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Eugene Alvin Rush
Sept. 20, 1908 – Feb. 18, 2003
Beloved father, Eugene Alvin Rush, died peacefully in his sleep in Petaluma, California on February 18, 2003. He was born September 20, 1908 in Mt. Calm, Texas.
His childhood included years in Mt. Calm, San Saba, and Lampasas, Texas and a family journey by covered wagon to homestead land in Arizona that was cut short by his father’s untimely death in the flu epidemic of 1918. After his father’s death, the remaining family returned to farm in Mt. Calm, Texas. Gene was a singer of cowboy ballads and a lover of classic poetry, and had the ability to captivate friends and family with recitation of ballads and poetry for hours. Former governor, John Connelly, Gene’s college roommate credited "Red" (Gene) with cultivating his own appreciation of poetry.
Years ahead of his time, Gene was an aficionado of health food, vitamins, and sold the first exercise equipment in College Station. He was a homesteader, a cotton picker, part Cherokee, an avid golfer, and a philosopher. He married the much sought after Dorothy Nell Logue of Waco, where he competed with her for Salutatorian of Waco High School. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from University of Texas in Austin and received his law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. while working for the Department of Agriculture. He was admitted to the Texas Bar on August 29, 1944 and briefly practiced law, and taught economics at Texas A&M University in College Station. He then served as a general agent for American National Life Insurance Company for 20 years.
Preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and survived by his children: Eugenia Gerrard of Tucson, AZ and San Diego, CA, Alex Rush of Petaluma, CA, and Jody Rush of Tumwater, WA, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. And by his wife’s siblings: Judge William Logue, Helen Carll, Elizabeth Hightower, and Dr. Thomas Logue.
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it. -The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam
Velda Charlotte Leyerle
January 12, 1913 – February 24, 2003
Velda Leyerle, a twenty-five year resident of Bryan passed away from lung cancer this week at the age of 90.
Even though she only had a ninth grade education and never earned more than $5.10 an hour, she had a full and wonderful life. Born in Nieberg, Colorado, she went to church with her mother in a horse and buggy, at six started her first job, helping her father in his rural Colorado grocery store and learned to drive at ten. At 15 she married Walter Leyerle. After their wedding, they returned home from the preacher’s house in time to milk the cows. Their little farm was hailed out two months later and they spent the winter working for room and board. When Velda was 18, her first child Doris, was born in her grandmother’s bedroom during a blizzard. The doctor didn’t arrive until the next day.
She and Walter purchased a combination grocery store, gas station and post office in Kutch, Co. when she was 21. Velda and Walter purchased and managed a variety of businesses including a furniture store, dairy, hardware store, grocery and a motel. They moved to California in 1952 where she worked as a waitress, and retail clerk. Her husband worked as a carpenter and they also owned part interest in an amusement park in the mountains of Southern California.
Velda purchased a home in Bryan, Texas after her husband passed away in 1978. At the age of 65, when most people think of retirement, Velda managed the Manor East Mall KarmelKorn Shoppe. When she turned 73 she began a seven year career at Wal-Mart where she was lovingly known as "Miss Velda" by her many customers and friends. In 1993, she finally retired from Wal-Mart at the age of 80.
Velda was a faithful member of Central Baptist Church, the Faith Sunday School Class, the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild, and has amassed over 2,000 volunteer hours with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She truly loved her work with the Bryan Police Department over the past 5 years, and in 2001 she was selected as their "Volunteer of the Year".
When we celebrated her 90th birthday last month she still lived alone, handled her own affairs, drove her car, volunteered, made quilts, furnished food to those who were ill and was very active in her church.
In her lifetime she drove a Model T, flew in a bi-plane and watched men walk on the moon. Velda will be missed greatly.
She loved sewing, quilting and helping others, but her greatest pleasure came from her family. Her four children all reside in Texas.
She is survived by her sister Dorothy Lane of Rogue River, Oregon, her daughter Doris and son-in-law Robert Cooley of Bryan, her daughters Lois Mercatoris of Bryan and Dixie Voskamp of Brenham, and her son Wally and daughter-in-law Pamela Leyerle of The Colony. Her six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren all also reside in Texas. Robin and Tina Mercatoris and their children Les and Tanya of Bryan; Casey and Teresa Voskamp and their children, Preston, Jake and Molly of Brenham; Corey and Tara Voskamp and their children Mason and Riley of Bryan; Janae and Ronnie Wittner and their children Dauson and Aunnika of Industry, Rachel and John Heathington of Lewisville; Erin Leyerle of The Colony; and Nicholas Mayes of Bryan.
Services will be held in Bryan to celebrate her life on Thursday February 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillier Funeral Home, 2301 East 29th Street, Bryan, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Donations may be sent to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Central Baptist Church, or the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild.
Willie “Bill” Moore, Jr.
Departed on February 23, 2003
Bryan-Memorial services for Willie Moore, Jr. of Bryan are set for 2 p.m. at Lee Chapel United Methodist Church, 903 Washington Street, Bryan. The Rev. Floyd Polk, Sr., and Minister Terry Dougherty, Asst. will officiate.
Willie “Bill” Moore, Jr., of Bryan beloved husband, father, friend and educator went to be with the Lord, Sunday February 23, 2003 at his home with his wife of 36 years Mary, daughter Dienitha “Di” Fontenot and son Bradley at his side.
He was preceded in death by his father Willie Moore, Sr., mother Emma, brother Millard, and sister Corrine.
Willie was born in Washington, Louisiana. His father was a carpenter and mother was a homemaker. He moved to Bryan in 1940. Soon afterward he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Industrial Arts from Prairie View A&M. Willie taught in the Bryan Independent School District for 43 years. He was an assistant athletic coach, and math and industrial arts teacher at Neal High School and E.A. Kemp Colored High School. He also taught industrial arts to 7th graders at Anson Jones before retiring in 1985. During his forty-three year tenure as an educator, Willie touched many lives. Not only did he make time for his students and family, he also made time for charitable work. Few people knew that he made crutches for children at the Shriner’s Hospital. He also was co-owner of a gas station while he taught school during his early educational career.
During his lifetime he taught at a segregated school, was the last African-American stockholder in a Louisiana financial institution, and was often mistaken for a variety of races due to his multi-ethnic appearance. He often heard the question, “Mr. Moore what are you?” He would always answer, “I’m a human being. What are you?” He often stated that it didn’t matter what he looked like. What mattered is what he did.
He enjoyed gardening (tomatoes and okra were his specialty), fishing, woodworking, walking and a quiet fan of the lotto and slots. He was a tremendous sports enthusiast. He was Tiger Woods and Venus and Serena Williams number one fan. However his greatest pleasure came from his belief in the Lord. As a member of Lee Chapel since his arrival in Bryan, he became a fixture at the Church. When he no longer had the ability to drive himself to Church, he often walked. He was a very stoic man and never wanted to be seen as a burden to anyone. Community and church members often saw him walking down the streets of Bryan and offered him rides to his destinations. While his family was often fearful of safety, Willie always reminded them that his faith and belief in the Lord kept him safe during his many outings.
He is survived by his loving and supportive wife and companion of 36 years, Mary Moore of Bryan, his son and daughter-in-law Dr. Robert Moore and Velma Moore of St. Louis, Missouri; son Bradley Moore of Bryan; daughters Willie Jean Moore of Amarillo; Cheryl Patterson of San Antonio; Dienitha “Di” Fontenot of Bryan; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was loved and admired and will be missed tremendously by those who knew him well.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Bryan.
Anita Burton
May 7, 1921 — March 4, 2003
CAMERON — Services for Anita Burton, 81, of Cameron are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Green-Patterson Funeral Home in Cameron.
The Rev. Gary Maroney will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Cameron.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Burton died Tuesday at her home.
She was born in Milam County and was a nurse for 38 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cameron.
She was preceded in death by her first and second husbands, Albert Sheguit and James Burton. Survivors include her brother, Burt Dycus of El Paso, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Cameron First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund.
Robert Bert Coleman
May 25, 1927 — March 4, 2003
MIDWAY — Services for Robert Bert Coleman, 75, of Midway are set for 10 a.m. Friday at Madisonville Funeral Home.
The Rev. Dennis Ivey will officiate. Burial will be in the Midway Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to service time Friday at the funeral home.
Mr. Coleman died Tuesday.
He was born in Middleton. He lived most of his life in Midway, where he was a farmer and a painter. He was also the owner of Coleman Fishing Camp in Midway.
Mr. Coleman was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian “Dobber” Coleman. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Bettina Coleman of Midway and Terry and Opal Coleman of Livingston; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchilden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johns Wiley
Feb. 15, 1945 — March 3, 2003
HOUSTON — Services for Johns Wiley, 58, of Houston are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Johnson Memorial Holiness Church in Madisonville.
Elder Jessie Gilbert will officiate. Burial will be in the West End Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday at Madisonville Funeral Home.
Mr. Wiley died Monday at the Madison St. Joseph Health Center.
He was born in Bedias and lived most of his life in Houston. He was a retired truck driver and a member of the Greater Faith Pentecostal Church in Houston.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Wiley of Houston; four sons, Arthur Williams, Willis Williams, James Davis and Fredrick Davis; a daughter, Teri Wiley of Dallas; two brothers, Melvin Wiley and Tom Herman Wiley, both of Bedias; four sisters, Ida Faye Fontaine and Jerline Wiley, both of Madisonville, Betty Wiley of Crockett and Jorvis Faye Wiley of Arlington; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Siqing Tang
Jan. 30, 1970 — March 3, 2003
A memorial service for Siqing Tang, 33, of College Station is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station.
Mrs. Tang died Monday at College Station Medical Center.
She was born in Daliu Ningjin Shandong, China, and lived in College Station since October 2002. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Faning Liang; a son, Jiatao Liang; and two daughters, Jia Liu Annie Liang and Kaifai Jane Liang. All live in College Station.
Martha Clepper
June 17, 1911 — March 4, 2003
Services for Martha Clepper, 91, of Bryan are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Hillier Funeral Home.
The Rev. Neil Bockelman of Bethel Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Restever Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from noon to service time Thursday at the funeral home.Ms. Clepper died Tuesday in Spring.
She was a resident of Bryan for 40 years. Mrs. Clepper was a homemaker and member of Bethel Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Clepper.
Survivors include two grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
