Category: Obituaries

In loving memory of our mother, Wanda Fay Gates, 88, of Lytle, who passed away on January 26, 2023. She was the devoted wife of Joel Coy Gates, Sr. and loving mother to Joel Coy Gates, Jr., Janet Lynn Yarbrough and Jill Fay Gates. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Our mother was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. She was a source of inspiration to us all and we will carry her spirit and memory in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
Wanda was always there for her family helping us navigate through life. You would always find her in the stands cheering on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; cooking Sunday dinner, working in her beautiful garden or taking the kids for a day of swimming at the lake. Her faithfulness and loyalty to her family never wavered. She was a true role model who we will always look up to.
Born in Stonewall, Texas on October 12, 1934, she was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Albert Holden and Effie Mae Andrews Holden; husband, Joel Coy Gates, Sr.; and siblings, Charles Ober Holden, John Lee Holden, Velva Mae Holden Naegelin, Jesse “Pete” Ancel Holden and Melvin James Holden.
She is survived by her sister, Effie Holden Hearn; children, Joel Coy Gates, Jr., Janet Lynn Yarbrough (Steven), Jill Fay Gates; grandchildren, Leigh Anne Watkins (Shawn), Jolinda Arroyo (Chris), Kristin Morris (Robert), Brooke Higgins (Ryan), Joe Allen Carter and Rebecca Tumlinson; as well as 7 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 4, 2023, at Primrose Funeral Services, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052.
Family visitation will start at 9 am and public visitation will start at 10 am, with the funeral service to follow beginning at 11am. The burial service will follow, immediately after, at the Lytle Masonic Cemetery.
Mom, you will always be in our hearts, and we will never forget you. We love you so very much. Rest in peace.
Anyone wishing to sign the online guestbook, share memories or issue condolences to the family, may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com 
Arrangements under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas, 78052

Magdalena P. Garcia, age 75, of Devine, Texas, passed away on January 23, 2023, in Minot, North Dakota. Magdalena was born in Devine, Texas on April 14, 1947, to Simona and Simon Garcia.
Magdalena is preceded in death by her parents: Simon and Simona Garcia; sisters: Amelia Gutierrez, Maria Ellena Gutierrez, Anita Torrez, and Gloria Valdez; and brothers: Perfecto Garcia, and Carlos Garcia.
Magdalena is survived by her husband: Fortino Velasquez; sons: Damion Garcia (Elizabeth), Marcus Garcia (Danielle), and Simon Garcia (Terry); daughter: Erlinda Garcia; sisters: Maria Alvarez, and Ofelia Church; 15 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Hondo Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, followed by interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Hondo Funeral Home.

Nelda Elise Franks, age 95 of Devine, Texas entered eternal rest on Sunday, January 15, 2023. She was born on May 4, 1927, in Tilmon, Texas to parents, Arthur Benton and Nona May Jackson Franks.
Nelda is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Imogene Taylor; brother, Vores W. Franks.
She is survived by her children, Joel Bryant Kirkpatrick III, Robbie Louise Roberts and husband, Richard, Nancy Lynn Thetford, Steven Glen Franks and wife, Nancy; brother, Harold D. Franks and wife, Helen; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
Visitation was held on Thursday, January 19, 2023, 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. family to receive friends between 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Primrose Funeral Services Chapel Devine, Texas. Graveside service was held held on Friday, January 20, 2023, 11:00 A.M. Jeffrey Cemetery located Farm to Market Road 713, 10 miles east of Lockhart, TX and 1 mile West of McMahan, TX. Services will conclude at the Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas, 78016, (830) 663-4445. Email info@primrosefuneralservices.com

Rosa M. Navarro passed peacefully on January 10, 2023, from complications of kidney disease. She was born in Devine on May 23, 1949, she was 73 years old.
She is predeceased by her parents Santos and Rosa Ramos.
Survivors include her children: Roger Navarro (Danielle Navarro), Rachel Duran (Raymond Duran); grandchildren Brent Navarro, Janessa I. Cespedes, Sabastian Sandoval, Damian Sandoval, Micco Navarro Sandoval, Audrey Rose Navarro; and great-grandson Henry Navarro.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1 pm at Primera Iglesia Bautista Betania, 404 E. Hondo, Devine, TX 78016.

Robert “Bob” Jungman, 76, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 7, 2023. He was born November 26, 1946 in San Antonio to Alex and Ellen (Tschirhart) Jungman.
Bob married his sweetheart Carol Kroeger on January 7, 1967 in San Antonio, TX. In 1979 they moved their family to Yoakum, TX to start a new life in the country.
He was a veteran having served in the US Army Reserve for 20 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a life member of Knights of Columbus. Bob was a salesman for Eddy Packing Company for 11 years. He then continued his sales work with Hermann Sons Life and retired after 23 years. In his spare time, he loved to fish and hunt while enjoying the outdoors.
Family time and gatherings were a very important part of his life. Bob was very good with his hands and enjoyed doing hobbies like: building birdhouses, reloading shells, and mounting deer horns.
Survivors are his wife of 56 years, Carol (Kroeger) Jungman of Yoakum; two daughters, Nancy Jurena and husband Bernard of Yoakum and Annette R. Acosta and husband Rafael Jr. of Cuero; granddaughter, Kayleen Jurena; brother, Curtis J. Jungman and wife Susan of San Antonio and numerous family members and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Robert E. Jungman Jr.; sister Joan M. Underbrink and husband Gary.
Visitation was held Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm with Rosary recited at 6:30 pm at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home. Funeral Mass was Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church with committal following at St. Joseph Catholic Mausoleum.
Memorials may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yoakum or the donor’s choice.
Arrangements by Thiele Cooper Funeral Home, Yoakum, TX.

James Edwin Bennett, III, of Natalia, Texas, went to be with the Lord, on December 28, 2022, at the age of 67, in San Antonio, Texas.
James was born on February 8, 1955, to James and Joann Tilton Bennett in Columbus, Ohio.
James served in the United States Army, for 20 years. He served in support of Desert Storm. He was also a member of Lytle VFW Post 12041 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Motorcycle Group of Texas (VFWMGTX), Unit 8.
James is survived by his wife, Petra S. Bennett; brothers, Jack Bennett, Jeffrey Bennett (Kelly), John Bennett and Jody Bennett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Monday, January 23, 2023 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Primrose Funeral Services, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 2:15 pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html
Anyone wishing to sign the online guestbook, share memories or issue condolences to the family, may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com
Arrangements under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas.

Lois Delean Mangum Wanjura of Lytle passed away on January 11, 2023 at the age of 95. She was born August 5, 1927 in San Antonio, Texas to the late James Mitchell Mangum and Annie J. Ferguson Mangum.
Lois attended high school in Oklahoma City and then Lytle High School. On June 15, 1946, Lois married Franklin S. Wanjura at the Lytle Methodist Parsonage. They were blessed with seventy years of marriage at the time of his passing in 2016. Lois was a school nurse for Lytle ISD and retired in 1990 after twenty-six years. In addition to being a school nurse, Lois also helped her husband on the farm, all while raising their three children.
Survivors include her children and their spouses, Franklin Wanjura, Jr. and Pam of Lytle, Warren Wanjura and Diane of Lytle, and Denise Avants and Roger of San Antonio; grandchildren, Kyle Wanjura, Warren Wanjura, Jr. (Jennifer), Tricia Kelley (Brandon), Tyson Wanjura (Vicki), Clinton Avants (Rebekah), Ashley Avants, and Nadia Robinson; great-grandchildren, Colby Wanjura, Laynie Wanjura, Sarah Kelley, Andrew Kelley, Leo Wanjura, Emily Wanjura, Camden Avants, Averie Cairns, Hailey Cairns, and Wimberly Avants; honorary grandchildren, Caleb and Carson Green; sister-in-law, Bonnie Finnigan; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Franklin S. Wanjura, Sr.; her sister, Elizabeth Peters (Marvin); her brother, James Mangum; and her brother-in-law, Jack Finnigan.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 21, 2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Lytle United Methodist Church with the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Lytle Community Cemetery in Lytle, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lois’ memory to the Lytle Animal Shelter, Lytle Public Library, Lytle UMC, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com.

Dollie Mae Buser of Natalia went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 6, 2023 at the age of 70.
On July 6, 1952 Dollie was born in small town Poteet, Texas. Dollie was as a South Texas native all her life; she took great pride in her beautiful state and country. Dollie settled down in Natalia, Texas where she went on to raise 3 beautiful daughters. Dollie served as a bus driver for the local school district for over 25 years. Dollie’s children had children and their children would also later have children bestowing unto her the title she took the most pride in, “Mammie”. She is often remembered as being a Mammie not only to her grandkids, but to many.
Those who knew Dollie appreciated that you could not come by her house without leaving with something in your hands and food in your stomach. Dollie was a bright soul, she would always bring love and laughter to every gathering she attended. Sadly, after a week in the hospital, Dollie’s pain was eased and she gained her wings. She will be loved and missed by all who knew and loved her.
Dollie is preceded in death by her parents, Rolyn “Bill” Stevens, and Annie Mae Stevens; grandparents, William Nelson and Edna Lee, John Stevens and Viola Akers; brothers, William Stevens, and Rolyn Stevens; aunts and uncles, Lonie and Georgia Lou, Ernest and Lily, Ben and Paula, Velma and Edwin Poe, Billie Jo and James, Patsy and James; and cousin, Charlotte Stevens.
Dollie is survived by her children, Viola and Lee, Poo and Derek, Vonda and Mark; aunts and uncles, Nancy and Ray, Jack and Elaine; nieces and nephews, Wendy Lee, Wendy Leigh, Franklin, Roy, Robert, Tommy, TG, Brandon, Wesley, Rolana, and Tynia; grandchildren, Richard, Kassandrah, Savannah, Alisyn, Justin, Trey, Alicia, Emily, and Nickolus; great grandchildren, Colton, Jacob, Eli, Aceton, Cameron, Brady, Jocelyn, Raelynn, Keaghan, Oaklynn, Gracelynn, Madelyn, and Waylon
Services are under the direction and guidance of Camero Funeral Home.

Juanita Torrez Cervantes (Nita/Jenny), age 45 of Natalia, Texas entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. She was born August 6, 1977, in San Antonio, Texas.
Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Anunsacian (Chon) and Anita Torrez; brother, Ramon Garcia.
She is survived by her loving husband of thirteen years, Juan Cervantes; sister, Jessica Ferdin (Venancio); five special God-Children; numerous extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, January 9, 2023, 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at Primrose Funeral Services in Devine, Texas. Mass will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com

On Friday, December 9, Gilbert E. Ricord, 66, of Pearsall, Tx, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away. Born to Mannie and Martha Ricord of Devine, Texas, Gilbert was raised alongside his 2 sisters (Elizabeth & Eleanor) and 3 brothers (David, Lonnie & Ricky).
Gilbert worked many years at local tire shops and convenience stores. Those who stopped by will remember his infectious laugh and friendly nature. When not working, he took every opportunity to go fishing. Whether it was along side his brother, Lonnie (Captain), oar at the local pond, going fishing was his happy place.
Gilbert was predeceased by his parents Mannie and Martha Ricord, and his brother David Ricord.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years Maria, and their 5 daughters Valerie, Nicole, Estrellita (Jason), Martha (Joseph), and Priscilla (Timothy). There are 3 granddaughters and 5 grandsons who love their Grampi very much.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at San Pablo United Methodist Church.