Eva Elizabeth “Betty” Cannan

Eva Elizabeth “Betty” Cannan, 75, of Gonzales, passed away Sunday, Dec. 25. She was born May 8, 1941 in Houston, the daughter of Petronilo and Eva Elizabeth Reyes Esquivel.

She married James Wiley Cannan on June 4, 1978 in Austin. She attended Sam Houston State University and graduated with a degree in Business Management. She worked for several years as a business manager for Brown & Root. She and James later moved to Gonzales to the family ranch. She worked side by side with James on the ranch. She worked as a secretary at Gonzales Memorial Hospital and later as activity director at Rohmberg House. All through her life, Betty was devoted to children. Raising her 11 children and reaching out to their friends and any child she encountered. She was affectionately known as “Momma Betty” by many. She volunteered at Christus Santa Rosa in San Antonio working with the kids. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church in Gonzales and continued her work with kids by seeing to their spiritual needs.

She is survived by her husband James Wiley Cannan of Gonzales; daughters: Beverly Cathleen Cannan of Hector, Arkansas, Melissa Pannel of League City, Rachel Sasyn of Houston, Eva Elizabeth Hernandez of Houston, Christinia Erin Cannan of Gonzales; sons: Grover Cleveland Cannan of Gonzales, John Theodore Hernandez of Alvin, David Samuel Hernandez of Gonzales, James Edward Cannan and Irland Laurel Cannan both of San Francisco, CA and Emiliano Wiley Cannan of Gonzales; sister: Anna Christina Schnelle of Alvin; brothers: Petronilo Esquivel Jr. and Emilio Josue Esquivel both of Alvin. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 at the Presbyterian Church in Gonzales with Reverend Diana Whitley officiating. Interment will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 at the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin, TX.

Arrangements under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, Gonzales.