Rhyona Pauline Anna (Gerken) McCafferty was born in Fort Bend County, Texas, on November 20, 1931, to Johnnie and Hilda (Schroeder) Gerken. Her first husband, James McCafferty, served in the U.S. Marine Corps which led to her living in Alexandria, Virginia and New Bern, North Carolina. Following James' discharge they resided in Needville until they moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, with their children, Leighton and Becky in 1963. Rhyona returned to Needville in 1978 after her first marriage ended. In 1979 she married Robert (Bobby) McCafferty Jr. She passed from this earthly life to eternal life on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in Katy, TX, at the age of 81.



Rhyona was preceded in death by her parents and twin sons, Johnny Dean and Jeffrey Wayne McCafferty.



She is survived by her second husband, Robert (Bobby) McCafferty Jr.; son, Leighton McCafferty and wife Bea of Rosenberg; daughter, Rebecca (Becky) Oberhoff and husband Bruce of Needville; grandsons: John W. Chapman of Cypress, Jeff Chapman and wife Casey of Needville, and Brett McCafferty of Rosenberg; granddaughters: Jessica Duncan and husband Josh of Needville and Lindsay McCafferty of Rosenberg; and great-granddaughters: Baylee Hale and Corbie Chapman of Rosenberg, Meggie Duncan and Cadey Chapman of Needville. A great-grandson is expected to arrive in July, James Henry Chapman.



Rhyona was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 350 in Needville.



Visitation will be held at Garmany & Carden Funeral Chapel in Needville on Thursday, April 11, 2013, beginning at 4:00 PM for family and from 5:00 to 7:00 PM for the public. Funeral service will be held Friday, April 12, 2013, at 11:00 AM at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 9018 Church Street, Needville, Texas 77461. Burial will be at Needville Public Cemetery following the funeral service.



Pallbearers are: John W. Chapman, Jeff Chapman, Josh Duncan, Brett McCafferty, Rodney McCafferty, Ken O'Neal, Glenn Schroeder, and Wayne Schroeder.



Memorial donations may be given in her memory to Immanuel United Church of Christ, 9018 Church Street, Needville, TX 77461.



Condolence messages may be written for the McCafferty family at www.garmanycarden.com.



Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 3103 School Street, Needville, TX 77461 (979)793-4515 or (281)342-4671.