Obituaries

Shirley Maurine Parker Smithhart passed away Monday, April 10, 2017. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 1:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 1901 W. Wallace, San Saba, TX. Shirley Smithhart was born in Healdton, Oklahoma on February 16, 1941 to parents Jeptha and Ethel Parker. Shirley and her parents moved to Fort Worth, TX when she was a small child where she lived until 1996 when she and her husband, J.T. Smithhart, moved their home to San Saba. She was married to J.T. Smithhart on March 30, 1957. She was a devoted wife to J.T., always expressing her love for her husband for all to see throughout their years together. Shirley was a caring mother to her four children raising them to know God's love and lean on his strength. Her extended family was important to her and she loved them all. She was always ready with an open heart for them. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Jeptha Parker and Ethel Mabry Parker. She is survived by her husband, J.T.

On April 4, 2017, our very precious Mom, Granny, Aunt, friend, etc., went to be with her Lord in Heaven. Helen Pearl porter Lundberg was born in Dickens County, September 4, 1915, to Samuel Lewers Porter and Alice Pearl (Lea) Porter. She was the eighth of nine children, and the last to join them in Heaven. Each of the nine children only married once, so they called themselves "the 18." What fun they had together!! After high school graduation as Valedictorian of her class, Helen went to Texas Tech in 1933. Upon graduation in Elementary Education, she began her 30+ years teaching career. She later obtained her Master of Education degree. Not only did she teach primarily 1st grade, she was always teaching family members, friends, church members, and anyone who wanted to learn from her vast knowledge. She met the love of her long life, Russell Lundberg, in the mid-1930s, as he worked on the Matador Ranch, next door to her family ranch.

Joyce Fay Gaylor gained her angel wings on March 30th, 2017. Her visitation was held at the Heritage Funeral Home in San Saba, Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Funeral Services were held Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 in the Chapel at Heritage Funeral Home in San Saba. Joyce Gaylor was born on August 29th, 1942 to her parents, Joseph Edwin Maultsby and Betsy (Manning) Maultsby in San Saba, Texas. She lived in San Saba from her birth year in 1942 to her graduation year from high school in 1961. She then moved to Austin, Texas and lived there for most of her life before moving to Abilene, where she had been currently residing. She was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Abilene. She was a health food fanatic and loved to cook for her family and friends anytime they visited. She loved her granddaughter. She was a simple lady and didn't like too many extravagant things.

Johnnie Louise Keeney, age 88 of San Saba, Texas passed away with her family by her side on Monday, April 3, 2017 in San Saba, Texas. Johnnie was born on April 1, 1929 in Bend, Texas to William Nolan Clark and Jessie Earnestine “Swindell”. Johnnie graduated from San Saba High School. She attended Abilene Christian University and also obtained a Cosmetology Degree. She loved sewing, watching movies, and taking walks. Johnnie also did volunteer work and enjoyed doing alterations. She loved the Lord and was devoted to her family. Johnnie is survived by her children; Mitzi VanHuss and husband, Rody of Tuttle, Oklahoma; Mike and wife, Bunny Keeney of Shallowater, Texas: five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one brother William Clark and wife, Jane; sisters Patsy and R.J. Henniger, Nancy Hicks, Carrie Keeney, Chee Chee Brockman, Toni and George Mayben, and Penny Pierce; numerous nieces and nephews.

Ned Bower Little, 75, of Cherokee, Texas was born on May 25, 1941. He passed away in an automobile accident on March 28, 2017 near Fredericksburg, Texas.

He was born and raised in Jefferson, North Carolina, the son of Mont and Ruby Little. He was a resident of Texas for 41 years.

Ned was an entrepreneurial by heart and owned and operated Texas Spa Covers Inc. in Burnet, Texas where spa covers for all types of hot tubs were manufactured and shipped all over the world. Ned sold the business in 2012 and he and his wife, Ann, retired in 2014. They built a second home in Placitas, New Mexico on the wild horse mesa and enjoyed traveling, church and family.

Betty was born in Seminole County, Oklahoma, April 6, 1929, to Charles Emory Wiley and Hattie Mearl Howes Wiley, the only daughter of five children. After working at Harris Hospital as an RN for a few months, she met and married Thomas H. Terry, June 5, 1954, in Fort Worth, and they raised two daughters, Claudia and Linda.

Juan Romero, age 57, of San Saba, passed away on March 27, 2017 in Lakeway, Texas with his family by his side. Juan was born on January 31, 1960 in Mexico to Pedro Romero and Eustolia Saavedra. Juan married Theresa Cooley on May 5, 1984 they were married for 32 years before his passing. Juan worked for the Barfield Ranch as the ranch manager for 32 years. Juan was an extremely hard worker and also enjoyed fishing, hunting, his garden and spending time with his family.

Mrs. Bobbie Claudia McKneely passed into Heaven the morning of April 1, 2017. She was born January 16, 1933, San Saba, Texas to Claude and Susie Gage. She was married in August of 1949 to Jack McKneely. They lived in Wichita, Kansas 1957 through 1972 when they relocated to Georgetown.

She was an amazing wife and mother who loved the Lord and she served Him well in so many capacities. Claudia was a Sunday School teacher, taught YWAs, GAs, Vacation Bible School, a member of the mission group Circle, and Women’s Missionary Union. Claudia was a whirlwind of activity when it came to working at church and could clean, organize, decorate, cook and help serve meals. She was for many years a greeter to new people walking in the door helping to welcome, familiarize and direct them to classes.

Margaret H. Poehls Hennig, 89, formerly of Rowena, Texas, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in San Saba, Texas.

She was born December 2, 1927 to August and Martha (Kahlfeld) Poehls in Concho County, Texas. On July 29, 1947, Margaret married Clarence Hennig in Rowena. They shared 57 years together before his passing in 2004. She was a stay-at-home mom to their daughter, Cynthia, and a great help to her husband on their farm.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents; her daughters, Shirley Faye Hennig and Belinda Kay Hennig; and her siblings, Ruby Newstead, Dorothy Schwartz, Geneva Goetz, Betty Sims, Edgar Poehls, and Charles Poehls.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Cynthia and Chino Zapata of San Saba; her granddaughter, Shanna Lively Sellers; her great-grandson Logan Sellers; and her step-grandson, Shane Lively.

Jackie Doner went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 28th, 2017. Graveside services were held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at San Saba Cemetery.

Jackie was born in Everett, Washington on October 19, 1939 to Barnett and Melba (Chrestensen) Elster. She married Reuben Doner on December 20, 1959 in Galveston, Texas. During their time in Galveston, Jackie was a legal secretary for a future judge while Reuben worked as a small engine salesman in the spring and summer months and in the pecan business with his father in the winter months. She was the secretary of the Women’s Major Bowling League in Texas City for 20 years. Together they had two children. The couple moved full time to San Saba in 1993 to operate Doner Pecan. Reuben worked in the pecan business while Jackie was a housewife and worked in the community. She was very involved with the Food Bank in San Saba. The couple were married for 55 years before Reuben’s death in 2015.