Ligia “Lalita” Marta Cordoba, 88, passed away on May 7, 2012.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernardo and Adriana Ospina.  Ligia is survived by her loving husband, Julio Cordoba; sons, Julio Cordoba and wife, Alvilda, William Cordoba and wife, Consuelo, Mario Cordoba and wife, Diana Visconti; brother, Francisco Ospina, Bernardo Ospina and wife, Otilia; sister, Elena Ospina Bernal; grandchildren, Ligia Laguna and husband, Orlando, Julio Cordoba Jr and wife, Maria, Claudia Cordoba, Adriana Cordoba, William Cordoba Jr,. and wife, Deanna, Cristina Williams and husband, Terrence, Diana Riera and husband, Christopher; eleven great grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Ligia was known to much of her family as Mom, Lady or Lalita.  She and Julio were happily married for 68 wonderful years.  She was always so happy to graciously share her love with everyone.  Lalita always saw the goodness in everyone she met; never criticizing or judging others.  She was truly the matriarch of the Cordoba family.  Lalita was a wonderful cook and took pride in preparing meals for all of her family.  She had the unique ability to make everyone feel so special when she was with them.  Lalita could speak with people from every walk of life; young or old or any level of education.  She had a strong faith and her number one language was the language of love.  All her grandchildren and great grandchildren loved her dearly.  She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

A visitation for Lalita will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm with a Rosary recited at 6:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 10:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1510 Fifth Street, Missouri City, Texas 77489.  Interment will follow .

Cecil Walter Hooper, 88, passed away on May 7, 2012.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Mary Hooper; and son, David Hooper.  Cecil is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Loretta Hooper; sons, Larry Hooper and wife, Suzanne; grandchildren, Jennifer, Joshua, Jacob, Clarissa, Nicole, And Michael; great grandchildren, Kelly, Dominic, and Mason; and a host of other family and friends.

Cecil was a highway patrolman for 28 years and after retirement he enjoyed restoring and showing his antique tractors.  He and Loretta also enjoyed traveling all over the country and throughout Europe.  Cecil was affectionately known to his grandchildren as “Grandpa.”   He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held for Cecil on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:30 am at Houston National Cemetery.

Robert Joseph Viveiros, 65, passed away on May 6, 2012. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Almorinda Viveiros.  Bob is survived by his wife, Sandy Viveiros; stepson, Damon Hall and his wife, Tonja Cornett; mother-in-law, Frances Rohden; grandchildren, Anthony and Justin Hall, Mike, Austin, Josh, and Nick Cornett; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Bob was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts and came to Texas in 1994. He and Sandy had been married for seven years.  Bob was an avid sports fan that loved the Boston Celtics, Red Sox, and New England Patriots.  After to coming to Texas, he became a huge University of Texas fan.  He enjoyed playing poker, especially Texas Hold-em’.  Bob was an accountant for more than 30 years.  After retiring he went back to work at the Pearland School District in the transportation department assisting special needs children.  Bob will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an account setup at Wells Fargo Bank (Account # 7709733542) to assist with transporting Bob back to Fall River, Massachusetts.  A visitation for Bob will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, May 11, 2012 with the funeral service following at 11:00 am at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.

Denise Marie Martinez Moreno, 23, passed away on May 4, 2012.   She is survived by her parents, Roger and Felice Martinez; her loving husband, Bobby Moreno; brother, Roger Anthony Martinez III; grandparents, Walter Blaylock and Sylvia Olivarri; great grandmother, Manuela Martinez; and a host of other family and friends.

Denise was a student at Alvin Community College where she was pursuing a career working with special needs children.  She wanted to follow in her father’s footstep who worked with special needs children in the Pearland School District.  Denise was always the life of the party and was the love of Bobby’s life.  Denise and Bobby were newlyweds and happily married in February. She was devoted to and had a very close relationship with her younger brother Roger.  Denise was a very caring and loving person who was always fun to be around.  She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

A visitation for Denise will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm with a Rosary recited by Deacon Darvin Bordelon at 6:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 11 at 10:00 am at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2209 Old Alvin Road, Pearland, Texas 77581 with Father James Courville officiating

Samuel Austin Harkins, 27, passed away on April 29, 2012.  He is survived by his loving wife, Brittany Harkins; parents, Sam and Elyse Harkins; sister, Brandi Lynne Harkins; grandparents, Claude Harkins, Frank and Nancy Thompson; in-laws, Rob and Janna Brodt; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Sam was a graduate of Pearland High School and was a devoted LSU fan.  He was a Construction Estimator for Turner Industries and had been employed with them part time and full time for more than eight years.  Being a construction engineer, Brittany said that Sam had a spreadsheet for everything. Whether it was a project in the yard or cooking for his family and friends; he would create a spreadsheet to make sure everything turned out perfect.  Sam enjoyed the outdoors and hunting with his dad at their deer lease.  Even though they weren’t close in age, Sam loved to play and hang out with his little sister Brandi.  He was especially known for his Cajun skills as a crawfish peeler and could peel them and eat them faster than anyone.  Sam and Brittany had a large library of movies and enjoyed watching them and spending time together.  He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

A visitation for Sam will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:00 at Friendswood United Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas 77546 with Pastor Jim Bass officiating.  Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Mary Patricia Goss was born on Monday, August 14, 1933 at Rosewood Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  She is preceded in death by parents, Nora Bernadette (Tarrant) and Earl Joseph Sampson and daughter Katherine. Pat has two brothers, Paul (Marti) and Daniel (Christine).  She is best known to many of us at Pat, Mom, Gram, and Great Gram.

Pat attended St. Ethelrida and St. Killian Grammar Schools.  She always loved to read and her ambition in school was to get all A’s which she did in graduate school.  Her parents were very strict about minding after the rules, telling the truth and going to church.  Her father taught her to value learning, education, art and prayer and her mother to value religion and family.  Pat loved her father’s smile and to go fishing with him or watching him draw cartoons.  She loved her mother’s caring ways and the fact that she could talk to her about anything.  Her best friends were Jane, Betty, Dolores and Patt who later became her sister-in-law.  In school, Pat participated in sports, the newspaper staff and the drama club for which she earned a scholarship for college.  Pat graduated from Mundelein College in 1955 and Longwood Academy in 1957.  After graduating, she worked in the test kitchen at Libby’s as the assistant to the director of the Home Ed Department testing recipes and preparing advertising at the Libby’s Plant in the Chicago Stock Yard.  For fun on the weekends, Pat went skate dancing and to the movies as well as hanging out at Melody Lane Ice Cream Parlor.

Pat met Gene when she was 15, started dating him at 16 and their courtship lasted 7 years.  She liked him because he was handsome and funny and shared the same religious values.  They were engaged on Christmas Eve 1955 and were married on August 11, 1956 at St. Killian’s Church in Chicago.  Her most vivid memory of their wedding day was seeing Gene waiting for her at the altar.  After the ceremony, they celebrated with family and friends over a luncheon and had a chocolate wedding cake.  Her favorite wedding gift was a cake stand that is still used for all the birthday cakes.  Pat’s family grew to include  Eugene and Florence (Kelley) Goss, Bill Goss, Chuck and Mary Jean (Goss) Cody, and Bob and Patt (Goss) Simmons.

Pat and Gene started their married life in Laredo, Texas where Gene was a pilot for the United States Air Force.  After they married, she kept house, had babies and “loved it”!  Pat and Gene had seven children; Jim (Linda), Gene (Betsy), John (Sara), Mike (Julie), Susan, Kathy (Chris), and Ellen (Jason).  They have sixteen grandchildren;  Jeff (Sue), Andy (Anna), Erin (Mark), Drew (Kathryn), Joshua, Kelly (Bryce), Steven, John, Michael, Hans, Ellen, Adam, Renee, Sampson, Sydney and Amy; and nine great-grandchildren, Olivia, Christine, Natalie, Lucy, Vivi, Graham, Hunter, Aspen, and Dylan.

The Air Force kept the Goss family on their toes.  Pat and Gene currently reside in Pearland, Texas but they lived in Illinois, Texas, Arizona, England, Nevada, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, California, North Carolina and Georgia – just to name a few.

At the age of 50, she went back to school for a Master’s degree in Counseling.  After retiring to Florida, Pat took some painting classes taught by artist Linda Holmes.  Pat’s paintings were featured in Coquina Crossings art gallery and have been admired by many.  Pat’s friendship with Linda went beyond painting and they supported each other through their cancer treatments and like good friends, they have many special memories shared between them.  Pat also made time to see the birth of grandchildren, attend baptisms, birthdays, graduations, sporting events, nurse pinning ceremonies, bar & bat mitzvahs and many other cherished occasions.  Pat traveled near and far to be with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren not only in the states but also in the Netherlands.

Pat’s favorite saying was “One day at a time” and she still liked the old-fashioned ways of life in the slow lane, sitting on the porch, quit talking, holding hands and going to Mass on Sunday.

“My wish for the future is that my grandchildren will make room for peace in their hearts and families.  That they will grow up knowing that their bodies are “earthen vessels” for their everlasting spirits and give each the care and attention they need.  That they will understand several things: we were meant for love alone-love is the work we do for self and others even when we don’t feel like it.  That we can change no one but ourselves, but we can change ourselves. And last but not least, that God loves them – always. So darling grandchildren and great grandchildren , you need to know that I love each of you and hope and pray for you all; that you may have happy and useful and long lives.  All my love, Grandma Goss” taken from her Grandma Remembers book.

A Visitation for Pat will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm with a Rosary recited at 7:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 11:00 am at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2209 Old Alvin Road, Pearland, Texas 77581, with Father Reginald Nesvadba officiating.  Interment will follow at Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Valkyrie Michele Schuenemann, 33, passed away on April 16, 2012.  She is survived by her parents, Cathy and Dixie Godfrey; daughters, Angel Marise Connelly and Haylie Rayne Schuenemann; sister, Zella Schuenemann Wheeler and husband, Nicholas; step sister, Deborah L. Tank; and a host of other family and friends.

Michele worked hard to receive her diploma and went on to college at Sam Houston State University.  She always loved horses and helped take care of her neighbor’s horses as she was growing up.  Michele enjoyed reading and playing video games.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and was especially good at impressions.  It was this wonderful trait that helped Michele and her family get through some of the harder days as she battled   her illness.  She and her sister Zella were as close as two sisters could be and even when they were fighting they would eventually forgive one another and were always there for each other.  Michele loved Angel and Haylie very much and even through her illness, their love grew stronger.  She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

A visitation for Michele will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 11:00 am at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 14007 South Freeway, Houston, Texas 77047 with Father James Payne officiating.

Miguel Zavala, 52, passed away on April 15, 2012.  He is preceded in death by his father, Jesus Zavala.  Miguel is survived by his mother, Maria (Arredondo) Zavala; his loving wife of 27 years, Maria Zavala; sons, Miguel Zavala and wife, Lupita Armenta, and Alex Zavala; daughter, Maritza Zavala; brothers, Alfredo, Esteban, Jesus, David and Juan Zavala; sisters, Arcelia Castro, Esther Botello, and Carmela Rocha; grandchild, Andrew Zavala; and a host of other family and friends.

Miguel worked in construction his entire life.  He enjoyed traveling to Mexico to see family and visit his mother.  Miguel was a happy person enjoyed dancing and having a good time.  He made friends wherever he went and lived life to the fullest.  Miguel was devoted to his family and was a good provider and example to his children.  He loved being a grandfather and was very proud of his family.  Miguel will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

A visitation for Miguel will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm with a Rosary recited at 7:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 11:00 am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 9900 Stella Link, Houston, Texas 77025.  Interment will follow at Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland, Texas.

Clyde Nolan Dodson Jr., 83, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2012 at Tuscany Village, after a long and fruitful life.  He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde N. Dodson Sr., his mother, Mable Chandler Dodson, his sister, Harriet Dodson Brashear, his first wife, Ettavee Fontenot Dodson, and a son, Clyde N. Dodson III.  Survivors include his estranged wife, Shirley C. Dodson of Alexandria; four sons, Randy S. Dodson of Houston, Texas, Andrew N. Dodson of Pearland, Texas, Matthew B. Dodson of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Jon C. Dodson of Houston, Texas; three step-children, Michael W. Behan of Hornbeck, Louisiana, Denise R. Ransbottom-Harvey of DeRidder, Louisiana and Karen M. Weathers of Gonzales, Texas; twelve grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Mr. Dodson was a native of Cameron, Texas where he grew up, but had lived in Anacoco, Louisiana for many years.  He was a retired Army officer who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Mr. Dodson received a medical retirement from the Army due to severe wounds received in Vietnam. He was later employed at Fort Polk, Louisiana at the Operation Officer for the Directorate of Engineering and Housing from which he retired in 1994.  Mr. Dodson had resided in the England Oaks Senior Living Community of Alexandria, Louisiana since June 1998.  He was active in the social life of the community where he had many friends.  He moved to Pearland, Texas in 2010 after bypass surgery to be close to family.

Mr. Dodson was a Life Member of The Military Order of the Purple Hearts, the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion and the National Rifle Association.  He served as the Inspector of the Department of Louisiana, Military Order of the Purple Heart from 2001 until 2006, Department Finance Officer from 2006 until 2010 and Commander of CENLA Chapter 1994 from 2006 until 2010.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Military Order of the Purple Hearts.

Visitation services for Clyde Nolan Dodson Jr. will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581.  The funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 9:00 am at Clayton Funeral Home with Pastor Keith Anderson of Pearland New Harvest Christian Fellowship Church officiating.  Burial will follow at Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

Sara Pacheco Estrada, 79, passed away on April 9, 2012.  Sara is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Moses Estrada; son, Ricky Estrada; daughter, Margie Murphy; grandchildren, Bridget Hughes, Parker Murphy, and Sarah Murphy; and a host of other family and friends.

Sara dedicated herself to education.  Newly married and speaking no English, it was through purchased language records and intense studying that Sara taught herself English.  She would also ride the bus around Houston and would engage people in conversations to learn to speak English.  Sara went to college and received her Bachelor degree in Education and started teaching.  She went back to school several years later and earned her Master’s degree. She taught in HISD for 45 years before retiring in 2011 and was awarded the Teacher of the Year and the Bilingual Teacher of the Year awards.  Throughout her career, she was offered many jobs in the Administration of the schools but she graciously turned them down so she could continue doing what she loved; teaching the children.  Sara will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her and the many students whose lives she touched.

A memorial service for Sara will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581 with Father James Payne from St. Thomas of Canterbury officiating.

Maria Elena Caraveo passed away on April 5, 2012 surrounded by her adoring family.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Prudencia Medrano.  Maria is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Victor Caraveo; sons, Miguel, Alfredo and Daniel Caraveo; daughter, Brenda Caraveo; siblings, Arnulfo Medrano, Rosa Baeza, Leticia Avitia, Sergio Medrano, Baltazar Medrano, Norma Medrano; and a host of other family and friends.

Maria was a kind and sweet person who was always available to listen and help family and friends with any problems or to give them good advice.  She loved to travel and enjoyed going on cruises.  Maria especially looked forward to working out and dancing Zumba with her sister.  She was the favorite of seven kids and always enjoyed traveling back to Mexico to spend time with her family and having “terapia” with her nieces and sisters over sweet bread and coffee.  Maria loved her family dearly and was proud of all of her children.  She had a strong faith and loved the Lord.  Maria will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

The visitation for Maria will be held on Monday, April 9, 2012 from 4:00 until 8:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77584 with Pastor Bertha Calvillo sharing words of comfort for family and friends at 6:00 pm and a Rosary recited at 7:00 with Deacon Cruz Trujillo.  The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:00 am at Clayton Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at SouthPark Cemetery.

Anna Marie Taylor, 85, passed away on March 31, 2012.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Carmelo and Lucia Palazzo; husband J. T. Taylor.  Anna is survived by her sons, David Taylor and wife Sherri, Gerard Taylor and wife Kim; Daughter, Dianna J. Taylor and husband Alan; brothers, Charles Palazzo and wife Lena, Tony Palazzo; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Anna loved children and was especially proud of her children and grandchildren.  She was affectionately known as Grandma and like many grandmothers, her grandkids could do no wrong. The grandchildren could always count on Grandma to having Reece’s peanut butter cups around the house.  Anna was proud of her Italian heritage and devoted to St. Helen Catholic Church.  She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

A visitation and Rosary will be held on Tuesday evening, April 3, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with the Rosary at 7:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581.  The memorial service will be on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 10:00 am at the funeral home with Father Reginald Nesvadba officiating.  Interment will take place at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at a later date.