Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries
Eugene "Gene" Brantley
GROVES - Eugene "Gene" Brantley, 39, of Groves, Texas died Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. Gene was born June 8, l968 in Port Arthur, Texas to Dewey Daniel Brantley and Carolyn Bergeron Brantley. He was a welder and lifelong Groves resident. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Groves with Reverend Don Golasinski officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral. Survivors include his parents, Dewey and Carolyn Brantley of Groves; daughter, Autumn Brantley of Nederland; son, Joshua Brantley of Silsbee; sisters, LaWanna Miller and husband, David of Groves, Alana Wages of Groves; brother, Daniel Brantley and wife, Dana of Nederland; nephews (God Children), Sheldon Wages and Jude Brantley; nephews, Ricky Miller and Hunter Miller; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Gene was preceded in death by his grandparents, A.J. and Jennie T. Bergeron of Port Arthur, Dewey and Doris Brantley of Georgia, H.E. and Dora Mae David of Port Acres.
Irvine J. May (Honeycutt or Horn)
Irvine J. May, 71, of Port Arthur, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at Christus St. Mary's Hospital. Born March 30, 1936 to Beaulah Martin May and Percy May Sr. in Elton, Louisiana. He was a resident of Port Arthur for most of his life. He retired from CA Turner Construction Local 853 currently Local 80. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beaulah and Percy May Sr.; his brother, Earl Cleveland, Andrew, J.D. L.D. May; sister, Lucille Robinson; and one aunt, Ethel Andrews.
Survivors include: 3 sisters, Dorothy Joubert, Helen (Larry) Stephenson and Barbara Jerry; 3 brothers, Percy (Gwen) May Jr., Paul (Clara May, Rev. Russell (Delores) May, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relative and friends.
Visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Guiding Star Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Vernon Hudson officiating. Sermon by Rev. Russell May at 11:00 a.m. following visitation. Arrangements made through Gabriel Funeral Home, Port Arthur, Burial will be held at Live Oak Cemetery.
Geraldine Smith Thompson
July 8, 1923 - Feb. 26, 2007
With great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Geraldine "Jerry" Smith Thompson, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Jerry passed away on the evening of February 26, 2007, surrounded by her loving family, after a short, but fierce battle with glioblastoma. Jerry was born in Covington, Texas on July 8, 1923, to Della Cowley Smith and Robert Chapman Smith. She was raised in Covington and attended Covington schools where she excelled in women's athletics as a star basketball player and ultimately graduated valedictorian of her class in 1940. She left Covington in the fall of 1940 to attend the University of Texas where she pledged Alpha Delta Phi, lived at Scottish Rite Dormitory, studied to become a teacher, and met her future husband, Charles, on a blind date. As a child, her upbringing was one of modest means, and she always took great pride in having had the opportunity to attend The University of Texas. Her heart was filled with gratitude that her parents made it possible for her to earn a degree in Education. Her devotion to the University of Texas sports program continued until her death. She loved women's basketball and always attended the games until her illness prevented her from doing so. She received so much pleasure watching the teams excel. The University of Texas Longhorns and Lady Longhorns were always her teams of choice.
Jerry and Chuck were marriage on July 28, 1944, in Coral Gables, Florida. This year would have marked their 63rd anniversary! We recognize and commend our parents for a life of devotion to one another. Throughout our lives they have set the most beautiful example of what a marriage should be, and we feel honored to have had them both as parents. From this union four daughters were born: Kay (1950); Janet (1958); and Nancy and Susan (1962).
After Chuck and Jerry marriage, they made their home in Blooming Grove, Texas, where Jerry's parents lived. Jerry taught 3rd grade and was recently honored by alumni as one of the most outstanding teachers of all time. Though she eventually moved to bigger cities, she never lost that small town Texas charm. Jerry was the salt-of-the-earth! Soon thereafter, Chuck and Jerry decided to move to Port Arthur, following their very dear friends, Roy and Marge Felder; Roy was a Methodist Minister, and Jerry and Chuck and Roy and Marge were best friends. Together these incredible people grew a fine congregation and a church called Aldersgate United Methodist. Jerry got a job with Hayes, Inc., and spent a large part of her career in hotel-motel management. After approximately 45 years in Port Arthur, Jerry and Chuck moved to Austin where she was an integral part of establishing the Waller Creek Hotel at 6th and IH-35, also initially owned by the Hayes family. Jerry was naturally good with people, and took pride in her relationships with others. She had the uncanny ability to win people over. She was a very business- minded woman, and her daughters frequently told people that their mother was born a generation too soon. Jerry had an innate ability to know what it took to make a business successful, and she worked hard at it, and succeeded. Her relationship with the Hayes family continued until her death. Jerry retired in 1990, and spent much of her time helping others. She was a very loving, kind, and generous woman, always wanting to help her children and her grandchildren and her friends. Jerry loved her family, immediate and extended, very much. The things we loved about her the most were her convictions to do what was right, to be kind to others, and to be honest. These lessons, though not always easy ones to learn, are the ones that will stay with us forever. Her children and her grandchildren could not have asked for a better role model. We had the best in her! One other passion of hers worth mentioning was her love for the Cayman Islands. In 1979 she and Janet took a trip there and the next thing we knew, we were all hooked. She loved it! Chuck and Jerry have had a home there since about that time and our whole family has many fond memories of being there with her and enjoying the good times. We also want to acknowledge all the great friends from around the U.S. that she met there... know in your hearts that you were all special to her, she valued your friendships greatly.
Jerry leaves several precious family members to mourn her loss, first Chuck, her loving and devoted husband of more than 62 years, Kay and husband Sam, Janet and husband Jim, Nancy and husband Kelly, and Susan. She also leaves nine cherished grandchildren: Charisse, Sarah, Robert, Lindsay, Trace, Abby, Randall, Jack and Julia. Jerry had many cousins who loved her dearly and will mourn her loss: Mary Brockette, Claude and Bennie Brockette, Mary Ruth Cruise, and Marge Cowan, as well as many others.
Jerry was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Smith. She was an incredible lady and we will all miss her dearly. We will carry on her love of family in all that we do. The family wishes to thank the following physicians and care-givers for their care of our mom: Dr. David George, Dr. Hari Tumu, Dr. Douglas Rivera, Dr. David Ramirez, Hospice of Austin, specifically Alice Jefferson, RN, and the loving caregivers from the Angel Home Health Care Agency, namely Chassity Johnson and Helen Casillas. Thank you all for taking the best care of our mom that you could possibly do. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on N. Lamar. Funeral services will be held at Tarrytown United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 1st at 10:30 a.m. and burial immediately following at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive. The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made in memory of Geraldine Smith Thompson to the Covington Cemetery Perpetual Care Association, P. O. Box 132, Covington, Texas 76636, for the community cemetery where many of mom's loved ones are buried, or Hospice Austin, Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759. ARRANGEMENTS BY Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 452-8811.
Samuel Edgar Cowart
MT. BELVIEU - Samuel Edgar Cowart, 92, formerly of Groves, Texas died Sunday, February 25, 2007 at his residence in Mt. Belvieu, Texas.
Samuel was born on October 22, 1914 in Smithdale, Mississippi to Samuel Floyd Cowart and Ada Jane Laird Cowart. He was a resident of Groves for 61 years before moving to Mt. Belvieu 4 years ago. He retired from Gulf Oil in 1977 after 31 years of service as an operator, having worked the last 15 years of service on the Benzene Unit. He was a member of Groves First Baptist Church, Port Neches V.F.W. Post 4820, and D.A.V. Chapter #56 of Port Arthur, Texas. He was a First Sergeant in the United State Army during World War II.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas with Reverend James McConnell, pastor of Wildwood Village Mills United Methodist Church officiating. Military Graveside rites will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Survivors include his wife, Gladys C. Cowart of Baytown, Texas; daughters, Carolyn Ann Hancock and husband, Roy Glen of Beaumont, Texas, Pamela Kay Sapp and husband, Joe of Baytown, Texas; sisters, Ellisteen Davis of Smithdale, Mississippi and Alice Dickerson of McCall Creek, Mississippi; three grandchildren, Connie Lynn Foxworth and husband, James, Teri Cappadona and husband, Fred and Chris Sapp; four great-grandchildren, Kyle Cappadona, Blake Cappadona, Kaitlyn Cappadona and Levi Foxworth.
Friends wishing may send memorial contributions to: Port Neches VFW Post 4820 or Wildwood Village Mills United Methodist Church Building Fund; P.O. Box 332; Village Mills, TX 77663.
John Franklin Keith
9/19/1957 - 2/24/2007
LORENA - John Franklin Keith, 49, of Lorena, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2007. After a three year battle with cancer, John died of complications from pneumonia. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, with services following at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1; both being held at Wilkirson- Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.
John was born, September 19, 1957 in Port Arthur, TX to Alice and Dr. Frank Keith. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1975. John entered the University of Texas at the age of 17, got his business degree in 1979, finishing in the top half of 1% of his class. He entered Baylor Law School in 1979 and received his J.D. Degree in February, 1983. Following his graduation, John purchased Lee Hardware in McGregor Texas. Since that time, Keith's Ace Hardware has grown to seven other communities, including Brady, Clifton, Hubbard, Marlin, Red Oak, Hewitt, and Lorena. In 2005, Keith's Ace Hardware was named the highest performing retail team in the country by Ace Hardware Corporation. John was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, who enjoyed spending time at the family ranches in San Saba and Laredo. He hunted native and exotic animals with his most recent hunt being in Africa with his son Brian.
John is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Frank Keith. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Karen; his daughter, Katie; son, Brian; mother, Alice Keith of Port Arthur; sister, Betty Keith of Richardson; brother, Robert Keith and wife, Vickie of Nederland; nephew, Jason Keith; and nieces, Kimberly Freeman and Stephanie Keith. Honorary pallbearers include Bob Stout, Tom Cox, Beau Nickel, Robert Wagner, Tommy Patrick, Rod Keith, Glen Angelle, and Jack Huff.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Hazel Redman
PORT ARTHUR - Hazel Laverne Redman, 76, of Port Arthur, Texas died Thursday, February 22, 2007 at her residence. Hazel was born on July 6, 1930 in Zavalla, Texas to Silas Kitchens and Mary Fancis Stanley Kitchens. She was a resident of Port Arthur for 57 years and member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was a retired beautician. Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon, Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Levingston Funeral home in Groves, Texas with Reverend Mike Wood officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday until time of service.
Survivors include her daughters, Jennifer Sartin and husband, Morris of Beaumont, Texas, Patti Wells and husband, John of River Side, Texas; son John Redman, Jr. of Port Arthur, Texas; sisters, Maudie Warren of Lufkin, Texas, Colleen Hall and husband, Earl of Pasadena, Texas; brother, Paul Kitchens of Dallas, Texas; eight grandchildren, Bryan Sartin, Chad Sartin. Shannon Head, Marcus Buckley, Distin Redman, Josh Wells, Lea Wells, and Maccie Varnado; eight great-grandchildren, Karlee Sartin, Kasidee Sartin, Bailey Head, Cami Head, Makenna Buckley, Drake, Averie, and Dalton. A meal will be served at Trinity Baptist Church following the service.
Gladys Mitchell
PORT ARTHUR - Gladys Mitchell, 98, of Port Arthur, Texas died Monday, February 26, 2007 at Christus St. Mary Hospital. Gladys was born on November 2, 1908 in Anacoca, Louisiana to John O'Grady and Buelah Weldon O'Grady. She was an area resident for 90 years and a member of the Methodist Faith. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas with Reverend Alan Van Hooser officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill" L. Mitchell; daughter, Gloria Usey; son, William "Dick" Mitchell; grandson, Kenneth Wayne Mitchell; and one great-grandchild. Survivors include her son, Roland Mitchell and wife, Clara of Port Arthur, Texas; brother, Loy O-Grady and wife, Joyce of Smithville, Texas; grandchildren, Billy Joe Usey and wife, Karen, Danny Usey and wife, Margarite, Tanya Templete and husband, David, Rickey Mitchell, Randy Mitchell, Becky Mitchell, Tim Mitchell and wife, Audrey, and Pam Mitchell; fourteen great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Usey, Danny Usey, Tim Mitchell, Chase Mitchell, Zachary Roy, David Templete, and Shawn Mitchell. Honorary Pallbearers are Tommy Minner, Buddy Minner and Rickey Mitchell. The family would like to thank her caregivers, Home Away From Home.
Friends wishing may send contributions to the American Cancer Society.
Sarah Rutland
MAGNOLIA - Memorial services for Sarah Rutland, 66, of Magnolia, Texas, formerly of Port Neches, will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 5 at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home Chapel, 18000 S. I-45, Conroe. She died Feb. 23 at Memorial Hermann Hospital The Woodlands after a brief illness. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. Prior to moving to Montgomery County 20 years ago, she had resided in Port Neches. With her husband, she owned and operated ladies apparel shops in Nederland and Port Arthur, and later an ice cream shop in Port Neches. She was a member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
She was active as a breeder and confirmation exhibitor of Golden Retriever dogs and was a member of the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Club and the Golden Retriever Club of America. Survivors include her husband, Tom; two daughters, Nancy Graves, of Alexander, Ark., and Diane Willey, of Houston; sister, Martha Storey, of Dillon, Mont., and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to cancer research.
