Genaro G. Lopez
Genaro Gomez Lopez, 91, of Uvalde died on Nov. 18, 2016, at Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Lopez was born on July 10, 1925, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico to Alejandra (Gomez) and Genaro Lopez. He is survived by one daughter, Maria Ramirez of Uvalde; one brother, Ausencio Lopez of Eagle Pass; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lopez was preceded in death by his wife, Serapia Martinez; parents; four sisters; and one brother. Cremation was under the direction of Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Virginia T. Robson
Memorial services for Mrs. Virginia Tollett Robson, 90, of Kilgore, formerly of Uvalde, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore, with the Rev. Ralph Rudy officiating. Mrs. Robson passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, in a Tyler hospital. Virginia was born on Aug. 19, 1926, in Asherton. She was the daughter of the late Clarence R. and Lulu Mae Tollett. Mrs. Robson loved her family and the time they spent together. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was always supportive of her husband and family throughout their travels during his 20 year career in the United States Navy. Virginia was self taught and an extremely talented seamstress. She enjoyed watching the hummingbirds and traveling. Mrs. Robson is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Gerri and Dr. Jack Hollada of Kilgore, Terri and Paul Knetsch of Kilgore, and Sherri and Buddy Sample of Joshua; son and daughter-in-law, Guy and Lori Robson of Porter; brother, Jackson Tollett of Carrizo Springs; brother-in-law, Jim Mortenson; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one greatgreat- granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald Robson; daughter, Shirley Marie Nicols; brother, J.R. Tollett; and two sisters, Betty Lancaster and Nell Mortenson.
THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.
Edith M. Howard

Edith Maxine Howard, 89, of Uvalde, died on Nov. 21, 2016, at her home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, with refreshments provided at Rushing-Estes-Knowles family center. She was born on Feb. 11, 1927, in Rising Star to Harvey and Leona Clifford Spurgeon. After graduation from Uvalde High School, she married Roland Howard on June 2, 1944. Maxine enjoyed photography, travel and volunteering. She wrote a short autobiography called Footprints in the Sand, which focused on Spurgeon and Howard genealogies. She is survived by two sons, Dean Howard and wife, Laurie, of San Antonio, and Douglas Howard of Austin; one daughter, Dayna Cunningham and husband, Kent, of Uvalde; three sisters, Wanda Stein of LaCoste, Faye Henry of Sabinal, and Margie Rambo of Junction; six grandchildren, Ashley Howard and wife, Brenda, of Lookeba, Oklahoma, Justin Howard, Sam Howard, and Scout Howard, all of Austin, Traci Schulte and husband, Eric, of Summerville, South Carolina, and Thiess Cunningham and wife, Tamara, of Cypress; five great-grandchildren, Sara Howard and Samantha Howard, both of Lookeba, Oklahoma, Daniel Schulte of South Carolina, Kenlee Cunningham of Cypress, and Hayes Cunningham of Cypress; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter, Donna Howard; and one son, Richard Howard; three brothers, Herman Spurgeon, Lynn Spurgeon and Sam Spurgeon; and one sister, Betty Butler. Many thanks for the years of loving and self-less care given by Janie Rubio, Jennifer Morales, and Janet Amaya. Pallbearers will be C.A. Stein, Ashley Howard, Dee Kirkpatrick, Lucas Rubio, Manza Hale, and Thiess Cunningham. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Aviation Museum of Texas at Garner Field, 201 Sul Ross Dr., Uvalde, TX, 78801, or the El Progresso Memorial Library, 301 W. Main St, Uvalde, TX, 78801.
THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.
Marjorie L. Hall

Marjorie Lee Ray Hall, 94, of Burnet, formerly of Uvalde, died on Oct. 29, 2016, in Marble Falls. She was born on Aug. 22, 1922, in Camp Wood to Cora Lou (Bridges) and Albert L. Ray. She graduated from Uvalde High School and Baylor University. She married Robert T. Hall on Dec. 31, 1946, in Uvalde. She was a member of the First Baptist church of Uvalde. She was employed as a third grade teacher with Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District for more than 20 years. The family says her hobbies included tennis, a bridge club she shared with close friends for many years, and aviation – she loved flying. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by one son, Robbie Hall of Germantown, Tennessee; one daughter, Jo Lou Smith of Burnet; six grandchildren, Heather Teems of Fort Worth, Garrett Smith of New Braunfels, Adam Hall and Matthew Hall, both of of Memphis, Tennessee, Katie Hall of Nashville, Tennessee, and Sarah Hall of Germantown, Tennessee; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lu Haile of Uvalde
A PRIVATE SERVICE IS PLANNED WITH INTERMENT AT UVALDE CEMETERY.
Nicolas Ruiz Jr.
Peter S. Steigerwald
Peter Stuart Steigerwald, 83, of Uvalde died on Nov. 23, 2016, at his residence. He was born on Feb. 10, 1933, in Houston to Bertha Mary Margaret Gross and Walter Herman Steigerwald. He married Shirley Anne Heard in 1955 in Uvalde. She preceded him in death in 2015. He is survived by one son, Paul Steigerwald and wife, Shelley, of Uvalde; and four grandchildren, Peter H. Steigerwald and wife, Sara, of San Marcos, Phillip Steigerwald of College Station, Thomas Steigerwald and wife, Shannon, of Rochester, New York, and Susanna Steigerwald of Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one brother, Walter H. Steigerwald Jr.; one sister, Mary Steigerwald Heard; and one grandson, Jordan Steigerwald. The family says Steigerwald served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of E-5. For the majority of his working life, he was general manager of KHCB FM, a non-profit Christian radio station in Houston. According to the family, he served as pastor at the Reagan Wells Baptist Church and the Vance Baptist Church, and taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Camp Wood. The family says Steigerwald was deeply devoted to his wife and family. Funeral services were held on Monday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Camp Wood, followed by graveside services at 2:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Uvalde. Pallbearers were Peter Steigerwald, Phillip Steigerwald, Bruce Munsterman, Bill Cordell, and David Moreno. Honorary pallbearers were Warren Alexander, Morris Young, and Thomas Steigerwald. Memorial donations may be made to KHCB Houston Christian Broadcasters, 2424 South Blvd., Houston, TX, 77098.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Sandra J. Thompson

Sandra Janette Thompson, age 67, of Elgin passed away with her family by her side Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Janette was born Dec. 13, 1948, in Uvalde, Texas to Truett and Arvie Herron. After being a dedicated Army wife for 20 years, her husband, David, retired from the military. They first moved to Austin then Cedar Park and eventually found their home in Elgin, where Janette worked for 15 years before retiring last year. Janette was always proudly active in her sons’ lives. She was a Cub Scout leader, T-Ball coach and referee. She and David would travel to see sporting events and even while she was ill Janette went to see her son play at Hanovers. She loved horses, camping out and traveling in the RV. She also enjoyed crocheting, cooking, going on cruises and gardening. Sandra is preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her husband Lee David Thompson II, three sons Lee David Thompson III, Clifton Travis Thompson, Roy Dale Thompson and wife Alvina, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Sandra is also survived by her mother, Arvie Leona Herron, and three siblings; Byron Kent Herron, Darrell Herron, and Arlene McGee, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loyal friends. A visitation was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home with a celebration of Janette’s life beginning at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home.
THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.
George L. Wentz

George Linkhart Wentz, 83, of Uvalde died on Nov. 24, 2016, at his residence. A memorial graveside service will be held today at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, with a reception following at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steve Peyton will officiate, and there will be a reading by Julisabel Alvarado. He was born on Nov. 28, 1932, in Uvalde to Cecil (Eiband) and Frank Elton Wentz. He graduated from Uvalde High School, and attended Schreiner University and the University of Texas. He married Sherley Askew on May 30, 1953, in Uvalde. Wentz was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church, serving as a board member under several pastors; a member of Searchers Sunday school class; a member and past Master of Uvalde Masonic Lodge, as well as a lifetime member of Uvalde Rotary Club. He was a member and past president of the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce, served on the city council and was mayor pro-tem. He was a member of the Roadrunners Club and American Legion Post 26, and an honorary member of Uvalde Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The family says he was an active participant during the Dolph Briscoe Jr. for Governor campaign; and was made an admiral in the Texas Navy as well as named an Ambassador of Good Will. After his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1955, he owned Wentz Flower Shop until he retired in December of 1994. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sherley Wentz; one brother-in-law, Michael Black of Uvalde; one sister-in-law, Barbara Williamson and husband, Jerry, of San Marcos; and four cousins, George W. Eiband and wife, Cecilia, of Houston, Johanna Whaley of Huntsville, Mary Hauff and husband, Steve, of Port Angeles, Washington, and Jesse Roy Hart of Seguin. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Cremation was under the direction of Rushing-Estes- Knowles Mortuary.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Wayland H. Evans

Wayland Houston Evans, 83, of Batesville passed away on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in San Antonio. Houston was born on Jan. 6, 1933, to George Noyes Evans Sr. and Doris Houston Evans. Houston is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Jeannie S. Evans, of Oklahoma. He is the great-grandson of James Dunn Houston of Gonzales, one of Texas’s early trail drivers and cattleman, and Dora Chenault Houston. George Littlefield Houston and Alice Thompson Houston of Gonzales were Houston’s grandparents, as were Col. George Washington Evans of Illinois and his wife, Eliza Jeanette Noyes Evans. His ancestry traces back to Mayflower Compact signer John Howland and his wife, Elizabeth Tilley. Houston’s father, George Noyes Evans Sr., was raised on the Charles Noyes Ranch at Von Ormy, near Somerset, as was Houston and siblings Noyes Evans and Alice Evans Downie. The San Antonio Academy and Texas Military Institute were private schools that Houston attended. Following in the footsteps of his ranchman ancestors in Uvalde County, Houston also ranched in Uvalde County, Marfa and Bandera. During the prime of his rodeo days at a young age, his passion in the rodeo arena was calf roping and quickly became single steer roping as he traveled the rodeo circuit becoming a PRCA Gold Card Member. Several of his rodeo accomplishments were winning the Lovington, New Mexico, steer tripping, and winning the team roping at the Belton, TX PRCA rodeo with his son Jim Houston, who was the age of 14 at the time. Houston was a proud member of the TSCRA and lifetime member of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Houston was preceded in death by his two sons, James Dunn Houston Evans and Jim Houston Evans. Houston and Jeannie’s grandson, Dee Evans, and his wife, Haley, are the parents of Dylan. Their grandson Cole Evans and his wife, Megan, are the parents of Dunn and Ella. Houston’s daughter Jan, and her husband, J.P. Smith, are parents to Justin and his wife, Angelia; Jody and his wife, Dana; and Jacey and her husband, Nic. Their grandchildren are Kaydence, Jackson, Cooper, Berkley, and Brady. Also surviving Houston is his daughter, Jean, granddaughter Haley and husband, Clint Greenough. Pallbearers are Frank Montague, Steel Montague, Todd Whitewood, Codie Rainey, Clint Singleton, and Mitch Waltisperger. Honorary Pallbearers are Bob Lowe, Dr. John Meyer, Dr. Howard Ponish, and John Sullivan. A visitation was held on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera A rosary was recited on Friday at 10 a.m. at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bandera, followed by a funeral held at the same location at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Father George Montague. The family invites you to send condolences at www. grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “send condolences” link. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations to the West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Rd., San Angelo, TX, 76904.
THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.
Oscar T. Moore

Oscar Townsend Moore, 98, of Utopia died on Nov. 30, 2106, at Sid Peterson Regional Memorial Hospital in Kerrville. A graveside service will be held today at 2 p.m. at the Vanderpool Cemetery. He was born on April 2, 1918, in Vanderpool to Minnie (Polvado) and Oscar Thomas Moore. The family says he enjoyed taking care of his goat herd, gardening, planting trees and living in the country. He is survived by one son, Douglas Moore and wife, Christa, of Bedford; two sisters, Bonnie Baker of Carrizo Springs, and Joann Baumann of Hondo; two daughters-in-law, Dorothy Moore of Utopia, and Darlene Moore of Wichita Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ilene O’Bryant; parents; and two sons, Dennis Moore and Donn Moore.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Margaret G. Pace

Margaret Gonzales Pace, 86, of Victoria, formerly of Uvalde, died on Nov. 30, 2016, in Victoria. A vigil will be held, and a rosary will be recited, today at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes- Knowles Mortuary. A funeral mass will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. She was born on March 2, 1930, in Uvalde to Anita (Talamantez) and Florentino B. Gonzales. She married Tom Pace on April 6, 1953, in Seguin. Pace is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Pace of Victoria, and Janet Ramirez and husband, Federico, of Austin; one son, Glenn T. Pace and wife, Anita, of Austin; one brother, Robert Gonzales of Uvalde; four grandchildren, Carlos Ramirez, Emilio Ramirez, Tommy Pace and Joshua Pace; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Pace was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one sister, Mary Zamora; and one brother, Charles Elizondo.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Nicolas Ruiz Jr.
Nicolas ‘’Nick’’ Ruiz Jr., 68, of Uvalde died on Nov. 27, 2016, in San Antonio. A graveside services will be held today at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery. He was born on March 9, 1948, in Uvalde to Teresa (Arredondo) and Nicolas Ruiz Sr. He is survived by two sisters, Dora Ocasio of Uvalde, and Minerva Smijkowski and husband, Edmund, of Chicago, Illinois; one brother, Henry Ruiz of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Ruiz was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother-in-law, Luis Ocasio. A prayer service was held yesterday at 7 p.m. at Rushing- Estes-Knowles Mortuary. Pallbearers will be Joseph Barber, Adam Ocasio, Angel Ocasio, Sabino Alvarez, Luis Vasquez, and Henry Ruiz Sr.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Edna E. Vickers

Edna Elizabeth Reed Vickers, 97, of Uvalde died on Nov. 20, 2016, at Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 10, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Baptist Temple Church. She was born on Feb. 19, 1919, in Des Arc, Missouri to Mary Jane (Clifton) and Perry A. Reed. The family moved to Uvalde when Vickers was 2 years old, hoping that the dry climate would improve her ailing mother’s health. When she was 5 years old, her mother died after childbirth, as did her infant brother. Her father later remarried. Vickers married young and had four children. The family lived all over Texas and in Arkansas before she returned to Uvalde. She worked at the Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. for many years, and sat with people who were convalescing. The family says the daughter of one patient convinced her to obtain training to become a licensed vocational nurse. Though Vickers had never finished high school and was one of the oldest students in her class, she excelled in her studies. She worked at Uvalde Memorial Hospital and at Sid Peterson Regional Memorial Hospital in Kerrville, as well as working as a private nurse. Vickers loved nursing and encouraged many nursing students and certified nursing assistants at Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center during the last years of her life. She loved to read books, and was especially interested in history, novels, biographies and genealogies, and had read the Bible through numerous times. The family says from childhood and onward she loved being outside and considered herself a tomboy; she inherited her family’s love of flower gardening and writing poetry; and had written several books of poems which she enjoyed gifting to people who had helped her. She was a member of Baptist Temple Church in Uvalde. Vickers was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Emma Reed; five siblings, Helen Effie Halsell, Royce Reed, Raymond Reed, Madge Cummins, and Charles Reed; two brothers-in-law, Charles Halsell and Taylor Cummins; two sisters-in-law, Vila Reed and Cecil Reed; one son-in-law, Felton Pierce; and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by three sons, William Vickers and wife, Barbara, of Escondido, California, Raymond Vickers of Uvalde, and Tommy Vickers of Georgia; one daughter, Hazel Pierce of Fort Smith, Arkansas; one sister-in-law, Isabell T. Reed of Uvalde; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews She donated her body to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Estella De Leon

Estella De Leon, 66, of Uvalde died on Dec. 5, 2016, at Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on July 7, 1950, in Billings, Montana, to Severiana (Aviles) and Porfirio De Leon. She is survived by four sisters, Carmen Morales and Gloria Rubio, both of Uvalde, Irma Hernandez and husband, Pete, of San Antonio, and Janie Buantello and husband, Pete, of Austin; two brothers, Pedro De Leon and wife, Delia, of Uvalde and Porfirio De Leon Jr. and wife, Gloria, of Devine. De Leon was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Minerva Sanchez. A rosary was recited on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. A funeral mass was held yesterday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by interment at Hillcrest Cemetery. Pallbearers were Juan Torres Jr., Porfirio Torres, Leon De Leon, John Paul Morales, Eugene Hernandez, and Noel Sanchez.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Valente T. Mendoza

Valente T. Mendoza, 84, of Uvalde died on Dec. 6, 2016, at the Methodist Texsan Heart Hospital in San Antonio. A rosary was recited yesterday and will be recited again today at 7 p.m. at Rushing- Estes-Knowles Mortuary. A funeral mass will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. He was born on Aug. 20, 1932, in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to Juanita (Torres) and Adeliado Mendoza. He married Herlinda Martinez on Jan. 1, 1956, in Villa de la Paz, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Mendoza is survived by his wife of 60 years, of Uvalde; three daughters, Leticia Mendoza Carreon and husband, Miguel, Dora Mendoza, and Gloria Gonzales and husband, Juan, all of Uvalde; two sons, Carlos Mendoza and Valente Mendoza Jr., both of Uvalde; two step-children, Mark Sotello and Laura Sotello, both of Uvalde; two sisters, Luz Luera of McAllen, and Macrina Garate of Monte Alto; two brothers, Gregorio Mendoza of Weslaco, and Francisco Mendoza of Uvalde; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters. Mendoza was preceded in death by his parents, and one infant son, Martin Mendoza. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Miguel Carreon Jr., Vale Carreon, Rickey Carreon, Gilbert Arredondo, Juan D. Gonzales Jr., Carlos ‘’CJ’’ Mendoza, Christopher Mendoza, and Valeria Mendoza.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Irma R. Perez

Irma Ramos Perez, 80, of Uvalde died on Dec. 4, 2016, at Northeast Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. A rosary was recited yesterday and will be recited again today at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. A funeral mass will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by interment at Hillcrest Cemetery. She was born on July 7, 1936, in Uvalde to Carmen (Gonzales) and Leobardo Ramos. She married Ramon Martinez Perez in Uvalde in April of 1953. She is survived by two daughters, Carmen P. Alvarado of San Antonio, and Martha ‘’Marty’’ Salazar and husband, Robert, of Uvalde; one son, Rogelio Perez and wife, Pat, of Uvalde; one sister, Elsa Quiroga of Uvalde; one brother, Leobardo Ramos of San Antonio; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Ramon Perez Jr.; one son-in-law, David Alvarado; one brother, Nicascio Ramos; and one sister, Estella Barragan. Pallbearers will be Jonathon Salas, David Alvarado Jr., Robert Salazar III, Ramon Perez III, Joaquin Perez, and Paul Hernandez Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be Nicasio Ramos Jr.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM
Mary T. Rab
Louise I. Towery

After a lengthy illness, Louise Ida Cook “Cookie” Towery died peacefully in Austin on Dec. 1, 2016, surrounded by family. She was 88 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Roland Kenneth (Ken) Towery. Louise Ida Cook was born on Sept. 13, 1928, at her home in Knippa to Henry A. Cook and Anna Belle Wollschlaeger Cook. She was the second youngest girl in a family of four other sisters: Clara Cook Brucks, Helen Cook McFadin, of Uvalde, Anna Lee Cook, and the youngest, Mabel Cook Paradeaux, of Luling. All the girls helped their mother and father work the family’s drylands farm. A 1946 graduate of Knippa High School, Louise went to work immediately at the county agricultural office in Uvalde. She soon met and fell in love with Roland Kenneth Towery and they were married in Houston on May 4, 1947. Louise laughingly recalled that the courtship was a whirlwind because, “Ken was in a hurry.” Louise’s life then turned to caring for her husband, the two children to follow, Roland Kenneth Towery Jr., and Alice Towery Gilroy, and then the grandchildren. Her purpose was to serve in whatever capacity was needed to assist her husband in regaining his health after 3 1/2 years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, in his career, and in always lovingly keeping the home fires burning for her family. She never seemed to tire and had a reputation of being able to “out work” anyone in the family. Even her neighbors were prone to call her in times of crisis – including a call for her to come get a water moccasin out from under a cabinet. She was 80 years old at the time of that encounter and won the battle. She was by her husband’s side when they moved to Cuero and he eventually went to work at the newspaper as an editor/reporter. But first, she had to teach Ken how to type. The typing paid off through a series of stories Ken wrote, while at “The Cuero Record,” that eventually earned him the Pulitzer Prize. She was by his side in his newspaper career covering state and national politics in Austin. Then the two moved their family to McLean, Virginia, where she worked side by side with him in the world of politics and presidential campaigns. When her husband retired, the two moved back to Austin and took on the quieter life of political consulting management and owning several weekly newspapers: The Floyd County Hesperian-Beacon, The Belton Journal, and The Crosby County News and Chronicle. She was also her husband’s biggest support, research assistant, and editor for his book, “The Chow Dipper.” She was preceded in death by her husband, and two sisters, Clara Brucks and Anna Lee Cook. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Leonard Gilroy, of Austin; a son, Roland Kenneth Towery Jr., of Austin; four grandchildren: Roland Kenneth Towery III and his wife, Jamie, of Savannah, Georgia; Rachel Sines and her husband, David, of Winter Garden, Florida; Athena Towery, of Baltimore, Maryland; and Brandon Gilroy, of Austin; and three great-grandchildren: Watson Sterner, of Baltimore; and Archer Towery and Ezra Towery, of Savannah. Visitation was held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish North Funeral Home, located at 3125 N. Lamar in Austin. Funeral Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in the chapel of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Interment followed at the Texas State Cemetery. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin. (512) 452-8811.
THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.
Emilio Camacho
