STEWART, ELNOR MYRL CATES (1930 ~ 2015). The following is an obituary for Myrl Cates Stewart McNamara, spouse of former Texas State Banking Commissioner Bob Stewart. She is buried in Lufkin, Texas at Sims Rocky Hill Cemetery. The obituary was provided by Carroway Funeral Home of Lufkin.
Funeral services for Myrl Cates McNamara, 85, of Onalaska will be held Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Alex Montilla officiating. Interment will follow in the Sims (Rocky Hill) Cemetery.
Mrs. McNamara was born April 6, 1930 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Monroe and Lila Viva (Veteto) Cates, and died Wednesday, August 12, 2015 in Lufkin. Mrs. McNamara was a 1948 graduate of Huntington High School. After graduation she served as cashier at the Perry Brother’s Cafeteria for several years. She was a member of the State Officials Wives Club and the Red Hat Society. Mrs. McNamara was very active in various community activities in Onalaska.
Her first husband, Robert E. “Bob” Stewart, was the Texas State Banking Commissioner from 1970-1983. Mrs. McNamara was a member of a state championship bowling team for several years and was an avid Texas Longhorn fan. She was a member of Rocky Hill Missionary Baptist Church and attended the First Baptist Church of Onalaska.
Survivors include her sister, Doris Griggs of Lufkin; sister-in-law, Nell Sessions of Lufkin; nieces, Janice Knight and husband Don of Lufkin, Marilyn Griggs of Austin, Michelle Bullock and husband Art of The Woodlands, Sherry Massingill and husband David, Darlene Modisette, Wanda Clark and husband Lynn, all of Lufkin; and nephews, Robert Lynn Cates and wife Janet, Allen Ray Cates and wife Freida, all of Lufkin, and J.C. Barnett and wife Judy of Grapeland.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Robert E. “Bob” Stewart; second husband, Francis “Frank” McNamara; sisters, Essie Jones, Thelma Morgan and Billie Moss; brothers, Clifford Cates, Earl Cates (her twin), Robert Cates, Jessie Cates, and Odell Cates; and niece, Patsy Modisette.
The family extends special thanks to Sherril McClendon, Melissa Hubbard, the Staff of Hospice in the Pines, Katie Falbro, Vanessa Lopez, Evette Hart, David Modisette, the Staff at PineCrest, Dr. Clarence Haynes, and Chaplain Alex Montilla. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
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