Obituaries

Marianella Isabel Romero-Gaddy Johnson was born on August 1, 1958, in Maracaibo, Venezuela to Paris Maurene Gaddy and Rafael Angel Romero. She departed from this life on December 3, 2019, in San Saba, Texas, at 61 years of age.

Marianella was raised for the first years of her life in the coastal city of Maracaibo, in the tropical South American country of Venezuela. She and her six siblings moved to the idyllic Hill Country with their mother when she was six years of age, eventually establishing themselves in San Saba.

She attended San Saba Independent School District, was an astute pupil, and was the cheer captain for the Armadillo Cheerleaders. She married Thomas Richard Johnson at the age of sixteen, on December 23, 1974, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from San Saba High School two years later.

Cliff Evan Edmondson, age 46, of San Saba, TX, passed away November 29, 2019. Evan was born on July 30, 1973 in Austin, Texas, to Billy Don Edmondson and Alice (Modesette). Evan attended and graduated from San Saba High School. He went on to play football for Abilene Christian University and later graduated from Tarleton State University.

After five years of coaching football, he began his lifelong career as a Construction Safety Engineer which took him and his family to various places across the country. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, and anything outdoors. He mostly loved spending time with his family and friends.

Evan is survived by his wife of 20 years, Mandy (Lebow) Edmondson; children: Ethan, Carlee and Grayson; his parents: Billy Don and Alice Edmondson; one sister, Rhoni (Edmondson) McClennahan; one niece, Alyssa (Lord) Barnhill; and a host of extended family and friends.

Betty Joe Ratliff Karnes Dufner Moore passed away on November 17, 2019 at the age of 95. Graveside services will be held at Wallace Creek Cemetery in San Saba, Texas.

Betty Joe was born December 22, 1923 in the community of Pecan Grove in San Saba, Texas to German Jackson Ratliff and Rachel Margaret Edmondson Ratliff. She was the youngest of thirteen children.

She worked for many years as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Victoria, Texas and Austin, Texas. She dearly loved her family, friends, neighbors and wonderful caretakers at Hillview Manor Nursing Center. She was a great cook. Her pecan pies and homemade bread were legendary. Her quick sense of humor and mischievous personality were a joy to everyone who knew her.

Patricia (Pat, Trish or Trisha) Ann (Pafford) Alsip, (78), Golinda TX, went to be with the Lord on October 16, 2019, after struggling with diabetes, kidney failure and Alzheimer’s for several years. A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21st, at Golinda Baptist Church, 7140 Golinda Dr., with Dr. Morgan Woodard, who was like a son to Patricia, officiating.

Patricia was born the 14th of 17 children on September 1, 1941 to Raymond and Naomi (Clark) Pafford. Born into a family of many hardships, having to pick cotton, pick pecans, and other odd jobs in San Saba TX, she met and then married Jerold (Jerry) Alsip Sr. on September 15th, 1962, and have remained married until her death. She raised their three children in Deer Park, TX until retiring to the Waco area in 1998 so they could be near all their kids and grandkids.

Samuel Lowery Usery, 83, of Brownwood, Texas, passed away Octobr 18, 2019 in Abilene, Texas. He was born May 4, 1936 in Mexia, Texas to Samuel Lish Usery and Eunice Mae (Andrew) Usery.

On March 11, 1964, Sam married Peggy Spornitz in Oklahoma. He was affiliated with the Baptist church. Sam retired as a Government Contracting Supervisor with the Department of Defense.

Sam is survived by two sons: Michael (Christy) of Richland Springs, Texas and Mark of New Braunfels, Texas; grandchildren: Jeremiah, Joshua and Joseph Usery; his sister, Sue Schaefer; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Lish Usery and Eunice Mae (Andrew) Usery; his wife, Peggy (Spornitz) Usery; and his brother, William Usery.

Melba Bell Lane of Ft. Worth, beloved and devoted wife, mother, nanny and friend, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2019.

Melba retired as a secretary to the president of I.A.M. DL 776 after 64 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Erby and Dorothy Verline Bell; son, Glenn Lane; and grandson, Tyler.

Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Pat Lane; daughter, Melinda Renea Tamplin (Bobby); daughter by heart, Dawn Lane; sons: Philip Smith, David Lane (Karen) and Ronald Lane (Vickie); grandchildren: Jason, Rachel, Cory (Amanda), Cassie (Michael), Danielle (Chris), and Christina; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and lifelong friend, Jimmie Logenbaugh.

James Ray Ralston, age 86, of Richland Springs, Texas passed away Monday morning, October 15th, at the Care Inc. Nursing and Rehab Center.

He was born September 9, 1933 in Springdale, Arkansas, the son of Orville “Ray” Ralston and Alice Kendrick Ralston. He was an Eagle Scout and earned a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Geology from the University of Arkansas where he was an Alumni and inducted into the Razorback Band Wall of Honor in 2007. He received a Doctor of Philosophy from North Texas State University.

Jim served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and worked for the U. S. Air Force, McGaw Laboratories and later retired from the City of Richardson as an Environmental Microbiologist.

Callie Norman Sides of Goldthwaite, age 84, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2019, in Temple, Texas.

He was born on October 18, 1934 in Brown County, Texas to parents, Oscar Evander Sides and Mina Vines Sides. Callie met and married Eula Mae Hollingsworth in Arcadia, Florida on January 1, 1958. He served in the U.S. Army and was affiliated with the Baptist faith.

Callie is survived by his son: Mark Sides of Robert Lee, Texas; and his daughter: Mary Sides of Goldthwaite, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Oscar Evander Sides and Mina Vines Sides; his wife, Eula Sides in January 2017; his sister, Betty Traylor; and his brother, Wilmot Louvell Sides.

A memorial service will be held Friday, October 18th, at 1:30 p.m. in Stacy-Wilkins Chapel, Goldthwaite, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Leslie Don Drew, age 27, of Early passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 6, 2019, in Mills County.

Leslie was born April 29, 1992, in Brownwood, Texas to Joe Lopez and Shelia Smith. He was raised by his aunt, Shirley Kemmitz, whom he loved dearly and considered his mother. Leslie was later adopted by David Drew and his late wife, Wanda, but he always found his way back to be with his mama, Shirley.

He loved all of his family and his dogs, and he loved helping other people. He enjoyed fishing and being around his family.

Leslie also enjoyed working for Dr. Locklear on his ranch, farming and ranching. He accepted Jesus as his Savior.