Obituaries

Jo Ann Rose Shanks passed from this life to eternal life on June 22, 2019, at her home in San Saba, surrounded by her loving family. Jo Ann was born on August 6, 1933 in Baytown, TX where she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. She married her beloved husband of 59 years, Terry Lee Shanks, on April 4, 1952. They moved to San Saba in 1962 from Baytown with three young children, not knowing anyone there but determined to raise their kids with some country roots.

Jo Ann devoted herself to her family and was most joyful when surrounded by them. She was an incredible role model as she exemplified her strong work ethic. She worked tirelessly, full time outside the home in addition to taking care of the household, helping with homework, planning school parties, sponsoring extra-curricular activities, and more, to insure her kids could take advantage of every opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Willis Richard (Dick) Landers, Jr., passed from this life to eternal life on June 10, 2019 at his home in Lampasas, one day short of his 95th birthday. Mr. Landers was born on June 11, 1924 in San Saba, Texas, to parents, Willis Richard Landers and Mary Edith Low Landers.

He spent most of his childhood living in Cherokee with his parents and three brothers, with the exception of fall harvest travelling to various communities to thrash and gather pecans. The boys attended country schools wherever they were working the harvest.

His family attended the annual Camp Meetings held each August on Cherokee Creek near the Bend. It was during one of those meetings when he was in his early teens that Mr. Landers was “dunked in the creek” and joined the Methodist Church.

36 Years Ago

June 30, 1983

A box filled with flammable material was apparently set ablaze adjacent to one of the locker room doors under Rogan Field football stands about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. San Saba Chief of Police Ray Riggs was one of the first to arrive on the scene and kicked the box and its contents away from the door.

The fire blistered some of the paint on the door and casing but did not cause any further damage as black smoke from the burning contents billowed up through the stands. San Saba VFD put out the blaze.

67 Years Ago

June 15, 1952

Thomas Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Stewart, appeared in the cast of The Cactus Opera Group at a stage performance of "The Marriage of Figaro," in Dallas at Scott Hall. Stewart, who played the role of Dr. Bartalo, was described in the Dallas Morning News as the best bass-baritone voice in the production.

Russell Allen Walker, 78, went to be with his Lord, Friday, June 7, 2019, after suffering injuries in a car accident in Waco, Texas. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death.

Russell was born on September 4, 1940 to Russell V. Walker and Helen K. Walker in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Refugio High School, where he played sports and built cars to drag race at sanctioned race tracks.

Russell attended Texas State University in San Marcos where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He received his BS degree in 1962 and a Masters in Counseling and Guidance in 1966. He was called to serve in education for 43 years as a principal, counselor, teacher and coach.

John Woodson Harrell, age 80, of San Saba, fell asleep in Christ with his family by his side on Sunday, June 2, 2019 in Goldthwaite, Texas. Woodson was born in San Saba, Texas to John Harrell Sr. and Irene (Ponton) on October 26, 1938.

Woody graduated from San Saba High School in 1957. He worked in maintenance and welding until his retirement. Woody married Julia Whitley in San Saba, Texas on June 27, 1958, were they made their home and were members of the Christadelphian Church in San Saba, Texas. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. Woody also liked to play 42.

January 19, 1927 – May 25, 2019

Wyno Lee French Murphy was born in Mills County to Aubrey Lee and Mary Etta Goodwin French on January 19, 1927. She attended school in Mullin, graduated in 1945 and worked for the telephone company in Dallas until her marriage to Melvin Day Murphy. Most of her married life was spent in San Saba where she was a devoted wife and mother of their four children. She was a wonderful cook, seamstress, and homemaker, involved in her children’s schools and activities and taught them the Word of God with nightly devotionals.

Wyno Lee was a faithful member of the Church of Christ through which she volunteered as a mentor in the local prison and served Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed visiting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, gardening and a bit of traveling.

Sarah Walker, age 96, of San Saba went to her eternal home on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at San Saba Nursing and Rehabilitation. Sarah Janice Walker was born in San Saba county March 7, 1923. She was the second of seven children of Samuel M. Walker and Ada Ruth Walker.

Her early years were spent in Pecan Grove Community in San Saba county were she attended school, eventually graduating from high school in Brady, Texas. After high school, she trained in the medical field at Dallas Methodist Hospital and John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas. Sarah also served in the Women’s Army Corp, receiving an honorable discharge in 1957. Most of her professional career was in the medical field, and she retired as a medical transcriber in Tucson, Arizona. She continued to make Tucson her home until failing health required her to return to Texas to be near her family.

Pastor Tom McCollister, 66 of Kingsland, was called home on his favorite day of the week - the Lord’s Day - Sunday, June 3, 2019, while on his way to church. He was born on December 26, 1952 to Leonard Thomas and Irene (Coats) McCollister in Seagraves, Texas. Tom married the love of his life, Pam Ammons, in August of 1973.

Julia Perez, 84, passed away on May 31, 2019, at her home in San Saba, Texas, with her family by her side. Visitation and Rosary were held on June 2, 2019, at Heritage Funeral Home in San Saba. The service for Julia was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in San Saba on June 3, 2019, with Deacon Richard Menchaca conducting the services. She was buried in San Saba Cemetery following the services.

Julia was born to Roman and Hilaria Coronado on January 28th, 1935. She married Joe C. Perez on October 9th, 1954 where they made their home in San Saba. She enjoyed gardening, selling tamales and making sure her family was doing well.

James W. Wilder, age 61, of San Saba passed away in Abilene, Texas on May 22, 2019. James was born in San Saba, Texas to Jack Wilder and Wilma Vondene (Adams) on February 21, 1958. James retired from St. Gobain (Norton) 2017. He was an avid outdoors man who won numerous bass fishing awards. James was most proud of his children who he worked so hard for to give them what they needed. He loved unconditionally, was wise and had lots of stories about his childhood and life in general. James also loved Funko, Monday Raw, Pokémon Go, Saturday morning cartoons, James Bond movies, gardening and birding.