Austin Cameron Evans, 27, passed away on February 23, 2026, in Magnolia, Texas. Austin was a kind, loving, and compassionate man whose gentle spirit shaped the way he moved through the world. He had a natural sense of humor and an easy warmth that made others feel welcome and understood. Born on May 28, 1998, and lovingly guided by his devoted grandparents, Larry and Diana Evans, who were a steady and influential presence throughout his life. Their love and care helped shape the thoughtful man he became. Austin had a deep love for the outdoors and felt most at home outside. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, playing corn hole with friends and family, and spending time in the fresh air doing the activities he loved. Above all else, Austin cherished being a father. His son, Zachary, was the greatest joy of his life, and he treasured every moment spent playing, laughing, and simply being together. Austin is survived by his beloved son, Zachary; his grandparents, Larry and Diana; his mother, Jennifer; his two brothers, John and Donovan; his sister, Marie; and other loving family members and friends. Austin will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his gentle heart and unwavering love for others.
Visitation: Monday, March 9, 2026, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am at McWilliams Funeral Home, 706 Bremond St., Hempstead, TX 77445. Funeral Services: Monday, March 9, 2026, at 10:00 am at McWilliams Funeral Home with burial following at Salem Cemetery, Hempstead.
Dorothy Mae Cooke, 84, of Hempstead, Texas, passed away Friday, February 6, 2026. She was born September 20, 1941, to Gilbert Eckermann and Libby Sebesta Eckermann in Bellville, Texas. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Cooke and is survived by her sons Roger Cooke and wife Lisa, and Darrell Cooke and girlfriend Dineen, Sister Marilyn Klump and husband Warren, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Graveside memorial services will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 am Salem Cemetery, Hempstead, Texas with Pastor Tom Dobbs officiating under the direction of McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
Travis Morehead passed away with son Ryan “Bear” Morehead and brother Charles “CJ” Ortega on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 12:45 pm in a vehicle accident.
Travis Owen Morehead, 46, was born April 7, 1979, in Peru, Indiana to Cynthia Ortega. He grew up in Hempstead, Texas and attended Hempstead High School where he became good friends with many people and even met his wife. In 1998, Travis and his brother Charles “CJ” joined the Hempstead Volunteer Fired Department and served for many years fighting fires among Hempstead VFD, Bellville VFD, and Rolling Hills VFD. He and his wife Melissa had three children. In 2006, he became a Correctional Officer for TDCJ, where he served for almost 20 years. He became the president of the Woodman Life Chapter 2053 and maintained the title from 2022-2024. He was a member of the Community of Faith Church. One of the many things he loved to do with his family was to go on cruises to new places.
Ryan Alexander “Bear” Morehead, 21,was born on May 15, 2004, in Brenham, Texas to Travis and Melissa Morehead. He grew up in Bellville, Hempstead, and Waller. He graduated from Waller High School in 2024. Ryan was an active member of the community; he was a junior volunteer firefighter with the Rolling Hills VFD from 2015-2018, he was an active Woodman Life Chapter 2053 member, he attended Community of Faith Church, and he attended several events at Camp Journey in Bellville, Texas. Ryan never met a stranger, only a friend he didn’t know yet.
Charles Joseph “CJ” Ortega, 45, was born on May 9, 1980, in Bellville, Texas to Elyane Ortega. He was a lifetime resident of Hempstead. After graduating from HHS, he worked various jobs but spent eight years serving the TDCJ Wallace Pack Unit as a Correctional Officer. He was a member and later president of Woodman Life Chapter 2053, following his brother Travis. CJ liked helping people and became an EMS-EMT Basic in Waller County. His greatest love was being a fireman. He became a member of the Hempstead VFD at age 18. He was also a member of the Rolling Hills VFD. When not fighting fires, CJ loved being outdoors. He could be found on cruises, beach get-aways and spending time with his dog Dirk. He enjoyed going to movies, eating out, playing games, and BBQing with Travis, family, and friends.
Travis, CJ, and Ryan are preceded in death by father/grandfather Eddie V. Ortega, grandparents Charles and Edna Taylor, aunts Karen Bennatte and Jeanette Taylor, and uncles Jimmie Bennatte and Dennis M. Taylor. They are survived by mother/nana Elyane Ortega, wife/sister-in-law/mom Melissa Morehead, daughter/niece/sister Kimberly and husband Cory Heggins, son/nephew/brother Jason Morehead, granddaughter/great niece/niece Opal, grandsons/great nephews, nephews Cayden and Tobias, and many extended family members and friends including uncles Gary and Keith Taylor, cousins Matt, Curtis, Kevin, Stephen, Josh, Katy, Chuck, Julie, Janet, Laura, Tina and husband Josh. Travis and Ryan are also survived by in-laws/grandparents Robert and Phyllis Cole.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 am at McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead with Brother Philip “Deke” McWilliams officiating.
Sharon Kathleen Davis, 81, of Waller, Texas passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026. She was born October 17, 1944, to Leonard Davis and Renna Lambeth Davis in Houston, Texas. Sharon was a teacher in the Aldine Independent School District. She is survived by numerous nieces and her godson, Daniel Figueroa. Graveside Services: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 1:00 pm at Atkinson Cemetery, Chappell Hill, Texas with Pastor Henry Garza officiating under the direction of McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
Gwendolyn Marie Pogue Cernosek
April 29, 1943 – January 17, 2026
Gwen surrounded by her loving family, took Jesus’ hand and peacefully stepped into heavenly glory on Saturday January 17, 2026. Gwen was born on April 29, 1943, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Murry and Marie Pogue. The family lived in Corpus Christi until 1944, when they moved to Lexington, Texas. Gwen attended elementary school through high school where she graduated from Lexington High School in 1962. Shortly after graduation, Gwen moved to Houston, Texas, where she married Gary Plant. Together they welcomed three children: Wendy, Cary, and Tandy. Her children remained the greatest joys of her life. After 32 years of marriage, Gwen’s life took a new and beautiful turn when she met her second great love, John Cernosek. They married in 2000. Gwen and John built their forever home in Hempstead, Texas, where they became devoted members of First Baptist Church in Hempstead. Their life together was rich with shared passions antiquing, gardening, traveling, music, dancing, and time spent with family. They also cherished their time in Rockport, Texas where they built their bay house that became a gathering place for rest, laughter, and memories. Gwen worked faithfully as a paralegal for many years and retired in 1999. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and compassion for others were evident in every chapter of her career. Above all, Gwen’s heart belonged to her family. Her children were her proudest accomplishment, and she adored each one of her grandchildren and great‑grandchildren. Gwen is survived by her devoted husband of 25 years, John Cernosek; daughter Wendy Galloway (son-in-law Shannon); daughter Tandy Rae Pavlock (son-in-law Daniel); son Cary Plant (daughter-in-law Shelly); sisters Lorraine Benhamu and Geraldine Reat; six grandchildren; three great‑grandchildren; one niece; two nephews; and numerous cousins and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Murry and Marie Pogue.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 23, 2026, at 12:00 pm at First Baptist Church , 445 Main Street, Hempstead, Texas 77445 with Chaplain Brent Sims officiating under the direction of McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead.
Mildred “Millie” Louise Greeley entered eternal rest on January 6, 2026. She was born on July 17, 1940, in East Bernard, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Mildred Srubar, and her sisters, Jeanette Sheffield and Yvonne Jean Srubar. She is dearly loved and will be missed by her family. She is survived by her children, Renee Barry, David Barry, Robert Greeley and wife Amanda. Her grandchildren, Lauren Barrett and husband Austin, David Barry, Chance Barry, Lane Barry, Ryan Perkins, Chase Greeley, and Luke Greeley. Great-grandchildren Reagan Haun, Killian Sylvester, Liam Sylvester, Jackson Barrett, Blaise Barrett, and Skyler Ray Cameron. Her niece, Cynthia Thigpen, and husband Mike and family. And last but not least, her loyal companion, Spike, a small terrier. Mildred enjoyed visiting with family and friends, gardening, yard work, baking cakes for family, friends, and church events. She enjoyed watching “The Voice” and was a longtime fan of “American Idol.” She really liked telling and hearing a good joke. Her family will truly miss her good food, sense of humor, and her unconditional love. She was a good mom and “Gramaud.”
Visitation: Monday, January 19, 2026, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a rosary at 7:00 pm at McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead. Funeral Service: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Katharine Drexel Church, Hempstead. Burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hempstead.
Lynda Marie Abke Johnson, age 77 passed away on January 15, 2026 in College Station Texas. She was born August 4, 1948 in Houston, Texas to Clara Lou Davis and Louis H. Schmidt. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles Abke, husband William Reavis Johnson, brother Ronald Schmidt, Sr., sister Carolyn Easter and grandson Brian Keith Becvar.
Lynda is survived by her children Rhonda Becvar and husband Keith, Gary Abke and wife Melanie, Larry Abke and wife Julie, daughter Susan Abke and significant other Eric Wellborn, extra daughters – her nieces Amber Buerger and Jodi Evans, bonus children Heather Perry and husband Rex, Crystal Funk and husband Karl, Steve Johnson and wife Nina, and Glen Johnson, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, twelve step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Joyce Murski and husband William, brother Donald Schmidt and wife Tedda, and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives. Pallbearers are Dustin Abke, Clayton Abke, Levi Steely, Braden Roehling, Brian Sandifer and Brentley Sandifer. Honorary pallbearers are Bryleigh, Brady, Colt, Coen, Collyns, Caroline, Casey, Emily, Elliott, Crew, Emmary, Emie, Brailey, Brooks and Maci.
Visitation will be Monday, January 19, 2026 at 10 a.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home, 706 Bremond St, Hempstead. Services will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Tom Dobbs officiating. Interment will be at Whitehall-Fairview Cemetery.
Jimmie Carolyn Roebuck Wilkerson passed away on January 7, 2026, at the age of 84. She was the devoted wife of nearly 64 years to Thomas Earl Wilkerson and a loving mother to Phillis (Tamara), Tommy, Kathy (Greg), Belinda, Joe (Kym), Cindy (Jim), and Wendy. She was also a cherished grandmother and great-grandmother to numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. Jimmie faced her health challenges with courage until the end. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Born to Nathan and Pearl Roebuck in Meridian, Mississippi, Jimmie later moved to Texas, where she met and married the love of her life, Thomas Earl Wilkerson, in 1962. Together, they raised their family in Magnolia, Texas, where they shared their lives until her passing. Jimmie enjoyed cooking, reading, quilting, gardening, and especially fishing. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family and friends, which brought her the greatest happiness. Jimmie is preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Pearl Roebuck; her brothers, Tilman, Ivan, and Larry Roebuck; her sisters, Rachel Thompson, Marie Mears, Mildred Thompson, Ruby Schnur, Claudine Crane, Gloria Roebuck, Edna McKim, and Elizabeth Bond; and her daughter, Wendy Tant.
Services will be held at McWilliams Funeral Home, 706 Bremond Street, Hempstead, Texas, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Burial will take place Thursday, January 15, 11:00 a.m. at Wellborn Cemetery, 6783 Victoria Ave., College Station, TX 77845.
Jimmie and Thomas had a heart for helping stray dogs. In their later years, they rescued many and gave them loving homes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Third Coast Pets Alive or to a local animal rescue. Mom, you will be deeply missed and forever loved. Rest in peace in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will see you again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”