Irma Gray Cobler

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Irma Gray Cobler of Waelder, Texas, passed away June 6, at the age of 104. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Joyce Cobler, parents John and May Harrell Gray, brothers Ralph, Edward, Wilmer, and Douglas Gray; sisters, Lois Hedberg, Hazel Yoast, and Audrey Yoast. She is survived by sons Richard and his wife Carol of Pipe Creek, Ernest and his wife Victoria of Waelder, and Harold and his wife Susan of Victoria, five grandchildren: Mark Cobler, John Cobler and wife Leah, Stephen Cobler, Jill Duncan and husband Randall, and Jennifer Arnold and husband Anthony, eleven great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

She was born Feb. 11, 1914, on the family farm near Jeddo, in Caldwell County. On the family 233-acre farm, like others of her era, she milked the cows, chopped cotton and yes, walked a couple of miles across pastures and along a dirt road to the Stewart Prairie school. The family moved to Gonzales County in 1928, where she graduated from Waelder High School in 1932.

Most of her career was spent as a nurse for Stewart M. Ponder, MD, of Waelder. It was during this time that practically everyone in Waelder knew Irma Cobler as she was the nurse that gave the shots.

After her nursing career ended near the age of 70, she stayed active in the community. She performed volunteer work at the Waelder Senior Citizen’s Center for approximately 30 years, including serving as the volunteer director for the center from age 95 to 100. In 2007, at the age of 93, she received the “Masonic Community Builder Award.” This award is presented to “one who year after year shows a devotion to their community and its people without expectation of awards or honors.”

Her community service also includes having served as a member of the Waelder New Millennium Lions Club. As a Lion, she earned both the “Lion of the Year” and “Achievement Award” for her services. She also served as a trustee of the Waelder City Library and the Waelder Methodist Church.

She was a member of the Waelder United Methodist Church for approximately 70 years, where she rarely missed the Sunday Morning Worship Service and the Wednesday Night Service.

She took pride in being a cancer survivor, having never smoked a cigarette, avoiding alcohol, and staying active.

Funeral services were provided on June 9, by Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, with Pastor JoAnn Leifeste officiating. Interment followed at the Waelder City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Anthony Arnold, John Cobler, Matt Cobler, Stephen Cobler Jr., Stephen Cobler Sr. and Randall Duncan.

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