Ector Co. TX - Obituaries from the Odessa American Online Submitted by Sonny Hall shall@balista.com 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 August 22, 2002 Carrie Jean Kelly ODESSA - Carrie Jean Kelly (Aunt Dink, to her family), 93, of Odessa, went to be with her Lord on Aug. 20, 2002, at Hospice House in Odessa. Graveside services are scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Kevin Bushart, pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Jean was born Sept. 7, 1908, in Aspermont, Texas, to Emmett M. and Elizabeth Tennessee Trammell. She married J. Paul Kelly on Aug. 18, 1934, in Amarillo, and they moved to Odessa in 1947. Her husband; parents; sisters, Virginia Zant and Veda Hitt; and brother, Willard Trammell preceded her in death. They are all rejoicing to welcome her back in the family again. She was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. She had a wide and varied career including teaching third grade in Rule, Texas, and completing her father’s term as Superintendent of Schools following his death. During World War II, she worked as a journeyman mechanic doing riveting inside the wings of combat planes since she was the smallest mechanic they had. After moving to Odessa, she worked for Gage & Cochran Insurance and Real Estate for 27 years until her retirement. She and her husband owned rental property and following his death, until about 89 years of age, she did repairs on the property herself, replacing dry wall and commodes, painting the houses inside and out, and laying carpet. She could do anything that she set her mind to. Her independence and hard work set a very good example for her family. She was a fisherman and loved teaching her nieces and nephews everything she knew. The road between Odessa and Breckenridge knew her well. Baseball was another love, and she continued to watch or listen to baseball games until her death. Survivors include step-daughter, Barbara Ann May of Bakersfield, Calif.; nieces and nephews, Joe C. Zant Jr. and wife Ray Ann of Odessa, Celia Bowden and husband Jean of Bronte, Elizabeth Ann Burks of Austin, Nita Zant of Odessa, Warren Hitt of Panama City, Fla., Merritt Hitt of San Antonio and Victor Lee Trammell of Arlington. She also had many great nieces and nephews who cared for her during her life including Clif Zant, Cathy Hoggard and Laura Zant, all of Odessa, Jerry Zant, Scott Bowden, Kent Bowden and Van Bowden, all of Midland, and many others who do not live in the area. The family would like to express their appreciation to many of the nurses, aides and other staff members of Avalon Nursing Home, and the wonderful nurses at Hospice Home, for the care and love given to "Aunt Dink." Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 1601 E. 42nd Street, Odessa, Texas 79762. John ‘Joe’ Nerren LLANO - John "Joe" Nerren, 76, of Odessa passed away Monday, Aug. 19, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born April 3, 1926, in Huntington, Texas. Mr. Nerren was a World War II Army veteran and a retired welder. He was Past Master of the Masonic Lodge. He was known as "Big Daddy" to his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Winnie Nerren; and grandson, Jon Lee Mitchell. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maxine Nerren of Odessa; son, John Nerren and wife Pauline of Bryan; daughter, Deborah Pettis and husband Steve of Odessa; sister, Melba Hammrick of Lufkin; grandchildren, Denise Camp and husband Robert of College Station, Machelle Lara and husband Trae of Houston, Cody and Jordan Nerren of Bryan, and Deedra Scrogum and husband Chris of Odessa; and great-granddaughter, DeeAmber Nelson of Odessa. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. today, Aug. 22, 2002, at the Waldrope Funeral Home in Llano. Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. today at the Llano City Cemetery in Llano with the Rev. Rick Cundieff officiating. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Michael Patrick Starr KATY - Michael Patrick Starr, 53, of Houston, returned to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2002. He is survived by his wife, Cathy A. Starr; daughter, Kellie Bauman and husband Dan; son, David Dawson; sister, Janice Gordon and husband Ray; brother, Don Starr and wife Sandra; and numerous relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Schmidt Funeral Home in Katy, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel in Katy, Texas with Rev. Chris Cagle officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery in Houston. Schmidt Funeral Home 1508 E. Ave., Katy, TX, 77493. (281) 391-2424. Marcus James Valentine LULING - Services for Marcus James Valentine will be held at 2 p.m. today, Aug. 22, 2002, at the O’Bannon Funeral Chapel in Luling with the Rev. Trey Kent officiating. Burial will be at Luling Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Dunn, Rob Robinson, Mark Robinson, Steve Reed Sr., Steve Reed Jr. and Kevin Reed. Mr. Valentine was born in Odessa on March 14, 1965, to Thomas Valentine and Joyce Towery Valentine. He was married to Shelly Reed in Odessa on Dec. 25, 1989. A resident of Luling, he was a member of Central Baptist Church. He worked in the vehicle repair industry, and was a hydraulic specialist. Mr. Valentine died in Caldwell County on Sunday, Aug. 18, at the age of 37. He is survived by his wife, Shelly Valentine of Luling; his son, Vincent Valentine of Luling; his father and step-mother, Thomas and Cheryl Valentine of Odessa; his mother and step-father, Joyce and Allen Williams of Luling; his sisters, Allison Dunn and husband, Michael of Leander and Wendy Robinson and husband, Rob of Cedar Park; and his grandparents, Edith and Alton Towery of Luling and Lucille Valentine of Orange, Calif. Arrangements were by O’Bannon Funeral Home Inc. Copyright © 1999-2002 Odessa American. All rights reserved.