Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 9 Oct 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; Thursday, October 9, 1997, 6:55 AM Amarillo Margie Swain Margie Swain, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 3, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. B.F. Roberts Jr. officiating. Final rites will be at noon Saturday in New Prosperity Baptist Church at Wharton with the Rev. Ruel Taylor, pastor, and the Rev. B.F. Roberts Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Sorrel Community Cemetery at Wharton. Arrangements are by Golden Gate Mortuary, 1416 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Swain attended schools in Wharton and was a member of New Prosperity Church for many years. She married Winfred Lee Waller in 1957 and then moved to Amarillo. She had worked in the health-care profession for many years. She attended Greater Mount Oliver Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband and a daughter. She married Daniel P. Swain in 1981. Survivors include her husband; a son, Charles E. Waller of Amarillo; two daughters, Angelia Waller Ross of Amarillo and Marjorie L. Williams of Hurst; four sisters, Classie Bryant and Bessie Ashford, both of Wharton, and Betty Hicks and Minnie Wolridge, both of Houston; four brothers, Willie Brawshaw and Alfred Bryant, both of Wharton, Joe Louis Bryant of Peoria, Ariz., and James Bryant of Huntsville, Ala.; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Railene Trevino Garza Railene Trevino Garza, 1, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in St. Anthony's Cemetery at Hereford with Monsignor Orville Blum officiating. Arrangements are by Rix Funeral Directors of Hereford. Railene was born in Amarillo. Survivors include her father, Jesus Garza of Amarillo; her mother, Evangelina Trevino of Amarillo; and grandparents, Raymond Trevino, Gloria Trevino, Juana Carrasco and Jesus Garza. James G. Silkwood James G. Silkwood, 76, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Richard Dickerson of Temple Baptist Church officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Oak Hill Cemetery at Plain Dealing, La. Mr. Silkwood was born in Ida, La. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a Baptist. He retired in 1984 from Dorchester Gas Refinery after 42 years of service. He lived most of his life in White Deer. He was transferred to Woodlawn in 1977 and moved to Amarillo in February. Mr. Silkwood married Dorothy Jackson in 1939 at Plain Dealing. She died in 1983. He married Joyce Dyer in 1985 at Weatherford. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Carolyn Gibson of Woodlawn and Patsy Darden of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Joy Golden of Nemo; a stepson, Ron Dyer of Amarillo; two brothers; six sisters; nine grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Betty M. Chambers Betty M. Chambers, 73, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Bob Murphy of the church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Chambers was born in Quinlan, Okla., and had lived in Amarillo for 45 years. She graduated from Waynoka, Okla., High School in 1942. She retired from the civil service in 1985 as a travel finance supervisor. She was a member of the Democratic Women's Association and Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include three daughters, Elizabeth Copeland, Lynn Speegle and Pam Marshall, all of Houston; a brother, O.J. Miller of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Donna Lee of Borger and Jo Ann Hansen of Yukon, Okla.; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176; or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Girlstown USA, 600 W. 11th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79101. The body will not be available for viewing. Michael McBride Michael McBride, 35, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Bob Murphy, associate pastor of Paramount Terrace Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. McBride was born in Amarillo. He was a 1980 graduate of Tascosa High School. He also was a graduate of the Exposito School of Hair Design. He was a hair designer in Texas and Colorado for several years. He was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include his mother, Monte Exposito of Pampa; a brother, Fred McBride of Amarillo; a sister, Tyra McBride Nickell of Pampa; and his grandmother, Rhealene Exposito of Amarillo. The family will be at 4300 Olsen Blvd. They request memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center or PASO. Oklahoma Alma Lee Alden GUYMON, Okla. - Alma Lee Alden, 93, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today at Pioneer Park in Elmhurst Cemetery with Mrs. Alden's son-in-law, Eugene A. Sullivan, of Garden City, Kan., officiating. Arrangements are by HensonNovak Funeral Directors. Mrs. Alden was born in Glenco and moved to Guymon in 1946. She was a longtime educator. She taught second grade in the Guymon school system for more than 25 years before retiring in 1971. She was a member of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church. She married Mark Alden in 1925 at Woodward. He died in 1987. Survivors include two daughters, Jean Mitchell of Guymon and Fonda Sullivan of Garden City; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. An Alma Alden Memorial has been established for the Guymon school library. Memorials will be accepted at the Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, Box 1306, Guymon, Okla. 73942. Elsewhere Carl Pollard STEGALL - Carl Pollard, 86, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Muleshoe. Burial will be in Morton Memorial Cemetery at Morton. Mr. Pollard was born in Winters and had lived in the Stegall community since 1931. He was a retired farmer. He married Elsie Holt in 1937 at Portales, N.M. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Howard Pollard of Lubbock, Mike Pollard of Garland and Terry Pollard of Stegall; two daughters, Virginia Williams of Midland and Kathy Wallace of Pharr; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Threeway Scholarship Fund at Threeway High School, P.O. Box 60, Maple, Texas 79344. Charles Ray Smith MUNDAY - Charles Ray Smith, 74, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997, in Haskell. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in Gillespie Baptist Church with the Rev. Ross Anderson and the Rev. Bill Trice officiating. Burial will be in O'Brien Cemetery at O'Brien. Arrangements are by McCauley-Smith Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born in Knox County and had been a lifetime resident of the Thorp community. He was a Navy veteran and a retired farmer. He married Jennie Sellers in 1944 at Munday. Mr. Smith was a member of Gillespie Baptist Church and the Sons of Herman Lodge in Haskell. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Rick Smith of Lubbock and Johnny Smith of Hutto; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Lannie Brown Jr. LOS ANGELES - Lannie Brown Jr., 55, died Friday, Oct. 3, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Salding Mortuary Chapel in Los Angeles. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mount Olive Cemetery at Naples, Texas, by Reeder-Davis Funeral Home of Hughes Springs, Texas. Mr. Brown was born in Cass County, Texas. He attended public school in Amarillo and graduated from Carver High School in 1961. He moved to Los Angeles in 1961. He was employed by Boeing Aircraft Co. He served in the Army. Survivors include a son, Darrell Brown of Nevada; and a daughter, Sheila Brown of San Francisco. Canyon George H. Vetter George H. Vetter, 88, of Canyon, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. Cremation was by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Vetter was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in New York for 62 years. He was a truck driver for 40 years before retiring in 1969. He was a member of the Teamsters Union for 40 years. He married Clara Kirk in 1933. She died in 1968. He married Rose Belmonte in 1968. Mr. Vetter moved to Florida in 1970 and to Canyon in 1996. Survivors include his wife of Florida; two sons, George Vetter of Florida and John "Jack'' Vetter of Canyon; a brother, Phil Vetter of Jericho, N.Y.; two sisters, Loretta Fehrenbach of Spring and Elizabeth Hoelderlin of Margate, Fla.; three granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176. New Mexico Santos J. Huerta CLOVIS, N.M. - Santos J. Huerta, 78, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday in Our Lady of Guadalupe by the Rev. Tobin Hitt. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories. Military honors will be by the Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Huerta was born in Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He moved to Clovis in 1928 and graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1938. He married Lupe Gonzales in 1947 at Jalostotitlan. Mr. Huerta served in the Army during World War II. He worked as a clerk for the Santa Fe Railway before retiring in 1979. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts No. 3015 and 3280, American Legion Post No. 25 and Disabled American Veterans. He also was a member of the Military Order of the Cootie. Survivors include his wife; six sons, Johnny Joe Huerta of Atlanta, Carlos Huerta of South Gate, Calif., Manuel Huerta of Las Cruces, and Tomas Huerta, Luis Huerta and Santos Huerta Jr., all of Clovis; four daughters, Mary Lou Garcia, Aurora Dahl and Lupe Montoya, all of Clovis, and Margaret Griego of Belen; four sisters, Petra Rodriquez of Corona, Calif., Lola Loretto of San Jose, Calif., Lupe Hullinger of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Soledad Sanchez of Clovis; three brothers, Augustino Huerta of Visalia, Calif., and Joe Huerta and Paul Huerta, both of Clovis; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Area Kimberly Dixon Fitzer PAMPA - Kimberly Dixon Fitzer, 33, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with Lonny Robbins of Trinity Fellowship Church and the Rev. Richard A. Laverty Jr., pastor of First Baptist Church of Farwell, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Fitzer was born in Pampa. She attended Pampa schools and graduated from Pampa High School in 1982. She was a homemaker. She married Jimmie Fitzer in 1988. Survivors include her husband; her parents, Robert and JoAnn Dixon of Pampa; a daughter, Destiny Fitzer of the home; two sons, Matthew Driscoll and Christopher Driscoll, both of Pampa; and two brothers, Robert Dixon Jr. of Pampa and Christopher Dixon of Longview. The family requests memorials be to Al-Anon Family Group Inc., 1600 Corporate Landing Pkwy., Virginia Beach, Va., 23454. Janet Lynn Foster HEREFORD - Janet Lynn Foster, 41, a former Hereford resident, died Sunday, Oct. 5, 1997, in Panama City, Fla. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Parkside Chapel with the Rev. H. Wyatt Bartlett officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. Ms. Foster was born in Friona. Survivors include her father, Leroy Foster of Hereford; her mother, Edna Jimerson of Hereford; two brothers, Jimmy Foster and Kevin Foster, both of Hereford; and five sisters, Karen Foster and Kay Paetzold, both of Hereford, Kim Hunter of Rhome, Jamie Obremsky of Arlington and Cheryl Lawrence of Duncanville. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Parkside Chapel. Dollie Mae Hathaway HEREFORD - Dollie Mae Hathaway, 85, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Temple Baptist Church with the Rev. H.W. Bartlett officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park by GilillandWatson Funeral Home. Mrs. Hathaway was born in Blossom. She married Edward Matthew Hathaway in 1937 at Annona. He died in 1992. She was a homemaker and a member of Temple Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, Ronnie Hathaway of Hereford, Mickey Hathaway of Canyon and Garry Hathaway of Gruver; two daughters, Marilyn Malena of Amarillo and Janet Stanford of Dimmitt; a sister, Eula Hendry of Fort Worth; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center in Amarillo or Temple Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. today. Howard Sims PAMPA - Howard Sims, 76, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. John Glover, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Sims was born in Drumright, Okla., and moved to Lefors in 1928. He graduated from Lefors High School in 1942 and moved to Pampa that same year. He married Ruth Kratzer in 1942 at Pampa. Mr. Sims enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1942 and served during World War II aboard a landing ship tank. He was the former owner and operator of Electric Motor and Equipment Co. He was a member of First Baptist Church for more than 50 years and a member of the Everyman's Bible Class. He also was a member of the Pampa Shriners and Pampa Masonic Lodge No. 966 AF&AM. Mr. Sims was a former member and officer of the Pampa Evening Lions Club. He was active with the High Plains Eye Bank and was active in taking local youths to the Texas Lions Crippled Children's Home. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Patricia Anne Gotcher of Houston and Virginia Leigh Leonard of Rowlett; three brothers, Bill Sims and Wayne Sims, both of Pampa, and Harold Sims of Lefors; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Hospice of the Panhandle, P.O. Box 2795, Pampa, Texas 79066-2795; or a favorite charity. Dianna Lynne Walser BORGER - Dianna Lynne Walser, 32, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gregg Simmons, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Beatitudes at Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Ms. Walser was born in Borger and had been a lifetime Borger resident. She was the owner and operator of Tri-City Pest Control. She was a member of Gateway Baptist Church and the Iron Riders Motorcycle Club. Survivors include her parents, Tommy and Lucy Walser of Borger; a brother, Tommy Walser Jr. of Denver; and a sister, Debbie Salinas of Borger. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to the Khiva Temple, 305 E. 5th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79101. Marvin E. Smith PAMPA - Marvin E. Smith, 40, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. The body was cremated. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Smith was born in Alexandria, Va. He married Peggy Konieczka in 1979 at Tucumcari, N.M. They moved to Pampa in 1980 from Tucumcari. Mr. Smith was co-owner of Peggy's Place, which opened in 1988. He was a member of the Top O' Texas Kiwanis Club. Survivors include his wife; a son, Christopher Louis Smith of Pampa; a daughter, Joy Perry of Pampa; his father, Gene Smith of Maryville, Mo.; his mother, Doris Bunch of Mount Vernon, Mo.; a brother, Tommy Smith of Rockaway Beach, Mo.; four sisters, Levina Campbell, Cherry Ecloes, Virginia Smith and Tina Smith, all of Mount Vernon; and a grandson. The family requests memorials be to the Debbie Kirkland Medical Fund c/o National Bank of Commerce, Pampa, Texas. Theresa Tamayo Moralez PLAINVIEW - Theresa Tamayo Moralez, 56, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Ben Kasteel, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Lockney Cemetery at Lockney. Mrs. Moralez was born in Taft and attended school in Robstown. She moved to Floydada in 1960 and to Plainview in 1987. She married Perfecto F. Moralez in 1968 at Lockney. Mrs. Moralez was a Catholic. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Patrozinia Salinas of Decatur; three sons, Pedro T. Moralez and Juan T. Moralez, both of Plainview, and Daniel T. Moralez of Petersburg; three brothers, Anastacio Tamayo of Corpus Christi, and Remijio Tamayo and Jesus Sanchez Sr., both of Floydada; four sisters, Ramona Zuniga of Lockney, Pamfila Guzman of Lorenzo, Concepcion Cruz of Plainview and Luz Maria Charles of Slaton; and 15 grandchildren. Mark Frankenbery WHEELER - Mark Frankenbery, 41, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Wheeler Church of Christ with Bill Morrison, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Frankenbery was born in Chanute, Kan. He moved to Wheeler with his family in 1966. He graduated from Wheeler High School. He married Kathleen Selby in 1981 at Mobeetie. Mr. Frankenbery was employed at Pucketts Grocery for several years. He also was a dispatcher for the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office. He was the secretary and treasurer of the Church of Christ. He was elected to the Wheeler City Council and was serving his third term. He was a former member of the Wheeler Fire Department and was a volunteer with the Wheeler Ambulance Service. Mr. Frankenbery was named the Wheeler Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1989. He was a member of the Wheeler Economic Development Board. Survivors include his wife; his parents, Bob and Valetta Frankenbery of Wheeler; two brothers, Kenneth Frankenbery of Pampa and Kevin Frankenbery of Wheeler; and grandparents, Kenneth F. Frankenbery and Evaline Penn, both of Neodesha, Kan. The family requests memorials be to the Wheeler Ambulance Service, the Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio or the Wheeler Church of Christ. Lester W. James Sr. PLAINVIEW - Lester W. James Sr., 94, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in First Baptist Family Life Chapel with Dr. Travis Hart, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. James was born in Stratford. He was raised in Plainview and graduated from Plainview High School in 1921. He graduated from Wayland Junior College, attended Rice University and then graduated from Baylor University in 1925 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He began working at Guaranty State Bank in 1925. He organized the Home Building and Loan Association, which in 1951 became the Plainview Savings and Loan Association. He operated the savings and loan until retiring in 1982. Mr. James was a member of First Baptist Church and served as secretary of the Sunday school for 39 years. He served as a trustee for Wayland Baptist University for nine years. He had been a member of the Plainview Rotary Club since 1932, serving two terms as president and receiving the first Paul Harris Award for the Plainview club. He was elected to the Plainview City Council in 1945 and served as director of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce. He also was a director for the Texas Savings and Loan Association. Mr. James married Laura Clark James in 1925 at Waco. She died in 1984. He also was preceded in death by a son, Allen James, in 1988. Survivors include a son, Lester W. "Bobby'' James of Plainview; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Vernice Charley Waddell HEDLEY - Vernice Charley "Bill'' Waddell, 86, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ervin Emmert, pastor, and the Rev. Ronnie Proctor of Irving officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mr. Waddell was born in Meridian. He moved to Hedley from Dumas in 1944. He married Ella Juanita Lamberson in 1935 at Clarendon. She died in January 1988. He married Veda Sue Elliott in March 1988 at Clarendon. She died in 1997. Mr. Waddell was a retired farmer and a member of First United Methodist Church, the Hedley Masonic Lodge and the Iron Workers Union. Survivors include two sons, V.C. "Butch'' Waddell and Jimmie Don Waddell, both of Amarillo; a stepson, the Rev. Harold Elliott of Arlington; two stepdaughters, Dean Brunson of Amarillo and Wilma Leffew of Clarendon; a brother, V.R. Waddell of Amarillo; four sisters, Velma Webb of Enid, Mary Ellen Proctor of Irving, Amy Lee Noblett of Devine and Boots Morgan of Hawkins; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to the Hedley United Methodist Church or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Preston L. Chiddix PLAINVIEW - Preston L. Chiddix, 71, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Ninth and Columbia Street Church of Christ with Mike Prather of the church and Kim Hays of Plainview officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mr. Chiddix was born in Plainview and had lived in Plainview all of his life. He married Ellen P. Jones in 1950 at Plainview. Mr. Chiddix was an elevator superintendent for Southwestern Grain before retiring in 1990. Since retiring, he had worked as a part-time weight master at the grain exchange. He was a member of Ninth and Columbia Street Church of Christ. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also was a member of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife; and a brother, Glen Chiddix of Plainview. Sammie H. Smith SILVERTON - Sammie H. Smith, 83, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jay Stinson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverton Cemetery by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Mr. Smith was born in Briscoe County and had been a lifelong resident of Briscoe County. He was a self-employed farmer and rancher and a jack-of-alltrades. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include an aunt, Addie Self of Lamesa. The family requests memorials be to the Silverton Cemetery Association.