I VICTORIA ADVOCATE, Saturday, August 2, 2008 VictoriaAdvocate.com OBITUARIES TODAY'S SERVICES ABBOTT, LILLIE MAE, 60, of Bay City: Funeral, 1 p.m., Jesus Freewill Holy Temple Church in Bay City, with burial at Ashwood Cemetery, Green's Mortuary, Bay City, 979-245- 3489, AUSTIN, TERESA GAYLE, 50, of Flatonia: Funeral, 10 a.m., Flatonia Baptist Church. Smith Funeral Home, Flatonia, 361-865-3311. BLACKMON, GAIL, 72, of Beeville: Funeral, 10 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, with burial at Glenwood Cemetery. Galloway and Sons Funeral Home, Beeville, 361-358-2512. CALZADA, ABIGAIL RANGEL, 57, of Port Lavaca: Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.
Artero Memorial Chapels, Port Lavaca, 361- 552-2300. CASAS, JUANITA, 85, of Victoria: Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with burial at Resurrection Mausoleum. Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, 361-578- 3535. FOWLER, EDITH C. MCCRAW, 89, of Corpus Christi: Funeral, 2 p.m., Memory Gardens Funeral Home, Corpus Christi, 361-265-9221, with burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
GARCIA, JOE MERCED, 90, of Goliad: Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with burial at San Jacinto Cemetery. Colonial Funeral Home, Goliad, 361-645-3216. GRAHMANN, VIOLA 70, of Hallettsville: Rosary, 9:30 a.m., funeral, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Kubena Funeral Home, Hallettsville, 361-798- 3271. HALL, VICKI JEAN, 54, of Round Rock: Funeral, 1 p.m., Church of the Hills in Cedar Park.
Beck Funeral Home, Round Rock, 512-244-3772. HAY, EUGENE DOUGLAS, 83, of Yorktown: Visitation, 2 p.m., funeral, 3 p.m., Finch Funeral Chapel, Yorktown, 361- 564-2277, with burial at Spellmann Cemetery. PODOLAK, RACHEL 39, of Austin: Funeral, 10 a.m., Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Rosewood Funeral Chapels, Victoria, 361-573-4546. REESE, RONNIE LYNN, 65, of Sargent: Memorial service, 11 a.m., Calvary Baptist Church in Bay City.
Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, 979-245- 4613. RODRIGUEZ, SANTOS GARZA, 88, of Normanna: Funeral, 2 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pettus, with burial at Del Bosque Cemetery, Normanna. Angelus Funeral Home, Beeville, 361- 358-5155. VALLEJO, ROBERTO, 71, of Edna: Funeral, 10 a.m., New Harvest Christian Church, with burial at Memory Gardens of Edna Cemetery.
Oaklawn Funeral Home, Edna, 361-782-2221. DEATH NOTICES VICTORIA COUNTY HAMPTON, DEBRA, 48, of Victoria, died Thursday, July 31, 2008. Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, 361-578- 3535. NEISSER, BURNELL MCINTOSH, 85, of Victoria, died Thursday, July 31, 2008. Services pending with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, 361-578-3535.
SEYDLER, ROBBIE LEE, 65, of Victoria, died Thursday, July 31, 2008. Heritage Funeral Home, Victoria, 361- 578-3611. DEWITT COUNTY HAUN, M.W. 95, of Bryan, formerly of Yorktown, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2008.
Services pending with Finch Funeral Chapels, Yorktown, 361-564-2277. JACKSON COUNTY VALLEJO, ROBERTO, 71, of Edna, died Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Oaklawn Funeral Home, Edna, 361-782-2221. The Victoria Advocate publishes obituaries at the rate of $22.90 per inch. The first 4.5 inches (including photo, if any, and headline) are free on the first day that the obituary is published.
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for pending notices and service times. Please call 361-580-6513 for more information. E-mail submissions to fax them to 361-574-1212 or stop by the Victoria Advocate at 311 E. Constitution. There are no restrictions on obituary content, but the Victoria Advocate reserves the right to edit obituaries to meet publishing standards.
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SANTOS GARZA RODRIGUEZ NORMANNA Santos Garza Rodriguez, 88, of Normanna, died Thursday, July 31, 2008. She was born on April 2, 1920, in Bee County, to the Ysa Garza and Dionicia Lopez. Survivors: sister, Maria Abrigo of Normanna; caregiver, Deffy Garcia of Beeville; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: parents; sisters, Isabelle Del Bosque, Manuella Saenz, Juanita Flores; brother, Luis L. Garza.
Visitation was from 2-9 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 1, 2008, at Angelus Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 2 p.m.
today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pettus with burial to follow at Del Bosque Cemetery in Normanna. Angelus Funeral Home, Beeville, 361-358-5155. TAKS: Bay City ISD acceptable CONTINUED FROM B1 how the same students perform from the time they started taking He noticed a slump in 10th- the tests until their last one in grade science scores; 71 percent 11th grade. of all high school students "People are creatures of habit," passed this year's test, a 13 per- Brown said. "I was never good in centage point drop from 2007.
math through school. Today, I'm Lawrence thought the de- still not good at it." crease resulted from students Instead of comparing a grade's placing more emphasis on 11th- percentages to previous years, grade exit exam, he said. Brown recommended comparBay City Independent School ing them to the state averages, District saw its rating increase which gave a better indication of from academically unacceptable how the school faired. to academically acceptable. To improve for next year, the Superintendent Keith Brown, superintendents planned to who started his job in June 2007, study the data and create prodid not comment on what caused grams to increase instruction in the difference between the 2007 the areas where scores were results and the 2008 results.
weakest. But for him, any rating less From offering individual and than recognized was unaccept- specialized instruction to using able for Bay City ISD, he said. computer programs, principals "We'll be a recognized district and superintendents planned to this time next year," Brown said. include more TAKS preparation "That's our goal, and that's what in and out of class time. we hope to attain." "The secret to all this is quality Brown hesitated to compare teaching quality instruction percentages from year to year, and making sure that the kids saying students' progress was know it's important for them to better observed by watching do well," Brown said.
FRANCES ALBINA KAZMIR KONVICKA EDNA Frances passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2008, in Victoria, at the lovely age of 95. She was born June 11, 1913, in Caldwell. She was one of 14 children born to the late Mr. Peter Kazmir and Mrs. Frances Zapalac Kazmir.
She was employed by Tex Tan Leather Factory in Yoakum and The Texana Care Inn in Edna. She loved being a care provider for young children for many years in her home in Edna. She had a passion for baking, arts and crafts, gardening, crochet, sewing, walking, and a love for spending time with her family. Roses were her all time favorite flower. She was a member of several organizations of St.
Agnes Catholic Church: Catholic Daughters of America, Legion of Mary, KJZT, and Altar Society. Frances will always be remembered for her never ending laughter and smile that touched the lives of all those around her. She married Mr. Anton Alfens Konvicka on Oct. 11, 1937, in Holy Rosary Church in Rosenberg.
They were happily married for 58 years until his passing in November 1995. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Steve, Joe, John, Henry, George, Peter, and Henry Kazmir; sisters, Mary Kazmir, Julie Kazmir, Mary Jendry, Rosie Hubenak, Annie Vyvial and Amalie Hubenak; and beloved husband, Anton Alfens Konvicka. Frances is survived by her loving daughter, Georgia Ann Gerdes; son-in-law, Thomas Clyde Gerdes; granddaughters, Tammy Michelle Gerdes and husband Michael Gary Beardsley of Barnard, Lisa Lynette Letbetter and husband Michael Kevin Letbetter of Inez; great-grandchildren, Colton' and Katelyn Letbetter of Inez, and Orion, Jaedon, and Annesonia Beardsley of Barnard, Vt. Pallbearers will be Bobby Chambless, James Hahn, Marvin Hubenak, Kevin Letbetter, James Rab, Kenneth Smiga, and Charles Unger. Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren, grandsons-inlaw, -grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Recitation of the holy rosary will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Edna. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug.
4, 2008, at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Edna. Burial following the service will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Edna. Arrangements are under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home Please sign the guestbook at obits.victoriaadvocate.com DEBRA HAMPTON DALLAS Debra Hampton passed away peacefully at her home on July 31, 2008 at the age of 48. She was born on Aug. 11, 1959, in Victoria to Deacon Arthur R.
"Dick" and Theresa Wearden. She graduated from St. Joseph High School as valedictorian of her class in 1977. She graduated from Baylor University with both a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and French, and a master's in international journalism. She met her husband Jeff at Baylor and they married on April 30, 1983 at St.
Mary's Catholic Church and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at the same church. Her career encompassed editing and writing at the Victoria Advocate, The Dallas Morning News, a Catholic book publishing company, and most recently at the Texas Catholic published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Among her many accomplishments was a Dallas Press Club Katie Award for a story she wrote about how Vatican II had changed the life of the church. While a parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson, she was a lector, Eucharistic minister, and minister to the homebound.
She also taught C.C.D., worked with the RCIA Program, and edited and published an ongoing book of homilies titled Pastoral Reflections. She is survived by her loving husband, Jeff Hampton of Dallas; her parents, Arthur R. and Theresa Wearden of Victoria; brother, James Wearden of Victoria; sister, Mary E. Wearden M.D. of San Antonio and husband Mark Welborn M.D.
and their children, Matthew and Macartney; in-laws, Mack and Ann Hampton of Richardson; brother-in-law R.W. Hampton and wife Lisa of New Mexico and their children, Cooper, Colter, Gina, Denver, Danner and Ethan; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7 p.m.
at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. at the church with Msgr.
James C. Brunner and Father Gabriel Oduro-Tawiah officiating. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Mausoleum. Pallbearers are Matthew and Mark Welborn, Michael Ignatowski, James Wearden, Robert Slone, Mack Hampton and Michael Boyle. Honorary pallbearer will be Mark Seydler.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Joseph High School. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson at a later date.
Please sign the guestbook at obits.victoriaadvocate.com ROBBIE L. WINGATE SEYDLER VICTORIA Robbie Lee Wingate Seydler entered the House of the Lord and started her new journey on Thursday, July 31, 2008. Funeral services are set for 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 4, 2008 at Heritage Funeral Home of Memory Gardens with Pastor Marcos V. Gohlke officiating.
Interment will follow in Memory Gardens, Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, at Heritage Funeral Home of Memory Gardens Chapel. Robbie was born Aug. 12, 1942 in Lake Charles, to Robert Jim and Dorotha (Stephenson) Wingate. She married Arol Gus Seydler on March 27, 1964 in Victoria and was a life-long resident of Victoria.
During her working years, she worked for Victoria National Bank and Meadowcreek Executive Offices. She was a loving wife and mother, a devoted grandmother, and a good friend to many. Robbie had the opportunity to travel and see our beautiful country with her husband, family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and sister, Dr. Joyce Slone.
She is survived by her husband, Arol Gus Seydler; father, Robert Jim Wingate; daughter and son-in-law, Carmen and David Buchhorn; son and daughter-in-law, Arol Dean and Jenny Seydler; sister and brother-in-law, Dorotha and James Redd; grandchildren, William Foster, Brandon Foster, Cameron Buchhorn, and Tristan Seydler; as well as many other relatives and friends. Serving as casket bearers are William Foster, Brandon Foster, Dwayne Bragg, Scott Johnson, Jimmy Caffey, Derek Caffey, Cody Caffey, and Richard Bassano. Honorary casket bearers are Loretta Johnson, Merline Tagliabue, Cameron Buchhorn, Tristan Seydler, Bobby Shafer, and Don Elkins. Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Texas or American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Memory Gardens; Patsy Conley, arranging director; 361-578-3611.
HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME OF MEMORY GARDENS 8819 US Hwy 87 361-578-3611 Please sign the guestbook at obits.victoriaadvocate.com More schools rated exemplary or recognized BY APRIL CASTRO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN While more Texas schools received the state's top accountability ratings this year, six campuses that have repeatedly failed to meet state standards will face state-mandated oversight and reforms. More than 370 districts were ranked either exemplary or recognized, the highest rankings available under the state's accountability system. Last year, 244 districts earned the top rankings. "Our ratings system is tougher than ever before because we increased performance expectations by five points in reading, writing, math and science," said Education Commissioner Robert Scott. "Despite the increase in rigor, I'm happy to report that trend lines continue to move in the right The number of school districts receiving the lowest ranking, academically unacceptable, decreased to 37 this year, from 56 unacceptable districts in the 2007 school year.
Unacceptable rankings were mostly attributed to students' scores on the math and sei- ROBERTO VALLEJO EDNA Roberto Vallejo, 71, of Edna, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2008. He was born Feb. 23, 1937, in Realitos, to the late Francisco and Maria Flores Vallejo. Roberto is survived by his wife, Maria Del Carmen Vallejo; daughters, San Juana Botello, Sandra Flores, Sara Ramirez, Martha Miller, Olga Flores, Carmen Palacios, Christina Hernandez, Rosalinda Sanchez and Diana Lopez; sons, Robert Vallejo Frank Vallejo and Martin Vallejo; sisters, Augrora Guzman, Anita Baez, Adela Espinosa and Angela Darila; brothers, Reynaldo Vallejo, Rejelso Vallejo, Cruz Vallejo and Amando Vallejo. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; sister, America Figarora; and brother, Reyes Vallejo. Visitation will be at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m.
in the New Harvest Christian Church in Edna. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens of Edna Cemetery. The Rev. John Samora will be officiating. Pallbearers are Robert Vallejo Jason Vallejo, Jason Ray Vallejo, Jake Ramirez, Matthew Palacios, James Flores, Rueben Vallejo and Eric Flores.
Honorary pallbearer is Ramiro Botello Jr. Arrangements are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. 361-782-2221. Please sign the guestbook at obits.victoriaadvocate.com EUGENE DOUGLAS HAY YORKTOWN Eugene (Gene) Douglas Hay, 83, of Yorktown died July 30, 2008. He was born Dec.
28, 1924, in Medina, to the late Douglas and Rosa Mae Hay. He is survived by his wife, Olivia Hahn Hay; son, Scott Douglas Hay and wife Lanell of Yorktown; daughter, Joyce Ann Bower and husband Jan of Dillon, five grandchildren, Rochelle Scott and husband Chris, LaDonna Gatlin and husband Scott, Erich Bower and wife Sally, Kyle Hay and wife Kristen, and Katrina Westphal and husband Scott; and eight greatgrandchildren, Caleb, Morgan, Scarlett, and Anna Claire Hay, Ella and Luke Bower, and Clay and Colin Scott. He is also survived by his brother, Gerald Hay of Hondo; and sisters, Anna Orene Owen and Melba Joyce Cook of San Antonio. Preceded in death by infant son, Fredrick George, and daughter, Livia Hope. After graduating from high school in Medina, Gene worked for Firestone.
He then moved his family to Yorktown where he was a farmer. He was very proud of the awards he received as outstanding farmer from the Lions Club in 1971 and the SWCP in 1978. He was also a member of Woodsmen Of The World and Farm Bureau. His hobbies were gardening and reading. Visitation will be on Saturday, Aug.
2, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Finch Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 at Finch Funeral Chapel, the Rev. Keith Massey and Brother Larry Odom officiating.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Hay, Erich Bower, Scott Gatlin, Scott Westphal, Chris Scott, Jeff Hall, and Harvey Hahn. Interment will follow service at Spellmann Cemetery. Friends are invited to sign the on-line guest book at finchfuneralchapels.com. Memorials may be given to the Yorktown E.M.S. Arrangements with Finch Funeral Chapel Yorktown, 361- 564-2277.
ence portions of the state's Sam Houston High School in standardized test, the Texas the Houston and Johnston Assessment of Knowledge and High School in Austin were Skills. closed this year because of Ratings are typically based multiple years of low ratings. on student performance on the "The system we have today TAKS and really has done a great job a stan- shining a light on student perTAKS test dardized for that formance all and student making sure subgroups 2008 special education tial," achieve Scott their said. highest potenstudents Scott said he'd go out to the along with campuses next fall and meet dropout with superintendents and and com- principals and monitor impletion provement. rates.
State law calls for a series of But, the increasingly serious sanctions number of campuses that were for schools and districts that ranked unacceptable for four receive unacceptable ratings. or more consecutive years in- Staff shake-ups must occur afcreased from four to eight. ter three years of low scores, G.L. Wiley Middle School in and the state may close a Waco was ranked unaccept- school after four years. able for the fifth consecutive But Scott said he would give year.
W.W. Samuell and H. the campuses more time to Grady Spruce high schools in pull up their scores rather than Dallas; Powell Point Elemen- abruptly closing them. tary in the Kendleton school Because the state is phasing district; Polytechnic High in tougher dropout standards, School in Fort Worth; and districts and campuses were Pearce Middle School in not given lower ratings if they Austin were ranked unaccept- were acceptable in every area able for four consecutive but that one. Scott said that years.
waiver will end this year. Please sign the guestbook at obits.victoriaadvocate.com.
