Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 17 Sep 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, September 17, 1997, 6:58 AM Area Clarence Anderson HEREFORD - Clarence Anderson, a former Texas resident, died Dec. 31, 1996, in Pittsburg, Calif. Sunrise memorial services will be at 7:30 a.m. today on the Marcum Farm, five miles north of Hereford on Highway 385, with the Rev. Roy Barringer officiating. Arrangements are by Parkside Chapel. Mr. Anderson was born in Dallas. He spent most of his life in Texas before moving to Pittsburg. Survivors include an aunt and uncle, Norman and Dixie Buchere of Pittsburg. S.A. Harvey DUMAS - S. A. "Eck'' Harvey, 81, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. John Wagoner, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Mr. Harvey was born in Shamrock and had lived in Dumas for 65 years. He was a retired independent contractor for Diamond Shamrock. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and a longtime member of Dumas Masonic Lodge No. 1009. He married Omega Minor in 1937 at Erick, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a son, Mike Harvey of Dallas; two sisters, Annabelle Wilson of Dallas and Hazel Howard of Edmond, Okla.; and two grandchildren. The family will be at 602 Durrett. They request memorials be to Meals on Wheels, Lew Haile Annex, Room 209, 810 S. Dumas Ave., Dumas, Texas 79029. Mary Bagley KRESS - Mary Bagley, 78, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeffrey Lee, pastor, and Bobby Sisemore, minister of music, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Mrs. Bagley was born in Wellington. She attended school in Wellington and graduated from Wichita Falls High School. She worked as a draftsman for Schlumberger Oil Co. She moved to Tulia in 1962 and owned and operated The Style Shop, a woman's dress shop. She then moved to Kress, where she was a homemaker and a parttime bookkeeper for the Lively-Bagley Gins. While in Wichita Falls, she was a member of First Baptist Church. She also taught Sunday school there. At the time of her death, she was a member of Kress First Baptist Church, where she also taught Sunday school. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Harold Bruce Green, who died in 1945 during World War II; and Jesse Lloyd Waller, who died in 1961. She married Melvyn G. Bagley in 1964 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Pam Bagley Lash of Pampa; two sons, Robert Bruce Waller of Bedford and James Melvyn Bagley of Amarillo; and a grandson. Zella Smith PANHANDLE - Zella Smith, 71, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Doug Harvey and the Rev. Gray Woods, both of the church, officiating. Burial will be in Hansford County Cemetery. Local arrangements are by the family. Mrs. Smith was born in Duke, Okla. She had been a resident of Bella Vista for 15 years, moving from Ralls in 1982. She married W.U. Smith in 1947 at Duke. He died in 1986. Mrs. Smith was a homemaker and a member of the Sing Adds, Helping Hand and Bates Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She also was a member of Bella Vista Baptist Church in Bella Vista. Survivors include two sons, Stacey Smith of Panhandle and Spencer Smith of Radcliff, Ky.; three sisters, Mickey Holladay of Hobbs, N.M., Paulene Powell of Idalou and Iva Jones of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family will be at 405 Pecan in Panhandle. They request memorials be to Bella Vista Baptist Church in Bella Vista or First Christian Church in Panhandle. The body will be available for viewing today at the church. Esther Sorensen WHEELER - Esther Sorensen, 98, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Wheeler Cemetery with the Rev. Robert M. Lindley, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home. Miss Sorensen was born in Oklahoma. She received a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University and a master's degree from Kansas State University. She taught public school for several years. She later was employed by the Texas Education Agency as an area homemaking supervisor. She retired around 1970. Following her retirement, she was involved in ranching on the family ranch in Wheeler County. Miss Sorensen was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include six nieces. The family requests memorials be to First United Methodist Church or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Elsewhere Russell Nick Childers PINOLE, Calif. - Russell Nick Childers, 54, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Cremation was by Nautilus Society in Oakland. Mr. Childers was born in Dalhart, Texas, and lived in Amarillo for about 20 years. He lived in Mesa, Ariz., before moving to Pinole about two years ago. He was employed by Casino San Pablo in California as a poker dealer. Mr. Childers married Mary Anne Williams in 1993 at Mesa. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Tonya Buko of Las Vegas and LaMae Creamer of Apalachicola, Fla.; a son, Winthrop Childers of Woodland Park, Colo.; two stepdaughters, Lee Ann Nutt of Albuquerque, N.M., and Ann Harrington of San Marcos, Texas; a brother, Charles Childers of Spring, Texas; and eight grandchildren. Arita A. Brunson SAN ANTONIO - Arita A. Brunson, 64, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Sunset Northwest Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Brunson was a former member of West Amarillo Christian Church. She also was a former employee of High Plains Baptist Hospital in Amarillo. Survivors include her husband, Gene Brunson; children, Brenda Blakley, Clif Smith, Dirk Smith and Denise Holland; stepchildren, Alan Brunson and Cathy Rubenak; and 13 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Mae Smith LUBBOCK - Mae Smith, 83, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Hugh Harris of South Plains Christian Fellowship officiating. Mrs. Smith was born in Comanche. She married Sam H. Smith in 1933 at Tahoka. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Tularosa, N.M. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Smith. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Evelyn J. Nichols of Wolfforth; a son, Steve R. Smith of Lubbock; two brothers, Ronald Weaver of Lubbock and Lowell Weaver of Bakersfield, Calif.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Thomas J. White SCHULENBURG - Thomas J. White, 83, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Rose Catholic Church with the Rev. Tim Kosler officiating. Burial will be in Schulenburg Community Cemetery by Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home Inc. Mr. White was born in Guthrie, Okla., and received his education there. He moved to Texas afterward. Most of his spiritual life was spent as a member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Amarillo. He was godfather to 50 children in the parish. When he moved from Amarillo in 1995, he was the longest standing member of the parish. Mr. White was a Scoutmaster in Lubbock and a troop committee member in Amarillo. He worked for Santa Fe Railway and Amtrak Railroad for 33 years. He served a two-year tour in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. Survivors include his wife, Marvell; two sons, Gordon White of Missouri City and Warren White of Chicago; two grandsons; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo James Carl Pierson James Carl Pierson, 45, of Amarillo, died Friday, Sept. 12, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Grover Neal, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by WarfordWalker Mortuary Inc., 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Pierson graduated from Palo Duro High School. He worked as a cook for Jerry's Bar-B-Que. Survivors include his wife, Sandra; a daughter, Tiffany Hill Pierson of the home; his mother, Bethenia Pierson of Amarillo; four brothers, Eugene Pierson of San Diego, and Larry Pierson, Waymond Pierson and Raymond Pierson, all of Amarillo; three sisters, Charlene Watson and Joyce Henderson, both of Amarillo, and Sarah Pierson of Huntington; and a half sister, Eula Williams of San Diego. The family will be at 1515 Orange St. Linda Gayle Rogers Linda Gayle Rogers, 49, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 1997. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with the Rev. Sherman Eastland, chaplain at Northwest Texas Hospital, officiating. Ms. Rogers was born in Colorado City. She moved to Amarillo 18 months ago from Odessa. She worked at The Good Samaritan for 13 years in Odessa. She had worked for Olsen Manor Nursing Home in Amarillo. She was a former member of First Baptist Church in Amarillo. Survivors include a brother, David Rogers of Amarillo. The family will be at 4209 Mollie Drive. The body will not be available for viewing. Lila Butler Lila Butler, 74, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. David Hill Sr., pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by WarfordWalker Mortuary, 509 North Hughes. Mrs. Butler was born in McGregor and attended school there. She had lived in Amarillo for more than 30 years. She was a housekeeper at a nursing home. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Parker of Amarillo; a sister, Carrie Mae Foster of Amarillo; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild. The family will be at 304 N. Adams St. Linda Gayle Jackson Linda Gayle Jackson, 35, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Sept. 11, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. David Hill Sr., pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Warford-Walker Mortuary Inc., 509 N. Hughes St. Ms. Jackson was born in Amarillo. She went to public school in Amarillo and attended Amarillo College for two years. She worked at Sytel Computer Co. Survivors include two daughters, Casey Jackson and Christen Jackson, both of the home; three brothers, Edward Gibbs, Donald R. Gibbs and Eddie R. Gibbs, all of Amarillo; and a sister, Debbie Gibbs of Amarillo. The family will be at 1907 Currie. The body will not be available for viewing. Charles Edwin VanDoren Charles Edwin VanDoren, 86, of 1300 S. Harrison St., No. 504, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Richard Malmberg of Hays, Kan., officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. VanDoren was born in Penokee, Kan., and had been a resident of the Amarillo area since 1939. He was a graduate of Fort Hays Kansas State College. He married Hollis Barnhouse. He retired from the Great Plains Research Center in Bushland in 1973 after a 37-year career. He became superintendent of the facility in 1953 and was named assistant to the area director in 1966. Mr. VanDoren was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gary VanDoren of Andover, Mass., and Ken VanDoren of Canyon; a daughter, Rita Flynn of Richardson; a sister, Ruby Wood of Hays; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Mary Ellis Ozment Mary Ellis Ozment, 84, of Amarillo, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Robert Field of Southeast Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Ms. Ozment was born in Union County, N.M., and had been a resident of Amarillo since 1958. She retired from the Amarillo Independent School District after working for 28 years. She was a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include three brothers, Charley Ellis of Amarillo, and Clyde Ellis and Earl Ellis, both of Weatherford; a sister, Rosalie Dodson of Emory; and many nieces and nephews. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Crown of Texas Hospice. Clara Trevino Valdez Clara Trevino Valdez, 83, of Amarillo, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Seigler Funeral Home at Paducah. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Paducah by the Rev. John Ohlig, pastor. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Paducah. Mrs. Valdez was born in Karnes County. She married Joe Valdez in 1938 at Guthrie. He died in 1965. She also was preceded in death by a son, Joe Valdez Jr., in 1992. She moved from Paducah to Olney in 1967. She later lived in Lubbock before moving to Amarillo five years ago. Mrs. Valdez was a homemaker and a member of the Catholic church. Survivors include two sons, Henry Valdez of Perryton and Richard Valdez of Lubbock; two daughters, Gloria Jo Roach of Olney and Patricia Solis of Amarillo; a brother, Santos Trevino of Lubbock; three sisters, Gabrelia Garcia, Janie Torrez and Antonia Rodriguez, all of Lubbock; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176. Peggy Burney Morse Peggy Burney Morse, 66, of 4041 River Road, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Vicki Anderson, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, officiating. Cremation will be by Rector Funeral Home. Mrs. Morse was born in Hedley. She moved to Amarillo in 1966 from Dalhart. She worked in housekeeping at Georgia Manor Nursing Home for eight years. She retired in 1995. She was preceded in death by a son, Connie Ray Morse, in 1960; and a daughter, Becky Perry, in 1994. Survivors include a son, Grover Morse of Amarillo; two daughters, Betty Hooker and Wendy Gollihugh, both of Amarillo; three brothers, Wendell Howell and Clois Howell, both of Dalhart, and Pete Howell of Memphis, Tenn.; a sister, Bobbie Knight of Lubbock; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will be at 4041 River Road. They request memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. Ruby M. Phillips Ruby M. Phillips, 81, of 4523 Goodnight Trail, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Rick Mathis of West Amarillo Christian Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Phillips was born in Altus, Okla. She married F.D. "Jack'' Phillips in 1940 at Randall County. She and her husband owned and operated several restaurants including The Parkmoor. Mrs. Phillips also worked as a hostess and waitress for several restaurants including The Silver Grill and Nona's. She was a longtime member of West Amarillo Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1978 and a son, Bob Philips, in 1989. Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Sifuentez of Amarillo; a son, Gerald D. Reid of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family will be at 4523 Goodnight Trail. They request memorials be to a favorite charity. Oklahoma William A. Witt HOOKER, Okla. - William A. "Bill'' Witt, 60, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 1997, in Liberal, Kan. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Hooker Church of Christ with Gary Moore, Leon Talley and Duane Eggleston officiating. Burial will be in Hooker Cemetery by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Witt was born and raised on the home place northwest of Hooker. He graduated from Hooker High School and attended Central Christian College at Bartlesville. He married Earlene Clayton in 1958 at Tulsa. Mr. Witt was a member of Hooker Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon and an elder. He also taught Sunday school and led the singing at the church. He and his wife were foster parents for 10 years, taking care of more than 30 children in their home. Mr. Witt also coached Little League for many years, was president of the booster club in the 1993-1994 season and had served as superintendent of the Hooker FFA Stock Show for six years. Survivors include his wife; a son, Clay Witt of the home; four daughters, Kay White and Annica Slater, both of Hooker, Julie Hurst of Carrollton, Texas, and Ellen Witt of Midland, Texas; three brothers, Jim Witt and Walt Witt, both of Flagler, Colo., and Hank Witt of Pueblo, Colo.; two sisters, LaVon Weber of Wichita, Kan., and Anna Meyer of Guymon; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Hooker Church of Christ for the Jack Cox India Ministry c/o Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, Okla. 73945. New Mexico Rosetta Crow ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Rosetta Crow, 75, a former resident of Canyon, Texas, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Church of Christ at Happy, Texas, with Rick Bloodworth officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery at Canyon by French Mortuary. Mrs. Crow moved to Texas in 1936 from Oklahoma. In 1968, she and her husband, Jack B. Crow, moved to Canyon and opened Jack's Cash Grocery Store. They sold the store in 1978 and moved to Albuquerque. Mrs. Crow was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Loretta Dea Skidmore and Anita Louise Cianchetti, both of Albuquerque; a son, Jackie Leon Crow of Albuquerque; two sisters, Johnnie Louise McCarley of Happy and Jo Ann Davis of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.