Thelma Lee Coward Ham, age 96, called by God to her eternal rest on Nov. 4, 2010 at Matagorda
Regional Hospital in Bay City. She was born July 29, 1914 on the historic Tom O'Connor Melon
Creek Ranch in Refugio County where her father was ranch foreman. She was one of four
children of Ed and Connie Coward; she is preceded in death by her husband of 61yrs, Howard
Ham, brothers Edward W."Eddie" Coward Jr & Elton D "Rusty" Coward, sister Josephine "Jo"
Coward Lankard, son by previous marriage, Gordon D. Chadwell & wife, Lynda, and daughter-in
-law, Pat Ham. She is survived by sons, Col (ret) Howard Ham Jr. and wife Margaret of San
Antonio, William Chas. "Bill" Ham, Bay City, three grandsons and one grand-daughter; 5 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Known by a lifelong nickname of "Curley," she and Howard moved to Bay City in 1943.
Recognized as Bay City 'Citizen of the Year' in 1963 and with her death leaves a legacy of
charitable, public service, religious, historical, and volunteer work in the community of icon
significance. Mrs. Ham started her career of community service at age 12 as President of the
first Junior Federated Club in Refugio County, the "Merry Maids Club" in 1927; also Pres. in 1940
for the Refugio Junior Women's Club. Moving to Bay City in 1943 with her husband she has
among her many accomplishments as a community organizer:
Matagorda County Federation of Women's Club President in 1957-58,1963-64,1975-78,1983-84
Bay City Junior Hi Kitten Club President in 1956
Bay City High School P.T.A. President in 1960-61
Charter Member of the Matagorda General Hospital (now Matagorda Regional), Hospital
Auxiliary 1960
Organizer and first Pres. of the Matagorda County Texas A&M Mothers Club 1961, Pres again
In 1981-82, 1982-83
Appointed by Governor John Connolly to the Texas Historical Commission in 1963-67
Regent of the Wharton Comfort Wood DAR Chapter
A charter member of the Mary Ralph Marsh DAR Chapter in Bay City in 1967-68
Pres. of the Matagorda County Historical Society 1966-68
Publicity Chairman for the Bay City Bicentennial Committee 1975-76
Served on the Board of Directors of the Matagorda County Historical Museum
March of Dimes 25 year Service Award in 1964 and a 30 year Service Award in 1969
Received the American Heart Assoc. Service Award in 1971
In addition to years of volunteer work with church and Cub Scout activities, she was a fan of
all sports, with golf as a recreational hobby she was elected Pres. of the Bay City Country Club
Women's Golf Assoc. in 1966.
Also, Membership in the Miss Ima Hogg Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT)
2009-10
A volunteer for many political campaigns, she always considered her hobby as doing for others;
and her greatest happiness was being with people.
Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial Service at Taylor Bros on Monday Nov 8th at 2 PM. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers are: Ray Ory, Lacey Lowry, Donny Kubecka, Danny Kubecka, Gene Kubecka, Dean Kubecka, Bill Kubecka, and Marvin Kristynik.
Honorary Pallbearers are: David Coward, John Rogers, Dickie Kubecka, Doug Hill, Greg
Westmoreland, John Estlinbaum, Jack Miller, Harper & Larry Augsburger, Jack Ward, and
John McMillan. In lieu of flowers, one can submit memorial donation to the 1st United
Methodist Church in Bay City or to a charity of choice.