Obituaries
• Jay Cunningham, 80, of The Woodlands, formerly of Big Spring, died April 25, 2007 at his residence and was buried in Garden City Cemetery. He was born March 2, 1927 to Arnison and Eva Cox Cunningham, descendants of pioneer Glasscock County families. Jay graduated from Garden City High School in 1944, attended Draughn’s Business School, and enlisted in the Navy at age 17. He proudly served his country as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class, was discharged in 1946 and attended Texas Tech.
He was the proud owner of Jay’s Farm and Ranch Store in Big Spring; he retired in 1995 and moved to The Woodlands in 2001. He loved God and his family above all things. He was a man of integrity and dealt fairly with everyone. He loved life, was a joyful person and was happiest working in his garden and doing projects. He will be remembered for his sunny outlook, his patience, gentleness and kindness to everyone. He was beloved by his family and friends and will be sorely missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Milli; children, Mike and Alice Cunningham, Marilyn and Jeff Fortezzo, James and Brenda Cunningham, Lara and Lee Gillen; 13 grandchildren, one great grandchild and 6 siblings.
Memorials may be made in Jay’s honor to Odyssey Health Care, 233 I-45N, Conroe, TX 77301; Crossroads Baptist Church, 6565 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381, or a charity of your choice.
• Lilia Garza, 81, of St. Lawrence, died April 30, 2007, at her daughter’s home and was buried at the St. Lawrence Cemetery. She was born Oct. 8, 1925, in Mexico and married Ramiro R. Garza Sr. on April 25, 1951, in Mexico.
Lilia, a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, enjoyed gardening, crocheting and cooking. She loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of St. Lawrence; four daughters and sons-in-law, Rosalinda and Robert Moreno of Lubbock, Julia and Frank Rosas of El Paso, Blanca and Roberto Guerrero of St. Lawrence, and Lucila and Pedro Trevino of Lavon; three sons and daughters-in-law, Juan and Anna Garza of San Angelo, Ramiro Jr. and Rosa Garza of St. Lawrence, and Jose and Bertha Garza of Big Lake; one brother, Antonio Zuniga of Garden City; four sisters; 25 grandchildren; and 32 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, twin sons, one brother and an uncle. The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of San Angelo, 36 Twohig, Suite 1100, San Angelo, TX 76902.
• Trudy Hardy died Nov. 19, 2006, in Tucson, AZ and a memorial service was held in Garden City on April 15, 2007, led by Katherine Sturtz. Trudy was born on July 31, 1923, to Bonnie Mast and John Hyat Mast in Sugar Grove, NC, but lived in Rock Bridge Baths, VA, throughout her school days. She was an extremely playful soul, who loved to play tricks on her six siblings.
Shortly after high school, she joined her sister, Lee Murphy, in Santa Monica, California. She met Dave Hardy on a corner, while she was pushing a child on a scooter. Guess she nearly mowed Dave over! She stood him up on a date, but he was persistent, chased her down, and they were married in Las Vegas two weeks later. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary.
Trudy is survived by her husband Dave, daughter Vicki, son-in-law Bob, grandchildren Billy, Brittany, Scott, Brian and Michael, and great grandchildren Jessi, Kayton, and new baby Kylee. Trudy touched everyone she knew with her love, joy, honesty, sweetness, compassion and humor. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
• Clarene Hillger, 89, of Stanton, died May 2, 2007, in Midland and was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton. She was born Nov. 8, 1917 in Glasscock County and married Jim Paul Hillger on Nov. 8, 1939, in Midland.
Clarene lived in Martin County since 1949. She was a homemaker and a member of Christadelphia Ecclesia.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Duane and Suzie Hillger of Garden City; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Dan Stevens of Midland; a sister, Jonell Hughes of Sand Springs; six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Her parents, her husband, three brothers and five sisters preceded her in death. Memorials may be made to Christadelphia Ecclesia of Stanton, P. O. Box 817, Stanton, TX 79782.
• Gene A. Schafer, 82, of Kerrville, formerly of Glasscock County, died May 4, 2007 in Kerrville. He was born Aug. 31, 1924, to Bismarck and Genevieve Schafer. Gene was a graduate of Garden City High School and attended Texas Tech. He was a career drilling engineer and consultant.
He is survived by his wife Edna, of San Antonio; a daughter, Suzanne Bambic of San Antonio; a son, Brant Schafer of Elgin; a brother, Marck Schafer of Garden City; and a sister, Joyce Fuller of Big Spring.
His parents, a sister, Susan S. Walker, and a son, Gene R. Schafer, preceded him in death.