Previous Services

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 12:45 p.m. (Not before 12:30 p.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Charles E. Neff Jr., age 73, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 21, 2023. Born on June 3, 1949 in Houston, Texas the second child to parents Charles and Margaret Neff. He graduated from Pearland High School in 1967 and the University of Houston Central Campus in 1977. He went on to pursue his passion in electrical engineering – returning later to The U of H College of Optometry where he received the President’s Excellence Award and then was bestowed the prestigious McElhinney Distinguished Service Award. Charles proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, where he served aboard the USS Ranger Aircraft Carrier as an avionics technician, thereby receiving numerous awards for outstanding service. 

Charles met and married the love of his life, Bobbie Jean Cockrell in 1969. Charles leaves to mourn, his wife Bobbie of 54 years, his son Michael Neff, daughter in law, Brandy, daughter Natalie Pesek and son in law, Paul. He leaves behind his four beloved grandchildren: Addison, Jace, Madee, and Kaleb. Sister: Jeanette and brother-in-law, William Morris, Brother in-law Melvin Cockrell and Sister-in-law, Diana Cockrell. Nieces: Paige, Krissy, Erin. Nephews: Wayne and Dwayne. A service for Family and close friends will be held at Houston National Cemetery on Monday, May 1, 2023. Charles will be buried with full military honors.

Visitation: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel: 1:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Air Force

Houston Honor Guard

James Eric Heath 85 of Houston, TX entered into God’s kingdom on April 23, 2023. He will be missed by his partner of 10 years Teresa Langford; daughters, Susan (Eric) Osten, Debra (Randy) Simpson; sons, Jim (Betty) Heath, Eric (Kelly) Heath; brothers, Raymond (Lou Marie) Heath, Marcus (Emma) Heath; nephews, Roderick (Cynthia) Heath, Douglas (Shelly) Heath, Travis Heath; grandchildren, Jeremy (Alyssa) McCool, Brett Simpson, Robert (Vanessa) Simpson, Stephanie (Brandon) Whispell, Ashley Heath, James Heath, Jade Heath, and Madeline Heath plus many great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by wife Gillian Heath, brother Thomas Lynn Heath, father James E. Heath, and mother Lois Heath.  Visitation 11:30 am Fri. May 5, 2023 with funeral to follow at 1pm, Veterans Funeral Services, 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston 77038. Graveside 2:00 pm Fri. May 5, 2023, Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. 

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 11:15 a.m. (Not before 11:00 a.m.)

Visitation:  11:30 a.m.

Chapel:  1:00 p.m.

Procession to Houston National Cemetery

 Visitation: 12:00 p.m.

Procession to Houston National Cemetery

September 9, 1930 – May 16, 2023   

92 Years old 

Born Alma Smith to John and Annie Smith in Weimar, TX. 

Alma met and married Douglas Gates, they were married over 50 years, they had 4 children.  She is survived by her brother Leon Smith and his wife Beth, her son Calvin Gates and his wife Laura, her daughter Laura Pilgrim and her son Robert Gates.  She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren.

Alma lost her mother at 11 years old. She raised her two brothers and had to take over the household to help her dad, for which she did happily.  She devoted her life to being a wife and mother, her passion was gardening, painting and tinkering (there wasn’t anything that she couldn’t fix or repair).  She had boundless energy for which few could keep up with.   Alma was loved by many and will be greatly missed. 

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 2:15 p.m. (Not before 2:00 p.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

 Thomas Lee "Tom" Woodall resident of Houston, Texas died on May 14, 2023 at age 78 in Conroe, Texas due to an extended respiratory illness. Born in November 1944 in Wilmington, Delaware to H. R. (Woody) Woodall and Allison Darst Woodall, Tom grew up in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Tom’s dad finished his career at Dupont Chemical Company retiring as VP of International Sales. An athletic boy, Tom was 2nd baseman on his Little League team that won the Philadelphia area championship and was a member of Rose Valley Swim Club’s powerhouse team in freestyle. As an adult Tom was an avid golfer and member of Riverbend Country Club in Sugar Land. In 1966 Tom graduated from the University of Virginia and entered military service graduating from Armor OCS at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Commissioned First Lieutenant US Army he served in the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany stationed on the East German Border. He was promoted to Assistant Adjutant and later to Adjutant. After an honorable discharge Tom moved to Houston, enrolled at the University of Houston Law Center and received his J.D. in 1973. Following law school, Tom began the private practice of law, mainly family law, in Houston. Through newlyauthorized lawyer advertising,Tomprovided legalservices to countless Houstonians, enabling them to obtain low-cost no-fault divorces and move on with their lives. He continued actively practicing law for nearly fifty years. Tom was preceded in death by both parents and his sisters Allison Eden of Wyoming and Elaine Woodall of New York City. He is survived by his nephews Woody Taft and Dudley Taft, Jr., both of Cincinnati, Ohio and many friends and colleagues around the world. A military funeral will be conducted Tuesday May 23, 2023 at 2:15 PM at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Tx 77038. Guests will assemble in Lane 2 of the cemetery beginning at 2 PM and proceed to a shelter for military honors at 2:15 PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Tunnel to Towers Foundation,  website: t2t.org/donate 

Gathering: 9:30 a.m.

Chapel: 10:15 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 11:15 a.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Air Force 

Houston Honor Guard

To many he was known as Jack but to his loving family he was "Grandpa”

His look was stern and his voice was scary but when Grandpa joined us in laughter, that's when his heart of gold shined the brightest. We could all breathe easy, laughing and loving our time together in our closely knitted family.

Jack "Grandpa" was born in Corpus, Christi, Texas, he graduated from Tuloso-Midway High School in 1962 and joined the United States Airforce in 1963. He was a proud Airman serving the 96 Sec Police SQ (SAC) from 1965 to 1969. After proudly serving his country, he started at Marathon Oil in the mail room where he worked his way up while completing his degree to becoming a Senior Systems Analyst at Exxon/Mobile where he worked and retired from after 30 plus years

In 2004 Jack joined the "North Houston" chapter in the San Jacinto High Rollers motor- cycle group with the road name "Lobo". He served as Secretary. In 2006 he was appointed President of the newly formed "Lost Chapter" where he served until his passing.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Jesusa "Josie" (Grandma) Castillo and their 3 children Raul, Jack III and Yvonne. His adored grandchildren, Zachary, Candace, Alexis, Anthony (Tiger), Cera, Brooke and Kendra. His Great-grandchildren, Teeny, Akea, Rome and Baby Zachary. Jack also had a love for all his beloved pets who all are missing him dearly.

Jack will be dearly missed by his loving family and by those who considered him family.

Ride wild and free Grandpa and please look in on us from time to time. Until we meet again. 

Love US!