Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 4 October 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; Sunday, October 4, 1998, 7:08 AM Amarillo Ola Mae Love Ola Mae Love, 90, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Monsignor Joseph Tash officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Love was born in Temple and was a longtime Dalhart resident before moving to Amarillo. She was a housewife and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She married Glenn D. Love in the early 1930s at Tucumcari, N.M. He died in 1984. Survivors include a son, Glenn Richard Love of El Paso; two daughters, Patricia Anne Mahoney of Amarillo and Barbara Lynn Austin of Canyon; a sister, Ardenia Allen of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. W.D. Spradlin W.D. Spradlin, 69, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Services were at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Cemetery, East Mausoleum, with the Rev. C.N. "Shad" Rue officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Spradlin was born in Eldorado, Okla., and moved from Gruver to Amarillo in 1989. An Army veteran, he worked as an electrician. He was a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Raymond Spradlin of Austin; a daughter, Nawana Spradlin of Amarillo; and five sisters, Ina Murl Rafferty and Gearldine Gray, both of Lawton, Okla., Gladys Spradlin Slaughter of Amarillo, Callie Thygerson of Orem, Utah, and Myrtle Paulene Comstock of Washington State. Angy L. Collins Lara Angy L. Collins Lara, 46, of Amarillo, died Friday, October 2, 1998. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia with the Rev. Sherman Eastland, chaplain of Northwest Texas Hospital, officiating. Mrs. Lara was born in Universal City, Calif., and was raised in Fort Worth and Acton. She graduated from White Face High School and attended Cisco Junior College. Mrs. Lara lived in Lubbock and Pampa prior to moving to Amarillo 21 years ago. She was a homemaker and partner to the Telephone Pioneers of America. She married Bob Lara in 1970 at Fort Worth. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Samantha Danielle Lara of the home; two sons, Robert Daniel Lara of the home and TyScot Lara of Amarillo; two brothers, Bill Collins of Granbury and Daniel Collins of Fort Worth; two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society, District Office, 3915 S. Bell, Amarillo, TX 79109, phone 806-353-4306. Tim Stover Tim Stover, 45, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998 in Hereford. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel with Ben Mereness of Southwest Church of Christ officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Stover was born in Mangum, Okla., and raised in Reed, Okla. He graduated from Mangum High School. He moved to Amarillo in 1970. From the early 1970s until 1997, Mr. Stover owned and operated Valley Auto Parts. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, Robert Stover and Shawn Stover, both of Amarillo; two sisters, Sue Williams of Amarillo and Patricia Endsley of Dallas; and a brother, Jerry Stover of Lawton, Okla. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Homes. Kenneth Ray Woods Kenneth Ray Woods, 71, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1998. Services were at 1 p.m. Saturday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage with the Rev. Windell Taylor, chaplain of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, officiating. Burial was in Llano East Cemetery. Mr. Woods was born in Vernon and moved to Amarillo 15 years ago from Fort Worth. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. For several years, he was an exterminator for Tom Carter. Survivors include two sisters, Leona Williams of Fort Worth and JoAnn Briton of Cresson. The family will be at 1415 Trigg. Hector Serna Hector Serna, 74, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today and services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with the Rev. Pat Hoffman of St. Laurence Cathedral officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Serna moved to Dumas in 1946 while employed by American Zinc. In 1971 he moved to Amarillo, where he was employed by ASARCO until his retirement in 1986. He was a veteran of World War II. He recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with Lupe Malacara. They married in 1948 at Dumas. Survivors include his wife; a son, Hector Serna Jr. of Amarillo; two daughters, Shirley Serna of Austin and Rachel Zapata of Amarillo; a brother, Isaac Serna of Sacramento, Calif.; three sisters, Suzanna Rodriquez and Criselda Leal, both of Seguin, and Louisa Guerrero of Kyle; and three grandchildren. The family will be at 2500 Lawndale. Louise Weatherly Louise Weatherly, 78, of Amarillo, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. David Evans, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Weatherly was born in Mabank. She had been an Amarillo resident for 75 years, graduating from Amarillo High School in 1938. She was a homemaker. For many years she worked in sales at Sears Roebuck and Co. Mrs. Weatherly was a member of Amarillo Senior Citizens Association and Trinity Baptist Church, where she had been active in Women's Missionary Union. She was a volunteer at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital. She married Cecil Weatherly in 1938 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Carolyn Kollin of Hereford; two sons, Kenneth Weatherly of Amarillo and Jimmy Weatherly of Houston; and a brother, Gordon Mitchell of Waco. The family requests memorials be to Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Trinity Baptist Church, 1608 Wolflin, Amarillo, TX 79109. James E. Vick Sr. James E. Vick Sr., 71, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Brother Roy Almaroad of Mescalero Baptist Church officiating. Entombment will be in Mausoleum East. Mr. Vick was born in Brady and attended Clarendon High School. He was a veteran. He was a member of Mescalero Baptist Church. He married Lila Beatrice Hobbs in 1947 at Elizabethtown, Ky. Survivors include his wife; a son, J.E. Vick Jr. of Wayside; a daughter, Bonnie Simmons of Joshua; four sisters, Norean Edwards, Eunice Henry and Irene Davis, all of Panhandle, and Shirley Riggins of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home. They suggest memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice. Canyon Opal Stevens Buster Opal Stevens Buster, 89, of Belton and a former Canyon resident, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel, Canyon, with the Rev. Gayle Bowen, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Mrs. Buster was born in Panhandle. She was a member of First Baptist Church and was a resident of Canyon for most of her life. She moved to Belton in 1988. She married Wallace Buster in 1928 at Panhandle. He died in 1934. In 1937, she married Jach Buster at Washington. He preceded her in death in 1985. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Volene Dickeson of Quincy, Fla.; a son, Jerry Buster of Belton; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Stacy S. Howell Stacy S. Howell, 99, of Canyon, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. Mr. Howell was born in Clay County, Miss., and moved to Canyon in 1923. He farmed and ranched in Randall County. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He married Elna Springer in 1925 at Canyon. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Teddie Poindexter of Hereford; a sister, Pearl Ricks of West Point, Miss.; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Dreamland Cemetery, Box 38, Canyon, TX 79015; or Baptist St. Anthony's, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. New Mexico Billy D. Romero CLOVIS, N.M. - Billy D. Romero, 38, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community by the Rev. Daniel M. Balizan. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Romero was born in Clovis, where he was a lifelong resident. For 20 years, he was employed in the parts department of Hamilton Big Country Ford. He was a member of Our Lady of the Guadalupe. He married Liz Leyba in 1982. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Corina Romero, Amanda Romero, Sonya Michelle Romero and Tiffany Romero, all of the home; his parents, Leopoldo and Carmen Romero of Clovis; four brothers, Bennie Romero of Carlsbad, Arthur and Richard Romero of Clovis and Leo Romero of Eagle Nest; four sisters, Katie Padilla, Yolanda Olivas, Lena Sandoval and Jackie Romero, all of Clovis; and a grandchild. Robert Morrow CLOVIS, N.M. - Robert "Bob" Morrow, 65, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leslie Sherman and the Rev. Lewis Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mr. Morrow was born in Post, Texas. A longtime resident of Clovis, he retired in 1995 as a warehouse foreman for the Clovis school system. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Connie Morrow. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Morrow; a daughter, Robbie Laing of Rio Rancho; two brothers, Don Morrow of Cedar Crest and Larry Morrow of Clovis; and two grandchildren. Luther Nutt Jr. PORTALES, N.M. - Luther "Luke" Nutt Jr., 28, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in St. Helen Catholic Church with the Rev. Anthony Martinez officiating. Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales, Inc. Mr. Nutt was born in Clovis and attended school in Portales. A Certified Nurses Aide and an Emergency Medical Technician, he had worked in nursing homes in Clovis, as well as in Ruidoso and in Oklahoma. He was active in an AIDS support group and in St. Helen Catholic Church. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Linda and Sergio Gutierrez of Portales; his father, Luther Nutt Sr. of Portales; his stepmother, Bernita Nutt of Clovis; three brothers, James Hammar, Eric Hammar and Chris Edens, all of Portales; a sister, Desiree Gutierrez of Portales; his grandmother, Dovie Sears of Farwell, Texas; and his grandfather, Bill Edens of Clovis. The family requests memorials be to Pecos Valley H.A.R.C., 200 W. First, Ste. 400, Roswell, N.M. 88201. Oklahoma Pearl Lucille Roberts BEAVER, Okla. - Pearl Lucille Roberts, 94, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Beaver United Methodist Church with Charles Watson officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in Mount Hope Cemetery in Fay by Clark Funeral Service of Beaver. Mrs. Roberts was born in Oklahoma Territory. She graduated from high school and attended two years of college. She was a homemaker and a member of the Methodist Church and Blaine County Extension Homemakers. She married Leroy Roberts in 1927 at Watonga. He died in 1978. Survivors include two daughters, Wanda Pearl Roberts and Ila Watson, both of Beaver; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Area Nell Burke SPEARMAN - Nell Burke, 82, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Spearman Church of Christ with James Kinnaird of Gruver Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Burke was born in Waka and was a lifetime resident of the area. She retired in 1982 after 12 years as janitor of Spearman schools. She was a member of Church of Christ of Spearman. She married Clarence Burke in 1937 at Beaver, Okla. He died in 1981. Survivors include two sons, Jessie W. Burke and Don Burke, both of Spearman; two daughters, Pat Fisher of Burkburnett and Nancy Long of Enid, Okla.; a sister, Grace Kunkel of Phoenix; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hansford Hospice, 707 S. Roland, Spearman, TX 79081; or Church of Christ, 121 S. Haney, Spearman, TX 79081. James Russell Varner FRIONA - James Russell Varner, 82, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Friona Cemetery with the Rev. Don Boren, pastor of Friona United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home. Mr. Varner was born in Red River County and had lived in Friona since 1952. He was a truck driver and a Methodist. He married Stella Mauldin in 1939 at Clarksville. Survivors include his wife; three sons, James T. Varner of Phoenix, Stanley R. Varner of Amarillo and Phillip E. Varner of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters, Martha Shepherd of Granbury and Gail Trevison of Fayetteville, N.C.; a brother, Oswald C. Varner of Fontana, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. Marvin E. Allison LEFORS - Marvin E. Allison, 82, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church of Lefors with the Rev. Lewis Ellis, pastor, and the Rev. John Glover, associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Pampa, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens in Pampa by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Allison was born in Memphis. He moved to Lefors in 1960 from Quitman. In 1978, he retired after 37 years of service with Atlantic Richfield. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Lefors. He married Luella Coward in 1937 at Hugo, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Bill Allison and Lynn Allison, both of Pampa; a daughter, Barbara Hathaway of Dallas; a sister, Marie Vasarevic of Tyler; two brothers, Manuel Allison of Gainesville and Johnny Allison of Texarkana; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. today in the funeral home. They suggest memorials be to First Baptist Church of Lefors, the Ronald McDonald House or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center of Amarillo. Emma A. Smith HEREFORD - Emma A. Smith, 90, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Trinity Fellowship Church with Steve Gilbert of the church officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Westmoreland, Tenn. She moved to Deaf Smith County in 1959 from Denton. She had been a member of Ford Community FCE Club since 1960 and was a member of First Christian Church. She was a homemaker. She married Raymond Smith in 1924 at Kemp. He preceded her in death in 1991. Survivors include a daughter, Katherine Nelson of Hereford; two sons, John A. Smith of Hereford and Billy A. Smith of Hayward, Calif.; four grandsons; three great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandson. The family will receive friends from 2 until 5 p.m. today at the funeral home. They suggest memorials be to a favorite charity. Elbert Nowell MULESHOE - Elbert Nowell, 92, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Stacy Conner of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Nowell was born in Italy, Texas, and moved to Muleshoe in 1928 from Slaton. He was a farmer. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Muleshoe and Muleshoe Masonic Lodge, where he was past master and past deputy grand master. He was a member of Muleshoe Oddfellows and past noble grand. He married Hazel Jaggers in 1944 at Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 1989. Survivors include three sisters, Bessie Kenney of Slaton, Icie Kenney of Lubbock and Euple Taylor of Denver City; and a brother, Ernest Nowell of Lazbuddie. Jane LaFont PLAINVIEW - Jane LaFont, 80, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Plainview with the Rev. James Mock Sr., pastor, and Dr. Max Browning, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Lemons Funeral Home. Mrs. LaFont was a native of Plainview. She graduated from Plainview High School and Lipperts Business College. Mrs. LaFont was a secretary for the Hale County agent and later for the Hale County judge. She was a member of Great Books Club, the Hobby Club and St. Mark's Episcopal Church. She married H.M. LaFont in 1933 at Plainview. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Gail Huie of Corpus Christi; a son, William LaFont of Plainview; a brother, Dr. E.H. Powell of Buffalo, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. Clyce Ragsdale PERRYTON - Clyce Ragsdale, 72, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Full Gospel Church with the Rev. Harrol Waterbury and the Rev. Michael Waterbury officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Mr. Ragsdale was born in Gray, Okla. A fourth-generation retail merchant, in the 1940s he moved to Perryton, where he and his father operated Perryton Wholesale. In 1964 they opened Gibson Discount Center. They also opened Gibson stores in Guymon, Okla., and Woodward, Okla. Mr. Ragsdale operated these stores with his son, Tony Ragsdale, until 1992, when they opened convenience stores in the area. He remained active in business until his death. He was a member of Full Gospel Church. He married Pat Barlow in 1947 at Perryton. He was preceded in death by a son, Craig Ragsdale, in 1987. Survivors include his wife; a son, Tony Ragsdale of Perryton; and four grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Full Gospel Church, Perryton, TX 79070, or to a favorite charity. Josephine Elmore Cagle CHILDRESS - Josephine Elmore Cagle, 84, a Plainview resident, formerly of Childress, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Johnson Funeral Home in Childress. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. in Childress Cemetery with the Rev. Johnny Robertson, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Mrs. Cagle was born in Northfield and made her home in Childress until 1955, when she moved to Tulia. In 1990 she moved to Plainview. She was a homemaker. In later years she worked as a care-giver for the elderly. She was a member of First Methodist Church of Tulia and Order of the Eastern Star. She married Hollis Cagle in 1928 at Childress. He died in 1977. Survivors include two sons, Bill Cagle and Jay Cagle, both of Plainview; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Family Hospice of the Plains, 4410 Olton Rd., Plainview, TX 79072. Maria Elena Diaz MULESHOE - Maria Elena Diaz, 62, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today and Monday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church by the Rev. Tim Judd of Petersburg. Mrs. Diaz was born in Jimenez, Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1978 she moved to Muleshoe. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She married Meliton Diaz in 1962 in Mexico. Survivors include her husband; six sons, Manuel Diaz and Alberto Diaz, both of Muleshoe, Meliton Diaz Jr. and Leo Diaz, both of Cleburne, Pancho Diaz of Lazbuddie and Mario Diaz of Bovina; six daughters, Micaela Solis, Maria Reyes and Melina Diaz, all of Muleshoe, and Martha D. Ibarra, Norma Diaz and Meme Solis, all of Cleburne; a brother, Ernesto Bustillos of Muleshoe; 26 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 805 E. Hickory, Muleshoe, TX 79347. Charlotte Ann Kinion PANHANDLE - Charlotte Ann Kinion, 62, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Panhandle Cemetery with the Rev. Bryan Tackett, chaplain at Northwest Texas Healthcare System, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. Mrs. Kinion was born in Seminole. In 1975 she moved from Phoenix to Panhandle. She was a homemaker. For 18 years she was employed as a senior clerk in the micrographics department at Pantex. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Panhandle. She married Steve Kinion. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Bruce Kinion of Montrose, Colo., and Jon LeMasters of Plant City, Fla.; and a daughter, Michelle Forbes of Boerne.