Our beloved Joan completed her life’s journey on her birthday, February 9th, 2021.

She was born in 1942 to William and Edythe Allen and grew up in Waco, Texas. Joan attended Southwestern University, and while there she met her true love, Mervyn “Merv” Stelter. Joan and Merv celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on February 2, 2021. Joan was loved by many, but no one loved her more than Merv.

After graduation from East Texas State University, Joan began her career in education spanning over 25 years. She touched many lives with her warm smile and positive spirit. Many of her very best friends were fellow teachers, and she was passionate about mentoring young teachers. Her favorite part of teaching was instilling the love of reading in her students. Joan was an avid reader herself, and if she wasn’t spending time with her family she was curled up with a good book.

Joan was her grandchildren’s biggest fan. She loved to cheer them on at sporting events, cheerleading and dance competitions. She was truly happiest surrounded by family. Joan was a fierce tennis competitor and loved her Northlake family. She never met a stranger. Joan loved to say “have a great life,” and she definitely lived those words each day.

Joan is survived by her husband, Merv Stelter, two daughters JoAnn Blaylock and Cynthia Michael. JoAnn’s husband Mikel and their children Cole, Ben and Emily Jane, and Cynthia Ann’s husband Shawn and their daughter Kaide Shannon, as well as Joan’s sister Jean Allen James and brother Gabe Allen and wife Sandy.

“Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.” -Proverbs 3 17:18

Well done my good and faithful servant. We will see you again.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Terrell’s son, Clayton Reagan, posted this picture and tribute to his father on Instagram. He included several other photos. To see the entire montage, visit his Instagram page.

With heavy hearts we said good by to our father last week. He was a movie star, author, business man, father and an absolute force of nature. He was always quick with a joke, unapologetically himself, never short on stories, and saw an adventure at every corner. I like to think he passed these traits on to me.

We shared a birthday and this last year he was in Austin I was fortunate to share many good times with him as well. We rocked out to Elvis to the very end. He will be missed. See you on the other side “Slick Silver.”

Obit with pictures

 
Travis, 83, of Burnet passed away peacefully at a local hospital.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22nd at First Methodist Church of Marble Falls; followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. 1101 Bluebonnet Dr. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, March 23rd at Moore Cemetery, Gholson Rd, in Waco. Please join us and share your fun memories/ stories of Travis “Bud”.

Travis attended Elementary School in Speegelville, followed by Waco High School, where he was an All-state point guard his senior year. He was actively involved in basketball, as well as being a fisherman. He was an avid golfer for many years of his life. Travis and Betty met in high school, and their bond was strong through their 60 years of marriage.

After graduating high school Travis attended Baylor University, where he earned a degree in Business Management. After graduating Baylor, he was employed at AMA/Advertising & Marketing Assoc. (1964-1980) and was then promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Lastly, he opened TLC Digital Imaging, and ran his company until 2014, when he retired and resided in Burnet.

Travis was preceded in death by his father, Robert Neal Lawson, and his mother Bertha Lois Lawson. Travis is survived by his loving wife, Betty Joyce Lawson and daughter, Amanda Lawson-Briner. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Moore and his brothers Robert Stephen Lawson and wife Brenda; William Benjamin Lawson and wife Kim; and Rodney Neal Lawson and wife Delissa. He is also survived by his 10 nieces and nephews.

Travis never met a stranger and was adored by all.

Anna Logan passed away, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Ascension Providence Hospital at the age of 82.

Anna Louise, who was named after her two grandmothers, was born, September 5, 1942, to George and Alexandria (Lehmberg) Logan. A life-long Texan and Methodist, Anna was born in Georgetown, where her family lived while her father served overseas during World War II.

Her family later moved to Waco, and Anna was educated in Waco schools before earning a bachelor’s degree in education from Baylor University. After graduation, she taught second grade in Waco ISD for many years. Anna enjoyed traveling in Europe and, more recently, spending time with her friends at Providence Village, where she lived for several years.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Fred Logan. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Logan; her niece, Vicki Peters; her nephew, Jim Logan; and several cousins.

At Anna’s request, there will be no service.

 
 
Tommy “Tom” Ray Stroud, age 82, Passed away on November 28, 2024 in Round Rock Texas. Tom was born in Marlin Texas on March 26, 1942.

Tom was very proud of his military service. Serving as a Captain in the USAF. He loved to talk about the various planes he flew as well as some of the battles he participated in during the Vietnam War. He recently was recognized for orchestrating a daring rescue to save another soldier. This is detailed in the book “Pennies from Vietnam,” by Tracy Smith. Tom was honored to be a part of this book and have his story told. He bought several copies and passed them out to his children.

After he retired from the Air Force, he focused on an accounting career that would last for decades. He enjoyed his work immensely, especially helping so many folks navigate taxes and tax season.

His other love was being part of his church community. He felt it his calling to be not just a member, but a participant. Often, he volunteered as treasurer for some of the smaller churches he attended over the years. But his passion was singing in the choir. You would always see him standing in the choir loft singing his heart out. St. Philip’s Methodist Church of Round Rock was his church home for the last 38 years.

Tom loved his family including his three children, their spouses, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He adored all of them and loved to spend time with them whenever he could. You could often find him gathered at one of his children’s homes watching his favorite football teams, the Baylor Bears, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother and father, Annie and Dick Stroud. As well as his granddaughter Amanda Irish. He is survived by his children: Judy Irish, her husband Scott and children Ben, his wife Teresa and daughter Chelsea; and Jackson; His son Jim Stroud, his wife Mendi, their daughter Carson, her husband Russ and daughter Sarah; their sons Connor and Colin; His daughter Nancy Beck, her husband Greg, their daughters Katie, Jordan and Sarah.

His family is saddened at this loss. Tom will be deeply missed. His passion, his humor, his story telling left a mark on us all. His spirit will live on in the memories of those who knew and loved him.

Kathryn Ruth Dodson Baulos died peacefully Friday, December 13, 2024 at age 83. She was born November 21, 1941 in Rosebud, TX the seventh child of Joseph Marion Dodson and Lillie Mae Schlemmer Dodson. A celebration of her life will be Saturday, December 21 with visitation at 11:00 a.m. and service at noon at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. Rev. Buddy Sipe will officiate. At a later date, interment will be at Waco Memorial Park.
Kathy was part of a large, loving family with 8 children. As older siblings became adults, they helped with school clothes and other items for the younger children. She attended East Junior and Waco High where she and her siblings made many friends that frequented the Dodson home. Kathy was number six in her 1959 class. Kathy worked at Bellmead State Bank after graduation and then Baylor University’s Financial Aid department. She took college classes while working at Baylor.

In 1972, she moved to Shreveport, LA to join her sister Jean Buck and nephew Henry (Bucky) Buck. She worked for AMI holding company, then National Heritage Inc. Licensing. She was executive assistant to the president of Care Capital Holding Company most of her career, managing nursing homes in Louisiana. In Shreveport, she met her husband, David Baulos. He had restaurants in the area. Their marriage ended in just 10 years with David’s death. Her companion for many years has been her white Bichon Frise, Jules.

She was a lifelong Baptist. She grew up in Turner Street Baptist a few blocks from their house on Turner. She was active in activities and choir for 30 years at Summer Grove Baptist in Shreveport.

In 2004, Kathy returned home to Waco to be near family. Her sister Jean had moved to Dallas,

She worked for Grace Temple Baptist Church where she and many of the family were members. The last 9 years, she resided in St. Catherine Center where she was active in activities and enjoyed reading, puzzles and the Game Show Network.

She was blessed by her nieces – the Cousin Connection – that made a point to include her in gatherings. Just two weeks before her passing, they celebrated an ornament exchange, games and, importantly, her 83* birthday. They vowed to always travel to Waco for her when she could join in the celebration.

Members of the Cousin Connection are Sheila Bohannan, Joy Luedke, Gay Yglecias, Angie Cole, Lisa Phillips, Kim Good, Patty Nevarez, and Christy Martinez.

Kathy was preceded in death by husband, David Baulos, sisters Betty Dickens and husband Jack, Margie Good and husband George Robert, Jean Buck and companion Marvin Jones, Merle Neumann and husband Leonard; brothers George M. Dodson and Harold Dodson; brother-in-law Earl Pophin, sister-in-law Linda Dodson; nephews Mark Rutledge, Henry Buck, Kyle Dickens, Frank Nevarez.

Surviving is the last sibling Patsy Pophin, and sister-in-law Carolyn Dodson. Both have cared for her in recent years. Also, nieces Cindy Mitchell and husband Dick, Sheila Bohannan and husband Jimmy, Joy Luedke and husband Ron, Gay Yglecias, Angie Cole and husband Lynn, Lisa Phillips and husband Danny, Patty Nevarez, Christy Martinez and husband Rob; nephews Steven Good and wife Kim, Joe Dodson, Jasper Thomason, Derrick Lowry and wife Missy, and David Dodson and wife Emily; countless great and great-great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to St Catherine Center staff for their loving care during the last nine years.

Kathryn was one of the top six graduates of the class of 1960: Dennis O’Brien, Stan Lennard, Kathryn Dodson, Hugh Wilfong, Betty Vaughan and Jan Massey. Stan Lennard was #1 and according to the obit Kathryn Dodson was #6. Stan Lennard and Hugh Wilfong are still alive.  

An obituary is not available at this time for Jennie Rose Siders.

Photos from Jennie Rose’s Tribute.

 
 
Harland Eugene Gaiser was born September 22nd, 1942. He died October 13th, 2024, and is survived by his two sisters, Janny and Joan. Harland was also survived by his roommate of over 15 years, K.C.

Gene, as he was known by his friends, served honorably in the United States Army and attended Baylor University, but he was most recently known and loved by the Emmaus Church community in Downtown Denver.

Gene faithfully attended Emmaus Church for close to 10 years. If you’re watching or listening to the any of the sermons at Emmaus church, you get the pleasure of regularly hearing a hearty “Amen!” from Gene. No one could miss him, and his absence in the later months of Gene’s life was felt hole his small church community.

Gene was best known for riding his bike around the Baker neighborhood and spending time at some of his favorite places to eat. If you got a chance to talk to Gene for any length at church, you were regularly invited to Smokn’ Yards or Swift’s. He wasn’t known for sharing a lot of personal details, but he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to share time with his church family over a meal.

In the last decades of his life, Gene read about 5-7 books a week. His trivia was regularly fact checked, mainly because it was so obscure, but his memory rarely missed a beat. He could tell you names, dates, places, and specific address in ways that could only be validated in our Google search era. He read so many books, that disposing, donating, or recycling all his “pocket books” became a complex issue by itself!

Gene’s favorite event was the annual Super Bowl party. He could sit on a comfortable chair, eat all the food he enjoyed, have conversation with his community, and play with the little children who ran around the house. One of the few times Gene didn’t hesitate to ask for help was when he needed a ride to the party. It’s how we knew how important this annual celebration was to him.
When Gene was asked about his biggest regrets, he was disappointed that he didn’t invest early in Microsoft, so he could make larger financial gifts to the church. I think Gene now knows that his prayers over the decades were infinitely more useful for the kingdom than any financial gift he was able to give. Gene also underestimated his regular, consistent financial gifts he gave to his small church family.

I don’t think we’ll truly know Gene’s impact on the Kingdom of God until we are again eating with him in eternity. Gene was great at pulling many young affluent couples out of their comfort zone and closer to the Lord. Gene regularly called others to lay aside their selfishness and serve. Gene was truly an instrument for the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ, both Gene’s Lord and Gene’s Savior.

Amen!!

Click here for more photos of Gene Gaiser at a Reunion

Gwendolyn Carole (Ewing) Hodges gained her wings and passed from this life on Nov. 7, 2024, after a brave battle with cancer. Born in San Diego, California on New Year’s Eve 1941 to parents L.B. and Dorothy Ewing, young Gwen always said she “couldn’t wait to get to Texas” where her parents were originally born and raised. In 1947, the family did return to the Lone Star State, first to Weatherford before heading back home to Speegleville, outside of Waco.

Gwen attended Speegleville Elementary and graduated from Waco High in 1960. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, later landing jobs with Texas Power & Light, and with the City of Austin Buildings Division. Along the way, Gwen met her future husband on a blind date. Always a horsewoman who appreciated all things western, she was impressed when Wayne Hodges appeared on her doorstep dressed in cowboy attire. They married in 1963.

Mr. Hodges’ career with Southwestern Bell took the family to Houston three times, Austin twice, Dallas and St. Louis, Missouri. Son David was born in McAllen, and daughter Diann was born two years later in in Houston.

An attractive lady with a strong personality, Gwen was a talented organizer in a variety of ways and never shy about sharing her opinion. She was instrumental in developing the Metropolitan Baptist Church Preschool in Cypress; helped organize the first Republican Women’s Club in Cy-Fair; and when her daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, Gwen dedicated herself to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, serving as president of that organization from 1982-84.

Having ridden horses since the age of 4, Gwen learned how to be a trick rider, and always had a good horse in her life. She helped organize the Speegleville Saddle Club, an organization that remained active for decades, and belonged to the Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association. When the Hodges’ retired to Georgetown in 1999, Gwen again gravitated toward politics and became active in the Georgetown Area Republican Women’s Club where she served as president from 2005-06. She also served as precinct chair until her death.

One of Gwen’s longtime friends (they met in McAllen and survived Hurricane Beulah together), described Gwen as a fabulous cook who put every pot and pan in the kitchen to good use. “We both loved clothes, shopping, jewelry, keeping a nice home and gossiping,” said Joan Church.

Gwendolyn Hodges is survived by her husband, Wayne, of Georgetown; daughter Diann Hodges of Taylor; son David Hodges and wife Elizabeth of Missouri City; three grandchildren, Meagan, Connor, and Lauren, brother Patrick Ewing, stepsiblings Dr. Tamara Haygood, Michelle Miner, Greg Miner and numerous cousins and family members. Gwen was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive in Georgetown, with graveside services on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. at The Aggie Field of Honor and Memorial Cemetery, 3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station. A celebration of Gwen’s life will be held at the Berry Creek Country Club on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 3-5 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, an organization that provides housing for wounded warriors, catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. For information: T2T.org

Ramsey Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Click for pictures of Gwen through the years.