Emily Ann "Schott" Stiles

Emily Ann Schott Stiles passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the age of 86.

Emily is survived by her eight children, Emily (Schottsie) and Deacon Lu Hill, Trudi and Richard Lyon, Patty and Travis Tunstall, Andrew and Therese Stiles, Melinda and Cary Hocker, Louis W. III and Teddi Stiles, Kelly Stiles, and Elizabeth and Chris Bland; her sisters Carol Lee McCracken and Janis and Lonnie Koehl; her brother Gene and Maureen Schott; 23 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Louis W. Stiles Jr. and her younger brother Louis ("Lucky") Schott III.

Born October 28, 1938, to Louis and Otilla Lux Schott Jr. in Hallettsville, Texas, she was the oldest of 5 siblings. Emily attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Hallettsville, where she was active in sports and a cheerleader, and graduated in 1957. She attended Baldwin Business School then worked for Lavaca County Clerk before becoming secretary to Paul C Boethel - 25th Judicial District Attorney and later District Judge.

On November 21, 1959, she married Louis W. (Bill) Stiles Jr. who was the youngest elected County Commissioner in the state of Texas before his death in 2013.

They settled in Eagle Lake and bought and renovated a colonial home on the corner of Lake and Prairie St. that had not been lived in for over 20 years. They moved in on their first wedding anniversary and raised eight children there.

Emily was active in Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Eagle Lake for 35 years as a member of the Church Council, president of the Altar Society, CCD/Faith Formation teacher, Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, and president of the Brenham District Council of Catholic Women.

For 15 years, she and Bill operated one of the first volunteer ambulance services in Eagle Lake, Texas as EMTs. In 1970 they purchased the H+R Block franchise and received their real estate license. They bought a Stinson 108 "Flying Station Wagon" airplane and earned their pilot license, so they could show properties from the air – and fly around Texas. She was the first female president of the Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce and served as assistant Girl Scout Leader.

They moved to Sunrise Beach on Lake LBJ and renovated a vacant restaurant building into their home and gathering place for their growing family. Emily was active in Our Lady of the Lake in Sunrise Beach and St. Charles Catholic Church in Kingsland. She served as president of the Lady's Club and Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Austin Diocese presented her with the "Lumen Gentium" award for her service to the Church. She delivered "Meals on Wheels" and helped sew lap quilts for the elderly and for local Department of Public Safety patrol officers to use for accident victims. She also served on the Highland Lake Board of the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Emily returned to Hallettsville in 2019 where she was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and an active mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Emily enjoyed many hobbies. She was an excellent seamstress, a skill she learned during her school years as she would sketch, cut out patterns from newspaper, then find fabric and make her dresses. This talent continued throughout her life. All family members knew where to take their mending and help with costumes. Her great aunt Emilia Schott Bomarden taught her as a child to crochet, which she continued by making cherished afghans and quilts.

By keeping a huge garden in the backyard, Emily provided a peaceful place to create and grow food that was used for preparing meals and canning for her huge family. The pantry was always full of canned vegetables, pickles, and jellies. If you came to visit during mealtime, she insisted you sit with the family and enjoy one of her excellently prepared meals. Baking bread and desserts was a talent that she mastered. Her huge formal dining room table was always seasonally decorated. She was a pioneer in tablescapes!

Her talent and creativity went into oil painting, which she mastered quickly. Her home was furnished with beautiful antiques that she would refinish and upholster herself. Her church, friends, and family knew who to ask to create floral arrangements, table decorations, and food for parties/events.

In her spare time, she enjoyed playing games. Her Canasta monthly group in Eagle Lake was started in the 70's and she continued until 2024, and her Hill Country group played weekly "Farkle" during her years living there.

Emily was an inspiration to those who knew and loved her.

The Visitation and Rosary service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, followed by a funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m., both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. Fr. Michael Rother will preside at the Mass with Msgr. John Peters concelebrating. A reception will follow the Mass. A private burial service will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic School -- SHINE Program, 3135g Texana St., Hallettsville, TX 77964.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com .