In Memoriam: Bertie Rae Houck

Bertie Rae Houck, 87, of Corpus Christi passed away Friday, December 8th, after a very short battle with lung cancer. She was born October 18, 1919, in Henryetta, Oklahoma to James Henry and Nellie Lowry Cunningham. She married Luther Houck, June 5, 1937, in Henryetta, Oklahoma and shared 61 happy years with him. From that union were born three daughters.

She spent most of her married life in Corpus Christi and Papalote, Texas. Bertie was an organizer of many community events in Papalote and was an enthusiastic and active supporter of the Skidmore-Tynan school and the Papalote Volunteer Fire Department. She was an avid bowler over 30 years. During their retirement years, she and her husband traveled extensively across the United States and belonged to the Corpus Christi Land Sailors RV club. At the time of her death, she was a member of Parkdale Baptist Church in Corpus Christi.

In the five weeks prior to her death, Mrs. Houck resided in the home of Darlene Starry of Corpus Christi, who saw to her needs with compassion and love. Prior to that time, Mrs. Houck was fortunate to have had several other wonderful caregivers in her own home, namely Mary Meza, Melinda Garza, Lydia Gaitan and Benita Perez.

Her husband, parents, three brothers, three sisters and one grandson, Dennis Boudreau, preceded Bertie in death. Survivors are three daughters, Velma Jo (John) Kreis of Papalote, Texas, Carolyn (Larry) Boudreau of Corpus Christi, Texas and Ava (Ernie) Hurst of Beeville, Texas, ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Sawyer George Funeral Home in Annaville, Tuesday, December 12, 2006, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family members present from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at Parkdale Baptist Church in Corpus Christi with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. Services will be conducted by Rev. Luis Garcia at the church and Amador Ramirez at the gravesite. Pallbearers will be Amador Ramirez and son, John; Robert Graham and son, Eric; and David Treiber and son, Michael.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkdale Baptist Church Christian Care Center, the American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society.