Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 7 May 1997 Copyright, http://www.amarillonet.com/ ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Area Mildred Green DALHART - Mildred Green, 82, died Monday, May 5, 1997. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the First Christian Church with Ray M. Guy, minister, officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. in Dumas Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home Inc. Mrs. Green was born in St. Francis, Kan., and was raised around Lamar, Colo. She graduated from high school at Colorado Springs, Colo. She lived in Amarillo for many years before moving to Dalhart in 1996. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was preceded in death by a son. Survivors include three daughters, Claire McCabe of Dumas, Judy Stevens of Amarillo and Shirley Null of Las Vegas; two sons, Wayne Fowler of Albuquerque, N.M., and Melvin Fowler of Dalhart; two sisters, Emma Altwies of Los Angeles and Lillian Clausen of Lamar, Colo.; four brothers, Elmer Powell of Denver, Ralph Powell of Bentonville, Ark., John D. Powell of West Covina, Calif., and Henry Powell of Lamar; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-greatgrandchildren. Johnnie Whitley Vannoy DIMMITT - Johnnie Whitley Vannoy, 92, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, at Plainview. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home Ivey Chapel with the Rev. Rusty Dickerson, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Dimmitt, officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Restland Cemetery at Dallas. Mrs. Vannoy was born in Mountain Peak and moved to Dimmitt in 1980 from San Antonio. She was a member of First Baptist Church of San Antonio and of the Senior Citizens Association of Dimmitt. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Devereaux Whitley, in 1948. Survivors include a brother, Rex Burns of Lovington, N.M.; a sister, Alva Tisdale of Dimmitt; a grandchild; four greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Senior Citizens of Dimmitt, 218 W. Jones St., Dimmitt, Texas 79027. Israel Rodriguez DIMMITT - Israel Rodriguez, 75, died, Tuesday, May 6, 1997. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. today in Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church by the Rev. Guillermo Morales. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Rodriguez was born in Runge and moved to Dimmitt in 1954 from Anton. He was a farmer. Survivors include five sisters, Isabel Serrano of Hereford, Linda Trigo of Dimmitt, Rosa Neeley and Mary Ann Morgan, both of South Carolina and Emma Rodriguez of Tampa, Fla.; and nine brothers, Frank Rodriguez of Hereford, Eddie Rodriguez of Stinnett, Jimmy Rodriguez and Johnny Rodriguez, both of Borger, Mike Rodriguez and Edward Rodriguez, both of San Antonio and Cruz Rodriguez, Arnulfo Rodriguez and Ralph Rodriguez, all of Tampa, Fla. Timothy J. Upton Jr. MEMPHIS - Timothy J. Upton Jr., 8, son of Timothy J. Upton Sr. and Jackie Wilson Upton, died Monday, May 5, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Travis Baptist Church with Charles Waugh, minister of Westview Christian Church of Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Memphis by Spicer Funeral Home. Timothy was born in Amarillo. He was in the first grade at Travis Elementary School. Survivors include his parents; a sister, Britney Upton of Memphis; grandparents, J.C. Upton of Memphis, Bill and Claire Kester of Amarillo; and great-grandparents, Ed Ames of Amarillo and Lola Wilson of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Cecil Frances Whitlow BORGER - Cecil Frances Whitlow, 74, died Friday, May 2, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at New Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. James Mims, the Rev. Howard Romaine and the Rev. J.H. Blakemore officiating. Burial will be in The Garden of Love at Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Whitlow was born in Ardmore, Okla., and had been a Borger resident since 1953. She was a housekeeper and a member of the New Zion Baptist Church. She married Coleman Whitlow in 1954 at Borger. He died in 1989. She also was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother. Survivors include a nephew, Franklin Richardson of Kansas City, Mo.; and a niece, Beverly Richardson of Kansas City. Jacqueline Groneman VEGA - Jacqueline Groneman, 50, died Saturday, May 3, 1997, in McKees Rocks, Pa. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Martin-Altmeyer Funeral Home in East Liverpool, Ohio. Mrs. Groneman was born in Detroit and had lived in Texas most of her life. She served in the Army during the Vietnam War and had been assistant manager of Gregs Venture Foods. She married Calvin Groneman in 1981. She was a Methodist. Survivors include her husband; a son, Homer Groneman of Vega; a daughter, Margarite Rhyne of Amarillo; a sister, Veronica Varian of Lakeland, Fla.; and three grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Mended Heart Chapter No. 54 of Amarillo. Sammy Lee Taylor SHAMROCK - Sammy Lee Taylor, 25, died Friday, May 2, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today at Bowers Cemetery with the Rev. Jeremiah Booth of Shamrock officiating. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Directors. Mr. Taylor was born in Shamrock and raised in Kelton. Survivors include a son, Sammy Lee Taylor Jr. of Shamrock; two daughters, Jordon Lee Taylor of Altus, Okla., and Lennie Renea Taylor of Shamrock; his mother, Lennie Taylor of Shamrock; a brother, Leland Taylor of Sundown; and five sisters, Jeannette Taylor, Maggie Taylor and Martha Childers, all of Shamrock, and Wanda Ward and Rosie Taylor, both of Lubbock. The body will be available for viewing from noon to 1 p.m. today at the funeral home. Noble D. Cross PLAINVIEW - Noble D. Cross, 84, died Thursday, May 8, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Seth Ward Baptist Church with the Rev. Leslie Welch, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. Cross was born in Red River County. He grew up in Red River County, attending schools there. He married Gladyes Opal James in 1935 at Clarksville. He farmed in Clarksville until moving to Cooledge, Ariz., in 1937. He returned to Clarksville in 1944. In 1945 he moved to Bagwell, where he worked for T&P Railroad. In 1946 he moved to Edmonson and farmed. In 1953, he moved to Plainview, where he worked for the State Highway Department until 1958. He returned to work for the highway department in 1962, retiring in 1977. He was a member of Seth Ward Baptist Church in Plainview. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jim Cross of Amarillo; a brother, Marcell Cross of Clarksville; two sisters, Margaret Holly of Clarksville and Dorothy Moore of Abernathy; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Toribio Rodriguez LOCKNEY - Toribio Rodriguez, 64, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997. Mass will be at 3 p.m. today at the San Jose Catholic Church with Monsignor Tim Schwertner officiating. Additional mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Guadalupe Catholic Church in Alice. Burial will be in New Collins Cemetery in Alice by MooreRose-White Funeral Home. Mr. Rodriguez was born in Realitos. He married Amelia Flores in 1951 at Alice. He moved to Lockney from Alice in 1958. He worked at Paymaster Gin and Delinting Plant in Aiken for 16 years. He also worked part time at Carter Gin in Lockney. He was a member of San Jose Catholic Church, where he served as Eucharistic minister. He also was a member of the Cursillista Movement, the Sacred Heart Society, the South Plains Provider Organization and the Parental Involvement Committee. He is a committee member for Boy Scout Troop No. 206. He was preceded in death by a sister, Margarita; two daughters, Graciela Patricia and Matilde Rodriguez; and three grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; nine sons, Jesus Rodriguez of Raleigh, N.C., Jose Rodriguez of Stone Mountain, Ga., Edwardo Rodriguez and Christobal Rodriguez, both of Plainview, Luis Rodriguez of Fort Lupton, Colo., Gerardo Rodriguez of Corpus Christi, Osvaldo Rodriguez of Brighton, Colo., Javier Rodriguez of Lockney and Victor Rodriguez of Dallas; three daughters, Maria Morales of Houston, Consuela Guerra of Missouri City and Carman Ledesma of Lockney; his mother, Ofilia Rodriguez of Victoria; four brothers, Gillermo Rodriguez of Plainview, Adan Rodriguez of Orange Grove, Israel Rodriguez of Lubbock and Roberto Rodriguez of Victoria; six sisters, Felicitas Chapa, Magdalena Joslin and Anita Lopez, all of Victoria, Niebes Raissez and Modesta Perales, both of Lockney, and Theodora Delgado of Kyle; 35 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Grady H. Rogers HEREFORD - Grady H. Rogers, 91, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tom Fuller, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mr. Rogers was born in Floyd County. He married Claudine Horn in 1932 at White Deer. He moved to Deaf Smith County in 1947 from Pampa. He worked as a pharmacist for 50 years before retiring. He owned and operated Rogers Drug in Hereford. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Rotary Club and Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Barbara Miller of Amarillo; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will be at 312 Elm Street in Hereford and requests memorials be to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Amarillo Hazel B. Strasser Hazel B. Strasser, 98, of Amarillo, died Sunday, May 4, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Llano Mausoleum with the Rev. Royce Womack of San Jacinto United Methodist Church officiating, and the Rev. Bill Fitzgerald of San Jacinto United Methodist Church assisting. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Strasser was born in Cozad, Neb. As a child, she lived in Grand Junction, Colo., where her family owned and operated the St. Regis Hotel. She moved to Texas in 1933 and settled in Amarillo with her husband, Ben F. Strasser, in 1949. He died in 1961. She worked as building and home resident supervisor for the YMCA until the early 1970s. She was a member of San Jacinto United Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Alda I. Hawkins of Amarillo; four granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176. Randy Priest Randy Priest, 37, of Amarillo, died Sunday, May 4, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel with the Rev. Rick Rice of Bykota Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Priest was born in Childress and had lived in Amarillo most of his life. He graduated from Palo Duro High School. He worked in construction as an electrician. Survivors include his daughter, Mallory Ann Priest of the home; his parents, "Dobie'' and "Buster'' Priest of Amarillo; and two brothers, Johnny Priest and Lesley Priest, both of Amarillo. The family will be at 2017 Walker St. Amon Lee Bacon Jr. Amon Lee Bacon Jr., 80, of Amarillo died Tuesday, May 6, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Southwest Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Bacon was born in Arkansas and had lived in the Amarillo area since 1944. He served in the Army during World War II. He had been a mail clerk for the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of Southwest Baptist Church. He married Cornelia Smith in 1936 at Tolar, N.M. She died in 1993. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Graham of Sudan and Wanda Johnson of Claude; three sons, Ron Bacon of Galveston, Rick Bacon of Amarillo and Ken Bacon of Denton; three sisters, Margarite Goldman of Malvern, Ark., Ruby Thompson and Cecil Watkins, both of Portales, N.M.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Southwest Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7422, Amarillo, Texas 79114-7422. Ila Wood Yost Ila Wood Yost, 66, of 922 N. Maryland St., died Monday, May 5, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano East Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Field of Southeast Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. Yost was born in Illinois. She moved to Amarillo 15 years ago from Denver. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Robert Cecil Wood, in 1980. She married Edward Dale Yost in 1991 at Amarillo. She was a retired home health care nurse. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Barbara Sue Webster of Everett, Wash.; a son, William Russell Damron Jr. of Salem, Ill.; two stepsons, Cheyenne Yost and Brandon Burley, both of Amarillo; a foster daughter, Ronda Vaughn of the home; a grandchild; and three greatgrandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Ila Wood Yost Fund at Amarillo National Bank, P.O. Box 1, Amarillo, Texas 79105. Peggy Joyce Parish Peggy Joyce Parish, 62, of Amarillo, died Monday, May 5, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park East Mausoleum with the Rev. Mike Suiter officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Parish was born in New Iberia, La. She married Lee R. Parish in 1959 at Gulf Port, Miss. They came to Amarillo in 1988. Survivors include her husband; a son, Kirk Parish of New Orleans; three daughters, Shane Robinson and Phyllis Mathis, both of Amarillo, and Linda King of Bakersfield, Calif.; two brothers, Naif Shahady and Kim Smith; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Barbara K. Gurtz Barbara K. Gurtz, 90, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997. Rosary will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass will be at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Neal Dee officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Michigan. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Gurtz was born in Illinois. She married Curtis H. Gurtz in 1933. He died in 1978. She came to Amarillo in 1993 from Warren, Mich. She was a homemaker and a Red Cross volunteer for more than 50 years. She was a Catholic. Survivors include four daughters, Sharon Weatherly of Amarillo, Mary Jo Balthasar and Clara L. Green, both of Phoenix, and Valeria Hengst of Chesapeake, Md.; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to St. Anthony's Hospice, 200 N.W. Seventh Avenue, Amarillo, Texas 79017. New Mexico Helen Louise Howard CLOVIS, N.M. - Helen Louise "Sally'' Howard, 75, died Sunday, May 4, 1997, in Lubbock, Texas. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Church in Clovis with the Rev. Rick Ketterling officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Fort Sumner Cemetery by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Howard was born in Ravenna, Ohio. She graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Nursing in 1945 and married Byron Hamilton Howard Jr. in 1946 at Tulare, Calif. They moved to Clovis in 1957. She served as director of nursing for DeBaca General Hospital from 1956 to 1968. She was a public health nurse in Ohio and New Mexico, retiring in 1989 after 42 years of nursing. She was a member of Trinity Church. Survivors include two daughters, Susan L. Howard of Clovis and Cathy H. Potisuk of Kent, Ohio; a brother, Wilbur Carl "Bud'' Minnich Jr. of Ravenna; and a grandson. Visitation will be prior to services at Muffley Funeral Home. Fred D. Martin CLOVIS, N.M. - Fred D. Martin, 84, died Sunday, May 4, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clovis with the Rev. R.L. Smith and the Bishop W. Charles Green officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Martin was born in Marlin. He married Theosia Johnson in 1934 at Marlin. They moved to Clovis in 1946. He was a self-employed farmer and had served as a police officer in the 1960s. He was a member of Triangle Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, James Martin; two brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Della Martin of Clovis; two sisters, Dorothy Spillman and Mattie Fields, both of Clovis; eight grandchildren; 17 greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Elsewhere Lura Odell Wallace MENA, Ark. - Lura Odell Wallace, 79, died Sunday, May 4, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Union Mission Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Billy Donahoo officiating. Burial will be in her family cemetery by Hall Funeral Service Inc. of Mena. Mrs. Wallace was born in Eva, Ala. She was raised in Clarendon, moving to Mena in 1977. She was a hairdresser for more than 50 years and owned and operated The Cottage Coffures in Mena. She was a member of The Union Mission Pentecostal Church in Mena. Survivors include three sons, Billy Lynn Meador of Zavalla, Thomas Dewayne Meador and Otey Donald Meador, both of Mena; a daughter, LaQuitta Faye Lewis of Mena; a stepdaughter, Patsy Robertson of Clarendon; two sisters, Winnell Thieme of San Antonio and Edna Sloan of Mena; 18 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. Alfred L. Hampton LUBBOCK - Alfred L. Hampton, 70, died Sunday, May 4, 1997. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at 504 54th St. in Lubbock with Scott Roberts officiating. Cremation was by Jamison's Funeral Home of Lubbock. Mr. Hampton was born in Dura, Okla. Survivors include four sons, Allen Hampton and Ray Hampton, both of Amarillo, Kenneth Hampton and Earnest Hampton, both of Lubbock; a brother, H.W. Hampton of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.