Barbara Ann Kotzur, Age 50 of Karnes City, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2016 in Floresville, TX. Barbara was born on January 27, 1966 in Karnes City, TX to the late Elia, Sr. and Eugenia Sczepanik Kotzur.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents Elias, Sr. and Eugenia Sczepanik Kotzur; sister, Betty Dragon; brothers, Elias Kotzur, Jr., and Frankie Kotzur.

She is survived by her son, Leroy Kotzur and wife Jessica of Floresville; sisters, Margaret Kotzur of Karnes City, Helen Mick of Alvin, Irene McGovern of Kenedy; brothers, Archie Kotzur of Kenedy and Johnny Kotzur of Kenedy; grandchildren Sierra Kotzur and Austin Kotzur of Floresville.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Friday, September 16, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 10AM in the St. Cornelius Catholic Church, Karnes City, TX.  Interment will be held at a later date.

Lois M. Henderson Falvella was a resident of Hallettsville, Texas and formally of Kenedy, Texas, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2016 at the Hallettsville Rehab and Nursing Center in Hallettsville, Texas, at the age of 98. Lois was born on February 27, 1918 in Belton, Texas the daughter of Andrew and Mollie Johnson Henderson. She graduated high school in 1926 and married James William Falvella. They had two children, Jamie Marie and Frank Andrew.  Lois had a long banking career with First Nichols National Bank in Kenedy, Texas.  Mrs. Falvella is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mollie Henderson; her brothers Olie Henderson and Johnny Henderson; her son, Frank Falvella; and her daughter, Jamie Falvella Smith.  Mrs. Falvella is survived by grandchildren, James and Janet Foster of Hallettsville, Joe Foster of Kenedy, Kathleen of Houston, and Jeff Foster of Corpus Christi; and her Great Grand Children, Preslie Foster of Hallettsville, Gunnar Janak of Austin and Jacki Foster of Austin.

Family Visitation will be held Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be at 10AM Friday, September 16, 2016 in the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Williams officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Derek Brown, Joe Foster, Jeff Foster, Dennis Matula, Fred Nichols and Kevin Hammack.

Honorary Pallbearer will be Russell Chesser.

Fairy Resa Thompson Wells, was born on June 28, 1914, to parents, John Thomas Thompson, Jr. and Mary Elma Carter Thompson at Nickel, Gonzalez County Texas. She accepted the Lord as Savior at the age of 10 and became a member of Old Moulton Baptist Church in July, 1924 in Revival. She is a current member of First Baptist Church in Kenedy, Texas. Fairy graduated from Nickel High School in Gonzales County. Later, she attended Southwest Texas State Sub College, where she received a Teacher’s Certificate. She transferred after one year at Southwest Texas to Sul Ross State University in Alpine where she received her B.S. and M.A. Degrees. She was married to Alvan N. Wells for twenty five years. She taught 37 years in Texas schools; five years in Nickel, Gonzales County; three years in Tueleta, Bee County; two years at the First Baptist Church in Kenedy; 27 years in the Kenedy Independent School District. She was a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association, a life member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, a life member of Sul Ross Ex-Student Association, a life member of the VFW Auxiliary 6282, and the Aletheian Study Club, and Kappa Delta Phi. Fairy was active in her church and community and always enjoyed hearing from her former students and parents. She thoroughly enjoyed her retirement. She traveled; she participated in church and civic events; and also various social activities. One of Fairy’s greatest joys was being called “Granny Fairy” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed their visits. She is preceded in death by her parents, John T. Thompson, Jr. and Mary Elma Thompson; one sister, Mary Ann Cook, two brothers, John T. Thompson, III and Thomas Carter Thompson; a son, Alvan N. Wells, Jr.; one great-grandchild, Dylan Travis Haynes and a dear friend Alvin Kaiser. She is survived by her daughter and husband Kathy and Raymond Haynes, Granbury, Texas and special friend, Kathlene Kaiser Mikkelson of Georgetown, Texas; grandsons, Russell and Dawn Haynes of Chandler, Arizona and Ronald and Misty Haynes of Lima, Peru; granddaughter, Valerie Wells Bracchi; great grandchildren, Luke Kelly Horner, Jaxon Dylan Haynes, McKallie Mae Haynes, Jacob Arthur Struck, Lillian Olivia Haynes, Lola Kate Haynes, Kingston Bryant Haynes.  Family Visitation will be held Thursday, September 15 from 1PM to 2PM at the First Baptist Church with Services begining at 2PM at the First Baptist Church in Kenedy, TX.

Samuel Arenas, Age 67 of Kenedy, TX passed away on August 31, 2016 in Choate, TX. Samuel was born on December 3, 1948 in Kenedy to the late Matilde and Juanita Rodriquez Arenas. Samuel was a heavy equipment operator and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Samuel Arenas is preceded in death by his wife San Juanita Arenas; parents, Matilde and Juanita Rodriquez Arenas.  Samuel is survived by his daughters; Anna Lisa Arenas of San Antonio, Stephanie Perez of Kenedy and her son Andrew Pesina; sisters, Pauline Reyna of Kenedy, Angie (Juan) Trevino of Goliad, Janie (Mike) Gonzales of Karnes City; brothers, Lupe (Margaret) Arenas of Seguin, Marcos (Rosa) Arenas of Falls City, Carlos (Mary Ann) Arenas, Sr of Kenedy, Gilbert (Yolanda) Arenas of Kenedy, Raymon (Mary) Arenas of Victoria and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A Rosary will be recited Friday, September 2, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Wieslaw Iwaniec officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery, Kenedy, TX

Ryan Quinton Braley, Age 29, of San Antonio, TX was born on Sept. 5, 1986 in San Antonio, TX and lived all his life in San Antonio until he was taken home to the Lord from a sudden illness on Aug. 19, 2016 just 17 short days before his 30th birthday. Ryan was a fun loving, big hearted gentle giant of a man.  He loved people and tried to help others in need wherever he could.  Ryan decided several years ago to be an organ donor, and he will now live on in others.  Ryan hated to see anyone by themselves or looking lonely.  Ryan could go into a room of strangers and by the time he left he would have a new group of friends.  Ryan was a 2005 graduate of Tom C. Clark High School and #99 was a formidable defensive lineman on the Fighting Cougar football team.  He then went on to receive his Associates Degree from Northwest Vista College.  As with many young people, he had several jobs after college.  Ryan found his true passion to be in the insurance industry. Ryan liked to do a variety of things.  Some of his favorites included traveling, fishing, jet skiing at the lake, family gatherings and acquiring a collection of cologne.  He had a gift for setting up sound systems and computers and made it look it easy.   Ryan’s true passion, pride and joy are his two beautiful daughters, Julie Rae Rakowitz Braley and Hayden Jaye Poss Braley.  He loved to play and hold his girls every chance he had.   While Hayden is too young to remember her Daddy, Julie adored him and continues to look for “DADA”.

Ryan was preceded to heaven by paternal grandparents, Bruce Burton and Carole Jo Shafter Braley; maternal grandparents, Chancy “Shorty” E. and Betty Jean Pearce Saxton; and paternal aunt, Pamela Jo Braley Autry.

Ryan is survived by his loving parents Cal and Neccia Saxton Braley of San Antonio; daughters Julie Rae Rakowitz Braley and Hayden Jaye Poss Braley and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved Ryan and will dearly miss him. Family Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2016 from 5PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, TX.  Services will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 2PM at the First Baptist Church in Karnes City, TX with the Rev. Jay Fleming and Rev. Bill Swanson officiating.  Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery, Choate, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will Brandon Saxton, Brent Saxton, Scott Bomar, Chris Bomar, Tyler Bryan, Chance Addington, Derek Saxton and Austin Braudaway.

Honorary Pallbearers are Michael Braudaway, Tommy Bomar, Eddie Saxton, Bill Jones and Quinton Biles.

Rest Well Son, We Love You Mom, Dad, Julie and Hayden.

Memorials may be made to the Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf, San Antonio, TX.

Lizzie Mae “Liz” Braniff took her first breath in Heaven surrounded by her family and her beloved Yorkie, Baby, her faithful companion, in her home on August 4, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 83. Liz was born on May 31, 1933 at Pat Leon Creek, Hawthorn, Texas in San Augustine County to Nay and Ethel Smith.  She grew up in East Texas amongst the beautiful pines and always loved going back there to visit her numerous brothers and sisters.  She married her best friend, Jack Braniff in 1953.  Liz and Jack lived in Cotulla and Jourdanton before settling in Kenedy, TX in 1961.

Liz touched many lives in her 83 years. To her family, she will always be remembered for her kind, gentle and patient ways. She loved her family unconditionally and treasured every moment with them. To many others, Liz was best known for her famous Tino’s Pizza.  She owned and operated Tino’s in Kenedy, Texas for 14 successful years.  She cherished and loved every customer and employee, and was passionate about making each and everyone feel loved and welcomed and “At Home” surrounded by good food, laughter, and above all, love.

In 1988, Liz moved to Pflugerville, Texas where she worked for Randell’s, still creating wonderful dishes with her loving hands through catering. In 2006 she retired in San Antonio, Texas where she continued making every visitor feel loved, welcomed, and “At Home”. We are comforted to know that Liz is now at her eternal mansion with her beloved Jack.  She is also preceded in death by her parents, Nay and Ethel Smith, siblings, Vernon Taylor, Herman Smith, Walter Smith and Nay Smith, all of Hawthorn, Texas in San Augustine County.  Mrs. Braniff is survived by her children Tim and Mary Braniff of Falls City, TX; Rebecca Butler and husband Roy of Rockport, TX; Deborah Walton and husband Gary of Schertz, TX; Chris Braniff of Kerville, TX; and Cindy Stooksberry and husband Tom of San Antonio, TX.  Liz also leaves behind granddaughters Kimberly Kowalik with husband Russell, Jaclyn Braniff, Cierra Braniff, and Ashly Hall with husband Keith; grandsons Michael Braniff, Austin Butler, Jake Butler with wife Melissa, and Travis Walton; and great-grandchildren Nate, Shay and Daylen Kowalik, Savannah Hall, Micah Braniff, and James Butler.

Liz will be greatly missed, but there is great comfort in knowing she is now at home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Family Visitation will be held Sunday, August 7, 2016 from 4PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Monday, August 8, 2016 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Dean officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX.

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.