Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 6 August 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; Thursday, August 6, 1998, 6:27 AM Area David L. SmithPAMPA - David L. "Dave" Smith, 51, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. J.C. Burt, pastor of Barrett Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Smith was born in Kansas City, Mo. He married Donna Briggle in 1976 at Green Valley, Mo. They moved to Pampa in 1977. He had worked for Hoechst-Celanese and the Cabot Corp. as a draftsman for six years. He had been employed for the past 15 years as a solid waste sanitation inspector for the city of Pampa. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Jessie Smith and James Smith, both of the home, David Smith and Chris Smith, both of Belton, Mo.; two daughters, Elaine Taylor of Tulsa, Okla., and Amy Grace of Belton; his father, Jack Smith of Green Valley, Mo.; a brother, Dan Smith of Green Valley, Mo.; and five grandchildren. Frances WebbDUMAS - Frances Webb, 87, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Jerry Trammell, pastor, and the Rev. Tom Tidwell, pastor of First Baptist church of Paden, Okla., officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Webb was born in Wardville, Okla., and had lived in Dumas since 1939. She was a homemaker and a member of Temple Baptist Church. She married William L. "Bill" Webb in 1927 at McAlister, Okla. He died in 1988. Survivors include a son, Bill Webb of Lubbock; two daughters, Betty Jo Gardiner of Stinnett and Janice Sheppard of Dumas; a sister, Estelle Mills of Marshfield, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. 2nd, Dumas, Texas 79029 or Alzheimer's Association Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. 7th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79106. The family will be at 508 Bennett in Dumas. Floy Lee DriverHEREFORD - Floy Lee Driver, 66, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Central Church of Christ in Hereford with Tom Bailey officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in Memphis City Cemetery in Memphis by Parkside Chapel in Hereford. Mr. Driver was born in Lesley and had been a Hereford resident for more than 40 years. He was involved in farming and ranching near Hereford. He also owned and operated Floy Driver Wholesale Oil Co., in Dimmitt. He was a member of Central Church of Christ. He married Betty Hulsey. Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. Larry Driver of Houston; a daughter, Lacy Mueggenborg of Hereford; a brother, Lester Driver of Levelland; three sisters, Edith Houdashell of Arm, Betty Ann Hudgins of Burns Flat, Okla., and Brenda Graham of Claude; and two grandchildren. Jeff JeffersMEMPHIS - Jeff Jeffers, 76, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Travis Baptist Church in Memphis with the Rev. Bob Reid and the Rev. Truman Ledbetter officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Memphis Funeral Home. Mr. Jeffers was born in Tuskahoma, Okla. While serving in World War II, he received three battle stars. In 1984, he retired after 26 years of service with West Texas Utilities. He was a member of Travis Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, taught men's Sunday school class and was church treasurer. He married Mae Sowell in 1947 at Memphis. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jerry Jeffers of Amarillo and Larry Jeffers of Clarendon; a daughter, Gaylynn Clark of Guthrie, Okla.; a sister, Opel Hamilton of Tuolumne, Calif.; and five grandsons. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Ernest C. BerryBORGER - Ernest C. Berry, 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Church of God with the Rev. Buck Lawley, pastor, and the Rev. Mark Stripling, pastor of New Life Assembly of God in Pampa, and the Rev. R.L. Thornton, retired Church of God minister, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Berry was born in Terral, Okla., and had been a Borger resident since 1946. He moved here from Ringling, Okla. In 1979, he retired as a mechanic for the Philblack Plant. He was a member of the Church of God in Borger where he served on the church board. He married Ollie Barr in 1938 at Ringling. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Ernest D. Berry of Pampa, Raymond D. Berry of Flower Mound and R. Dean Berry of Borger; a daughter, Sue Thornton of Pampa; a brother, J.C. Berry of Borger; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Opal BowenHALE CENTER - Opal Bowen, 63, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Hale Center First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gene Meacham, pastor, and the Rev. Scott Edmondson, pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church in Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Hale Center Cemetery by Freeman-Abell Funeral Home. Mrs. Bowen was born in Munday. She moved to the Hale Center and Abernathy areas in 1944 from Benjamin and graduated from Hale Center High School in 1954. She was employed as bookkeeper for the Bowen Gin. She was a member of the Hale Center First Baptist Church. She married Harold Bowen in 1956 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Pam Burress of Plainview and Lisa Ellis of Hale Center; a brother, George Cornett of Hale Center; eight sisters, Marie Lewis, Willa Dene Barnes, Jeanette Steen and Nell Rogers, all of Hale Center, Silvia Shackelford of Cotton Center, Jean Curry of Tahoka, Ruthie Anchetto of Pacific Grove, Calif., and Estelle Irwin of Grand Prairie; and four grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to American Cancer Association or a favorite charity. John Pate SmithPLAINVIEW - John Pate Smith, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Carlsbad, N.M., with Mal Shakra of Sunset Church of Christ officiating. Memorial services will be at a later date. Cremation and arrangements are by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born in Lockney. He moved to Plainview from Carlsbad where he lived for many years. He was a member of Garland Street Church of Christ in Plainview and the Masonic Lodge. He was employed as an electrician. He married Grace Lindley Smith in July at Dallas. Survivors include his wife; three sons, James H. Smith of Albuquerque, N.M., Mickey Jake Smith of Burleson and John Russell Smith of Center; two stepsons, Jim Lindley of Aurora, Ill., and Joe Lindley of Dallas; two daughters, Rita J. Smith of Sparks, Nev., and Nancy Eclland of Lexington, Ky.; a stepdaughter, Linda McCourt of Danville, Ark.; two sisters, Josephine E. Smith of Plainview and Gaynell Bayley of Lockney; a brother, Charles B. Smith of Plainview; and several grandchildren. r Amarillo NEEDHAM Rossie A. NeedhamRossie A. "Ross" Needham, 82, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Richard Higley, of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Needham was born in Oakley, Tenn. He was a pilot in World War II and flew in the European Theater in a troop carrier command. He retired from Amarillo Claims Service as an insurance adjuster in 1985. He was a Baptist. He married Thelma Flovin in 1940 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; and two brothers, C.H. Needham of Amarillo and R.L. Needham of Eau Claire, Wis. The family requests memorials be to Chaparral Hills Baptist Church Building Fund or St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. The family will be at 6501 Arroyo Vista Place. Ian Patrick McDonaldIan Patrick McDonald, infant son of Wade and Arlene McDonald of Amarillo, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 1998, in Children's Medical Center in Dallas. Private family graveside services were at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Darrouzett Cemetery with the Rev. Gary McDonald, Ian's grandfather, officiating. Arrangements were by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Ian was born in Amarillo on July 14. Survivors include his parents; two brothers, Gary Cayden McDonald and Spencer Lee McDonald, both of the home; a sister, Esther Sinclaire McDonald of the home; and his grandparents, Gary and Barbara McDonald of Darrouzett and Lee and Phyllis Schneider of Denver. GRADY Donald Ray GradyDonald Ray Grady, 51, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Llano East Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Ford, associate pastor of Kingswood United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St. Mr. Grady was born in San Diego and had lived in Amarillo most of his life. He graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1966. For 21 years, he had been employed by Bell Helicopter in Amarillo then worked for Roberts Truck Center for six years. Mr. Grady was a Baptist and member of UAW and Teamsters Unions. In the 1970s, he coached for Kids, Inc. He also coached men's softball for the city of Amarillo in the 1980s. He married Rose Moats in 1966 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Donny Grady Jr., Michael Grady and Rodger Grady, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Tina Chavez of Amarillo; a brother, John Ross; and 11 grandchildren. The family will be at 710 S. Forest St. Alfred Dennis RalstonAlfred Dennis Ralston, 47, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in First Christian Church of Gruver with the Rev. Gary Gumfory officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mr. Ralston was born in Perryton and lived in the area for 20 years. He was a 1969 graduate of Gruver High School and attended college at Midwestern and Texas Tech University. Mr. Ralston was employed as an insurance adjuster and fence builder. He was a Mason and member of the XIT Range Riders. In Amarillo, he was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include his parents, Margret Ralston and Cecil Ralston, both of Gruver; and two brothers, Dan Ralston of Spearman and Mike Ralston of Dallas. The family requests memorials be to First Christian Church of Gruver or to a favorite charity. REDDING Deloma ReddingDeloma Redding, 72, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Ned Creswell officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Redding was born in Auburn, Neb. She was a graduate of the Commercial Extension School of Commerce in Omaha. She moved to Amarillo in 1959 from Illinois and was employed as a secretary. Mrs. Redding was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and Daughters of the King at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. She also was a member of League of Women Voters, Golden Spread Recreational Vehicle Club, Panhandle Boat and Ski Club, Sunshine Club and was chapter secretary for MDA. She married Thomas Edward Redding in 1947 at Auburn. Survivors include her husband; a son, Thomas David Redding of Amarillo; a daughter, Rhonda Aveni of Clarendon; a brother, Robert B. Armstrong of Scottsbluff, Neb.; and two sisters, Dorothy Elliott of Aurora, Colo., and Donna Ruth of Denver. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. JIMENEZ Clorinda V. JimenezClorinda V. Jimenez, 74, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Rosary will be at 7 p.m today in Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Services will be at 2 p.m Friday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Hector J. Madrigal officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Jimenez was born in Mosquero, N.M., and moved to Amarillo in 1944. She was employed as a laundry worker. She married Frank Jimenez in 1945. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1985 and by a son, Jimmy, in 1968. Survivors include two sons, Johnny Jimenez and Frankie Jimenez, both of Amarillo; seven daughters, Rosa Alvarez of Austin and Estella Sierra, Nellie Jimenez, Salina Martinez, Becky Chavez, Frances Salas and Beatrice Jimenez, all of Amarillo; a sister, Antonio DeSantiago; 29 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren. ARROYO Irene ArroyoIrene Arroyo, 18 months, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 5 1998. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Pat Hoffman officiating. Miss Arroyo was born and raised in Amarillo. Survivors include her parents, Clemonte and Irene Arroyo; and her grandparents, Jose and Abigail Bedoy and Hermila Gonzalez, all of Mexico. Canyon A.T. ReeseA.T. Reese, 81, of Canyon, died Monday, Aug. 3, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Holley Funeral Home Chapel with Robert Ray Henry, a Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Mr. Reese was born in Mount Vernon. He worked as a carpenter most of his life and was active in Carpenters Union Local 665. He had been an active volunteer for Palo Duro Hospice and was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church. His wife, Rena Mae Gafford Reese, died in 1992. Survivors include two sons, Joel Reese of Kress and Jim Reese of Amarillo; two daughters, Susie Reese Ward of Amarillo and Nancy Reese Anthis of Huntsville; four sisters, Sybil Gregory, Ann Sisco and Dorothy Pennington, all of Nacogdoches and Mary Klaunch of Austin; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. New Mexico Domingo RojasTEXICO, N.M. - Domingo Rojas, 42, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in San Jose Catholic Mission in Texico. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community with the Rev. Tobin Hitt officiating. Burial will be in Texico Cemetery by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Rojas was born in Lubbock and lived in New Mexico for most of his life. He graduated from Texico High School in 1973. For many years, he was employed by Chick Taylor Printing before moving to Albuquerque where he also worked for a printing company. In the early 1980s, Mr. Rojas returned to Texico and worked for Hacienda Home Centers. He became self-employed in 1989 when he and his father opened Rojas Irrigation Line Repair. He was a member of San Jose Catholic Mission. He first married Laura Gurule in 1975. His second marriage was to Michelle Hughes in 1989. Survivors include three sons, Estevan Rojas, Daniel Rojas and Jay Hughes, all of Clovis; his parents, Merced and Teodora Rojas of Texico; five sisters, Delia Rojas, Hilda Montano and Elizabeth Ortiz, all of Albuquerque, Virginia Loera of Farwell and Patricia Natividad of Texico; and his grandparents, Luciano Galaviz of Lubbock, Texas, and Ramona Galaviz of Pharr, Texas.