Obituaries

Hudson Lee Long finished his course on this side of Heaven on January 24, 2018. He was born in Llano, Texas on April 4, 1933. He was many things: husband, father, grandfather, friend, Sunday School teacher, civic volunteer, historian, cowboy poet, actor, postman, rancher, lover of puzzles and games, dedicated sports fan, runner, rafter, and sailor. Most importantly, he loved his family, neighbors, and fellow sojourners in this life. Hudson believed in the Longpromises of God. “For I know the plans I have for you” declared the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. The plans for Hudson included finding the love of his life, Martha Royce Gilliland, and marrying her on his birthday, on April 4, 1958. He was blessed with three children: Patricia Long Weaver, Pamela Baker, and Paul Roy Long.

Melvin Pierce, of Goldthwaite, passed away in Goldthwaite on January 22, 2018. He was 90 years old. Melvin was born February 19, 1927 in Lometa, Texas, to Charlie B. and Ada Sutton Pierce. He served in the Army and later worked for Ingram Concrete as a driver. Melvin was of the Baptist faith. Visitation was held Friday, January 26th at Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home in Goldthwaite. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 27th, at Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home with Butch Foster, officiating. Burial followed at San Saba Cemetery, San Saba, Texas. Pallbearers included Melvin's grandsons: Jeremy Garcia, Scott Geeslin, David Williams, Jordan Tully, C.W. Green, Colton Green, Justin Guimbellot and Weston Hooker. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie B.

Grafton Wain Seale, 79, of Adamsville, TX passed away at Spring Oaks Nursing Home on January 27, 2018. Grafton was born April 2, 1938 in Lampasas County the son of Grafton Richard Seale and Joyce Mae (Bynum) Seale. He grew up in the area and graduated from Copperas Cove High School in 1958. He was a firefighter for Copperas Cove FD and later Ft Hood FD. He was the first paid Fire Chief Copperas Cove had. Before becoming a firefighter, Grafton was a butcher at Allen’s Grocery in Cove, he was also the Butternut Bread man. After retiring from Ft Hood FD, he hauled cattle for the public and was a farmer and rancher. Grafton was a member of Evant United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Seale; four children; Doyle Seale, Anthony Seale, Janice Seale Allen all of Lampasas and Joyce Seale Statzer of Graham; two brothers, W.T.

Mary Petty, age 81, of Brownwood passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018, at her residence. Funeral Services for Mary will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Coggin Ave. Baptist Church with Bro. Tim Skaggs officiating, interment will follow at the Zephyr Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Blaylock Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood. Mary was born on June 8, 1936, to James and Quida (Upchurch) West in Hillsboro, Texas. She married Ted Petty, on March 22, 1980 in Brownwood. Together they were part owners of Roberts and Petty Heating and AC for many years. Mary worked at 3M for 27 years as a Supervisor before retiring. Mary was an avid tennis player. She loved doing yard work, Sunday crossword puzzles, and traveling and seeing new places. She was a member of Coggin Ave. Baptist Church.

Mary Katherine (Roberds) Cox passed away at her home on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Visitation was held on Monday, January 22, 2018 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Richland Springs Cemetery in Richland Springs with services following at 2:00 p.m. Services under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home in San Saba. Kathy was born to Ervin Roberds and Grace (Adams) Roberds on April 13, 1934 in Algerita, Texas. She graduated from Richland Springs High School and Sul Ross University with a Masters Degree. At College, Kathy met C. W. Cox and they later married in 1953 at the First Christian Church in Richland Springs. Kathy taught 4th grade in Monahans for 30+ years. She was a ranching woman in Pecos, San Saba, Terrell and Brewster counties. She was a member of the Historical Society, also being the family’s personal historical ancestry researcher. She was a great cook and a very loving Mother. She will be greatly missed.

Malea (Bob) Bunnell Hartley, age 48 of Gatesville passed away January 14, 2018 in a Temple Hospital with her family at her side. Malea was born June 29, 1969 in Killeen, Texas to Charles Bunnell and Tana (Rainbolt) Bunnell. Malea attended and graduated from Killeen Baptist Temple with the Class of 1987. After graduation she attended Central Texas College and began working for Texas Department of Corrections where she worked for 25 years until retiring in 2014. She enjoyed pestering people, riding horses, arts and crafts spending time with her family, hunting for arrowheads, and the outdoors. She spent many hours taking her children to Rodeos, livestock shows and any event they wanted to be a part of. She was the biggest cheerleader they had. She was preceded in death by both her paternal grandparents and her maternal grandparents and an uncle.

Dorothy Louise Bowers, 91, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Born in Austin, Texas on June 5, 1926, she was the daughter of Walter and Vada Brown Grumbles. On June 11, 1944, Louise married Russell Bowers and moved to Ballston Spa, while Russell served in World War II. Louise stayed at home raising her children and began working after they had grown. She worked at many local businesses, retiring from UMI in Malta. Louise enjoyed cross-stitching, gardening and camping. She was a great cook. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She was predeceased in death by her husband, Russell; siblings Vada Ernestine Grumbles, Patsy Nan Muholland and Walter Michael Grumbles, and her stepmother Thelma Edwards Grumbles. Louise is survived by her children Russell R. Bowers, II (Trudy), Glenn E.

Betty Jean Townsend, of Burnet, Texas passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018 surrounded by her family. Betty was born in San Saba, Texas on May 4, 1941 to Dailey B. “Cooter” and Frances Stewart Parks. She graduated from San Saba High School in 1959 and went on to graduate from Austin Beauty School in 1960. In that year, Betty began her career working for Margaret Ann O’Neill in Lampasas. She was a hairdresser for over 40 years and owned her own salon prior to her retirement in 2010. On September 16, 1961, Betty married Dwayne Taylor. They made their home in Lampasas for the next 25 years, raising three children. Betty and Dwayne remained lifelong friends after their divorce in 1985. On April 29, 1989, Betty married Jimmy Lee Townsend in Richmond, Texas. They lived in Houston and Brenham several years before finding their way back to Betty’s beloved hill country. They built their beautiful home in Burnet and lived happily together there until his death in 2014.

Mrs. Catalina C. Luna age 92 passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 in Round Rock, Texas. Mrs. Luna born in Guatemala City, C.A. on January 11, 1926 resided in San Antonio, TX for 34 yrs, then Richland Springs, TX for 37 yrs. She was a loving wife and mother of seven children who worked unceasingly until 88 yrs of age by giving unselfish service to family, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death comby her husband, Francisco E. Luna of 55 years of marriage; her grandsons, Aaron Christopher Luna, Brandon Anthony Luna, Kent Forrest Dudley II, Richard Devane Wallace; and great grandson, Casey Ryan Ramirez. She is survived by her children: Charles (Patricia) Luna, Mary Louise (Frank) Hollen, Frank (Susan) Luna, Johnny (Eileen) Luna, Lucille (Kent) Dudley, David (Laney) Luna and Salvador (Robyn) Luna; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Salvador Comparini and spouse Nydia.