Akin, Gayle M. Piva

Services for Gayle M. Akin, 67, of Houston, formerly of  Lexington, were held Monday, May 9, 2011, at Knobbs Springs Baptist Church near Lexington with Rev. Mark McBride officiating. Burial was in Knobbs Springs Cemetery.  Ms. Akin died Thursday, May 5, at her residence in Houston.

She was born Oct. 30, 1943, in Oakland, California, to Joseph Piva and Rosemar y Dorothey ( Fisher) Piva.

Ms. Akin had worked as a nanny and was also employed as a day care worker for Bee Bees Day Care in Lexington.

She had been a Houston resident for 20 years.

Ms. Akin was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Vickie Throckmorton.

Survivors are a son, Joseph Rutledge and wife Amy of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; a daughter, Lisa Chrisner and husband Thomas of Lexington; four grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica Chrisner, Lorraine and Evelyn Rutledge; a special friend, Edward Hale of Houston; and former husband, Buddy Rutledge of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Pallbearers were Thomas Chrisner, Edward Hale, Joseph Rutledge, Jacob Chrisner, Donald Chrisner and Buddy Rutledge.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, c/o Gaye Bland, P.O. Box 1630, Rockdale, TX 76567.

Rockdalereporter.com

Albrecht, Edwin                                    

Funeral services for Edwin Albrecht, 86 of Lincoln, Texas, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings with Rev. Jeremy Walloch officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the Giddings City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family will be present for visitation Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Edwin Alvin Albrecht was born on May 11, 1928 in Bastrop County, Texas, the son of Reinhold & Anna (Urban) Albrecht. He was baptized on July 1, 1928 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings and confirmed on April 18, 1943 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings. His confirmation verse was Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". He was united in marriage to Bernice Saegert on November 23, 1952 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings by Pastor Fred Mgebroff. Edwin served as an usher on the German usher team at Martin Luther Lutheran Church until German services were no longer held. He was a hard working, lifetime farmer and rancher who enjoyed his cattle, cutting hay and was always "on the go". He was an outdoorsman, with a very keen sense, full of adventure and had a natural bond with nature. His hobbies included hunting, especially deer, fishing and trapping. He applied common knowledge to all aspects of life. Edwin was a tough man, very independent, honest, remained fearless, maintained a young mentality, could always think of something humorous to say and always wanted to help everyone else while wanting nothing back in return. He loved his family and enjoyed their visits and family gatherings. He was definitely one-of-a-kind. 

Edwin passed away during the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 18, 2015, after a hard fought battle with cancer, having attained the age of 86 years, 10 months and 7 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice in 1995 and his granddaughter, Jamie Siegmund in 1993. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Werner, Elmo and Nerbert Albrecht and his sister, Adelie Haverland.

Edwin is survived by his children, Ruth & Norvel Siegmund of Lincoln, Martin & Michele Albrecht of Manheim, Melvin & Karen Albrecht of Lincoln and Agnes & Calvin Lay of Lexington; eight grandchildren, Terry & Amber Siegmund, Heath & Hope Siegmund, Amanda & Jon Hart, Jared Albrecht and friend, Lindsey Zapalac, Michael Schneider & friend, Julie Gifford, Christine & John Grange, Timothy & Brooke Schneider, Andrew & Candice Albrecht, Belinda & Daniel Bamsch, Sarah Lay and friend, Kevin Patschke and Rachel & Yogi Etheredge; sixteen great grandchildren, Catherine, Clare, Lee & Tate Siegmund, Jack Fischer, Lauren, Luke & Shay Siegmund, Brett & Sydney Schneider, Caitlyn & Trenton Grange, Raynee & Saydee Hart, Maverick Schneider and Hailey Bamsch; his brother, Wilbert & Ursula Albrecht of Houston; his sister, Lorene & Franklin Hoffman of Giddings; his sister-in-law, Gladys Saegert of Round Rock and his special cousin, who he thought of like a brother, Dan Saegert & his wife, Judy of Granger. He is also survived by numerous other relatives and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Terry Siegmund, Heath Siegmund, Andrew Albrecht, Jared Albrecht, Daniel Bamsch and Jon Hart.

Memorials may be made to Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 573 North Main Street, Giddings, Texas 78942, Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 North Jefferson Street, La Grange, Texas 78945 or to the charity of one's choice. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Berger, Mildred Baack

Funeral services for Mildred Berger, 71 of Giddings, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings with Rev. Robert Tiner officiating. Burial will follow in the Giddings City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family will be present for visitation Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Mildred Fay (Baack) Berger was born on December 30, 1943 in Giddings, Texas to Otto Carl Ben Baack and Pearl Frances (Hibbler) Baack. She was baptized in 1952 at the First Baptist Church in Giddings by Rev. H.L. McLerran. She was confirmed on October 27, 1961 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings by Rev. Max Studtmann. Her confirmation verse was Luke 11:28, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Mildred was united in marriage to Norman Otto Berger on May 27, 1961 at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. Max Studtmann. Their union was blessed with three children, Norma, David and Darald. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings and volunteered with Rejuvenation. Mildred used to babysit children in her home and had worked at the Best Western and the Ramada in Giddings. She retired from Country Care Plex in Giddings where she had worked in housekeeping for many years. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and watching and taking care of her hummingbirds.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto & Pearl Baack; her great granddaughter, Tessa Pollard; an infant sister, Inda Mary Baack; two brothers, Otis August Baack & his wife, Lorene and Otto William Baack & his wife, Billie Ruth; brothers-in-law, Wilson Daggs Sr., Emil Proske, Willie Hobratschk, Albert Hobratschk and Edmund Kappler and a sister-in-law, Adeline Schroeder & her husband, Willie.

Mildred is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Norman Berger of Giddings; three children, Norma Gray & her husband, Roy of Wichita Falls, David Berger of Giddings and Darald Berger & his wife, Rebecca of Cedar Park; five grandchildren, Terrie Pollard of McDade, Michael Gray of McDade, Daniel Gray of Giddings, Brooke Berger of Cedar Park and Bowen Berger of Cedar Park; one great grandson, Sammy Pollard of McDade; two sisters, Marilyn Daggs of Ft. Worth and Francis Proske of Giddings; sisters-in-law, Irene Noack of Serbin, Gertrude Hobratschk of Giddings, Gertrude Hobratschk of Kerrville, Annie Mae Kappler of Warda and Carolyn Mitschke & her husband, Clarence of Houston; brother-in-law, Herman Hobratschk & his wife, Eunice of Giddings as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 300 North Grimes Street, Giddings, Texas 78942 or to the charity of one's choice. 

Behrens, Willard

Graveside services for Willard Behrens, 94 formerly of Paige, Texas, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Giddings City Cemetery with Leroy Opiela officiating.

Willard Albert Behrens was born on September 16, 1920 in Paige, Texas to Emil Carl Behrens and Amalia (Dunk) Behrens. He was a longtime farmer and rancher in Paige. He enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles, listening to polka music and keeping up with sports, especially football. Willard passed away the afternoon of Thursday, February 19, 2015 at the Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lockhart, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil & Amalia Behrens; his brother, Conrad Behrens and his sister, Angelyne Feuerbacher.

Willard is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Milton & Laray Behrens of Austin and two nieces, Elva Opiela & her husband, Leroy of Buda and Sherral Coe & her husband, Randy of Kyle.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of one's choice. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Carey, Walter

Funeral services for Walter Carey, 83 of Lexington, Texas, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor Chris Bruce officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Lexington. The family will be present for visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Walter Irwin Carey was born on June 26, 1931 in Lower Newton Falls, Massachusetts to Horace Walter Carey and Lucy Osgood Trenham Carey. At the age of 17, Walter enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Korea. After his military service, he married Barbara Ann Roe. Their union was blessed with five children. At the age of 24, he was baptized into the Baptist faith. On April 18, 1972, Walter married Patricia Stiffler in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their union was blessed with four children. During his life, Walter studied many different religions, people and life itself. He was a lighting designer who also enjoyed photography, classical music, reading every book available to him, playing the violin and spoke many different languages. His latest hobby was researching genealogy and the computer was his best tool. Walter passed away the afternoon of Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his aunts and uncles, Jean & Bob Topplift and James Casey and a grandson, Timothy Cox.
Walter is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia Carey of Lexington; seven daughters and sons-in-law, Karen & Junior Price of Mississippi, Kristin & Wayne Barnes of Louisiana, Katie & Glenn Hawthorne of Louisiana, Angela & Homer Brower of Lexington, Michelle & Dwayne Lockhart of Lexington, Holly & Doug Peterson of Lexington and Erin & Michael Thames of Lexington; two sons, Sean Carey of Elgin and Timothy Carey & his wife, Cherie of Louisiana; 27 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, David & Lois Carey of South Carolina; sister, Barbara Foster of Michigan as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Lexington American Legion Post 6, P.O. Box 94, Lexington, Texas 78947-0094 or to help the family offset final expenses. A gofundme account has been created and can be accessed at gofundme.com/v2e65wkc. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Cole, Yvonne

Funeral services for Yvonne Cole, 80 of Giddings, are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi at a later date.

Yvonne passed away the morning of Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Oakland Manor Nursing Center in Giddings.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lori Bazor of Giddings and Fran Hasty of Austin; four grandchildren as well as several other relatives and friends. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Cook Jr. B. F.

Services for B.F. Cook Jr., 87, of Rockdale were scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Phillips & Luckey Chapel in Rockdale with Rev. John Warren and Rev. Morris Cook officiating. Cremation will follow the services.

Mr. Cook died Sunday, May 8, in Richards Memorial Hospital in Rockdale.

He was born Dec. 28, 1923, in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, to Byron Floyd Cook Sr. and Louise Dodez Cook.

He married Mary Cunningham on March 23, 1946, in Gainsville.

Mr. Cook retired in 1985 from I.G.C. in Rockdale as a shift supervisor. His entire working life was with I.G.C.

He was a Rockdale resident for the past 55 years and was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Rockdale.

During World War II, Mr. Cook served in the Army Air Corp and then in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until his retirement at the rank of major.

He was a member of Rockdale Masonic Lodge No. 414 AF&AM, past president of the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, Rockdale Little League, past precinct chairman of the Democratic Party and he was active in the community.

Mr. Cook was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Cook, on Sept. 5, 2006; his parents; and a brother, Jerry Cook.

Survivors are three sons, Byron Floyd Cook III, M.D., of Longview, Tim Cook of Liberty, Morris Coleman Cook of Howe; a daughter, Rebecca Kay Cook Kirkpatrick of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a brother, Louis Cook of Shreveport, Louisiana; four sisters, Alice Van Alstyne, Laurine Juhl and Donna Bass, all of Shreveport, Louisiana, Cookie Parrish of Fayetteville, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Courtney Jo Spearman, Chad Cook, Seth Cook, Jessica Cook, Talitha Cook, Kayla Cook, Taylor Cook and Mack Hunter; and two great-grandchildren, Will Cook and Lilly Hunter.

Cottrell, Alene

Funeral services for Alene Cottrell, 88 of Dime Box, Texas, are pending at this time.
Darden Hervey, Lamar Hervey, Aaron Hervey, Clint Smithson, Brian Fitzsimmons, Lawton Hervey, and Stewart Hervey will serve as pallbearers.
Alene Cottrell passed away on April 8, 2015 at her home of 62 years in Dime Box, Texas with her son Terry and her daughter Virginia by her side.
Alene Annie Wiederhold Cottrell was born on February 4, 1927 in Burleson County. She was the 8th of 12 born to Robert (1885-1972) and Alma (Klagmann) (1894-1979). A third generation Texas-born Lutheran German, Alene was the first to enter public school speaking English. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran in Deanville on August 19, 1928 by Rev. H.T. Flachmeier and her sponsors were Annie and Bill Mahlmann. She was confirmed on October 31, 1943 at St. John Lutheran in Dime Box by Rev. W.G. Tillman.
Alene began writing letters in 1934, saving all the replies. Letters were her life. The letters document graduation at sixteen (1943) from Dime Box H.S. and enrolling in Caldwell vocational nursing school. Much to the chagrin of her family, Alene dropped out of nursing school and moved to Austin to be the elevator operator at Seton Hospital (June 1944). After several months, Alene was promoted to bookkeeping and working the front desk, quickly embracing city life and the war effort.
The ink shows a 1946 courtship with a local Czech American from the Blaha clan, James Cottrell (b.1924). James and Alene were married at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings on November 11, 1946 by Rev. S.T. Schroeder. A bride at nineteen and a mother at twenty (Virginia), Alene was to have a second child (Terry) before becoming the Postmaster of Dime Box in 1958. During her 34 years of employment she never took a day of sick leave, and she came to know everyone in 77853. Postmaster Alene’s self-described job description included helping citizens complete all related governmental forms from food stamps to income tax. The U.S. flag went up in the morning and down in the evening; she loved the rules, the authority and the letters.
Alene was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dime Box since 1938. She chaperoned numerous FHA school bus trips to the State Fair of Texas and to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as her husband drove the bus. She reported the rain to the National Weather Bureau for 25 years, served the food and cleaned the pots for the Meals on Wheels program, and sold tickets at the SPJST dances.
The letters are fading away, memories scrambling for a place to stay. Alene was plain spoken and dogmatic about all matters; from birth to death there was no hubris. She chose to die at her home of 62 years, and daughter Virginia did not hesitate to see her final wishes fulfilled.
Alene is preceded in death by her husband, James Lamar Cottrell; her parents, Robert and Alma (Klagmann) Wiederhold; brothers Albert (wife Milady), Lee Roy (wife Evelyn), Marlin, and Ervin Wiederhold; sisters Viola (husband Gerhard) Kissman and Joyce Zwerneman; brother-in-law Leroy Zwerneman; sister-in-law Ruby Wiederhold; and son-in-law John Wayne Shows, Jr.
She is survived by her son Terry Cottrell and his wife Mary; daughter Virginia Shows; brothers Edgar, Wilburn, Robert (wife Alice), and J.C. (wife Dorothy) Wiederhold; sister Lavern Zwerneman; brother-in-law Fred Zwerneman; sisters-in-law Mildred Wiederhold and Ruth Wiederhold; grandchildren Darden and Shannon Hervey, Lamar and Kimberly Hervey, Aaron and Michelle Hervey, CC and Brian Fitzsimmons, Jamie and Clint Smithson, Jeff and Kimberly Shows, Danny Shows, Kathleen and Allen Hoover, and Jaime Norris; and great-grandchildren: Kellyn, Stewart, and Elizabeth Hervey; Lawton Hervey, Henry Fitzsimmons; Kacey and Derrick Smith; Kelly Shows; Allison, Peyton, and Layne Hoover; Caitlyn, Savannah, Kolbie, Kolton, and Kaden Norris; one great great-grandchild, Jaxon Smith; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all of her caregivers who stayed with her at her home for the past 8 years and to Encompass Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hranice Cemetery Fund, 1009 PR 8007, Dime Box, or to a charity of your choosing.

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Funeral services for Elaine Crow, 75 of Ledbetter, Texas, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Burton, Texas with Pastor Greg Felder officiating. Committal services will follow at 5:00 p.m. at the Giddings Memorial Park in Giddings, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family will be present for visitation Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Elaine Lillian (Hoffman) Crow was born on April 23, 1939 in Giddings, Texas to William Edward & Lillian Violet (Lindner) Hoffman. She graduated from Giddings High School in 1957 and attended Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. Elaine was united in marriage to Maury Lee Crow on September 26, 1959 by Pastor H.C. Newman in Giddings, Texas. She was an active member at St. John's United Church of Christ in Burton and the Ledbetter Homemakers Club and enjoyed her many trips with the Round Top Texas Roadrunners Travel Club. Elaine was a loving and devoted homemaker to her family and enjoyed cooking, sewing and traveling. She passed away unexpectedly the morning of Sunday, March 15, 2015 following an automobile accident in Ledbetter. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and daughter, Maury & Sandra Crow; her brother, James Hoffman; her son-in-law, Bill Skinner Jr and Earl's daughter, Natalie Chabot.
Elaine is survived by her companion in life, Earl Mueller of Ledbetter; her two daughters, Marlise Skinner and her companion in life, Kevin Peckham of Houston and Carol Martinez & her husband, Victor of Houston; her grandson, Jacob Skinner of Houston; Earl's two sons, Mike Mueller & his wife, Lori of Giddings and Greg Mueller & his wife, Tara of Bastrop; her grandchildren by heart, Lindsey, Carra, Ty, Chloe, Avery and Alexa; her two sisters, Margaret Walther & her husband, Cecil of Giddings and Mary Mutschink & her husband, Bob of Giddings as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mary Gutierrez, 885 South Chambers Street, Giddings, Texas 78942, the Ledbetter Homemakers Club, P.O. Box 216, Ledbetter, Texas 78946 or to the charity of one's choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Stan DeGerolami, 65 of Giddings, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2015 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Giddings with Father Mike DeGerolami and Father James Olnhausen officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the Giddings City Cemetery. Everyone is invited to a reception following the committal services at the Sons of Hermann Hall located at 1031 County Road 223 in Giddings. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, February 23, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. A Rosary will be recited and led by the Giddings Knights of Columbus at 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home followed by a eulogy given by Father Greg Perez. The DeGerolami family will be present for visitation Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Stanley Carl DeGerolami was born on January 9, 1950 in San Antonio, Texas to Quinto & Helen (Barger) DeGerolami. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his master's degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. He was united in marriage to Christine Perez on July 7, 1983 in San Antonio. Stan served as the assistant superintendent of West Texas State School in Monahans before assuming the assistant superintendent position with the Giddings State School in 1984. Stan retired as the superintendent of the Giddings State School in 2013. He was an active member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Giddings, where he taught CCD classes, and the Giddings Knights of Columbus 8085 Centennial Council. Stan also served on the Giddings I.S.D. School Board for thirteen years. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling in their motor home and trips to the beach. Stan passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, the evening of Thursday, February 19, 2015 following a battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Stan is survived by his wife, Christine DeGerolami of Giddings; his four children, Giovanni DeGerolami & his wife, Melissa of San Antonio, Matt DeGerolami & his wife, Sara of Giddings, Michelle Hines & her husband, Braden and Alyson DeGerolami of Giddings; his five grandchildren, Natalie DeGerolami of San Antonio, Austin DeGerolami of California, John DeGerolami of San Antonio, Ryleigh DeGerolami of Giddings and Blakely Hines of Giddings; his two brothers, Father Michael DeGerolami of San Antonio & Joe DeGerolami & his wife Allison of San Antonio; his parents-in-law, Butch & Herminia Perez of Giddings; his sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law, Virginia & Ramiro Cantu of Giddings, Mary Frances Arriaga of Giddings, Father Greg Perez & Doug Flores of New Jersey and Barry & Angie Perez of San Antonio as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 North Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945, the Lee County Cancer Resource Center, 165 West Austin Street, Giddings, Texas 78942 or to the charity of one's choice. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Ebner, Raywood "Ray"

Funeral services for Raywood "Ray" Ebner, 72 of Ledbetter, Texas, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home  in Giddings with Pastor Pat Herlitz officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the Ledbetter Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family will be present for visitation Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Ray passed away the morning of Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at his home in Ledbetter.
Raywood Edwin Ebner was born on February 26, 1943 in La Grange, Texas to Edwin Ernst Ebner and Edna Mae (Schultz) Ebner. He was baptized and confirmed at Waldeck Lutheran Church in Waldeck and graduated from Round Top- Carmine High School. He was united in marriage to Ginger Faye Sump on May 1, 1965 in La Grange, Texas. Ray had worked at Alcoa, Southern Pacific Railroad and worked as an oilfield pumper for many years. Most recently he had been employed as a security guard with the Giddings State School. He and Ginger also owned and operated Ebner's Grocery in Giddings for several years. Ray was a member of the Giddings Sons of Hermann Lodge #54 and enjoyed gardening, fishing, horseback riding and riding in trail rides. He was known for his barbecuing skills and won numerous awards at area cook-offs. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin & Edna Ebner; his parents-in-law, Ernest & Sue Sump; his brother-in-law, Tommy Sump and his nephew, Billy Drews.
Ray is survived by his wife, Ginger Ebner of Ledbetter; three sons, Ricky Ebner of Ledbetter, Reagie Ebner & his wife, Michele of Ledbetter and Randall Ebner of Ledbetter; one grandson, Louis Symons of Waco; one sister, Loretta Chilek of Giddings; three brothers, Max Ebner & his wife, Brenda of Giddings, Valgene Ebner & his wife, Carmen of Round Rock and Glenroy Ebner & his wife, Waldene of Giddings; one sister-in-law, Donna Phillips of Giddings; nieces and nephews, Debra Bailey of Cedar Park, Jason Ebner of Ledbetter, Jamie Schroeder of Austin, Cori Grostecik of Bellville, Laci Gonzales of Giddings, Willie Sump of Giddings, Corrie Busby of Caldwell, Craig Van Praag of Kansas, Gary Holland of Giddings and Mike Drews of Ledbetter as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews.

Memorials may be made to Lee County Cancer Resource Center, 165 West Austin Street, Giddings, Texas 78942, Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 North Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945 or to the charity of one's choice. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home

Pvt. Clinton Francis