Angela Marie Hermes was called to her eternal reward on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at Citizens Medical Center in Victoria, Texas at the age of 88. She was born on May 4, 1924 to Theodore & Mary Peselmann Hermes in Hallettsville, Texas. She was a lifelong resident of Lavaca County.

In the mid-1950's she, with her sister, Annie, moved from the farm to St. Mary's and made their home in a simple frame home near the church. Angela was employed for many years at Weingarten's in Hallettsville. Upon retirement, she took over the duties of secretary and caretaker for St. Mary's Church. She was also the church sacristan for many years and in this capacity got to know many of the priests who came to serve at St. Mary's. She spoke with fondness of the priests she was acquainted with and enjoyed their visits.

Every day for many years, Angela made sure St. Mary's Church was locked and secured at the end of each day. When making her many trips walking to and from the church, in recent years, a faithful friend and companion, her dog Queenie, was always by her side.

She continued many of her duties at St. Mary's Church until October, 2011, when she became a resident of Hallettsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she resided until her death.

The youth of St. Mary's benefited from her many years of teaching CCD where she also served as CCD coordinator. Angela's tenure as a CCD teacher covered a span of 60 years. One can only imagine the unbelievable number of young children who learned their first prayers from "Miss Angela," as she was so fondly called.

Throughout her adult life Angela was involved in the activities and ministries of St. Mary's Church. She served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a Rosary leader, and a member of the Parish Finance Board. In recognition of her services, she received the Archbishop Furey Medal for Exceptional Service to the Church. She was a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Lady of the Cross with Star; Charter Member of Serra Club, Diocese of Victoria Northwest; Altar Society; Catholic Daughters of the Americas; and Holy Rosary Society.

Even though Angela was content while at home at St. Mary's, she was always ready to venture out. She enjoyed traveling and made trips to Ireland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland, as well as areas in the United States. She enjoyed visits from family members and her numerous nieces and nephews.

Msgr. John Peters, the present pastor of St. Mary's, stated, "Angela has been a very important part of St. Mary's parish for many, many years. She has done a wonderful job and has been a blessing for the parish."

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation: 4 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiates: Bishop David Fellhauer, Msgr. James Henke (nephew to the deceased), Msgr. John Peters, Fr. Tommy Chen, and Fr. Michael Rother. Pallbearers: Paul Henke Sr., Jodie Hermes, James Hermes, William Hermes, John Tuley, and Jason Henke. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: St. Mary's Catholic Church or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.