Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 8 May 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; Saturday, May 9, 1998, 7:38 AM Amarillo WHATLEY Frances Marie Whatley Frances Marie Whatley, 74, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 5, 1998. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Paramount Baptist Church with Dr. Gil Lain and the Rev. F.M. Byford, both of the church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Whatley was born in New Boston. She moved to Amarillo in 1992 from Brownwood. She was a public school teacher for 35 years. She graduated from Howard Payne University and received her master's degree at Sul Ross University. She was a member of Paramount Baptist Church. She married Barney Hubert Whatley Jr. in 1942 at Brownwood. Survivors include a daughter, Jeanelle Saylor of Amarillo; a son, David Whatley of Illinois; three brothers, Hiram Duffer Jr. of Waco, Douglas Duffer of Wichita, Kan., and Johnny Duffer of Auburn, Wash.; and two grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Addie Moore Scholarship Fund at Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 S. Western, Amarillo, Texas 79109; the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Road, Lubbock, Texas 79424; or the National Kidney Foundation of West Texas, 3801 19th St., Suite 402, Lubbock, Texas 79410. The body will not be available for viewing. Bessie M. Martin Bessie M. Martin, 66, of Amarillo, died Saturday, May 2, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. B.F. Roberts, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Martin was born in Waxahachie and was a longtime Amarillo resident. She was educated in the Childress public school system. She was a domestic worker and a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Dr. Frank K. Martin of Phoenix; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family will be at 3125 Oak. LILE Phyllis Marie Huston Lile Phyllis Marie Huston Lile, 51, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in San Jacinto Baptist Church with the Rev. Gordon Benson of the church and Glendell Smith, chaplain for Baptist St. Anthony's Health System, officiating. Graveside services will be at 5 p.m. in Ochiltree Cemetery in Perryton. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Lile was born in Perryton and attended school there. She managed a drugstore in Booker, where she lived most of her adult life. She graduated from Amarillo College in 1991. She had been employed by Baptist St. Anthony's Health System as a respiratory therapist since 1991. Survivors include four sons, Phillip Michael Ballew of Duncanville, Noel Trent Ballew of Plano and John Allen Lile and Christian Eric Lile, both of Amarillo; her mother and stepfather, Drusilla and Bob Fleming of Perryton; a sister, Jeannie Mars of Van; a brother, Rick Huston of Gilmer; and four grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. ROBERSON Dennis Ray Roberson Dennis Ray Roberson, 51, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Olsen Park Baptist Church with Dr. Randy Davis, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Roberson was born in Amarillo. He graduated from Tascosa High School and attended Amarillo College. He served with the Army from 1966 to 1969 during Vietnam. He had been a mechanic for the Amarillo Independent School District. He was a former owner and operator of Roberson Enterprises. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He married Wanda Simmons in 1969 at Amarillo. He was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Roberson Jr. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Pennie Erwin of Amarillo; a son, Robert Roberson of Amarillo; his mother, Ruth Roberson of Amarillo; a sister, Janis Denton of Amarillo; a brother, Melvin Lee Roberson Jr. of Amarillo; and four grandchildren. The family will be at 4806 Hillside. They request memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Greggory Wayne Mathis Greggory Wayne "Goldilox" Mathis, 22, died Tuesday, May 5, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Allen Norris officiating. Mr. Mathis was born in Fort Hood and had been a lifetime Amarillo resident. He attended Caprock and Amarillo high schools. Survivors include his mother, Carol Mathis Reed of Tonawanda, N.Y.; his father, Garry Wayne Mathis of Amarillo; his stepmother, Sandy Kenner of Amarillo; four brothers, Christopher Davis, Jonathan Mathis, Jason Smithee and Jeremy Carey, all of Amarillo; and grandfather, Chief Jack Mathis of Amarillo. Wallace Mitchell Britten Wallace Mitchell Britten, 44, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Groom with the Rev. Dee officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Groom. Mr. Britten was born in Amarillo. He was a 1972 graduate of Tascosa High School. He was Catholic. He married LaJeanna Ledwig in 1988 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Timothy Ledwig and Brandon Ledwig, both of the home; three daughters, Chelsea Britten of Dallas, Candy Ledwig of the home and Amy Hernandez of Amarillo; his mother, Collen Britten of Pampa; three brothers, Wayne Britten and Wesley Britten, both of Pampa and Wendell Britten of Amarillo; two sisters, Susan Collinsworth and Diane Britten, both of Pampa; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. EVERETT James D. Everett James D. "Buck" Everett, 70, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Claude Cemetery at Claude. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with Dr. Norman Grisby, interim senior minister and the Rev. Dan Usiak, associate minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Everett was born in Hedley. He graduated from Hedley High School and McMurray University in 1949. He was an Army veteran serving during the Korean War. He was a Realtor working at Coldwell Banker First Equity Realtors. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, was active in the Sanctuary Choir and Friendship Bible Class. He married Mildred Swann in 1950 in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Tracy Everett Summer of Dallas; and a sister, Doris Foster of Amarillo. The family will be at 3803 Lenwood Drive. They suggest memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4717 W. Interstate 40 or the Amarillo College Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 447, Amarillo, Texas 79178. Elsewhere Ruby Lee Cornes BON WIER - Ruby Lee Cornes, 84, died Tuesday, May 5, 1998. Services were at 1 p.m. today in the Church of Christ at Newton. Burial was in Ford Cemetery, near Newton. Arrangements were by Smith Funeral Home of Newton. Mrs. Cornes was born in Huntsville and had lived in Bon Wier for 48 years. Survivors include her husband, Wilburn H. Cornes of Bon Wier; three sons, Charles H. Fowler of Little Rock, Ark., John W. Fowler of Newton and Lloyd T. "Hoss" Fowler of Bon Wier; two daughters, Marilyn Walton of Amarillo and Jewel "Libby" Fowler of Little Rock; a brother, Graham Davis of Bon Wier; 24 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Richard Dow Ellison MIDLAND - Richard Dow "Rook" Ellison, 54, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Wilshire Park Baptist Church with Steve Tims and Gil Lain officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Ellison was born in Big Spring. He was raised and attended school in Midland. He joined the Air Force, serving from 1961 to 1969. He served three of those years in France and one in Vietnam. After being discharged, he returned to Midland. Mr. Ellison worked as a contract painter with his father in the family business, Ellison Contractors. In 1982, he took over the business and continued to operate it until his death. He was a member of Wilshire Park Baptist Church. Mr. Ellison married Mary Sue Reynolds in 1962. Survivors include two sons, Aaron Dow Ellison and Richard Andrew Ellison, both of Midland; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Ellison of Midland; a brother, Don Ellison of Midland; a sister, Mary Lain of Amarillo; and a grandson. Ronny H. Ward NEWBERRY SPRINGS, Calif. - Ronny H. Ward, 52, a former Guymon, Okla., resident, died Sunday, May 3, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel at Guymon with the Rev. Jim Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Elmhurst Cemetery at Guymon. Mr. Ward was born in Guymon. He was raised in the Guymon and Gruver, Texas, areas and graduated from Gruver High School. He was a Church of Christ member. He was semi-retired from Eagle Drilling, a water-well drilling company. He had operated in Utah, Washington, Wyoming and in 1985 moved to Newberry Springs. He was preceded in death by a son, Ronny Ward Jr., in 1977. Survivors include his mother, Norine Ward of Optima, Okla.; two sons, Martin Ward of Meeteetse, Wyo., and Raymond Ward of Newberry Springs; a daughter, Robin Van Bastelaar of Mohave Valley, Ariz.; two sisters, Charlene Edwards of Littleton, Colo., and Cynthia Bellamy of Houston, Texas; a brother, Randy Ward of rock Springs, Wyo.; grandmother, Dorothy Ward of Maple, Calif.; and seven grandchildren. Area Patty Lackey DUMAS - Patty Lackey, 64, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Wagoner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Lackey was born in Carter, Okla., and had been a Dumas resident since 1966. She had been a nurse for the Dumas Independent School District since 1969. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She married Bill Lackey in 1967 at Dumas. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jimmy R. Lackey of Canyon and Bart Lackey of Amarillo; her mother, Amy Beth Hill of Dumas; a sister, Beth James of Dumas; a brother, Richard Hill of Laverne, Okla.; and two grandchildren. The family will be at 600 Pear. They will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. today. The family requests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 395, Dumas, Texas 79029; Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation, 302 N.E. Second, Dumas, Texas 79029; or the Kids, Inc., building fund, 820 W. Eighth Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79101. Richard Westover ESTELLINE - Richard Westover, 54, died Wednesday, April 29, 1998, in North Hollywood, Calif. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Hill officiating. Burial will be in Hulver Cemetery by Memphis Funeral Home. Mr. Westover was born in Memphis, Texas. He was a film editor for 35 years. Survivors include four children, Lori Dechert of Needles, Calif., and Livia Westover, Dustin Westover and Brittiney Westover, all of Canyon Country, Calif.; two brothers, Mike Howard of Oklahoma and John Howard Jr. of North Hollywood; a sister, Patt Gandy of Bryan; and four grandchildren. Woodrow Phillips ESTELLINE - Woodrow Phillips, 85, died Tuesday, May 5, 1998. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Burl Bumpas officiating. Burial will be in Hulver Cemetery by Memphis Funeral Home. Mr. Phillips was an ordained minister and helped build a church in Newlin. He farmed in Hall County and played farmleague baseball. He was a World War II veteran and had received a Purple Heart. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Mr. Phillips married Dorothy Jo Buchanan in 1942 at Childress. Survivors include his wife; and a sister, Juanita Gilbreth of Childress. Omega Harvey DUMAS - Omega Harvey, 80, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. John Wagoner of First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Harvey was born in Erick, Okla., and had been a Dumas resident for 60 years. She was a former owner and operator of The Toggery. She was a volunteer craft worker at Dumas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and a past president of the Pilot Club. She married S.A. "Eck" Harvey in 1937 at Erick. He died in 1997. Survivors include a son, Mike Harvey of Dallas; a sister, Gertrude Shipman of Dumas; a brother, Dan Minor of Amarillo; and two grandchildren. The family will be at 602 Durrett. They request memorials be to Meals on Wheeler, Lew Haile Annex, Room 209, 810 S. Dumas Ave., Dumas, Texas 79029. Leon Heckle Stark CLARENDON - Leon Heckle Stark, 96, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Smiley E. Johnson, pastor, and the Rev. Bryan Knowles, pastor of Martin Baptist Church, officiating. Burial with Masonic graveside rites will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors Inc. Mr. Stark was born in Middleton, Tenn., and moved to Donley County in 1913. He was a stockman most of his life before retiring. He was a 50-year member of Clarendon Masonic Lodge 700 and of Clarendon Order of the Eastern Star 6. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of First United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stark married Derelle Patten in 1919 at Clarendon. Survivors include his wife. Emma Loyd Eaton QUANAH - Emma Loyd Eaton, 86, of Port Arthur, a former Quanah resident, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Graveside services were at 4 p.m. today in Quanah Memorial Park with the Rev. Clinton Young, minister of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements were by Price-Jackson Funeral Home. Mrs. Eaton was born in Quanah. She grew up in Quanah and moved to Dallas, where she was a registered nurse at Parkland Hospital from 1931 to 1936. She spent most of her life in Kemp before moving to Port Arthur. She married L. Glenn Rogers in 1932 at Sulphur, Okla. He died in 1986. She also was preceded in death by her second husband, Hubert Eaton. Survivors include a brother, Marvin Butts of Quanah; and two sisters, Ann Stephenson of Roanoke and Bartie Walker of Fort Worth. Paul William Babitzke FOLLETT - Paul William Babitzke, 65, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. today in Follett Chapel with the Rev. M.D. Methvin, the Rev. Roland Haney and the Rev. Paul Morrison officiating. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery by Mason Funeral Home of Shattuck, Okla. Mr. Babitzke was born southeast of Booker. He spent his childhood on the family farm near Booker. He was a farmer and harvested his first wheat crop in 1958. He had farmed the Mason land for 41 years. He received the soil conservation award for Farmer of the Year. He was an honorary chapter farmer with the FFA. Mr. Babitzke was a member of Follett Chapel. He married Una Fay Wilson in 1960 at Follett. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Delbert Edward "Dusty" Babitzke of Garden City, Kan., Joel Bret "Sandy" Babitzke of Canyon and Paul Dane Babitzke of Dumas; a brother, Ray Babitzke of Booker; a sister, Deanna Luthi of Hooker, Okla.; a grandson; and two stepgranddaughters. Jerry Don Loter CHILDRESS - Jerry Don Loter, 59, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Johnny Robertson of the church and the Rev. Dennis Boylan of Holy Angels Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Loter was born in Childress County. He farmed in the Community Center area until 1975. He then began driving tractor-trailers leased to Bilbo Freight Lines. He continued to drive until 1996. He married Linda Moore in 1969 at Quanah. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Angela Sue Sexton of Williamston, S.C.; two sisters, Carolyn Barlow of Holdenville, Okla., and Patsy Wilson of Childress; and three grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Childress Regional Medical Center Hospice, P.O. Box 665, Childress, Texas 79201. Velma L. Little TULIA - Velma L. Little, 85, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jesse Hodge, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Little was born in O'Donnell and was raised in Brownfield. She moved to Tulia in 1943 from California. She attended West Texas State University and received her bachelor degree in 1964. She began teaching in Wellman at the age of 17. She also taught in Tulia schools, retiring in 1978. She attended First United Methodist Church. She married Robert "Toby" Little in 1939 at Yuma, Ariz. He died in 1989. She also was preceded in death by a son, R.L. Little, in 1992. Survivors include a niece, Gladene Woodside of Canadian. The family requests memorials be to Swisher County Senior Citizens; First United Methodist Church; or the Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch, Canadian, Texas 79014. Ida Scott VEGA - Ida Scott, 87, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Vega Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Mark Phillips, pastor of Vega United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Scott was born at Hopkins County and had been a resident of Vega for 69 years. He was a homemaker and was a member of Vega United Methodist Church. She married John Henry Scott in 1930 in Tucumcari, N.M. He died in 1991. Survivors include a son, James H. Scott of Vega; two daughters, Jerry Jane Betts of Baltimore, Md., and Dorothy Nee Adkins of Skellytown. The family requests memorials be to Vega United Methodist Church or Vega Memorial Park Cemetery. New Mexico Maxine Velma Oldfield CLAYTON, N.M. - Maxine Velma Oldfield, 83, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Hass Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery. Mrs. Oldfield was born in Mutual, Okla., and had been a lifelong resident of Union County. She attended school in Grenville and was a member of the Methodist church there. During the 1960s, she worked at Union County General Hospital in Clayton. Mrs. Oldfield was a member of the Golden Age Club and the Clayton Senior Citizens. She also was a member of the Union County Extension Club, the Clayton Improvement Club and the Rebekah Lodge. She married Roy Raymond Oldfield in 1931 at Clayton. He died in 1992. She also was preceded in death by a son, Billy Max Oldfield, in 1997. Survivors include a daughter, Juanita Mayhan of Boise City, Okla.; a son, Roy Robert "Butch" Oldfield of Roswell; a sister, Gena Cort of Portland, Ore.; four brothers, Leslie Finegan of Bend, Ore., Clyde Finegan of Albany, Ore., Wayne Finegan of Portland and Melvin Finegan of Dallas, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Clayton Senior Citizens Center, Clayton, N.M. 88415. Ima Widener FLOYD, N.M. - Ima Widener, 89, died Thursday, May 7, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Floyd Cemetery with Clarence Thompson officiating. Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales Inc. Ms. Widener was born in Mount Ida, Ark. Her family moved from Arkansas to Texas, where they lived for a while before moving to Roosevelt County. They settled on a farm in the Floyd community, where she continued to live until a few years ago. Ms. Widener finished high school in Floyd and attended college at Eastern New Mexico Junior College. Survivors include three sisters, Beulah Cox and Celia Widener, both of Portales, and Dorothy Russell of Floyd. Canyon STAHLECKER Kathryn Stahlecker Kathryn "Kay" Stahlecker, 60, of Canyon, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Bales, pastor, and the Rev. Kevin Deckard, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mrs. Stahlecker was born in Springfield, S.D. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1955 and attended the University of South Dakota at Springfield. She lived in eight states and the District of Columbia while in school and teaching with her husband, Winston Stahlecker. Mrs. Stahlecker was a member of the Pioneer Promenaders Square Dance Club and the Association of Retarded Citizens and she served as an officer in the Lady Buff Fan Club. She also was a member of First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Survivors include her husband; a son, Dale Stahlecker of the home; and a brother, Leland "Buzz" Mann of New Braunfels. The family requests memorials be to the Kay Stahlecker Lady Buff Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o WTAMU, P.O. Box 60049, Canyon, Texas 79016.