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Biggs
Beth A. Meekins Biggs, 92, of Cleveland died Sunday, May 25, 2014.
She was born July 24, 1921 in Milvid, Texas to parents William Kennedy Meekins and Cora Ellis Meekins. Mrs. Biggs was a lifelong resident of Cleveland.
Services will be 3:00 p.m., Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Russ Tynan officiating. Interment will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park cemetery. Visitation for Mrs. Biggs will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Pace-Stancil.
Mrs. Biggs was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill Biggs, sons, Phillip Biggs and Steve Biggs, sisters, Olee Humphreys and Vernadine Jirick. She is survived by her son, Michael Biggs; grandchildren, Mark Biggs, Troy Biggs, and Terry Biggs; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Merle Ann, Micah, Hope and Lindsey Biggs, and Ashley Johnson; nephew, Wade Purswell, niece, Karen Storr; other relatives and friends.
Frazier
Jo Ann Nottingham Frazier, 71, of Liberty, died Friday, May 23, 2014 at home in Liberty, Texas.
Services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel Dayton, Texas with Reverend Allen Owens officiating. Interment will follow at Linney cemetery in Dayton. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, May 26, 2014, at the funeral home.
Jo Ann was born December 2, 1942 in Liberty, to parents; Arthur Earl Nottingham, Jr. and Helen Marjorie Abel Nottingham. Mrs. Frazier was a lifelong resident of Liberty. She was a minister of the gospel and an elder in her church. She loved Southern gospel music but her heart was worship. Jo Ann loved being in the house of the Lord and worshiping Jesus.
Mrs. Frazier was preceded in death by her parents, husband Derry Frazier, and brother Larry Nottingham. She is survived by her daughter: Sheila Frazier; sons: Roy Frazier and Justin Frazier; sister: Marjorie Nottingham McKay; brother: Gary Nottingham; grandchildren: Jessica Frazier, Kaitlyn Jenkins, Joshua Frazier, Ellis Frazier, Matthew Frazier, Mikala Bleeks, Brittany Walton and Matthew Walton; great-grandchildren: Hayden Jenkins, Bryce Jenkins, Sophia Jenkins and Cayden Frazier; numerous nieces, nephews, spiritual sons and daughters.
Crutchfield
Ruth Geneva (Drerup) Crutchfield, an avid Houston Astros fan who’s secret crush was Nolan Ryan followed closely by Craige Biggio died May 22, 2014 at her home in Liberty.
Ruth loved to discover and try new cookbooks and recipes, even though the result was not always successful. She always kept herself busy and her mind sharp by doing the Chronicle crossword puzzle and reading the newspaper, well maybe not the Sunday puzzle, even Ruthie had her limitations.
Ruth always had a way of calming you down when life was weighing on you. She didn’t really give advice; she let you talk until you figured it out for yourself. “That is what friends do.”
She remained all her life, an award winning, Olympic gold medal level procrastinator. She loathed politics and rhubarb but equally loved animals and the people in her life. There was not a selfish bone in her body. It never occurred to her to do for herself before doing for others.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Ruth’s name to: Pals of the Pound https://www.facebook.com/Palsofthepoundlibertytx That would make her happy.
Ruth was born in Canyon Texas, July 14, 1941 to Cornelius and Agnes Drerup and attended school in Hereford, TX. She worked as a “Landman” among other things for many years, working all over the South.
She is survived by Sisters, Catherine Cortez and Mary Gandy and brothers Sonny Drerup, Paul Drerup, William Drerup of Hereford, TX. Henry Drerup of Orange California and brothers Gary Drerup and Brother in Law Paul Soto of Amarillo, and many nieces and nephews and life-long friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Paul NMI Crutchfield, sisters Dorothy Stellman and Louise Soto brothers James, Louis, Gene, Leroy and Robert Drerup.
A funeral service for Ruth will be held Wednesday May 28, 2014 at 2pm at Allison Funeral Service, 1101 N. Travis Liberty, Texas. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. Burial will be held in Cooke Memorial cemetery.
Hartel
Arthur John “Jack” Hartel, III died peacefully on May 22, 2014 at the age of 80.
The Honorable Jack Hartel, Liberty County Attorney from 1965 to 2008, was born in Houston, Texas on November 19, 1933, the son of Arthur John “Artie” Hartel, Jr. and Blanche Eleanor Riviere Hartel.
If you had the pleasure of knowing Artie and Blanche, you’d understand the basis for Jack’s deep-rooted sense of community and responsibility to help others. It was well known that Artie would often reach into his own pocket to lend money to someone in need, and his mother Blanche dedicated her life to teaching and volunteering in her community and beloved Catholic Church. Jack grew up with his two sisters Jane Hartel Ripkowski and Joe Ann Hartel Root in Hull and Liberty, Texas; he was devoted to his family, and the three siblings literally reared their families alongside each other, with their houses all in a row along Milam Street!
Following an interesting and fun-filled childhood, Jack was graduated from Liberty High School in 1951 then went to "Heaven on Earth" otherwise known as The University of Texas at Austin. At UT, Jack had the time of his life meeting new friends and making lifetime memories with his dear cousin Bernard Riviere. Jack was an officer of both the Texas Cowboys (famous for firing the “Smokey” cannon at Longhorn football games) and the Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity, where he was both Rush Chairman and Social Chairman. He received his BA in Liberal Arts from The University of Texas at Austin in 1956, and married
his high school sweetheart Laura Jane Finley on September 7, 1957. Jack earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas Law School; he was graduated with honors as a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Honor Fraternity from UT Law School in 1960.
After receiving his law degree, Jack returned to Liberty with Laura where he worked for the late Preston Johnson and the Pickett Law Firm. Jack served as Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and CPS Legal Counsel Advocate and found his calling in public service. After a short stint as Assistant City Attorney, Jack ran for Liberty County Attorney in 1965; as luck would have it, he won the election and went on to run unopposed for 10 subsequent terms before retiring in December 2008. During his many years at the courthouse, Jack had the honor and privilege of working with some of the finest people in the state of Texas. As Liberty County Attorney his motto was “Serving all the people all the time, ” and for 44 years he made a significant positive impact upon the community as he strove to balance his innate sense of fairness and compassion with the law on a daily basis. After leaving public office, Jack planned to continue his private law practice in his office on the courthouse square, but an accidental fall just one month into his new adventure forced him to close the legal chapter of his life in 2009.
Banking was in Jack’s blood - in 1913 his uncle Bert G. Riviere founded First Liberty National Bank (formerly named Liberty State Bank), and his father Artie Hartel served as President of the Bank from 1939 to 1956. Throughout his life Jack was involved in First Liberty National Bank and from 1960 to 2009 served on the Board of Trustees as well as many committees; he was very proud of the growth and stability of the Bank. Jack was Vice President and board member of the Rotary Club, and for several years served on the board of the Magnolia Ridge Country Club. In addition, Jack served as an officer in the Cancer Society of South Liberty County, March of Dimes Liberty Chapter, Liberty Historical Society, and Chamber of Commerce. Over the years he was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the Liberty Jaycees.
From his childhood years as a Boy Scout, state-ranked tennis player, and Liberty Panther quarterback to his perfect attendance for over 40 years with the Rotary Club, Jack was always the kind of man who juggled several balls at once - and did so successfully.
Being able to balance his public and private interests was a key part of Jack’s private life as well - he remained active in the community and was especially proud of the achievements that were made during his tenure as a Board member of the Tri-County Mental Health Mental Retardation system. The organization was formed in 1983, and Jack served actively on the Board from 1986 until his accidental fall in 2009.
Jack enjoyed his leisure time with gusto - his life, and necessarily, that of his family, was fashioned around the UT football schedule; in the fall you would find Jack enduring rain, sleet, snow, or 100+ temperatures watching his beloved ‘Horns - wherever they traveled. Jack was famous for scheduling ALL activities around the football schedule and persuading family members to do the same - more than one family wedding was planned by first checking the UT schedule!
If not watching college or professional sports, Jack could often be found in the stands watching one of his three grandchildren play football, baseball, soccer, basketball or volleyball. He enjoyed beach vacations with his family and traveling and going on cruises with friends. Jack was a devout Catholic and could be spotted at Mass every week, wielding the collection basket with enthusiasm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He’d like to say he enjoyed cooking with his pals Bobby Evans, Tommy Mullins, Bobby Dean Blake, and Joe Blake, but it’s more accurate to say that over the years he was a very loyal “supervisor” for barbeque and other cook-off activities, usually trying to direct the others' activities while sitting comfortably enjoying a cold beverage. He always made sure that he was on the serving line, though, and got lots of undue credit for his cooking over the years! A true extrovert, Jack was also a regular in the “Old Timers” breakfast club, and Bobby and Jack are founding members of the popular “Prayer Meeting, ” where many a Liberty County poker game has been won or lost amongst friends.
Jack was a “Renaissance” man, with a surprising span of talents - often he would pop up in the cast of a local musical. He couldn’t resist hamming it up in local Valley Players productions since being cast by his wife Laura Jane in 1776 in the '70s. Jack recounted his favorite roles as Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, Mayor Shinn in The Music Man, and Fagin in Oliver and was known to burst into dialogue in the midst of Liberty County court proceedings. Jack especially enjoyed the fact that in many of the productions he was able to share the stage with his family members.
Liberty County was Jack’s home and he loved it, as he was loved by his family and friends. Most special thanks and love go to Michael Henderson, Daphne Dickerson, and Ruthie Minix, who showed loyalty, companionship and loving care to Jack in his last years. His family also extends a sincere and heart-felt thank you to all of Jack’s doctors, nurses and therapists, especially the staff at Odyssey Hospice, Angels Above Us, Methodist Hospital Houston, and Touchstone Neurorecovery Conroe.
Jack will be deeply missed by his three daughters Laurie Hartel Vaught of Liberty, Angie Hartel Patterson and husband Blake Patterson of Austin, and Jackie Hartel of Liberty as well as beloved grandchildren Jake Vaught, Finley Patterson, and Ava Patterson. Jack is also survived by his sister Jane Hartel Ripkowski, four nieces, four nephews, and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Laura Jane Finley Hartel (dcd. October 18, 2001), his mother Blanche Eleanor Riviere Hartel, father Arthur John Hartel, Jr., sister Joe Ann Hartel Root, son-in-law Nicky Joe Vaught, and brothers-in-law John Dallas Root and Herman Edward Ripkowski.
Prayers of the Rosary will be recited on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 5:00pm with visitation immediately following at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty, Texas. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Church with burial to follow in Liberty Catholic cemetery. Honoring Jack as pallbearers are Jay Arnold, Russell Boles, Jim Bob Evans, Steve Maxwell, Artie Ripkowski, David Ripkowski, Jay Root and Joey Root. Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Evans, Tommy Mullins, Ed Pickett, Carl Pickett, and members of the "Prayer Meeting" group, Liberty Rotary Club, and the "Old Timers Breakfast Club.” Jack would be pleased if memorial donations were made to Tri-County Services, P. O. Box 306, Conroe, TX 77305 or to Immaculate Conception Church, 411 Milam Street, Liberty, Texas 77575.
Flakes
Merinda Marie Flakes, age 55 of Houston, formerly of Raywood, died May 19, 2014 in Nasa Bay, TX.
Merinda was born October 16, 1958 in Houston, TX, daughter of the late Thaddeaus and Mary Arceneaux Broussard. She graduated from Forest Brook High School and was a manager for K-Mart. Merinda loved movies, music, going to the beach, walking in the park and shopping. She was a faithful Catholic and enjoyed church. But mostly, she loved her family. She will be missed by all.
Merinda was preceded in death by her parents. She leaves behind to cherish her memory son; Ricky Flakes Jr of Houston, Krystal Flakes of Houston, sisters; Sarah Broussard of Houston, Mary Broussard of Norton, Ohio, Serena Wilder of Plano, TX, Berna Freeland of Norton, Ohio, and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Services for Merinda Marie Flakes will be Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Raywood. Visitation will be two hours prior to service from 9am to 11am with the rosary starting at 10:30am. Services are under the direction of Allison Funeral Service, 1101 North Travis, Liberty, Texas. In lieu of flowers, thefamily request donations be made in Merinda’s name to the American Heart Association.
Hix
Pamela K. Hollis Hix, 49, of New Caney, died May 15, 2014, at the UTMB John Sealy Medical Center in Galveston.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel with burial following at Pace-Stancil Memorial Rest Gardens in Cleveland. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland.
Pamela was born September 9, 1964 in Pasadena, to parents; Sidney Hollis, Sr. and Janet Erickson Hollis.
Mrs. Hix is survived by her husband: Pearl Morgan, daughters: Ashlee Gonzales and husband Rick, Amber Coplen and husband Chris, and April Foster and husband Alan, sisters: Kathy Lewis, Charlotte Lewis, and Sherry Fernandez, brother: Sammy Hollis, grandchildren: Aleigha, Lil Ricky, Andrea, Richard, Lathan, Robert, Kaiden, Tavian, Payton, Logan, and Raime, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Hodges
David Burle Hodges, 62, of Mauriceville, died Saturday May 17, 2014 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.
He enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed many crawfish boils and playing with his grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Alisa Hodges and parents, Floyd and Joyce Hodges.
He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Linda Hodges of Mauriceville; step-children, Homer Collins and wife Amanda of Mauriceville, Greg Collins and wife Karren of Meeker, Deanna Lopez of Kirbyville, Sheree Prichard and husband Jamie of China; brother, Paul Hodges of Vidor; sister, Charlotte Skelton and husband Butch of Pasadena, eight grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
His family will receive friends at the United Pentecostal Church of Gist Monday May 19, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A service of remembrance is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday May 20 at the United Pentecostal Church of Gist, officiated by Reverend Burt Arnold. Interment will follow at the cemetery in Mauriceville.
Serving as pallbearers will be Greg Collins, Homer Collins, Greg Collins, Jr., Michael Collins, Jacob Collins and Brandon Prichard.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Faith and Family Funeral Services, 40847 HWY 105 E., Batson, TX, 77519, (936) 262-2100 or (936) 336-2222.
Huey
Charles Edward 'Sonny' Huey, 80, of Rye, died Wednesday May 14, 2014.
He was born July 17, 2014 in Henderson, Texas. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. He later attended Tyler Jr. College. He went to work as a roughneck, then a game warden. He then worked his way up to Deputy for Liberty County Sheriff's Department. He started the Pin Club, that raised money to help those in need. He was also in charge of 'Sonny's Cook Team'. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, father Felix 'Febo' Huey; mother, Lorene and her husband Johnny Baggett; grandsons, Kerry Huey and Adam Huey.
He is survived by his children, Uvalda Huey Holman and husband Allen of Gladewater, TX, Ricky Huey of Tyler, TX, Tonya Landry and husband Bobby of Pierre Part, LA, numerous step-children, numerous grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren; sisters, Mona Ruth Fajkus and husband Frank and Dottie Booth.
His family will receive friends at Faith & Family Funeral Services Chapel Monday May 19, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A service of remembrance will be Tuesday May 20, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at Faith & Family Funeral Services Chapel, officiated by Reverend John Odom. Interment will follow at Boothe cemetery in Moss Hill, TX.
Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Harrison, Charles Martin, Brett Audilet, Mark Henry, Buddy Henry and Larry Rives. Honorary pallbearers are Cecil Kachel and Larry Haidusek.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Faith and Family Funeral Services, 40847 HWY 105 E., Batson, TX, 77519, (936) 262-2100 or (936) 336-2222.
Hughen
Barbara Louise Allen Hughen, 78, of Robertsdale, Alabama, formerly of Liberty, died Thursday May 8, 2014.
She was a homemaker who loved to cook for people and she loved to see people eat and be happy. She loved sitting and sewing quilt tops together to make blankets for her children and grandchildren She was ready to go see and be with her late husband of 37 years, J.C. Hughen She volunteered work at the S.O.S. Thrift Shop for more than 4 years when she lived in Texas.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joel Charles Hughen; parents Johnny and Hilmar Allen; son, William Hughen; sister, Elsie Allen.
She is survived by her children, Anthony Wayne Hughen of Liberty, John Wesley Hughen of Pensacola, FL, Joyce Marie Hughen of Robertsdale, AL, Barbara Annette Hughen of Onalaska, Samantha Louise Hughen Sackett of Hardin; grandchildren, Christine N. Hughen of Opelousas, LA, Joseph Simien of Flagstaff, AZ, James Anthony Hughen of Crosby, Floyd Wayne Hughen of Crosby, Shelly Burroughs, Megan Burroughs and Joey Burroughs all of Gulfshores, AL, Amber Sackett of Liberty and Sarah Jane Sackett ofCaldwell TX and 8 great grandchildren; siblings, James Allen, Phillip Allen, Billy Allen, George Allen, Kenny Allen, Nella Faye Allen and Lois Allen all of Robertsdale, AL.
A graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday May 16, 2014 at Magnolia Park cemetery in Dayton, officiated By Reverend Woody Sonnier.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Faith and Family Funeral Services, 40847 HWY 105 E., Batson, TX, 77519, (936) 262-2100 or (936) 336-2222.
Cardwell
Our dear Jeffery “Bryant” Cardwell was born in Sweetwater, TX, 1954.
Houston was his childhood home. He graduated from Liberty High School and Lamar University. For the last 25 years he was Vice President and General Manager of Texas Oil Tools, a National Oilwell VARCO company. He gained countless business associates whom he called friends. He loved family gatherings especially being outdoors and at his home on Lake Conroe. After a long illness, God graciously called Bryant home early morning on May 14, 2014.
He is lovingly survived by his wife, Barbara Cardwell, his parents, Jim and Bertha Cardwell (Longview), his sister, Becky Marino (Beaumont), his brother Jimmy Dale Cardwell and wife Debbie (Longview) and sons Travis Cardwell and wife Alicia (Houston), and Jason Cardwell and Nicole Munoz (Austin), three stepchildren, Shane Blake, and wife Louise (Sugar Land), Brooke Drake and husband Austin (Houston) and Whitney Blake (Houston) and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Bryant also cherished his seven beautiful grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are provided by Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and cemetery, 12800 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77077. Visitation is Friday, May 16, 2014, 5-9:00 pm. Memorial services are Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 3:00 pm. By God’s grace, Bryant is now truly at peace.
