GATESVILLE — L.Z. Edwards, 85, of Gatesville, will be 2 p.m., today at the First Baptist Church of Gatesville with Dr. Steve Dominy officiating.
Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery near the Ohio community.
Mr. Edwards died Monday, Feb. 18, at a Temple hospital.
He was born on March 18, 1922, to Joe Tom and Effie Holden Edwards. He graduated from Ireland High School in 1940 and served in Army Air Force during World War II. After returning home, he worked for the State Commission for the Blind. He married Eva Frances Jones on Aug. 6, 1948 and then enrolled at Baylor University in Sept. 1948. He graduated in Aug. 1951 with a BBA in Accounting. He went to work for Humble Oil & Refining Co. (now Exxon Mobil), retiring in 1983 after 32 years. After retirement, he moved “back home” to Coryell County to work on his ranch. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Gatesville where he served as a deacon. He and his wife helped organize and started the Faith Sunday school Class. He coached Little League baseball. He served in the 1st and 5th Texas Silver Haired Legislature.
Preceded in death by a son, James Walter Edwards in 2005.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years; his son, Gregory Lee Edwards; two daughters, Sue McLelland and Janda Edwards both of Dallas; a sister, Pauline Dvorak of Okla.; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gatesville, 912 E. Main Street, Gatesville, Texas 76528 or to the American Cancer Society, 102 Alta Mira, Gatesville, Texas 76528.
Gatesville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Genevieve “Mama Jean” Rose Gonsalves
BELTON — Genevieve “Mama Jean” Rose Gonsalves, 82, of Nolanville, died Sunday, Feb. 17, in a Temple hospital.
She was born in Dallas, Dec. 6, 1925 to Abraham and Nellie Kimmel Beshara. She worked as an office manager for her daughter’s business, A Soothing Touch Massage Therapy, also as a home schoolteacher for her granddaughter. She was owner of the former Mama Jean’s Pizza & Subs Restaurant, Harker Heights in the early 80’s. She was an active member of Christian Life Church in Killeen.
Survivors include one son, Stephen Russak II of Clarkston, Wash.; one daughter, Joni Gonsalves Kelly of Nolanville; two sisters, Louise Lovold of Richland, Wash., and Vicki Bell of Redman, Ore.; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at the Killeen Civic Center, 2:30 p.m., Sunday, March 9, go to the Christian Life Church Killeen Campus location with the Rev. Rick Gillis officiating.
Dossman Funeral Home in Belton is in charge of arrangements.
