Freeman “Ticky” K. Dierlam, 97, of Seadrift, Texas, passed away on September 6, 2018. He was born in Seadrift to Gilbert and Neomia Dierlam on February 26, 1921. He worked as a Fireman for the Los Angeles, California Fire Department and was also a tennis pro. Ticky served in the Army as a sharpshooter in 1943. He was a member of the Outrigger Canoe Club and the Los Angeles, California Fireman Association. Ticky is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary “Babe” Dierlam and Evelyn Williams; brothers, Walter “Boy” Dierlam and Leonard “Buck” Dierlam. He is survived by nephews, Barry Dierlam, Ricky Dierlam, Danny Dierlam and Ray Dierlam. A scattering of ashes ceremony will be held at a later date in Hawaii.

Berniece Elaine Merrel, 82, of Rockport, passed away on September 10, 2018 in Port Lavaca, Texas. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. September 22, 2018 in Tivoli, Texas at First Presbyterian Church, with Jim Furr, officiating. A reception will follow.

Berniece was born in Topeka, Kansas to Donald Leadell and Bessie Berniece (Kline) Merrel on October 25, 1935. She and her family moved to California when she was a child and she attended school in San Jose. As a young woman, Berniece moved to Seadrift, Texas where she became a loving mother and homemaker. Even though much of her career was spent cooking in various restaurants, she enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, especially over the holidays. She also crocheted beautifully and abundantly. One knew they were loved by Berniece when she gifted you with one of her charming afghans. Above all, she treasured her family and she dedicated her life to them.

Berniece is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Bessie Merrel; her siblings, Carole Rhea, Donald (Butch) Merrel, and Dennis Merrel; her children’s father Herbert Cady, Sr.; her daughter, Jody Estes; and her step-son Johnny Lane Cady.
Berniece is survived by her loving children, Donald (Pam) Switzer, Vicki (Wayne) Gaines, Brian (Cindy) Mawhorr, Scherie (Jeff) Newton, Herbert (Melva) Cady, Jr., and Oddie (Kathleen) Cady; and siblings Gerry Wolf, Forest (Lee) Merrel, and Tommy Merrel. She also leaves behind her numerous beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank those who have extended financial and emotional support for Berniece during her final days and suggests that memorial contributions be sent to Hospice of South Texas in Victoria or Aim Hospice in Rockport, Texas.

Cremation Services Entrusted to Victoria Mortuary & Cremation Services, Victoria, Tx

Katherine Branch

Katherine Branch, 83, of Woodville, passed away Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Woodville Health & Rehab in Woodville, Texas.

Katherine was born June 13, 1935 to Dennis Mackey Stovall, Jr. & Norma Ada Massingill Stovall in Marshall, Texas.  At an early age the family moved to Carthage where her father owned the Carthage Drug for over 40 years.   She graduated from Carthage High School in 1953 and attended Panola College and Stephen F. Austin State University.  She was a longtime resident of Woodville having worked many years as secretary in the Woodville Schools and later at Jarrott’s Pharmacy.  Katherine volunteered many years with the Dogwood Festival serving as Director of Royalty, Executive Director and President of the permanent Board of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival.  She was a recipient of the James E. Wheat Award.  She was president of Wee Wisdom Day School and was an active member of the Woodville United Methodist Church where she served on the Church Council and many committees.  She was also an active member of the Woodville Study Club.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a friend to all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis Mackey Stovall, Jr. & Norma Ada Massingill Stovall.

Katherine is survived by her husband of 63 years, Herbert Branch; sons, Stephen Branch & wife, Cherise of Victoria, Charlie Branch & wife, Kay of Colmesneil and John Branch of Nacogdoches; brother, Stephen Dennis Stovall, Sr. & wife, Linda of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Charlotte Dorn & husband, John, Rebecca Bruton & husband, Daniel, Rhett Branch, Dodge Bludau and Reese Bludau; great grandchildren, Brantley Bruton and Emma Dorn.

Funeral services were held September 18, 2018, at Woodville United Methodist Church, Reverend Amanda Davis officiating. Burial was in Magnolia Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Stephen Branch, Charlie Branch, John Branch, Lonnie Grissom, Jr., Lyle Rainey and George Jarrott.

Memorials may be made to Wee Wisdom, c/o Woodville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 698, Woodville, Texas 75979.

It always amazes me how some people can take a word with good meaning, such as tolerance, respect, and ethics and turn them into words that will in effect hurt others or do damage to social constructs such as families, the workplace, and our schools.

Recently online I ran into one of those kinds of social media warriors that spew such garbage out into the world regularly, regardless of the way it may make others feel or act. The man was calling out a woman with health issues as a drain on our society in a rude way including comparing her to a sex worker and a low paid bartender. All this stemmed from her asking a simple question about him and how they knew each other in the past, a query that in my opinion was neither rude nor ‘loaded,’ but rather an innocent question to better understand that person and his background.

The reason I’m writing this though is because after I did indeed take the man to task about his behavior, essentially playing cards from his own deck against him, to make him feel as he had made that poor woman feel, he told me something that has haunted me the last few days.

It was, by coincidence, September eleventh and of course, the seventeenth anniversary of the tragic and deadly attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001, a day that changed the world and changed the fabric of American society and policy forever.

The man claimed that he would not reply to me that day due to respect for 9/11 and that he would: “deal with me tomorrow.” Now, let it be said that 9/11 was indeed a moving moment in history I of course experienced with the rest of the world that watched in shock and amazing terror as we lost over two-thousand lives that morning, and many more due to the consequences from that attack.

I watched with a heavy heart same as the rest of the world and this country we all live in, condemning those that would care so little for innocent Human life and feeling a shift in what I thought was capable of happening on American soil.

At this point you may be wondering why I am shunning the man for that statement, I mean, it seems very patriotic and righteous at the surface, a man caring enough about events seventeen years prior that he considers it bad form to conduct such a debate on that date.

However, what concerns me in all of these instances, from either side of the political aisle is how the words one says in one moment do not prove out in the actions that are undertaking at other times. It is hard to say you are refusing to argue with someone with respect of a historical event when on other days you are happily bashing people and their viewpoints with a sledgehammer and doing so with glee, wielding the printed word like a weapon and having no regard for who you might cut down.

So please, it’s a huge and vast internet, practice what you preach in all aspects.

The Republican Club will hold it’s monthly dinner Monday, October 1, at the Episcopal Parish Hall. Dinner (by reservation only) is at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. Public is invited. Complimentary coffee and tea. If you wish to have dinner, you MUST call in your reservation prior to Monday, September 29 (552-0917 / 552-6313). Dinner is $11 each, payable at the door.

All Republican candidates have been invited. Come and visit with the candidates.