Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 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 © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved ============================================================================================ Thursday February 7, 2002 Mary Lee Smith Blaylock ODESSA - Mary Lee Smith Blaylock, 54, of Odessa has followed the path God laid for her. Mary Lee Smith was born Aug. 21, 1947, in Wichita Falls to Mary Frances and Herman Lee Smith Sr., who both preceded her in death. Mary was a graduate of Chillicothe High School and a graduate of Odessa College with a license in vocational nursing. She was well known in the community for the delivering of many new lives in the labor and delivery department of Odessa Women's and Children's Hospital. She started the Lamaze classes at Women's and Children's Hospital and taught child educational guidance classes at Carver for the young ladies in our community. She was a very active member of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her sister, Janie Lou Gamble; and her son, William Earl Blaylock. She leaves to cherish her memory and love, her children, LaWanda Holland of Houston, Cheryl Blaylock and Welton Blaylock III, both of Odessa; a brother, Herman Lee Smith Jr. and his wife Anna Smith of Odessa; her grandchildren, Texas Shorts III, M'Lissa Blaylock-Bars, Arthur Holland III, William Blaylock II, Macy Blaylock, A'Leeyah Holland, Chace Blaylock and A'Leesha Blaylock-Jordan; two nieces, Tiffany Smith of Dallas and Elaine Gamble of Odessa; a nephew, Anthony Brown of Wichita Falls; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Martinez Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. J.W. Hanson officiating. Burial will be at Ector County Cemetery. Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home. Wanda Ruth Clayton ODESSA - Wanda Ruth Clayton, 73, of Odessa passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at a local care facility. Wanda was born May 21, 1928, in Olney to Jurdy C. Collins and Alice Marie Collins, who preceded her in death. She married Billie Ray Clayton on July 31, 1945. He preceded her in death Sept. 10, 1955. Her sisters, Mary Louise Jones and Lois Lorene Porter also preceded Wanda in death. Survivors include son, Danny Ray Clayton of Houston; daughters, Debra Diane Blakely of Austin and Donna G. Walker of Odessa; brothers, John Euan Collins of Odessa and James Junior Collins of Mineral Wells; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today, Feb. 7, 2002, in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jess Little officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery in McCamey. You are invited to leave a message or memory in the online guest book at www.wilsonfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Rosa Flores Rodriguez SHEFFIELD - Rosa Flores Rodriguez, 84, went to meet her Father in heaven Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. She will be met by her husband, Albert; daughters, Ethel and Corina; a brother, Tom; and grandsons, Albert and Bobbie, who preceded her in death. She was born June 10, 1917, in Brackettville to Michael and Pauline Cuney. She married Albert Rodriguez in 1938 and moved to Sheffield, where she raised all her children. Around July 1973, Rosa and Albert moved to Rankin, where she worked as a cook in a restaurant until she retired in 1982. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Rankin. She continued to live in Rankin until her husband went to secure a place for her in heaven Feb. 8, 1985. In her long journey in life, she was accompanied by a large family and is survived by sons, Crecencio R. Rodriguez of Rankin, Albert R. Rodriguez of Odessa, Raymond R. Rodriguez of Midland, Jimmy Flores of California and Cristoval Flores of California; daughters, Delfina Delgado of Sheffield, Carol Armendarez, Laura Salinas, Sally Rodriguez, Ophelia Teal and Mary Ellen Rodriguez, all of Rankin, Mary Galindo of California and Estella Rodriguez of Sheffield; 32 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 7, 2002, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Sheffield with Father Henry officiating. Burial will follow at Sheffield Cemetery. Services by Odessa Funeral Home. Samuel DeWayne Teague ODESSA - Samuel DeWayne Teague, age 63, of Lewisville died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, in Taylor, Mich., where he was working as a pipeline inspector for Mustang Engineering. Mr. Teague was born June 28, 1938, in Wewoka, Okla. He worked in the pipeline industry much of his life, and his work sites were always known for the high standards and quality work he demanded. While living in Odessa, Mr. Teague was employed for a short time with Sewell Ford. He and his wife, Myrna, owned and operated the Winners Inn Motel in Ruidoso, N.M., from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Teague was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Myna; sons, Phillip Inman and wife Ellen of Lewisville and Charles Smith and wife Angela of Las Vegas, Nev.; and daughters, Jeanetta Calhoun, her son Michael Henson and husband Rodney Howard of Odessa, Mischelle Schumucker and husband Dan of Gainesville, Mo., Nancy Mathis Bryant and husband Kenneth of Wewoka, Dana Lee Proffit of Joplin, Mo., and Shawnda Teague of Baton Rouge, La. Mr. Teague is also survived by his sister, Shirley Tingwald of Wewoka; brothers-in-law, Roger Sanderson of Odessa and Larry Sanderson and wife Linda of Lewisville; mother-in-law, Jeanette Sanderson; three grandsons; two granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Carl Ray Watson ODESSA - Carl Ray Watson, 45, a lifelong resident of Odessa, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born Feb. 21, 1956, in Odessa to Dean and Evelyn Watson. He loved fishing, art and reading. He lived a happy and fulfilled life. He was an intelligent and special person who inspired everyone. He enjoyed meeting people. No one was ever a stranger. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his father, Dean Watson. He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Watson of Odessa; brother, Bill Watson and wife Linda of Portsmouth, R.I.; sisters, Sharon Marshall and husband Danny of Odessa and Pam Wilson and husband Mike of Odessa; uncle, Roger Allen; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Leevester Williams ODESSA - Leevester Williams, 62, of Odessa, a retired senior oilfield technician, died Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Martinez Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002, at Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. E.J. Miller officiating. Burial will be at Ector County Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nena M. Wilson; grandmother, Ellen Lucky; and father, Marshall Williams. He is survived by his wife, Lola M. Williams of Odessa; brother, A.C. Wilson Jr. of Odessa; and sisters, Linda K. Shedwin of San Antonio, Bertha F. Lewis of Houston and Betty J. Brooks of Odessa. Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home. Gerald Eugene Young IRAAN - Gerald Young, 76, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, after complications from surgery. Services will be at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 7, 2002, at First United Methodist Church in Iraan. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery with services under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home. Gerald was preceded in death by his father, Penzil Young; his mother, Lillie Young; brothers, Max and Rex Young; and a stepsister, Oleta Grush. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Dorothy Young of Iraan; a son, Eugene (Patty) Young of Salt Lake City; daughter, Lavita (Kenneth) Reed of Denver City; sisters, Willa Mae (Chub) Devore of Madisonville, Ky., and Modean (Burl) Brink of Flora, Ill.; stepmother, Thelma Young Horton of Marshall, Ark.; stepbrother, Jack (Jeannie) Young of Tulsa, Okla.; nephews, Cecil "Speedy" Gentry and sons, Brandon and Cullie of Iraan, and Frankie "Tuffy" Gentry of Texarkana; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Gerald was born Sept. 9, 1925, in Big Flat, Ark. In the ninth grade, he had to drop out of school and go to work to help support his brothers and sisters. He spent several years working with his uncles and cousins in saw mills, log hauling, truck driving and numerous other jobs. He moved to Seagraves in the early 50's and worked in the oilfields of West Texas, eventually working for The Western Co., where he worked until he retired in Iraan in 1988. He worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He was strong willed and confident, the type of guy you could love and hate all at the same time. He took pride in trying to do the best job he could for everyone he worked for and with. Gerald was a longstanding member of the Seagraves IOOF Lodge, Iraan Lions Club and a long "driving" member of the Iraan Golf Club. He loved playing the game of golf with his friends where he was a fierce competitor and a self-proclaimed pro. In his retirement, he and Dorothy loved to take trips in their fifth-wheel trailer to visit with family and friends throughout the United States. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the Midland Memorial Hospital doctors and staff for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the San Angelo Boys Club in San Angelo, or to a favorite charity.