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 ============================================================================================ Sunday February 17, 2002 Delnah M. Williams ODESSA - Delnah M. Williams died at home Feb. 15, 2002 at 79 years of age. Delnah was born May 6, 1922 to Jim and Lillian Reeves of Rule, Texas. On April 30, 1942, she and Winston Williams were joined in marriage and become one flesh as stated in God's word. Delnah and Winston continued to be one for almost 60 years. Delnah was a devoted and loving wife and mother to her family and also to her many friends. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Delnah strongly believed in the resurrection declared by the apostle Paul in Acts 24:15. She also believed that she would have the opportunity to live forever in a paradise earth recorded at Psalms 37:29. Delnah was preceded in death by a son, Paul Eldon, her father, one sister and one brother. She is survived by her husband, Winston Williams; one son, Michael Williams and wife Darlene of Denison, Texas; one brother, Charles Reeves and wife, Polly, of Odessa; her mother, Lillian Reeves of Haskell, Texas; and nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted by Luther Whitlow at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002. Pallbearers are Joe Baxter, Roy Brooks, Frank Levario, Joe Luman, Danny Stark, and Vance Traylor. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Dan Leonard Woods MONAHANS - Dan Leonard Woods, 75, a resident of Monahans for 35 years, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 in Marshall, Texas. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002 at First Baptist Church in Monahans with the Rev. Jeff Box and Wally Watson officiating. Burial followed at Monahans Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements by Bill Thomas Funeral Home in Midland. He was born July 27, 1926 in Marshall, Texas. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Monahans. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He is survived by wife, Peggy Woods of Monahans; son, Skip Woods of Monahans; daughter, Joy Lynn Hardaway of Dohoqatar, Persian Gulf; five brothers; three sisters; and two grandchildren. Versie Loden Huckaby ODESSA - Versie Loden Huckaby passed away Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002 at a care facility in Odessa. She was born July 27, 1910 in Upshur County, Texas to James and Dora Loden. Versie attended East Mountain country school and graduated from Harmony Grove High School. In 1931 she married Jeff Huckaby in Seven Pines, Texas. She resided in Midland from 1945 until 1998 when she moved to the Lincoln Tower Retirement Center in Odessa, Texas. She was a member of Dellwood Baptist Church in Midland. After her retirement from F.W. Woolworth her time was spent doing the things she loved. She was a very talented woman, which was evident in her hand made baby clothes and her crotchet items. She was preceded in death by her husband Jeff in 1988, her parents and her brother Hubert Loden. Versie is survived by her son, Russell J. Huckaby and his wife Billie of Concord, CA; daughter, LaWanda Brown and her husband Robert of Odessa, TX; sister, Christine Bostick and her husband Fred of Longview, TX. Also surviving are four grandsons, three granddaughters, five great-grandsons, three great-granddaughters, one great-great grandson and one great great granddaughter, nieces and nephews and many friends. Visitation will be held Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel in Odessa with Reverend Clydel Chapman of Northside Baptist Church, Odessa officiating. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, great-grandsons and great-great-grandson. Honorary pallbearers will be her grand daughters, great-granddaughters and great-great granddaughter. To My Mother Mother, a word most hold reverently in their heart How can I describe you, where do I start? You are gentle, you are kind When I was little you made me mind With a soft voice you would explain How my feelings sometimes caused you pain Although you may be disappointed in many things I say and do Your love for me is like a shining light Always burning steadfast and true Many times your day off was spent Helping me, as a day with Nanny my boys spent How fortunate the people who have passed your way For your love or friendship they never had to pay You've asked so little and worked so hard If I were rich I'd build you a dream home with a beautiful yard If pretty pictures I could paint My masterpiece would be a portrait of you My Mother, a saint Jose Luis Carrasco ODESSA - Jose Luis Carrasco, 25 years of age passed away on Feb. 14, 2002 at Medical Center Hospital. He was born Sept. 27, 1976 in Alpine, Texas to Jose Soza Carrasco and Mary Nancy Hernandez. He was a motor man for Nabors Drilling Co. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Hilda Carrasco from Odessa; a son, Jose Damian Carrasco from Odessa; a daughter, Yareli Carrasco from Odessa; parents Jose and Nancy Carrasco from Odessa; one brother, Cesar H. Carrasco from Odessa. He is preceded in death by his grandfather Moises Hernandez. A rosary will be recited on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002 at 7 p.m. at Odessa Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at Holy Redeemer Church with Father Pablo Tiong officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services by Odessa Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Fabian Ortega, Kristopher Campbell, Ramon Salazar, Remigio Leyva, Remy Leyva, and Tony Gabilondo. Ozelle Lyles ODESSA - Ozelle Lyles, 87, of Odessa, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, in a local hospital. Mrs. Lyles was born Jan. 7, 1915 in DeLeon, Texas. She married W.E. Lyles April 3, 1935 in Mexico. They moved to Odessa in 1935 from De Leon, Texas. She remained a member of the First Baptist Church of De Leon, but attended and was cared for by Sunset Heights Baptist Church. She had worked for Medical Center Hospital as a secretary in the engineering department for several years. She later was the owner of Lyles Bookkeeping and Real Estate with her husband. Ozelle was loved by all who knew her and will always hold a special place in our hearts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Josie Ellis, three sisters and a brother. She is survived by her husband, W.E. Lyles of Odessa; five nephews, Sherman Brownlee, David Ellis, Jimmy Ellis, Shawn Ellis and Bryan Brownlee, all of Odessa; two nieces, Sheri Murray and Wanda Delaney, both of Odessa. Public visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday in the Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, in the Sunset Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Jess Little officiating. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be her nephews, Sherman Brownlee, David Ellis, Jimmy Ellis, Shawn Ellis, Bryan Brownlee and Joe Brazell. Memorial contributions should be made to Sunset Heights Baptist Church. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Gladys A. Brownlee ODESSA - Gladys A. Brownlee, 84, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. She was born Jan. 23, 1918 to Henry Jay and Sallie Golightly in Erath County near Dublin, Texas. Mrs. Brownlee graduated from Dublin High School and married Clyde Leslie Brownlee in 1935. They lived in DeLeon, Seagraves, Pampa and Colorado City before settling in Odessa in 1949. She was an award-winning saleswoman for a cosmetic company and when she met people, she made lifelong friendships. She went to work in the Ector County Clerk's office in 1959, then moved to the Purchasing Department before retiring from the office staff of the county library in 1983, giving 24 years of service to Ector County. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday school class for 52 years. She was a devout Bible student, and participated in Bible studies of various denominations in Odessa. Mrs. Brownlee was an excellent cook, accomplished seamstress, and has been described by her grandchildren as a very giving, beautiful, kind, loving, faithful Christian woman who focused her life on her family and her faith. She will be remembered by everyone for her beautiful smile and gentle nature. Mrs. Brownlee was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, one grandson, Glen M. Fink, and her beloved husband, Clyde, who died in 1985. She joined Clyde, the love of her life, on Valentine's Day. She is survived by her daughters Georgene Miller and husband, Bob of Odessa, Kay Peek and Husband, Buster of San Angelo, and son, Les Brownlee of Alexandria, Va.; grandchildren, Joel Fink Jr., and wife, Laura, of Midland, Tracy Carney and husband, Clay, of Falls Church, Va., John Brownlee and wife, Lee Ann, of Roanoke, Va., Sloan Springer and husband, Thance, of Coahoma, Sarah Peek of San Angelo; great grandchildren, Ryan, Kelsey, and Reagan Fink, Vana and Vail Springer, Kyle Carney and Thompson Ann Brownlee. Mrs. Brownlee's son, Les, was recently appointed by President George W. Bush, as Under Secretary of the Army. Her grandson, John Brownlee, was appointed by President Bush as the United States Attorney of the Western District of Virginia. Viewing will be held at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. The burial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Steve Trout officiating. A memorial service will then be held at First United Methodist Church of Odessa at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends in the church parlor immediately following the memorial service. 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. Contributions can be made to the Memorial Fund of the First United Methodist Church of Odessa or the Door of Hope Mission. Myrtle Crane ODESSA - Myrtle Crane, 78, of Odessa was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Feb. 14, 2002. Our dear and beloved "Mama Crane" passed away peacefully at the Hospice House in Odessa after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Crane was born Aug. 10, 1923 in New Boston, Texas and she moved to Odessa in 1956. She worked for Ector County Independent School District for several years before becoming the secretary for the Globe of the Great Southwest. She held this position for 17 years before retiring in 1993. She was also a Juliette during her tenure at the Globe. Since 1956, Mrs. Crane was a member of the Jolley's of Temple Baptist Church. Anyone who had the honor of knowing Myrtle will miss her. She was devoted to her family and friends. She was our "Mama Crane." Her husband, Kermit P. Crane of Odessa, brother, Wayne King of Edgewood and stepdaughter Arlene Armbruster of Dallas preceded her in death. She is survived by her four children: daughter, Janie Payte; son, Jerry Crane and his wife, Jeannie; son, Jimmy Crane, all of Odessa, and daughter Jo Countryman of Hobbs, N.M.; sister, Mary Kathryn Skaggs of Odessa; brother, Horace King and wife, Pearl; sister, Frances Jones and husband, Max, all of Old Boston, Texas; sister, Violet Anderson of Redwater, Texas; sister-in-law, June King of Edgewood, Texas; grandchildren and families, Rickey Coleman, wife, Angie, and their children, Jeremy, Paige, and Austin of Alma, Mich.; Tonya Pinnell, husband, Eddie, and their children, Taylor, Colin, and Danny Payte; Rachael Jones, husband, Pete, and their child, Nigel, all of Odessa; Chelsea and her brother, Chase Countryman, both of Moorcroft, Wyo., and Stacey Crane of Dallas; stepchildren, Beal Crane and wife, Betty, of Brenham, Texas and Paula Cameron of Austin; and also several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family requests any memorial contributions be made to Home Hospice, 903 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, Texas 79761. 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. Rito Salazar Villalon ODESSA - Rito Salazar Villalon, 27, an oil field derrick hand, of Odessa, died Feb. 14, 2002 in Ector County. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with Father Pablo Tiong officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home. He was born Nov. 21, 1974 in Pecos, Texas. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Pedro Villalon, grandmother, Emma Gomez; grandfather, Feliz Salazar; grandmother Micalela Villalon; and grandfather, Rito Villalon. He is survived by girlfriend, Rachel Darnett of Odessa; mother, Lucila Salazar of Odessa; brother Pete Villalon Jr. of California; sisters, Jazmin Leyva of Odessa, Oyuky Leyva of Odessa, Debora Villalon of Midland and Hilda Carrasco of Odessa. John E. Miller WHITTER, Calif. - Mr. John Edward Whigham-Miller, age 91 of La Puente, California died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002, at St. Judes Elder Care in El Monte, California. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Monday Feb. 4, 2002, in the Rose Hills Memorial Chapel with Reverend William Flanders officiating. Scottish bagpipe graveside services with military honors followed at Lake of the Roses, Cherry Blossom Lawn in Rose Hills Cemetery, Whittier, California. Johnny was born Nov. 12, 1910 in Flat, Texas to the late Richard Whigham and Nettie Donaldson Whigham-Miller. The late Eldred Fletcher Miller became his stepfather in 1912. John was Valedictorian of the 1928 graduating class of Gatesville High School and he attended Baylor University in Waco. He became Headmaster of the Clear Creek Community School where he met Ada Odelia Murphy, who taught primary grades. They were married on Dec. 8, 1934, in Brownwood, Texas, and celebrated sixty-six years of marriage in 2000. Clear Creek Community is now part of Fort Hood, with members of the pioneer community holding a reunion each year at the Golden Corral in Temple, Texas. This year, John will be honored in a memorial on Sept. 21, 2002, at the Golden Corral. In 1942 Johnny enlisted in the Army during World War II. After the war he served in the Texas National Guard and he carried a rural mail route out of Lubbock to Clovis, New Mexico. He became a farmer and rancher in Gatesville and worked for the Gatesville Post Office. He retired from the postal service at Mar Vista Station, California after 43 years in the service. He is preceeded in death by his wife, Ada Odelia Murphy-Miller. His sisters, Myrtle Opal Whigham Mooney and Louise Miller Ouxer of Lubbock, and one son, Robert Wendell Miller of Gatesville. Survivors include one brother, Dr. Thomas Miller of Stanford, Texas, and sisters Dorothy Whigham Lee of Gatesville, Lila Whigham Cassella of Dayton, Ohio, Nadine Whigham Zampati of Dayton, Ohio, Lavern Whigham Swabb of Arcannon, Ohio, and Ruby Ethel Weldon of Odessa; sons: John Edward Miller Jr. of Indian Harbor Beach, Florida and Lyndon Earl Miller of Martinez, Georgia; daughters Virginia Marie Miller of Glendale, California, Wilhelmina Miller-Potter of Westminster, California, and Erma Lee Miller-Stites of Moorpark, California; and eight grandchildren: Arthur F. Potter, Barrett A. Stites, Brandt R. Stites, Sonya A. Stites, Aaron G. Stites, Stephanie Miller, Rhiana Kileen Miller, and Deirdre Erin Whigham Miller. Pall bearers were his sons and grandsons. The family requests all donations in his memory go to the American Heart Association. Luci Cai ODESSA - Lucy Cai (Shu-Rong Tsai) of Odessa passed away at Medical Center Hospital, Feb. 16, 2002. Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 at Sunset Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Lucy was born in Jiang-Hu-Ban, Fujian, China on Dec. 13, 1919. She had worked as a nurse in China. She came to the United States and stayed in Los Angeles for a short time before moving to Odessa in 1987. She was a member of the 7th Day Adventist Church. She enjoyed going to church, working in her garden and cooking. Lucy had helped raise her grandson, Stephen, and helped her daughter, Lin through nursing school. She was a very helpful and giving person, always there for her family and friends. Survivors include her husband, Cecil Wang of Odessa, daughters, Lin H. Wang of Odessa, Hong-Qi Wang of Shanghai, China, and Hong-Ying of Shanghai, China; a son, Hong-Ren Wang of Victoria, Canada; grandchildren, Hong-Jue "Stephen" Qiao, Lei Jiang, Jing Jiang, Wei-Peng Li and Sheng Wang. Services are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Dwight Welsh FORT WORTH - Dwight Welsh, videographer and actor left this earth in a car accident on Feb. 13, 2002. Funeral: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 7:30. Burial: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth. Memorials: In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hip Pocket Theater, P.O. Box 136758, Fort Worth, 76136 or Fort Worth Film Festival, 215 W. 8th Street, Fort Worth, 76102. Dwight was born September 30, 1951 to M.L. "Babe" and Freda Welsh in Odessa, TX. After graduation from Permian High, he moved to Fort Worth and attended TCJC. He graduated from UTA with a degree in Marketing and founded Dwight Welsh Video and Hip TV. A broadcast award winning professional since 1970, Dwight was known for his attention to detail and technical knowledge. He was well respected and sought after by the legal community for his dedication to perform the technical needs of his clients. Dwight's involvement with the local arts began with the Hip Pocket Theater where he acted in over 50 productions. Dwight was known to audiences for portraying a variety of eccentric characters, among them a frenzied beatnik in a 2001 stage adaptation of Jack Kerouac's On the Road and the evil puppet master in Pinocchio Commedia in 1991. His devotion and participation with the Arts also include the Kimbell Art Museum, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Main St. Art Festival, Dallas Video Festival, and the local music scene. Dwight co-produced the documentary, "Hip Pocket Theatre on Exhibit at the Kimbell," shown at last year's Fort Worth Film Festival. The festival president called it "a centerpiece" of the 2001 festival. Dwight was never without his camera videotaping family gatherings, birthdays, weddings and reunions. Dwight was not fancy but carefree and lived his life to the fullest with dance and music. A talented professional with a caring heart and a wonderful sense of humor, Dwight was a true friend, a beloved son, an excellent brother and the best uncle any child could have. Dwight loved his family and was just a big kid at heart, inside and out. He loved playing with Leigh, Kristin, and Patrick Welsh, who affectionately called him "Uncle D." He was a thoughtful, affectionate, and gracious man who knew how to have a great time. He touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his parents, Freda and Babe Welsh; brothers and sister, Taunton Welsh, and his wife, Kathie, of Baltimore, MD, Deb Ann Orfalea and her husband, Richard, of Glendale, CA, Lyle Cashion Welsh of Plano; nieces and nephews, Joseph Jeremiah and Emily Marie Welsh, Tori Ann Orfalea, Leigh Cashion, Kristin Rachel and Patrick Ryan Welsh; and many special friends including Linda Broiles and Dylan Griffin, to whom he was a father figure and mentor.