Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 18 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; Saturday, October 18, 1997, 9:10 AM Area Mary Thompson Wylie PAMPA - Mary "Pearl'' Thompson Wylie, 88, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1997, in Woodward, Okla. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Lyndon Glaesman, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Wylie was born in Cheyenne, Okla., and had lived in Pampa most of her life. She was a graduate of Grandview High School and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She married J.T. Wylie in 1935 at Pampa. They played music throughout the community and at the Poole Steak House for years. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Winnie Shaw and Betty Shaw, both of Woodward; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and seven stepgrandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Marie Harris TULIA - Marie Zimmermann Harris, 81, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997, in Lubbock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jesse Hodge, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Harris was born in Tulia and had lived in Tulia all of her life. She was valedictorian of the 1934 Tulia High School graduating class. She received the Tulia High School award for loyalty, scholarship and achievement. She often worked as a secretary for her father, who was a Tulia attorney for 56 years. In 1938, she received a bachelor of arts degree with a major in journalism from Texas Tech University. She was the second highest ranking student in the class and the highest in the arts and sciences department. As president of the Women's Press Club in 1937-38, Mrs. Harris helped lay the groundwork for chartering the Tech Chapter of Women in Communications Inc. She was an independent member of WICI at the time of her death. She was a member of the Lubbock Professional Chapter of WICI for several years and served as its vice president one year. Mrs. Harris was a past Worthy Matron of Tulia Chapter No. 33 of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also was a member of the advisory board of the Tulia Assembly of the Order of Rainbow for Girls for several years and a past mother adviser. She was an assistant Brownie leader and president of the Tulia Girl Scout Council in the late 1940s and early 1950s. She formerly was a campaign worker in numerous fund-raising drives in Tulia for the American Red Cross, the Heart Fund, the American Cancer Society and the Girl Scouts. She also was publicity chairman for a number of local groups and projects. Mrs. Harris was a member of the Swisher County Museum board and wrote a brief history of Swisher County for a folder accompanying the first Swisher medallion. She also wrote a few articles for the Swisher history book, "Windmilling.'' She was a life member of Texas Parent-Teacher Association and a past president of the Tulia PTA. She also was a member and secretary of the Tulia Band Parents Association as well as assisting with other school activities. Mrs. Harris was a member, advisory board chairman and secretary-reporter of the Tulia Literary Arts Club. She served as publicity chairman of the Caprock District of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs for two terms and was poet laureate for one year. She also was a former member and publicity chairman of the Canyon Branch of the American Association of University Women and had been a member-at-large of Plainview Women's Club. Mrs. Harris had been a member of First United Methodist Church since 1925. She was a past president of United Methodist Women and had received a special membership award. She also was telephone chairman of the Joyce Hill Circle. During World War II, she was chairman of a Tulia committee that equipped a day room for servicemen at Dalhart Army Base. After the war, she helped to reorganize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in 1947. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of the Women's Division of the Tulia Chamber of Commerce for several years. She also served on the board of the Plainview Community Concert Association and was a volunteer worker in Tulia during the association's membership drive every year from 1968 until 1996. Mrs. Harris was named Women of the Year by the Tulia Chamber of Commerce for 1979 and was one of 10 women receiving the Texas Panhandle Distinguished Service Award presented by West Texas State University in 1981. She was selected as an Outstanding Alumna of the Texas Mass Communications Department in 1989. Mrs. Harris was regional editor of the Plainview Daily Herald from 1968 until 1985. She had been a Tulia correspondent for the Amarillo Globe-News, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and the Plainview Herald since 1961. She had written a column, "Marie's Malarky,'' for the Tulia Herald since 1963. She also was news editor of the Tulia Herald and the Olton Enterprise for a short time. She married James T. Harris in 1938 at Tulia. He died in 1962. Survivors include two daughters, Sue Montgomery of Chicago and June Marie Clayton of Boston; and three grandchildren. Max Baird GOODNIGHT - Max Baird, 67, died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Cross in Groom. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Goodnight Cemetery with the Rev. Alan Burkhalter of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St., in Amarillo. Mr. Baird was born in Kelton. He married Betty Jo McCray in 1948 at Shamrock. In 1963, they moved to Hereford, S.D., where Mr. Baird donated an acre of land to start Emmanuel Baptist Church. They moved to Goodnight in 1971. Mr. Baird farmed and ranched at Goodnight and continued to minister until earlier this year. He was a member of Martin Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Deanna Jolene Campbell of Claude; two sons, Johnny Max Baird of Pampa and Tony Brent Baird of Claude; a sister, Peggy Anderson Newman of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will be at their home in Goodnight. They will receive friends at the Goodnight Community Center after the graveside services. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, Texas 79101. Lena Italla Ward TULIA - Lena Italla Ward, 96, of Fountain Valley, Calif., a former Tulia resident, died Monday, Oct. 13, 1997. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Wallace Funeral Home with the Rev. Jesse Hodge, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Ward was born in Leonard. She began her retail career in 1925, working at Galloway's in Leonard and then moving to Tulia. In Tulia, she worked at Mitchell's Dry Goods and Lavelle's for 12 years. She married Lee Ward in 1928. They moved to Amarillo in 1942. In 1952, they bought Ward's Gift and Variety Store, which they owned and operated until Mr. Ward's death in 1963. After selling the store, Mrs. Ward worked at Raylee Hat Shop in Amarillo. She continued to live in Amarillo until moving to Fountain Valley to live with her daughter. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Amarillo and First Baptist Church of Fountain Valley / Huntington Beach. She had lived at the Newport Rehabilitation and Living Center in Newport Beach, Calif., for the past 11/2 years. Survivors include her daughter, Doris Flinn; four grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Sonya Leonard FRITCH - Sonya Leonard, 15, died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church at Sanford with the Rev. Ricky Griffin, pastor, officiating. Burial will in the Garden of Love at Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / ChatwellFuneral Directors. Sonya was born in Borger and had been a lifetime resident of Sanford. She attended eighth grade at Sanford-Fritch Junior High School. She was on the Borger Bullets Special Olympic Team, where she was involved in track and field events. She had received several medals for her accomplishments. Sonya was a Baptist. Survivors include her parents, Burney and Sherry Leonard; two sisters, Tasha Leonard and Shana Leonard, both of the home; grandparents, Howard and Linda Davis, and Dub and Mary Leonard, all of Borger; and a great-grandparent, LaVern East of Borger. The family requests memorials be to the Tuberous Sclerosis Association, 8181 Professional Place, Suite 110, Landover, Md., 20785-2226. Amarillo Katie L. Knight Katie L. Knight, 17, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. today in the auditorium of Central Church of Christ with Dick Marcear and Kyle Meador, both of the church, officiating. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Katie was born in Amarillo and had lived here all of her life. She was a junior at Tascosa High School, where she was active in cross country. She was a member of the Huddles group at Central Church of Christ. Survivors include her parents, Harold and Carol Knight of the home; three brothers, Jay Knight of Long Beach, Calif., Jay Carter of Phoenix and Kelly Knight of Lubbock; a sister, Jeannie Lupton of Amarillo; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Sparkman, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Knight, all of Amarillo, and Bill Stokes of Granbury. The family requests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home and Family Services, 1501 W. 58th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79110. Phyllis J. Parsons Phyllis J. Parsons, 55, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997, in Lubbock. There will be private services. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Parsons was born in Olney. She married Morris Parsons in 1991 at Las Vegas. Survivors include her husband. Elizabeth Nell Johnson Elizabeth Nell Johnson, 70, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard Batson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery at Dallas. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Johnson was born in Forestburg and had lived in Amarillo for 22 years. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1945. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She also was active in the Minnie Murphy Sunday School class at the church. She married Billy E. Johnson in 1950 at Dallas. She was preceded in death by a son, Billy Don Johnson, in 1974. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Hallie V. Berry of Amarillo; a sister, Helen Salazar of Gainesville; and a brother, Dale Berry of Nashville, Tenn. Patricia Louise Black Patricia Louise Black, 60, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Dewey Newburn of Forest Hill Assembly of God officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Black was born in Wichita, Kan. She was a cab driver. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Glenn Anthony Thayer. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Black; four sons, Brian Coffey, Larry Butler and Kevin Butler, all of Tulsa, Okla., and David Butler; four daughters, Anita McDonald and Leona Carey, both of Amarillo, Sherry Kaiser of Tulsa and Ronnie Marie Kaiser of San Antonio; three sisters, Kathy Gay of Adair, Okla., Judy Galvan of Los Angeles and Rose Melton of Euless; and 17 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Panhandle Health Care. Marie Doche Marie Doche, 90, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997. Celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Wylie E. "Buff'' Hearn of St. Paul United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Doche was born in Clayton, N.M. She graduated from Clayton High School in 1927. She was a elementary school teacher. She married William Roy Doche in 1943. He died in 1971. Mrs. Doche was a buyer for the infants' department at Sears. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and Polk Street United Methodist Church. She had been a resident of The Continental for more than 10 years. Survivors include a son, Jerry Gross of The Woodlands; a sister, Sue Wooten of Florida; and two grandsons. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Donna Dean Baker Donna Dean Baker, 65, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel in Canyon with Dr. Charles Price, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Mrs. Baker was born in Happy. She grew up in Canyon and attended Canyon public school. She married Joe Van Sant in 1946 at Canyon. They lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, for nine years, and moved to Tennessee to retire. Mr. Van Sant died in 1988. She married Thomas J. Baker in 1991 at Huntingdon, Tenn. Mrs. Baker moved to Amarillo in 1993. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Big Sandy, Tenn. Survivors include her husband; a son, Steve Van Sant of Palmer, Alaska; two daughters, Vicki Salyer of Montgomery, Ala., and Karen Anderson of Princeton, Ind.; three sisters, Sissy Spraberry of Amarillo, Lois Shaw of Forth Worth and Gladys Byrd of Alex, Okla.; a brother, Wilbur Davis of Canyon; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Elsewhere Ruthie Lee Williams ANDREWS - Ruthie Lee Franks Williams, 67, died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Means Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Terry, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Andrews West Cemetery by McNett Funeral Home. Mrs. Williams was born in Ramsdell and attended Pampa schools. She then attended Odessa College, Sul Ross State, West Texas State, Texas Tech and the University of San Diego at Guadalajara. She had degrees in mathematics, English and Spanish. She married Billy D. Williams in 1946 at Clarendon. Mrs. Williams was an educator at Andrews and at UTPB. She was a member of Means Memorial United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Paul Williams of Andrews and John Williams of Austin; two sisters, Joy Scott of Midwest City, Okla., and Jo Pletcher of Magnolia, Ark.; and two grandchildren. Horace Marion Lee Knox JACKSBORO - Horace Marion Lee Knox, 78, of Chico, died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Coker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles A. Cox officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Knox was born in Jack County. He married Estaline Middlebrooks in 1942 at Norfolk, Va. He was a member of the Coast Guard during World War II. He was an auditor for the Texas Highway Department in Amarillo. He was a member of Morris Memorial Methodist Church in Chico. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Linda Wilson of Arlington; a son, Arnold Knox of Pittsburgh; two brothers, John Knox of Fort Worth and Joe Knox of Amarillo; a sister, Katherine Thomas of Fort Worth; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.