Sharon Elizabeth Donnell Custer, Age 72 of Choate, TX passed away Saturday, October 2, 2021 in Victoria, TX.  Sharon was born on March 6, 1949 in Choate, TX to the late William Arthur and Vine Elizabeth Braun Donnell.  She married Len Elwood Custer, Jr on July, 23, 1955 in Karnes City, TX.  She worked at Barth’s Restaurant and HEB meat market.  Sharon was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a member of Choate Baptist Church.  She is preceded in death by her parents, William Arthur and Vine Elizabeth Braun Donnell; sister, Betty Sue Waide; and brothers, William Ernest “Butch” Donnell and Dwayne “Rusty” Donnell.  She is survived by her loving husband, Len Elwood Custer, Jr. of Choate, TX; daughter, Sherri Custer Garcia and husband Andres of Kingsville, TX; son, Len Elwood Custer, III and wife Sheila of Kenedy, TX; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  Sharon loved taking vacations, especially to Graceland to see all of the memorabilia of Elvis Presley with her daughter Sherri and grandkids.  On one vacation to Nashville, she was able to get autographs from Garth Brooks, John Michael Montgomery, and Toby Keith.  These vacations were the highlight in her life, besides watching her children grow up and have grandchildren.  Sharon, also known as Nana, was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   Sharon never missed a birthday; she always sent a card or called her children and grandchildren personally on the phone.  Sharon loved to cook, and a lot of her famous recipes are still being shared by her family, especially her fudge and dressing.  Her secret recipes have been passed down and are used every Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Sharon raised her children to be hard-workers, great parents, and to have faith in God.  She will be missed dearly by the family, but at the end of the day, the faith she taught her family will continue on.

PRIVATE SERVICES will be held Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. in the Choate Cemetery with the Brother. Aaron Corporon officiating.

Serving as Pallbearers: Larson Snyder, Austin Custer, Andy Garcia, Matthew Garcia.

Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation.

Olivia G. Diaz 97 years, of Beeville, TX was called home by the Lord October 2, 2021.  Olivia Diaz was born on April 9, 1924 in Yorktown, TX to Remigio and Maria (Ochoa) Garcia.  She married Cecilio V. Diaz on January of 1947 in Karnes City, TX.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Remigio and Maria (Ochoa) Garcia; husband, Cecilio V. Diaz; son, Ernnesto Diaz; siblings, Manuela Reyes, Guadalupe “Lupe” Ortiz, Maria G. Farias, and Rufino O. Garcia.

She is survived by her daughters, Angelita Aranda and husband Nicolas, Patricia Trevino and husband Onesimo; sons, Esvardo G. “Sonny” Diaz, Cecilio Diaz, Jr and wife Olga; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen DeLaGarza, Eloisa Sauceda, Frances Saenz and nieces and nephews who surrounded her with their love.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 8, 2021 from 9AM to 10AM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 10:00 A.M. followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, TX with the Rev. Richard Gonzales officiating.  Interment will follow at the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Andrew Aranda, Joe Baltazar, Richard Diaz, Zacarias Rodriguez, Adrian Negrete, Anthony Ceballos, Daniel Negrete and Alex Negrete, Jr.

David Syring, beloved son to Louella Ruth Syring of Kenedy, Texas was born on September 2, 1948 passed away on October 25, 2020 at the age of 72. David’s Graveside services were held on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 10:30a.m. at the Kenedy Cemetery with Rev. Danielle Knapp of the Karnes City United Methodist Church officiating and Bil Homemeyer, guitarist/vocalist. David’s brother: Robert Edward Syring  expressed his thanks to those in attendance as we celebrated the life of David. Louella was surrounded by family and was beyond words as we joined her in honoring her son one last time. His cremated remains were placed at the right of her monument in the Syring lot.

Ray Leonard “Baby Boy” Ramirez of Villa Ridge, Missouri formerly of Kenedy, Texas was born on April 25, 1989 and passed on September 11, 2021 at the age of 32. “Baby Ray is survived by his mother: Elvira Ramirez. His Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel with Rev. Charles officiating. Services to conclude in chapel.

Mary G. Perez, of Slaton, Texas was born on November 21, 1937 to Ynez R. Albiar Sr. and Sofia G. Albiar passed away on September 3, 2021 at the age of 84. She was a beloved mother to Marie Perez. Mary’s family had a lovely Graveside Service at Loma Alta Cemetery on Saturday, September 25, 2021 with family in attendance. Her services were led by her granddaughter, Mary Beth Perez of North Carolina. Her cremated remains were placed at the foot of her mother’s grave. Cremation Services were handled by Guajardo Funeral Home in Lubbock and Graveside services under the direction of Eckols Funeral Home, Inc. of Kenedy, Texas.

Mrs. Emilia Barrera Azzarello age 86, a resident of Deatsville, Alabama formerly of Kenedy, Texas passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021 at a local hospital. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, September 28th, 2021 at 10:00a.m. at Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Mrs. Azzarello was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, TX and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents: Juan Barrera and Celia Garza Barrera, her husband: Vincent Azzarello; sisters: Lucelia Sanchez, Ciralda Flores, Maclovia Solis, brothers: Martin Barrera, Roger Barrera and Demetrio Barrera. She is survived by her sons: Anthony “Tony” Azzarello (Heather), Vincent Azzarello (Angel), sisters: Bernard Szmaus, Anita Cruz, grandchildren: Madelyn Azzarello, Amelia Azzarello and Dillon Wilson.

James Earle “Jamie” Brown of Kenedy, TX was born on September 4, 1955 in Pleasanton, Texas to Earle Brown and Merle Ables Brown passed away on September 27, 2021 at the age of 66. He had fought cancer in the past and was a cancer survivor  and loved to umpire Little League. He is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his son: Matthew J. (Leandra) Brown of Kenedy, TX and daughter: Rebecca(Christopher) Parker of Kenedy, TX; sisters: Karen Segovia (Manuel) Beeville, TX, Linda Christine (Craig) Rowley, Las Vegas, NV and Grace (Kevin) Hammack of Victoria, TX; brother: Kelly (Christine) Brown, Santan Valley, Arizona; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation to be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 10:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel with Funeral services beginning promptly at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel   with Rev. Matt Singleton officiating. Service to conclude in chapel.

Guadalupe R. “Grandpa” Arenas, Age 77 of Seguin, TX went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, September 18, 2021.  Guadalupe was born on November 13, 1943 in Kenedy, TX to the late Matilde and Juanita Rodriguez Arenas.  He married Margarita Ybarra on May 14, 1967 in Karnes City, TX; was a retired farmer, loving husband, father, and a devout member of Open Door Gospel Church in Mc Queeny, TX.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Matilde and Juanita Rodriguez Arenas and a brother Samuel Arenas.  He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Ybarra Arenas of Seguin, TX; daughter, Martha Morales and husband Vicente of San Antonio, TX; sisters, Pauline Reyna of Victoria, TX, Angie Trevino of Goliad, TX, Janie Gonzales of Karnes City, TX; brothers, Marcos Arenas of Falls City, Carlos Arenas of Kenedy, Gilbert Arenas of Kenedy, Raymond Arenas of Victoria, TX; beloved dogs, Chuckie and Buddy and a host of extended family members and friends.  Visitation will be held Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 10:00 A.M. to 12 :00 Noon with Services beginning at 12:00 Noon in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.  Serving as Pallbearers will be: Raymond Arenas, Noe Ramirez, Frankie Reyna, Raul Hernandez,  Issac DeLeon, George Gonzales.

Gary Wayne “Shaggy Dog” Shaw of George West, Texas passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 15, 2021.  Gary was born on July 18, 1957 in Beeville, Texas to Willie Richard and Hazel Frances (Stuart) Shaw, the youngest of nine children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Allene (J.D.) Greer, Marie (Jim) Jennings, Lorraine (Jim) Trybig; brothers: Richard and Walter Shaw; brothers-in-law: Bobby Hale and Richard Harris.

Gary was born and raised in the Pettus, Tuleta area. He graduated from Pettus High School in 1975, where he enjoyed playing sports. He worked in the oilfield and then with both the Beeville and Pettus Independent School districts. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Beeville; a member of the Windmill Emmous. He worked numerous Emmous walks and the walk to Shiloam and supported Kairos prison ministry.

Gary married Laura Harris “the love of his life” on July 2, 1994. God gave him a gift for woodworking. Together with Laura, they designed and made mesquite dominoes, unique gifts, crosses and the coveted family reunion trophies. Gary loved to ride his dirt bike, to go fishing and hunting with family and friends. Gary touched many hearts and lives by dressing up as the Easter Bunny, a pop up toaster boy and even as a chicken.

Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Laura of 27 years; his son: Jason Adams;  daughter: Rebecca (Dewey) Roberts; granddaughters: Ashley Roberts and April Roberts; sisters: Mary Steele, Vera Hale and Willie Hackney and sister-in-law: Diane Guidry; brother-in-law: James (Karen) Harris; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; as well as friends he considered as family.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 2:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel with Funeral Services beginning at 3:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel with Tucker Rackley officiating. (Services to conclude in Chapel). In lieu of flowers, potted plants or ivy’s are appreciated.

Juanita Ester Amaya Jacques, Age 66 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021.  Juanita was born on April 19, 1955 in Choate, TX to the late Juan, Sr. and Angelita Escobedo Amaya. Juanita married Faustino Jacques on November 27, 1976 was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and of the Christian Faith.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Juan, Sr. and Angelita Escobedo Amaya; grandson, Nicholas Jacques; sisters, Herlinda Tovar, Aurora Dominguez, Maria Escamilla and a brother, Felipe Amaya.  She is survived by loving husband Faustino Jacques of Kenedy; daughters, Patricia Castillo and husband Jerry of Kenedy, Jackie Jacques and Robert Van Biber of Kenedy, Terry Jacques and Martha of Kenedy; sons, Johnny Jacques and wife Stacia of Kenedy, Joseph Jay Jacques of Kenedy; sisters, Inez Amaya of Floresville, Petra Ramirez of Runge; brothers, Juan Amaya of Kenedy, Isidro Amaya of Kenedy, David Amaya of Kenedy, Martin Amaya of San Antonio, Ramon Amaya of Kenedy; grandchildren, Aaron Castillo and wife Miah, Brandon Castillo and wife Madison, Chris Castillo, Jestine Hinojosa, Autumn Hinojosa, Zeke Jacques and wife Victoria, Kaitlin Jacques, Timothy Jacques, Julissa Jacques, Anthony Vasquez, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous extended family member.  Visitation will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 from 2:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. with Services beginning at 4:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Robert Charles officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Aaron Castillo, Brandon Castillo, Zeke Jacques, Timothy Jacques, Anthony Vazquez and Chris Castillo.