Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 17 Jan 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 James M Maxwell BORGER - James M "Jim" Maxwell, 77, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sammie Rainey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. Maxwell was born in Eastland County and had lived in Borger for 18 years. He was a retired mechanical engineer for Phillips Petroleum and an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Pam Maxwell, in 1982. Survivors include his wife, Wanda; a son, Ron Maxwell of Borger; six brothers, Harrell Maxwell and Bert Maxwell, both of Borger, Lee Maxwell of Eastland, Elzie Maxwell of Cedar Hill, Glen Maxwell of Moscow, Kan., and Calvin Maxwell of Crane; two sisters, Fay Bond of Monahans and Inez Davenport of Fort Worth; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of the Panhandle or the Pam Maxwell Scholarship Fund at Frank Phillips College. VaLora Losher PAMPA - VaLora Losher, 91, a former Pampa resident, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997, at San Antonio. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with Dr. D. Jay Losher, pastor of John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Dallas, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery at Pampa. Mrs. Losher was born in Norton, Kan. She married Don P. Losher in 1926 at Alliance, Neb. They moved to Pampa in 1937. Her husband died in 1973. She was a member of the Methodist church while living in Pampa. She owned and operated The Music Box in Borger from 1950 to 1983. She moved to San Antonio in 1990. Survivors include a son, Don J. Losher of San Antonio; a sister, Minnie Harwell of Sacramento, Calif.; two grandsons; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Genesis House of Pampa. Oscar Tinsley Ash CANADIAN - Oscar Tinsley "O.T." Ash, 70, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Central Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Timmons, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Cemetery by StickleyHill Funeral Directors. Mr. Ash was born in Hawley and attended school in Meade, Okla. He married Mary Ann Courange in 1958 at Durango, Colo. They moved to Canadian from Farmington, N.M., in 1964. He was a driller for Moran Brothers for 28 years before retiring in 1983. He also raised horses. He was preceded in death by a son, Steve Ash, in 1994. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Craig Ash of Canadian, Coldon Ash of South Carolina and Jim Ash of Odessa; two daughters, Edie Kemp of Anna and Rosezella Wilson of Odessa; two brothers, Roy Ash of Abilene and Joe Ash of Denver; two sisters, Ollie Southerland of Bakersfield, Calif., and Lorene Acosta of Spokane, Wash.; two half sisters; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th St., Canadian, Texas 79014. Mara Taylor Embry PLAINVIEW - Mara Taylor Embry, infant daughter of Cory and Karla Embry, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Plainview Memorial Park Babyland with the Rev. Paul Cypert, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, officiating. Arrangements are by Lemons Funeral Home. Mara was born in Plainview. Survivors include her parents; a sister, Morgan Embry of the home; grandparents, Steve and Carolyn Brain, and Lynette Yarbrough, all of Plainview, and June Yarbrough of Lubbock; and great-grandparents, Carlton and Bessie Young, Opal Yarbrough and Geneva King, all of Plainview, and Cecil and Molly Brain of West Virginia. Opal Lindley CHILDRESS - Opal Lindley, 82, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim McCurley of the church and the Rev. Robert Lindley of First Methodist Church in Vega officiating. Burial will be in Plymouth Cemetery at Samnorwood. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Lindley was born in the Aberdeen community. She married Guy Lindley in 1931 at Cordell, Okla. He died in 1981. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church and the Ruth Sunday School class. Survivors include two sons, Wayne Lindley of Childress and David Lindley of Amarillo; a sister, Alma Clement of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren. James E. Roberts MORTON - James E. Roberts, 66, of Wright City, Okla., formerly of Morton, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gordon Renshaw, pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Morton Memorial Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Roberts was born in Garvin, Okla. He moved from Tatum, N.M., to Morton in 1954. He lived in Morton until moving to Wright City in 1995. He married Sylvia Louise Burkett in 1953. She died in 1993. He married Irene Cantrell in 1996 at Clarksville. He was a cemetery sexton for Morton Memorial Cemetery for a number of years. Survivors include his wife; two sons, James Wesley Roberts of Jenks, Okla., and Arzie Elliott of Wright City; six daughters, Janet Crawford of Hereford, Donna Bumgarner of Terrell, Jamie Barker of Morton, Evelyn Sweng of Woodville, and Gwendlyn Christie and Mary Slabaugh, both of Wright City; a sister, Ann Delozier of Battiest, Okla.; six brothers, Dillard Roberts of Fresno, Calif., Delbert Roberts, Wilbert Roberts and Clarence Roberts, all of Wright City, Hubert Roberts of Garvin and Lloyd Roberts of Golden, Okla.; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. M.E. McNally MEMPHIS - M.E. "Mac" McNally, 78, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Private graveside services for immediate family members will be at 4 p.m. today in Fairview Cemetery with Tom Posey officiating. Arrangements are by Spicer Funeral Home. Mr. McNally was born in Memphis. He was a World War II veteran having served in the Pacific Theater. He attended Southern Methodist University. He married Lena Mae Austin in 1947. He was an independent petroleum landman and real estate broker. He was former manager of the Federal Land Bank Association of Memphis. He was a member of First Christian Church of Memphis, American Association of Petroleum Landmen, Memphis Country Club, American Legion and Alpha Tau Omega. He was a former member of the Memphis City Council and former president of Donley County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 and the Memphis Country Club. Survivors include his wife; a son, Alan McNally of Lubbock; a daughter, Janet Brooks of Lake Tanglewood; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to First Christian Church or a favorite charity. Gwen Eastepp BORGER - Gwen Eastepp, 65, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with Bill Bailey, minister of Monroe Street Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Devotion at Westlawn Memorial Park. Mrs. Eastepp was born in Carter, Okla. She had been a Borger resident for 35 years, moving from Oklahoma. She was a salesperson at Otasco and a member of Monroe Street Church of Christ. She married John Eastepp in 1969 at Borger. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Farron Bankston of Borger and Lundy Eastepp of Austin; her mother, Clara Lundy of Elk City, Okla.; two brothers, Duane Lundy of Bristle, Colo., and Ferrell Lundy of Elk City; and a sister, Caroline Weaver of Elk City. Phyllis June Cortesi DUMAS - Phyllis June Cortesi, 62, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Aiken, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Ms. Cortesi was born in Portales, N.M. She had been a Moore County resident for the past 22 years and was a WalMart associate. She served in Korea with the Marines. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Walker of Bethel, Okla.; three sons, Ronnie Cortesi of Amarillo, Bobby Cortesi of Dumas and Mike Cortesi of the home; her parents, Elbert and Ellen Young of Dumas; two brothers, Nolan Young of Phoenix and Melvin Young of Casa Grande, Ariz.; a sister, Barbara Swan of Los Angeles; and three grandchildren. The family will be at 1502 Bailey in Dumas. They request memorials be to a favorite charity. Leon Lee Ledbetter VEGA - Leon Lee Ledbetter, 79, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, in Amarillo, with the Rev. Marvin Lee Roark, chaplain at Baptist St. Anthony's Health System in Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Vega by Vega Funeral Home. Mr. Ledbetter was born in Claude. He moved to Vega in 1927 and graduated from Vega High School in 1936. He married Darlene Dygert in 1940 at Devine. Their first home was in Dimmitt, where he was employed at Texaco Wholesale. In 1941, they returned to Vega, where he was in a farming partnership with his father, Lee Ledbetter. In 1942, they began a trucking business for transporting grain and cattle. Mr. Ledbetter began Ledbetter Trucking in 1960, hauling gravel from Tascosa to five different states. He also was mayor of Vega at one time. He retired in 1975. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Myrna Tompkins of Amarillo; a sister, Mary Pafford of Canyon; and a granddaughter. The family requests memorials be to Memorial Park Cemetery, P.O. Box 496, Vega, Texas 79092. The body will be available for viewing at Vega Funeral Home today from noon until 7 p.m. and at Boxwell Brothers in Amarillo Saturday morning. Amarillo Agnes Dickson Agnes Dickson, 97, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with Dr. Michael Oden of Covenant of Joy Christian Church officiating. Burial will be private. Mrs. Dickson was born in Yellville, Ark. She married Veo LeRoy Dickson in 1929 at DeLeon. He died in 1936. She also was preceded in death by two sons, Robert LeRoy Dickson in 1992 and Don Dickson in 1978; and by a stepson, C.M. Dickson. She moved to Pampa in 1936 and worked at Your Laundry and Dry Cleaners for more than 27 years. She moved to Amarillo in 1973 and was a member of San Jacinto United Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters-inlaw, Dreka Dickson Roark and Adell Dickson, both of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family will be at 3200 Fleetwood Drive A-4. Sandra Sue Shewbert Sandra Sue Shewbert, 53, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memorial Park Funeral Home North Mausoleum, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. L.R. Green of Pleasant Valley Assembly of God officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Court of Flowers. Mrs. Shewbert was born in Amarillo and had been a lifelong resident here. She attended Humphreys Highland Elementary School and Bowie Junior High School and graduated from Amarillo High School. She then attended Amarillo College. She was elected queen of the New Mexico Military Institute in 1955. She worked for Pantex and the U.S. Postal Service and retired in 1989. She was a member of the Rainbow Girls, the Order of Eastern Star and Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church. Survivors include a son, James E. Shewbert of Lubbock; her mother, Irene Bayless of Amarillo; and a brother, Bobby Bayless of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, Texas 79101. Jean P. Miller Jean P. Miller, 71, of 2218 Brook Ave., died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 7 p.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Vicki Anderson of Metropolitan Community Church officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Mrs. Miller was born in Amsterdam, N.Y., and moved to Amarillo in 1966 from Johnstown, N.Y. She married Charles W. Miller in 1944 at New York. He died in 1996. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Miller, in 1945; and a son, Bruce Miller, in 1953. She was a homemaker and a 50-year member of the Pocahontas Mohawk Club. She also was a member of the Salvation Army Home League. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Loya and Susan Whitehead, both of Amarillo and B.J. Bolin of Stillwell, Okla.; three sons, Scott Miller and Tony Lewis, both of Amarillo and David Miller of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; two sisters, Betty Bridge of Clifton Park, N.Y., and Merna Youngblood of Amarillo; a brother, James Putman of Gloversville, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 2218 Brook Ave., and suggest memorials be to the Jean P. Miller Fund at Boatmen's First National Bank, Attn: Jeannie Martin, P.O. Box 1331, Amarillo, Texas 79180. Thomas J. Behen Thomas J. Behen, 74, of Rt. 1 Box 556A, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum with the Rev. Ed Williams of Southwest Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Behen was born in Dennison, Iowa. He worked for Santa Fe Railway and the Texas Road and Bridge Department. He also was a custodian for the Amarillo ISD. Survivors include two brothers, John Behen of Gardena, Calif., and James Behen of Hesperia, Calif.; and five sisters, Margaret Rupp of Dennison, Mary Kay Bollert and Sally Sceals, both of Omaha, Neb., Jannet Yesia of California and Patricia Rooney of Minnesota. Patricia Ruth King Patricia "Patsy" Ruth King, 60, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Llano Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Davey of Pleasant Valley Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. King was born in Clayton, N.M. Survivors include her husband, James W. King; a son, Shawn King of Amarillo; a daughter, Shannon Trimble of Amarillo; a brother, Edsell Martin of Tucson, Ariz.; and two grandchildren. Essie Coonrod Essie Coonrod, 89, of No. 82 Palomino St., died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Dr. Gil Lain of Paramount Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Coonrod moved to Amarillo from Coleman in 1943. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Coonrod, in 1985. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Rhynehurt of Amarillo; a son, Larry Coonrod of Amarillo; two sisters, Opal Singley of San Angelo and Cleo Richter of San Antonio; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will be at 2240 Locust St. Canyon Claudine Foster Peckenpaugh Claudine Foster Peckenpaugh, 68, of Canyon, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Canyon with Dr. Charles Price, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mrs. Peckenpaugh was born in Canyon and had been a lifetime resident there. She graduated from Canyon High School and attended Amarillo College and St. Anthony's School of Nursing, graduating in 1947. She married Charles Peckenpaugh in 1948 at Canyon. She worked at Neblett Hospital, Medical Dental Clinic, Palo Duro Hospital and High Plains Baptist Hospital. She retired from High Plains in 1991. She had been a member of the United States Army Nurse Cadet Corps and Beta Sigma Phi. She also was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Pennie Mathewson of Corpus Christi; a son, Charles Ben Peckenpaugh of Corpus Christi; a sister, Sue Dodgin of Amarillo; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Multiple Sclerosis Society National Panhandle Chapter, 715 S. Lamar St., Amarillo, Texas 79106; or the American Cancer Society, 2500 12th Ave., Canyon, Texas 79015-5422. Elsewhere Alice Murphy Egan ROCKY HILL, Conn. - Alice Murphy Egan, 87, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10:15 a.m. Saturday in Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home in Wethersfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. in St. James Church at Rocky Hill. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery. Mrs. Egan was born in Hartford and lived in Hartford most of her life before moving to Rocky Hill in 1987. She was a telephone operator for Southern New England Telephone Co. for 30 years before retiring in 1966. She was a member of The Telephone Pioneers and a communicant of St. James Church. Survivors include a son, John R. Egan of Amarillo; a brother, Thomas Murphy of East Hartford; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.