Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 17 June 2001 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. June 17, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries Fred Martin Sr. Fred Eugene Martin, Sr., a descendant of pioneer ranchers who arrived in the Permian Basin in the late 19th century, passed away Friday, June 15, 2001. He was the son of Oma Coffee and Ruben S. Martin, born Nov. 17, 1913, in Judkins, Texas. Fred attended East New Mexico University where he met and married Mary Elizabeth Johnson on Dec. 15, 1935. After his marriage, he worked for the Santa Fe railroad. In 1946, he joined Martin Distributing which was a food distribution business with his brother Frank. Fred was active in the Odessa community. He served as the Lions Club president, he served on the executive board for Seabury Nursing Center, he was active in his church, St. Johns Episcopal Church, as well as other charitable activities such as food banks, the United Way and Boy Scouts. Fred was an avid sportsman, hunter and fisherman. He loved camping, roughing style and he loved his dog, Bo Jack. His wife Elizabeth passed away in 1980, and Fred was remarried in the summer of 1991 to Fannie Bates. Fannie passed away in 1995. He is survived by his son, Fred E. Martin Jr. of Odessa; daughter, Michele Blessner of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister, Gertrude Gimeniz of San Angelo; grandchildren, Lisa Anne Martin of Lewisville, Texas, and Charles Schuhmann of Seattle, Wash. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services are under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Altha Ethel Chamberlain Altha Chamberlain, 95, of Odessa, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2001, at Medical Center Hospital. She was born July 14, 1905, in Richland Springs, Texas. She was a homemaker and a member of University Heights Baptist Church. She was preceded in death her parents, William and Ida Mae Crouch; and her husband, Chester Powell. She is survived by sons, Bernie Powell of Jacksonville, Ark and Victor Powell, of Mesquite; daughters, Yvonne Sanford of Odessa, and Wanda Barr of Branson, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2001, at University Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Chuck Claburn officiating. Burial will be 3 p.m. in Ballinger, Texas. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Opal Eileen Melton ODESSA On Thursday, June 14, 2001, Eileen Melton went home to be with her Lord. She was born July 17, 1920, in Healdton, Okla., to Vernon and Ella Brandon. She married George Melton Sept. 21, 1940, and was proud to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this past year. Eileen and George put down roots in Odessa in 1960. She was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word and a very talented seamstress who created beautiful works with her hands. She was a self-taught painter and crafter who loved to share her gift with others. Eileen was a charter member of Central Baptist Church where she served in many capacities through the years. She loved her church and the many friends she worshipped together with. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, beloved stepmother and brother. Eileen is survived by her loving husband, George; daughter, Beverly Ford and son Donnie Melton, both of Odessa; her brother, Jess Brandon of Moore, Okla.; and sister, Nita Lindley of Mexia. Three grandchildren, Scarlet Melton, Brandon and Stacy Ford also survive her. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2001, at Central Baptist Church, 1401 N. Texas Ave., with the Rev. David Johnson and Dr. Ernest Easley officiating. Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. If desired, memorials can be made to the Television Ministry at First Baptist Church. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Grace Cooper Grace O. Cooper, 93, of Odessa, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2001, at a local nursing facility. She was born Oct. 19, 1907, in Thurber, Texas. She was a resident of Odessa since 1941, moving here from Breckenridge, Texas. She married Henry M. Cooper on June 1, 1929, in Abilene, Texas. Mr. Cooper preceded her in death in 1956. Mrs. Cooper was a homemaker and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Ladys Jolly Club. She is survived by sons, W.O. Bill Cooper of DeLeon, Marvin D. Cooper of Atlanta, Ga., Marshall W. Cooper of Beaumont, Jimmy Ray Cooper of Euless, and Preasley P. Cooper of Brady; daughters, Emma Cooper of Longview, and Clara Barr of Odessa; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Family visitation will be between 6 and 7 p.m. at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2001, at Immanuel Baptist Church with Mr. Troy Stephenson officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved.