Stephen Daniel Epps departed his life on Earth to spend eternity with his Lord on May 21, 2013. Dan was born on August 13, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee. He moved to Houston, Texas with his parents, James David and Eva Epps, and his brother, Michael, on April 21, 1963. Dan often spoke with pride of becoming a Houstonian on San Jacinto Day. He would go on to live most of his adult life in the Houston area.

Dan married his best friend, Tina Surratt, on May 12, 1984. Working together in the grocery business, they soon developed a relationship that resulted in a marriage that spanned over 29 years. Together they had one son, Ryan Daniel Epps. Dan had a deep-rooted love for his family and extended family.

Dan had an illustrious career in the retail business, spending the largest part of it in the grocery business. He began working for Lewis and Coker Supermarkets at the age of 16 and, as an adult, held management positions for a number of Houston-based super markets, as well as a stint managing one of the busiest truck stops in the Love’s Travel Stop chain. Late in his career, he transitioned to real estate sales and could always be counted on to give potential buyers the “straight scoop” on the property they were about to invest their hard-earned money in.

Dan loved looking at classic cars and enjoyed attending car shows with friends and with his son, Ryan. He prided himself on being able to identify the make and year model of old cars, many of which were older than he was. Dan was an animal lover, always attracting the love and loyalty of not only his own pets but also the love of the pets of friends. He developed a love for music in his childhood which he carried throughout his life and could spend hours just listening to music and visiting with family and friends.

Dan is survived by his wife, Tina Epps: son, Ryan Epps; mother, Eva Epps and a number of friends who he enjoyed spending time with. He is preceded in death by his father, James David Epps and brother, Michael Timothy Epps.

A memorial service celebrating Dan’s life will be held at Southway Community Church, 14011 South Freeway, Houston, Texas 77047 on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 12:00. A reception will follow at the church.

Barbara Sykes Fisher was born on April 8, 1940 and passed away May 19, 2013.

Barbara enjoyed sewing, quilting, dancing and gardening.  Through the years she made costumes for square dancing teams, baby shirts and caps for premature babies, and quilts for her family members.  She and her husband, Don enjoyed country dancing and frequented the SPJST Lodge on Friday nights.

Barbara was an avid baseball fan.   She would often claim that she was a reincarnated Chicago “Black Sox” player.  Barbara loved the Astros and supported them through thick and thin.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Don Fisher and his son Mark Fisher.  Barbara is survived by her children, Marcia Cox, Jere Brewer, Gayle Funderburg, Kyle Fisher, Steve Fisher, Rick Fisher, and Scott Fisher; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; and by her sisters, Janet Hunt of Wickliffe, KY; and Maxine Brown of Tallahassee, FL.

Visitation will be from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Thursday, May 23rd, and the service celebrating Barbara’s life will be at 10:00am Friday, May 24th, both held at Niday Funeral Home – Beamer Chapel.

Cora Pearson Steakley passed away on May 11, 2013 after bravely battling cancer.  Cora was born in Houston, Texas to Jacob and Cora Pearson on May 14, 1931.  Preceded in death by her husband and best friend of 58 years, Billy Joe Steakley, Cora is survived by her three sons:  Clifford Steakley and wife, Linda; Mark Steakley and wife, Gaye; and Roger Steakley and wife, Tracy.  Cora also leaves behind seven treasured grandchildren, Eric, Nicole, Alexander, Spencer, Rachel, Savanna, and Cameron; her brother Billy Pearson and his wife, Mary, several nieces and a nephew; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Cora was a lifelong resident of Houston graduating from Milby High School in 1949 where she was chosen as class beauty and proudly served as a Milby cheerleader.  She held a variety of positions in the Houston area, and retired from BMW North America as Port Manager.  Cora was extremely active in the Shell Retiree’s club serving in a variety of positions.  She was also responsible for organizing class reunions for her fellow Milby graduates, as well as handling a variety of roles for the Freeway National Little League Association for sixteen years.  Cora also took pride in her ability to develop and maintain lifelong relationships with friends dating back to elementary school.  She will be sorely missed by all that she touched.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff of the Palliative Care Unit at M.D. Anderson for treating Cora with compassion and respect during the last days of her life.

Visitation will be from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Monday, May 20th, and the service celebrating Cora’s legacy will be at 10:00am Tuesday, May 21st, both held at Niday Funeral Home – Beamer Chapel.  Interment will follow at SouthPark Cemetery in Pearland.

“If tears could build a stairway,

And memories a lane,

I’d walk right up to Heaven

And bring you home again.”

Bobbie Nell Caves of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully May 9, 2013, at the age of 83 to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a lengthy illness. She was a resident of the South Belt area for 51 years. Bobbie was born in Alabama on December 21, 1929, and was preceded in death by her son Michael A. Caves and father of their children, Mackie A. Caves, as well as her parents, Grace and Jesse Hanks.

Bobbie was a devoted mother and grandmother. She leaves to cherish her memory, son, Mackie L. Caves; daughters, Linda Kreisler and Tammy Underwood; and beloved grandchildren, Ashley Kreisler, Shawn Webb, Sabrina Caves, and Cameron Underwood.

Bobbie’s children wish to acknowledge their sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude to her physician’s, Dr. George Younis and Dr. Kelty Baker for their dedication and compassion.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Monday, May 13, at Niday Funeral Home – Beamer Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am Tuesday, May 14, at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Lee Roy Williams was born on September 24, 1935, to Albert Cicero and Mable Marie Williams in Thomasville, North Carolina. He was the youngest of nineteen children. He grew up in Thomasville and at the very young age of 5 he lost his mother and his sister Nadine stepped in and helped raise him. He joined the United States Army at the age of 18. He was stationed at Fort Polk in Leesville Louisiana there he served his country for 2 years and that is where he met and fell in love with this beautiful young lady, Mary Beth Liles. The first time they met was at a small town Café in Leesville while he was still stationed there. Over a short period of time that handsome 20 year old soldier won over a very bashful 13 year old young lady and from that moment on he had her heart and shortly after they were wed, on November 17, 1956. Through the years he often said “How much he truly did love her and it was that same enduring love that they were able to make it through life.” Once he completed his term with the Army they moved to his hometown Thomasville, North Carolina. They lived there a short time then moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. They began their family with the birth of their first child, Wanda Sue. Over the next few years they were blessed with three more children, Douglas Leroy, Elizabeth Ann and Dorothy Faye. With their four young children they made the move to start a new life that would bring about new hopes and unlimited opportunities. They managed to carve out a small piece of Houston, for their own and to this day they call it Home. A short time after their move, their son Vernon Leon was born. When the children were young they were visited by the Gulfgate Pentecostal Church bus ministry and Mary and the children rode the bus for a year until Lee Roy joined them and from that time on that became their church for 44 years. During this time, they welcomed their sixth and final child, Rebekah Diann to their family. Lee Roy was a great provider, a loving husband and a great example of what a Father should be. The family was faithful members and worked many years in the church no matter what was asked of them, he made sure that they did it to the best of their ability. There they made many friends that he loved and appreciated. He was a great prayer warrior and always lifted up his family and the ministry in his daily prayers, there was nothing else like hearing him pray. He is greatly loved and will be greatly missed by his wife, his family, and all who knew him.

Left to cherish the memories is his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Beth Williams, and his children Wanda Sue and husband Mike Hayes of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Douglas Leroy Williams of Houston, Texas, Elizabeth Ann Johnson of Houston, Texas, Dorothy Faye and Mike Kirk of Houston, Texas, Vernon Leon and wife Connie Williams of Pearland, Texas, Rebekah Diann Peterson of Houston, Texas, and eight grandchildren and one great-grandson whom he loved and were all very precious to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mable Williams, seven brothers, eleven sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

The service celebrating Mr. Williams’ life will be held at 7:00pm Monday, May 6, at Christ Church Apostolic, with visitation prior to the service. Interment will follow at 11:00am Tuesday, May 7, at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Joe Craddock, owner of South Belt area restaurant C & D Burger Shoppe, passed away May 1, 2013 after a long illness.  He is survived by his wife, Intesar Craddock, his son Chad Craddock, his son David Craddock and wife Jill Craddock, his daughter Shannon Gries and husband Brian Gries, as well as his six grandchildren, Eleni (Lani) Craddock, Haley Craddock, Griffin Hall, Angeliki (Kiki) Craddock, Brent Hall and John David Craddock.

Joe was predeceased by his wife of many years, Helen Craddock, with whom he opened C & D Burger Shoppe over thirty years ago.  He was a true American success story, and prided himself on working his way up to being an entrepreneur.  He began his career as a clerk at 7-11, where Mrs. Baird’s bread company delivered, and he then went to work for Mrs. Baird’s, delivering to, among other places, local Dairy Queen restaurants.  That led to him taking a job with Dairy Queen managing one of their stores.  He went on to be district manager and then division manager for Dairy Queen, then bought 22 Dairy Queen franchise stores on the south side of Houston, including the ones on Fuqua and Scarsdale.

He eventually sold the Dairy Queen franchise stores, but, after the owner of the stores shuttered the Fuqua location, Joe came to an agreement with the owner to take over that location and make it into his own type of burger  joint.  Joe, Helen and their kids put a lot of sweat equity into remodeling the store and it opened in July of 1981.  A couple of years later, Hurricane Alicia devastated the building, and the most memorable thing about that event was that regular customers literally walked up to the Burger Shoppe and began helping the family clear the debris, and Joe started people working the grill to feed all of the wonderful people who were helping.

Over the years, C & D became a waypoint for many teenagers in the community who worked for and were mentored by Joe.  In addition, there are so many Burger Shoppe employees who have been with them so long that they are family.  Chief among them is Debbie Vaughn, who has been managing the business while Joe was in the hospital.  Additionally, we are so grateful for Maria, Liz, Susana, Renee, Regina, Lacey, Kelley, Jason and Kierra.

C & D has been one of the staples in the South Belt community for over 30 years and Joe has always been active in supporting the South Belt community.  He formed so many friendships as a result and his family is so grateful to all of his friends for their love and support.  His family will continue the Burger Shoppe going forward.

The Funeral Service celebrating Joe’s life will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, May 4^th, at Sagemont Church, 11300 South Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, Texas 77089 with visitation one hour prior to the service, starting at 1:00pm.

In the early morning hours of May 1, 2013, surrounded at home by family, Verna, or Gran as so many called her, peacefully left this earth and joined her Lord and Savior in Glory. Only God could have known on February 10, 1926 how many lives would be touched and blessed by Gran. She was a proud and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas for thirty-five years, and prior to that a member of Park Place Baptist Church. She was an important part of the WMU, planning and overseeing many mission projects, and also taught first grade Sunday school for more than fifty years. Knowing Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior Gran joins her parents, Henry and Sadie Riley; husband James Elbert Riley; daughter Diane Thomas; and a multitude of friends in Heaven.

Gran leaves to carry on her work and faith three strong willed grandchildren; Andrea Jewell, Summer Valdez and husband Jesus, and Luke Jewell and wife Sasha. Gran also leaves nine special great-grandchildren who brightened her life each in their own way. They are Riley and Dakota Jewell, Lance Byfield, Saidee, Marissa and Angelica Valdez, Bryson Walker, and Preston and Peyton Jewell. While serving her Lord, Gran made many special friends along the way that were just like family. Mike and Jeri Smyrl, Johnny Berridge, Herb and Betty Simmons, and Bob and Shirley Wright, we thank you for your love and service alongside Gran. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Odyssey Hospice and nurse Jackie Porter, a true blessing to this family in our time of need.

The family will take visitors between 3:00pm and 5:00pm Sunday, May 5, 2013, at Niday-Fairmont Funeral Home, and also invites you to celebrate Gran’s life with them at 11:00am Monday, May 6, 2013, at First Baptist Church Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the First Baptist Church WMU in memory of Verna Riley.

Clifford Xavier Jackson, was called to be with our Lord on April 28^th, 2013 at the age of 81. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 9th, 1932.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Marjorie Jackson of 58 years. He is survived by 5 daughters Teresa Mueller and husband Randy, Julia Sudela and husband Joe, Linda Sudela and husband Mark, Laura Cornman and husband Terry and Lisa Hamilton and husband Conrad, 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

He graduated from Deer Park High School and joined the Navy where he proudly served our country as a Chief Petty officer for 4 years. He worked at Western and Southern Life Insurance Company as a Salesman for 25 years where he retired. He attended Seminary and became a Deacon in the first class of Galveston/Houston established in 1972 and served as a Deacon at his home Parish of  St. Francis Cabrini where he was a member for 45 years. He was also a member of the Men’s club where he had many friendships. Cliff loved music and enjoyed playing the organ and Ukulele. One of his favorite past times was being a member of the King Strings Ukulele band and enjoyed playing with them at Nursing Homes and hospitals. He also enjoyed old westerns and World War II movies.

He was a great husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa, and will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, April 30th from 6pm until 8pm with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass celebrating Clifford’s life will be Wednesday, May 1^st, all held at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, 10727 Hartsook, Houston, Texas 77034.

Patricia J. Essick was born November 10, 1942 and passed away April 27, 2013.

She was sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and widow that will be missed by so many.  A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on June 22, 2012.