Bertha Priour

The Lord and Savior peacefully took Bertha Real Priour at 1:05 PM on July 27, 2017 in the Peterson Regional Medical Center on her 98th birthday, with her two sons and two daughters-in-law at her side.\r\n \r\nBertha was born on July 27, 1919 to Aime Walter Real and Johanna Flach Real in Kerrville, Texas. Kerr County pioneers, Caspar Real and Emily Schreiner Real were her great-grandparents. She grew up on the Aime W. Real ranch on Turtle Creek. She graduated from Tivy High School in 1936. Next, she attended Schreiner Institute, afterwards transferring to the University of Texas at Austin, where she received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in 1941. She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.\r\n \r\nShe taught elementary school in Bertram, Texas and then at Tivy Elementary School. On June 5, 1943, Bertha married 1st Lt. James W. Priour at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville, Texas. J.W. was a WWII glider pilot. During the next several years, they moved to different air bases all over the U.S. before he was shipped overseas. When he returned from the war in 1946, they settled in Ingram, Texas. Bertha was a co-partner with J.W. in running the Priour Ranch and the Ranchman's Wool and Mohair.\r\n \r\nBertha was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church since 1951, where she especially enjoyed activities of the Women of the Church. She loved to play bridge and did so until the day before her last illness began. She belonged to the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, the Cattle Women's Association, and was a staunch Republican.\r\n \r\nShe was preceded in death by her loving husband, J.W. Priour Jr.; by her two brothers, Robert Real and Aime Frank Real; a sister, Matilda Real McCraw; and granddaughter, Christy Jane Priour.\r\n \r\nBertha is survived by two sons, Donald Priour, M.D. and wife, Jane, James Priour III and wife, Debbie; four grandchildren, Dr. Don Priour Jr. of Youngstown, Ohio, Dr. Amy Priour and husband, Matt of Kerrville, Lindsey Priour Knight and husband, Jeff of Austin, and James Priour IV of Houston; two great grandchildren, Vivian and Raleigh Priour of Kerrville. She has many caring nieces, nephews and cousins. Bertha will be missed greatly by her dear chihuahua, Taco.\r\n \r\nVisitation will be held from 4-6 PM, Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Grimes Funeral Chapels.\r\n \r\nMemorial services will be held at 11 AM, Friday, August 4, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, Texas with a reception to follow in Ryan Hall. Burial will be precede the memorial service at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Kerrville at 10 AM.\r\n \r\nPallbearers will be Aime A. Real, Louis Real, Don Priour Jr., Matt Priour, Jim Priour IV and Jeff Knight. \r\n \r\nMemorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Hill Country Youth Ranch or to the charity of one's choice.\r\n \r\nThe family wishes to thank the caring nurses, doctors, and technicians involved in Bertha's care and especially Dr. Emmett Mackan, Dr. Marco De Los Santos, Dr. Flores, Dr. Joe Pruneda, and Dr. Abate. They were a blessing to Bertha and her family. We know that Bertha had the best birthday possible, as she celebrated it with her Heavenly family.\r\n \r\n \r\n