Brenda Joyce Hedrick Smith, of Port O’Connor, went to be with our Lord and Savior on January 28, 2018 at the age of 68. Brenda was born in Kilgore, Texas to the late Boyd Vernon Hedrick and Edith Jones Hedrick on March 10, 1949.

Brenda was an active member of the Port O’Connor community for many years. She worked at the Port O’Connor Elementary School for many years in various positions; she was a volunteer at the Port O’Connor Fire Department and EMT, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Port O’Connor.

She is proceeded in death by her husband of many years, John “Tommy” Smith, sisters Mary Edith Behrends, Paula McGuire, and brothers Lavon Drake and Sammy Hedrick.

Brenda is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Renee and Jody Hawes of Port O’Connor, grandchildren Thomas and Maddie Hawes, brother Marvin Hedrick, and sisters Elaine Bynum and Louise Compton.

Funeral services were held on February 2, 2018 at the First Baptist Church of Port O’Connor. Pall bearers were David Schultz, Tom Ekstrom, Adolph Covarrubias, Robbie Hawes, Bryan Richter and Chris Cook.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Aransas Pass: Devon, born on August 7, 1995, passed away on January 29, 2018. Devon was beautiful and talented in many ways, from souping up her Honda, spitting rhymes, and creating art through photography, drawing, and painting. She loved camping, swimming, hanging out with friends, helping with poker runs, and taking a ride on the back of her papa’s Harley… She had a laugh that will not be forgotten. She touched many lives with her one of a kind personality. Devon will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

Devon was preceded in death by grandfather, David Ogg Sr. She is survived by her mother, Brandy Ogg, father, Zack Shaw, grandmother, Chris Billiot (Robert), grandfather, Patrick Petty who loved her like his own daughter, grandmother, Joanne Petty, sister, Jocelyn Keuter-Shaw, brother, Teagen Keuter-Shaw, uncle, David Ogg (Graciela), Aunt Dawn Ragusin (Willie), and several cousins.

A donation can be made in memory of Devon (Ogg) at save.org or teenchallengeusa.com. As we continue to hold her memory close to our hearts, we thank you for all the prayers and kind words. A memorial celebration of Devon’s life will be held at a later date.

SEADRIFT – Known as Ellie by friends and Nanny by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren died January 19, 2018 at home in Seadrift, Texas with family at bedside.

After visitation on January 21, a private burial took place at Memory Gardens Cemetery with James Coburn presiding.

She is survived by daughters, Tommye Schustereit (Bill) and Shirley Mumphord (Dwayne); grandsons, Michael (Leah) and Christopher Schustereit (Monica) and Robert Murray (Kristi); great grandchildren, Thomas, Patrick, Jason, Haley, Andrew, Carley, Cameron, Caleb Schustereit and Mason Murray; great great granddaughters, Luna and Ella Schustereit; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by parents, Pleamon Wright and Rose Marie Lee McGuffin; brothers, Pleamon Wright, Jr., Dorse Lee, Duard Bartlett, Jack Loyd, and Hubert Allen McGuffin; and spouse of 41 years, Thomas Michael Higgins.

Memorial donations made be made to charities of your choice or to Ellie’s support of Sunny Glen Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, Texas 78586 or Hospice of South Texas, 605 E Locust Ave, Victoria, Texas 77901.

The family would like to thank Dr. Maria Velasco and her staff for their great care of our loved one through the years. Special thanks to Dr. McFarland for his care and visits that brought strength to the family at the hospital. Thanks also to Drs. Gaalla and Chandna for her hospital care and the Hospice of South Texas for their help and support during these last days of her life. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Peggy Lindsey Van Hooser left this world peacefully February 11, 2018 at her sister Donna McGuire’s home in Port O’Connor, surrounded by family and friends.

Peggy was born December 23, 1946 in Victoria, TX to the late R.E. ‘Bob’ Lindsey (Velma) and Ocie Scott McGuire (Mac). She lived in Calhoun County most of her life except for a three-year tour of duty that took her to Puerta Rico, where she met and married the love of her life, Douglas Van Hooser.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Doug; son, Doug Jr.; and brother Scottie McGuire.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Sonja Willis (Richard); great-grandsons, Jordan and Zacharia; sisters, Mickie Vossler (Craig), Donna McGuire; brothers, R.E. ‘Bobby’ Lindsey and Quinten Tracy Lindsey (Sondra).

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and acts of kindness and a special thanks to Hospice of South Texas and Lynn Rhoads for all your help and loving care.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

My neighbors Parker and Patty are always telling me how proud they are to be a part of Port O’Connor, Texas. They say it is a great community and so friendly.

When oldest son Peter was in Kindergarten, he came home very excited about trading Valentines with his friends at school. Patty took him to the store and he picked out Snoopy cards and Tootsie Pop suckers to share with his class. He took his little pencil and began to address his cards.

His mom got busy cooking dinner and after a bit returned to check on her son. Several cards had names written on them with newly learned letters carefully printed by the young boy. Next to the growing stack of cards sat more than a dozen suckers without wrappers and obviously licked and sampled. Disturbed to see this, Patty asked Peter why the suckers were open.

The boy joyfully replied that he was simply tasting them trying to pick his best friends’ favorite flavors to go with their cards. He explained that he didn’t lick much and would wrap them back up before gifting them.

After Patty stopped laughing she carefully explained that Peter couldn’t pre-sample the Valentine suckers and helped her young son read the flavors on the wrappers to match them with his friends’ favorite. Peter took his treasured treats to all his friends at school and kept the prelicked suckers for himself and his sister.

Peter gave many more Valentines, but Patty never forgot the hilarious generosity of his first Valentine exchange. He’s been teased often about his soggy suckers. Happy Valentines!