Josephine Elizabeth Mercer

Josephine Elizabeth Mercer, 96, of Gonzales, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23. Josephine was born Nov. 7, 1921 in Gonzales to Joe H. Schultz and Setma E. Nagel Schultz. Josephine married William Phelon Mercer on May 3, 1941 in Gonzales. She was a member of the Gonzales First United Methodist Church.

Josephine grew up in Gonzales and attended school at Central Ward and Gonzales High School. As a young girl, she enjoyed doing cartwheels in the front yard, hiding behind the picket fence of her home and jumping up to scare the postman which brought laughs from both parties and of course hanging out with her girlfriends chatting and kicking a can down the center of the road. She worked at the Toggery in downtown Gonzales and as an office assistant for a local dentist before marrying and following her husband from one deployment to another while he served in the U.S. Army and the Army Air Corp. After WWII she and her husband returned to Gonzales and Josephine stayed at home to raise her family. Josephine was a “hands-on” mom, it wasn’t uncommon for Josephine to grab a baseball glove and play catch with her little league sons, haul the team to games or attend piano recitals and band concerts all the while supporting her children anyway she could in their extracurricular activities. She enjoyed bowling and playing croquet with friends and later crossword puzzles when sitting quietly was more pleasurable. Josephine was proud of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed preparing Sunday dinners and having her loved ones around.

Josephine Mercer is survived by her daughter Jo Ann Mercer of Gonzales, son and daughter-in-law, Larry J. and Mary Beth Mercer of Gonzales, daughter-in-law, Linda Mercer of Lockhart, grandchildren, Clayton Bruce Baker “Tamela”, James Michael Mercer “Kristi” and Sarah D. Barnett “James”, great-grandchildren, Jason Dylan Baker, Kristyn Nicole Baker, Brendon Robert Mercer, Blakely Hope Mercer, Cory Taylor and Cameron William Barnett.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son, Robert William (Bob) Mercer, grandson, Jason Baker, and sister, Ruby Schultz.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Pennington officiating. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Pallbearers: Clay Baker, J.D. Baker, Michael Mercer, Gary Baker, James Barnett and Cory Taylor. Honorary pallbearers: Kristyn Baker, Brendon Mercer, Blakely Mercer and Cameron Barnett. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Gonzales County Veterans Memorial Association (GCVMA) 562 CR 238, Gonzales, Texas 78629. Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.