Susan McGilvray Ellert

Susan McGilvray Ellert

Susan M. Ellert passed away to be at peace with our Lord on the 21st of December in her home in Boca Raton Florida.

Susan was born in Houston Texas to Hendrik & Mary McGillvray.  She moved to Florida in the mid 70’s and loved her friends, her job at SF Dentistry in Coral Springs, she enjoyed the sun, pleasure boating, beaches and the outdoors.  Susan was an animal lover and took care of them as if they were real children. Over her life she had many pets (cats, rabbits, birds & dogs) most coming from homeless shelters.

Susan met her husband John in Miami in 1977 married soon after and they were inseparable to her last day.  They lived in Miami until they lost their home in Hurricane Andrew. After Andrew, John & Susan decided to move to Davie in Broward County.  Her final move was in 2001 to Palm Beach County and Boca Raton. She retired a few years later to a nice life being a terrific homemaker.

She is predeceased by her parents and one sister Gloria Seyfarth of San Antonio Texas.  She is survived by her adoring and loving husband John M. Ellert and two nephews David and Kenneth Seyfarth of San Antonio Texas.

A memorial/celebration of Life service will take place on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Coral Springs Funeral Home in Coral Springs, Florida.

May her memory be Eternal.

Gathering

Friday, January 10, 2020
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Coral Springs Funeral Home
1420 N. University Dr.
Coral Springs, Florida 33071

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Memorial Service

Friday, January 10, 2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Coral Springs Funeral Home
1420 N. University Dr.
Coral Springs, Florida 33071

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Henry Brooks

Henry Tebbs Brooks
1938-2019
 

Henry Tebbs Brooks was born on July 6, 1938 to Henry T. Brooks and Blanche Cobb Brooks in Houston, Texas. A few months following his birth, his dad passed away and he was raised by his mother, who never remarried, and his aunt, Sallye Harris Cobb, both elementary education teachers in Houston. In 1941, his mother purchased a home in West University Place where he grew up. Both these women were strong individuals and during his lifetime, Henry always said that anything good that came from his life was directly related to the great values and integrity instilled in him by them. 

Henry went to West University Elementary, Pershing Junior High and Lamar High schools, graduating in 1956. Following graduation, he went to The University of Texas where he attained BBA and LLB (now JD) degrees in a six-year program. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma at Texas. Following graduation from law school in 1962, he returned to Houston to practice law at which time he met and married Billie Ford from Kerrville who was working as a legal secretary. They were married for 48 years before her death in 2012. 

Billie and Henry had one child, Hogan Brooks, whom he and Billie loved dearly. Hogan and his two daughters, Baylie and Kaitlyn Brooks survive Henry. Following Billie's death, Henry met and married Barbara Joanne Lowrie who made the last years of his life full, fun, rewarding, wonderful and complete. He will be greatly missed by her and other members of his family. He loved and enjoyed life and felt he had been blessed with a good one. Some of the many things he loved doing were fishing, golf (sometimes), good food, travel, making deals and just hanging out with family and good friends. Of all the events, experiences and activities in his life, other than his family, of what he was proudest were the many great friends he had acquired and kept over his whole lifetime. They gave him great joy and contentment and he considered them his greatest treasures. Henry Brooks died of complications related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He will be cremated and his remains handled in a private family ceremony. 

Services for Henry will be at The Woodlands United Methodist Church (Harvest Worship Center) 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380, on Monday, December 16 at 2PM. There will be a reception prior to the service at TWUMC beginning at 12:30PM. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor him may make a contribution to The Montgomery County Community Foundation, 9320 Lakeside Blvd., Bldg. 2, Suite 200, The Woodlands, TX 77381, or the charity of their choice.

Published in Houston Chronicle from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15, 2019

Janice Fleming

Janice Catherine Fleming Roberts Shepherd passed away November 30, 2019, in Houston, Texas, where she had lived most of her life. She was born on December 31, 1937, in Decatur, Illinois.

Janice attended Lamar High School and graduated from Southwestern University, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She went on to teach elementary school and retired from the Houston Independent School District. Simultaneously, she owned Books Galore, books being one of her life’s passions. Janice also enjoyed the arts and loved to socialize within the artist community. 

Family always came first for Janice. She leaves behind three sons: Kenneth Clarke Roberts (Donna), Steven Fleming Roberts (Linda), and Douglas Graves Roberts; six grandchildren: Elian, Callan, Brianna, Samantha, Grace, and Bobby; and her sister, Judy Fleming Canada. She was predeceased by her husband George Shepherd, and her parents Warren and Lucille Fleming.

Janice will always be remembered for her faith, kindness, and beauty, both inside and out.   

Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2019, at 11am.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church 

11612 Memorial Dr

Houston, TX  77024

(713) 782-1710

Janice VanStone Hedrick

Janice VanStone Hedrick 1938-2019

Janice VanStone Hedrick passed away peacefully at her home in Houston on Saturday, November 9, 2019.
Janice was born in Houston on September 24, 1938, to Lorne and Carmen VanStone. After graduation from Lamar High School, she attended Texas Tech University, where she was affiliated with the Tri-Delt sorority. She later attended University of Houston and then worked as a law librarian at Tennessee Gas. Janice met Barney, her husband of 60 years, on a blind date. They were married on September 5, 1959.
Janice stayed home to be a full time mom to Scott and Andrea, and what a mom she was. Gentle and loving and selfless, she was the backbone of the family who quietly and effortlessly kept everything running smoothly. Perhaps her greatest role was as Gaga to her three grandchildren, a role she cherished.
Janice was a fiercely loyal friend and had many friendships dating back to early childhood. She treasured her lunches and many trips with her girlfriends.
Janice was a member of the Houston Junior Forum, Ladies Reading Club, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. An avid football fan, she enjoyed researching picks for her football pool, where she was better known as Lady Gaga Hedrick.
Janice and Barney traveled the world and instilled a love of travel and adventure in their children and grandchildren. Family vacations were a highlight of her life.
To know Janice was to love her. She smiled with her whole face, loved deeply and loyally, and was a true friend to so many. Janice's children and grandchildren were her greatest source of pride and joy, as anyone who ever conversed with her knew immediately.
Janice is survived by her husband, Barney Hedrick, son Scott Hedrick, daughter Andrea Parker and husband Allen; grandchildren Peyton Parker, Tripp Parker, and Kelsey Pierce; brother Lonnie VanStone and wife Danlyn; and nephews Troy and Greg VanStone and their families.
In lieu of flowers, Janice requested that donations be made in her name to a charity of choice or to Southeast Texas Lab Rescue, where she rescued her beloved chocolate lab, Abby. Donations may be made via paypal to info@txlabrescue.org or via mail to STLRR, P.O. Box 46, Magnolia, Texas 77355.
Friends and family are cordially invited to remember Janice at a Celebration of Life at Braeburn Country Club this Saturday, November 16, 3-5 p.m. 8101 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Nov. 13, 2019

Doug Hansen

Douglas Russell Hansen, age 81, passed away on October 22, 2019 in Bonita Springs, Florida after losing a fight with cancer. He was born February 18, 1938 in Houston TX to

Ann & Russell Hansen. 

He earned a degree in chemical engineering from Rice

Institute/University. On June 28, 1968 he married Carol Mae Roloff of Kaukauna WI. In 1993 after working 32 years for Monsanto Chemical Company he retired as Vice

President of Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems.

His work took him to many places, including CA, WI, and MO before retiring to FL. He

enjoyed handball, golf, rooting for the St Louis Cardinals and playing cards with his many

friends. Doug will be especially remembered for his quick wit and his “jokes of the day”.

He was proud to have helped launch E-Beam Services, Inc which became the preeminent

electron beam company in the western hemisphere.

Survivors include his wife Carol “Mitzi” Roloff, sister Martha Dinwiddie, brother-in-law

Richard Dinwiddie, sisters-in-law Mernie Roloff, Roberta Roloff, Barbara Roloff and many

cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date in Appleton, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bullard Community Library P.O.Box 368

Bullard, TX 75757 or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Sandy Vaughan

Roswell Fairbanks Vaughan III
1938-2019

Sandy Vaughan pressed on to join his Lord and Savior in the late afternoon of Friday, the 18th of October 2019. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on the 30th of June 1938, and moved to Houston in 1945, where he attended River Oaks Elementary, Lanier and Lamar before graduating from Duke University in 1960. Sandy spent several years working in New York for Irving Trust Company and Kidder Peabody. He then moved to Houston with Rauscher Pierce and in 1975 opened an office in Houston for Merrill Lynch. In 1990 he started IBK and then joined Prudential Securities.
Sandy loved his 42 years of investment banking, because so many of his clients became friends. While doing his profession, he was able to advise such business legends as Sam Walton, Joe Walter, Sam Noble, Harry Smith and so many more. His SunnyDell Farm in Schulenburg, Texas is a living testament to his vision and passion for the land. His passion for hunting birds all over the world just added to this hobby.
Sandy's favorite spot was the towering long leaf pine trees in South Georgia where he shared a quail plantation with Dan Tutcher. He started hunting in Moultrie, Georgia in 1972 and never missed a year, being joined by countless friends. He was a member of The Houston Country Club, Coronado Club, International Order of St. Hubertus, Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Executive Association and various industry and civic organizations on whose governing committees he served from time to time.
He was predeceased by his parents, Helen McFarland and Roswell Vaughan; sister, Katherine Vaughan Jaschke; and nephew, Damon Jaschke. Sandy is survived by his wife, Blake Campbell, who he married in 1965. As he said on more than one occasion, he "loved her all the way to the sky and back again." His daughters, Ann Hobson and Helen Schmidt, with their husbands Lee and Britt, were truly special to him. They offered much fun and companionship over his lifetime, as did his five grandchildren, Blake, Mary Helen, Kathleen, David and Henry. Lastly, six wonderful Labrador Retrievers were always loyal to him, while retrieving many birds and never complaining.
Sandy loved his Lord and his church, where he served as a Lay Reader, Acolyte Master for 12 years and on the Vestry.
A Memorial Service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 24th of October at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family at a venue to be announced during the services.
In lieu of flowers, and for those desiring please consider Employee Scholarship Fund, Houston Country Club, One Potomac Drive, Houston, Texas 77057; or to the charity of one's choice.
"All I can say is this: forgetting what is behind me, and reaching out for that which lies ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize which is God's call to the life above, in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14.
Please visit Sandy's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Oct. 23, 2019

Robert Peyton Dunnam

Robert Peyton Dunnam 1938 – 2019

Robert “Bob” Dunnam passed away on July 31, 2019 in Austin, Texas. He will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor and enduring sense of curiosity.

The youngest son of Virginia Illig and Samuel Ellis Dunnam, Bob was born on March 18, 1938 in Houston, Texas, where he spent his early youth. His family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1941 for his father's oil business, but soon returned to Houston, where he grew up with older brothers Sam and James Dunnam. He attended River Oaks Elementary School, Lanier Middle School and Lamar High School. While there, he was Ramal treasurer; vice president of his class; a member of both the track and basketball teams; in the National Honor Society; and was yearbook editor.

Bob attended Williams College for his undergraduate degree. During his college years, he took a year off for his “trip around the world.” During this cherished adventure, he traveled through Europe, Asia and Africa. Along the way, he appeared in the film “The World of Suzy Wong,” advocated for a Williams scholarship for his new Tibetan friend Tashi, and developed a love of cultures and diversity that he carried throughout his life. Bob returned to Williams to letter in track and graduate with a degree in History in 1961.  He was then selected to attend Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs on a Woodrow Wilson fellowship.

After attending Princeton, he went on to work at an insurance company in New York before moving to Austin to pursue a career as a real estate developer and broker, often working with his brother Sam. Their major developments included the Dobie Center, a 29-story residential and commercial tower just south of The University of Texas campus, and Northcross Mall in northwest Austin, which brought the San Antonio-based retailer Frost Brothers to Austin.

In Austin, Bob met and married Holly Martin, and they had a daughter, Charlotte Louise Dunnam. Their free spirits took them to Colorado to enjoy the seasons for a few years before settling in Arizona. A true Texan at heart, Bob eventually returned to Austin where he resided for the rest of his life.

Bob was regarded by all who knew him as a kind, fair and generous man with a playful sense of humor and compassionate spirit. He loved to dance, was known for his signature black-rimmed glasses, and immensely enjoyed a glass of fine red wine accompanied by good conversation. He was a devoted and adored father, uncle and brother-in-law who took great pleasure in watching the next generation come of age.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Virginia Dunnam of Houston, his brothers Sam and James Dunnam, and nephew Schreiner Dunnam. He is survived by his daughter Charlotte Dunnam; sister-in-law Valerie Dunnam; nephews Greig, Jeff and Russell Dunnam; and nieces Alicia Vincent and Virginia Lahourcade and their families.

Carolyn Turner Waters

Alice Carolyn Turner Waters died peacefully on May 7, 2019 in the home of her daughter Susan in Mansfield, Texas. Mrs. Waters was born in Houston and was a long time resident and community volunteer in Tyler. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Paul Rodgers Waters and daughter Ellen Rodgers Waters Olson. She is survived by her daughters Lynne Turner Waters and spouse Clayton H. W. Hee of Ahuimanu, Hawaii, and Susan Waters Hunt, spouse Gregory M. Hunt, and her beloved grandson Turner Waters Hunt of Mansfield, Texas. Also surviving her are brother and sister-in-law Robert D. Turner and Anne Turner of Sessay, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, U.K., and their two children, Tom Turner and wife Maura of Dedham, Massachusetts and their children, and Alicia Turner Chantrey and spouse Justin Chantrey of London, England, and their children.

Mrs. Waters was a graduate of Lamar High School in Houston. She earned her B.A. in Romance Languages with Honors at The Rice Institute (Rice University), where she was a member of The Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society, the Phi Beta Kappa honors society, Pi Delta Phi, and Sigma Delta Pi. She went on to earn her M.A. with honors in Spanish Literature from Southern Methodist University. She was a member of MENSA in Tyler.

She had a versatile career as a teacher, bank officer, petroleum land woman, and television executive and had an extensive community profile through volunteerism.

Mrs. Waters earned her Teaching Certificate and taught Spanish in the Austin Public Schools System and later in the Tyler Independent School District and Texas Eastern University, which later became the University of Texas at Tyler. After working some years in oil and gas land titles and bank marketing, she was part of the management/ownership group that founded KETK - TV 56 (NBC) and held positions of Community Relations Director, Promotions Director, and Director of Programming. After retiring, she served as programming consultant and Grand Opening organizer of the CBS19 affiliate established in 2004.

A decades-long communicant, volunteer and worshipper at Christ Episcopal Church, Mrs. Waters was the first female Lay Reader at Christ Episcopal and was on the Founding Board of Directors of the Christ Episcopal Church East Texas Choir School. Mrs. Waters was active in many civic, public service, and cultural organizations. She served on the founding steering committee and as a charter Board member of the East Texas Food Bank; and on the boards of the Literacy Council of Tyler, CASA for Kids of East Texas, Inc., and the Hospice of East Texas. A United Way volunteer and loaned executive, Women's Division Chairman, and Marketing Committee Chairman, she received the Betty Hurt Nelson Service Award in 2000. She was also a volunteer and/or member of the Junior Leagues of Tyler and Dallas, the Women's Symphony League, The Texas Rose Festival, Friends of the Tyler Library, and PATH. She won the Texas State Library Association's outstanding project award for creation and execution of "The More You Know About Texas" reading and essay contest in 13 East Texas Counties.

Services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Friday, May 24 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to PATH or to Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler, or to any charity of your choosing.

Published in Tyler Morning Telegraph on May 16, 2019

Jim Meadows

Clayton James Meadows Jr.

Birth Date: August 12, 1938

Death Date: April 9, 2019

 

A 7th generation Texan, Clayton James (Jim) Meadows, Jr. passed away April 9th, 2019 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jim was born in Houston, Texas on August 12, 1938 to Reveris Eaves Meadows and Clayton James Meadows, Sr, both of Houston.
He graduated from Lamar High School and received his degree from Rice Institute, now Rice University in 1960.
A Dallas resident since 1968, Jim worked for Magcobar Company, which later became Dresser Industries, for over 40 years, until retiring in 2002. In his early career he enjoyed traveling, working overseas in Libya and London and telling stories of life in Chelsea in the 60’s. Later in life his travels were a bit tamer, canoeing and rafting in Canada and Colorado, annual trips to a collector’s conference that he attended for 30+ years and to his beloved family Bayhouse on Galveston Bay where he and his brother and cousins grew up spending time with Granny and their parents.
As an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, Jim served as the Finance Committee Chair, Board Member and Program Council Member and could be found most Sundays singing with the Choir, Kindred Voices. A favorite holiday tradition was admiring the thousands of vintage Christmas decorations that adorned the Christmas trees that he so lovingly collected since childhood. If it was vintage and could be collected, Jim did it! In addition to the Christmas decorations he collected unique musical instruments (he still has a pump organ he rebuilt in his teens), music boxes of all types, china, vintage kitchen appliances (he was a wonderful cook!), but when asked what his most cherished collection was, it was his family and friends. Jim and his partner Stan built a life together that included countless dinners with friends and family, filled with laughter and joy. Jim cherished his partner, family and marvelous group of friends. Stan lovingly cared for Jim in the final months of his life. Jim will be remembered by all who crossed his path because of his caring nature, huge smile and twinkle in his eye.
He is survived by his partner of almost 50 years, Stan Mayfield; bother, Bert Meadows; nieces and nephew Michelle Meadows, Clayton Meadows, Cheryl Meadows and great-nephew Nicholas Meadows, all of Dallas, Texas.
Per Jim’s wishes, a small family gathering was held in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Unitarian Church of Dallas.
Please note in the Memo section: Jim Meadows Choir Gift. The funds will be dedicated to purchasing or commissioning choir anthems in his memory.
First Unitarian Church of Dallas
4015 Normandy Ave.
Dallas, Texas 75205

Stephen Lee Shaw1938-2019

Stephen Lee Shaw, age 80, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully on Monday April 8, 2019. He was born September 17, 1938 to James and Edith Shaw.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, David Shaw. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Sharon Shaw, his children; Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Shaw, Jr., and Sabrina Shaw, their mother; Julia Toler and 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Stephen graduated from Lamar University in 1956. He loved playing the drums and was a member of the Aggie Corp Band while he briefly attended Texas A&M. He was an Army Reservist and a Civil Engineer for the State of Texas for over 30 years.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Apr. 13, 2019

William C. ("Watty") Watkins

William C.  ("Watty") Watkins 1937-2019

Bill Watkins lost a one year fight with pancreatic cancer on March 19, 2019.  His family was with him constantly and will greatly miss his gentle, loving, kind friendship. He always had a joke and a helping hand for his friends, patients, and loved ones.
Bill was born on May 7, 1937, to George and Edna Watkins in Lubbock, Texas.  He was a graduate of Pershing Junior High School, Lamar High School, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas Dental Branch, where he met and married Elena Densford, his best friend and love of his life.
He served as a dentist in the US Navy in Washington, DC, and the Holy Loch, Scotland, aboard the USS Hunley, a submarine tender.
After his naval service, Bill and Elena started their dental practice in Houston on West Orem Drive, where they happily served for 51 years.  They lived in the same house on Maple Street in Bellaire for nearly 50 years, where they raised their beautiful children, Andy and Eron, served the community, played tennis, softball, and made lifelong friends.
Bill was also an avid landscaper, liking nothing more than designing flower beds, planting trees, and enjoying his beautiful yard with its lush tropical ambience.  Twice the Bellaire Home Tour featured his home and gardens.
Bill and Elena loved to travel, enjoying people and places in every continent except Antarctica, which they came close to when they sailed Cape Horn.  Bill intended to explore every one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, but never made it to the Taj Mahal.
His was a full, rich life that just kept getting better when his children married into wonderful families and provided him with beautiful grandchildren.  Dr. Andrew William and Heather Haft Watkins, parents of Evan Andrew and Kelly Rose, and Eron Elena Watkins Grant and Dr. Mark Cullen Grant, parents of Kasidy Cora and Cullen William have all made him very proud.
After retirement, he and Elena moved to Cypress, Texas to The Heritage in Towne Lake, a wonderful community of loving caring people, where he happily landscaped his yard on the lake.  He loved playing horseshoes, table shuffleboard, golf, going to lunch and breakfast with his friends, and taking family and friends out in his boat.
BIll was not ready to leave this life, but knew he would be welcomed in heaven by God, his parents, his parents-in-law, and brother-in-law, among other relatives and friends who preceded him in death.
Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Dr. Andrew Watkins, Evan Watkins, Dr. Mark Grant, Cullen Grant, Maj. George Watkins (ret.), Col. Charles Densford (ret.), Maj. Gen. Dan Densford (ret.), S. Sgt. Bucky Densford (ret.), Richard Grant, Rody Grant, and Ronald Haft.  Honorary pallbearers are so many close and dear friends who know they are brothers of his, too.
Bill loved flowers, but he would also love to know that someday there might be a cure for this dreadful disease that took his life too early, so our family selected Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as a worthy organization that not only works for a cure, but counsels patients.  To make a donation in Bill’s name, please visit pancan.org.
A funeral service honoring the life of Bill Watkins will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 22, 2019 at Trinity Downtown Lutheran Church, 800 Houston Avenue in Houston, Texas.

Helen Raaz Viereck

Helen Raaz Viereck

October 19, 1937 – September 23, 2018

Helen Raaz Viereck was born on October 19, 1937 in Houston, Texas and passed away on September 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas.