Forest Douglas Bradham, 68, of Uvalde died on Dec. 12, 2016, at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. He was born on Oct. 9, 1948, in Edinburg to Billie Jean (Hobbs) and O.P. Bradham. He married Elizabeth Kay Dobbins on Dec. 19, 1980, in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife of almost 36 years, of Uvalde; father, of Longview; one son, Tate Bradham of Uvalde; one sister, Kathy Stelpflug and husband, Dale, of Longview; and two nephews, Thomas Stelpflug of Georgetown, and Paul Stelpflug of Tatum. Bradham was preceded in death by his mother. A memorial service was held yesterday at 2 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. Cremation was under the direction of Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105; Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1525, Ranson, WV, 25438-0018; Autism Speaks, www.autismspeaks.org and click “donate”; or the charity of one’s choice.
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Elise Gay Kirchoff, 70, of Uvalde died on Dec. 12, 2016, at her residence. She was born on June 30, 1946, in Orange Grove to Brunhilde (Morisse) and Leroy Kirchoff. She is survived by three sons, Jeff Millikin and wife, Kristine, of Katy, Tom Millikin and wife, Leslie, of Klein, and Daniel Millikin and wife, Jennifer, of Houston; four grandchildren, Mark Millikin, Rachel Millikin, Rachael Germany, and Hannahmarie Germany; two sisters, Brenda Kirchoff of Yorktown, and Susan Ross and husband, Don, of Seattle, Washington; and two brothers, Don Kirchoff and wife, Joyce, of San Antonio, and Scott Kirchoff and wife, Judy, of Corpus Christi. She was preceded in death by her parents. A memorial service was held yesterday at 11:30 a.m. at Nueces Canyon Lodge, 5 miles south of Camp Wood on Hwy. 55.
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Glyndolen “Gwen” Fernice (Smith) Pitts, 88, of Uvalde died on Dec. 16, 2016, at her residence. She was born on Oct. 24, 1928, in Goforth to Fern (Foster) and Henry Claude Smith. She was the fifth of eight children born to the couple. She grew up in Chapman Ranch, and at the age of 16 she quit school to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator. In 1946, she moved to La Pryor with her family. There she met the love of her life, Paul Pratt Pitts. They were married in 1946, and the family says they spent the next 63 years fiercely devoted to one another until his death in 2009. During their marriage, the couple resided in Uvalde, Eagle Pass, Pearsall, La Pryor, Rocksprings, Zapata and Leakey. According to the family, Pitts took pride and pleasure in her roles as a wife, mother, friend, and family member; she was not ashamed to admit that she never learned to swim or flew on an airplane; and she was content working in her yard, solving puzzles, cooking, and coming up with projects to keep her husband busy. The family says she loved fishing at Falcon Lake on the Rio Grande; family legacy and genealogy were very important to her; and she remembered dates of births, deaths, and anniversaries better than most. Stories she passed down are cherished by her family. She also helped organize the annual Smith Family Reunion, held at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, for more than 30 years. According to the family, outside of family life, her greatest accomplishment was owning and running the La Pryor Drug Store from 1968 to 1975, where she was a pillar of the community. It was a favorite hangout for her sons and their friends. Pitts was also known as “Sis,” “Sissy,” “Mom” and “Memaw.” She is survived by three sons, Paul Pitts and wife, Merry Dee, of Uvalde, Neal Pitts and wife, Lynda, of Hamilton, and Paul W. McCallum of Grapevine; 10 grandchildren, Ryan Pitts and Erik Pitts, both of Uvalde, Nicole Gueck, Renee Williams, and Toby Pitts, all of Bryan/College Station, Dionicia McCallum, Rheonna Croy, Caleb McCallum, Lanham McCallum, and Micaley McCallum, all of the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Waneva “Nina Jo” Chapman of Corpus Christi, and Frances “Huchie” Reynolds of Carrolton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Pitts was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, Sarahbell Hartense “Hortie” Robbins, Omalene Cox, Claude “Sonny” Smith, Baby Darling Dean Smith, and Vallejo Dillard; and her husband, Paul Pitts. Graveside services were held yesterday at 10 a.m. at the La Pryor Cemetery. Pallbearers were Paul Pitts, Neal Pitts, P.W. McCallum, Ryan Pitts, Erik Pitts, and Toby Pitts. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Uvalde County 4-H Program, P.O. Box 1708, Uvalde, TX, 78802, with the subject line “Gwen Pitts, Heifer International Ark Project,” an effort led by great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Pitts.
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Frances King, 88, of Uvalde died on Dec. 21, 2016, in Pleasanton. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery. A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of the Uvalde Leader-News.
Emiliano B. Rodriguez, 83, of Bryan, formerly of Uvalde, died on Dec. 18, 2016, at Magnified Nursing and Rehabilitation in College Station. He was born on June 21, 1933, in Piedras Negras, Mexico to Genoveva and Arnulfo Rodriguez. He married Olga Rodriguez in 1953 in Piedras Negras, Mexico. The family says he loved to fish, listen to music, barbecue and spend time with family; and he will be missed deeply by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, of Uvalde; three daughters, Marisela Isaiz and husband, Jesus, Beatrice Rodriguez and husband, Gelacio Pina, and Lidia Sanchez and husband, Humberto, all of Bryan; two sons, Jose H. Rodriguez and wife, Odilia, of Uvalde, and Emiliano Rodriguez Jr. and wife, Aurelia, of Bryan; one brother, Jesus Rodriguez of Uvalde; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. A visitation was held and a rosary was recited on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Trevino-Smith Funeral Home in Bryan. A funeral service was held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Trevino-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Bryan, followed by interment at Bryan City Cemetery. The Rev. Pedro Garcia- Ramirez officiated. Pallbearers included his grandsons, Victor Hernandez, Ismael Martinez Jr., Robert Isaiz, Stevie Isaiz, Nicholas Rodriguez and Adrian Martinez. Honorary pallbearers included granddaughters, Patricia R. Verdusco, Sonya Rodriguez, Giselle Sanchez, Cecilia Munoz and Yesenia Najera.
Enrique F. “Nene” Garcia, 77, of Uvalde died on Dec. 26, 2016, at his residence. He was born on Dec. 30, 1938, in Uvalde to Fransisca (Fuentes) and Guadalupe Garcia. The family says he was a passionate man who enjoyed sheep shearing and working in his yard; he assisted his son in a carpentry business; and he was very proud of his children He also enjoyed watching western movies, football, and boxing. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Concepcion V. Garcia of Uvalde; two sons, Enrique V. Garcia Jr. and wife, Sharon, of Greenville, and Ernesto V. Garcia of Uvalde; one daughter, Norma V. Garcia of Uvalde; two brothers, Ruben F. Garcia, of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Guadalupe F. Garcia of Uvalde; one sister, Martina Moreno of Austin; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Mary Lou V. Garcia; three sisters, Natalia Flores, Paula Luna, and Juanita Luna; and two brothers, Joaquin Garcia and Valentine Garcia. A funeral service was held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by interment at Hillcrest Cemetery.
Angelita R. Hernandez, 78, of Uvalde died on Dec. 27, 2016, in San Antonio. She was born on April 10, 1938, in Sabinal to Ester (Munoz) and Aureliano C. Rodriguez. She married Alberto P. Hernandez on April 23, 1961, in Sabinal. Hernandez is survived by three daughters, Diana Pesina and Elizabeth Hernandez, both of Uvalde, and Cynthia Espinoza and husband, Joe, of Kerrville; one son, Alberto P. Hernandez Jr. and wife, Maritza, of San Antonio; one sister, Maria M. Rodriguez of Sabinal; three brothers, Moses M. Rodriguez and Alfredo M. Rodriguez, both of Sabinal, and Francisco M. Rodriguez of Waukesha, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, Herman Pesina II, Joshua Pesina, Isaac Pesina, Roxanne Torres, Atticus Villescaz, Sabrina Hernandez, Samuel Hernandez, and Nickolas Hernandez; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Hernandez was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and one sister, Florencia Rodriguez. A rosary was recited on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary in Uvalde, and again on Friday at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary in Sabinal. A funeral mass was held yesterday at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sabinal, followed by interment at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. The Rev. Jason Martini officiated. Pallbearers were Herman Pesina II, Joshua Pesina, Isaac Pesina, Atticus Villescaz, Joe Espinoza, Rey Villanueva, and Jacobo Rodriguez III.
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Linda Mae Pickens Clark, 69, of San Antonio, formerly a lifelong resident of Uvalde, died Dec. 30, 2016, in San Antonio. Services will be held Saturday at noon at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 N. Loop 1604 East in San Antonio. She was born Sept. 17, 1947, in Uvalde to Feliz (Vasquez) and Paul H. Pickens. She graduated from Uvalde High School in 1965. After graduating from Southwest Texas Junior College, she studied music at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. According to the family, she loved playing piano and spending time with family and friends. Clark was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ralph Pickens; one sister, Katherine Pickens, who died in infancy; one grandson, Ian Clark; and numerous aunts, uncles and extended family members. She is survived by one son, Gene Clark and wife, Jody, of San Antonio; four sisters, LaVerne Timberlake and husband, Albert, of Austin, Barbara Faglie and husband, Larry, of Knippa, Dorothy Parsons and husband, Bob, of Victoria, and Geneva Boyd and husband, James, of New Braunfels; one brother, Charles Pickens of Uvalde; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Clark’s honor to The Epilepsy Foundation (www.epilepsyfoundation.org).
Jose Alfonso Gonzalez, 69, of La Pryor died on Dec. 30, 2016, at Lost Pines Nursing and Rehab Center in Bastrop. He was born on Oct. 26, 1947, in La Pryor to Regina (Martinez) and Antonio P. Gonzalez. He was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother; two sisters, Maria N. Rodriguez of Austin and Alma Isabel Bonnet and husband, David, of La Pryor; one brother, Antonio Luis Gonzalez and wife, Denise, of La Pryor; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A funeral mass was held Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he was an usher for many years. Interment followed in La Pryor Cemetery. Pallbearers were Antonio D. Gonzalez IV, Nestor Rodriguez III, Berardo Rodriguez, David Bonnet, Ricky Najera and Antonio L. Gonzalez III. Honorary pallbearers were David Hall, Ryan Rodriguez and Jonathon Rodriguez.
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Sharon ‘’Susie’’ Hammel, 70, of Utopia, formerly of Baytown, died on Jan. 1, 2017, at her residence. She was born on Sept. 25, 1946, in Walters, Oklahoma, to Daisy (Covey) and Euel Clift. She married Leonard ‘’Mike’’ Hammel on Sept. 7, 1990, in Anahuac. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, of Utopia; one daughter, Rhonda Kay Garofano and husband, John, of Utopia; four sons, Jason Edward Brewer and wife, Emily, of Harker Heights, Justin Wayne Brewer of Baytown, Michael Anthony Hammel and wife, Devon, of Spring, and Robert Christopher Hammel and wife, Heather, of Kingwood; one sister, Sandy Pope and husband, Richard, of Norman, Oklahoma; three brothers, Ron Clift and wife, Terry, of Temple, Mickey Clift and wife, Susie, of Portland, Oregon, and Damon Bethke of Dayton; one brother-in-law, Chris Hammel and wife, Karen, of Temple; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Don Clift; one son, Jarrod Brewer; one grandson, Dustin Gobert; and one nephew, Davin Bethke A graveside service was held on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Jones Cemetery in Utopia.
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