Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 15 Dec 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; Monday, December 15, 1997, 6:22 AM Area Everett Clint Prather FARWELL - Everett Clint "Red" Prather, 72, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Steed-Todd Chapel in Clovis, N.M., with the Rev. Ron Brunson and the Rev. David Brunson officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens at Clovis. Mr. Prather was born in a covered wagon in Texas near the Oklahoma state line. He moved to Farwell from Clovis in 1964. Mr. Prather owned Phillips 66 service stations in Texico, N.M., and Farwell and had owned and operated Border Town Playorama for 22 years. He had been manager of a BF Goodrich store in Clovis for several years. Mr. Prather married Ruth Anderson in 1946 at Clovis. He served in the Army during World War II. Mr. Prather was a former member of the Farwell Fire Department, Farwell Lion's Club, Mounted Patrol and Antique Car Club. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ruth Prather, in 1949. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Debra Swails of Howells, Neb., three brothers, Bob Prather of Fort Sumner, N.M., Troy Prather of Clovis and Herman "Tex" Prather of Henrietta; two sisters, Mildred Cornelison of Bowie and Margie Hammond of Mount Pleasant; and three grandchildren. Elizabeth Brown PAMPA - Elizabeth "John" Brown, 95, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. John Glover, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Brown was born in Upshur County and moved to Pampa from Gilmer in 1925. She married Park Brown in 1925 at Rosewood, and the couple had farmed south of Pampa for 60 years. He died in 1983. Mrs. Brown was a member of First Baptist Church and taught Sunday school classes in the primary department for many years. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Dickie Buck, and a great-grandson, Matthew Buck. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Buck of Pampa; three sisters, Hazel Henry, Jessie Tucker and Naomi Carroll, all of Gilmer; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the First Baptist Church Children's Department. Charles David Burfield HEREFORD - Charles David Burfield, 58, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Atwell of Clovis, N.M., officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery by Gilliland-Watson Funeral Home. Mr. Burfield was born in Abernathy and raised in Plainview, where he graduated from high school in 1957. He served in the Navy from 1957 to 1961. Mr. Burfield married JoAnne Fite in 1963. He had been a Hereford resident since 1967 and owned Charles Tire from 1980-1997. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Michele Mappe of Friendswood; a son, David Dean of Dalhart; his mother, Georgia Woodruff of Spring; a sister, Gay Dalton of Deer Park; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or Bible Baptist Church. Marjorie Shipley Morgan WHITE DEER - Marjorie Shipley Morgan, 75, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. R.C. Hopper, evangelist from Reed Springs, Mo., officiating. Burial will be in White Deer Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Morgan was born in Wortham. She moved to the Texas Panhandle at age 6 and moved to White Deer in 1974. Her husband, Cecil Shipley, died in 1965. She later married Sam Morgan. He died in 1980. Mrs. Morgan worked as a cook at Mama Jo's Cafe. She was an oil painter who received several awards at various art shows. She was a member of the White Deer Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include three daughters, Cecilia Hopper of Reed Springs, Mo., Laura Sloan of Guymon, Okla., and Tammie Hastings of White Deer; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of White Deer. H.L. Jenkins WELLINGTON - H.L. Jenkins, 77, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Elvis Pitts, pastor of Faith Baptist Church, officiating. Cremation was by Adams Funeral Home. Mr. Jenkins was born in Collingsworth County and was a longtime county resident. He attended school in Olton. He married Lorene Treadwell in 1941 at Hollis, Okla. Mr. Jenkins served in the Army during World War II and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a retired farmer and a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Linda Warrick of Amarillo; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to the Glynn Moore Post of VFW in Wellington or to the Wellington Cemetery Association. Mildred Christeen McCarty BORGER - Mildred Christeen McCarty, 67, of Borger, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Highland Park Cemetery with Leonard Forsythe, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home of Amarillo. Mrs. McCarty was born in White Deer and moved to Borger 60 years ago. She married J.R. McCarty in 1948 at Burkburnett. She was a homemaker and a member of Bible Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Teresa Mims of Borger; two sons, James Dewayne McCarty of Pocatello, Idaho, and Robert Wayne Rhodes of Borger; two sisters, Pauline Webb of Amarillo and Dorothy Tate of Borger; a brother, August Speegle of Borger; a half-sister, Velma Newberry of Granite, Okla.; three half-brothers, Lester Speegle, Pete Speegle and Dwight Speegle; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1111 Gateway Circle in Borger and requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, Texas 79101. The body will be available for viewing at the funeral home from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and at Bible Baptist Church from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Ernest M. Newcomb SPEARMAN - Ernest M. Newcomb, 94, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church with the Rev. Joseph Weaks, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mr. Newcomb was born in Dickens County and had lived in the Spearman area most of his life. He worked for the city of Spearman for 25 years before retiring in 1975. After his retirement, he worked for the Stationmaster's House Museum in Spearman for several years. Mr. Newcomb served in the Army during World War II. He was an amateur photographer and a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include a nephew, Charles H. Newcomb of Spearman. The family requests memorials be to the Stationmaster's House Museum, Hansford Hospice or a favorite charity. John Paul Wilkinson CANADIAN - John Paul Wilkinson, 87, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Lewis Holland, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors. Mr. Wilkinson was born in Meridian, Miss., and graduated from Guthrie High School in Guthrie, Okla. He attended the University of Oklahoma at Norman. Mr. Wilkinson married Tess Terrell in 1930 at Guthrie. They moved to Canadian in 1939 from Pampa. Mr. Wilkinson was the tax assessor/collector for the Canadian Independent School District for 30 years. He served as secretary/manager for the Canadian-Hemphill County Chamber of Commerce for 28 years. During that time, he managed the Junior Livestock Show and founded Canadian Booster, an organization that helps subsidize the Hemphill County Livestock Show and Sale. Mr. Wilkinson served as a Canadian Volunteer firefighter 24 years, 11 of those as fire chief. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Canadian Rotary Club for more than 30 years, serving as its president and its secretary for 17 years. The Canadian-Hemphill County Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. Wilkinson as Man of the Year in 1965. Mayor Therese B. Abraham declared June 21, 1981, as John Wilkinson Day. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tracey Waterfield Neilson, in 1981. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Shelley Behney and Sandy Waterfield, both of Canadian; a brother, James Wilkinson of El Reno, Okla.; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. Fourth St., Canadian, Texas 79014. Betty Jo Fuson Marin CANADIAN - Betty Jo Fuson Marin, 72, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Lewis Holland, pastor, and the Rev. Tom Moore, pastor of Groom United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fresno Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Fresno, Calif., by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mrs. Marin was born in Wellington and graduated from Wellington High School in 1947. She married Michael Marin Sr. in 1950. He died in 1995. Mrs. Marin worked for First National Bank of Canadian and St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo before moving to Fresno, Calif., in 1946. She retired from the Fresno Word Processing Center, a subsidiary of the Social Security Administration, in 1994 and moved to Canadian. She attended United Methodist Church in Canadian and was a member of the Guild Circle. Mrs. Marin was preceded in death by a son, Michael Marin Jr. Survivors include two daughters, Loretta Johnson and Michele Marin, both of Fresno; three sisters, Irene Hardin of Canadian, Ruth Cook of Amarillo and Olene Moss of Los Angeles; three brothers, John Fuson of Bakersfield, Calif., Col. Frank C. Fuson of Norman and Dr. Lonnie W. Fuson of Tahlequah, Okla.; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the Hemphill County Hospice, 1010 S. Fourth St., Canadian, Texas 79014. Amarillo Brenda Smith Ramey Brenda Smith Ramey, 24, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Joint services for Mrs. Ramey and her grandfather, Garland L. Smith, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with Monsignor Harold Waldow of Baptist St. Anthony's Health System and the Rev. Dr. Charles O. Price of First Baptist Church of Canyon, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Ramey was born in Amarillo. She was a graduate of Tascosa High School and attended Amarillo College and West Texas A&M University. She was formerly employed by Barbara Tabor European Skin Care & Spa. She married Adam R. Ramey on Oct. 10, 1997. Survivors include her husband of Columbus, Ohio; her mother, Soila N. Smith of Amarillo; two brothers, Jim R. Smith and Toby Lynn Smith, both of Amarillo; and two sisters, Victoria Ivy and Lisa Martinez, both of Amarillo. The family will be 6404 Hatfield Circle or Rockwell Road and Hubbard Street. They request memorials be to the American Heart Association, 2404 W. 7th St., Amarillo, Texas 79106. Garland L. Smith Garland L. Smith, 88, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Joint services for Mr. Smith and his granddaughter, Brenda Smith Ramey, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with Monsignor Harold Waldow of Baptist St. Anthony's Health System and the Rev. Dr. Charles O. Price of First Baptist Church of Canyon officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Smith was born in Longview. He married Winona McMichael in 1928, and they moved to Amarillo in 1938. She died in May. Mr. Smith served during World War II and had retired from Southern Furniture Co. He was a member of First Baptist Church and was active in mission work with several Baptist churches in Amarillo. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Ray Smith, and a granddaughter, Brenda Smith Ramey. Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Sue Tomlinson of Amarillo and Janice Ladelle of Boise City, Okla.; a son, Don Smith of Amarillo; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one greatgreat-grandchild. Joseph A. Murphy Joseph A. Murphy, 75, of Amarillo, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Norbert Kieferle of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center officiating. Burial with full military graveside rites will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Murphy was born in Salem, Mass. He married Mary J. McTighe in 1956 at Amarillo. She died in 1989. Mr. Murphy graduated from West Texas State University in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in social work. He also attended the University of Maryland and Rutgers University. He was a certified social worker. Mr. Murphy served overseas with the Army Air Corps in Europe and with the Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from active duty from the Air Force in 1963 but returned as a civilian safety engineer in 1965. He served in World War II and the Korean War. While stationed in London, he took introduction to sociology, a course offered by the University of Maryland and taught by the head of the sociology department at Cambridge University. He received a bachelor's degree in engineering at Rutgers. Mr. Murphy retired from Panhandle Community Services as a certified social worker. He joined the Texas Panhandle Community Action Corporation as a volunteer in 1982. In 1988, he was elected to lead Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1475, the eighth largest post in Texas. He was a service officer and a former commander for VFW District 9. Mr. Murphy was a member of Elks Lodge No. 923, Moose Lodge No. 1361, American Legion No. 54, the National Association of Social Workers, the Panhandle Social Service Forum and the WTSU Alumni Association. He was a member and past commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 26. Mr. Murphy also served five terms as president of the Amarillo Veterans Council. He was a Catholic and a first aid instructor for the Boy Scouts of America. Survivors include a daughter, Joanne Short of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Jane Boomer of Claude; a stepson, Pat Fawell of Amarillo; a brother, Thomas Murphy of Fort Dodge, Iowa; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Heart Association. Nancy J. Hardwick Nancy J. Hardwick, 81, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 14, 1997. Cremation is by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Memorial services will be at a later date. Mrs. Hardwick was born in Amarillo and raised in Tucumcari, N.M. She moved to Oakland, Calif., and returned to Amarillo in 1944. She married Don Hardwick in 1965 at Amarillo. Mrs. Hardwick worked at the Pantex plant for many years. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jeanette Hinkle of Amarillo; a son, Billy Crosby of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; two stepsons, Bruce Hardwick of Prescott, Ariz., and Craig Hardwick of Friendswood ; a brother, Joe Gary of Santa Clara, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-greatgrandchildren. James E. Corbin James E. Corbin, 78, a former Amarillo resident, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997, in Fort Worth. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Claud Tugwell, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Corbin was born in Balko, Okla., and graduated from McLean High School. He moved to Amarillo in 1985 from California. He and his wife, Pauline, were married in 1941 at Denver. She died earlier this year. Mr. Corbin was retired as a precision grinder for Grant Oil Co. He was a Baptist and a Army veteran. He was preceded in death by a son, James E. Corbin Jr. Survivors include a son, Gerald Corbin of Saginaw; a daughter, Elizabeth Collins of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Troy Corbin of McLean; three sisters, Jessie Corbin of Amarillo, Louie Terrel of Concord, N.H., and Viola Holt of McLean; four grandchildren; and five greatgreat-grandchildren. Marceille W. McDivitt Marceille W. McDivitt, 86, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Smith, pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. McDivitt was born in Newkirk, Okla., and graduated from high school there. She moved to Amarillo in 1973 from Okeene, Okla. She married John G. McDivitt in 1933 at Enid, Okla. He died in 1987. Mrs. McDivitt was a homemaker and a member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include two sons, John W. McDivitt of Houston and James L. McDivitt of Amarillo; a daughter, Glandeen Shenk of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to St. Stephen United Methodist Church. Dominic J. Tafoya Dominic J. Tafoya, 4-month-old infant, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Dominic was born in Amarillo. Survivors include his mother, Virginia Perez, and his father, Nicholas B. Tafoya, both of Amarillo; his grandparents, Ruth Ann Herrera, Hector Perez and Angela and Leo Chacon, all of Amarillo; and his great-grandparents, Jamie and Alice Grado and Rosalia Chacon, all of Amarillo, and Emily Rivera of Belen, N.M. Linda Elaine Lee Linda Elaine Lee, 54, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Stan coffey, pastor of San Jacinto Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Lee was born in Erie, Penn., and had lived in Amarillo for the past 40 years. She worked in the mailroom at the Amarillo Globe-News. Mrs. Lee was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir. She married Thomas Dale Lee in 1964 at Canyon. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Robert Lee, James Lee and John Lee, all of Amarillo; two daughters, Tracy Lautt and Roseann Greer, both of Amarillo; a brother, Jack Lee of California; and five grandchildren. Lucille E. Burrow Lucille E. Burrow, 85, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Westlawn Cemetery in Borger with Ricky Griffith of First Baptist Church in Sanford, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Burrow was born in Tishomingo, Okla. She served as a past president and officer of the Serendipity Home Demonstration Club. She had been a resident of Fritch and Sanford for the past 55 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Burrow, in 1995. Survivors include a daughter, Nadine Hoffman of Amarillo; a son, Don Burrow of Borger; two sisters, Helen Smith of Hemphill and Bonnie Chapman of Glenpool, Okla.; two brothers, Bud Terry of Oklahoma City and Jack Terry of Woodward, Okla.; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. New Mexico Thelma Morgan CLOVIS, N.M. - Thelma Morgan, 85, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1997. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas, with the Rev. Bryce Sandilan officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana. Mrs. Morgan was born in Oklahoma and had been a Clovis resident since 1937. Survivors include her husband, V.T. Morgan; five daughters, Virginia Ruth Shaver of Bowlegs, Okla., Wanda Lee Armstrong of Talihina, Okla., Dirinidia Jackson of Dalhart, Texas, Barbara Pemberton of Clovis and Jody Morgan of Tacoma, Wash.; four sons, E.L. Estes of Portales, Jim Watkins and John Watkins, both of Dalhart, and Jack Watkins of Lubbock, Texas; two sisters, Hazel Black of Dumas, Texas, and Mary Webb of Yucca Valley, Calif.; 26 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Permelia Moss Smith CLOVIS, N.M. - Permelia "Sis" Moss Smith, 80, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Graveside services were Sunday at Texico Cemetery with the Rev. Alfred A. Haws officiating. Arrangements were by Steed-Todd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana. Mrs. Smith was born in Farrenberg, Mo., and had been a Clovis resident since 1924. Survivors include two sisters, Mary Haws of Clovis and Wanda Riley of Taiban; and a niece, Mary Tiffin of Clovis. Oklahoma George Thomas Fincher DEVOL, Okla. - George Thomas Fincher, 81, of Devol, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Couch of Cache, a former pastor, and the Rev. Charles E. Kriss of Cache, interim pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grandfield Memorial Cemetery by Gray Funeral Home of Grandfield. Mr. Fincher was born in Rusk County, Texas, where he attended schools and worked as a floor covering specialist for William Volker and Co. for more than 32 years. He also worked for the city of Morgan's Point Resort for five years before retiring in 1980. He moved to Devol in 1985. Mr. Fincher married Melba Ruth Hardin in 1944 at Lawton. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 in Dallas and served in Sicily, Italy, and other areas of American occupation during World War II. He received the American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, Silver Star, Victory Ribbon, Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. Mr. Fincher was a member of First Baptist Church in Devol. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Sammy Lee of Salado, Texas, Larry Wayne of Cookie Town and Wendell Thomas of Mabank, Texas; a daughter, Debra Lynn Weatherbee of Amarillo; four brothers, Howard Wesley of Mesquite, Nev., Grand Lee of Lake Tawakoni, Texas, Troy Norman of North Kingston, R.I., and Richard Alvin of California; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Devol. Elsewhere Nannie Laura Simpson VICTORIA - Nannie Laura Simpson, 90, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today at 21st Street Church of Christ in Clovis, N.M., with Cecil Bunch, officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Simpson was born in Decatur. She had served as a hospital pink lady in Clovis for 25 years. In Victoria, she attended College Church of Christ and Central Church of Christ. Mrs. Simpson was preceded in death by her husband, Herman. Survivors include a daughter, Bette L. Johnson of Victoria; a son, H.B. Simpson of Warrenton, Va.; two sisters, America Crook of Clovis, and Mae Stone of Texico, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and 10 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 Hwy. 236, Portales, N.M. 88130.