Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 17 July 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. July 17, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ Evelyn Baker ODESSA Evelyn B. Baker, born in Corsicana Sept. 8, 1907, passed away after a long illness Friday, July 13, 2001, in Mesquite. She married John Williamson Baker on Dec. 24, 1927, and moved with her new husband to West Texas. They lived in Crane and Wickett before moving to Odessa in 1944. Mrs. Baker and her husband were very active in the First Baptist Church of Odessa for many years. Her husband, John, passed away Jan. 22, 1967. In 1993, she moved to Mesquite to be near her only child, Sandra B. Starr, and her husband, Don, both of whom survive her. She adored her grandchildren who also survive her Susan King and her husband Darren, Chris Starr, Kathy Jackman and her husband Tommy and Phillip L. Starr and his wife Susan. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren Amanda Jackman, Matthew King, William King, Andrew Jackman and Jesse Starr. Her oldest great-grandchild, Wesley King, preceded her in death in 1993. Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 16, 2001, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home with Melvin Warren officiating. Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Robert V. Bernard ODESSA Robert V. Bernard, 51, passed away Friday, July 13, 2001, at his residence in Odessa. He was born Oct. 25, 1949, to Raymond and Baudela Bernard in Fort Stockton. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2001, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with the Rev. Frank Chavez officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today and Wednesday at Sunset Memorial Chapel. Survivors include his wife, Elvira Bernard; daughter, Michelle Rodriguez and husband Luis of Georgetown, Del.; stepmother, Suzie Bernard of Midland; mother, Baudela and stepfather, Manuel Sanchez of Odessa; grandmother, Irene Salmon of Fort Stockton; brothers, Raymond Bernard Jr. and wife Goya of Carlsbad, Eddy Bernard of Midland and Billy Bernard of Dallas; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials to the Diabetes Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Eunice Elnora Shaben Dodd PFLUGERVILLE Eunice Elnora Shaben Dodd passed away after a long illness Friday, July 13, 2001, at the age of 72. She was born Sept. 18, 1928, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Syian Hussein Sam and Marie Louise Shaben. She grew up in Calgary and eventually moved to the United States where she met John Wesley DeVilbiss. They were married July 22, 1954. They had two children, Sunnie Gayle and Michael Shane, and lived in Odessa. Eunice raised her children and lived and worked in Odessa for 43 years. She enjoyed the climate and had many friends there. During her life, Eunice enjoyed art, music, dancing, traveling and spending time with friends and family. She was very proud that she obtained her U.S. citizenship in 1966. She was a wonderful mother and provider and had many talents. She was an excellent seamstress, a great cook and a lively conversationalist with a witty sense of humor. Throughout her life, she made and kept many friends and will be remembered by many who loved her. Eunice retired from Phillips Petroleum Co. after almost 20 years of service and used her accounting expertise in her private life in the stock market as well as recreationally during visits to Las Vegas. She enjoyed watching sports and was an avid Cowboys fan. Eunice is survived by her brother, Doug Shaben of Coquitlan, British Columbia, Canada; her daughter, Sunnie Presley and her husband Steven Presley of Georgetown; her son, Michael Shane DeVilbiss and his wife Stephanie DeVilbiss of Pflugerville; five grandchildren, whose names are Emily, Hannah, Kyla, Jordan and Alyssa; and numerous close relatives in Canada, including one of her favorite aunts, Lillian Shaben of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends and remembered especially for the values she held and the sacrifices she made for her loved ones. The family wishes to thank the staff of Regent at Parmer Woods, Dr. Mary Maxwell, Dr. Harold Cain, the staff of 2 North and ER at North Austin Medical Center in Austin and Austin Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at First United Methodist Church in Pflugerville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association. Arrangements are by Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Elmer Ozell Franks Sr. ODESSA Elmer Ozell Franks Sr., 83, of Odessa died Saturday, July 14, 2001. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors Chapel. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2001, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Oklahoma City. Elmer Franks was born in Ada, Okla., to Gordy and Mae Franks. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and honorably served his duty aboard the USS Olmsted in the South Pacific as a seaman 1st class. He relocated his family to Odessa in 1959. He retired in 1985 from Carters Furniture in Midland. Elmer Franks was honored as a lifetime member of the Ector County Sheriffs Posse. Elmer was also a member of the Moose Lodge, the American Legion and the Permian Basin Oil Burners Antique Car Club. Elmer Franks was a member of Northside Baptist Church. Mr. Franks was preceded in death by his wife, OklaBelle Franks. He is survived by his son, Elmer O. Franks Jr. and his wife Ann Franks of Fort Stockton; daughters, Ruth Chastaine and husband John of Arlington and Claudine Humphrey and husband Dennis of Huntington Beach, Calif.; sister, Lucille Owens and her husband Bill of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Services have been entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) _________________________________________________________________ Patricia Michalka Whitley ODESSA On Saturday, July 14, 2001, with her husband at her side, Patricia Whitley passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today, July 17, 2001, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Melvin Warren officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Whitley was born March 28, 1937, to Thomas and Polly Bullock in Bryan. She graduated from Crockett High School on May 28, 1954. On June 1, 1956, she married William J. Michalka of Cameron. He preceded her in death July 30, 1990. Patricia received her bachelor of science degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville May 26, 1961. She later received her masters of education at North Texas State University in Denton on Aug. 22, 1969. Patricia married Harold Whitley on April 1, 1991, in Crockett. Pat, as many of her friends called her, taught first grade and kindergarten for 25 years at San Jacinto Elementary and at W.D. Noel Elementary in Odessa. She was awarded Teacher of the Week and Teacher of the Year during her teaching years at W.D. Noel Elementary. Pat retired from teaching May 21, 1992, but not from life. She was a dedicated and loving teacher who believed wholeheartedly in the importance of a good education. She strove to instill these beliefs in her family and in all of the many students she taught over the years. Pat was an artist at heart and loved decorating her classroom and bulletin boards. Her home reflected her love of her many hobbies and her artistic talents. She was active in her grandchildrens activities and would almost always be seen at a soccer game or other activity cheering for her grandchildren. Pat was a vibrant and loving person full of energy. She always threw herself completely into the many activities in which she was involved. Pat loved square dancing and mingling with her many friends. She held many offices and positions in the various organizations and clubs that she belonged to over the years during her teaching career and after her retirement. She was a past president of the Odessa Classroom Teachers Association from 1974 to 1975 and held various other positions in organizations in the teaching field. Harold and Pat held many offices in the Texas State Federation Square and Round Dance Association including the 1998 and 1999 State Festival Round Dance vice chairman and secretary in 1999 and treasurer-elect in 2000. They also held offices with the High Sky Squares of Midland and Permian Basin Square and Round Dance Association as well as being editor of The Calendar, a publication of the PBSRDA, for four years, from 1995 to 1999. Pat was an amazing woman whose sense of humor and zest for life was contagious to all of those who came in contact with her. She will be missed tremendously by her family, her many friends, her former students and her teaching associates. She will be missed across the whole state of Texas by the many square dancers and others who came to love and rely on her. We will remember you forever, Mom. We love you. Cindy, Cathy and Cheryl. (The three Cs.) Survivors include her husband, Harold C. Whitley of Odessa; three daughters, Cynthia M. Jackson and her husband, and Catherine M. Figert and her husband, both of Odessa, and Cheryl F. McAllister of Crown Point, Ind.; their five children, Dusti L. Jackson, Daniel L. Jackson, Christopher A. Figert, Jennifer D. McAllister and Dana C. McAllister; a sister, Jan Maiden and her husband of Crockett; two brothers, Rodney Bullock and his wife, and Tommy Bullock, both of Crockett; their children and grandchildren; four stepchildren, Douglas Whitley and his wife of Arlington, Jimmy Whitley and his wife of Midland, Johnny Whitley and his wife of Midland and Vicki Castillejos and her husband of Odessa; and their children. The family requests memorials be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or to the foundation of your choice. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved.