Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 9 July 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 ==================================================================== Last updated; Wednesday, July 9, 1997, 7:14 AM Amarillo Elnora Woolbright Elnora Woolbright, 92, of Amarillo, died Friday, July 4, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Johnson Chapel AME Church with the Rev. Phillip C. Randle, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery East by Golden Gate Mortuary, 1416 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Woolbright was born in Waco and attended school there. She had lived in Amarillo for 57 years. She was a member of Johnson Chapel AME Church. Survivors include a son, Lawrence Griffin of Seaside, Calif.; a daughter, Elnora Beth Williams of Denver; a grandchild; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1909 N.W. 13th Ave. They suggest memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St. Sidney Talton Walker Sidney Talton Walker, 88, of Amarillo, a former longtime Borger resident, died Friday, July 4, 1997. Services will be private. Wake services will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday in the VFW at Borger. Cremation arrangements were by Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth Ave. Mr. Walker had lived in Amarillo for two years. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of Borger Church of Christ and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1789. He also operated Frank Phillips Men's Club. Survivors include a daughter, Nacola Harper of Borger; a brother; five sisters; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. The body will not be available for viewing. People attending the wake are asked to bring a covered dish; beverages will be supplied. Manuela Garcia Manuela Garcia, 96, of Amarillo, died Thursday, July 3, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Patrick Hoffman of St. Laurence Cathedral officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Ms. Garcia was born in Floresville and had been a resident of Amarillo for 71 years. She cooked and cleaned for several business establishments in Amarillo. Survivors include two daughters, Lupe Arguello and Delores Huitron, both of Amarillo. The family will be at 1309 S. Garfield St. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Dolores Landin Dolores Landin, 82, of 1911 S. Nelson St., died Tuesday, July 8, 1997. Prayer services will be at 6 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Bell Avenue Chapel with the Rev. Catarino Guerrero officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Landin was born in Seguin. She married Jose Landin in 1933 at Seguin. He died in 1995. She also was preceded in death by a son, Resendo "Rocky'' Landin, in 1965. She lived in Littlefield and Hereford before moving to Amarillo in 1975. She was a member of St. Matthew's Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Young and Chris Mendoza, both of Amarillo; a son, Joe Landin of Amarillo; two sisters, Clara Guerrero of Albuquerque, N.M., and Connie Cazares of Brownsville; two brothers, Albert Cazares of Greeley, Colo., and Jose Cazares of Monterrey, Mexico; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Lois Helen Weaver Lois Helen Weaver, 77, of Conroe, formerly of Amarillo, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with Gene Shelburne, minister of Anna Street Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Weaver was born in Kaufman and grew up in Sweetwater. She lived in Amarillo from 1941 to 1977. She lived in Sweetwater again before moving to Conroe six months ago. She married Woodrow H. Weaver in 1938 at Sweetwater. He died in 1982. Mrs. Weaver was a homemaker and worked as a secretary at her son's businesses in Abilene and Amarillo. She was a former member of Anna Street Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, Harold Wayne Weaver of Conroe and Noel Gene Weaver of Houston; a brother, Guy Ewing of Sweetwater; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Anna Street Church of Christ, 2310 Anna St., Amarillo, Texas 79106. Margaret Chase Gilbreath Margaret Chase Gilbreath, 96, formerly of Amarillo, died Monday, July 7, 1997, in Port Charlotte, Fla. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Gilbreath was born in Howell. She was a longtime Amarillo resident before moving to Port Charlotte in 1988. She was an operator for Western Union and AT&T. She was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church and Vaughn-Selby Sunday School Class. Mrs. Gilbreath was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter E. Chase, in 1953; and her second husband, the Rev. Reedy R. Gilbreath, in 1964. Survivors include a daughter, Dorothy Barb of Port Charlotte; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Corinne Mansfield Corinne Bridgett Brittingham Brooks Mansfield, 76, of Amarillo, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery Garden Mausoleum with Monsignor Joseph Tash of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Mansfield was born in El Paso and raised in Cuba and Mexico. She attended Mary Baldwin College. She was a past board member of the Panhandle Historical Society. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She married Robert Wilson Mansfield in 1942 at Lubbock. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Marilyn Houston of Fort Worth and Margaret Kennebeck of Rockford, Ill.; a son, Robert Brooks Mansfield of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Olivia's Angels c/o Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176-0001. Elsewhere Nadine Jacqueline Crone CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. - Nadine Jacqueline Naly Crone, 71, died Tuesday, July 8, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Wevik Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Richard Fylling officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Riverview Cemetery. Mrs. Crone was born in Opheim, Mont. She was raised in Opheim; Glasgow, Mont.; and Bremerton, Wash. She married Boyce Mills Crone in 1949 at Glasgow. They lived in Fort Peck, Mont.; Fort Lincoln, N.M.; and Riverdale, N.D. They moved to Chamberlain in 1964. Mrs. Crone was employed by the Corps of Engineers, Bell Telephone Co., the U.S. Postal Service and Chamberlain Public Library. She worked at the library from 1965 until retiring as head librarian in 1987. She also volunteered her time with the Child Protection Team and tutored children in reading. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Sylvia Dawn Murray of Amarillo, Sandra Dee Tapanes of Clewiston, Fla., and Janine Yvette Wenzel of Gillette, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Sioux Falls Humane Society. Martha Steed Lyne DALLAS - Martha "Marty'' Steed Lyne, 69, died Tuesday, July 8, 1997. Memorial services will be Friday at First Community Church. Mrs. Lyne was born in Wichita Falls. She was a 1945 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Texas Woman's University and graduated in 1949 from Southern Methodist University. She was a member of North Ridge Presbyterian Church, Lakewood Country Club and Pierian Club. She served on the boards of the Dallas Opera, DOT, East Dallas "Y'' and Shepherd Center. She also supported the Dallas Women's Foundation. She and her son, Lanham, formerly owned Fox 14 TV. Her family received the Golden Touch Award in 1993 for the station's contribution to the arts. Mrs. Lyne was preceded in death by her husband, Fritz L. Lyne, and a daughter, Linda Sue Lyne. Survivors include a son, Lanham Lyne; a daughter, Lou Alpert; and 10 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the North Ridge Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 6920 Bob-O-Links, Dallas, Texas 75214; the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Foundation, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235; the Dallas Opera, 634 Preston Royal Shopping Center, Dallas, Texas 75230; or a favorite charity. Paula Kay Criswell McCoun ABILENE - Paula Kay Criswell McCoun, 39, a former Amarillo resident, died Tuesday, July 8, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Aldersgate United Methodist Church with James Teel, chaplain, officiating. Arrangements are by Allen-Korzenewski Funeral Home. Mrs. McCoun was born in Austin. She graduated magna cum laude in 1979 from McMurry University with a bachelor of science degree in math education. She received a master of science degree in mathematics from Texas Tech University in 1986 and a doctorate of education from Texas Tech in 1993. She returned to Abilene in 1993. She was a past president of McMurry Women's Club and received the Unsung Heroine Award from McMurry University in March. She played the flute in the Abilene Community Band. Mrs. McCoun was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and was a volunteer and volunteer coordinator for Hospice of the Big Country. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hobbs, N.M. She married Kelly Lynn McCoun in 1986 at Hobbs. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Ruth Lougene Criswell of Hobbs; and a sister, Christine Felton of Rowlett. The family requests memorials be to the Paula Criswell McCoun Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Abilene Teacher's Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 5706, Abilene, Texas 79608. New Mexico C.H. Moore CLOVIS, N.M. - C.H. Moore, 57, died Friday, July 4, 1997, at Cloudcroft. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in 16th & Pile Church of Christ with James Love officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mr. Moore was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and had lived in Clovis most of his life. He graduated from Clovis High School in 1958. He had been the purchasing agent for Honetreat for the past 17 years. He married Joany Richardson in 1975 at Clovis. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Kristy Harper of Schweinfurt, Germany, and Alison Schell of Mesa, Ariz.; two sons, Chad Moore of Austin, Texas, and Tim Schell of Port Crane, N.Y.; his mother, Helen Moore of Clovis; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association. The family will be at 321 Rosewood. Robert Cleo McCormack CLOVIS, N.M. - Robert Cleo McCormack, 81, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Billy E. Hines Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mr. McCormack was born in Venus, Texas, and had lived in Clovis since 1942. He farmed in Grady and Enochs, Texas, before moving to Clovis from Grady. He retired from Santa Fe Railway after 30 years. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a past president of the New Mexico Singing Convention. He married Jewel Neola McLain in 1933 at Enochs. She died in 1994. Survivors include a daughter, Alexa Pickel of Clovis; three sons, Gary McCormack of Albuquerque, Randy McCormack of Henrietta, Texas, and John McCormack of Grants; special friend, Opal Blackburn of Clovis; 14 grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Baptist Children's Home. Area Joe Ward DUMAS - Joe Ward, 44, died Friday, July 4, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Lowell Schmidt, pastor, and the Rev. Gene Anderson, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Amarillo, officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Hartley Cemetery at Hartley. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Ward was born in Fremont, Ohio. He graduated from Bowling Green State University at Bowling Green, Ohio. He lived in Fort Worth before living in Amarillo for three years. He had lived in Dumas for the past two years. Mr. Ward was a truck driver and a member of Church of the Nazarene. He had served in the Army ROTC and was a captain in the National Guard Reserves. He married Eva Jean Hall in 1980 at Hartley. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Josh Ward, Andrew Ward and Isaac Ward, all of the home; his parents, Jim and Phyllis Ward of Green Springs, Ohio; two brothers, Danny Kopp of Ashland, Ohio, and Jeff Ward of Green Springs; and a sister, Diana Hamner of Green Springs. The family will be at 104 Carson in Dumas. They request memorials be to the Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, 402 S. Porter, Dumas, Texas 79029. Sam Houston Hooker MOBEETIE - Sam Houston Hooker, 75, died Tuesday, May 27, 1997. Memorial graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Mobeetie Cemetery with the Rev. Ralph Hovey, Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home of Wheeler. Mr. Hooker was born in Mobeetie and was a longtime resident of Mobeetie. He served in the Army from 1941 to 1945. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Casto of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Frank Hooker of Bridgeport; and six grandchildren. Norman Lytal HEREFORD - Norman Lytal, 85, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Central Church of Christ with the Rev. Joe Williams of Jacksboro and the Rev. Tom Bailey officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery by Parkside Chapel. Mr. Lytal was born in Wolfe City. He married his wife, Wanda, in 1933. They had farmed in Deaf Smith County for 29 years before retiring in 1980. Mr. Lytal was a member of Central Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Peggie Fox of Hereford; two sons, Billy Lytal and Joel Lytal, both of Hereford; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Hereford Senior Citizens. Carl H. Clawson GRUVER - Carl H. "Dutch'' Clawson, 99, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Gruver United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Moore, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon, Okla. Mr. Clawson was born in Sun City, Kan. He moved to Hansford County in 1923. He married Bernice Beaver in 1929 at Liberal, Kan. They made their home east of Hitchland until 1948 when they moved west of Gruver. Mrs. Clawson died in 1994. He also was preceded in death by a son, Charles Hugh Clawson. Mr. Clawson was a charter member of Hitchland Community Church and a member of the Hitchland and Gruver school boards. He owned and operated a grain elevator in the Hitchland area for several years and was active in the family farming and ranching operation until the time of his death. He later married Willie Jones in Gruver. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Wanda Stevens of Norman, Okla., Ella Mae Clawson of Irving, Margaret Bell of Gruver and Karen Seyb of Johnson, Kan.; three sons, Max Clawson and Rodney Clawson, both of Gruver, and Kirby Clawson of Santana, Kan.; a sister, Audrey Russell of Kingman, Kan.; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Thursday. A C.H. "Dutch'' Clawson memorial has been established for the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Foundation or a favorite charity. Memorials will be accepted at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, Box 1306, Guymon, Okla., 73942. Wylie E. Hill HEDLEY - Wylie E. "Tode'' Hill, 88, died Tuesday, July 8, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Hedley Church of Christ with Bright Newhouse, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors Inc. of Clarendon. Mr. Hill was born in Jackson County, Ala. He moved to Donley County in a covered wagon in 1922 from Montague County. He married Mattie Laura Brinson in 1933 at McLean. He was a trucker and a farmer for much of his life before retiring in 1982. He was a member of Hedley Church of Christ. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by an infant son. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jane Ruth Owens of Amarillo; three sisters, Thelma Mahler of Cyril, Okla., Bertha Russell of Sunset and Ovella Wilkinson of Graham; two brothers, F.L. "Tige'' Hill and Junior Hill, both of Hedley; two grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Bertha R. Beliz FRIONA - Bertha R. Beliz, 58, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Sixth Street Church of Christ with Patricio J. Escobar of Clovis, N.M., officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Beliz was born in Mexico. She had lived in Friona since October, moving from Clovis. She married Jose L. Beliz Sr. in 1954. Mrs. Beliz was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jose B. Beliz of Friona and George Beliz of Laredo; six daughters, Veronica Martinez, Julia Mireles, Alicia Espinoza and Christina Valadez, all of Amarillo, Irene Martinez of Petersburg and Estella Mireles of Friona; her father, Pablo Rivera of Roma; six brothers, Guadalupe Rivera, David Rivera, Roy Rivera, Rismeldo Rivera, Ruben Rivera and Raul Rivera, all of Mission; and three sisters, Rosa Castro and Anastacia Sosa, both of Farwell, and Dora Arce of Edinburg. Elibertha Perez FRIONA - Elibertha Perez, 58, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Rosary was recited at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today in St. Teresa's Catholic Church by the Rev. Guillermo Morales. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Perez was born in Mexico. She had been a resident of Friona since 1970, moving from Lordsburg, N.M. She married Sylvester Perez in 1958. Mrs. Perez was a homemaker and a member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband; a son, Jose Luis Perez of Friona; three daughters, Elida Perez, Bertha Mendoza and Angelica Perez, all of Friona; parents, Jose Villa and Ventura Villa; and four sisters, Brigida Morales and Martina Villa, both of Bell Gardens, Calif., Lorenza Villa of Juarez, Mexico, and Jackie Redmesa of Guadalajara, Mexico. Oklahoma John Buckner McKennon Jr. SAYRE, Okla. - John Buckner McKennon Jr. died Monday, July 7, 1997, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Floyd Courtney officiating. Cremation was by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle, in Amarillo. Mr. McKennon was born in Wynnewood and had lived in Sayre for 15 years. He served with the Navy during World War II. He was a retired drywall contractor and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Juanice Collier in 1958 at Winnemucca, Nev. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jerry McKennon of Rochester, N.Y., and Fred McKennon of Seattle; five daughters, Kathy Klaehn of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Janice McKennon and Deborah Spears, both of Sayre, Donna Sue Thomas of Boise, Idaho, and Verna Cohen of Rochester; two sisters, Coraine Green and Loraine Wallace, both of Amarillo; a brother, Paul McKennon of Granbury; 23 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Canyon Helen Anita Ruthart Helen Anita Ruthart, of Canyon, died Monday, July 7, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church of Canyon with Dr. Strauss Atkinson, pastor emeritus, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mrs. Ruthart was born in Hugo, Okla. She moved to Randall County in 1926 and graduated from Jowell District School in Randall County. She married Ralph Edward Ruthart in 1931 at Clovis, N.M. He died in 1976. She also was preceded in death by a son, Garland E. Ruthart, in 1974; and a daughter, Nora Dell Williams, in 1981. Mrs. Ruthart was a member of First Baptist Church of Canyon, Randall County Extension Club, Palo Duro Hospital Auxiliary and Canyon Senior Citizens. Survivors include two daughters, Anita O'Donald of Canyon Lake and Nelda R. Burrus of Amarillo; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Lorilie O'Donald Scholarship Fund at WTAMU, P.O. Box 909, WTAMU, Canyon, Texas 79106; the Nora Dell Williams Scholarship Fund at WTAMU, P.O. Box 909, WTAMU, Canyon, Texas 79106; or the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1717 4th Ave., Canyon, Texas 79015.