SEADRIFT – Memorial Services for Bobby L. Hadley, 72, of Seadrift, who passed on December 8, 2016, were held Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Seadrift.

Bobby was born in Lufkin, TX to Louis and Doris Hadley.

He is survived by his loving wife Sissy Thrower Hadley. He is also survived by daughter, Theresa Diech (Allen)of La Port, son Bobby (Bubba) Hadley of Angleton, Stepson PeeWee Malone (Tori) of Tres Palacios, grandsons Justin Hadley, Derrick Hadley, granddaughters Amber Hadley, Erica Hadley, Brothers, Buster Hadley (Peggy), Larry Hadley, Raymond Hadley, Sisters, Lorene Litton, Diane Branham, Linda Whitehead, Sister-in-Law, Nonie Thrower and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

We extend our sympathy to the family of Billy Ray Chatham of Seadrift who passed away December 5, 2016.

A memorial service was held on January 10, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Seadrift. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Bits Braudaway

Melton “Bits” Braudaway passed peacefully to the heavens surrounded with love by family and friends on January 5, 2017. He was born December 15, 1941 in Fort Worth, TX to John Henry Braudaway, Sr. and Elenora Kotara Braudaway both deceased. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Margie Roberts Braudaway, daughter Chaliise Braudaway Mackey, Doug of Victoria, TX and son Britton Braudaway, Susan of Port O’Connor,TX, grandchildren Lauren Preston, Kevin of Roanoke, TX and Terrell Braudaway of Cedar Park, TX. Brothers John Braudaway Jr, Charlene of Karnes City, TX, Jessie Braudaway, Carolyn of Springfield, VA, Alton Braudaway, Karen of Zephyr, TX. Sherwin “Joe” Braudaway deceased. Sisters Genevia Hahn, Charles of Cuero, TX, Sharon Champagne, Keith of Bedford, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend.

Bits attended Texas State University. He worked for Oscar Mayer for ten years after which he had a successful 37 year career in the structural steel business. He was a member of the Choate Baptist Church and proudly served in the United States Marine Corp. He enjoyed his recent retirement, traveling, and his love for his place in Port O’Connor, TX. He was a remarkable man of wit and wisdom. Through his strength and courage he made every day a joy to his family and friends.

Funeral Service was held January 10, 2017 at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, TX. with internment following at Choate Cemetery in Choate, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 4241 E. Piedras Dr, Suite 171, San Antonio, TX 78228 or Choate Cemetery, 6433 State Hwy 239, Kenedy, TX 78119.

SEADRIFT – George Hilbert Andrus, citizen of Seadrift, TX passed away December 19, 2016 at the age of 73. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Jesse H. Andrus of Houston, TX, and adopted brother to the late Pete and Lea Hall of Seadrift. George was a graduate of Texas A&M University. He retired from teaching from Seadrift Elementary School but will be remembered most for his life-long dedication to the Boy Scouts of America. He began as a Cub Scout in Los Angeles, CA, earning the Arrow of Light, and rose to the rank of Life Scout. In 1971 George helped organize Troop 106 in Seadrift, TX. During the next 45 years he was Cubmaster, Scoutmaster & Troop Committee Chairman for both Pack 106 and Troop 106. He was awarded the Scouter’s Key, District Award of Merit, James E West Award and The Silver Beaver. His leadership, friendship and support will be greatly missed by the Scouting Community.

George is survived by life-long friends, Carlton, Lorna, Ian & Carlton Hall; Tyra, Bruce, Garrett, Brandon & Honor Randall; Patrick Henley and a multitude of friends in the Seadrift Community.

Funeral arrangements by Richardson Funeral Home in Port Lavaca, TX. Services were held Friday, Dec. 23 in Seadrift at the United Methodist Church, followed by graveside services at Seadrift Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Seadrift Methodist Church’s Feed My Sheep Program.

The coming of a new year is a time of hope and optimism for most people; it is a time when the old ways of the last year can be shaken off and new pathways to new ideas and new ways of living can be formed with a little bit of hope and well applied elbow grease.

Like many people, I went into the now-worn new year of 2016 year filled with optimism that it would be different than the year that had to come prior, which was a mish-mash of bad circumstances.

However, as New Year is the time to establish change and allow it to come into your life, I can’t help but look at the coming year of 2017 and believe it will be better than the last.

Every year for five years I’ve written about this subject matter in this space and I don’t see in past New Year’s columns is that we tread the same old ground, with the message that if you had a bit of willpower and made some good decisions you can affect your life for the better, not just for the coming year ahead but for many years to come.

Great advice, but something was missing.

The missing bit of ‘formula’ was the way the obstacles we had the year prior can actually become the inspiration for changes in the coming year ahead. Every time we fell down and we found ourselves bruised and tired, we also learn the lessons that let us get back up and walk on a true path stronger than the one we were on before we fell.

Personally for me, it’s a matter of many internal things from decisions about self-care to the way my lifestyle has changed. Too often I believed my own bad press and it threw me off my correct path and into the bramble on the side of the road.

This is the time when real change occurs, when you have to stand tall alone. The times when you have nothing to do but face what is the worst thing inside of you and tell it to be quiet, sit down, and shut up. I love you and all but we’re going for a little ride.

You may even have to strap your internal demons into the passenger seat and lock the car doors. Most likely this negative voice is not going to want to go for this ride with you. He is content and comfortable with the way that things are right now and doesn’t want them to change. So out of fear and misguided protection that negative voice comes out and tells you what you cannot do rather than what you can do or could do…

I think it is ironic that the year starts out cold and then suddenly grows warmer for most people around the world. It’s kind of a sign that the beginning of any Journey starts out rough and cold, the kind of place that you wouldn’t expect to find treasures buried in the ice of your soul.

Embrace that voice, tell it you love it, tell it that it is OK to fear and have doubts, but if you can finally work together rather than apart the days will warm as the light of the sun draws closer to us and the dark will retreat into the past.

Happy New Year!