The Intercoastal 4-H Club of Port O’Connor had their monthly meeting at the Port O’Connor Elementary School Library on February 3, at 7:00 pm. There were 15 members present at this meeting. Many topics were discussed, such as, helping the Baptist youth group serve food and drinks at the Valentine Banquet.

We have several competitions coming up soon, like photography, The Fashion Show, Archery, and Skeet Shooting.

The meeting was successful and everyone is always welcome to join.

Goldie Sanders

SEADRIFT – Goldie Belle Mullins Sanders went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 15, 2014. She was born on April 9, 1916, in Harrison, Arkansas to the late Alvin Elsworth Mullins and Rosa Belle Relf Mullins. She spent her early years in Oklahoma before moving to Seadrift, Texas in 1928 where she met the love of her life, Robert William “Bill” Sanders Sr.

Goldie was a devoted homemaker and loving mother to her seven children. She could often be found singing in her garden where she found much joy. Her home was a welcome refuge to all who entered, including her 21 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Robert William Sanders Sr., her son Leslie Allen Sanders (Dollie), her daughter Nina Annette Weaver (Jerry), her granddaughter Dallas Sanders Mott, and nine siblings, Marvin Mullins (Alta), Dutch Mullins (Doris), Delbert Mullins, Henry Mullins (Lois), Laura Lee Mullins, Sylvia Mae Scantlin (Orville), Ben Frank Mullins (Joyce), Teny Maddux (Bill), and June McCown (Hollis).

She is survived by five of her children, Robert William Sanders Jr. (Sharon), Brenda June Motley (Buddy), Diane Wilson, Janie Pearl Waghorne (Steve), and John Hays Sanders (Jody).

Pallbearers at her funeral service were nine grandsons: Brad Weaver, Sandy Motley, Allen Sanders, Austin Sanders, Josh Waghorne, Jeremy Sanders, Robby Sanders, Will Waghorne, and David Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers were her 11 surviving granddaughters: Laurie Weaver, Pauline Traugott, Kristin Arterbury, Robyn Amundson, Ramona Knutsen, Dodie Murphy, Sarah Spitler, Goldie Wilson, Santanna Wilson, Emily O’Brien, and Hailey Sanders.

Funeral services were on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at the First Assembly of God in Seadrift with Pastor Tim Smith and Dennis Wittnebert officiating. Burial followed at the Seadrift Cemetery.

Donations can be made to First Assembly of God – Seadrift (P.O. Box 279, Seadrift, TX 77983), Friends of Seadrift Library (P.O. Box 576, Seadrift, TX 77983), or Hospice of South Texas.

The family of Goldie Sanders would like to offer a special thanks to her loving caregivers, Mary Escobar, Kathy O’Briant and Joy Maddux.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com

Agnes Marion Munsch Valigura, 91, of Port O’Connor passed away February 7, 2014. She was born September 17, 1922, in Port O’Connor to the late Michael and Clara Johanna Barre Munsch.

Agnes was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Altar Society, Port O’Connor Service Club, and was a lifetime member of Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce. She was active in all civic and church events until her recent hospitalization. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

She is survived by daughter, Carolyn Ann Valigura Bertrand, and son, Stuart Jay (Carolyn) Valigura; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, Sister-in-Law Lorrie Valigura (JB) Nelson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, WJ Valigura; sisters Hilda Harris and Clara Hawes; brothers, Edgar, William, Emile, Clarence, Pete, Michael, and Henry Munsch.

Funeral Mass was Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Port O’Connor. Interment followed in El Campo, Texas at Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Gordon Valigura, Buddy Brobston, Teddy Hawes, Ray Bertrand, Danny Bourg, Michael Hawes, Shea Watts and Dan Cullen.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port O’Connor, POC Fire Department, Hospice of South Texas.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.

Read more about Agnes Valigura at:
thedolphintalk.com/2012/09/13/happy-birthday-agnes

L’Roy Olman Bell Sr.

L’Roy Olman Bell Sr. passed this life peacefully at his home in Port O’Connor early Saturday morning, January 18, 2014. He was born October 20, 1920 in Boswell, Oklahoma and was raised by his late grandparents, Ivan and Sallie Bell. He was 93 years old. While stationed on Matagorda Island he met and married his wife of 66 years, Betty Josephine Hawes who preceded him in death February 26, 2009. They were married December 24, 1942 at Foster Field in Victoria.

Growing up on the farm he helped raise turkeys and pick cotton. One of his childhood memories was teaching three cats to stand on their hind legs so he could squirt milk from the cow he was milking into their mouths. A photo of this feat was sent to Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Even as a young child, he had a fascination with airplanes. His teachers were shocked when upon hearing an airplane he would run out the door or climb out a window so he could watch it fly over. “One day I’m going to fly a plane,” was his explanation to his teachers. At 17 he enlisted in the military so he could make this dream a reality. After logging many hours, he took his last flight at 91.

Life in the military moved his family 24 places around Europe and the United States. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1961, his family made their home in Port O’Connor. He always had a plane so that he and Betty could fly to Matagorda Island and beach comb. A special interest was old bottles. If Betty didn’t go his dog would be the co-pilot. It wasn’t long before the dog would refuse to give up his front seat.

He had several business endeavors, but the most rewarding was helping his youngest son start Shoalwater Marine. The business was begun in their garage producing only three boats a year. As his health declined he enjoyed talking about flying, telling about his childhood in Oklahoma, and riding his golf cart around town.

He is survived by two sons, L’Roy Bell and wife Liz, and Steve Bell and Susan Hudler; two daughters, Lynne Hearn and Shotsie Thumann all of Port O’Connor; seven grandchildren, Lisa Coursey, Matthew White, Denise Sandy, Stanley, and Brian Thumann, Sabrina, and David Bell; and 11 great-grandchildren, Megan and Kaddie Sandy, Jessi, Jacob, and Hannah Hernandez, Kolt Leiker, Jeremy and Sam Thumann, Bryce and Dalton Sandy, and Adie Hawley. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty; grandson, Stevie Bell and great-grandson, Robbie Dendy.

Graveside services were held at 11 am on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at the Port O’Connor Cemetery with full Military Honors performed by the Calhoun County Joint Honor Guard.

The family of L’Roy Bell would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of South Texas and asks that any memorial donations be made to Hospice of South Texas at 605 E. Locust, Victoria, TX 77901.

SEADRIFT – Louis “Pappy” Colianni, born in Columbia Hts, MN, Sept. 19, 1927, went to his Lord on Feb. 10, 2014. He was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. from 1944-1946. He was employed with Shell Oil for over 16 years, and became self-employed until retirement in 1980, when they moved to Seadrift. He will be missed by many, except maybe the trout.

He is survived by the catch of his life, his wife of 64 years, Violet Colianni; 4 sons, Mike (Debra) Colianni of Magnolia; Bob (Billie) Colianni of Santa Fe; Jeff Colianni of Hitchcock; Vince (Teresa) Colianni of Seadrift; 3 grandchildren, Christopher, Lance, and Kassidy Colianni; 4 great-grandchildren, Branson, Brooke, Brynley, and Austin; and 1 granddog, Angel “Pookie” Colianni. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Diane (Ricci) Colianni; 2 brothers, 5 sisters.

Memorial service will be Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m., Seadrift United Methodist Church.

Private burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SUMC or charity of your choice.