Alma Mathis

Alma Irene Mathis was born on October 27, 1921, in Waller, Texas, to James and Edith Schmidt.  She married Elvy Judge Mathis on April 25, 1941, in Katy.  Alma has resided in Katy since 1941, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Alma passed away in Katy on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at the age of 89 years.

She is survived by her children, Sherry Elaine Spencer and her husband Ross; and James R. Mathis and his wife Mary; daughter-in-law, Pat Mathis; grandchildren, Michael Mathis, Michelle Hudson and husband Mark, Marc Mathis and wife April, Steven Spencer and wife Xochitl Perales, Timothy Spencer and wife Michelle, Lauren Ditchman, and Jonathan Ditchman; great grandchildren, Kelly Hudson, Michael James Hudson, Britany Spencer, Benjamin Spencer, Nicolas Sheppard, Evan Spencer, Maddison Mathis, Michaela Mathis, and Brennen Mathis; great-great grandchildren, Jason Mathis, Joshua Mathis, Landon Mathis, and Logan Mathis; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Elvy Judge Mathis; and sons, Gary Lynn Mathis and Frank Joseph Ditchman.

Family will receive guests from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2011, at the Bolin Chapel at First Baptist Church, in Katy, where funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Randy White and Rev. Tom Bolin officiating.  Interment in Memorial OaksCemetery.

Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to the Pastoral Care Ministry at First Baptist Church of Katy, 600 Pin Oak Road,Katy, TX 77494 or to Life Solutions Hospice, 20923 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77450.

Funeral services held under the direction of

Schmidt Funeral Home

1508 East Avenue  ~  Katy, Texas  77493  ~  (281) 391-2424

Garber Leroy Short

Garber Leroy Short passed away on September 6, 2011, at the age of 96 years, 7 months, and 7 days.  Garber was born on January 31, 1915 to Viola Grier Short and Arthur Leroy Short on the family farm between Katy and Brookshire.  Garber attended Katy school and graduated in 1933.

After high school graduation, he was employed by several of the rice farms in the area.  Some of his duties included performing levee surveying, plowing, planting, and harvesting tasks.  Soon he was able to find employment with the Avera Feed Store in Katy.

In 1940 he entered the Army for the then required one year tour of duty.  This tour was extended after the Pearl Harbor attack and Garber was attached to the Texas 36^th Division.  His tour took him through north Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and ultimately Germany.  He was discharged as Tech Sgt. in 1945.  He returned to Katy and in March of 1946, he married Avadele Peck.  They bought a home in Katy and remained married and active there for some 66 years.  Garber began working for the American Rice Growers Co-op Association, and retired after 40 years in 1980; 27 years were spent as General Manager.

In addition to his career, he was active in community development of Katy.  Among his many activities included Charter Member of the Katy Volunteer Fire Department, past President of the Katy Rotary, honorary member of the Katy FFA, as well as a Katy ISD Board Member.  He was an ordained Deacon of First Baptist Church on September 17, 1939, and served for 50 years.

Garber always enjoyed people and conversation.  Among some of his other personal time activities he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, tinkering with old motors and working in his shop.

He is survived by his wife, Avadele; son, Stanley and wife Roberta; daughter, Elsie and husband Chip; four grandchildren, Andy, Brian, Kate, and Daniel; a number of nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and neighbors whose company he always enjoyed.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel, in Katy.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2011, at the First Baptist Church, in Katy, with Rev. Tom Bolin officiating.  Interment in Katy Magnolia Cemetery.

Funeral services held under the direction of

Schmidt Funeral Home

1508 East Avenue  ~  Katy, Texas  77493  ~  (281) 391-2424