Ellen Middlebrook Sakach

Born on Christmas Day, 1918, in Nacogdoches County at Maystown, a no longer existing town near Appleby, Ms. Sakach attended public school in Joaquin, Texas; Logansport, Louisiana; and Nacogdoches. She moved with her family to Nacogdoches in 1931, and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1936. She attended Stephen F. Austin University and graduated from Baylor University. She worked on newspapers in Nacogdoches, Wichita Falls, and New Orleans before coming to the Houston Post in 1950.

In Houston she met and married Stephen P. Sakach, who was a Texas A&M graduate, landscape architect, and supervisor of grounds at the University of Houston, where he helped Dr. W.W. Kemmerer build and maintain the growing physical plant of the university for many years.

At the Post, where she used her maiden name, Ellen Middlebrook, she served in many job positions, including assistant city editor, city hall reporter, and education reporter. In the 1950s, she and a colleague, the late Harold Scarlett, won a Texas Headliners award for a series on public schools.

In retirement, Ms. Sakach was active in tree farming in Nacogdoches County. One of her main interests was Biblical archaeology, and she enjoyed the Houston Grand Opera. She was a former member of the Press Club of Houston, the Texas Forestry Association, and the Briar Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve; her parents, Dr. G. F. Middlebrook, Sr. and Annie Lou Carter Middlebrook; her brother, G. F. Middlebrook, Jr. and sister-in-law, Emily Mast Middlebrook; her sisters, Leah Middlebrook Tucker and Anne Middlebrook Bright; brothers-in-law Dr. J. Norris Tucker, Mr. N. G. Bright, Jr., and Dr. Edwin W. Gaston, Jr.; and two nephews.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Vernon Unger, of Katy, Texas, and two grandsons, Stephen Phillip Unger and Edward Carter Unger.

She is also survived by her sister, Martha Middlebrook Gaston, of Nacogdoches; many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly; and several cherished friends. Her constant companion in recent years was her beloved cat, Figaro.

A visitation and reception for family and friends will be held Thursday, July 30, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75965.

A brief graveside service will be held Friday, July 31, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Nacogdoches' historic Oak Grove Cemetery.

Ellen's family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff and loving caregivers at Sunrise of Cinco Ranch, which was her home for the last seven years, as well as to the staff and caregivers of Resolutions Hospice, whose support was invaluable.

Your online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.