Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries
Mr. Harry Gallien
PORT ARTHUR - Mr. Harry Gallien of Port Arthur, Texas passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2007 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital after a short illness. Brother Harris Gallien was born in Iowa, Louisiana on March 15, 1922 to the late Joni and Mildred Broussard Gallien. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents, brothers, and a sister.
Harry was a man who never dodged his responsibility. He never refused to take a job if it needed to be done. He served the United States Navy, and was honorable discharged. He retired after many years of dedicated service from The Laborers National union. Brother Gallien was a laborer and servant of the Lord; He worshiped faithfully at Historical Israel Chapel AME Church, for many years. He was Sunday School Superintendent; sang with the male chorus and a Forman Church Steward.
He is survived by a loving sister, Eva Gallien Collier's of Los Angeles, California; one nephew, Lamont E. Wilkins of Portland, Oregon. He also leaves to cherish his memory: a special friend, Miss Dorothy Bowden; cousins, Mrs. Jeanette C. Stewart, and Mrs. Mary Gallien of Port Arthur, Texas; a special niece, Yvette A. McGinnis Charles of Suffix, Virginia; and hosts of nephews, nieces, and church friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2007 at Historical Israel Chapel AME Church, Texas St., Port Arthur, Texas. Funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Port Arthur, Texas.
William "Bill" Grant McGrath
PORT ACRES - William "Bill" Grant McGrath, 57, of Port Acres passed away on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at Renaissance Hospital in Groves. Bill was born on September 10, 1950, in Bellefontaine, Ohio to Donna Weisner McGrath and Grant McGrath. He was a U.S. Marine Corp and Navy Veteran where he served in Vietnam. Bill later retired from the Military and started working as a Production Manager with Texmart Refinery in Houston. Bill loved to hunt and fish and also was known as a craftsman; he also loved working with his model trains. Survivors include his wife, Tracy McGrath of Port Acres; sons, William James McGrath and Scott Allen McGrath both of Cridersville, Ohio and William Harris McGrath of Houston; daughter, Michelle Eilene of Dallas; step-children, Justin Lasseter of Georgia and Darren Lasseter of Port Acres, Tara Bowen and Heather Norris both of Houston; brothers, Roy McGrath and his wife Lynn of Beaumont, Mike McGrath and his wife Marilyn of Nederland; sisters, Judy Bylsma and her husband Mike of Nederland, Shirley Martin and her husband Kirk of Smithville, Texas and Jean Freytag of Alger, Ohio; grandchildren, Eric Payne, Emily Bowen, Hayden Norris and Hannah Norris. Bill is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Tawanna McGrath; brother, James McGrath, sister, Sharon Hoffhein; brother-in-laws, Cecil Freytag and Leroy Hoffhein.
Services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 14, 2007, at Grammier - Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur. A gathering of friends and family will take place from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, December 13, 2007 at the funeral home. Graveside services will take place at 3:00 P.M. Friday at Forest Park Westheimer in Houston on Friday, December 14, 2007.
Barbara Weller
PORT ARTHUR - Barbara Weller, 81, of Port Arthur passed away Wednesday December 19, 2007 at Gulf Health Care. She was born March 27, 1926 in Cooper, Texas to Glidewell and Hazel Boyd. Barbara was a resident of Port Neches before moving to Port Arthur in 1949. She was a graduate of Port Neches Groves High School and attended Lon Morris Junior College. She was employed by Jefferson Chemical Company as a secretary. Several years later she served as the secretary of First Christian Church Port Arthur. Following that she was a dispatcher for the Port Arthur Police Department for several years. She was a life long member at First Christian Church Port Arthur, participating in Christian Women's Fellowship, and served as a deaconess in the church.
A gathering of friends and family was Thursday December 20, 2007 at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service at 11 AM Friday December 21, 2007 at Oak Bluff Memorial Park. There will be a memorial service at her church later in January.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband Marshall Weller of Port Arthur, son David Weller and wife Marilyn of Beaumont, daughter Marsha Auld and husband Dave of Groves, Brother John Boyd of Port Neches, and Sister Nell Barbay of Port Neches. She is also survived by grandchildren Krista Myer of Webster, Texas and Kara Nielsen of Waxahachie, Texas.
Cecilie Ann Duncan Williams
PORT ARTHUR - Cecilie Ann Duncan Williams, 53, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away Thursday, December 13, 2007. She was a native of Los Angeles, CA. She resided in Port Arthur for 41 years. She was a respiratory therapist at St. Mary's Hospital for 15 years and a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommie Hunter Williams II.
She is survived by two daughters, Helene Williams Rogers and Cecile Ida LaJuan Williams; two sons, Tommie Hunter Williams III and Caleb Emanuel Williams; three sisters, LaJuan Bailey Roper, Sharon Bailey; and Shizue Gunner; several step-children, Petoria Williams Bell, Tenoah Williams, Aldrick McCain, Dorothy Jones Williams; two grandchildren, Kelby O'Shea Blanchette and Ty'Asia Williams; four nieces, Lauren Ashley Roper, Julee' Evelyn Bailey, Stephanie Joyce Gunner, and Susan Marie Gunner; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, 549 W. Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur on Saturday, December 22nd, 2007 at 2 p.m. Viewing will commence at 12-2 p.m.
Robert Wayne LeBlanc Sr.
ORANGE - Robert Wayne LeBlanc, Sr., 65, of Orange, Texas passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at Christus St. Mary Hospital in Port Arthur.
He was born in Mermentau, Louisiana on December 4, 1942 to Felinese Dyson LeBlanc and Dennis LeBlanc. He was a resident of the Golden Triangle area for over 40 years. Robert was affiliated with St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City.
Visitation will be on Friday evening from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. with a rosary to be recited at 7 P.M. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. Funeral service will be on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Bridge City.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Mickey LeBlanc.
He is survived by his sons, John LeBlanc of Orange, Texas and Robert W. LeBlanc Jr. of Mauriceville, Texas and his daughter, Letitica Ann Clark of Lynn Haven, Florida; Grandchildren, Christopher Robert LeBlanc, Whitney Rene LeBlanc, Mandy Marie Wahler, Jordan Wayne LeBlanc, Brandon Wayne LeBlanc, Casie Clark and Chassity Kaiser along with great-grandchildren, Jason Ryan LeBlanc and Kallie Marie Wahler.
He is also survived by his sisters, Margaret Vidrine and Helen LeBlanc both of Orange, Texas and his brothers, Walter LeBlanc Sr., Paul LeBlanc Sr. and Joseph LeBlanc all of Orange, Texas.
Hardy Jones
Hardy Jones died December 14, 2007. Services will be Saturday, December 22, 2007 at Church of Jesus Christ From God, 1448 5th Street, Port Arthur, Texas. Viewing will be from 9 am - 11 am with funeral services at 11 am.
Hardy leaves to cherish his memories two brothers, Aaron Jones (Emma Lou) of Port Arthur, TX, and Abron Jones of Houston, TX; five sisters, Lottie Tilson of Philadelphia, PA, Kallie Scott of Port Arthur, TX, Elsie Davis, Alma George, and Mary Belle Maze all of Houston, TX; a special sister-in-law, Kazuko Mochida Jones of Wichita, KS and a host of other family and friends.
Francis "Rudy" Nelson
Funeral services for Francis "Rudy" Nelson, 62, of Vidor will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2007, in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow in Magnolia Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, at the funeral home, between 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Nelson was born September 9, 1945, in Beaumont to Francis "Sheik", Sr. and Dorothy Nelson and passed away in Beaumont on December 18, 2007.
Rudy was a member of the South Park Greenie football squad that went to the quarter finals in 1964. He also taught at Edison Middle School in Port Arthur. He was a pipefitter and an avid bridge player with the Beaumont Bridge Club. Rudy wanted to help rebuild his church following its destruction in Hurricane Rita and was a believer in and a great supporter of Christian education.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda Nelson; son, O'Dell Nelson of Vidor, son Steve Nelson and wife Cherub of Wimberley, TX, daughter, Melissa Nelson-Boaz and husband Andy of Bastrop, and son, Seth Nelson of Butner, NC; grandchildren, Andrew, Maggie, Cori and Jonah Nelson; Samantha and Jacob Nelson-Boaz; and IBriana and Seth, Jr. Nelson; and brother, Jerry Nelson and wife Patti of Jacksonville, FL. His parents, sister, Carolyn Stewart, and grandchild, Tatiana Nelson preceded him in death.
Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Groves Community Seventh Day Adventist Church Building Fund, PO Drawer H, Groves, TX 77619.
