Eunice W. Menke

Eunice West Menke, 89, died in Humble, Texas on July 28, 2019. She had lived in Falfurrias, Texas for over fifty years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 61 years, Sid Menke, and her only sibling, Virginia West Gonzales, of San Antonio, Texas. Survivors include two sons, James “Jim” Menke, Falfurrias, Texas, William Douglas Menke, Hebbronville, Texas and two daughters, Sandra Menke Cheatham, Portland, Texas and Judy Menke Clark, Humble, Texas. She also leaves three grandchildren.

Eunice was born in Erwin, North Carolina on December 1, 1929 to William and Eva West. A few years later they had another daughter, Virginia. Eunice was 7 years old when her mother died. She and her sister lived with their paternal grandparents for the majority of their school years while their father went looking for work to support his family. Their father found work as a carpenter at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company. Eunice and her sister, Virginia, went to live with him and his wife in Newport News, Virginia to live as a family.

Eunice got summer jobs and finished high school where she graduated from Hampton High School. She played basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society. She worked at F.W. Woolworths during the day and attended Hampton Roads Business College at night. After 2 years, she graduated and worked as a stenographer at The Transportation School in Civil Service at Ft. Eustis, Virginia.

During that time, she met Sid Menke who was in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. They were married on July 7, 1951. After being honorably discharged in 1952, they moved to Texas, his home state. Sid received a 2-year scholarship to Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas where their first son, Jim, was born.

They moved to Mirando City, Texas in 1954 where he worked for Oil Supply Co. While living in Mirando City, Eunice worked in Laredo as a clerk typist at the Laredo Air Force Base. They moved to Falfurrias, Texas in 1956 when he was offered a job to work for Mills Bennet Estate. He worked there for 30 years before retiring. Their other children, Douglas, Sandra and Judy, were born in Falfurrias.

In 1957, Eunice made a profession of faith at First Baptist Church in Falfurrias and was a faithful member there until her death. She volunteered in many capacities at First Baptist Church, especially in Sunday School working with the young children in different groups. She also volunteered at Falfurrias Jr. High School weekly for four years and helped in the community by volunteering.

She loved meeting with her “Sorority friends” and “canasta playing friends” for luncheons and fellowship and enjoyed many wonderful times together.

After learning of Sid’s cancer in 2010, they moved to Humble part-time, with their daughter, Judy, and son-in-law to have easier access to doctors to treat Sid. After Sid’s death in 2012, she moved permanently to Humble, Texas to be near her daughter and son-in-law. She would still come to Falfurrias 2 or 3 times a year to visit her Church, neighbors and friends. She lived a full and happy life and was ready to go meet the Lord.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 1, at 11:00a at San Jose Burial Park in San Antonio, Texas under the direction of Roy Akers Funeral Home.