Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 6 Feb 2000 Submitted by Charlene Beatty Beauchamp cbodessa@classicnet.net Thanks to the Odessa American Online http://www.oaoa.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OA Online Obituaries. February 6, 2000 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Allen Lloyd Guster Jr., son of the late Allen L. Guster, Sr. and Marie Brooks, was born Feb. 13, 1925. Born in a devout Christian home, he learned early in life his personal path of duty and followed it with unselfish dedication until his passing. His memory will be forever cherished by Willie R. Guster with whom he was united in marriage May 26, 1955. They lived happily together until his passing on February 3, 2000. A veteran of the 123rd Army Air Force of the United States, he was an outstanding serviceman who was discharged honorably. He was a graduate of Houston Tilliston and received his master’s degree from Texas Southern University in Houston. After moving to Odessa in 1963, he united with the congregation of St. James Baptist Church, where he served faithfully until prevented by failing health. Allen began his professional career as Principal of Dunbar High School in McCamey. He later was employed by Ector County Independent School District as a math teacher and coach at Blackshear and Ector High Schools. He later retired from teaching at Permian High School in 1985. Some have known and loved Mr. Guster longer than others and have enjoyed the privilege of associating with him at home, church and in the community. But, those of us who really knew him, regardless of the length of time, can truthfully say that he had a heart of generous proportion, a loving spirit and a steadfast character. This is what made his long life one of great fulfillment and satisfaction. Mourning his absence, yet rejoicing in his purposeful life are his survivors, his wife, Willie R. Guster; two daughters, Kathy K. Guster of Dallas and Jina Guster Wilson of Houston; one son, Gerry L. Guster Sr. of Houston; and one niece, Brenda J. Barnes of Gladewater. He also leaves behind a daughter-in-law, Lucia Guster; six grandchildren, Michael Carrillo, Luis Carrillo, Kanicia Carrillo-Jones, Ronzel Wilson, Ashley Guster and Gerry Guster Jr.; four great grandchildren, Aaliyah and Aalyssa Carrillo, Kasjmere and Kjera Jones. Also, a cousin Raleigh Mae Green; and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in the St. James Baptist Church with Rev. Roger T. McNeil officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Gordon Leon "Lee" Manchester, 83, of Odessa died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. Gordon prearranged for his cremation, and the interment of the cremains will be private in Sunset Memorial Gardens. His wishes are being honored. Gordon was born May 19, 1916, in Middleburg, N.Y., to Leon and Weltha Manchester. Both are deceased. Gordon attended Union College and was a salesman for restaurant and hotel equipment on Long Island, N.Y., before being inducted into the Army Air Force in World War II, serving with the 339th Fighter Squadron, mainly in the South Pacific. Three years after his honorable discharge in 1949, and en route to California, he visited the late Claude ("Ted") Lowe in Midland, tent mate in the South Pacific. He stayed on to work for Lowe Drilling in the West Texas and New Mexico Oil Fields, later working as a Safety Engineer for the Company. He moved to Odessa in 1951. He later worked for Fed Mart in Midland as hard lines manager. When that store closed, he worked 18 and a half years for Midland’s Walgreen’s, as manager of the Camera Department. Later, working part-time for Gorman’s Camera and Sound of Odessa. On October 21, 1962, he married Mildred "Midge" Warner. Gordon was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Odessa since 1964. When no longer able to travel, he "traveled" by atlas and road maps, reliving the many wonderful ventures he and "Midge" made. An avid reader, from the ridiculous to the sublime, Gordon also, with pen in hand, loved the challenge of difficult crossword puzzles. Survivors are his widow; niece, Rheuama (Mrs. "Reggie") Wood; and sister-in-law, Marion (Mrs. Johnny) Richtmeyer, both of Fulton, N.Y.; a niece and several nephews of New York; nieces and nephews by marriage are, Ralph G. Boyden and wife, Dixie of Ephrata, Wash., Charlotte S. Boyden Kirkhoff, of Meron, Ind., Leslie Boyden Jackson and husband, Charles, of Kansas City, Kan., Rita Louise Vaughn Ashworth of Thebes, Ill., and Gwen Vaughn Peyton, and husband, Earl, of Carbondale, Ill. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters, all of New York. If desired, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee Ave., Odessa, TX, 79761. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Emma Lee Clark, 58, of Odessa died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, at Medical Center Hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Carter Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Andrew Nance officiating. Burial will be at Ector County Cemetery. Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Monday at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel. She was born Aug. 4, 1941, in Mexia and had been a resident of Odessa for 42 years. She married Louis Lee Clark April 11, 1975. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. She was preceded in death by her mother, Myrtie Dance; grandmother, Orenza Mathis; grandfather, James Mathis; brother, L.T. Busby; and sister, Gracie Busby. Survivors include her husband, Louis Clark of Odessa; sons, Burl Bonner Jr. of Odessa, Shannon Williams of California, Alfred L. Clark of Dallas and Louis Nichols of San Antonio; daughters, Kimberly Clark of Oklahoma City, Lavora Clark Lesure of Midland and Lisa Clark of Las Vegas; father, T.J. Busby of Odessa; brothers, Ocie Ray and H.L. Carter, both of Odessa; sisters, Annie Mae Busby of Odessa and Sheila Pettis of Mexia. Pallbearers will be Kevin Lesure, Tony Revira, Paul Revira, Queandro Quarls, Henry Clark and Charles Organ. _________________________________________________________________ Benjamin M. Thompson ODESSA — Benjamin M. Thompson, 82, of Midland died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, at Midland Skilled Nursing Facility. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home with Bobby Phillips officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. He was born Nov. 17, 1917, in Elk View, West Virginia. He married Judy Hall on July 25, 1969, in Mexico. Mr. Thompson was the owner of Auto Wholesales Inc., for many years. He was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Judy Thompson of Midland; daughter, Aprile White of Midland; and two grandchildren, Blake and Brooke White. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ SARAGOSA — Flora Roman, 93, of Odessa died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at her residence. Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday at Out Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Ben Flores officiating. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at Martinez Funeral Home. Burial will be at Saragosa Cemetery. Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel. She was born Oct. 15, 1906, in Balmorhea. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrea Moreno and Guillermo Garcia, husband, Gustavo Roman; daughters, Eva Meras and Seferina Garcia. Survivors include her sons, Frank Fuentes and wife, Lily Fuentes, David Fuentes and wife, Chone Fuentes, and Mike Fuentes and wife, Eva Fuentes, all of Saragosa, Robert Roman and wife, Mary Helen Roman, and Ruben Roman and wife, Adela Roman, all of Odessa; daughters, Rita Yslas and husband, Frank Yslas, of Marfa, Mary Hernandez and husband, Sonny Hernandez, and Rachel Roman, all of Odessa; sisters, Valentina Garica of Odessa and Veva Dominguez of Pecos; 36 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and 42 great-great-grandchildren. She was loved very much and will live in our hearts forever. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA — Chon Ramos, 89, of Odessa, a retired cement finisher, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, at Seabury Nursing Home. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at Martinez Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home. Visitation will be at from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Martinez Funeral Chapel. He was born March 25, 1910, in Fort Stockton. He was Catholic. He was preceded in death by his father, Luis Ramos. Survivors include his wife, Margrete Ramos of Odessa; sons, Joel Ramos of Dallas, Rowland Ramos of Odessa and Chon Ramos of Lubbock; daughter, Abelina Velarde of Amarillo; sisters, Josefina Polanco of Monahans and Juliana Galindo of Kermit; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. _________________________________________________________________ Lois Mae Ratcliff MIDLAND — Services for Lois Mae Ratcliff, 83, of Lubbock were Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at St. Mark’s Methodist Church. Burial was at Resthaven Memorial Park. She passed away Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2000, in Lubbock. She was born July 8, 1916, in Lovelady to Montie Belle Bitner and Howard H. Williams, and moved to Young County as a child. She was married to Clinton Roy Ratcliff Oct. 20, 1934, in Graham. He preceded her in death in 1996. A son, William H. Ratcliff, of Alamosa, Colo., also preceded her in death. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and served four times as president of United Methodist Women. She lived in Ruidoso, N.M., until her husband’s retirement and in 1989, she moved to Midland and then to Lubbock in 1999. Survivors include one son, Roy W. Ratcliffe of Dexter, N.M.; daughter, Jeanne C. WorIey of Lubbock; brothers, Howard H. Williams of Odessa and Wallace Williams of Breckenridge; nine grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Robert Demers, Buddy Kinney, Richard Martinez, David Gillespie, Kevin Ratcliff, William O. Worley, James Straka and David Worley. The family suggests memorials to be made to Midland’s St. Mark’s United Methodist Church General Fund or to VistaCare Family Hospice in Lubbock. _________________________________________________________________ Paul Jones Miller ODESSA — On Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, Brother Paul Jones Miller went home to be with Jesus, after two weeks of illness. Brother Paul was born Nov. 1, 1919, in Bokchito, Okla. After serving in the U. S. Air Force during World War II, Brother Paul attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. He graduated in 1947 with master’s degrees in Bible, history and sociology. In August of 1949, Trinity Baptist Church in Odessa invited Brother Paul to preach. After one Sunday’s message, the church called Brother Paul to be its pastor. On the first Sunday, in September of 1949, Brother Paul moved to the southside of Odessa and began serving the Lord he loved with all his heart. Brother Paul was the church’s only pastor until his passing at the age of 80 years. On Sept. 5, 1999, Brother Paul celebrated 50 years of faithful service at Trinity Baptist Church. Brother Paul began the Head Start Program, providing space in the church’s old church building rent-free until Head Start moved into its permanent facilities on South Grant Street. Brother Paul received the Book of Golden Deeds award from the Odessa Exchange Club in honor of his many years of humanitarian service among Odessa’s poor and needy. In 1947 Hardin-Simmons University awarded Brother Paul the Minter Medal for attaining the highest scholarship average in all the university. Brother Paul helped hundreds of people acquire American citizenship. Even though he never married, Brother Paul provided a home to more than a dozen children. Public visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000, in the Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, at Trinity Baptist Church, I222 S. Jackson Ave., with Brother Wes Duckett officiating. Interment will follow in Odessa Cemetery under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Gideons International. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000 Odessa American. All rights reserved.