Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online November 20, 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. Permian Basin Obituaries Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved ============================================================================================ November 20, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries Obituaries Index John Holley ODESSA - John Holley, age 54, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at Seabury Nursing Center in Odessa. John Maxwell Holley was born Feb. 17, 1947, in Garland, Ark., to William Holley and Evelyn Clark Holley. He worked as a grocer at Big John's Grocery Store and several other stores through the years. John was preceded in death by his father, W.H. "Buster" Holley; his sister, Donna Holley; and his brother, Darrell Holley. He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Holley of Odessa; his brothers, Ray, Rodney, Wayne and Douglas Holley, all of Odessa; five nieces; and two nephews. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today, Nov. 20, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Terry Wright of Westover Baptist Church of Odessa officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home in Midland. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all of the staff and employees of Seabury Center for their loving and excellent care for John for the past six years. Donna Lou King ODESSA - Donna Lou King, our beloved Mother and Mimi, went peacefully to be with the Lord Saturday, Nov. 17, 2001. Mother/Mimi was born to Donald W. and Lucille Cunningham Nov. 30, 1930, in Seminole, Okla. In 1945, Donald moved his family to Odessa. Here, Mother attended Odessa High School and then Texas Tech University. On June 26, 1949, Mother married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Eugene King. Daddy and Mother made their home in Odessa, where they started several oilfield-related businesses. Daddy preceded Mother in death Jan. 31, 1997. Mother is survived by Gerri Lu McAdams of Odessa, Donald Eugene King and wife Mary of Midland, Kelli Kay Whitaker and husband Danny of Raton, N.M., and Traci Lynn Clark and husband Bill of Odessa. Mimi had nine grandchildren, Jeremy Clark and wife Rebecca of Ruidoso, N.M., Shon King of Houston, Michele Barrow and husband Brandon of Midland, Kristy Brown and husband Billy of Odessa, Taune Whitaker of Lubbock, Anthony Clark and wife Natalie of San Diego, Calif., Danny Whitaker II of Odessa, Dillon and Rachel King of Midland. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Tori Brown, Alexandra and Kristina Clark and Whitney and Blake Clark, Matthew and Brittany King. Her favorite hobbies were attending bingo at the VFW, reading and enjoying her family. Services will be at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 20, 2001, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Don C. Melton ODESSA - Don C. Melton, age 72, of Odessa died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at Medical Center Hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, at the Kilgore Cemetery in Kilgore. Viewing will take place and the family will be receiving guests from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 20, 2001, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. He was born Aug. 27, 1929, in Flint, Mich., to Earl R. and Gladys Melton. He was the first of five children, four boys and a girl. Mr. Melton was raised and attended school in Newton County, Mo. His family moved to Texas in 1949. He served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army for two years. He lived in Kilgore until 1959, when he made his home in Odessa. He retired from Permian Tank Co. in 1987. Mr. Melton was a loving husband, father and grandfather and cherished spending time with his family. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and in later years, a gardener. He was Baptist by faith. He is survived by his wife, Mattie Lou Melton of Odessa; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Kathy Melton, Steve and Lisa Melton and Steve and Marty Tayloe, all of Odessa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Shirley Melton of Kilgore, Max and Pat Melton of Kilgore and Roger and Vicki Melton of Longview; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Don Mitchell of Seneca, Mo.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the numerous care providers over the past few years who demonstrated their compassion and concern and whose skills helped make his final days as comfortable and productive as possible. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation of North Texas, 1800 Swiss Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75204. Services have been entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) Clarence L. Arends ODESSA - Clarence L. Arends, 76, of Odessa passed away Saturday, Nov. 17, 2001, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. He was born Feb. 9, 1925, to Harm and Selina Arends in Lennox, S.D. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Kevin Bushart of St. Luke's Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Mr. Arends entered the United States Army in 1944 and served his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He received the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, an Overseas Service Bar, the American Theater Ribbon and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. He married Claudie Mae Dennis Jan. 26, 1946, in Brownwood, later moving to Odessa from Big Spring in 1957. He was employed with Tumbleweed Machinery Tools for a time and retired from ARMCO. His parents, Harm and Selina Arends; two brothers, Henry and James Arends; a sister, Ida Christensen; and two sons, Dennis Lee and Kenneth Wayne Arends, all preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Claudie Arends; daughter, Janice Stephens and her husband Marty, all of Odessa; two brothers, Wesley Arends of Haywarden, Iowa, and Wendell Arends of Beresford, S.D.; a sister, Clara Kritzmire of Parker, S.D.; five grandchildren, Sean Arends, Kacie Arends, Dennis Arends, Carolyn Torvik and Michelle Atkins; and four great-grandchildren, Holden Weeks, Kendra Atkins, Matthew Torvik and Allison Torvik. Memorials may be donated to the American Heart Association. Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Lena Pearl 'Babe' Donaghey Courtney ODESSA - Lena Pearl "Babe" Donaghey Courtney, age 93, passed away Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at a nursing home in Odessa. Mrs. Courtney was born May 21, 1908, in Hill County, the daughter of John and Lula Pyron Donaghey. She married Marion B. Courtney Dec. 1, 1928, in Anson. They moved to Odessa in 1945 and were active members of Immanuel Baptist Church. Mrs. Courtney was a homemaker. One of her greatest joys was family gatherings. She spent many happy hours cooking and preparing for family and friends. She was creative with her hands and mind; she enjoyed sewing, quilting and music. Most important were God and God's teachings. She was very involved in her church and church socials. Mrs. Courtney was preceded in death by her husband in 1973; two sons, Marion Byrant and Jerry Mac; a grandson, Jimmy Courtney; three sisters; and two brothers. Survivors include daughter, Aza Lee Griffin and husband Howard of Odessa; sons, Eldon Courtney and wife Rheta of Odessa, Don Courtney of Odessa and Max and wife Ginger of Fort Worth; 13 grandchildren, Johnny Ray Courtney, John Courtney, Lisa Harris, Jackie Courtney, Joey Courtney, Wayne Courtney, Candy White, Darrell Courtney, Ryan Courtney, Patrick Courtney, Sandra Schlotz, Norma Crew and Jo Ann Callow; 22 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson. Visitation will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 20, 2001, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at Immanuel Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill D. Cook officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials, in lieu of flowers, to Meals on Wheels, 1313 E. Fifth St., or to a charity of your choice. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved.