Elaine Cheney
1922-2016
Myrtle Elaine Cheney, 93, of Bandera, passed away Sunday, May 22, in Boerne.
She was born in Hearne on June 22, 1922, to Myrtle E. and Homer Lee Blagg.
An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Elaine was an avid fisherman and hunter. She also enjoyed gardening and loved all animals. She especially enjoyed raising and training horses that competed at the former Bandera Downs.
Elaine was an active member of the Pipe Creek First Baptist Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Genoway, and her husband, Louis, of San Antonio; nieces, Mary Weeks, Pat Eberwein, Delores Parks and Verna Mitchell; nephews, Ronnie Chandler and Jim Stell; grandchildren, David “Rusty” Williams and his wife, Lindsey, of San Antonio, and Crystal Lunsford and her fiancé, Lee Kenney; great-grandchildren, Kolby Lunsford, Kallie Lunsford, Lane Williams and Trent Williams.
Elaine was predeceased by her husband, Thomas, and sister, Anita Stell.
A funeral service was held Thursday, May 26, at Grimes Chapel in Bandera with the Chaplain Rob Sabin officiating. Interment followed at Pipe Creek cemetery.
Donald Nichols
1946-2016
Donald Nichols, 70, passed from this life Wednesday, May 25, at a care center in Bandera.
He was born in San Antonio to Ruth Estelle Nichols.
Don grew up in the Corpus Christi area where he resided for most of his life. On Dec. 17, 1982, he married
Lois Lee Nichols in Corpus Christi.
After working 30 years, Don retired from Texaco and moved to the Texas Hill Country to enjoy retirement. He resided in Bandera until he passed.
Those left to honor and cherish his memory include his wife, Lois Nichols; children, Kyle and Barrie Nichols, Kim and John Winstead and Kevin Wright; grandchildren, Ashlee and Michael Sherman, Jordan and Levi Bullock, Jacob Wright, Jestin Wright, Austin Winstead and Donna Peterson, Peyton Nichols, Maxwell Nichols and Mitchell Nichols, along with many friends and neighbors who will miss him dearly.
Don was predeceased by his mother, and daughter Kelly Nichols.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Friday, June 3, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Bandera.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family request that memorials in Don’s name be made to the Boaz Ministry or Helping Hand.
The family expresses sincere gratitude to the staff and nurses at Bandera Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Barbara Rainey
1931-2016
Barbara Anne Rainey passed away Sunday, May 22, in her Medina home.
She was born in Ashdown, Arkansas, on March 23, 1931, to Alva and Nina Freeman. Barbara married
Joseph Paul Rainey on Sept. 19, 2011.
After graduating from Rockport High in 1949, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 from the University of Corpus Christi, and her Master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
A certified teacher, Barbara taught sixth grade reading at Arnold Junior High in Cypress for 12 years. She also bred and raised horses and had several make it to the winner’s circle on tracks in both Louisiana and Texas.
After retirement, Barbara moved to Medina and became an active member of the community. She served as an officer in the Bandera Fine Arts League and as president of the Rose Garden Club of Medina.
An accomplished oil painter, Barbara taught classes in brush and pallet, and became a contributing artist on a mural in the children’s section of the Medina Community Library.
She also attended many Utopia High School sports events with her husband, Paul, as well as local musical jam sessions.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Paul Rainey; daughters, Brenda Keller and her husband, James, of Houston, and Beverly Nault and her husband, Gary, of Coronado, California; grandchildren, Lindsay Nault Valerio and her husband, Joshua, of Orange County, California, and Evan Nault and his wife, Kamie Tierce Nault, of Phoenix,Arizona; siblings, Elizabeth Harris of Boerne; John Freeman and his wife, Nancy, of Bells, Tennessee; and Mary Patterson and her husband, Gene, of Corinth, Mississippi.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents, first husband Bernard Schrader; second husband Francis Alexander, sister Mecca Newton and brother Alva Freeman.
Services were held Tuesday, May 31, at Utopia United Methodist Church, with Pastor Chuck Crane officiating. Interment followed at Vanderpool cemetery.
Pallbearers were James Keller, Gary Nault, Evan Nault, Joshua Valerio, Richard Mims and Larry Sheppard.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Bandera EMS and the Medina Volunteer Fire Department, and thanks members of both organizations for their dedication and caring responses.
Peggy Winchell Smith
1934-2016
Peggy Winchell Smith passed away Friday, Sunday, May 29, at her residence in Bandera.
She was born in Palestine, Texas, on Nov. 16, 1934, to Mr. and Mrs. Bhless.
She married
Gregory Smith of Bandera on April 9, 2016.
Peggy and her former husband, Thomas Winchell, build the Silver Spur Dude Ranch in Bandera.
She is survived by her husband; daughters, Becky Winchell, Lica LeStourgeon, Lora Jureczki and Gloria Callahan; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her former husband.
Lester Thomas 'Tom' Dethrow
1943-2016
Lester Thomas 'Tom' Dethrow, 72, of Bandera, passed away Tuesday, April 12.
He was born on Sept. 4, 1943, in Chester, Illinois to Lester V. 'Patcho' and Odelia Dethrow.
Tom was an Army veteran. He enjoyed life, friends, domino games and sitting on the front porch with his wife and beloved Schnauzers.
Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Glenna, of Bandera; children, David Dethrow and his wife, Angie, of Nashville, Tennessee; Mark Dethrow and his wife, Corey, of St. Louis, Missouri; Jon Dethrow of Belleville; Amy Gonzalez and her husband, Rudy, of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Karyn Dethrow of Chicago, Illinois; and Melissa Checkovage of Bandera; brother Jerry Dethrow and his wife, Maggie, of Columbia, Missouri; sisters, Edna Thompson and her husband, Joe, of Jackson, Missouri; Gail Moranville and her husband, Bob, of Hillsboro, Illinois; and Cheryl Bledsoe and her husband, Frank, of Lecanto, Florida; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Tom was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Barbara and Theresa.
A close friend recently wrote: “Some days that tall bastard drove me crazy, but he taught me a lot over the years. There are many whose lives Tom impacted. His time in Texas is when he started to relax. He made peace with himself and was happy. Say a prayer for Tom and think of a good memory. I already miss you, my friend.”
Tom’s last request was that there be no fuss over his death. He wanted neither memorials nor services.
Craig Carlton Honaker Jr.
1979-2016
Craig Carlton Honaker Jr., 36, of Pipe Creek, passed away Saturday, June 25, in a San Antonio hospital.
He was born in San Antonio on August 16, 1979, to Craig Honaker Sr. and Elaina Johnson.
Craig had a big heart and a giving nature. He was quick to share anything he had with someone in need. For several years, he served at a local church counseling young adults on the hazards of drug abuse and illegal behavior.
Craig is survived by his father, Craig Honaker Sr.; mother, Elaina Johnson; grandparents, Fay and Bennie Honaker and Leonard Johnson; daughters, Billie Rodgers, Clara Terry, Brianna Honaker and LuElla Honaker; and sisters, LeAnna Keith and her husband, Stanley, and Talicia Honaker and her husband, Dale, as well as multiple nieces and nephews.
Craig was predeceased by his grandmother, LeDeanne Honaker, and aunt Kimberly Honaker.
A memorial service will be scheduled by the family at a later date.
