In Memoriam

In Memory of Victoria Vydrzal

Victoria Vydrzal was born in Smithville, Texas, on July 28, 1921, to Charles Vyvjala, Sr. and Sofie (Kubicek) Vyvjala. She had two brothers Alfred Vyvjala and Charlie Vyvjala, Jr.

She is survived by her children, Gene Grohman (Joanne) of Smithville, Barbara Dean (Gary) of Beaumont, and Billy Vydrzal (Nancy) of Smithville; and grandchildren Vicki Lynn West, Stanley Vydrzal (Gloria), Tracy Johnson (Doug), Doug Vydrzal (Amber), Shane Lance Brown, Chris Colvin, Becky High (Jeff), and Melanie Seaman (Tim); and stepson Roger Wyatt (Susan) of England; great-grandchildren Seth and Connor Vydrzal, Alex, Abby, and Emmy Johnson, Dax and Vivian Vydrzal, Caleb and Hailey Brown, Kristopher, Rylee, and Sophia Colvin, Samuel Seaman, and Ashley Traver (Ryan).

Victoria (Vicky) was born in a little white house near the railroad tracks in Smithville, Texas. She grew up on Yeager Street in the little house with red trim that still stands today. She spent almost her entire life around Smithville, and she loved the town and everyone there.

They were very poor - there was no running water inside the house and no electricity. Water was heated outside in pots to wash clothes and dishes. Vicky’s parents were Czech and spoke almost no English at home. She learned the English language after starting school.

She had two dresses and one pair of shoes to wear, and they walked everywhere that they went around town. They ate a lot of pork and beans and also watermelon and bread for supper. She usually carried hardboiled eggs for her school lunches. When Victoria was 12 years old, her mother had tuberculosis and was sent to Kerrville for treatment. Those were difficult, challenging times preparing her for the length of time The Lord knew she would be facing in this life.

Victoria attended schools in Smithville and while in high school, she was in the pep squad cheering on the Tigers. She only missed one half of a day of classes throughout her four years in high school, and she proudly graduated in May 1939. She had several jobs throughout her lifetime and was always a dedicated, hard worker. Victoria worked at Camp Swift during World War II as a clerical typist for more than two years. They kept inventory for all the equipment our government was sending overseas to our military bases. After the war was ending, she began working at the Jewel Motel Victoria Vydrzal Restaurant in Smithville, attending night school in Austin to become a key punch operator. From there, she went to work for the Selective Service Board for five years and also at IRS. After that, she attended Nixon Clay College for two years (1973 to 1975) and got an associate’s degree in accounting. Then she took the postal exam and got the job in Smithville becoming the first-ever female rural carrier in the Smithville area. She loved that job and missed delivering mail up to the end of her life. In 1947, she met the love of her life, Stan Vydrzal. They worked hard together to provide a good life for their family. Dad grew and raised our food, and Mom cooked and canned most of it. She made kolaches, homemade bread, and the best sausage wraps ever - and her pecan pies were amazing! We had a wood stove for heat and on cold nights, Mom would warm up blankets by the stove and come wrap up each one of us in bed. She always took us to church and taught us how to pray. She worked very hard and always did so much for her children. During those years, our family spent a lot of time visiting with our extended Vydrzal and Vyvjala families; grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all our cousins. Victoria was also a lifetime member of SPJST Lodge 38, Kovar where she made many donations to various functions there. She also belonged to the local VFW Post 1309 for many years and always supported them as well. She loved the Veterans. Her husband (Stan) passed away suddenly in 1958 leaving her with four children to raise - ages 16, 11, 9, and 8. She was devastated, but she went to work to provide for us and made sure we had a home to live in. Mom would sit, talk, and listen to us throughout all ages and stages of our lives, always offering to help and guide us through whatever we were facing. She was the most generous mother. She embraced her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the same manner, she was their Mema. They were all dearly loved by her, and she was so proud of her family.

In the late 60s, she met her wonderful companion, Alfred Merkord, Jr. She enjoyed spending her time and life with him, they shared many wonderful memories together, and he became family until his passing in 2011.

In 1983, Victoria’s heart was broken when she lost her son, Leroy Vydrzal, to cancer. After his death, she always said the hardest thing she had ever done was to give up her child. In 1986, she lost her daddy, Charles Vyvjala, Sr., who lived the same length of time on this earth as she did - a couple months shy of 100.

Vicky cared for herself most of her life; however, as she got older, Gene Grohman and Billy Vydrzal and their wives were always available if she needed them. At age 94, Victoria experienced a few health issues and decided to spend some time with her daughter Barbara and son-in-law Gary in the Beaumont-Golden Triangle area. Her health improved, and she really began enjoying her life there. We took her shopping, and she drove the store carts, went out to restaurants and all kinds of celebrations, especially those honoring the Veterans as she was very patriotic. The Senior Citizen Center in Port Neches was a special place. She made several new friends at the center, and one gentleman, Mr. David, encouraged her to read and she did. She loved reading books about World War II and the military dogs. We also locally attended a church/Bible study group with some wonderful Christian people. She loved them all, and she loved “praising the Lord.” Vicky faithfully watched YouTube videos of all the services at Believer’s in Christ Fellowship in Smithville. Her daughter-in-law, Joanne Grohman, is the pastor and her son, Gene Grohman, is the music minister.

Sadly, life began changing after the pandemic, and she was learning that some of her friends were passing on and it was sad. Vicky’s family had planned a huge 99th birthday celebration for her last year, and everything was cancelled because of the virus. She really missed seeing her family and friends. Every night, she prayed with her daughter and after her favorite prayer, “The Lord’s Prayer,” every family member and friend were mentioned along with their needs were prayed for. She also prayed for them in the mornings as they traveled to work and then she read Scriptures. Victoria loved her precious Lord and Savior and was not afraid to tell anyone about Him. She loved The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace, and The Bible. Victoria accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and life as her Lord and personal Savior years ago, and she called upon Him frequently.

The last thing she said to her daughter was, “See you in the morning.”

Victoria was a beautiful woman inside and out. She was strong, honest, realistic, dedicated and determined, an amazing person, and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Her absence from our lives leaves a void that will never be replaced.

Serving as pallbearers were Stanley Vydrzal, Doug Vydrzal, Shane Brown, Chris Colvin, Chris Vyvjala, and Doug Johnson.

Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 6 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home in Smithville. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 7 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home with burial following at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville. —SPJST—

In Memory of Anne Green

Anne Patricia Green, age 78, of Temple, Texas, passed from this life during the afternoon hours of Sunday, June 13, 2021, at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple. She was born on March 26, 1943, in Rosebud to parents Leo “Sam” William Green and Leona Elizabeth Dolle.

In Anne’s younger years, she attended school at Cyclone, St. Jo- Anne Green seph’s parochial school, and Rogers. She graduated from Marian High School in Bellaire in 1960. Anne made a long career for herself as a secretary having worked for Gestetner Office Machines in Fort Worth, Scott and White Hospital in Temple, and for the