Testengeer, Inc. announced that it has reached a safety milestone of 7,000,000 Occupational Safety and Health Administration injury-free safe man-hours worked as of December 31, 2017.

Headquartered in Port Lavaca with offices in Victoria, Corpus Christi, Freeport, and Houston, Testengeer has provided engineering and technical services to the Gulf Coast region since 1979. As a prominent leader in the engineering industry, Testengeer has demonstrated through this milestone how quality services can only be achieved when an organization and its employees are dedicated to safety.

“Testengeer employees’ commitment to working safely has been a very significant contributing factor to our other successes and accomplishments as an organization.” said president and chief executive officer of Testengeer, Inc., Shane Dworaczyk. “This significant safety milestone once again demonstrates Testengeer’s unwavering commitment to safety and a safe, healthy work environment.… Safety, quality of work, employee morale, and productivity are very closely related, resulting in a safer, healthier more efficient organization.”

Testengeer offers full service engineering from concept to actuality and is actively involved with a wide variety of clients ranging from chemical, petrochemical, refinery, petroleum, industrial, and commercial manufacturing industries.

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