CALLER- -TIMES November 25, 2005 Friday 5B Turk family famous for feast Thanksgiving meal a hallmark in Brazoria BY BRIDIE ISENSEE The Facts BRAZORIA The aroma of cornbread, biscuits and sage wafted from the front screen door at the Turk home Wednesday morning as the family prepared for their biggest celebration of the year. A cousin, Ben Vollbaum, stopped in to RSVP for Thursday supper at the American Legion Hall while Bell Jowell and her 97-year-old mother, Dollie Turk, took a break from preparing the dressing. "It sure does smell good," Vollbaum said through the screen door. "What does it smell like?" Jowell asked as she took a break from the kitchen to let him in. "Thanksgiving," Vollbaum chuckled.
Preparations began in earnest Wednesday at the homes of the seven Turk sisters, who all live in their hometown of Brazoria. In their mother's home, family matriarch Dollie Turk chopped celery on a kitchen plate as she sat in her wheelchair. The secret to her dressing, she said, is more biscuits than cornmeal and healthy pinches of sage, just like how her mother prepared it. Dollie's family, who affec- Raisin Beatrice 'Dollie' Turk samples the dressing she and her daughter Bell seven daughters cook enough food to serve more than 100 family tionately call her Granny, covet her dressing at the family banquet and reunion at the American Legion Hall on Highway 332 West in Brazoria. But it's not always easy to come by, her daughter Jowell said.
"Some will sneak around and say, 'Where's Granny's dressing she said. Turk and Jowell, her second-to-youngest daughter, started fiddling in the kitchen about 9 a.m. Wednesday in preparation for their Thanksgiving feast Thursday at the American Legion Hall. They crumbled biscuits and cornbread, added green onions and celery and doused the mixture prepared Wednesday in Turk's kitchen in Brazoria. Turk and her members and friends on Thanksgiving.
family and friends. The event evolved into a reunion of sorts for the 60-member-strong family, Jowell said. For family members that grew up in the Brazoria area but moved away, Thanksgiving is a bigger holiday than Christmas. They come from far and wide for the family reunion, like Debbie Picha, who was en route from Round Rock on Wednesday afternoon. Picha loves the chance to catch up with dozens of cousins and second cousins, who have even been known to sing and dance.
"It's an opportunity because Ilive away now, and it's the one OBITUARIES The news department publishes Forces veteran, a retired aircraft Kingsville; 19 grandchildren; mann, a certified medical assis- children; and a great-grand- Lynne Spivey died Nov. 21, 2005. obituaries free of charge on a mechanic at Naval Air Station and 21 great-grandchildren. tant and a member of Faith child. She was 52.
space-available basis as a service Corpus Christi and a rancher, Rosary will be recited at 7p.m. Lutheran Church and Faith Memorial services will be at Survivors include her brothto Caller-Times readers. The died Nov. 22, 2005. He was 87.
Nov. 25 at Ramirez-Salinas Lutheran Church Women and 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at Faith Lutheran er, Dryck Spivey of Corpus Caller-Times accepts obituaries Survivors include his wife, Funeral Home. Services will be Quilters, died Nov.
23, 2005. She Church. Christi. only from funeral homes. Idolina; five daughters, Patricia at 10 a.m.
Nov. 26 at the Lopez was 81. Galloway Sons Funeral Services will be at a later date Escobedo and Linda Escamilla, Ranch Family Cemetery. Survivors include two daugh- Directors in San Antonio and Corpus Maciovio L. Garcia both of Austin, Cecilia Huerta of ters, Jan Marie Cappel of Hol- Christi.
KINGSVILLE Maclovio L. Corpus Christi, and Lamar Gar- Beryl Orthmann drege, and Cindy Rae Tiana L. Spivey Puente Sons Funeral Garcia, a World War II Army Air cia and Carola Serrato, both of BEEVILLE Beryl Orth- Hilliard of Beeville; four grand- SAN ANTONIO Tiana Chapels 1201 FUNERALS 1201 1201 his love of the Army, and his loyalty to his country. Robert received a honorable discharge and disability medical status. Robert being a patriot, applied and was hired for the United States Department of The Navy, Bremerton, Washington at the Naval Hospital as a Motor Vehicle Operator Specialist for over 15 years.
He received numerous awards which reflected his love and care for humanity. He retired from the Navy Hospital Position in 1994. Deacon Robert moved to Alaska in 1994 and became a member of the Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church Family and was ordained a Deacon. On Wednesday nights you could find him in Bible Study sharing in the Sunday School lessons. in the early mornings around 5:00 a.m.
or 6:00 a.m., the Eagle River Church Family knew that Robert was in prayer for all humanity and you could see and fill the difference that prayer makes. As Robert's time drew closer to go with the Lord, the Eagle River Church Family has been experiencing that something is happening. God by His Holy Spirit has been checking out the Church Family that Deacon Robert has been praying for and bragging on. Deacon Robert would say to the wife "we have a good church family and 1 do believe they do love us. fill if I pass on to be with God, you will have a good church family." On November 16, 2005, Deacon Robert Lee Benson was called from this life by God our Heavenly Father, -(God is the only one that knows the time and hour we shall depart), God called Robert into the arms of Jesus our Savior and His Darling Son.
The only way to God is through Jesus. Robert leaves to hold up and carry on the Tripas return to the table Ban amended quietly Sept. 7 BY LISA MARIE GOMEZ New York Times News Service ssald Associated After a 20-month hiatus, thanks to a ban by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a South Texas tradition has returned to the table. Tripas, which are made from the tubing that connects the two stomachs in beef cattle, were ordered off the market in January 2004 because of their possible connection with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more commonly known as mad cow disease.
Slaughterhouses abruptly stopped producing tripas when the ban went into effect. The USDA action came after a cow in Washington tested positive for the fatal brain-wasting disease. The ban didn't sit well with many South Texans, who had a difficult time adjusting to life without a dish they considered a delicacy. The USDA quietly amended its ban on tripas Sept. 7, issuing a news release no one seemed to notice.
Although the ban had kept tripas off restaurant menus, not everyone had given it up. Under the amended policy, the small intestine of a cow now can be sold for consumption if the distal ileum, the bottom end of the intestine, is removed. "They have to cut off a certain number of inches, like 80 inches, from the bottom to make sure they have eliminated the entire distal ileum," said Steven Cohen, a USDA spokesman in Washington. "And then they have to have documentation and when that small intestine is used in the United States. That documentation has to be with the product to prove that it came from an eligible source." in chicken broth.
It would be a busy day for Jowell and her other sisters, cooking enough food to serve upwards of 100 family and friends. "We never say no to anyone who comes over to eat," Turk said. "As long as there are spoons, you know." For old Brazoria families, the Turk family feast is a Thanksgiving hallmark, Vollbaum said. "It's great times. Lots of old memories are brought back to the people in there," he said.
Almost every year since the late 1970s, the family has hosted a bountiful feast for all their Light of Christ, his wife of over 32 years, Rev. Yvonne Cecelia Benson; three sons, Demieceo and Jason Benson, a God given son Clive Stewart; three grandchildren Tyson, Thea, Tristen; precious sister, Jean F. BensonSimmons; two brothers, and Phillip Jackson; nephew Marion Benson; four nieces Lillian Bringham, Ashley Griffin, Carol (Usry) Miller, Gloria Usry; the Eagle River Church Family and a host of other relatives and Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Corpus Christi Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. CORPUS CHRISTI FUNERAL HOME 2409 Baldwin 885.0076 COLLINS Robert W. Collins, 81 years of age, died on November 20, 2005. Mr.
Collins was formerly a life insurance broker in WinstonSalem, North Carolina and moved to Portland, Texas in February of 2001. He has served on the auxiliary at Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital 2002 and was currently the president of the auxiliary when he became deceased. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Collins and will join her in North Carolina as his final resting place. Survivors include two daughters, Bobbye Kay Knief (Randall) of Portland, Texas and Debra Jean Duda (Thomas) of Franklin Park, Illinois; four grandchildren, Christopher Todd Knief (Sarah) of San Antonio, Texas, Michael Troy Knief (Kimberly) of San Antonio, Texas, time of year that I get to see people that I usually don't get to visit with," Picha said. It's also a treat for family members on the other side of the age spectrum.
"It's just really neat for everybody to get together again, and you get to see all these children who are all grown since the last time," Jowell said. The Turk's Thanksgiving will be even more special this year. The family hasn't hosted the reunion for the past few years because of some family deaths, so Thursday will mark a happy return to the tradition. Obituary Index Ayala Jamison Benson Lucretia Collins Wasson Escamilla FUNERALS 1201 FUNERALS 1200 1201 BENSON Robert Lee Benson AYALA Celia V. Ayala, age 63, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2005.
She is survived by her husband, Adolfo Ayala, Sr. of Corpus Christi, Texas; daughters, Celia (Joseph) Altamirano of Ingleside, Texas, and Alyssa Ayala of Corpus Christi, Texas; two Adolfo Ayala, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, and Ignacio (Linda) Ayala of Wichita, Kansas, and nine grandchildren. The family will be receiving friends for visitation on Friday, November 25, 2005 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
with Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that same evening at Trevino Funeral Home. A Chapel service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Trevino Funeral Home Chapel. Burial to follow at Robstown Memorial Park in Robstown, Texas.
TREVINO FINAL Family 3006 NIAGARA (361) 879-0085 Classifieds 883-1111 Lyndsey Rose Duda of Elmwood Park, Illinois and Kyle Thomas Duda of Franklin Park, Illinois; two great grandchildren, Patricia Jean Knief, Robert Collin Knief and his beloved companion Dorothy Himmel of Corpus Christi, Texas. Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Cage- Directors Mills Funeral followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. Services will conclude in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association. CAGE-MILLS FUNERAL DIRECTORS Everhart Chapel 4901 Everhart 854-3282 ESCAMILLA Mrs.
Juanita Pena Escamilla, 72 years, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2005. She was of a Pioneer family of La Rosita Community in La Rosita, Texas. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church also a member of Christ the King Choir. She was a graduate of Roy Miller High School, a member of Cruzista De Colores, Missionary Member into Mexico and very involved with her family and a very active special grandmother. She retired from Corpus Christi State University as an Assistant Administrator for Professors and also retired from Memorial 1201 FUNERALS and Humana Medical Center as an Assistant Administrator.
She was preceded in death by her parents Juanita and Bartolo Pena, Sr. and her brother Richard and Bartolo, Jr. and two sisters, Elivia Ogletree and Estefanita Pena. Survived by her husband, Daniel A. Escamilla, two daughters, Sandra (Albert) E.
Lucio and Janie E. Mondragon; two sons, Daniel (Angie) Escamilla, Jr. and David (Herminia) Escamilla, Sr. all of Corpus Christi, Texas; one sister-in-law, Christine Pena of San Diego, Texas and 13 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday, November 24, 2005 from 4:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Holy Rosary at 7:00 in Cantu Funeral Aroma Angels of Memory Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.
in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Pena Cemetery in La Rosita, Texas. Cantu FUNERAL HOME 2402 Baldwin Corpus Christi, TX JAMISON Willie Jo Jamison, 95, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for the last years. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Willie Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Bryan. She had no immediate survivors. A visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2005.
Funeral Services will be 1201 FUNERALS 1201 FUNERALS held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Seaside Reid Chapel. Entombment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park Mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers will be: Johnny Vaught, Penny Pennington, Stephanie Demel, Amy Demel, and Alston Kirk In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. SEASIDE MEMORIAL PARK FUNERAL HOME 4357 Ocean Drive 992-9411 LUCRETIA Sister M.
Lucretia, Carmel DCJ (Rosina Foag) entered eternal life on Monday, November 21, 2005. Sister was born on March 16, 1912 in Neuweiler, Germany. In 1931 she entered the Carmelite Sisters of Divine Heart of Jesus in Munchen, Germany. She came to America in 1934 and ministered to children and senior citizens in Wauwatosa, West Allis, Kenosha, Wisconsin and in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1952 she went as a missionary to Nicaragua and spent many years in Puerta Cabazas, Bluefields, and La Cruz before coming back to the States in 1980. The last 25 years of her Religious Life have been spent at Mount Carmel Home. Lovingly she cared for the chapel, residents laundry, 2, and the 2003, garden. sister celebrated her 70th anniversary of of Vows. The last two years sister spent quietly in the convent praying for all she could no longer physically help.
those, Always a smile on her lips, she was an example to all who came in contact with her. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brothers. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Anna Foag; niece, Rosi Kratzer and many nieces and nephews and their families in Germany. Sister M. Lucretia will live on in the hundreds of lives she touched throughout her years as a Carmelite Sister.
Visitation will be Friday, November 25, 2005 starting at 6:30 p.m. with a rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. at Mount Carmel Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 26, 2005 in Mount Carmel Home's Chapel with Rev.
Msgr. Daniel Flores as main celebrant. We, her sisters in Carmel DCJ, would like to thank Dr. George Benavidez, Dr. Glenn Bugay and all the health care professionals who have so graciously and lovingly cared for Sister M.
Lucretia throughout the years. Also, to Msgr. Anders, our Chaplain, for caring for sister's spiritual needs, especially in her last days. May God Bless and reward you all abundantly. SEASIDE MEMORIAL PARK FUNERAL HOME 4357 Ocean Drive 992-9411 1201 FUNERALS WASSON Claude L.
Wasson, 89, a resident of Corpus Christi, Texas since 1948 passed away Saturday, November 19, 2005. He was born January 7, 1916 in Beaumont, Texas to Eugene and Pearl Wasson. Claude was a graduate of Crane High School in Crane, Texas in 1934. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War 11, reaching the rank of Tech.
Sgt. He was employed by the Corpus Christi Hardware and later by the Corpus Christi Army Depot from which he retired in 1980. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas where he served for many years as a Sunday school teacher in the Junior Department, and in the music ministry. He most recently was an active member of the Pastor's Class. He also served as an assistant to the Scoutmaster of BSA Troop No.
11 in the 1950's. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge No. 189. Claude will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in 1201 and three brothers.
He is survived by his daughter Lynelle (Sam) Sanders; three grandchildren: Robyn, Chad, and Kathryn Sanders all of Corpus Christi, Texas and one brother, Rev. Harold (Juanita) Wasson of Richardson, Texas. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Seaside Funeral Home with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at Seaside Memorial Park.
A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 27, 2005 at First Baptist Church Chapel, 3115 Ocean Drive. was born on June 14, 1938 in Refugio, Texas, to the late Mr. Theodore Benson and the late Mrs. Mable Lee Benson. Robert, was the oldest son in the Benson family and received his early religion education at The Corpus Christi Texas Academy Catholic Church and School, where he graduated.
He lettered in football and participated in numerous school athletic programs. He completed 4 years of College, some in Bremerton, Washington and some in Las Vegas, Nevada. Playing Golf was one of his favorite things to do through out his adult life. His art of photography has appeared on several CD'S musical recordings, cassette covers, and various precious memory productions. Robert being a patriot, enlisted in the United States Marines for his first tour of military duty.
His second enlistment was into the United States Army where he served for over 15 years to include 2 tours of duty in Viet Nam. Throughout his Army career, he received numerous awards and declarations that reflect SEASIDE MEMORIAL PARK FUNERAL HOME 4357 Ocean Drive 992-9411 www.seasidefuneralcemetery.com 1220 FUNERAL SERVICES www.cremation specialists.com 1226 CEMETERY Lawn Crypt, Palms 8B, 2-person, 2deep Memory Gardens, obo 210-490-4194 SEASIDE CEMETERY 2 plots, side by side $1700 ea. 214-914-5478 death by his wife, Inell Caller.com.
