Obituaries, August 4th 2010

Ludchurch

The death occurred on July 8th at her home, Maes Glas, Ludchurch, of Hannah Rhyannon Evans. Know as Ray, she was 76.

Ray was the wife of the late Raymond, mum of Anthony, Daryl and Janice, mother-in-law of Lynette, Lisa and Andrew, nan of Aled, Sion, Tomas, James and Hannah and great grandmother of Carys.

She was the seventh of 11 children. She spent her early years in Narberth and Sodston Farm, Bethesda, and during the Second World War the family were moved to Cold Blow.

Up until an early age she could only speak Welsh, and learned English when she attended Templeton School. After leaving school, Ray worked in domestic service and then became a nanny to an Italian family who owned a café in Narberth. It was while in Tenby that she met Raymond Evans. The couple were married in 1953 and spent 43 happy years together until his death in 1996. When the children were in school, Ray worked as an assistant housekeeper at the Clarence Hotel in Tenby, where she made many friends.

She will be remembered for her sense of humour, her caring nature and her love of holidays and shopping. The day before she died she was on a shopping spree in Carmarthen, buying clothes for a trip to Newcastle to celebrate her great granddaughter’s first birthday.

She was proud that she managed her own gardening right up until her death. She enjoyed holidays and in her latter years became know as ‘supergran’ due to her exploits abroad.

The funeral took place on July 15th at Parc Gwyn Crematorium. Rev Elwyn John officiated, accompanied by Rev Chris Rees, who read the lesson. The bearers were her grandsons, Aled, Sion, Tomas and James.

Chief mourners were: Dr and Mrs Anthony Evans, Mr and Mrs Daryl Evans (sons and daughters-in-law); Mr and Mrs Andrew Rees (daughter and son-in-law); Mr and Mrs Aled Evans (grandson and wife); Sion Evans, Tomas Rees, James Rees (grandsons); Hannah Williams (granddaughter); Carys Evans (great granddaughter), Mr and Mrs Ellis Mason, Mr and Mrs Phillip Mason, Mr and Mrs Brian Mason (brothers and sisters-in-law); Mr and Mrs Alf Scourfield, Mr and Mrs Peter Thomas (sisters and brothers-in-law); plus many nephews, nieces, family and friends too numerous to mention. Unable to attend were Bronwen Lewis, Coura Evans and Eileen Evans (sisters-in-law).

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and Narberth Health Centre being sent to David Morris, of Hywel Evans, 3 Wesley Villas, Station Road, Narberth, SA67 7DS, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs Y Harris

Pembroke Dock

The death of Yvonne Harris, of Pennar, Pembroke Dock, occurred on May 8th. She was 60.

Yvonne was born in Cannock, Staffordshire, in 1950.

She married Les in 1966 and they raised three children. After holidaying in Pembrokeshire, in the mid-1970s they decided to make a new life in the county.

Yvonne enjoyed various jobs, including working with adults with learning difficulties in Pater Close, Pembroke Dock.

She was devoted to her family and she had a great passion for her garden, in which she spent many a happy hour. She was also an active member of a local darts team.

The funeral took place on May 14th at Parc Gwyn. Rev Nigel Thomas officiated, and the bearers were Grant Harris, Edward Harris, Jason Wheeler, Laurence Rogers, Steven John and Sam John.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Les (husband); Grant and Susan (son and daughter-in-law); Nicola and Jason, Yvonne and Laurence (daughters and sons-in-law); Alice (mother), Debbie and Steven (sister and brother-in-law), Kevin and Chris (brother and sister-in-law); Claire and Andrew (granddaughter and partner); Edward and Lori (grandson and partner); Hannah, Jay, Lauren and Thomas (grandchildren); Sam, Shaun, Nathan, Carla and Jack (nephews and nieces), best friends Chris and Martin Harris and also many close friends and neighbours.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by John Roberts and Son, Pembroke Dock.

Mrs L. Rees

Letterston

The funeral service took place on July 21st of Lilian Rees, formerly of Station Road, Letterston, who died on July 15th at Langton Hall Care Home, Scleddau. She was 103.

Lilian was born at Fog, a smallholding in Castlebythe. She married David Rees, a tailor from Hayscastle, and in 1939 moved to Good Hope Farm, Letterston, until retirement in 1961.

She played an active part in community life, and had been a faithful member of Horeb Chapel since 1939 where she was a deacon, trustee and precentor. In 1994 she was honoured with the Gee Medal for her faithfulness to the Sunday School.

Lilian was a member of Letterston WI, Fishguard Stroke Club, and the LARCS. She also enjoyed all sorts of sport, especially rugby and snooker, was an avid reader and was a keen and able gardener.

Lilian enjoyed travelling, visiting the Holy Land and many European countries, and also enjoyed flying by Concorde when she was 91.

The large gathering at the funeral service at Horeb Chapel, Letterston, and at Parc Gwyn Crematorium was an indication of the respect, affection and high esteem that people had for Lilian. The service was officiated by Rev Geoffrey Eynon, assisted by Rev John Stuart Roberts, Gwyn Rogers and Emlyn Jones.

The bearers at the service in Letterston were John Lewis, Alan Griffiths, Lionel Frost and Denzil Phillips (friends), and at Narberth were Randall Rees (son), Wyn and Edwin Morris (cousins) and Del Davies (friend).

The principal mourners are: Randall and Pat Rees (son and daughter-in-law); together with other family, friends and neighbours too numerous to mention.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Horeb Chapel and Christian Aid being received by Rev Geoffrey Eynon, Y Mans, Wolfscastle, Haverfordwest, SA62 5NB.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons, Fishguard.

Mr M. Mathias

Camrose

The death of Mervyn Mathias, of Court House, Wolfsdale, Camrose, occurred on March 23rd, following a short illness.

Born at Chapel Hill, Camrose, Mervyn spent his childhood on the family farm with his parents and six sisters, Phyllis, Sybil, Joan, Beatrice, Gwyneth, and Jean. When their father died, Mervyn took over the running of the family business.

He married Marion Hancock in 1951 and they had three children, Martin, Roger and Moira.

The couple farmed at Chapel Hill until 1978 when they moved to Court House, Wolfsdale. Although retired, Mervyn continued to advise at Chapel Hill and Furzy Mount.

Apart from his family and farming, Mervyn’s other commitment was to Wolfsdale UR Church. He was a regular attendee and held the post of treasurer for more than 49 years.

He was a former chairman of Camrose Community Council, and chairman of the Haverfordwest and Camrose branch of the NFU.

In 1984 he was one of the main instigators of the Camrose Vintage Working Day and he gave his full support and assistance since that first year. He loved wood and spent a great deal of time in his retirement years at his lathe, giving away many of the items he ‘turned’ to friends and family.

A measure of the high regard in which he was held was shown at the funeral service on March 29th at Wolfsdale United Reformed Church, which was officiated by Rev Martin Evans and Rev Dr David Owen.

The principal mourners are: Marion (wife); Jean Warlow (sister); Roger and Jackie Mathias (son and wife); Moira and Graham Jenkins (daughter and husband); and Pam Mathias (daughter-in-law); grandchildren Mark and Matthew Mathias, Katie and Laura Jenkins, Andrew and Hayley Mathias; David and Gwyneth Bushell (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) Gillian Hancock (sister-in-law), as well as many nephews and nieces, family members and friends too numerous to mention.

Bearers at Wolfsdale were cousin John Mathias and nephews Anthony Bushell, Peter Hancock, Stephen Hancock, Tony Thomas and Philip Williams. Bearers at Parc Gwyn were Mervyn’s friends Roy Folland, Geraint Lewis, Mike Llewellyn, John Morgan, Dilwyn Phillips and Glyn Roberts.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son.

Mr D. Howells

Kilgetty (formerly of Stepaside)

A large gathering attended Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, on July 22nd, for the funeral of David Howells.

The service was led by Father Paul Davies. Bearers were Richard Howells, Wallace Howells, David Ellcock and Rhys Jones. A moving eulogy was read by close friend Des Stone.

David died surrounded by his family at Withybush Hospital on July 14th, aged 77.

He was born in Broadmoor and attended Stepaside Junior School and Narberth County School. After school he worked briefly in Wood Level Colliery in Stepaside, but then started an apprenticeship as an electrician with the South Wales Electricity Board, where he remained for 15 years.

David then spent the next 29 years working for the Britannic Insurance Agency, becoming a well known figure around the area.

He was an active member of the local community and was a player, secretary, committee member, life member and avid supporter of Kilgetty AFC all of his life.

David was also a leading figure in the creation of Kingsmoor Sports Club. He was secretary of the Kingsmoor Sports Association for 30 years and also secretary and chairman of the Kingsmoor Sports and Social Club for 26 years.

David leaves to mourn his wife of 47 years, Sheila. They have three children, Richard, who lives with his wife Maureen in Boston USA; Catherine, who lives in Liverpool with her husband David; and Kay, who lives with her partner Rhys in Cardiff. David also had five grandchildren, Lowri, Liam, Evan, Joe and Connor.

Donations for the the Kingsmoor Sports Association may be sent to Mr D. Stone, Shoemakers Cottage, Begelly, Narberth, SA68 0XF.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C. Thomas and Son, Stepaside.