Obituaries April 10

Death Notices

JESUS FLORES TORRES, 36, of Fresno, Calif. passed away. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.

ROBERT W. BATES, 76, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2009, in Brownsville, Texas. A cremation will be held at Sacred Park Crematory in Weslaco, Texas. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at VFW Post 2035 in Brownsville. Local arrangements were under the direction of Delta Funeral Directors, 1300 E. Harrison St., Brownsville, Texas, (956) 542-2222.

Obituaries

TENNIE MAE TURNER

Tennie Mae Turner went to be with the Lord on April 4, 2009 in Bedford, Texas. Mrs. Turner was born on March 29, 1917 in Marlin, Texas. She was resident of Brownsville, Texas for more than 50 years and was an employee of former state Sen. Hubert R. Hudson for more than 30 years until her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband Jessie Turner, and daughter Virgie Mae Stehlar. Mrs. Turner was also one of the founding members of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Brownsville. Mrs. Turner leaves behind six children, Johnny Harris, (Mary) Jessie Harris, Joyce Turner, Phillip Turner, Gloria Jones, (Brent) Clare Samuel and a host grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a blessing to all of us and will be truly missed.

Services were private.

JAVIER CONTRERAS

Javier Contreras, 57, entered into eternal life on April 7, 2009, at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Concepcion Contreras and Maria Antonia Trevino; and a grandson, Timothy Hernandez Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Del Rosario R. Contreras; children, Javier Contreras Jr., Laura Teresa Hernandez, Esteban Contreras, Ruth Contreras, Maria Antonia Contreras, Ruby Esmeralda Contreras, Raul Domingo Contreras, Hector Javier Contreras, Arturo Javier Contreras, Rosario Angelita Contreras; four grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Chmielewski and Ester Contreras.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2009, at Trevino Funeral Home Chapel.

A chapel service will be held at 12:30 p.m, Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Trevino Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

You may send your condolences to the Contreras family online at www.trevinofuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trevino Funeral Home, 1355 Old Port Isabel Rd., Brownsville, Texas 78521 (956) 542-2583.

MARY JANE GANN FARRAR

June 29, 1914 - April 6, 2009

On April 6, 2009 one of God's most dedicated servants went home. Mary Jane Gann Farrar, 94, our precious Mother suffered a massive stroke and left us to join the love of her life husband Dee Farrar, son Billy Wayne Farrar, grandchildren Brandi Nicholas and Stacey Cox and other family members. Mother spent her life loving and taking care of her family and doing her Lord's work. She was one of the founding members of Portway Baptist Church in Brownsville. She taught Sunday school for more than 50 years touching the hearts of many of Brownsville's young children. She served her community by working and helping care for folks that came to the Portway Baptist Food Bank. Twice a week she would go to nursing homes and sing to them, witnessing to them and telling them of God's love for them.

She will be dearly missed by all.

Left behind to cherish and celebrate her life are eight children. Don (Ellen, deceased) (Ann) Farrar, Bob (Betty, deceased) Farrar,

Jayne (Gene) Cox, Larry (Ofi) Farrar, Sandra (George, deceased) Nicholas.

Also celebrating her memory are 33 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate with us for viewing services from 1-7 p.m. on Friday, April 10 at Henry Thomae Funeral Home, 701 N. Bowie, San Benito. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11 at Mont Meta Cemetery, San Benito. Memorial services 1 p.m., April 11, Portway Baptist Church, 2000 N. Minnesota Ave., Brownsville.

Family requests memorial contributions to be made to Portway Baptist Food Bank, 2000 N. Minnesota Ave., Brownsville, Texas 78521 or to charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Henry Thomae Funeral Home 701 N. Bowie San Benito. (956) 399-9992.

PEDRO VILLARREAL

Pedro Villarreal, 71, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Spanish Meadows in Brownsville, Texas.

He lived in Sacramento, Calif. most of his life, worked for the state of California for 33 years, and retired to Brownsville.

Pedro served in the U.S. Air Force.

He is survived by his wife, Margarita C. Villarreal; his children, Norma V. Alcalá, Melissa V. Ward, Vincent, Robert, and Cristina Villarreal, Sonia, Sandra, Gisell, and Rogelio Zamora; sister, Frances Barclay; cousin, Renato "Ray" (Mary Rose) Cardenas; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 11, 2009 from noon-9 p.m. Full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 Veterans Honor Guard at 6:45 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary by Father Armand Mathew, OMI will follow at 7 p.m. All services will conclude after visitations.

Pedro's family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to: Dr. Luis Robles, Heart Institute of Brownsville Doctors: Roberto Robles, Kalim Habet, Mark Cua, Jaime Gomez and staff; Dr. Anandasivam and staff; Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville staff especially Mary Bolado, Aniceto Mata and Jose Rangel; Spanish Meadows and staff (Ma. Elena Torres, Jacob and Diana) and the Mendiola family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joe I. Treviño, Garza Memorial Funeral Home, 1025 E. Jackson St., (956) 542-5511.