Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 13 Dec 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, December 13, 1998, 6:53 AM Area Louise Hastings HEREFORD - Louise Hastings, 81, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Anthony's Cemetery with the Rev. Domingo Castillo, pastor of San Jose Catholic Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mrs. Hastings was born in Belgium and moved to Illinois in 1950. She moved to Deaf Smith County in 1968 from Moriarty, N.M. She was a homemaker and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Hereford. She married Charles Hastings in 1950 at Las Vegas. He died in 1980. Survivors include a son, Jim Hastings of Hereford; a brother, Jim Frye of Las Vegas; a sister, Rachel; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family will be at 421 Avenue G. Benjamin Reed Lovell CLAUDE - Benjamin Reed Lovell, 96, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Services were at 10 a.m. Saturday in Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with the Rev. Buddy Payne, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Post, officiating. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery. Mr. Lovell was born in Honey Grove. He lived in Ashtola and Goodnight for most of his life where he owned and operated a service station for many years until his retirement in 1974. That year, he moved to Claude where he was a member of First United Methodist Church. He married Reta Eudora Poovey in 1926 at Clarendon. She died in 1995. Survivors include two sons, Jim Lovell of Dumas and Joe Lovell of Claude; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Bivins Memorial Nursing Home in Amarillo. Noyle E. Wood FRIONA - Noyle E. Wood, 76, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Wade Messer, pastor, the Rev. Richard Harrison of Amarillo and Leon Talley of Friona officiating. Burial will be in Friona Memorial Park. Mr. Wood was born in Collingsworth County and graduated from Anton High School in 1940. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and had lived in Friona for 47 years. A horse breeder, he was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He married Lorena Schiller in 1941 at Texico, N.M. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Ronnie Wood of Pampa and Eddie Wood of Grady, N.M.; a daughter, Jonelle Hand of Friona; a brother, Bill Wood of Levelland; nine grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Prairie Acres Nursing Home or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center of Amarillo. Geneva Harman TULIA - Geneva Harman, 82, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Central Church of Christ with Trey Morgan of the church and Edward Watters, Church of Christ minister, officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Harmon was born and raised in Swisher County where she attended Tulia schools and West Texas High School. She moved to Valley View community where she farmed and operated a Grade A dairy with registered Jersey cattle. In 1958, Mrs. Harmon moved to Tulia where she was a member of Tulia Hobby Club, Texas Farmers Union and Texas Shorthorn Association. For 25 years, she and her husband wrote Bible correspondence courses. She was a member of Central Church of Christ. She married A. Dean Harman in 1938 at Tulia. He died in 1994. Survivors include two daughters, Judy Bowe of Lubbock and Bunnye Porter of Arlington; three sons, Randy Harman of Lubbock, Jimmy Harman of Clyde and Terry Harman of Plainview; a brother, J. Chester Elliff of Tulia; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the A. Dean and Geneva Harman Endowed Missions Fund at Lubbock Christian University, 5601 19th St., Lubbock, TX 79407. Donald M. Rice TULIA - Donald M. Rice, 79, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Assembly of God Church with Bill Gunther, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Mrs. Rice was born in Wynnewood, Okla., and grew up in Wynnewood, Frances and Allen, Okla. In the early 1930s, she moved to Tulia where she worked for the Tulia Creamery, then for grocery stores as a meat wrapper. She was a member of the First Assembly of God in Tulia. She married Elbert S. Rice in 1954. He died in 1986. Her first marriage was to Cleo Billington in 1936. Survivors include a daughter, Selenda Billington of Richardson; three sons, Cledon Billington of Amarillo, Scottie Billington of Canyon and Bill Rice of Tulia; a sister, Frankie Lawson of Tulia; a brother, Edgar Pearson of Canyon; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Frieda Lewis PAMPA - Frieda Lewis, 84, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Jerry McCorkle, minister of Murray Hill Church of Christ of Lindsay, Okla., officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Lewis was born in Fort Towson, Okla., and moved to Pampa in 1951. In 1975, she retired after teaching for the Pampa Independent School District for 36 years. She was a homemaker and member of Wells Street Church of Christ. She married Dale Lewis in 1975 at Pampa. Her first marriage was to Truett Scott Ross in 1938. He died in 1953. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Judy Beth Ross of Amarillo; a son, Don Ross of Portland, Ore.; and a brother, O.J. Roan of Chickasha, Okla. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice of Amarillo. Sam Yandell TULIA - Sam Yandell, 85, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Wallace Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James Vaughn, pastor of United Pentecostal Church of Levelland, and Charles Thompson, pastor of United Pentecostal Church of Tulia, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Yandell was born in Glenwood, Ark., and raised in Arkansas. After his marriage, he lived in Leonard where he worked for the county as a heavy equipment operator. He moved to Tulia in 1952. Mr. Yandell helped move and build the Claytonville Gin. He retired after 30 years as heavy equipment operator for Swisher County. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and United Pentecostal Church. He married Florene Marie Mays in 1940 at Murfreesboro, Ark. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Sammie Yandell of Amarillo and Jim Yandell of Tulia; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Avis Virginia Allen FRITCH - Avis Virginia Allen, 83, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church in Wheeler with T.J. Pittman, elder, and Steve Porter, elder, officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery in Wheeler by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. A homemaker, Mrs. Allen was a native of Love County, Okla. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church of Borger. Survivors include her husband, William James Allen; a son, Don J. Allen of Fritch; two daughters, Gail Wilson of Lubbock and Ginger Knight of Amarillo; a brother, Ray Aderholt of Fritch; seven sisters, Doris Hays of Wheeler, Lois Johnston of Amarillo, Rita Grayson of Allison, JoNel Grayson of Spearman; LaVoice Anderson of Miami, Armenda Jones of Tulia and Estelle Topper of Borger; eight grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. Royce Roger Menning FARWELL - Royce Roger Menning, 32, of Puyallup, Wash., died Friday, Dec. 4, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Hamlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Farwell with the Rev. Beth Harrington officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Terrace Cemetery in Farwell by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis, N.M. Mr. Menning was born in Huron, S.D., and lived in Texas for most of his life. He graduated from Farwell High School in 1985. In April, he moved to Puyallup. Mr. Menning earned a nursing degree from St. Phillips College in San Antonio while serving in the Army. He worked at the Muleshoe Area Medical Center and Parmer County Hospital in Friona. He then worked as a traveling nurse. He married Heather earlier in 1998 at Washington. He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Roger Royce Menning. Survivors include his wife; a stepson, Jacob; a stepdaughter, Nicole; his parents, Sharon and Roger Menning of Farwell; a sister, Wanna Callaway of Farwell; and two brothers, Rocky Menning of Muleshoe and Shawn Menning of Tacoma, Wash. Fred Owens LITTLEFIELD - Fred Owens, 71, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. George C. Price, the Rev. Charles Broadhurst and the Rev. A.J. Kennimer officiating. Burial will be in Littlefield Memorial Park by Hammons Funeral Home of Littlefield. Mr. Owens was born in Hollis, Okla., and graduated from Hollis High School. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific theater. He attended Southwestern State University where he was on the varsity basketball team. Mr. Owens moved to Littlefield where he was employed by Ware's Department Store. In 1952, he moved to Levelland and was involved in farming, ginning, investing in oil and the construction business. He returned to Littlefield in 1975 where he started his construction business and was a member of the First Baptist Church. In Levelland, Mr. Owens was a member of First Baptist Church and served on the City Council. He played on the Ralls baseball team which participated in the national tournament. He was selected as first baseman on the All-American Team. He married Mary Zoe Renfro in 1975 at Littlefield. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Fredna Lair of Levelland, Tedna Taylor of Keller and Sharise Johnson of Jarbridge, Nev.; a son, Dennis Cowen of Littlefield; a brother, Ted Owens of Tampa, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of Lubbock, Alzheimer's Association or the First Baptist Church Youth Department in Littlefield. Alvina Mathis CANADIAN - Alvina Mathis, 93, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors Chapel in Canadian with the Rev. Jimmy A. Robinson, pastor of Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, and the Rev. Jerry Golden, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery in Canadian. Mrs. Mathis was born in McClusky, N.D. She moved to Lipscomb in 1929 and moved to Canadian in 1943. From 1960 until 1973, she and her husband owned Tip Top Cleaners. She attended the Baptist and Assembly of God Churches. She married Henry Mathis in 1922 at McClusky. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1965 and by a son, Clarence Mathis, in 1944. Survivors include a daughter, Lenora Harrell of Canadian; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four greatgreat-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Dennis F. Griggs Dennis F. Griggs, 59, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel with Tony Denn, minister of West Amarillo Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Griggs was born in El Dorado, Kan., and moved to Amarillo 38 years ago from Pampa. He owned and operated Denny's Upholstery and Trim for 25 years. He was a member of Coulter Road Baptist Church. He also was a member of the Southsiders and Friday Night Stars bowling leagues. He married Marie Golden in 1959 at Pampa. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jay Griggs of Amarillo; a brother, Wayne Griggs of Pflugerville; a sister, Susie Hall of Pampa; his mother, Frieda Griggs of Pampa; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Ruth Green Ruth Green, 77, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Carson-Wall Funeral Home Chapel, Parsons, Kan. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery at Parsons. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle and Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Mrs. Green was born in Walton Township, Kan. She graduated from Labette County High School in Altamont, Kan., in 1938 and from Parsons Business College in 1941. During World War II, she worked for the War Department in a munitions plant near Junction City, Kan. Mrs. Green worked for the Fluor Corp., traveling the country on construction jobs. She returned to Parsons to work at the munitions plant and retired in 1985. A member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Amarillo, Mrs. Green was a member of Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem in Wichita, Kan., Shrine No. 5 in Wichita and Order of Eastern Star Andrina Chapter No. 95 in El Dorado, Kan. In 1943, she married Edgar Hamaker who died in 1963. She later married Byrl Green in 1967 at Miami, Okla. He died in 1993. Survivors include a sister, Mary Jane Blackwell of Amarillo; and a brother, Cecil Tackett of Pagosa Springs, Colo. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Association Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. Seventh, Amarillo, TX 79106; or to Khiva Temple Travel Fund, Box 328, Amarillo, TX 79105. Annie Littlejohn Annie Littlejohn, 89, of Amarillo, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Allen Burkhalter of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by BlackburnShaw Funeral Directors, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Littlejohn moved to Amarillo in 1950 from Oklahoma. She had worked as a welder in shipyards in California and had been employed by Frito Lay Co., and Pantex. She was a Baptist and a homemaker the last years of her life. She married Felix T. Littlejohn who died in 1989. Survivors include a daughter, Janet Arlene Boyd of Amarillo; a son, L.W. Littlejohn of Midwest City, Okla.; three grandsons; and two great-grandchildren. The family will be at 907 N. Virginia. Emerald L. Epperson Emerald L. Epperson, 84, of Hereford and formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Epperson was born in Caddo, Okla. In 1980, she moved to Amarillo from the Easter community, south of Dimmitt. She was a homemaker and member of San Jacinto United Methodist Church and Top of Texas Club. In Hereford, she was co-founder of Al-Anon. She married Wiley Aubrey Epperson in 1936 at Arkansas. He died in 1986. Survivors include a sister, Annie Medley of Amarillo; a nephew, Joe Proyer of California; and two nieces, Janis Robinson of Hereford and Sandra Powell of Harlingen. The family suggests memorials be to Women's Crisis Center, Deaf Smith County Courthouse, Hereford, TX. Beverly Bess Torbert Beverly Bess Torbert, 66, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1998. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation and arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Torbert was born in Claude and lived in Amarillo most of her life. She graduated from West Texas State College in 1954. She was nationally recognized for her artwork in Amarillo and at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. Mrs. Torbert owned and operated Torbert & Torbert Associates, Natural Food Center, and Abbe Monogram Mascots. Mrs. Torbert was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church. She married Bill Torbert in 1956 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; a son, Kent Torbert of Amarillo; four daughters, Karen Stewart and Stacy Hand, both of Amarillo, Amy Cronister of Topeka, Kan., and Becky DeShano of Orange, Calif.; two brothers, Dick Beck of Capitan, N.M. and Don Beck of Hall, Mont.; a sister, Barbara Daniel of Mountain Park, N.M.; and 15 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. The body will not be available for viewing. Dora Scofield Yates Dora Scofield Yates, 92, of Amarillo, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. K. Ray McDowell of the church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St. Mrs. Yates was born in Leedy, Okla. She was the owner of Hughes Street Grocery and a member of First Church of the Nazarene. She was preceded in death by her husband, Coradon E. Yates, and a daughter, Doris Dennis, both in 1965. Survivors include a son, C.E. "Coradon" Yates Jr. of Amarillo; a sister, Amanda Martin of Amarillo; two grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family will be at 5111 Lawrence. They suggest memorials be to First Church of the Nazarene or to a favorite charity. Joseph Arrasmith Joseph Arrasmith, 62, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery East with Richard Dickerson of Temple Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Arrasmith was born in Wilmington, Ohio. He moved to Amarillo in 1984 from Sabina, Ohio. He worked for Western Merchandisers until he retired in 1992. He was a Baptist. Mr. Arrasmith married Frances Thurman in 1971 at Ohio. She died in 1995. Survivors include three sons, Brad Arrasmith of Amarillo, Mark Arrasmith of Dallas and James Joseph Arrasmith Jr., of Ohio; three daughters, Sherri Hertzler of Loveland, Ohio, Pam Arrasmith of Fort Worth and Anita Arrasmith of Ohio; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. New Mexico Carmen Mansfield TUCUMCARI,N.M. - Carmen Mansfield, 87, of Belen, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church with Fred Caton officiating both services. Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mrs. Mansfield was born in Ragland and had lived in Tucumcari for 20 years until moving to Belen last year. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Tucumcari and active in the Sunday School program. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie R. Mansfield, and a son, Ray Mansfield. Survivors include a daughter, Faye Tucker of Belen; a sister, Jeanene O'Hara of Albuquerque; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The casket will not be open for viewing. Oklahoma Harold F. Ray HOOKER, Okla. - Harold F. Ray, 81, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Church of Christ in Hooker with Gary Moore, minister, and Neville Buchanan, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Hooker Cemetery by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Ray was born in Lewis, Kan., and moved to Hugoton, Kan., where he graduated from Hugoton High School in 1936. After his marriage, he farmed between Hugoton and Hooker. He moved to Hooker in 1958. In 1984, Mr. Hooker retired from Beechcraft after 16 years as an experimental aircraft mechanic. He was a song leader at the Church of Christ where he was a member and elder. He sang with the Dusters Barbershop Quartet for many years. He married Geneva Hampsten in 1940 at Garden City, Kan. He was preceded in death by triplet daughters, Jean, Jane and Janet. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Alan Ray of Oklahoma City and Steven Ray of Hooker; a daughter, Ann Peacock of Guymon; a sister, Sara Lee Anderson of Hugoton; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Church of Christ in Hooker or the American Cancer Society for Prostate Cancer Research. Memorials may be left at Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, OK 73945. Jimmie J. Mackey ELMWOOD, Okla. - Jimmie J. Mackey, 71, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Scott County Cemetery at Scott City, Kan., by Clark Funeral Service of Beaver. Mr. Mackey was born in Kaglesville, Ark. He was a grain broker for elevators in the area. Mr. Mackey was a member of the Masons, the Elks and the American Legion. Mr. Mackey married Lois Getz in 1989 at Perryton, Texas. Survivors include his wife; a son, Rick Mackey of Dodge City, Kan.; three daughters, Shirlene Williams and La Tanda Wilson, both of Colby, Kan. and Terrila Rodriquez of Dodge City; a brother, Donnie Mackey of Conaway, Ark.; a sister, Willma Duval of Russellville, Ark; eight grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Elsewhere Carl T. King MATADOR - Carl T. King, 80, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation and arrangements are by Seigler Funeral Home. Mr. King was born in Matador where he attended schools. In 1971, he retired after 36 years as aircraft maintenance specialist for the Air Force with the rank of chief master sergeant. Mr. King returned to Matador after his retirement. He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He married Sanda Lucas in 1946 at Vallejo, Calif. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Tom King of Camino, Calif., and Bill King of Matador; a sister, Myra Spears of Matador; and two granddaughters. Minnie Northcutt ABERNATHY - Minnie Northcutt, 88, died Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Abernathy First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Wilcox, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Abernathy Cemetery by Abell Funeral home of Abernathy. Mrs. Northcutt was born in Cranfills Gap. She moved to Abernathy in 1948 from Plainview. She was a member of the Abernathy First Baptist Church and Abernathy Senior Citizens. She married Henry Preston Northcutt in 1939 at Lorenzo. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974 and by a son, Larry Dean Northcutt, in September. Survivors include a son, Henry "Hank" Northcutt of Amarillo; a daughter, Carolyn Gibson of Stinnett; two brothers, Clayton Enger of Abernathy and Paul Enger of Lubbock; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Salvation Army.