Frances Pauline Ringgold, 88, of San Angelo passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 in San Angelo, Texas.

Pauline was born on January 23, 1930 in Haskell County, Texas to D.E. and Bertha Houston Holmes. She attended Rochester High School in Rochester, Texas.

Shortly after high school, she married Bob Whitt and they had two children together.

In 1961, she married Johnny Ringgold and they had one child together. After her children were born, she was living in Levelland, Texas where she owned her own Catalog Store for Sears for about 8 years. When she moved to Abilene, she continued working for Sears at their retail location in the children’s department.

In 1981, her family moved to Sonora where she worked several odd jobs including a restaurant hostess, substitute teacher for the school district, and a Poll Worker for several of the local elections.

No matter where she lived, she always found a local Southern Baptist Church where she was very active and took jobs in the church offices.

Pauline was always a very social person who loved making friends, and she did every where she went. She found her talent as a painter when she and her friends took a painting class together. Many of her family members are blessed to have her paintings in their homes.

She moved to the Christian Village in San Angelo in 2008, where again she made many friends and was very active in the community there.

She is preceded in death by her parents, 6 brothers and 2 sisters.

Pauline is survived by her children; Judy Whitt Lewallen of Eula, TX, Bob Whitt and wife Martha of Round Rock, and Tamera Ringgold Gardner and husband Chad of Anson, her grandchildren; David, Tanya, Ashley, Lauren, Talia, JonZachary, Taryn, Aaron, and Garrett, 19 great-grandchildren and of course, many friends.

Robert Gordon “Bob” Kellar, 83, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in Austin Texas.

Bob was born March 13, 1935, to Beryl and Gladys Kellar in Barrelville, Maryland. He grew up in Cumberland, MD and after high school, served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He retired from the Air force after 26 loyal years to his country in August of 1978.

Bob married the love of his life Katharine Lee Grubb on March 28, 1958 in West Palm Beach, Florida. They shared 59 beautiful years of marriage together. Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather who devoted his life to his Lord, his country and his family. He loved being in the great outdoors and hunting all wildlife. Bob was most at home in the mountains on horseback, whether in Colorado or Ruidoso, NM.

However, his home in San Angelo meant the world to him as well. Bob loved spending time at home with his family and cherished every moment with them. Bob had a great love for the Lord and was an active member of Freedom Fellowship Church. He devoted much of his time serving with the Gideons. He was very active and passionate about the Jail Ministry and helping others. His passion for his Savior and his love for his family will be carried in our hearts forever and we will dearly miss him!

He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers, Jimmy Kellar and Bill Kellar.

Survivors include his wife, Katharine “Kathy” Kellar, of San Angelo; his daughters, Dana Sue Hill and her husband Steve, Cheryl Ramos, Brandee Jackson and her husband George “Jack” all of San Angelo; his grandchildren, Christopher Ramos, Lauren Vance and her husband Chase of Azle, Texas; great grandchildren, Cody Kellar, Jada Jackson, Jazlynn Jackson and Nehemiyah Jackson. Bob is also survived by a son he never had, Gary O’Neal, of San Angelo, a close friend, Tom Granger, of San Angelo and his beloved “Fur Baby,” Joey. A special thanks to all his church family for all their prayers and kindness.

The Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held Monday, July 2^nd at 10:30 a.m. at Harper Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Harold Watkins officiating.

A burial service will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens accompanied by the Honor Guard of Goodfellow AFB.

Jonta “Lee” Friend was born April 8, 1959 to Benny & Carol Friend in San Angelo, Texas.

Lee graduated from Central High School in 1977. He later went on to study at Snyder College.

Lee had a blessed childhood and would spend his time between both sets of grandparent’s ranches in Ozona and Mertzon. When he was young, he could always call his Pampaw to come get him from school. Pampaw would drive from the ranch in Mertzon and be waiting on Lee to get out with a cold drink each time. He loved staying out at the ranches and learned many a valuable lessons.

Growing up on Oak Forest is where Lee met his lifelong best friends, Andy Smith and Gary Elrod. The three of them definitely left their mark on that neighborhood. Whether it be riding their bicycles to the Colonial Store, branding the neighbors cats, or fishing / hunting the Red Arroyo. 

Lee enjoyed roping at the ranch in Ozona with family and friends. He worked livestock there many a day. He always knew when his Grandmother Friend cooked chili con carne, that there was something she was trying to coerce him to do that nobody else would. And, of course, he would do it every time. Spending time with the ranch hands in Ozona is also where Lee learned Spanish. He loved going down to their house and eating Mexican food with them…….and the hotter the better!

When Carol ranched in Big Lake, Lee spent many hours there working and helping with all the horses. He worked many a long day but enjoyed every minute of it. It is from Carol that he learned his knowledge and pedigrees of horses. 

Lee was always a welder at heart. He started his welding career in Odessa working various pipeline jobs. From this passion, and his love for horses, Lee easily progressed into the field of bit and spurs. Kenneth Mauldin needed a bit repaired and knowing how good of a welder Lee was, asked him to fix it. He then encouraged Lee to start making bits and spurs, in which he did. Lee was very meticulous in his work. He patterned many of his creations from Adolph Bayer and Billy Klapper. Lee always had a waiting list for his pieces and was “six months out”. He envied his good buddy, Wilson Capron on how talented and creative he was in his pieces. Lee always said, “Willie is out of my league!” But, he enjoyed the journey Wilson shared with him on each of his creations.

Team roping was a passion of his. Lee got to experience many ropings with great horses and even better friends. At a USTRC roping in Oklahoma City…Lee, Little Andy, and David Weaver had returned to the hotel. There just happened to be an OB/GYN convention being held across from their room. Lee proceeded to drag the boys into the convention. He found a nametag and became “Dr Earl Carpenter” for the night. Don’t think that convention was the same after they showed up!

Lee was also very fond of “spanking the ball” as he called golf. He started playing as a young age due to the encouragement of his Granddaddy Friend. Recently, he and Kerry Bruton spent many a Sunday out at San Angelo Country Club chasing the ball around. 

Guns and anything related was a great love and interest of Lee’s. One day, he and Jerry Yancy decided to go shoot sporting clays and he was instantly hooked. Lee participated in many shoots across the United States and gained many friends along the way.

Hunting was Lee’s favorite hobby. From hunting as a child on the family ranches to his last hunt in Utah this past October, Lee was an avid marksman. He loved traveling to Mexico each year to hunt mule deer, his favorite species. Many outfitters will never be the same after Lee hunted with them. He was quite the character and kept everyone entertained in camp.

Lee & Debra traveled to South Africa on their first safari. Carl and his bunch at John X Safaris loved Lee and his cowboy hat, not to mention his Texas accent. Carl and Greg were shocked when they asked Lee what animals he and Debra were interested in hunting. After hearing the LONG list, Carl said “I should have asked which animals you DON’T want to hunt”. Lee and Debra harvested 28 animals within ten days on that expedition and made lifelong friends with Carl and his family. 

Lee & Debra traveled back to South Africa a few years later and took Coltyn with them. This is when Lee took his cape buffalo and a pair of blue ball monkeys. Those monkeys were one of his prized possessions and loved to show them off to any and everyone. 

Lee also hunted in Alaska where he took a grizzly and a moose. He spent many years traveling to Utah with Kerry Bruton and hunting with Travis Murphy. His favorite guide was Tyler, who always catered to Lee. Nevertheless, Tyler always made their hunt an adventurous one with his “driving” skills. 

The last big hunt Lee went on was when he, Debra and Coltyn traveled to Australia and New Zealand. He was able to hunt a tahr and chamois out of a helicopter up on the glacier. An experience he would never forget. Lee harvested a water buffalo in Australia, to add to his collection. He loved to hunt and passed that passion on to Coltyn.

Lee is survived by his wife, Debra. Children Coltyn, and Cheyenne (Richard) Key. Siblings, Francine Friend and Joe Friend, along with many other family members and dear friends. 

Family visitation will be held on Friday, June 29^th from 6-8 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday, June 30^th at 1:30 p.m.at Harper Funeral Home. Lee’s dear friends will be his pallbearers. Those include Andy Smith, Jerry Yancy, J L Hibdon, Kerry Bruton, Wilson Capron and “Cousin” Mont Cravens.

Debra would like to thank her ER family for the care they gave to Lee. The family would also like to thank the nursing staff in ICU, 5N, and Dr Melott for their sincerity and passion to Lee during his final days. 

He was a man of many names. Whether it be Dad, Lee-mone, Brother Lee, Reverend or Nacho Friend…..Lee will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. He had a nickname for most he came across that were dear to his heart. Words fade, but memories last a lifetime….and he gave us great memories. His accent and Lee-isms will carry on forever. As Andy said…..go sink spur Lee!

All our love, Debra and Coltyn.

Duane Allen Smith, age 90, of San Angelo, Texas died peacefully Friday, June 22, 2018 at Northern Oaks Living and Rehabilitation Center in Abilene, TX.

He was born June 10, 1928 in Superior, Nebraska and Married Rose Mary Stockdale-Taylor on October 6, 1956 in Papillion, Ne.

He served for 23 years in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force from which he retired from active duty in 1968 and retired from the reserves in 1973. His service included stations in post-war Europe and stations in the Pacific theater during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was awarded many decorations during his service to our country including the Purple Heart.

He moved his family to San Angelo in 1966 and served out his active and reserve duty at Goodfellow Air Force Base. He and his family remained in San Angelo after his retirement. Duane was a successful insurance salesman for many years after his military service and he made many lasting friendships through his work.

As his health began to deteriorate, his activities began to wane. He then spent much of his time behind a typewriter trying to find that one, right novel. His health continued to deteriorate, caused by Peripheral Neuropathy and resulting in his need to spend his last years in care facilities.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and LeRoy, His brother Elvin, his sisters Sharon, Shirley, and Winifred and his and Rose’s eldest daughter Coralie Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Rose, and two children, daughter Collette and her husband Oscar, and son Kerry, and two brothers, Kenyard and Danny, and grandchildren Steven and his wife, Stephanie, Amy and her husband, Joey, Sara and her husband, Derek, and a passel of great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 29^th from 6-8 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with full military honors.

The Family would like to thank the staffs of Northern Oaks Living and Rehabilitation Center and Kinder Hearts for the professional and loving care and attention they both provided so well for Duane during his final time and their caring attentions to his family after his passing.

Mary Magdalene Frantum, 82, of Woodway, went from her home to be with the Lord on the first day of summer, Thursday, June 21^st, 2018.

Mary was born to George and Genevieve Kamil in Canton, Ohio on August 16^th, 1935. She graduated from Louisville High School in 1954 and Gerber Beauty School in 1955. She married Harold Frantum on November 5th, 1955 in Canton.

Harold joined the USAF and over the next twenty years the two of them and their children traveled the world together, settling in San Angelo, TX. She was a well-known club owner for many years and loved to tell about her first job at a record store, where she decided to setup speakers outside to let the music draw people in.

She was strong willed and unafraid to act on her ideas. Music was always a large part of her life and she loved to share that love, she knew how to rock and roll and so does everyone she raised. Mary loved her animals, she raised huskies for many years and always had one by her side.

She lived for her children and grandchildren, she saw them as her crowning achievements in life. She never missed an opportunity to let them know how very much she loved them.

She had a passion for classic cars, especially her flame red 1986 IROC Z-28. She loved watching football and her Green Bay Packers. Mother Mary was a confidant, a card player, a businesswoman and a top-notch gardener. She loved being in the sun, living with color, and she was a beautiful woman that lit up every room she entered.

She will be missed so much more than words can express.

Mary is preceded in death by her son Jeff, her sister Lottie, her brother Joe, and her husband Harold.

Mary is survived by her sweet boy Kane, her best friend Georgann McGinnis, her sisters Darlene Feist and Sarah Kamil, her children, Bryan Frantum, Debbie Frantum, Keith and Melinda Frantum, Lance and Laura Frantum. Her grandsons, Brandon Mangan, Bryan Frantum II and wife Hannah and their son, Braxton, Evan Frantum, Jaden Newton, Taylor Frantum, her granddaughters, Amber, Angel, Melissa, Miranda, and Tiffany.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on June 25^th at Johnson's Funeral Home. Burial services will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Concho Valley PAWS.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Bluebonnet health services for their help and comfort.

FAMILY:

• Harold Frantum, Husband
• Joe ~, Brother
• Lottie ~, Sister
• Jeff Frantum, Son
• Darlene Feist, Sister
• Sarah Kamil, Sister
• Brian Frantum, Son
• Keith Frantum, Son
• Lance Frantum, Son
• Debbie Frantum, Daughter
• Melinda Frantum, Daughter-in-law
• Laura Frantum, Daughter-in-law
• Brandon Mangan, Grandson
• Bryan Frantum II, Grandson
• Evan Frantum, Grandson
• Jaden Newton, Grandson
• Taylor Frantum, Grandson
• Amber Frantum, Granddaughter
• Angel Frantum, Granddaughter
• Melissa Frantum, Granddaughter
• Miranda Frantum, Granddaughter
• Tiffany Frantum, Granddaughter
• Hannah Frantum, Granddaughter-in-law
• Braxton Frantum, Great Grandson
• Mrs. Frantum also leaves behind dear friend Georgann McGinnis and her sweet boy Kane to cherish her memory.

Eugenio Cano Gonzales, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully Friday, June 22, 2018 at his home in San Angelo, Tx surrounded by his loving family.

Eugenio was born August 23, 1935 to Ines and Juanita Gonzales in San Angelo, Tx. Growing up he migrated all over the country helping his parents in the fields where he developed his strong work ethic.

He worked at Ethicon as a machinist and retired after 27 years.

On August 3, 1963 he married the love of his life Bertha Castillo. Together they had five children; Gracie, Lisa, Ines Cano, Ines Gene, and Eugene Jr. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Eugenio was a devout Catholic and active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Eugene and Bertha's ministries included: St. Francisco Prayer Group, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, administered Baptismal and Marriage Encounter classes, and fulfilled their duties at the San Angelo Catholic Diocese Adoration Chapel for 15 years.

Eugene enjoyed golfing, reading, watching and attending sporting events. One of his favorite past times was dancing with his wife.

After retirement he enjoyed being a handy man, working on his yard, and creating memories with his great grandchildren. He had a sense of humor to make those around him feel unique.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Bertha, daughters Graciela Gonzales, Elisa and husband Alfredo Falter, and Son Eugene Gonzales, Jr. Four Esteemed Grandchildren Andrew, Monica, Alfredo Jr., and Gabriella. Four Special Great-Grandchildren Illiana, Andres, Karina, and Mylena. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Eugenio is proceeded in death by his parents, Ines and Juanita, Brother Alfredo, Sister Estella Bejil. Also proceeded by his sons Ines Cano and Ines Gene along with daughter Isabel Gonzales Wimberly.

The Gonzales Family would like to thank Encompass Home Health Staff Roger, Jana, Dorothy, and Celeste, also the St. Gabriel's Hospice Staff especially his nurse Rene. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his granddaughter, angel on earth, "baby doll" Monica Navarro.

Rosary Service will be held Monday, June 25^th, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass will be officiated by Fr. Joey Faylona at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26^th, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 11 West Avenue N.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Johnson's Funeral Home.

FAMILY:

• Bertha Gonzales, Wife
• Graciela Gonzales, Daughter
• Elisa and husband Alfredo Falter, Daughter
• Eugene Gonzales Jr., Son
• Andrew, Monica, Alfredo Jr., and Gabriella,Grandchildren
• Illiana, Andres, Karina, and Mylena, Great-Grandchildren
• As well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Coy Barnett Calvert, age 91, of San Angelo, Texas, died June 23, 2018 at Shannon Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on August 21, 1926 in Winters, Texas and married Joyce Eileen Boswell on May 29, 1949 in Ballinger, Texas. 

Coy enlisted in the United States Navy on August 16, 1944. He served aboard the USS LST 29 in the Pacific during WW II and on the USS Pine Island during the Korean War. His service to our country included 39 months of active duty and 40 months as a Navy Reservist. Following his active duty military service, he began work at the Goodfellow Air Force Base Motor Pool, from which he retired after 26 years of service. He began his employment in the motor pool in the paint shop and ended his civil service career as the civilian head of the Vehicle Maintenance Facility.

Pa will be remembered for his love of family, his customers, auto racing, auto body work, metal fabrication, and stray animals who quickly turned into pets. He was also a mighty fine dancer who cut a rug until age 90. He delighted in whatever his sons and their children pursued, ranging from junior high and high school activities to go kart racing, and his goal was that all three sons receive college degrees. They did. What he began behind his house in the country as Calvert Automotive was the genesis of today’s Calvert Collision Center, where his three sons continued his commitment to excellence in work and service. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, his parents Otis D. and Verna E. Barnett Calvert and his brothers Luther Howard and Delmond Calvert.

He is survived by his sons Steven Lynn Calvert (Sandra Lee), Larry Dwain Calvert (Luretta) and David Wayne Calvert (Laura Beth). He is also survived by five grandchildren: Mark Dwain Calvert (Gwen), Bronwyn Batjer, Sarah Elizabeth Runion (Jonathan), all of San Angelo, Sarah Caroline Billings of Astoria, NY and Lance Cpl. Benjamin Lawrence Billings, USMC (Reserve) of Austin, Texas. Five great grandchildren survive him: Gabe Michael Haskins, Luke Henry Haskins, Cheney Rae Runion, Hendrix Levi Harkey and Reign Hunter Calvert. Coy adored his sisters and is survived by two of them: Edna LaVerne Patton and Mary Frances Whiteley (Kennedy).

Interment at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo, Texas with full military honors will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 27^th with Reverend Gary Karschner officiating. Pall bearers are Benjamin Billings, Michael Block, Dwain Calvert, Mark Calvert, Gabe Haskins, Danny Hubbard, Randy Hubbard and Alan Wilson. Memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at Harper Funeral Home at 2606 Southland Blvd. A reception following the service will be held at Southland Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 4300 Meadow Creek Trail. 

Memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 125 S. Browning St., San Angelo, Texas 76903 or to the charity of your choice. 

The family would like to thank the Shannon Medical Center and Senior Care of Meadow Creek health care teams, loving friends, and extended family who cared so well for Coy as his health declined.

Sara Michelle McCrohan, 37, of San Angelo went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in San Angelo.

Sara was born June 19, 1981 in San Angelo, Texas to Pat and Phyllis McCrohan. Sara grew up in San Angelo and graduated from Central High School. She then attended and later graduated from American Commercial College.

Sara worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield for the last 12 years.

Sara was a loving daughter, granddaughter, mother, sister, aunt and soulmate who devoted her life to her family. Sara lived her life for her children, her family and the love of her life Jason San Miguel. She loved family gatherings and having the family together for the holidays, cooking for everyone and decorating her home in themes.

She was very talented in arts and crafts, and she loved going to the beach, traveling and going on vacation with her family. Sara had a heart of Gold! She loved people and would go out of her way for anyone or help anybody in need. She had an amazing strength and faith in God that allowed her to hold everyone together and be the backbone of her family. Her beautiful spirit and incredible love will be carried in our hearts forever and we will dearly miss her!

Sara is survived by her children, Sierra Bradley and Chase Bradley, of San Angelo; her parents, Pat and Phyllis McCrohan, of San Angelo, her sister, Trish Lane and her fiance Kris, of San Angelo; her Grandmothers, Jackie Bennett, of San Angelo and Pauline Pitcox, of Abilene; her Grandfather, Archie McCrohan, of San Angelo; her Soul Mate, Jason San Miguel, of San Angelo and his parents, Armando and Rebecca San Miguel, of San Angelo; her sister in law Jennifer Carpenter and husband Mike, of Jefferson; her nephew, Dylan Lane; her nieces, Jordan Nicole Lane and Jordan Bailey Carpenter; numerous other family members, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends; and her special friends, Leticia Garcia, Keisha Samarco and Andreia Love; and her beautiful “fur babies,” “Zeus” and “Zoie.”

A Celebration of Sara’s Life will be 11 a.m., Thursday, June 28^th at Harper Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Dorman officiating.

Shirley Dyches Roach lived life with love and grace, with God and family as the centerpiece. She celebrated the quiet moments as fully as milestone events and could be counted on regularly to set up a lunch date, bake the birthday cake, study the Bible and play the piano for church services. 

She died of a brain aneurysm on June 22, a month shy of her 81st birthday. 

Shirley gave freely to others and was incredibly active in life. At the time of her passing Shirley worked part time at Cross Texas Supply, was a church treasurer, volunteered at Meals on Wheels with the Lady Lions, regularly contributed to the Concho Valley Home for Girls and for the last two decades has taken care of an elderly friend in need. Shirley could be found at least once a week taking a trip to the park or to get a treat with her great-granddaughter. 

She is survived by her husband, Leon Roach; her daughter, Tineva A. Dyches; her son, Jay Dyches and wife Becky; her grandchildren, Kayla Matthews and husband Mickey, Ashley Dyches, and Coby Dyches and fiancée Krysten Sarbach; her great-grandchildren, Kallyn and Stetson Matthews, all of San Angelo; and by her sister, Ginger Rothe, and husband Ron Robertson of Austin. 

She is also survived by her stepchildren and their families, for whom she immediately expanded her circle of family and loved. They are Leon Roach Jr and wife Shannon, granddaughters Shelby, Darby, and Kaci Roach all of San Angelo, Tony Roach and wife Karen of Odessa. 

A lifelong West Texan, Shirley Ann was born July 23, 1937, in San Angelo, to Jim and Geneva Wilhite. She graduated from San Angelo High School and attended San Angelo College. 

On Leap Day in 1956 she married Bill Dyches, who preceded her in death in 2004. They owned and operated Red River Riding Ranch on the arroyo where Lynn Alexander’s Autoplex is situated and raised their family there, in the outdoor life she relished. Her pride in her two children and their accomplishments was evident to anyone who knew her even slightly.

Her love of horses, the outdoors and action took her into barrel racing, and she ran her favorite horses, Mike and Teddy, to top times across the region. She joined her deep faith to the sport to help found Concho Valley Glory Racers and continued to compete into her 60s. 

When grandkids came along, barrel racing took a backseat and the grandchildren continued to keep her young. Through the years, she remained thoroughly modern, keeping up with technology, social media and current events, and thinking hard about social issues. She modeled an active, independent woman whose determination and faith could move mountains. 

She met Leon Roach in church and after many afternoons and endless conversations sitting in her front porch swing, the two fell in love and married, on July 9, 2009. Their life was defined by God and family. They worked side by side on church projects large and small, always helping others where they found a need. 

Together they traveled, an interest she came to late in life but with her trademark enthusiasm.  They loved working in their yard and together they made a beautiful garden. One of her prize plants was the rose called Fire and Ice, her father’s favorite.

A memorial service will be held at Harper’s Funeral Home on Wednesday June 27^th at 4 p.m. For anyone so inclined, Mrs. Roach would have preferred charitable contributions to flowers. She particularly favored Meals for the Elderly, www.mealsfortheelderly.org, and the Concho Valley Home for Girls, www.conchokids.org.

Doris Elgene Eckert, 93, of San Angelo passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in San Angelo. 

Doris was born on May 29, 1925 to Charles Houston Roberts and Mary Willie Dyer Roberts on a small ranch in Regency, Texas. She was the youngest of three children. At a young age she suffered from polio but overcame the illness to live a long life. Doris attended high school Big Spring High School where she met the love of her life, JD Eckert.

They met in January and a few short weeks later married at his sister’s house in Goldsmith, TX in an impromptu ceremony on February 15, 1942. Shortly after they married, JD entered the military and was deployed when their first child, Nikkii, was born. A few years later, they welcomed their other child, Gene, in San Angelo. Doris, JD, and their children lived in several towns in West Texas. They met many friends along the way that they always tried to stay in touch with.

In 1981, Doris went to work for San Angelo Independent School District as a cook in the cafeteria at Carver Elementary. She retired from SAISD in the early 1990’s.

She was active members of Lakeview Baptist Church for many years. Doris was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother “MaMa” who liked to do all kinds of crafts and working in her yard and around her home.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52 years, JD Eckert, her son, Gene Eckert, and siblings, Darvin Roberts and Elnora Mayfield, Step Brother George Jackson.

Doris is survived by her daughter, Nikkii Key; Daughter-in-Law Carole Eckert; Sister-in-Law Quida Jackson; her grandchildren, Royce Key, Kristina Mullins, Kyra Swindall, Heath Eckert, Chane Eckert, Shea Phelps, Chris Myers, and Stephanie Tyson; 13 great grandchildren; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held on Friday June 22^nd from 6 - 8 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday June 23^rd at Harper Funeral Home Chapel with a private graveside to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo.