Justin Truett Hunt passed away on July 29, 2016 at the age of 96. He was born August 31, 1919 in Choate, Texas to Robert Marshall Hunt and Martha Ann Culpepper Hunt.  He attended Choate community school, and then Kenedy High School in Kenedy Texas, where he graduated in 1936.  He then attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he met his future bride, Lillian Ann Gibson.  Truett  joined the U.S. Naval Reserve during his senior year, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.  He completed college in 1942, with a BBA, majoring in accounting. He attended Naval Officer Candidate School in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in November.  Commissioned as an Ensign, he reported for duty to the USS Mount Baker in March 1943 in Norfolk ,Virginia. Truett married Lillian Ann on December 18, 1945, during a short military leave. She held first place in his heart for the rest of his life.  At the conclusion of WW2, Lt. Hunt separated from active duty with the Navy, and he and Ann began their life together in Kenedy.  He owned Truett Hunt and Company, a cotton merchandising business; managed the Kenedy Compress and Warehouses; and, started Karnes Insurance Agency.  He was also a cattle rancher. He was active in service to his church and community. His served First Baptist Church for many years as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and treasurer, among other responsibilities. He was a long-time Rotarian, president of the Kenedy Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Kenedy City Council, as well as the Kenedy Airport Board.  He was a director on the boards of First Nichols National Bank and the San Antonio River Authority, where he served as the elected representative for Karnes County for thirty years.  He was a founding member and officer on the board of the Karnes Limited Citizens, which served residents with special needs. Throughout his life, he supported many individuals, organizations and causes.  Truett was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Marcia Ann Hunt, and brother David B. Hunt. He is survived by his sister, Mary Beth Mills; son, Truett Lee Hunt and wife, Maggie;  daughter, Margaret Hunt Rice and husband, Gene; grandchildren, Roy Hunt, Samantha Hunt Jennings, Amanda Hunt, Kristen Rice Jackson, Heatherjo Breckenridge, Justin Rice and Bob Meeks; and, great-grandchildren, Matthew McCafferty, Eric Deyo, Logan Deyo, Ethan Hunt, Isabella Breckenridge, Gabrielle Meeks, Eric J. Jackson, Jr. and Justin Elliott Jackson. A visitation will be held at Eckol’s Funeral Home in Kenedy, TX, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1. The funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m.  on Tuesday, August 2, at First Baptist Church of Kenedy, followed by a graveside service at Choate Cemetary.

Pallbearers are Roy Hunt, Justin Rice, Bob Meeks, Craig Jennings, Eric J. Jackson, Sr., and Ron Hyde.

Memorial donations may be made to South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, P. O. Box 759, Beeville, TX 78104-0759 (www.stchm.org) ; or, First Baptist Church Library Fund, 209 E. School St., Kenedy, TX, 78199.

Gloria Ann Barnes age 67 of Beeville formerly of Kenedy, TX passed away on July 25, 2016 in Karnes City, TX. She was born on December 11, 1948 in Cuero, TX to the late Edgar and Gladys Goehring Remmers.  She was a retired pharmacy tech a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.  She grew up the lone, quiet, humble girl of 4 children. She had 3 brothers and loved them dearly. Toughness, hard work, and little money were a way of life for her family. She told stories of waking up before school to help her brothers milk cows and clean pens and come home after school doing the same (admitting that they did most of the work), climbing trees and playing with her brother’s friends. They didn’t have much but they made it work. She was the 1967 Athlete of the Year. I’d say growing up with those boys put all the other girls at a disadvantage. She was a tenacious defender. Her coach always put her on the best opposing player. In practice she defended the boys, so when it came game time the outcome was obvious, you were getting locked down. She played sports well into adulthood. As a kid, I remember seeing her dive on the court to save a volley and slide into base to ensure she was safe. She usually came home dirty or bleeding or both. Her love for sports never stopped. She attended every one of our games, EVERY SINGLE ONE. She was usually there by warm-ups. She also attended other sporting games that we weren’t even a part of. She just loved it. There was something about the work ethic, competitiveness, and toughness it took to play that she couldn’t get enough of. As a parent, those qualities were second nature. Motherhood for her just came natural. It was her calling. Around the house, she was constantly working, cleaning, cooking, loving. And that was after working a full-time job. You could eat off the floors in our house. And this wasn’t a once in a while thing, it was daily. Her love wasn’t a once in a while thing either, it was constant. If there was one thing that I knew was always there, it was her love. She was always available, never too busy. She never put herself first. To this day she’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met. She was always willing to help, and never judgmental. She accepted all of mine and Tammy’s friends with open arms. Always finding the good in them. If they needed a place to stay, her house was always open. I can see her sitting in her chair waiting for me to get home as a teenager, giving me a hug and then going to bed. Little things like this were the norm. They happened so often, they were taken for granted. She was and excellent listener. I’d talk, she’d listen and always be supportive. I would call her daily, most of the time multiple times a day. She would answer with a smiling ‘Hello”, I could always hear the smile, and she couldn’t wait to hear me brag about the kids or tell her the score and the highlights of the game I coached. I called her after every one of my games no matter the time. It’d be better for me to call late than make her wait until morning. And I’d always tell the story of the game in dramatic style, not giving her the outcome until the end. Made her feel like she was there. As far as her grandkids go, every person that knew her knew details about the kids and for good reason, there was a lot to brag about. Her grandkids were so in love with her and her with them. I know she had it out with God at the thought of not being here for them as long as she wanted. She said it took her some time to deal with it, but she believed He was sovereign and she would go to the end believing for healing. Her faith never wavered, she was faithful to the end. She had reminders of God’s goodness and faithfulness on the fridge, an iPod full of music singing praises to The Almighty, she spread The Word to nurses and staff members and anyone else that came in contact with her. The story of her life is a victorious one. She had it all figured out. Money, materials, and “success” were not what she was after. Her life was simple, her love was vast, and she was always present. Everything she did as a parent brought about intimacy with her children. She made an excuse to be there, rather than find one not to go. Her toughness was second to none. It was like that her whole life. She’d never let you know she was hurting. And her pain tolerance was unheard of. I mean you don’t grow up with 3 boys and turn out to be a wuss. She wasn’t just a mother. She was my best friend and my hero. While we sit here broken-hearted and cry. It’s not so much for her, knowing she is pain free and back to her old self, it’s for us and all that we will miss from her. That’s the hardest part, living without her. We don’t how, we’ve never had too.Gloria is preceded in death by her father Edgar Remmers, mother Gladys Goehring Hightower, step-father John Hightower and a brother Jimmy Remmers.She is survived by her daughter Tammy Gonzalez and husband Jesse of Beeville; son, Wayne Barnes of Sugarland; sisters Betty Hightower of Killeen, Roslyn Potcinske and husband Hilmer of Houston; brothers, Edgar Remmers and wife Betty of Giddens, Ray Remmers and wife Susan of Gonzales and grandchildren Mikayla Barnes, Adelynn Barnes, and Braeylon Barnes all of Sugarland.  A Celebration of life was held Sunday, July 31, 2016 from 2PM to 4PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. A Private Family interment was held in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Rudy Charles age 45 of Runge, TX passed away in Kenedy, TX on Saturday, July 23, 2016. He was born on January 1, 1971 in Pearsall, TX to Robert and Luzelida De Los Santos Charles. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and a member of Heavenly Gates Family Worship Center in Runge.

He is preceded in death by a sister Elena Charles.

He is survived by his loving parents Robert and Luzelida De Los Santos Charles of Runge; sister Donna Rios and husband Jessie of Runge; brothers, Dr. Robert Lee Charles and wife Esther of Runge, Israel Charles and wife Yolanda of Tuleta, Ricky Charles of Runge, Moses Charles and wife Rebecca of Runge.

A Prayer service will be held Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Home Going Services will be held Friday, July 29, 2016 at Heavenly Gates Family Worship Center in Runge with Dr. Robert Lee Charles officiating.  Interment will follow in the Runge Cemetery.

Minneola Voges age 95 passed away in College Station July 17, 2016. She was born August 20, 1920 to Howard & Pearl Furr Sammons.  Minneola first husband Bruce Melton passed away May 3, 1949, and she married Henry Wardon Voges and he preceded her in death June 9, 2000.  She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents Howard &Pearl Furr Sammons; husbands, Bruce Melton and Howard Voges; 3 sisters and 1 brother.

She is survived by her daughters Faye (Joe) Hartfiel, Deana Voges (Mario Munzon) both of College Station, TX; Sons, Bob (Leona) Melton of Cleveland, TX and Wayne (Barbara) Melton of TN; Sister, Betty Jean Brown of Kenedy, TX ; two nieces Joycie Welkner & Wilma Brabec; 9 Grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 2:00 PM from the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel and interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were David Buxkemper, Michael Grillo, Jacob Grillo, Joel Mathai, Jr. Samuel Davis, Gharette Scott Melton-James, Alexandra Mathai and Brandon Welkner.

Ernesto A. Machado age 84 of Kenedy died July 14, 2016. He was born in Atascosa County Oct. 26, 1931 to the late Ignacio & Celestina Alvarado Machado.  Ernesto married Elvira Casias Sept. 14, 1952 in San Antonio and was a retired Master Sargent in the US Air Force, after his retirement he owned and operated Modern Air A/C  company.

He is survived by his wife Elvira of Kenedy, Daughter Elia (Joe) Jimenez of Terrell, Sons Ernest (Lynne) of Azle, TX, Edward Machado of Arlington, Robert Machado of Austin , Daniel Machado of Florida, and Albert Machado of Austin, Sisters Eva Hernandez of Donna, Anna Maria Gallardo of La Soya, and Adrianna Tamez of San Antonio, grandchildren Joseph Jimenez, Christopher Jimenez, Holly Machado, Hannah Machado, great-grandchildren Ashton Jimenez, Ethan Jimenez, Samuel Jimenez, Mateo Machado, Nathaniel Machado, and Thomas Machado.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and grandchildren Marlise Machado and Karstin Machado.

A Rosary will be held Monday at 7:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Interment will be in the Kenedy Cemetery

On July 15, Debbie Ann Riley, 57, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, peacefully went to be with our Heavenly Father after a hard-fought battle against cancer. She was surrounded by her husband, children, and family at her home in McAllen, Texas, when the Lord called her home. Born to Kenneth and Mildred Norton of Pawnee, TX, July 10, 1959. Debbie graduated from Robstown High School in 1978 and married Larry C. Riley of Calallen, TX, in 1983. Debbie and Larry raised four wonderful children in McAllen. Debbie retired from the McAllen Independent School District in 2015 after 23 years of dedicated service. Debbie was a devoted and loving wife,mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family, and friends. She could often be found playing hymns on her piano or gardening. Wherever she went, joy and love followed. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  Debbie is survived by her husband, Larry Riley, of McAllen; daughter Cynder McAnear, son-in-law Don McAnear and grandson Houston McAnear of Waco, TX; daughter Nikki Barker, son-in-law Jason Barker, grandsons Logan and Landen Barker, and granddaughter Kendall Barker of McAllen; sons Blaine and Jake Riley of McAllen; parents Kenneth and Mildred Norton of Pawnee; sister Roxann Wheatley of Calallen; as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday July 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX. Funeral service will be held Wednesday July 20th, at 10:30 a.m. at  Pawnee United Methodist Church on FM 798 and Highway 72 in Pawnee with burial to follow at Pawnee Cemetery, 15241 Texas 72 in Kenedy, TX.

Don McAnear, Jason Barker, Robert Riley, Austin Riley, Brandon Wheatley, Robert George, and Roger Schultz will serve as pallbearers for Debbie’s services

Ernesto Balderamos, Age 64 of Hobson, TX passed away July 14, 2016. He was born on May 25, 1952 in Kenedy, TX to the late Domingo Balderamos and Manuela Garcia Reyes. He married Margaret Ann Whitfield on Sept. 3, 1977 in Kenedy. Ernest was a Warehouse Material & Fork Lift Specialist for Ashland in Kenedy, TX, a loving husband, father, grandfather and a devout member of First Baptist Church in Karnes City, TX.  He is preceded in death by his parents Domingo Balderamos and Manuela Garcia Reyes, a sister Graciela Balderamos and a brother Hilario Reyes.  He is survived by his loving wife Margaret Ann Balderamos of Hobson; son Erick Balderamos and wife Mylissa of Bastrop, sister Diana Balderamos of Houston; brothers, Delfino Reyes of Victorville, CA, Joe Reyes of Houston, Raul Reyes of Deer Park, Domingo Balderamos, Jr. of Kenedy, Luis Balderamos of Kenedy, Irene Hermis of Kenedy, Sandra Balderamos of Kenedy and grandchildren Gail Balderamos and Gage Balderamos of Bastrop.

Family Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2016 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 10AM at the First Baptist Church in Karnes City, TX.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Texas Baptist Disaster Recovery Fund.

Serving as Pallbearers will be David Garcia, Sonny Diaz, Cecil Diaz, Albert Sauceda, Joseph Reyes, Anthony Reyes, and Travis Gundelach.

Manuel B. Martinez, Jr. Age 92 of Kenedy passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Manuel was born July 10, 1924 in Runge to Manuel, Sr. & Petra Benavides Martinez. He attended local schools unfortunately at a young age he could no longer attend due to hardships. He was a man of multi talents, an intelligent individual being fluent in Spanish and English both writing and speaking. He also had many life skills, mechanics, carpentry, plumbing, electrical you name it he would do it. In his early life he joined the US ARMY faithfully serving his country for four years. While serving he fought in World War II. After serving his country he married Francisca Villarreal on the Sept. 13, 1949 to this union 14 children were born.   He is survived by his daughters, Magdalena (Valentine) Lopez of Kenedy, Matrina Wright of Charleston, SC, Maria Martinez (Elias) Rosales of Austin, Matilda Martinez of Seguin, Margarita (Jesus) Garcia of York, PA, Mary Jane (Josue) De Jesus of San Antonio; Sons, Martin (Hope) Martinez of Port Lavaca, Elias (Nina) Martinez of Kenedy, Domingo (Mona Lisa) Martinez of San Antonio, Mark (Debra) Martinez of Kenedy; sister Petra Salas of Littlefield; 50 grandchildren 77 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Francisca Villarreal Martinez, parents Manuel, sr. and Petra Benavides Martinez, a infant daughter and daughters, Maria Guadalupe Martinez, Mary Ann Martinez, son Manuel “Hito” Martinez; grandsons, Ozzy Martinez, Larry D. Wright, Elias Martinez, Jr.; and brothers Lucas Martinez and Fidel Martinez.

A Rosary will be held Sunday, July 17, 2016 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel at 7PM. Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

CHARLOTTE MAE BRAUN GOSS WALTERS was born in Kenedy, Texas, on March 18, 1939, to Charlie and Haysel Parsons Braun. She was the third child in what was to become a family of five. Sadly, the eldest child, a son, had died as an infant leaving Richard, Charlotte and James (Jim).  Richard and Charlotte were less than a year apart in age and were as close as twin siblings, but they were also extremely competitive.  Jim was about three years younger and filled the role as the younger brother who was very much a rascal who took pride in keeping the older siblings on their toes. Charlotte was not immune to adversity, even at an early age.  The first of a number of life-changing events occurred when she was seventeen.  Her mother and brother, Richard, had gone to San Antonio to keep a doctor’s appointment and to shop in preparation for the upcoming high school graduation.  While driving back home to Kenedy, their vehicle was struck by a truck.  This accident left both mother and brother dead and left Charlie, Charlotte, and Jim devastated. While this changed their individual paths of life, they each exhibited the strength and determination that is inbred in the Braun family.  Even though, Charlotte was left adrift without her beloved mother and brother, she began to chart her course in life and took the giant step to leave home and moved to San Antonio, where she worked for the telephone company.  In a matter of a few short years, she met and married her first husband and the father of her three children.  He was in the Navy and she and the children moved from one side of the country to the other as he was moved to various naval stations.  They finally settled in Corpus Christi which gave Charlotte the opportunity to pursue and earn a college degree.  The family settled in San Antonio after her husband separated from the military and she taught Home Economics in Poth which required her to travel round-trip about 80 miles each day.  Once again, adversity reared its head and this time concluded in separation and divorce from her husband.  This left Charlotte with the lone responsibility of insuring that each of her three children was educated beyond high school so that they could successfully provide a comfortable, productive lifestyle for themselves and their future families. Again, that Braun determination kicked in and she continued her own education by earning a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in vocational counseling. She applied to and was accepted into the doctoral program at Texas A&M, and even completed a number courses toward earning a doctorate degree, but her life took a different direction.  She continued teaching in Poth for a number of years, but the daily drive became such a detriment so she successfully applied for a teaching position in the San Antonio Independent School District.  As soon as a counseling position became available, she was promoted. Subsequently, this led to Charlotte meeting her future husband Colonel Robert O Walters, retired, who had recently concluded a long and illustrious career in the Air Force. He was a math teacher at the same campus.  And the rest is history, as the expression goes.  They married in March of 1980 and created their large blended family.  Robert contributed four children and Charlotte added her three.  All was well even though there were both Longhorns and Aggies in the mix.  All of the children have been successful and have wonderful families of their own.  This has resulted in 15 grandchildren and one great grandson.  Robert and Charlotte have led a good life and have developed a widespread group of friends with an interesting variety of backgrounds.  They have provided each other with abiding love and support and have faced and overcome numerous health scares and crises.  And Bob provided love and support to Charlotte a short few years after they married when another tragedy struck.  Charlotte was faced once again with a terrible loss.  Her brother Jim suffered a horrible hunting accident and died a premature death.  Charlotte had lost the only other sibling with whom she had grown up.  However, that did not leave her without a Braun family because her father Charlie had met and married his second wife, Lucy.  She came to the marriage with two children and then she and Charlie had Elizabeth, CIBO, and Burke. So, there were Brauns galore.  By this time, it should have become obvious that Charlotte is a Braun through and through.  She has survived horrendous obstacles time and again without becoming bitter and mean-spirited.  Instead, Charlotte developed into a strong, determined, loving, generous woman who chose to learn from mistakes and sad situations. She was truly as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.  And she gave her all to every life experience until she entered final rest on Friday, July 8, 2016.

Charlotte is survived by her husband of 36 years Robert Oscar Walters; her children: Joseph Richard Goss, wife Leann and sons Benjamin and Harrison; Delana Lee Goss Smith, husband Kevin and sons Brock, Ian, and Grant; Charles Arthur Goss, wife Stephanie and sons Clayton and Dylan; the Walters children: Wendy Walters Davis, husband Bruce and son Josh and daughter Kelly; Robert Charles Walters, wife Carolyn and sons Cav and Chris; Karen Walters Hicks, husband Frank and sons Kirby, Kevin, and Shawn, and daughter Kelsey; and Diana Jo Walters. Her surviving Braun family includes her sister Elizabeth Braun and spouse Anne Hagelstein and family; brother Charlie I. Braun II (Cibo), wife LeAnn and family; and brother Burke Lee Braun, wife Julie and family. Additionally, she is survived by step sister Cindy Williams Burris and husband Michael; and step brother Jess Burkett Williams and wife Nancy.  Other survivors include sister-in-law Sandra Ward Braun, spouse of Jim Braun, and nephew Richard Ward Braun and wife Mary, and nephew Jason Allen Braun.  On the Walters’ side, Charlotte is survived by sister-in-law Jo Mary Rice, husband Frank and their three daughters and families.  And there are numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and even grand nephews and nieces who were each very dear to her.

Charlotte is predeceased by her father Charlie Israel Braun, her mother Haysel Parsons Braun, infant brother Walter Silas Braun, brother Charles Richard Braun, and brother James Allen Braun.

I would like to leave you with this thought: Charlotte Braun Walters had such a zest for life.  She embraced each experience as it came to her and she always gave her best effort.  Failure was never acceptable to her.  Additionally, she loved family and friends unconditionally. So, it is with joy rather than sorrow that I say her life has been well spent.

Juan Perez, Age 89 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Sat. July 9, 2016 in Kenedy, TX. He was born on Dec. 12, 1926 in Mexico to the late Pedro and Candelaria Ortega Perez.  He married Maria Gardea on Oct. 13, 1949 and was a retired rancher.  He is preceded in death by his wife Maria Gardea Perez, parents, Pedro and Candelaria Ortega Perez, son Juan Perez, Jr., grandsons Juan Perez, III and Juan Perez Morales.  He is survived by his children Oscar (Esmeralda) Perez of Beeville, TX, Elisa (Isaias) Garza of Fort Worth, TX, Pedro (Adelfa) Perez of Kenedy, TX, Santiago (Estella) Perez, of Crystal City, TX, Alfredo (Yolanda) Perez of Fort Worth, TX, Maria (Enrique) Infante of Kenedy, TX, Bertha Perez of Fort Worth, TX, Sonia (Joaquin) Morales of Kenedy, TX, 34 Grandchildren, 49 Great-Grandchildren, and 8 Great-Great Grandchildren.  A Prayer Service will be held Mon., July 11, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Tues., July 12, 2016 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the De Ntra Sra De Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, TX.  Pallbearers will be Jesse Frank Villanueva, Carlos Garza, Pedro Perez, Jr., Enrique Infante, Jr., Mario Rangel, and Angel Morales.