Towery
Services for Jackie Bohn Towery, 73, of Thorndale were held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Rev. David Persons of Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in Salty Cemetery near Thorndale.
Mr. Towery died Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Seton Hospital in Austin.
A lifelong resident of the Thorndale and Salty area, he was born May 12, 1935, in Salty to Rufus Mark and Edna Lucille Towery.
He married Lou Ann Shavers on Dec. 23, 1953.
Mr. Towery was a 1953 Thorndale High School graduate.
He worked at Alcoa’s Rockdale Operations for 40 years before retiring and he was working for Maxwell Dodge Dealership in Taylor.
Mr. Towery was preceded in death by his father, Rufus Mark Towery on April 28, 1997.
Survivors are his wife, Lou Ann Towery of Thorndale; three sons, Mike Towery and Jerry Towery, both of Thorndale, Stevie Towery and wife Donna of Lexington; a daughter, Sue Ann Burlin and husband Larry of Victoria; 11 grandchildren, Toby Towery and wife Salina, Ross, Ryan, Sarah, Sydnee, Ricky, Joshua, Naomi and Tanner Towery, Brandon and Brittany Burlin; four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Rylee and Colton Jack Towery and soon a new arrival, Shaylee Ann Towery; his mother, Lucille Towery of Rockdale; and three sisters, Dana Caffey of Rockdale, Sandra Braswell and husband Bill of Austin, Molly Wilson and husband Jay of South Dakota; also, many other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Toby Towery, Ross Towery, Ryan Towery, Ricky Towery, Joshua Towery, Tanner Towery, Brandon Burlin, Hunter Towery, Larry Burlin and Johnny Andrews.

Henson
Graveside services for Evelyn Henson, 68, of Rockdale were held Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at Sharp Cemetery in Sharp with Rev. Doug Springer of Rockdale Full Gospel Church officiating.
Mrs. Henson died Sunday, Nov. 30, at her daughter’s residence in the Birch Creek community near Somerville.
She was born Oct. 20, 1940, in the Salty community to Edgar and Hazel (Nelson) Tucker.
She married Weldon Gene “Ducy” Henson on July 14, 1959, in Galveston.
Mrs. Henson was a homemaker and a member of San Gabriel Baptist Church in San Gabriel.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 10, 2007; a son, Dean Henson, on Dec. 15, 2007; her parents; two sisters, Jody Wendiend and Bonnie Henson; and an infant brother.
Survivors are a daughter, Ilesa Duesterhoft and husband Alan of the Birch community near Somerville; a daughter-in-law, Marla Henson of Orangefield; six grandchildren, Tiffany Brinkmeyer and husband Koy, Alyssa Glass and husband Jordan, Laurie Sleet and husband Charles, Cole Henson, Denisa Henson, Wyatt Henson; seven great-grandchildren, Zechariah Brinkmeyer, Kaci Brinkmeyer, Chelsie Glass, Jayce Glass, Charles Sleeth Jr., Brewster Sleeth, Kaylee Sleeth; and a brother-in-law, Nook Henson Jr. of Rockdale; also, several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Cole Henson, Wyatt Henson, Koy Brinkmeyer, Jordan Glass, Charles Sleeth, Lewis Duesterhoft, Douglas Duesterhoft and Travis Duesterhoft.

Williamson
Graveside services for Nellie M. Williamson, 100, of San Antonio, formerly of Rockdale, were held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at Milano Cemetery with Rev. Roy Dillard of Milano Methodist Church officiating.
Mrs. Williamson died Saturday, Nov. 22, at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital in San Antonio.
A San Antonio resident for the past 10 years, she was formerly of Rockdale for 26 years and prior to that lived in San Antonio for 36 years.
She was born April 7, 1908, in Mumford to George P. Morgan Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Winkler) Morgan.
She married John H. Williamson on Dec. 14, 1930, in McAllen.
Mrs. Williamson was a homemaker, bookkeeper and legal secretary for law firms and title companies.
She was a lifelong Methodist and was a member of Nekodah Temple No. 44 Daughters of the Nile, Wimodausis Chapter No. 141 Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of the Republic.
Mrs. Williamson was a graduate of Groesbeck High School and business colleges in Bryan and McAllen.
She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, George P. Morgan Jr. and Lonnie B. Morgan; a sister, Ethel Jewel Burch; and her parents.
Survivors are nieces and nephews, Laura Carlile and husband G.C. of Camp Wood, Randal Morgan of Denver, Colorado, Terry Morgan and wife Kathy of New Braunfels, Mary Henderson and husband Bill of San Antonio, Jim Morgan of New Braunfels, Bill Burch of San Antonio, Nancy Mortensen of San Antonio, Mary Hellen Strickert and husband Mark of Dripping Springs, Ellie B. Morgan Murray; and a god son, Edward W. Johnson Jr.; also, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Scott
Services for Irene Scott, 98, of Giddings were held Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Ohlnhausen of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Giddings officiating. Burial was in Hugh Wilson Cemetery at Tanglewood.
Ms. Scott died Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Oakland Manor Nursing Home in Giddings.
She was born Oct. 8, 1910, in Jennings, Louisiana.
Ms. Scott lived a number of years in the Houston area, moved to Tanglewood in 1979 and then to Giddings in 2004.
She worked 18 years for a temp agency where she did answering service for different businesses. She was also a homemaker.
Ms. Scott was raised in the Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Lester Tice, and her parents.
Survivors are a daughter, Doris Plagens and husband Adolph of Tanglewood; two grandsons, Mark Plagens and wife Pamela of Houston, Larry Plagens of Bastrop; and two great-grandchildren, Laurel and Catherine Plagens of Houston.
Pallbearers were John Brice, Harold Kutschke, Fred Rhodes, Douglas Buck, Jamie Wright and Jimmy Hooper.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Capital of Texas Chapter, 3429 Executive Center Dr., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731.

Tousek
Services for Wanda Warren Tousek, 77, of Houston, were held Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Rev. Calvin Springer officiating. Burial was in Mount Homer Cemetery near Milano.
Mrs. Tousek died Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Triumph Hospital of Clear Lake in Webster.
She was born May 16, 1931, in Milano to Iva H. and Winnie (Hook) Warren.
She married Emil Tousek on April 12, 1985 in Houston.
Mrs. Tousek was an electronics assembler with Texas Instruments.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Charles Everett, on Aug. 14, 1979.
Survivors are her husband Emil Tousek of Houston; a son, Robert Kenney Everett and wife Kathleen of Manvel; two stepdaughters, Gaynell Cowan of Spring, Gwendolyn Majors of Houston; two stepsons, Michael Tousek and James Tousek, both of Houston; two brothers, Lenard Warren and wife Wanda of Milano, James Kenney Warren and wife Billie of Sante Fe; and two sisters, Patsy Monty and husband Huey of Pearland, Fay Stowe of Baytown; also, three grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Burrell
 BRYAN—Funeral services for Rev. John Edward Burrell, 69, of Bryan were held Friday, Nov. 28, at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Bryan with Rev. Edward Petty officiating. Burial was in Rest Ever Memorial Park in Bryan.
 Rev. Burrell died at home Nov. 25. He was born in Robertson County on Sept. 4, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burrell.
 At an early age he was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He attended John M. Moore Elementary School, later received a GED, earned a bachelor of science degree from Houston Baptist University, and did post-graduate work at Southwest Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
 He and Dr. Laura Petty, former long-time science teacher at Rockdale High School, were married on Jan. 4, 1992.
 Rev. Burrell pastored Progressive Baptist Church, Morning Star Baptist Church and New St. John Community Church, and also worked at MHMR.
 He was founder and president emeritus of Brazos Valley Pastors and Ministers Alliance, founder and CEO of Loving Tender Care Day Care, founder and pastor of New St. John, and founder of a radio show, the New St. John Hour, including Woman-to-Woman, shared with wife Laura.
 Rev. Burrell was preceded in death by his father, Edward “Doc” Burrell.
 Survivors include his wife, Dr. Laura Petty Burrell of Bryan; his mother, Vivian Preston of Bryan; two sons, Cpl. John Anthony Burrell of Fort Bliss at El Paso and Raymond Hawthorn of Huntsville; four step-sons, Brian Boone of Houston, Rev. Edward Petty of Beaumont, Rev. James Petty of Sherman and Dr. William Petty of Austin; three step-daughters, Patricia Boone Kennedy and Cheryl Lynn Boone, both of Bryan, and Madelyn Petty Bowman of Burleson; a special stepson-in-law (and armor bearer) Rev. Paul Kennedy; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Paul Kennedy, Alexander Tate, Kenneth Ray Cavitt, Alton Walton, Willie Robinson, James Darryal Taylor and Steve Williford.
 Honorary pallbearers were ministers of the Greater Friendship District Association.

Heitman
CAMERON—Funeral services for Bobby Joe Heitman, 70, of Cameron were held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Maroney officiating. Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Heitman died Wednesday, Nov. 26, at his home.
He was born March 21, 1938, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, to Joe J. and Maurice (Scarborough) Heitman.
Mr. Heitman attended junior high school in South America until moving to Cameron where he graduated from C.H. Yoe High School.
Mr. Heitman was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
He married Loretta Jane Taylor on Jan. 10, 1969.
Mr. Heitman worked in the Harris County Sheriff’s Department and the Lake Jackson Police Department before becoming a game warden for Jefferson County for over 25 years.
Survivors include his wife, Loretta Jane Heitman of Cameron; a daughter, Donna Smith of Port Arthur; his mother, Maurice Heitman of Cameron; a brother, Jerry Heitman of Cameron; and a sister, Cheryl Synatzski of Cotulla; also, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Shesler
CAMERON—Ann Mae Shesler, 64, of Cameron died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, in a Temple hospital.
Private funeral services will be held at a later date.
Mrs. Shesler was born July 18, 1944, in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, to Victor and Glida (Sokolik) Long.
She married Curtis Lee Shesler on Jan. 8, 1966.
A brother, Roger Long, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Curtis Shesler of Cameron; a son, Troy Lee Shesler of Wisconsin; a daughter, Tami Lee Shesler of Temple; her mother, Glida Long of Wisconsin; three brothers, Victor Long, Richard Long and Robert Long, all of Wisconsin; and a sister, Rita Clarke of Missouri; also, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Guzner
CAMERON—Funeral services for Johnny Vernon Guzner, 61, of Cameron will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in the Kathryn W. Green Chapel of Green-Patterson Funeral Home in Cameron with Rev. Billy Crow officiating. Burial will follow at St. Monica’s Cemetery in Cameron.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the funeral home.
Mr. Guzner died Tuesday, Dec. 2, in a Cameron hospital.
He was born June 6, 1947, in Cameron to August and Vernie (Lazek) Guzner.
Mr. Guzner was a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church and was an auto mechanic.
Survivors are his mother, Vernie M. Guzner of Cameron; a brother, August Guzner Jr. of Troy; and two sisters, Shirley Geddings of Buckholts and Veronica Cardwell of Rockdale.

Jefferson
HEARNE—Funeral services for Milton “Jim” Jefferson, 34, of Bryan, formerly of Hearne, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at All Families Mortuary’s Chapel in Hearne.
Mr. Jefferson died Sunday, Nov. 30, at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco.

Shepard
AUSTIN—After suffering from lung cancer, Dorothy McCarroll Shepard, 91, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.
A memorial service was held at Englewood Estates in Austin.
She grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a descendant of Paul Du Montier, a member of a noble family of Alssace, France.
Mrs. Shepard lived during the Great Depression and earned a scholarship to Louisiana State University, graduating in business administration in 1938.
She worked for the foreign services of the United States government and became the first woman vice consulate for the U.S. Embassy in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she served for three years.
Mrs. Shepard also served as vice consulate in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.
While living in South America, she met and married Shep Shepard, an offshore oil field drilling engineer and supervisor stationed in Maricabo, Venezuela, and followed him in his work for Sun Oil overseas.
They lived with their son, Leigh, in Dubai and Karachi before war broke out and were forced back to the States in 1967.
Mrs. Shepard lived in Houston for a while, and then settled the family in Rockdale, where she worked in real estate, and helped with the family oil business.
She was an active member of the Rockdale Garden Club, as well as the Kyle Garden Club, where she lived with her son and his family for a short time.
Upon losing her eyesight to macular degeneration, Mrs. Shepard resided in the Englewood Estates Retirement Community in Austin for 13 years.
She was most loved for her southern hospitality and cooking, as well as her wit.
Survivors are her son, Leigh; daughter in-law, Sharon; two grandchildren, Megan and Shep III; a niece, Toni Kleinpeter of Louisiana; and the rest of the “Kleinpeter Klan.”

Hoffman
GONZALES—Funeral services for Patsy Nell Hoffman, 61, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at First United Methodist Church in Gonzales with Dr. Harvey Hoffman officiating.  Interment will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Live Oak Cemetery in Manchaca. 
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home in Gonzales.
Mrs. Hoffman died Monday, Dec. 1. 
She was born July 14, 1947, in Austin to Leonard Darrell and Elna Blanche Seaton Harp. 
Mrs. Hoffman graduated from Andersonville Bible College with a bachelor’s degree in religious education. 
She married Hollas C. Hoffman on May 19, 1967, in Austin. 
She was a model pastor’s wife, a mom, a wife and a grandma. 
Mrs. Hoffman was always a devout member of her husband’s churches, the last being Eastside Baptist Church in Gonzales. 
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors are her husband of 41 years, Rev. Hollas C. Hoffman of Gonzales; sons and a daughter-in-law Hollas Clayton Hoffman of Katy, Christopher Dean and Jennifer Hoffman of Hutto, Heath Clinton Hoffman of Hutto; sisters and brothers-in-law Rae Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee, Doris and Eugene Patches of Austin, Joyce and Robert Jentsch of Wimberley; brother and sister-in-law Darrell and Norma Harp of Austin; grandchildren Shelby Lynn, Kailey Belle, Haley Rachael, Heath Reid and Kinley Dean Hoffman. 
Pallbearers will be Trey Eilers, Michael Winfrey, Derek Staedtler, Trenton Helmcamp, Chad Pelaquin and Marc Tidwell. 
Memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, 701 Seydler St., Gonzales, TX 78629. 

Obituaries are printed in The Rockdale Reporter as a free public service. The information is provided by the funeral home. More detailed obituaries may be printed for a fee. Call 512-446-5838 for more information.