Walter Eugene (Buck) Emmons age 88 of Eldorado passed away Monday October 2, 2023. Graveside funeral services will held Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 2:00 PM in Eldorado cemetery. Survivors include brother Gordon Emmons and sister Martha Emmons. 

Virginia "Jennie" Lay Brock, 71, was called home into the arms of her Savior on Thursday, September 28, 2023 surrounded by many family members and friends.

Viewing will be from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Friday, October 6, 2023 at Robert Massie Funeral Home; and the family will receive friends from 5:30 PM -7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, where she will be laid to rest close to her parents.

Jennie was born on October 3, 1951, in San Angelo to the late James Houston Lay and Doris Louise Easterwood Lay. She married her best friend and love of her life, Jessie Lee Brock, on December 17, 1976, and spent almost 47 years loving him. They were blessed with one son and one daughter, biologically, and raised another son as well as taking in a niece and a son-in-law along the way.

Jennie had many roles in her adult life: Homemaker, convenience store clerk, and Special Education Teacher's Assistant. She was an accomplished cook and baker and passed her skills on to her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, and many 4-Hers over the years. She had a special place in her heart for children with special needs and spent many years enriching the lives of numerous students. She impacted children's lives outside of the school as well as a Girl Scout Leader, a 4-H Leader, a Lake View Chieftain Band Booster and Band Parent as well as an Athletic Booster at many high schools over the years.

Jennie loved raising dogs and horses and was actively involved in the Twin Mountain Riding Club and the American Association of Sheriff Posses and Riding Clubs, holding many offices and leadership roles throughout her tenure there.

She was known for loving her Texas A&M Aggies, watching almost every football game either in person or on television since the 1980s. Most of her closet was Aggie maroon. She was a proud Aggie Mom, and The Aggie War Hymn was her ring tone for over 20 years. Jennie was also known for her love of Santa Clauses. She collected cookie jars, mugs, glasses, and assorted decorations. Christmases at her house were spectacular, with her house decorated from top to bottom. She made certain that every person who could possibly walk through the door on Christmas Day had a gift under the tree and a stocking hanging on the wall. She loved her house being full of loved ones.

By far, Jennie's favorite role in life was that of Grandma. She spent many hours supporting her grandchildren in the arena, on the court, on the field, at parades, through fundraisers, and just spending some quality time with them reading, cooking, watching them ride horses, watching television, and more. She was their mentor, their chauffer, their cheerleader, their nanny, their teacher, their therapist, and even their mediator. She cherished every moment with them, in person and on the phone.

Jennie was preceded in death by both of her parents, several cousins whom she loved, and one "little girl" she and Jessie never got to meet.

Jennie leaves behind her loving husband, Jessie Lee Brock; Three children, Tommy Lay and wife, Eileen of San Diego, California, Lori Brock, and Jessie Lee Brock II and wife Chandra, both of San Angelo; two godchildren, Bobby Don Lay, Jr. and wife Reyna of La Porte and Davella Louise "Dee" Philipp and husband Perry of Seminole; six grandchildren, Donovan Lay, Hailie Brock, Makailey Brock, Kyla Lay, Jessie Lee Brock III "Tres", and Avery Lay; three siblings James Douglas "Jim" Lay, Bobby Don Lay, and Billy Jon Lay; Brother-in Law, Presley Reese Brock and wife Dawn, three sisters-in-Law, Janice Mikolajczak, Jenny Lou Weems and husband Rick, and Cassie Brock, her Aunt, Janell "Nell" Morse and her Uncle, Jerry Lay and wife Betty, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends who loved her dearly.

Pallbearers will be her sons Tommy Lay and Jessie Lee Brock II, her grandson Tres Brock, her brother-in-law Reese Brock, her nephew Jeremy Lay, and her godson Bobby Lay.

Because Jennie did not like the idea of cut flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to one of her favorite charities: Sonrisas Trails Therapeutic Riding, P.O. Box 1093, San Angelo TX, 76902, or to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund), 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10281.

Melba Ruth White Cox died October 2, 2023, in Kerrville, TX, at the age of 97.

Melba was the only child born to John Henry and Lula Ball White in Brazos County Texas on August 31, 1926. She attended Bryan public schools before moving to Goose Creek, where she attended Robert E. Lee High School. Returning to Bryan in 1943, she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School at 16. Melba attended Texas State College for Women, now TWU, in Denton, Texas, and graduated from McKenzie Baldwin Business College in Bryan, TX.

In August of 1943, Melba worked for the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M. She then worked for the USDA Extension Service for the Director of the 4-H Club program until she married.

Melba married XB Cox, Jr. in the First Baptist Church in Bryan, TX, on November 4, 1948. They lived in San Angelo, TX, since their marriage. They had two children, Melba Ellen Cox Williams and XB Cox, III.

Melba was the last surviving charter member of the Ruth Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church. She joined it on June 19, 1949. She was a Young Women’s Service League member at the time the San Angelo Junior League was chartered.

Melba and her friend, Cynthia Wittenburg, organized the Women’s Department of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, later called the Creative Arts Department. She worked with this department for over twenty years.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, her husband XB, and her beloved grandson, XB Cox IV (Boone). Melba is survived by her daughter Ellen (Herby) Williams, son XB Cox III (Kelly), and grandchildren Trey Williams (Sandy), Sarah Junemann (Cory), and Jordan Peterson (Eric). Her great-grandchildren are Mason and Cameron Williams, and Lex and Liv Junemann.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the San Angelo Area Foundation for the Cox Family Scholarships. The address is 221 South Irving, San Angelo, Texas, 76903.

Melba will have an open viewing on Friday, October 6, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Harper Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Fairmount Cemetery. A service will follow at Harper Funeral Home at 11:30 AM with a visitation to follow from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.

Ann Ducote McCulloch of San Angelo, Texas went home peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The day after her 82nd birthday. She was born on October 2, 1941, to Lee Samuel Ducote and Lois Gail Krohn. Ann was a member of San Angelo Central High School’s class of 1960, she attended the University of North Texas from 1960-1962, and then on June 30, 1962, she married the love of her life, Ben Eustace McCulloch I. Ben was attending Texas A&M University and Ann worked in the Academic Building. Although women were not allowed to attend the university she was a very proud Aggie wife, a Texas A&M employee, and showed her love of the Aggies by attending every Aggie football game she could or cheering loudly from her chair at home!! In 1964 Ann became a supportive Army wife and in 1966 she became a mother.

Ann and her husband Ben later pursued a life in San Angelo, Texas with their 2 children, where together they owned and operated Overhead Door Company of San Angelo before moving to Millersview, Texas in 1982 to manage the family ranch. Ann served as a volunteer for the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association from 1970-2020 with her favorite time spent in Creative Arts. She loved to crochet and cook! She was preceded in death and is excited to join in Heaven, her loving husband Ben E. McCulloch I, her parents Lee and Lois Ducote, brothers Gale Ducote, and Thomas Ducote, and sisters Ellen Petrovich, Thelma Drake, and Frances Stluka. She is survived by her brother David Ducote and wife Mary Beth, sister June Humphrey, daughter EvaLee McCulloch, son Ben E. McCulloch II, and wife Heather. Granddaughters Blake, Brittany and fiancé Richard, Macy and husband Wes and daughters Ruby and Tessa, Addye and husband Justin and daughter Collyns, Morgan and husband Jace, Hallie, and LexiAnn. Extended family, Jacob and Lacye Crumpton and children, Kristin and Michael Fida and children, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, October 6, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo with burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at BayCrest Senior Living, Concho Hearts Hospice, and longtime friend and caregiver Maria Espinoza, and husband Marco. In lieu of flowers please send donations to First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo or the charity of choice.

Pallbearers are Cam Kleibrink, Jacob Crumpton, Bryan Baker, Jon Curry Ducote, Frank Davis, Wayne Tankersly, and Justin Willmon

Honorary pallbearers are Clint Ducote, Charles Ducote, Brook Baker, Kevin Tyler, Jerry Bunyard.

Lori Cooksey went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2023. Lori was born to Don Cooksey and Ione Van Court on December 23, 1956, in San Angelo, Texas. She was born prematurely and was a fighter from the beginning. She was feisty, loyal and as strong a person you could ever meet.

She was a dedicated Christian, she loved her family fiercely, and was a devoted friend. If she loved you, you knew it. If you were her friend, you knew that too. She had a memory like an elephant and told stories so well that you felt like you were in the midst of them.

She ventured away from the San Angelo from time to time but always ended up coming back home. She returned for the final time in October 2021. She settled at Rio Concho in March 2022, and was as happy as could be. She made good friends during her time there and found a new purpose in life living through giving and kindness. She will be dearly missed.

Lori is survived by her sons, Michael Pennington of Ft. Worth and Christopher Pennington of San Angelo, her sisters Janet Smith (Mark) of Odessa and Susan Van Court of Boerne, her nieces Lauren Bourque (Josh) of Tyler and Kelsee Smith (and her fiancé, Tyler Dudley) of Tyler, nephew Branch Van Court of San Angelo, great niece Taelyn and great nephew Everest of Tyler, great nephew Branch and great niece Amelia of San Angelo, cousins Dennis Don Brown (Gail) of Abilene, Johnny Van Court (Phyllis) of Christoval and Stephen Van Court of San Angelo, and other numerous cousins.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Lori’s memory. A private memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Eugene (Gene) J. Leach passed away on October 2, 2023, in San Angelo, Texas.

 He was born July 19, 1970, in Red Bank NJ to George Leach and Elizabeth Leach (Gagnon). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Vincent Leach. He is survived by his sister Jackie Curran (Leach), brother James Leach, niece Staci (Nellie) Leach, nephew Chad Leach and several other nieces and nephews. There will be no public service.

Emily Kathilene "Kathy" Taylor, 89, of San Angelo passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Viewing will be from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Friday, September 29, 2023 at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mrs. Taylor was born on November 27, 1933 in Fort Worth to Ike and Valastie Maresh. Kathy graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1952. She married Lawrence Van Taylor on April 2, 1953 in San Angelo. Kathy was a homemaker and then later she and Lawrence owned and operated Taylor Printing Company, retiring in 2009. She enjoyed ceramics, shopping, playing dominoes, needlework, and puzzles. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ike and Valastie Maresh.

Survivors include her children, Steve Taylor and wife Susan of San Angelo and Donna Waggoner and husband Nick of Menard; six grandchildren, Josh, Matt, Brooke, Lindsey, Justin, and Zack; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Olga Z. Garza, 79, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at home with her family by her side.

Mass will be said at 10:00 AM Friday, September 29, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Joey Faylona, pastor, officiating. A burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mrs. Garza was born October 14, 1943 in San Angelo to Domingo and Petra Rodriguez Zamora. Olga graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1962. She married Richard Garza on June 27, 1962. Olga began her career at Ethicon before moving to GTE. She worked in administration for 30 years, retiring from Verizon in 1991. Olga loved to travel, garden, play golf, and spend time with her family. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Olga was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Domingo Zamora, Jr., Robert Zamora, and Alex Zamora; and a sister, Elma Salas.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Richard Garza; a son, Raymond Garza and wife Anna of San Angelo; a brother, Hector Zamora of San Angelo; four granddaughters, D'Anna Garza, Erica Pounds and husband Tim, Stephanie Garza, and Monica Lozano and husband Manuel; and four great-grandchildren.

Make a mark and see where it takes you. William "Bill" Alden Flanders, of Fort Davis, Texas, made his mark on this world beginning on October 4, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri, and passed away September 13, 2023, holding hands with his beloved wife of over 55 years, Peggy (McDonald).

Bill was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; the pillar of the family with a neverending dedication to support and encourage, anchoring his family and friends with his loving guidance.

As a lifelong learner fueled with natural curiosity, Bill left his mark in many fields. Sometimes this curiosity was fueled by the desire to make things better, such as when there were only three in the Flanders' Sibling Tribe, Lynn, Bill, and John. Bill took a hammer to John's new tractor and found himself in deep trouble. Many years later, he revealed the reason for his destruction was to create a seat for his sister. His parents, H. Alden and Mary Flanders, quickly realized the depth and persistence of his love of learning when his father was approached by the curious 12-year-old asking when he could have a car. The reply, "When you have enough money to purchase one." led to a paper route and first car purchase that quickly became disassembled, including the engine, in order to learn how it worked. It didn't take long for Hays, Kansas locals to spot the lad driving about. In high school, natural winds, windmills, and a desire to conserve our natural resources, led to experiments for wind-powered electricity.

Before pursuing his formal education in mechanical engineering at Kansas State, Bill enlisted in the United States Army and fought overseas, returning as a multiple decorated veteran, including a Purple Heart recipient. He carried this patriotism for his country throughout his life. No time was wasted upon his return to marry the love of his life, Peggy Jo McDonald. Their love story began when she was just sixteen, and his adventurous ways led to a first date that included the surprise of attending a Christmas formal dance with both adorning white Levi's and sweatshirts. Peggy returned home with her sides hurting from a night filled with laughter...laughter that continued throughout their entire marriage.

Bill's career as a petroleum engineer included numerous awards for his contribution to the industry with his CO2 research and innovation. His career could have taken a much different path when he was approached early in his career by a NASCAR driver to join his team. Though his previous time spent as an alternate race car driver was fun, his family now included two children, Aron and Lisa, and it wasn't too hard of a decision to stay in the engineering career where he supported several American companies, received requests to work in other countries, and retired as president of Transpetco Engineering.

Being born in a time pre-internet and home computers didn't stop him from always exploring the latest and greatest technologies for work and as a hobby. Other pursuits throughout his life included sailing, windsurfing, drawing, astronomy, birding, State Park host/tour guide, indigenous culture, and whatever sparked his interest in a new research project, such as his deep dive into photography in pursuit of capturing the perfect photo to support his artist bride's plein air paintings that many times weren't completed on site. This research led to a possible superior light theory. Bill never needed accolades for his research knowledge shared but instead focused on contributing to the greater good. When he moved to new research topics, he happily shared research gained with someone in the specialized field most likely to continue the research. If you were ever involved in a project with Bill, no matter how big or small, you quickly realized how he held himself and others to a higher standard and paid particular attention to even the most minuscule detail.

Bill's kids learned early on to "Do your best or don't do it at all," "no excuses," "think for yourself," "be at the family dinner table at 6:30," and many other values and words of wisdom. His grandkids and great-grandkids learned that "Papaw" was competitive and may have the advantage of bringing his own games of skill. This younger generation missed out on the fun of learning tactical strategies of July 4th bottle rocket wars with the Minden neighbors.

He shocked family and colleagues alike when he announced his early retirement to make time for what he enjoyed ... spending countless hours soaking in the beauty of nature and wildlife as he, Peggy, and their fur babies camped primarily throughout Texas. Though he enjoyed transitioning to a simpler life, research projects continued to be an integral part of his life, such as his passion for genealogy. A highlight of this research was when he verified his family's lineage connection to a baby found in Flanders' Field in Belgium in the 17th century by a war soldier. Through a deep dive into DNA genealogy, he was also able to identify one of the baby's parents.

Bill and Peggy's travels to their favorite region, Far West Texas, led to their new homestead, Flanders' Paradise located in the Davis Mountains Resort, DMR. Here he founded, expanded, and maintained the DMR Community Library supported by his wife, donations, and a dynamic group of volunteers. The library has been operational for over a decade and was recently handed down to the next generation of librarians. This project was particularly special to Bill, a dyslexic, who avidly read for knowledge and purpose, but not for pleasure until discovering the Dyslexie font in his early 70s. This discovery led to an enjoyment of reading mysteries on his Kindle from his favorite chair, perfectly positioned to watch wildlife. The wildlife of the DMR soon realized Bill's soft spot for animals. Birds, deer, turkeys, and many other creatures knew when he was home and would immediately visit for food and water. Even the wild donkeys won him over.

Bill's final research project produced voluminous amounts of gallbladder cancer research. This research included the success of some patients, including himself, in tracking the progression of the disease through CA 19-9 and CEA tumor markers, as well as the need for close monitoring of the disease during immunotherapy. Bill's family is looking forward to sharing his findings, as he would, with an expert in the field who can hopefully use the information to make advancements in gallbladder cancer research.

Bill's lessons to us all:
•   Stay curious
•   Never stop learning
•   Learn to be quiet and just do
•   Pursue your interest with depth and persistence
•   Make time for what you enjoy
•   Learn to live a simple life
•   Do it all with laughter

Bill was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Earl and Pearl Flanders and Kenneth (Poppo) and Ola Munson, as well as his parents, Dr. H. Alden and Mary Flanders.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of over 55 years, Peggy Jo Flanders (McDonald); his daughter, Lisa Flanders-Dick and her husband Mike of Minden, Louisiana; his son, Aron Flanders and his wife Christon of Pratt, Kansas; his granddaughter, Lauren Davidson and her husband Daniel of Minden, Louisiana; his four grandsons, Taylor Dick of Lexington, Kentucky, Zackry Dick of Minden, Louisiana, Gabriel Flanders of Overland Park, Kansas, Cohen Flanders of Pratt, Kansas; his two great-grandsons, Elijah Davidson and Jaxon Davidson; his sister, Lynn (Flanders) Broman and her husband of Littleton, Colorado; his three brothers, John Flanders and wife Gail of Rochester, Minnesota, Richard Flanders and his wife Cyndi of Grayslake, Illinois, and Philip Flanders of Lawrence, Kansas; along with his many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Bill's family would like to extend a special thanks to his DMR, Eden, KOA, Texas City, and Minden "family", Shannon Health System, Dr. David Cummings and staff, and Dr. Hosein M. Shokouh-Amiri.

A family Celebration of Life for our Mountain Man will be held in the Manhattan, Kansas area in November.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emergent Learning Research Institute (ELRI) in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Louisiana Tech University for Dyslexia research and outreach or to the Mayo Clinic designated for gallbladder research in honor of William Alden Flanders.