Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 18 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; Thursday, December 18, 1997, 6:52 AM Area Earnest Gene Cook PLAINVIEW - Earnest Gene Cook, 59, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Emmanuel Church of God in Christ with Bishop W.H. Watson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Ossie Curry Funeral Home. Mr. Cook was born in Rosebud. He had lived in Plainview since 1946. His wife preceded him in death. Survivors include four sons, Glenn Cook of Lubbock, Samuel Cook and Anthony Cook, both of Tennessee Colony, and Charlie Cook of Waco; a daughter, Lucy Cook of Plainview; his mother, Daisy Cook of Plainview; seven brothers, Charlie Cook and Lindsey Cook, both of Plainview, Milton Cook III of Bryan, and Ozell Cook, Gerry Cook, Jerry Cook and William D. Cook, all of Amarillo; three stepdaughters, Brenda Cook, Leslie Cook and Sabrina Cook, all of Killeen; and nine grandchildren. Arnold Mitchell Morgan HEREFORD - Arnold Mitchell Morgan, 84, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Gililland-Watson Funeral Home Rose Chapel with the Rev. H.W. Bartlett of Temple Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens in Dimmitt. Mr. Morgan was born in Montague County. He moved to Deaf Smith County in 1982 from Leonard. He was a carpenter and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Mac Morgan. Survivors include three sons, Russell Morgan of Kingman, Ariz., and Hoy Morgan and Harold Morgan, both of Hereford; two daughters, Thelva Stone and Sharron Howell, both of Lubbock; a sister, Zennie Taylor of Marlow, Okla.; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Ona Rae Hall Lefebvre PAMPA - Ona Rae Hall Lefebvre, 81, a former Pampa resident, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997, in DeSoto. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. John Valdez, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Lefebvre was born in Wellington. She was a resident of Pampa from 1945 until moving to DeSoto about three years ago. She married Francis Paul Lefebvre in 1945 at Pampa. He died in 1983. She also was preceded in death by a son, Leon Cox, in 1973. Mrs. Lefebvre worked for Hiland Pharmacy for many years. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Ladies Altar Society. Survivors include a son, Wendell Cox of Laredo; two daughters, Paulette Moreland and Mary Beth Miller, both of Duncanville; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. John Prentis Ball PAMPA - John Prentis Ball, 71, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in New Life Assembly of God with the Rev. Mark Stripling, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Ball was born in Strong, Ark. He worked as an electrician for Brown & Root Construction Co., retiring after 23 years of service. He served with the Army Infantry during World War II. He married Mable E. Donahue in 1946 at Strong. They moved to Pampa in 1977 from Huttig, Ark. Survivors include his wife; two sons, John David Ball of White Deer and Geary Ball of Pampa; two brothers, Alvin Ball of Winnfield, La., and Richard Ball of Farmerville, La.; a sister, Juanita Griffin of Strong; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to New Life Assembly of God, 1435 N. Sumner, Pampa, Texas 79065. Lillie T. Wuerflein EARTH - Lillie T. Wuerflein, 91, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997, in Muleshoe. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Stacy Conner of Muleshoe and the Rev. Bobby Broyles of Earth officiating. Burial will be in Littlefield Memorial Park Cemetery by Parsons-Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Wuerflein was born in Fox, Ark. She had lived in Earth since 1937, moving from Shawnee, Okla. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Muleshoe. She married George Wuerflein in 1937 at Enid, Okla. He died in 1956. Survivors include two sons, Frank Wuerflein of Muleshoe and Edward Wuerflein of Hereford; a daughter, Martha Morgan of Irving; a sister, Buelah Tate of Shreveport, La.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Virginia P. Gilbreath DIMMITT - Virginia P. Gilbreath, 87, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rusty Dickerson, pastor, and Dr. Wylie E. Hearn of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Amarillo officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mrs. Gilbreath was born in Dickens. She lived in Hereford before moving to Dimmitt in 1933. She graduated from Hereford High School in 1928 and attended West Texas State Teachers College. She taught school in Vega in 1932 and 1933. Mrs. Gilbreath was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She also was a member of the Dimmitt Garden Club, the Dimmitt Book Club and Plains Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She married J.C. "Sam" Gilbreath in 1933 at Nara Visa, N.M. He died in 1994. She also was preceded in death by a son, John Gilbreath, in 1983. Survivors include a son, Zay Gilbreath of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at 708 Cleveland St. They request memorials be to Plains Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 310 W. Halsell, Dimmitt, Texas 79027; or the John Gilbreath scholarship fund c/o First United Methodist Church, 110 S.W. 3rd, Dimmitt, Texas 79027. Billy J. Darnell Sr. MULESHOE - Billy J. Darnell Sr., 80, died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997, in Colorado City. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Muleshoe Church of Christ with Royce Don Clay Jr. of Colorado City and John Knox of the Muleshoe Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Darnell was born in Texola, Okla. He had lived in Muleshoe since 1962, moving from Lubbock. He managed and operated the Darnell Gin. He was a member of the Muleshoe Church of Christ, the Texas Ginners Association and the Muleshoe Lions Club. He married Marie Garner in 1937 at Erick, Okla. She died in September. Survivors include a son, Billy J. Darnell Jr. of Amarillo; three daughters, Patricia Clay of Ackerly, Karen Speer of Houston and Linda Van Wagner of O'Fallon, Ill.; two sisters, Zelpha Mae Jaggers of Erick and Martha Nell Payne of Abilene; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the High Plains Children's Home, 1501 W. 58th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79110; or the New Mexico Christian Children's Home, HC 69, Box 48, Portales, N.M. 88130. John Paul Rea STINNETT - John Paul Rea, 50, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Sunset Memorial Cemetery with Zeb Sailors, minister of the Stinnett Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Rea was born in Borger and had been a Stinnett resident for 47 years. He retired as a heavy equipment operator. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his mother, Priscilla Rea of Amarillo; two brothers, Don Rea of Fort Smith, Ark., and Charles Rea of Wichita, Kan.; and a sister, Charlotte Atherton of Plano. Terri Ann Williams Lenz PAMPA - Terri Ann Williams Lenz, 35, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with Tim Walker, minister, and Larry Brown, associate minister of Mary Ellen & Harvester Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Ms. Lenz was born in Chickasha, Okla. She graduated from Laverne High School in Laverne, Okla. She moved to Pampa in 1989 from Laverne. She was a homemaker and a member of Mary Ellen & Harvest Church of Christ. In 1984, she received a heart and lung transplant at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was one of the longest survivors of such a transplant. Survivors include two daughters, Tasha Lenz and Brandi Lenz, both of the home; a son, Jess Lenz of the home; her parents, Sammy and Carolyn Williams of Pampa; and a sister, Kelly Smith of Pampa. The family requests memorials be to Mary Ellen and Harvester Church of Christ. Jack Porter CANADIAN - Andrew Lyle "Jack" Porter, 100, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Higgins Cemetery at Higgins with the Rev. Steve Ulrey officiating. Arrangements are by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Mr. Porter was born in Lethrop, Mo. After graduating from high school in 1916, he and his family moved to a ranch near Canadian. He owned and operated a ranch in Lipscomb County. He married Enna Corrine "Pet" Hance in 1924 at Lipscomb. She died in 1991. Survivors include a son, Jack R. Porter of Perryton; and a grandson. The family requests memorials be to the Boy Scouts of America. Malcolm Moser VEGA - Malcolm "Mike" Moser, 88, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. No services are scheduled. Cremation arrangements were by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St., in Amarillo. Mr. Moser was born in Fort Stockton. He moved to Adrian in 1940. He had owned and operated the Moser Ranch 171/2 miles west of Adrian since 1940. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth G. Moser; a sister, Margaret Bragg of Amarillo; and two brothers, Willard Moser of Summerfield and Ray Moser of Guymon, Okla. Jose Natividad Meraz WHEELER - Jose Natividad Meraz, 48, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in the Country Chapel with the Rev. Rodney Weatherly, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Durango, Mexico. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Meraz was born in San Luis, Mexico. He moved to Wheeler in 1981 and had been employed by Heritage Beef Cattle Co. since that time. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He married Maria Rosario Valenzuela in 1971 at San Pedro, Mexico. She died in 1993. He married Cecilia Moreno in November at El Paso. Survivors include his wife; five sons, Genaro Meraz, Ciriaco Meraz and Romon Meraz, all of Amarillo, Saul Meraz of the Army in Virginia and Joe Meraz of the home; two daughters, Maria Copado and Margarita Apodaco, both of Pampa; his parents, Ciriaco and Antonia Meraz of San Luis; five brothers, Manuel Meraz, Pedro Meraz, Severiano Meraz and Gilberto Meraz, all of San Luis, and Lillo Meraz of El Paso, Mexico; three sisters, Chuya Silva of California, Tacha Solis of Hermanez, Mexico, and Belen Meraz of San Luis; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Frances Kraft Frances Kraft, 72, of Amarillo, died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997. No services are scheduled. Cremation arrangements were by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Ms. Kraft was born in Fort Worth and had lived in Amarillo for 15 years. She worked as a legal secretary for many years. Survivors include a daughter, Lindy Sousa of Dallas. Faye Horne Phillips Faye Horne Phillips, 79, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Chapel of First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard K. Batson of the church and the Rev. Roy Kornegay, director of missions for the Amarillo Baptist Association, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Phillips was born in Fort Worth. She moved to Amarillo in 1979 from Westminster, Colo. She married Charles A. Phillips in 1948 at Raton, N.M. He died in 1992. She retired as a corporate officer for Curtis Inc. of Denver. She was a member of First Baptist Church and a member and past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Loyalty Chapter No. 145 in Westminster. Survivors include a son, Joe R. Phillips of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a daughter, Karla Johnson of Dallas; a brother, J.R. Horne of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Troy Whatley Troy Whatley, 74, of Tucumcari, N.M., a former Bushland-area resident, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Bob Miller of First Baptist Church of Tucumcari and Chester O'Brien of South Georgia Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery Mausoleum. Mr. Whatley was born in Groom and graduated from Groom High School in 1941. He served with the Army during World War II in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He married Billye Louise Hodges in 1942 at Groom. Mr. Whatley farmed at Bushland from 1948 to 1955 before buying the Rafter K Ranch in Tucumcari. He had been actively involved in the cattle and horse business for more than 50 years. He was a charter member of the Quarter Horse Association. He had been a member of First Baptist Church in Tucumcari since 1955. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jerry Whatley of Amarillo; a sister, Dardanella Helton of Texico, N.M.; and two grandsons. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. The family will be 11/4 miles south of Canyon on the southwest corner of the old Happy Highway and Rice Road. Zula Bell McDuff Zula Bell "Judy" McDuff, 69, of 1030 Carter, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Robert Field, pastor of Southeast Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. McDuff was born in Hillsboro. She moved to Amarillo in 1943 from Lelia Lake. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She married Marvin D. McDuff in 1947 at Amarillo. He died in 1993. Survivors include five daughters, Kathy Massey, Beth Terry and Cindy Barnes, all of Amarillo, Judy True of Borger and Betty Gwinn of Arvada, Colo.; three sons, Danny McDuff of Denton, and Larry McDuff and Gary McDuff, both of Amarillo; a sister, Ruthie Gruhlkey of Adrian; a brother, Marvin Wood of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1002 Tennant. They request memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. New Mexico Louise Williams LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Louise Williams, 83, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Graveside services were at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Mission Garden of Memories. Arrangements were by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Williams was born in Crowell, Texas. Survivors include a brother, Thomas Spriggs of Shawnee, Okla.; and two sisters, Barbara Gore of Deming and Alene McCullough of Hermitage, Mo. Wesley Banks Sr. CLOVIS, N.M. - Wesley Banks Sr., 73, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Patterson Chapel with the Rev. Clem Singletary officiating. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Banks was born in Yoakum, Texas. He married Lorene Raynor in 1951 at Marlin, Texas. They moved to Clovis in 1959. They had owned W and L Welding since 1963. Mrs. Banks died in 1989. Mr. Banks was Methodist. Survivors include a daughter, Renee Moten of Clovis; his mother, Velma Banks of Rosharon; a sister, Lucy Luis of Rosharon, Texas; two brothers, Al Banks of Rosharon and Ruben Banks of Houston; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.