and Memorials Funerals and Memorials are paid announcements placed through Classified Advertising. Only photographic images of the deceased will be published. For information, corrections or comments, please call 512-445-4005 or email Condolences may be placed with online death notices by visiting statesman.com/obituaries. Conway Helen King Shapiro Conway Helen King Shapiro, known to most as Connie, and affectionately to her family as Nonnie, was born on January 28, 1922, and died on August 28, 2008. She was born in Maypearl, Texas, grew up in Lamesa, and attended McMurry University and Texas Tech University.
She met the love of her life, Mike Shapiro, while he was stationed at Lubbock Air Force Base, and they married on October 24th, 1942. They resided in Dallas until retiring to live on Lake Jacksonville in the piney woods of East Texas. She ultimately moved to Austin to be close to her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. She is preceded in death by her parents Conway Edward King and Emma Kathleen Parchman King; her sister Kathy King Fleming; and her loving husband Mike Shapiro. She i is survived by her daughter Lynne Shapiro Covert; son-in-law Duke Covert; her granddaughters Courtney and husband Brad Elliott, Kacy and husband Carter Tolleson, and Kimberley and husband Philip Robinson; and her great-grandchildren Ford, Duke, and Reese Elliott and Clara Tolleson.
She lived a vivacious life as wife of the General Manager of WFAA TV and radio and president of BELO Broadcasting. She had a passion for music from a very young age and was a member of the Tau Beta Sigma honorary band society. She had a love for animals and enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. She took pride in seeing all of her granddaughters marry and seeing four great come into the world. She will always be remembered for dancing on stage, being the life of the party, her strong spirit, and having a "with it" sense of humor until the very end.
She will be greatly missed and has left an indelible mark in the lives of all who loved and knew her. Her spirit will live in our hearts forever. A graveside service will be held on Sunday at Noon at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made either to the Austin Humane Society SPCA Austin, 124 Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752 or Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759. The family would like to express their appreciation to Rosie, Jovita, Lettie, Debbie, and Dr.
David Pohl for their exceptional care, kindness, and support over these past few months. Obituary and guestbook online at wefish.com WEED 2 FUNERAL CORLEY-FISH HOME 3125 Lamar, Diabetic? p.w. minor Medicare approved. We have the perfect footwear for your feet. Call for an appointment for your fitting.
Wellness Center Karavel Shoes Karavel Comfort Center: karavelshoes.com 5525 Burnet Rd. 459-7603 Sam Smith Jan. 23, 1926 Aug. 28, 2008 Sam Henry Smith passed away after a long brave fight with heart disease. He lived his life with consideration, patience, kindness and a lot of love.
Sam was born and raised in Abilene Texas. He was a graduate of the University of Texas with a Bachelor Masters of Philosophy and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning. He married his childhood sweetheart Mary Francis Hiatt in 1946. He enlisted in the army and had a career that spanned 30 years; serving in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Sam retired as a Colonel from the Pentagon in 1974.
In 1977 Sam and Mary moved back to Austin and he became the Director of the Texas State Board of Professional Tax Examiners. He retired from the State of Texas in 1993. Sam was a "Renaissance Man" who loved art, classical music and wrote poetry that bared his heart and soul. He was an intellect, a philosopher, a debater, a teacher, and a photographer. He loved nature, animals, swimming and was an avid gardener (we are talking yard of the month).
His sense of humor and kind nature touched everyone he met. If you were to ask Sam what he was most passionate and proud of, he would say it was his family. For more than 61 years he shared a loving relationship with his wife Mary that will transcend all eternity. They shared a unique bond, a love for friends and family, and an adventurous spirit that always kept them planning the next trip to a faraway land. Sam was an encouraging, and a patient Dad Mark Smith, Sherry Hogue, Holly Vatter and David Smith.
His grandkids will remember him for good advice and playfulness. He was the shark in the pool and the cowboy in the woods. He was Granddaddy to Joe Smith, Justin Vatter, Dylan Hogue, Alison Vatter, Travis Smith, Devin Hogue, Will Smith, Sally Smith and Zeb Smith. He was the very proud Great-Granddaddy to Madison Hogue. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, W.E.
Smith and Edna Kelsey Smith and his sister Billie Wilmesmeier who loved and adored her little brother. Special thanks to everyone at the Plaza at Querencia who showed such grace in caring for Sam. Their devotion and consideration of his needs exceed any job description. A celebration of Sam's life will be held on Saturday Sept 6, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., in the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church, with Dr. Gordon Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to either, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, 3930 Bee Cave Road, Suite Austin, TX 78746, 512-347-1984; or American Heart Association, 1700 Rutherford Road, Austin, TX 78754, 512- 433-4000. "Eternity is not an endless horizontal line. Eternity is deep, down to the bedrock of love, soul, heart, mind, God, all else. I have lived forever many times" Sam Smith Arrangements by Weed-CorleyFish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 452-8811.
Obituary and guestbook online at wefish.com CORLEY- FISH FUNERAL HOME 3125 Lamar, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.outofthedarkness.org Lost someone to Suicide? Come and walk in their memory, celebrate their life. State Capitol Grounds Saturday, September 6th Registration 9am Walk at 10am Donations accepted but not required Information: Michelle Sheehan 512-413-8103 Silver Restoration Event WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ONLY BRING YOUR ITEMS! Wednesday, September 3rd, 10am to 5pm "Thursday, September 4th, 10am to 3pm SILVER, COPPER, NICKEL, BRONZE, BRASS, AND GOLD ARE ALL PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED Benolds 2900 West Anderson Lane benolds.com Austin American-Statesman METRO STATE Sunday, August 31, 2008 Lilia Vela Rollins, age 84 of Austin, formerly of Houston, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2008. Mrs. Rollins was an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church of Houston for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, H.K. (Rocky) Rollins. Survivors are three daughters, Kathy Olivo of Houston, Marsha Perkins of Austin, Beth Seime of Fulshear, TX; two brothers, M.A. Vela, IV, Romeo Vela both of Houston; sister, Sylvia Essig of Petaluma, CA; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.
Interment will be at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission, TX at a later date. Harrell 4435 Austin, TX Frontier 78745 Trail FUNERAL HOME 512-443-1366 William Richard Walker Lilia Vela Rollins known as Willie to his family and many friends, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2008, at his home in Austin, Texas. Willie was born January 26, 1918, in Bryan, Texas, to William and Gertrude Walker. His family moved to Austin when Willie was six. He graduated from Austin High in 1936 and attended the University of Texas.
During this time he met Ruth Leatherman and they were married in August, 1938, Willie and Ruth had three daughters, Camille, Karin and Karolin. Willie served his country during World War II in the US Navy working with Kodak in Rochester, NY, developing range finders for use by the US Military. After World War II, Willie became a general contractor for both residential and commercial properties. Willie built large number of fine custom homes in the Austin area throughout his career. Many home owners waited as long as two years for Willie to build their home.
He was known his entire life for fine workmanship and at-" tention to detail. Willie was one of the founders of the Westlake Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon. Willie loved entertaining, playing bridge, music, photography, dancing, and working on his lake place where he constantly made improvements to the property. While at the lake place, Willie was able to garden and attend his bees. He loved harvesting honey and making mead which he liked to share with his friends.
Willie is survived by his wife of years, Ruth, his daughters, Camille Heinemann and Karin Askew, his granddaughter, Cary Turner, and great granddaughters, Chantal Nicholes, Morgan and Chayla Morgan and one great-great-grandson, Cohen Nicholes. Hey was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Collie Walker and daughter, Karolin Walker Turner. Viewing will be Monday, Sep. tember 1, 2008, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at Cook Walden Forest Oaks, 6300 W. William Cannon Drive. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 2, 2008, in the Memorial Chapel of Cook Walden Forest Oaks Funeral Home in Oak Hill, with Reverend Herb Tays of Westlake Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment for the family only will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roger Spivey, Lowell Turner, Ben Baker, Bill Heinemann, Billy Turner, Michael Andrews and Brad Kizer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Westlake Presbyterian Church, 7127 Bee Caves Road, Austin, TX 78746; or to the charity of your choice, Willie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather and will be missed by his family and many friends. Cemetery, Funerals Cremations 6300 W. William Cannon Dr. (Dignity) (512) 892-1172 Billy D. Davis 1945 2008 Patricia Lindley Eichelberger Patricia Lindley Eichelberger died at her home in Houston of accidental causes August 26, 2008.
Pat was born July 2, 1947 in San Luis Obispo, CA to Fredric P. and Peggye McAngus Lindley. After her father's naval service, her family returned to Austin where Pat grew up then moved to Houston and met Dean, her lover, best friend and husband of 33 years. She loved deeply, laughed much and left two remarkable daughters, Ms. Patricia Eichelberger of Austin, TX and Ms.
Katheryn Eichelberger of Richmond, TX. In addition to her devoted husband and mother, she is survived by her sister, Ms. Pamela Ross of Austin and many loving relatives. The Catholic Mass will be celebrated in her honor by the Rev. Patrick O.
Braden, CSB at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 1, 2008 at the Chapel of St. Basil on the University of St. Thomas Campus, 3800 Montrose Blvd (the chapel is located at the west corner of Yoakum St. and West Alabama with parking across After the service, a gathering at Ms.
Kathleen Eichelberger's home will commemorate her life. Even though Pat greatly enjoyed flowers, those desiring may consider a contribution in her name to the University of St. Thomas-Braden Scholarship Endowment as a more lasting tribute. Certainly nothing is expected except your prayers and fond memories. Friends and family are welcome to visit the online memorial at www.MeM.com Look not for her here; she has gone ahead to a far better place.
Cynthia L. Fairley Cynthia La Rue Fairley was born September 1942 in Galveston, Texas. She departed this life on August 22, 2008 at Providence Memorial Hospital in El Paso, Texas. Cynthia was the first of four children horn to Cowart and Helen Fairley. Her father's military career allowed her to experience growing up and traveling abroad which included Germany and Korea before retiring in El Paso, Texas after 30 years in service.
She was preceded in death by her parents Cowart and Helen Fairley, and her brother Cowart David Fairley. Cynthia was loved by all who knew her. Her friends knew that they could always count on her to be there for them. She was well connected in the political arena and worked hard for the Democratic Party. She will be greatly missed.
She graduated from Killeen High School (Killeen, Texas) in May 1960 and worked several years in the private sector and Federal Government before beginning a career in State Government. She began her career with The Texas Land Commission and retired from the Office of the Attorney General as a Legal Secretary in May 2004. She was very active with the NAACP, Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, Black Austin Democrats, Texas Conference of Black Mayors, the Black Caucus of Texas and "Teach the Her hobbies included cooking and baking for others and keeping abreast of the political climate at National, State and Local levels of government. She resided in Austin. Texas for over 20 years before a disabling accident required her to relocate back to El Paso, Texas.
Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Arnold W. Fairley; sister-in-law, Bridget Allen Fairley of Austin, Texas; sister, Chere Jo Fairley Williams; niece, Brittney Williams; nephew, Kenneth Fairley all of El Paso, Texas; one aunt, Mary Joyce of Chicago, Illinois; best friends, Linda Hatch-Espy of Austin, Texas, Iris Lawrence of Amarillo, Texas, Linda Lewis of Waco, Texas, Rita McBride of Austin, Texas and a host of other relatives and friends. She will be laid to rest in El Paso, Texas. Celebration of her life will be held at Mount Carmel Funeral Home located at 1755 N. Zaragosa on September 3, 2008 from 6:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Community Baptist Church, 9801 Phoenix, El Paso, Texas on September 4.2008 at 11:30 a.m. Kathleen Lucille Wittman Kathleen L. Wittman passed away Aug. 24, 2008, after a battle with lung cancer, She was 85 years old.
Memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Granbury. Kathy was born in Tyler, TX, graduated from John Tyler H.
S. and had a very successful career with Carrier in Tyler for 36 years. After retirement she moved to Austin with her dear friend, Virginia Allen, and spent 10 wonderful years traveling and following the football and women's volleyball teams of UT. She then moved to Granbury to live with her only child, daughter Lynda Finneran, and son-in-law John Finneran. She traveled as a member of the Senior Circle and spent many happy hours at the Senior Center.
Her last days were under the excellent care of Trinity Missions Care Center (817-573-3773) and Mission Hospice of Cleburne (817-517-7336). Any memorials should be sent to them. She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Bengie Bivins, her sisters Mariam Barron and Gail Dean, her brother Mickey Bivins, and her dear friend Mary Lee (Baba) Beavers. Other survivors include nieces, Jenny Meyer, Liz Leop and Judy Cardwell; grandchildren, Michael Finneran, Missy Rhodes, Morgen Priest, and Matt Finneran; greatgrandchildren, Madison Rhodes, Daniel Priest and Abigail Stanley and many and nephews. Florence Throckmorton Florence Throckmorton Cotten died August 29, 2008, at the age of 97.
She was born April 12, 1911, in Marietta, Cass County, Texas. When she was ten, the family moved to Dumas in the Texas Panhandle. She attended Dumas public schools and West Texas State Teachers College (now West Texas A8M University) in Canyon, Texas. After college she returned to Dumas and taught high school English. In 1935, she married W.C.
Cotten, an engineer, who was involved in highway, bridge and later military base construction. From 1935-1943 they moved around following construction projects from one Texas town to another. In 1939 son, Mike, was born in Uvalde, Texas. From 1943 to 1945 W.C. served in the U.S.
Navy overseas and Florence and Mike lived in Amarillo where she worked in the advertising department of the Amarillo Globe News. Upon W.C.'s return, the family moved to Austin in 1946. Florence served as an assistant secretary of the Texas State Senate under Charles Schnable from 1955 to 1957 and from 1965 to 1973. She was executive secretary to the Board of Regents of the state teachers colleges from 1958 to 1961. She served as administrative secretary for the UT Interfraternity Council in 1963-1964.
She was president of the auxiliary of the Travis Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional engineers in 1963-1964. She was a member of the Board of the Travis Association for the Blind and a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was predeceased by her husband, W.C. Cotten, and a sister, Anna Roberts. She is survived by son, Mike and his wife, Betty; his granddaughters Ashley Putman of Austin, TX and Lesley Childress of Jackson, MS; and six great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at Austin Memorial Park. The family wishes to think Dr. Mike Pellegrini and the nurses and staff of Westminster Manor Health Center and Odyssey Health Care for their care and support of Florence during the past year. Obituary and guestbook online at wefish.com A WEED CORLEY-FISH FUNERAL HOME 3125 Lamar, Billy Doyle Davis, 63, of Georgetown, passed away Friday, August 29, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Donica Williams (Brian) and Darla Stone grandchildren, Chad, Chelsea, Lainey, Layton and Laysie; and six siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Tennie Davis and his brother, Rick Davis. Billy worked for TECO Westinghouse for years and served in the Texas National Guard. Donations may be made to the Gabriel Oaks Church of Christ building fund, American Cancer Society or to Hospice Austin. Visitation will be on Monday, September 1, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 N.
IH35, Georgetown. A service celebrating Billy's life will be on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Berry Creek Cemetery. GEORGETOWN, TEXAS AN INDEPENDENT, HOME OWNED INSTITUTION GABRIELS OF 512-869-8888 SERVICE Ruth Akin Valtair McCully Ruth McCully died on July 17, 2008 in Austin. Ruth Amelia Akin was the fourth of six children born to John B.
Akin and Maude Mcnu*tt Akin, of Dallas Texas. She was born on March 25, 1916. While working for the Civic Federation of Dallas she met her future husband, Jack Valtair, the Director of Youth Programs at the Federation. They married on August 22, 1945. Jack became a field representative for the Fair Employment Practices Commission that same year.
In 1952 Jack and Ruth's daughter Jacqueline was born. In 1953 the family moved to Washington D.C. Ruth went to work for the Congress of Industrial Organizations. Jack was killed in a car accident in Ohio in 1959. In 1970 Ruth married John D.
McCully in a ceremony at Ruth's home in Arlington Virginia. The neighbors decorated the street and it was a joyous occasion. She continued to work for the AFL-CIO and John continued his work as a journalist for the U.S. Information Agency. In 1974 the couple retired to Austin, Texas where they already had many friends.
The two started and ran a rare book business. Each Friday they played poker at Emma Long's home in what is now the longest running poker group in Austin. Ruth and John enjoyed sixteen years together before John's death in 1986. Ruth was a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin. She a life long Democrat, a supporter of Human Rights, environmental, anti poverty, and educational causes and many health research organizations.
She was open minded and tolerant, but steadfast in her convictions. Ruth is survived by her youngest brother, the artist Harry Akin, currently of Austin, her daughter Jaci Kenagy-Valtair, Jaci's husband John Kenagy. She is also survived by her step-children, John McCully and wife Gemma, and Ann McCully McFarlin and husband W. Darden McFarlin and her daughter-in-law, Jenny Oswald, widow of her stepson, Jack (Valtair) Oswald. Ruth's grandchildren are Kyrie Sterling-Valtair, Rowan Kenagy-Valtair, Allisen McCully Patel (Krupal), Mary McFarlin Dyer (Stephen), Laurie McFarlin Stein (Alan), Jim McFarlin (Michelle), Susan Oswald Peters (Mike), and Shanan Oswald Shepherd (Rob).
She has at this point ten great-grandchildren. A private family memorial was held. Those wishing to honor Ruth by a contribution may make donations to Berea College in Berea Kentucky, or Family Elder Care in Austin..
