Charlotte Ann Nichols

Charlotte Ann Nichols, 94, of Kenedy died Tuesday, March 4.
She was born in Syracuse New York, December 15, 1919, to Barton Hackney Westervelt and Gertrude Craig Westervelt.  Charlotte moved to Texas in her early teenage years  and later attended Texas Women’s University.   On July 21, 1940, she married Dwight (Boots) Nichols in Corpus Christi and then lived in Houston until moving to Karnes County in 1973 where they began ranching.  She was a life long Episcopalian and member of St. Mathews Episcopal Church in Kenedy.
During her lifetime Charlotte was a member of the Colonial Dames of America, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Huguenot Society, and Dames of the Magna Carta.  She was also a member of the Houston Garden Club for many years and a Girl Scout leader and member of the Girl Scout Council.  One of her proudest accomplishments was raising money and taking a group of scouts to Europe for 6 weeks.  They performed a rope twirling routine at the United States Pavilion at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels.
While living in Kenedy, Charlotte was a member to the Twentieth Century Woman’s Club and the Bridge Club. She was active in the Karnes County Historical Society and helped organize a chapter of the DAR which took on the tasks of documenting all the cemeteries in the county.  She was an avid historian and loved genealogy researching the early families in Karnes County.  She was credited in several books and at the time of her death was working on a book of her own.  Charlotte supported the youth of Karnes County through her contributions to the Karnes County Stock Show.  In January she actively participating in the county show auction and contributed to 45 individuals.
Charlotte is survived by her children Diane Greve and husband John of Kenedy, David Nichols and wife Helga of Frisco, Neil Nichols and wife Kathleen of Kenedy, and Cathryn Caton and husband Greg of Equador.  She is also survived by grandchildren David (Dorie) Nichols, Christiana (Brian) Gilbert, Scott (Jessica) Greve, Jodi Greve, Justin Mayes, Nancy (Mike) Westeren, Keely Mayes, Karly Nichols,and Myron Caton and 9 great-grandchildren.
The viewing for Charlotte will be Thursday, March 6 from 6pm – 8pm at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy.  The funeral service will be Friday at 2pm at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Kenedy with interment at the Kenedy Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St. Mathews Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1805, Kenedy, Texas, 78119.

Michael F. Mattingly

Michael F. Mattingly, a longtime resident of Refugio, Texas, passed away, Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Palma Real Nursing Home in Mathis, Texas at the age of 64.

Michael was born in Batesville, Indiana, April 16, 1949, the son of Frances Edward Mattingly and Mary Faith Tracey.

Michael is survived by his 2 sons, Rodney Mattingly and wife Maria of Conroe and Tony Matting of San Marcus; his sisters, Cherie F. Wood and Maria Mattingly, and his brothers, Patrick and Matthew Mattingly. He is also survived by his 3 beloved grandchildren. Mr. Mattingly is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Terrance Mattingly.

A rosary will be recited, Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:00 A.M., in the Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Refugio, Texas. Mass will be celebrated immediately following the Rosary.

Charlene L. Williams

Charlene L. Williams, 67, went to be at peace with her heavenly father on the evening of February 25, 2014.  She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.

She is survived by her best friend and companion Dean Maltsberger, her children Lesle (Slade) Dial, Jim (Paula) Woodside, Seana (Mark) Towner, her grandchildren (Britni, Carissa, Sarah, Kathryn, Christian, Shiloh, Jenna, Wyatt, Peyton, Kaedyn, Brogan and Archer), her siblings (Jacgue, Pam, Bobby, Kathy, and Frank) and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the animal rescue society of your choice.  Arrangements were entrusted to Eckols Funeral Home, Inc.  Kenedy, Texas.

Timmy Baxter, Sr.

Devoted, Loyal and faithful Husband, Father, Grandpa, Grandson and son. We will always love and miss him dearly! He may be gone but he won’t ever be forgotten! His memory will live on forever till the day we meet again. Gone to soon.

Timmy L. Baxter, Sr., a resident of Odessa, Texas, passed away, Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the age of 52. Timmy was born, December 3, 1961, the son of Howard Baxter and Leta Johnson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Lisa Carrion Baxter; his daughter, Ashely Baxter; his sons, T.J. Baxter and Blake Baxter; his granddaughters, Mya Baxter, Esperanza Baxter and Maddalynn Baxter and Minnie our puppy- she misses him so much. Mr. Baxter is also survived by his nannie, Verla Johnson, his dad, Howard Baxter and his sister, Tammy Baxter. Timmy is preceded in death his son, Christopher Baxter; his mother, Leta Johnson; his grandfather, Damon Johnson; grandparents, Virgil and Rosie Baxter; his aunt, Robbie Baxter, uncle Sonny Johnson; cousin, Gayla McDonald; his father and mother-in-law, Delfino A. Carrion, Sr. and Petra Carrion; his brother-in-laws, Delfino Carrion, Jr., and Cosme Carrion, Sr., and his nephew, Cosme Carrion, Jr.

Visitation will begin after 10 AM, Friday, February 28, 2014 in the Eckols Chapel and a prayer service will begin at 7 PM, Friday also in the chapel. Following the prayer service, Mr. Baxter will be cremated.

Oneta L. Van Winkle

Van Winkle NewOneta L. Van Winkle, a longtime resident of San Antonio, Texas, passed away, Friday, February 14, 2014 at 5:16 A.M., in the Connally Memorial Hospital in Floresville, Texas at the age of 90 years, 11 months and 19 days.

Oneta was born, February 26, 1923 in Coy City, Texas, the daughter of Crocket Bynum Ferrell and Minnie O. Brister Ferrell. On December 12, 1941, Oneta married Jesse Van Winkle in Harlingen, Texas. Jesse preceded her in death on April 10, 2010.

Oneta is survived by her sons, Jimmy L. Van Winkle and wife Bonnie of Floresville, and Jack Van Winkle and wife Vickie of San Antonio; her daughter-in-law, Margaret Van Winkle of San Antonio; her sister, Fay Ollie Wessels; her 7 grandchildren, Jimmy Van Winkle and wife Teresa, Darla Van Winkle, Shane Van Winkle and wife Brandy, Dillon Van Winkle, Jack Van Winkle, Jr., and wife Jeannette, Jenica McGann and husband Nathan, and Andrew Van Winkle, and her 10 great-grandchildren, Jimmy, III, Justin, Nicole, Gus, Tate, Emory, Jack, III, Jonathan Van Winkle and Ella and Bennett McGann. Ms. Van Winkle is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Lowell D. Van Winkle; her sister, Melba and her brothers, Ben, and John Ferrell.

Visitation will be held Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 P.M., Monday, February 17, 2014 in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Kyle Key officiating. Interment will follow in the Karnes City Cemetery, Karnes City, Texas.

 

Randall C. “Randy” Walker

Randall C. “Randy” Walker went home to be with his Savior, Sunday, February 9, 2014 at his residence in Choate, Texas, surrounded by his family at the age of 75 years, 11 months and 2 days.

Randy was born March 7, 1938 in Kenedy, Texas the son of Wilson H. Walker and Blanche Baker Walker. He married Mary Beth Copeland on November 22, 1956 in Choate, Texas; from this union came 4 children. Randy was a Deacon at Choate Baptist Church, where he proudly served. Randy retired from DuPont in 1998 after 31 years. Mr. Walker also served on the Pettus ISD School Board for 20 years. He had a servant’s heart and devoted his life to helping others. He was a kind man that never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Randy is survived by his beloved wife of over 57 years, Mary Beth Walker; his daughters, Staci Johnson and husband Patrick of San Antonio and Jana Maddox and husband Jason of Tuleta; his sons, Scott Walker and wife Marietta of Choate and Jeffery Walker and wife Mary of Choate, and his 11 grandchildren. Mr. Walker is preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Blanche Walker, and his grandson, Jeffery Paul Walker II.

Visitation will be held, Wednesday, February 12, 2014, from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services will begin, 2:00 P.M., Thursday, February 13, 2014 in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Vernon Andrews and Bro. Curt Moyer officiating. Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery, Choate, Texas with his grandsons, Randall Scott Walker II, Michael Moravits, Justin Moravits, Kevin Johnson, Derek Walker, Noah Maddox and Danny Broll, serving as pallbearers. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Casey Walker.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Choate Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund; 1441 CR 129, Kenedy, Texas 78119.

Sam G. Hemby

Sam G  Hemby Obit PhotoSam G. Hemby, 85, passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at his home in Kenedy.

He was born June 24, 1928, at Rancho Grande in Lenz, to Sam Houston and Sadie Magee Hemby.  He graduated in 1946 from Kenedy High School and entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He served from 1946 to 1948 with Unit T in the First Tank Battalion, stationed at Camp Pendleton, and was a tank commander.  After service to his country, he returned to South Texas and went to Southwest Texas State University on the G.I. Bill. He worked in the oilfields of South and Central America before returning to his hometown to settle down, raise a family and farm and ranch on his acreage in Kenedy. He continued to work in the oil and uranium industries until retiring in 1982 from Chevron Resources.

In 1967, he married Kay Krause.  She preceded him in death in 1986. He married Pat Crowell in 1987. They enjoyed traveling. He also craved gaining knowledge about anything he could. He liked talking about arrowheads, his days in the oilfields of South America, his Limousine cattle and the crops on his farm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Kay; his five older siblings Medley Hemby, Mildred “Sis” Ladewig, Alta Blaise, Thelma “Mim” Hyltin and Nell Olsen; and his son Bill Hemby.

He is survived by his wife Pat; two sons Jim (Lisa) Hemby of Highlands, Texas, and Doug (Flordilisa) Hemby of Ore City, Texas; his daughter Julie (Fred) Nichols of Karnes City; five grandchildren Gerald Hemby of Fayetteville , Ark., Devon Hemby of La Porte, Texas, Meagan Hemby of Highlands, Dylan Nichols of Karnes City and DJ Hemby of Ore City; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at Eckols Funeral Chapel, Kenedy. Funeral services began at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at Eckols Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Sue Huntsman of First United Methodist Church, Karnes City, officiating.  A military burial followed in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Karnes City, to the American Heart Association or to the charity of one’s choice.

Charles M. Hartsfield

Charles M. Hartsfield, a resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 in Floresville, Texas at the age of 72 years, 2 months and 14 days. He was born November 18, 1940 in Kenedy, Texas, the son of Melvin Hartsfield and Sallie McDonald Hartsfield.

Charles is survived by his former wife, Linda Gilley Hartsfield of Kenedy; his sons, Randall Hartsfield and wife Cecilia of Kenedy and Jeff Hartsfield and wife Lisa of Kenedy; his 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Kenneth McDonald. Mr. Hartsfield is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Butch Hartsfield.

Visiation will begin at 10 A.M., Tuesday, February 4, 2014 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel and funeral services will begin at 2 PM on Tuesday also in the chapel. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Morris Mixon Eddy

Morris Mixon Eddy, 77, a U.S. Marine Corp Veteran,beloved husband and father passed away February 3, 2014 surrounded by his wife and children.

Morris received the National Defense Service Medal.  He had a long career in the oil field services industry where he was respected for his knowledge and tremendous work ethic.  He was the rock and strength of the family but at the same time silent and unassuming.  In addition to his family, his passions included antique cars and animals of all kinds.  A pocket coin he kept with him expressed the way he lived his life and the life he wished for others:  “Follow the footprints of the Lord.  They will lead you through troubled times and brighten your life”.

Pallbearers are Mark Reddout Billy Palmer Carl Currie John Pepper Gary Horne Rusty Horne

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth “Liz” Eddy, three sons and daughters-in-law:  Morris Jr. and Kim Eddy,Dwayne and Barbara Eddy, and Dean and Ellie Eddy; five grandchildren and one great grandchild; one sister Doris and her husband Jim Gates, many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Dewey Eddy,sister Johnnie Mae Neal and brothers Irving Roy Eddy and James Harold Eddy.

Funeral services are being held on February 5, 2014 at 2 pm atEckols Funeral Home, 420 W. Live Oak, Kenedy, Texas with burial following at the Kenedy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to The Wounded Warrior Project, Inc.

Lupe V. Davila, Jr.

davilaLupe V. Davila, Jr., a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, entered eternal rest, Friday, January 31, 2014 at 1:36 P.M., in the Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital in Kenedy, Texas at the age of 63 years, 9 months and 10 days.

Lupe was born and raised in Kenedy, Texas, April 21, 1950, the son of Lupe Davila and Evarista Villarreal Davila. He attended Kenedy Schools and in 1970 began working for Stimson’s Furniture in Kenedy, Texas. On January 8, 1970, Lupe married the love of his life, Adela Moreno in Kenedy. He and Adela worked side by side; not only in life but at work. While Adela worked the store front, Lupe handled the service and delivery. It was here where Lupe was able to do what he loved most and truly get to know and interact with the many different customers.  Lupe retired from Stimson Furniture in 2010.

Lupe was also a retired member of the Kenedy Volunteer Fire Department where he remained active for 27 years. He was an active member of the St. Cornelius Knights of Columbus Council #6782 in Karnes City and was a practicing member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, Texas.

Mr. Davila was truly a “people person” and never met a stranger. He was always ready to meet you with a smile and always left an impression behind. He had a love for fishing as well as a hobby of building miscellaneous wood works around the house and especially birdhouses; but Lupe’s true love was in his family and his grandchildren. He could spend countless hours with his grandchildren and looked forward to spending the summer months with them the most.

Lupe is survived by his loving wife of over 44 years, Adela Davila; his son, Michael Davila and wife Selina of Spring; his daughter, Monica Davila and partner Grace of Alice; his sisters, Janie Kotzur of Kenedy, Lenora Moreno of Rosenberg and, Oralia Jacques of Rosenberg; and his brother, Eddie Davila of Houston. Lupe is also survived by his 5 beautiful grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, Daniella, Ciera and Matthew; his numerous nieces and nephews and a host of many friends.

Visitation will be held, Sunday, February 2, 2014, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, and a rosary will be recited, Sunday at 7:00 P.M., in the chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated, 10:00 A.M., Monday, February 3, 2014, at Our Lady Queen Of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy, Texas with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas.