Edwin “Big Ed” Worthy, Jr., 70, of Orangefield, died Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Born June 6, 1941, to Mary Hilda Deslatte and Edwin L. Worthy, Sr. in Beaumont, he was a lifelong resident of the Mid-County area before moving to Orangefield in 1977. Edwas a 1959 graduate of Nederland High School and was proud to be part of the 1957 State Champions football team. A couple of years later, Ed graduated with the class of 1959 and married his third grade sweetheart. He was a member of the Brick Layers Local 13 and a retired brick mason with over fifty years’ experience. In 1974 he became employed as a general supervisor for Sabine Industries. In 1980, Ed opened Gulf Coast Masonry, which he owned and operated until 1985. After that, he went to work for J.T. Thorpe until 2004. Most recently, he worked for the Orangefield Independent School District maintenance department mainly to watch over his grandchildren, while they were at school.
Ed was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church, in Orangefield, where he served as Eucharist minister and helped build the church. He was a charter member of St. Charles Knights of Columbus. Big Ed was an avid hunter and fisherman, who enjoyed doing anything outdoors from cutting firewood to gardening. He most especially loved doing for others, and spending time with his wife, five sons and their families.
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen Worthy of Orangefield; sons, Edwin Worthy III and his wife, Pam of McLewis, Keith Worthy and his wife, Carol of Orangefield, Randy Worthy and his wife, Kay Lynn of Orangefield, Clint Worthy and his wife, Kelli of Orangefield and John Worthy and his wife, Marsha of Orangefield; grandchildren, Kristina and Chris Baggett, Kacey and Mike Moore, Kayla and Heath Reynolds, Shaye and Chad Hebert, Kimberlea and Isa Garcia, Edwin Worthy IV, Tyler and Katie Worthy, Caleb Worthy and Jessica Hayes, Jessica Worthy, Jenna Worthy, Jordan Worthy, Brittni and Shelby Morris, Clint Worthy, Jr., Bradley Worthy, Kevin Worthy, Morgan Worthy and Drew Worthy; great grandchildren, Bree and Maddi Baggett, Tanner, Ky and Coby Moore, Layne and Brylee Reynolds, Parker Hebert, Isaias and Christiano Garcia, Jacob and Carson Worthy, Ava Worthy and Logan Morris; one great granddaughter on the way; brother, James Worthy and his wife, Judy of Nederland; and sister, Martha Swearingen and her husband, Gerald of South Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Baby girl; grandson, K.J. “Bubba” Worthy; and two great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2011, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland, with interment to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2011, at St. Charles, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., with further visitation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Helen’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 8105 FM 1442, Orange, Texas 77630.
