Lydia Galan Menchaca, 86, left this world for Heaven on the morning on April 28, 2015, surrounded by family at her home in Christoval, Texas.

Lydia was born to Antonio and Lena Galan on May 11, 1928 in a small house under the shade of a live oak tree east of the South Concho River in Christoval. Her life was a demonstration of faith and faithfulness.

She married Antonio Menchaca at the age of 17 and together they raised their family of four children in Christoval, which was her life's proudest accomplishment.

Lydia had a simple yet profound faith. She made sure her children were involved in church on Sundays and it was her faith that inspired her husband Tony to give his life to Jesus. Lydia faithfully attended the Christoval First Baptist Church for sixty-two years.

While her family was young, Lydia loved having picnics and Easter egg hunts at the park, watching her kids play sports, and playing key roles in the PTA and Mother's Club. Her children remember that she could always make something wonderful out of the little they had, and that friends were always welcome at the table. When Tony fell ill with Alzheimer's, she cared for him for nearly a decade until he left this world.

Lydia loved her garden and knew how to encourage her plants to bloom beautifully. She enjoyed bowling, cheering for the Cowboys, walking or drinking coffee with her friends, and hosting family gatherings at her house. Her family loved her homemade tortillas, sweet tea, enchiladas, beans, salsa, pineapple-mandarin cake, and oatmeal raisin cookies.

Lydia was thankful for her many adventures, including, boating on the lake with her sister Laura, travelling to New York and California to visit grandchildren, and telling her story on KCRN radio. She loved to experience life and was always ready to have "just a little taste" of whatever food was being served.

When she suffered, she forgave; bitterness had no place in her life. She had friends everywhere she went and cared deeply for her loved ones.

Lydia was preceded in death by her husband Tony, her siblings Raul Galan, Natividad Wrey, Laura Jones, Eudelia Guerrero, and her daughter-in-law Suzette Menchaca.

Lydia leaves the legacy of her faithfulness and devotion to God to her surviving family members, including her children Rudy (Cathy) Menchaca of San Angelo, Bobby Menchaca of McAllen, Ricky Menchaca of San Angelo, and Rachel (Bob) Beaver of San Angelo; her grandchildren, Marci Menchaca of San Angelo, Marc Menchaca of New York City, Valerie (JD) Wilson of Noblesville, IN, Joe Preston Menchaca of Norfolk, VA, Amy Beth Beaver of Kingsburg, CA and Benjamin (Mary) Beaver of San Angelo, six precious great-grandchildren, and her siblings, who have been her most wonderful friends and companions, Marie (Jerry) Barnes of Christoval, and Raymond Galan of San Angelo, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer a heart-felt thanks to Hospice of San Angelo and Dr. Raymond Untalan for providing such exceptional care during Lydia's last years and days.

A visitation for the family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Johnson's Funeral Home on Friday, May 1 and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Christoval First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to House of Faith (321 Montecito San Angelo, Texas, 76903) or Christoval First Baptist Church (P.O. Box 241 Christoval, Texas, 76935).

Melva Sellers, 94, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 27, 2015 in Aspermont, Texas. She was born to the late Raymond E. and Ardis Field Key on Wednesday, October 19, 1920 in Clovis, New Mexico. Melva married Elmer E. Sellars on November 27, 1937 in Snyder, Texas. She worked as a cook with the San Angelo Independent School District for 22 years before retiring. Melva was a devoted Christian and a member of Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, San Angelo. Melva was known as being the one who took care of everyone else, especially the babies of the family throughout the generations. She believed in working hard at whatever she was doing and she enjoyed countless hours working outside with the flowers and the garden. Her gentle spirit and giving nature will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her. Melva was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 1 son, Danny Sellars; 1 granddaughter; 3 great grandchildren; and siblings, Richard Field Key, Raymond Earl Key, and Arlene Meluso.
Survivors include her children, son Ellis Dean Sellars and his wife, Hildegard; daughter Joy Melvin and her husband, Gene; daughter Martha Bennett and her husband, Larry; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Sellars; 12 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; sisters, Jeanne McMinn and Gerry Rowley; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Nancy C. West, 68, of San Angelo, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2015 in San Angelo. This world was gifted with her birth on Monday, February 17, 1947 in San Angelo to the late, Clarence Harry and Emma Lavina Phinney Tinkler. Nancy married the love of her life, McAllan R. West, on Saturday, March 19, 1966 in San Angelo. She loved taking care of her many customers at the hair salons and they looked forward to seeing her smiling face for over 46 years. She was of the Baptist faith. Nancy was known for her beauty, both inside and outside alike. She had a "soft soul" who loved old movies, antiquing and telling a good story. Her laughter and loving spirit will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Janice Marie Lloyd.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, McAllan R. West; son, Damon West; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Linda Aguirre Cantu, 48, of San Angelo passed away Monday, April 27, 2015, at 8:30 in the evening. She was born April 12, 1967, in San Angelo, Texas.
Linda served in the United States Army; she was a loving mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all her family.
She is survived by her husband, Lorenzo Cantu; her son, Adrian Cantu; and her daughter, Mary Cantu. She is also survived by her parents, Willie and Irene Aguirre, Jose and Manuela Arredondo; her siblings include: Willie, Jr. and Sally Aguirre, Carl and Carol Bishop, David and Irene Aguirre, Victor C. and Norma Pescador, Edward and Anna Kelly, Letty Aguirre, and Paul and Lisa Cortez. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.
Pallbearers will be Linda’s nephews: John W. Bishop, David B. Aguirre, Anthony Aguirre, Jeremy Aguirre, Victor D. Pescador, and Mark Andrades.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Shannon Medical Center ICU Staff and to family and friends for all their prayers and gifts.
Visitation will held Thursday, April 30, 2015, at Gutierrez Funeral Chapels/North, 1002 N. Oakes St., San Angelo, from 1:00 to 9:00 P.M. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Army Veterans Honor Guard.
“He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust” Psalm 91:4

Ramon (Rayy) Dex Ramirez, 43, left this earth to be with his Lord and Savior on April 20, 2015, in Tempe, Arizona. He was born July 22, 1971, in San Angelo, Texas, to David, Jr. and Lupe Ramirez.

Rayy was raised in San Angelo, Texas, where he graduated from Central High School in 1989. He left home to study at Phoenix Institute of Technology where he received a degree in Electronics specializing in Laser and Robotics Theory.

Being an avid admirer and collector of comics and vintage action figures, he compiled his own massive collection. Drawn to the beauty of the Arizona desert, he made is home in Mesa and worked at Medtronic in Tempe.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lupe Flores Ramirez, his maternal grandparents, Natividad Lopez Flores and Concepcion Aguirre Flores, as well as his paternal grandparents, David Sr. and Guadalupe Ramirez.

He is survived by his father, David, Jr. and his step-mother Elvira Ramirez of San Angelo, TX, his sisters Sandra Martinez and Susan (George) Garcia of San Angelo, TX, and his brothers Steve (Cathy) Ramirez of Stanton, TX, and David (Kathleen) Ramirez III of San Antonio, TX. Rayy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins on both familial sides.

He is also survived by many friends who assisted in caring for him during his battle with cancer, Gabriel & Erica Garcia (and family), Rebecca Winger (and family), David Merwin and many other friends from Arizona. Rayy loved all he met and made friends stretching from Texas to Arizona and beyond.

Visitations will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, from 1:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Gutierrez Funeral Chapels/North, 1002 N. Oakes St., San Angelo, TX. A Prayer Service will take place at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, April 26, 2015, at the funeral home. Pastor Juan Flores, Rayy's maternal uncle will officiate all services. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Monday, April 27, 2015, at Gutierrez Funeral Chapels; graveside services and interment will follow at Belvedere Memorial Park in San Angelo.

Pallbearers will be Steve Ramirez, David Ramirez III, Roberto De La Garza, Norberto De La Garza, George Garcia, David Merwin and honorary pallbearer and Rayy's best friend, Gabriel Garcia.
 

Herbert Wesley Davis, born January 19, 1937, passed away Thursday, April 23, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his wife Nan, his parents Robert Lee and Edna Leola Davis, his brother Robert Davis, his sister Jewel Cordell, his son Wesley Davis and his baby dog Scooter.
He is survived by his sister, Jean Cooper of Kerrville; his brother, Wayne Davis and his wife Judy.
He spent a tour of duty in the Army during the Berlin crisis. He worked in the oilfields throughout Texas.
Visitation will be held all day Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Pioneer Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.
We want to thank all the nurses and doctors in ICU for taking care of our brother.