Upcoming Services

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #1 @ 10:00 a.m. (Not before 9:45 a.m.)

A life well lived.   It is with profound sadness that I would like to announce the passing of Viola Agnes Bludau Patten on Friday, 21 March 2025.  She was just three days shy of her 97th birthday. She was a beloved wife, devoted mother of three children, grandmother and great grandmother.  Born in Moulton, Texas 1928 proceeded in death by her husband of 65 years Ernold Patten.  Her family was her greatest treasure.  She loved trips with them, dining out with them, and enjoyed all the holidays.  Her wit and charm never failed her no matter what the circumstances were she faced.   A quiet prayer for mom:  a loving nature, a heart of gold ,the very best mother of this world could hold ,never selfish ,always kind, there  are memories you left behind, a silent thought, a quiet prayer, for a special mother in God‘s care.  

In lieu of flowers please send to the Alzheimer’s organization of your choice. 

Thank you all. 

Gather: 12:30 p.m.

Chapel: 1:00 p.m.

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

Gaylene Annette Kerr Banister, 78, passed away from renal failure on Saturday March 15, 2025 at her home in Cypress, Texas. She was born on August 4, 1946 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Roger and Lois Kerr and grew up in Summit Township, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Ft. LaBeouf High School in 1964. During high school, Gaylene spent a summer in the Netherlands as a foreign-exchange student and was proud of herself for being a small town girl who was able to travel overseas. Gaylene married James L. Banister in 1965 after a chance meeting at the local McDonalds. In 1966 she and their infant son, Jimmy, were able to travel to and live with James in Okinawa where he was stationed with the Navy during the Vietnam War. The couple returned to the States in 1968 and a daughter, Heather, was born in 1970.

Gaylene and her family moved to Midland, Texas in 1979 where she became a computer programmer and later, a desktop publisher working for Randall’s grocery chain and Mitsubishi-Caterpillar designing fliers and manuals. Gaylene had many hobbies and talents. She was a consummate foodie who loved to cook and try new recipes and create her own dishes. She was talented at sewing, cross-stitch and knitting. She was especially passionate about genealogy and learning about family history.

Gaylene was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Lois Kerr and her husband of 43 years, James L. Banister, Sr., her granddaughter Carolyn Banister and her great-grandson Luis Leal. Gaylene is survived by her son James. L. Banister, Jr. (wife Leslie), her daughter Heather (husband John), her brother Wayne (wife Chris), four grandchildren (Leslea Rosa (wife Ilia), Laura Caban, Robert Banister & Alyssandra Burgess) and many great-grandchildren.

A service to honor Gaylene’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 12:30 pm at Veteran’s Funeral Services, located at 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. She will be buried next to her beloved husband James in the Houston National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Kidney Fund, or your local SPCA. 

Gather: 10:30 a.m.

Chapel: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Gather: 9:30 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 11:30 a.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 12:00 p.m.

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