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Jack M. Bryant
BROWNSVILLE — Jack M. Bryant, 80, of Brownsville, Texas passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 after a long illness. He was born April 9, 1924 to Oscar Lee and Elsie C. Bryant and grew up in Harlingen and attended Harlingen High School. After he married he lived in Amarillo a few years, then returned to Brownsville. There, he was in the used car business, then farming, and then was a commercial real estate broker. He served on the Brownsville Board of Realtors, was active in the Lions Clubs, the Elks Club, and was a Mason for over 50 years. He enjoyed watching wildlife and was on an El Sauez Ranch lease for many years. He loved offshore fishing and fished in the TIFT tournament for many years.
He survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Helen Bryant of San Benito; his daughter and her husband, Elizabeth (Betty) Ann and Cecil Moody of Fairview, Texas; his son and wife, Robert L. Sr. and Pam Bryant of New Braunfels and by numerous nephews and nieces, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held 10 a.m., January 22, 2005 at The Chapel by the Sea of South Padre Island. This will be followed by a boat trip for the scattering of ashes over the Gulf of Mexico conducted by his nephew, Daniel Bryant of South Padre Island.Donations in his name may be made to the American Lung Association or to the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, San Benito, Texas, 399-1331.
Henry Larry (Griff) Griffith Jr.
CORSICANA, TX — Mr. Henry Larry (Griff) Griffith Jr., 67, passed away Thursday, December 30, 2004 at heritage Oaks West. He was born on April 12, 1937 in Corsicana, TX to Henry Lawrence Griffith Sr. and Juanitha Swink Griffith. He served in the United States Airforce. He was an avid bay and gulf fisherman where he loved the area; he was a police officer for 25 years in the Valley and South Padre Island area.
He is survived by his mother, Juanitha Swink Griffith of Corsicana; sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald C. and Brenda Griffith of Corsicana, John T. and Lisa Griffith of Justin; grandchildren, Amanda M. White and husband, Cory of Corsicana, Ronnie C. Smith Jr. and wife, Kelly of Lawton, OK, Toby Kelly, and Melvin Hernandez Jr.; great grandchildren, Dylan Bugg, Payton B. Smith, and Aubree Paige Smith; sisters, Beverly Griffith Williamson and husband, Dugan of Navarro Mills; half-sister, Linda Beth Griffith- Jackson and husband, Herbert of Burnet, TX; uncles and aunts, Hollis and Betty Swink of Corsicana, Charles and Emma Goode of Navarro Mills, Edna and the late George Ewing of Waco, the late Russell and Lorene Walker of Corsicana, Ticoy and the late Clay Griffith of Hemphill, and the late Helen Griffith-Roper of Corsicana and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Saturday evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Graveside services will be Sunday, January 2, 2004, 3 p.m. at Dawson Cemetery in Dawson, Texas.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana, TX.
Nieves De Leon Cortez
SAN BENITO — Nieves De Leon Cortez, 95, entered into rest on January 1, 2005. Mrs. Cortez was born in Mendez, Tamp., Mexico on September 1, 1909 to Felipa and Antonio De Leon. She was a loving and dedicated mother and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Mrs. Cortez is survived by her loving sons, Jose M. (Virginia) Cortez of San Benito, Reynaldo Cortez of Athens, Georgia, Gaspar (Clarita) Cortez of New Braunfels, Israel (Anita) Cortez of Falfurrias, Robert (Estela) Cortez of Donna, Carlos (Noemi) Cortez of Houston; by her loving daughters, Dora Ramos of Corpus Christi, Anita (Ramiro) Gomez of Brownsville, Delia (Isaac) Martinez of Harlingen, Mary (George) Oaks of Lyford, Elisa (Raul) Garcia of Harlingen and Emily (Walt) Canady of Round Rock; daughter-in-law, Juanita Cortez of San Benito, sister, Consuelo Ramirez of San Jose, California; 47 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren, and 28 great great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gaspar Cortez of 76 years in marriage; her sons, Antonio Cortez; her parents, Felipa and Antonio De Leon; her brothers, Fidel De Leon and Alejandro De Leon; her sisters, Domitilla Cortez, Guadalupe Rodriguez and Santiaga Silva; her daughters-in-law, Dolores Cortez, Rosario Cortez and son-in-law, Jacinto Ramos.
Visitation will be held at the San Benito Funeral Home on Monday, January 3, 2005 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 2 p.m. with Father Rudy Franco officiating. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be her sons, Jose, Reynaldo, Gaspar, Robert, Carlos and grandson, Ricardo Cortez. Honorary pallbearer will be Mr. Antonio Cortez (Deceased).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunshine Haven, P.O. Box 4478, Brownsville, TX 78523.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of San Benito Funeral Home, San Benito, TX.
Mayme Pierce Grayson
RAYMONDVILLE — Mayme Pierce Grayson, 91, of Raymondville entered into rest on December 30, 2004 in Whitney, TX. She was born in Red Oak, OK to Charles Clifton Pierce and Nora (Davis) Pierce. Mrs. Grayson moved to Raymondville in 1932 and had worked at Neese’s Pharmacy, and the RISD at Myra Green in the cafeteria dept. Until she and her husband opened the Grayson Grocery Store in downtown Raymondville.
She is survived by her daughter, Lois (Heinz) Bongers of Santa Clara, CA; sons, Sam (Eileen) Johnson of Whitney, TX and James D. (Sybil) Johnson of Marion Junction, AL; a sister, Mrs. Rubye Hasenmiller of Friends Wood, TX and a very good friend Mrs. Nola Wallace of Raymondville; 28 nieces and nephews, 6 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Graveside funeral service will be held 2 p.m., today, Monday, January 3, 2005 at the Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Maurice McLeroy officiating.
Duddlesten Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Roy Parker
WESLACO — Roy Parker, 77, passed away suddenly, Friday, December 31, 2004 at Knapp Medical Center.
Visitation will be held today, Monday, January 3, 2005 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at the McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel.
McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Abel T. Silva
HARLINGEN, TX — Abel T. Silva, 87, entered the Lord‘s Kingdom on Sunday, January 2, 2005. Mr. Silva was born in Mexico on November 13, 1917. He was a lifetime resident of Harlingen, and was empoyed by J.C. Penny‘s for 56 years.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Isidra Colunga Davila in 1989; and his son-in-law, Lamberto Tito Davila in 2003.
He was a devoted Catholic and his Ministry was to see and pray for resiodents of nursing homes in Harlingen. He will be greatly missed and remembered for his generosity and his big smile.
Survivors include his daughter, Gloria Davila of Harlingen; 4 grandsons, Gilbert, Lambert, Albert, and Duke Davila; 1 granddaughter, Debbie Loera; 13 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.
There will be a Rosary tonight at 7 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Chapel at 1002 E. Harrison.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony‘s Catholic Church. Burial will follow to Mont Meta Memorial Park under the direction of Trinity Funeral Chapels.
Honored to be pallbearers will be his great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trinity Funeral Home.
Simon R. Perez
HARLINGEN, TX — Simon R. Perez, 65, entered into rest on Friday in Harlingen, TX.
Mr. Perez was a 14 year resident of Harlingen and is preceded in death by his wife, Angelita Perez; daughter, Jesusita Hernandez; father, Joaquin Perez; mother, Jesusa R. Tamez; and brothers, Antonio, Francisco and Santiago Perez.
He is survived by his children, Simon Perez, Jr., of Crete, ILL, Belma Terrian of Ft. Pierce, FL, Estella Avitia of Chicago, ILL, Nancy Perez of Sauk Village, ILL, Simon Cavazos of Raymondville, 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia Gonzalez of Rio Hondo, TX; and brothers, Fernando Perez of Harlingen, TX, Alfredo Perez of Sebastian, TX, Manuel Tamez and Jose Tamez both of Harlingen, TX.
Visitation will be held today, January 4, 2005 from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM at the Rudy Garza Chapel of Angels with the Holy Rosary to be prayed at 7:00 PM.
The funeral procession will depart the Rudy Garza Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 1:30 PM for a 2:00 PM Mass of Christian burial at St. Helen‘s Catholic Church in Rio Hondo, TX. Interment will follow at Ashland Memorial Park in Harlingen, TX.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Perez‘s family members.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rudy Garza Funeral Home in Harlingen, Texas.
Jose B. Montoya
HARLINGEN, TX — Jose B. Montoya, 76, entered into rest on Saturday at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
Mr. Montoya is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Beatrice P. Montoya; children, Mr. & Mrs. Pablo Montoya, Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Montoya, Maria De Los Angeles Martinez Duarte, Ruben Martinez Duarte, Bernaldo Martinez Duarte, Carlos Martinez, Duarte, Ignacio Martinez Duarte, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held today, Tuesday, January 4, 2005 from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM at the Rudy Chapel of Peace with a Prayer Service to be held at 7:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 10:00 AM at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Ashland Memorial Park in Harlingen, TX.
Pallbearers will be Steve Montoya, Jesus Montoya, Joey Contreras, Johnny Contreras, Jimmy Montoya, Jr. and Danny Montoya.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rudy Garza Funeral Home in Harlingen, Texas.
Maria C. Muñoz
PRIMERA, TX — Maria C. Muñoz, 95, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2005 at her residence. She was born January 7, 1909 in Mexico.
She is survived by her loving husband, Apolinario Muñoz; sons, Hermilo Muñoz of Naples, Florida, Margarito Muñoz of Houston, Texas; daughters, Amalia Contreras of Grant, Michigan, Micaela Angulo, Cecilia Muñoz and Felipa Posada of Primera, Texas.
Maria is also survived by many grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her son, Miguel Muñoz.
Visitation was held on Monday, January 3, 2005 and will continue today Tuesday, January 4, 2005 from 9 AM to 9 PM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7 PM at Garza-Elizondo Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Father Matthias Shanley, SS.CC. Officiating. Internment to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
Pallbearers will be Hermilo Muñoz Jr., Albert Posada, Juan Angulo, Refugio Posada, Juan Posada, Richard Muñoz, Ralph Angulo, and Arturo Angulo.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Garza-Elizondo Funeral Home.
Roy Lee Parker
WESLACO, TX — Roy Lee Parker, 77, of Weslaco, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2004 at Knapp Medical Center. He was born in Iowa on September 29, 1927 to Frank and Lena Parker.
He moved to the Valley when he was 8 years old. He graduated from Edcouch Elsa. He married Louise Music in 1946. He worked for Stauffer Chemical for 38 years and retired in 1987. He owned and managed, along with his daughter, Clear View Trailer Park. Along with his sons, he helped launch our famous Fat Daddy‘s Restaurant in Weslaco. He was a devoted Elks member for 36 years. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his late wife, Louise.
He is survived by his brother, Dale (Lucy) Parker of Donna; his sister, Dorothy Jackson of Louisiana; sons, Richard (Donna) Parker of Austin, Roy Wayne Parker of Weslaco, Mike Real of Weslaco; and daughters, Sherry (Bobby) Nichols of Weslaco, Judy Mills of Springdale, AR. Also surviving is his longtime companion and best friend, Helen E. Davis of Corpus Christi; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and his loyal dog, Harley.
Funeral services will be held today, Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 2 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel in Weslaco. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Becker, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Weslaco.
Final ritual rites will be conducted by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #2057 of Weslaco. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Bob Wilt, Tommy Taylor, Mickey Penbrook, Larry Burgess, B.T. Bell, F.I. Rakestraw, Jr., as well as his six loving grandsons.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Weslaco Elks Lodge Children Services, 1963 FM 1586, Gonzales, Texas 78629-9613.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home.
William Bell, III
HARLINGEN, TX — Born in 1942 in Kingston, Pennsylvania and passed away on December 20, 2004 in Brownsville, Texas.
Jake‘s formative years were spent with his Mom and Dad on Mt. Zion in Pennsylvania. He attended Wyoming Seminary Day School and graduated from West Pittston High School. Jake went on to attend the Pennsylvania military College and graduated with a BS in Business Administration. In later years, Jake was working toward his MBA at Eastern New Mexico University.
Jake began his distinguished military career on June 4th, 1965 coming out of the US Infantry School in Fort Benning GA. His first active duty with the Infantry sent him to the DMZ in Korea. He was then sent on assignment in Germany and while there was transferred to the Special Forces Group as a Green Beret. Jake went on to proudly serve his country in Vietnam. While in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions; the Silver Star for gallantry in action; as well as nine other awards including an Army Commendation Medal from the 101st Airborne Division for his contributions to the group; another Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and three Vietnamese medals for extraordinary service to his country.
Jake retired as a Captain on January 16, 1974 in Roswell New Mexico while serving as an instructor at New Mexico military Institute and retained his Reserve Officers Commission.
After the military, he began his civilian career which filled the next thirty years and included Real Estate, Sales, Marketing and Advertising and allowed him to travel extensively throughout the Southwest.
Jake loved life. He was an avid sports fan, a legendary downhill skier, a motor cycle enthusiast, a fearless Formula V race car driver and thanks to his father a lifelong fisherman. In college Jake was on the Men‘s Indoor Track Team and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He joined the VFW, the American Legion and was active with various other Veteran‘s Groups.
In August 2004 Jake married Danette Davis who survived him in death. Jake was also survived by his mother, Anna Masters Bell of Harlingen, Texas; and his three daughters, Jhanna Tucker (Lanning) of Fort Myers, Florida, Jennifer Allen (Scott) of Harlingen, Texas, Michelle Love Bell of Spokane, Washington; two grandsons, Aaron Michael and Bryan Zachary Tucker of Fort Myers, Florida; by his two step-daughters, Nicholle Street (Charles) of Columbia, Tennessee, Jennifer Bauer (Danny) of Rockville, Texas as well as Dakota and Dancee Street of Columbia, Tennessee.
He is preceded in death by his father, William "Bill" Jacob Bell, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mt. Zion Methodist Church and/or any other Veteran related organization.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled some time in early 2005 on South Padre Island, Texas.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Adela de Pena
MERCEDES, TX — Adela Avila de Pena, 89, was born April 3, 1915 in Donna, Texas to Tranquilino Avila and Adela Munoz. She entered into eternal rest on January 4, 2005 at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.
A wonderful wife, mother and grandmother she was devoted to her family and home.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Alvaro Pena; and is survived by her five children, Vickie (Eugenio) Solis of Mercedes, Sylvia Millan of McAllen, Alvaro (Diana) Pena of Reynosa, Tamps. Mexico, Javier (Leticia) Pena of Brownsville, and Omar (Maria Del Rosario) Pena of Reynosa, Tamps. Mexico. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; her sister, Beatriz A. Lopez of Parlier, CA; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Jardines Eternos in Reynosa, Tamps. Mexico on Thursday, January 6, 2005 burial will follow at Panteon Espanol also in Reynosa.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes.
