Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 2 Feb 1998 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, February 2, 1998, 6:50 AM Area James Kyle Barnes GUYMON, Okla. - James Kyle Barnes, 25, died Friday, Jan. 30, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Guymon Church of Christ with Scott Vohn Smith, minister, and Gerald Stewart officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mr. Barnes was born and raised in Guymon. He graduated from Guymon High School in 1991 and attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He had been employed by Mobil Oil Co. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include two daughters, Kylea Dawn Barnes and Sidney Nikole Barnes, both of Guymon; his parents, Loretta and James A. Barnes of Guymon; three sisters, Teresa Barnes and Tamra Hall, both of Guymon, and Tonya Henderson of Texhoma; his grandmother, Jewell Ralstin of Guymon; and his grandfather, Gene Barnes of Lawton. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. A Kyle Barnes Memorial has been established for the Barnes children education fund at City National Bank. Memorials will be accepted at City National Bank or Henson-Novak Funeral Home, Box 1306, Guymon, Okla., 73942. Jess Phillips DALHART - Jess Phillips, 87, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998. Graveside services will at 2:30 today be in Memorial Park Cemetery with Gaylord Cook, minister of Dalhart Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Home. Mr. Phillips was born and raised in Ranger. He had worked in the furniture and upholstery business in Hobbs, N.M., Iowa, Phoenix and Winslow, Ariz. He moved to Dalhart in 1953 where he owned a furniture upholstery and mattress shop for many years. He was a member of the Dalhart Church of Christ. He married Ruth Stubblefield at Winslow. He was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Phillips, and Gary Phillips. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sandra Clements of Dalhart and Rita Rasco of Lubbock; two sisters, Jewel Rogers and Lora Martin, both of Stephenville; seven grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Lubbock Christian Children's Home or High Plains Children's Home. Pamela Ann Long DUMAS - Pamela Ann Long, 45, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Aiken, pastor, and the Rev. Vince Kolb, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Long was born in Amarillo and lived in Dumas most of her life. She was a homemaker and member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was married to Ray E. Long in 1979 at Dumas. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jerri Janice Long of Dumas; two sisters, Shelly Lou Bittner and Carri Slagle, both of Dumas; a stepsister, Terri Ruth Crow of Prescott, Ariz.; a brother, Steven Paul Crow of Hobart, Okla.; her stepfather and mother, Kermit and Jerry Sue Taylor of Wheeler; and her grandmothers, Rebecca Martin of Wheeler and Mildred Crowe of Hobart, Okla. The family will be at 820 East Seventh Avenue in Dumas. They request memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 East Second Ave., Dumas, Texas, 79029. Lillian Pearl Mercer McLEAN - Lillian Pearl Mercer, 89, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. James Mantooth, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Lamb Funeral Home. Mrs. Mercer was born in Kennett, Mo., and moved to McLean in 1941. She was a cook and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosalie Henley in 1995. Survivors include three sons, Joe Mercer and Bill Mercer, both of Amarillo, and Jack Mercer of Dallas; two daughters, Myrtle Billingsley of McLean and Juanita Freeman of Shamrock; 18 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 18 greatgreat-grandchildren. Elsie Tarr FARWELL - Elise Tarr, 88, died Friday, Jan. 30, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Sunset Terrace Cemetery with the Rev. Richard Laverty, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Mrs. Tarr was born in Brown County. She moved to Farwell from West Camp community in 1971. She had lived in West Camp since 1927. She was a member of West Camp Baptist Church from 1927 until 1971 and was a member of First Baptist Church of Farwell since then. She was married to Ivan Tarr in 1938 at Clovis, N.M. He died in 1971. Survivors include two daughters, Jean Tarr Ellis of Hart and Fern Gillmer of Miami; three brothers, J.C. Shanks of Muleshoe, W.H. Shanks of Albuquerque, N.M., and Bert Shanks of Lubbock; and three grandchildren. Burtie Gallegly Ruthardt WHITE DEER - Burtie Gallegly Ruthardt, 74, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church of White Deer. Burial will be at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in McLean Cemetery at McLean by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Ruthardt was born in Wellington. She graduated from Lefors High School. She retired as secretary for White Deer High School. Mrs. Ruthardt was on the White Deer School District Board for many years. She was a volunteer with the White Deer School District and the Seniors Citizens group. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was married to Cohen Gallegly for 47 years before his death in 1990. She married Gordon Ruthardt in 1994 at Pampa. She was preceded in death by two sons, George Alan Gallegly and David Lynn Gallegly. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Beth Cagle of Canyon and Marie Austin of Miami Springs, Fla.; four brothers, H.P. Quarles of Thermopolis, Wyo., Wayne Quarles of Wyoming, Johnny Quarles of Lubbock and George Quarles of Skellytown; three sisters, Frankie Derr and Clara Hupp, both of Pampa, and Eddie Sargent of Baytown; and six grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the White Deer Scholarship Fund. Maria Elena Balli FRIONA - Maria Elena Balli, 70, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998. Services will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home with Charles Greene, Jehovah Witness minister, officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery. Mrs. Balli was born in El Ranchito. She had lived in Friona since 1967 when she moved from San Benito. She was a homemaker and member of Kingdom Hall Jehovah Witness Church. She married Ovidio Balli in 1942 at El Ranchito. She was preceded in death by six children. Survivors include her husband; seven sons, Ovidio Balli Jr., Eliseo Balli, Paul Balli, Andy Balli and Frye Balli, all of Friona, Murphy Balli of Levelland and Joe Balli of Midland; five daughters, Ann Bowman, Minda Aguillar, and Mary Aguillar, all of Friona, Vergie Hartline of Muleshoe and Marty Balli of Farwell; five brothers, Juan Guerra, Heginio Guerra and George Guerra, all of San Benito, Joe Guerra of Friona and Robert Guerra of Levelland; a sister, Luptia Guerra of San Benito; 26 grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren. Marion McClain DALHART - Marion McClain, 84, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Glendon Pyle, pastor Weslyan Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Home. Mrs. McClain was born and raised in Illinois. She moved to Dalhart in 1950. She was a Methodist. She married C.G. McClain in 1931. He died in 1974. Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn Reed of Cleveland and Barbara Hein of Dalhart; three sons, John McClain, George McClain and Charles McClain, all of Dalhart; 21 grandchildren; 42 greatgrandchildren; and seven great-greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Kathleen Garrett O'Keefe Kathleen Garrett O'Keefe, 71, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in San Jacinto Full Gospel Church with the Rev. James Burns officiating. Arrangements are by Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth Ave. Mrs. O'Keefe graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor's degree. She taught school for 23 years at White Deer Elementary. She volunteered to play piano for the Golden Age Care Center as well as the San Jacinto Full Gospel Church. Survivors include two sons, Michael O'Keefe of Laguna Beach, Calif., and Mark O'Keefe of Amarillo; and a grandson, Michael Ross O'Keefe of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to Catholic Family Service or the Food Pantry at the San Jacinto Full Gospel Church. Evelyn York Evelyn York, 79, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park East Mausoleum Chapel with Dr. Charles Jones of Second Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. York was born in Vian, Okla., and had lived in Amarillo since 1934. She was a homemaker and bookkeeper for York Tire Co. She retired in 1980. She married A.B. York in 1938 at Clovis, N.M. He died in 1995. Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Wade of Palm Desert, Calif., and Jeannette Angel of Amarillo; three sons, Jack Casey and Marshall York, both of Amarillo, and Tommy York of Austin; a sister, Tressie Gibson of Fritch; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 112 Dolphin Terrace. They request memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Mary Stafford Mary Stafford, 72, of Amarillo, died Friday, Jan. 30, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Stafford was born in Borger. She moved to Amarillo in 1991 from Fort Worth. She owned a restaurant and was retired. She was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church. She married George E. Stafford in 1947 at Amarillo. He died in 1993. Survivors include a son, Paul Stafford of Missouri City; a brother, Blake Chanslor of Albuquerque; three sisters, Cathern Braddock and Ruth Waller, both of Amarillo, and Sara Gressett of Snyder; and two grandchildren. Bessie Deckard Bessie "Becky" Deckard, 88, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. There will be a double graveside service for Mrs. Deckard and her husband, Bryan, at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Stan Coffey of San Jacinto Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Deckard was born in Hannon, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1930. She was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church for more than 65 years. She taught Sunday School. She married Bryan Deckard in 1930 at Amarillo. He preceded her in death on Jan. 29, 1998. A son, Don Thomas Deckard, died in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, Sammie Crow of Glendale, Ariz.; a sister, Ida Justice of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family will be receiving friends from 7 until 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. They request memorials be to the Crown of Texas Hospice. William A. Hunt William A. "Bill" Hunt, 76, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Allen Norris officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Hunt was born in Canton, Okla. He was a World War II veteran of the Army. He was employed as a gas pump repairman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Elaine Hunt, in 1996. Survivors include a son, Bill Hunt of Clearlake, Okla.; a daughter, Sandra Willard of Alvin; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. George Lafayette Pounds George Lafayette Pounds, 96, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with A.W. Goff of the Church of Christ in Russellville, Ark., officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Fairview Cemetery at Pampa. Mr. Pounds was born in Honey Grove. He owned a supermarket in Pampa and a bakery in Memphis. He was a member of Dumas Drive Church of Christ and the Amarillo Country Club. He married Nellora Dennett in 1974 at Amarillo. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jarita Moore, in 1993. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Jackie Trainer of Midland and Voncille Ford of Amarillo; a son, Duard Pounds of Dallas; a stepdaughter, Sherri Lanham of Amarillo; a stepson, Doug Hemme of Tulsa, Okla.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will be at 6208 Belpree. They request memorials be to a favorite charity. Latosha Nicole Underwood Latosha Nicole Underwood, 11, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Steve Waterhouse officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Miss Underwood was an honor student at Whittier Elementary. She was a reporter for the classroom paper and a cheerleader for the Whittier Broncos. She was a member of Westcliff Bible Church. Survivors include her parents, Tracy Lloyd and Brenda Lynn Underwood of Amarillo; two brothers, Billy Thomas of North Richland Hills and Logan Underwood of Amarillo; her grandparents, Glenn and Coleta Underwood of Wells Point; and her great-grandmother, Catherine Johnson of Amarillo. Elsewhere Beatrice Turkett Loffler VERNON - Beatrice Turkett Loffler, 93, of Altus, Okla., died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Eastview Cemetery with the Rev. David Fox officiating. Arrangements are by Sullivan Funeral Home. Mrs. Loffler was born in Ennis. She lived in Vernon until she moved to Amarillo in 1952. She later moved to Altus, Okla., in 1975. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married her first husband, Guy Turkett, in 1923. He died in 1937. She later married Tony Loffler in 1939. He died in 1947. Survivors include two daughters, Jean Owen of Amarillo and Dollye Koner of Altus; a sister, Mabel Mayfield of Vernon; four grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. The family will be available for visitation from 1 p.m. until service time today at the funeral home.