Obituaries

May 7, 1957- October 25, 2020

July 3, 1955 - October 27, 2020
   
   Ernest Gene Moore, 65 of Bay City, Texas, formerly of Columbus, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. 
   He was born on July 3, 1955 in Livingston, Texas, to the late Davie and Tillie (Konviska) Moore of Eagle Lake, Texas.
   Ernest, known to many as Ernie or Bubba, worked for Gordon Refrigeration in Bay City for several years in the late 80s, then returned to his hometown to work for the City of Eagle Lake, then transferred to City of Columbus, Texas, where he retired in 2019 after 28 years of service. 
   Then, in March 2020, he returned to Bay City, to become an amazing park host for the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and to the kindest board members that always made him feel so welcome until he passed away. 
   He was a son, brother, father, uncle, papaw and friend with a huge and kind heart and will be missed dearly. 

June 8, 1937- July 13, 2020
   Sara Jo Anderson Halbert, 83, was born June 8, 1937, in Negley, Ohio. 
   She passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness, on July 13, 2020, in Bay City. 
   She grew up in Negley, Ohio and graduated from East Palestine High School in 1955. 
   Before moving to Bay City in 1964, she lived briefly in Cheyenne, Wyoming, England, Buloxi, Mississippi and Ohio.
   As soon as she moved to Bay City, she became involved in numerous organizations, serving anyone in need. 
   She spent countless hours dedicating her life to the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, FUMC Altar Guild, draped the cloth at church for Easter for over 30 years, U.M. Army, Bay City Girls Scouts, Bay City Softball, Bay City Blackcat Band Supporters, Bay City Blackcat Booster Club, Matagorda County Pilot Club, and was named Bay City Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2005. 

April 24, 1933- June 27, 2020 
   Emma Jean (Junek) Piwonka, 87, of Blessing, passed away June 27, 2020. 
   This date holds a special significance because it was on the same day thirty-five years ago that her beloved husband, “Red” passed away. 
   She was born April 24, 1933, in El Maton, Texas, the youngest child of the late Ludwig and Clara Popek Junek. 
   In 1950 she graduated from Wharton County Junior College as an LVN. 
   On July 21, 1951, she married Clarence “Red” Piwonka, Sr. and together they raised ten children. 
   Emma spent her married years helping Red manage their grocery store and farming operations in Blessing, all while taking care of a house full of children.  
   When Red passed away in 1985, she was able to keep the farm going while stepping into the role of loving grandmother. 
   She was always ready to whip up a meal or welcome another addition to her big family. 

October 10, 1926- June 22, 2020
   A.C. Herreth, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on June 22, 2020, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. 
   He was born October 10, 1926 to Elizabeth Clara Gavender Herreth and Albert Casper Herreth, Sr. in the home of his grandparents, Alex and Annie (Bunk) Gavender in Wadsworth, Matagorda County, Texas. 
   He was one of seven children: Lawrence Albert Herreth, Viola Clara Herreth Rickaway, Lois Annie Herreth Barlow, Carl Frank Herreth, Walter Curtis Herreth and Joy Ann Herreth Rickaway. 
   A.C. attended schools in Matagorda County and received his official delayed High 
School Diploma to a standing ovation at Tidehaven School in Matagorda County. 
   He had left high school early to volunteer into the U.S. Army during World War II. He was 
inducted on January 2, 1945. 

August 8, 1931- February 5, 2020
   Etta Jean Joines Gibbs, 88, passed away February 5, 2020, in Bay City, Texas. 
  She was born August 8, 1931, in Francitas, Texas, to W.R. Joines and Ada Luella Martin Joines. 
  Etta Jean and her husband Harrell Denson Gibbs, joined the First Baptist Church in Bay City on May 31, 1953, and she faithfully attended Sunday school and worship services as long as her health allowed. 
  She worked in the church nursery for many years and later enjoyed her ladies’ Sunday class and singing in the Jubilaries. 
   Etta Jean learned to crochet when she was a teenager and used that talent to minister to others. 
   She made 22,000 pairs of slippers for M.D. Anderson cancer patients and thousands more for children for the First Baptist Church stocking ministry. 
   She worked in the Bay City ISD Food Service for 31 years and worked at six of the seven schools. 

November 28, 1939- February 1, 2020
   On Saturday, February 1, 2020, Jerriel L. Evans, Sr., loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 80. 
   Jerriel Layne Evans, Sr. was born on November 28, 1939 in Flint, Texas, to parents, Fred and Treva Evans. 
   Jerriel graduated from Woodsboro High School in 1957, and married the love of his life, Maybell (Hobbins) Evans in that same year. 
   They began their life together with a move to San Antonio, Texas, where J.L. attended classes at San Antonio Community College and accepted a position with Amoco Oil Company as a Sales Manager.
   After 10 years, J.L. moved his young family to Bay City, Texas to pursue his dream of starting his own business. 
   That business was Evans Oil Company, which distributed oil and gas products to counties along the Texas Gulf Coast. 

 
February 29, 1924 – January 21, 2020 
   Lilly Elise Richers Carr, 95, of Bay City departed this earthly life on January 21, 2020 and is continuing on her eternal journey with our Lord Jesus Christ and all of her family and friends who have predeceased her. 
   A lifelong resident of Bay City, she was a leap year baby born February 29, 1924, to the late Louis William Richer Sr. and Julia Letzerich Richers.
  With her passing from this life, another member of the Greatest Generation is gone from our presence.  
  After graduating from BCHS in 1941, Lilly married Joe Lawhon who was a P-47 pilot in the Pacific Theater of Operations.  
  Joe was lost on his first combat mission when his squadron attempted to fly through a hurricane.  
   Unbeknown to Joe, Lilly was pregnant at the time with his son Joseph B. Lawhon.  Joe never had the opportunity to know his father.  

Dec. 22, 1955 – Dec. 9, 2019 
   Jerry (Pie Man) Swindall passed away on December 9th at the age of 63.
   He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Swindall and E.A. Swindall, and by his brothers, John W. Swindall, Jody Swindall and Ronny Swindall. 
   He is survived by: his brother, Benny Swindall and wife, Annette; his sister, Joyce Jacobs and husband Jerry; seven nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews. 
   A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at First Baptist Church Matagorda, 932 Lewis St, Matagorda, Texas.
   Afterward, those who would like to participate can join us at the beach to spread his ashes. 

 
  Billie, most recently of Austin, Texas went to her final and perfect home on December 24, 2019, quietly and peacefully in her home while her children Pam Hoffman, Veda Scheppan, June Crisswell, Ben Quinn, and Laurie Bram along with other family sang songs of the Savior who welcomed her.
   Although Billie relocated to Austin after the death of her (second) late husband she lived all of her adult life in Wharton, Jackson, and Matagorda counties: she loved moving from house to house but especially loved rearranging furniture.
    Lots of stubbed toes occurred while trying to navigate through a dark house in the middle of the night for a restroom break and running into furniture that hadn’t been there the night before.
   One time her (first) late husband came home from work to find he didn’t live there anymore: she had moved all of their belongings to a different home while he was at work!