Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 15 April 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; Wednesday, April 15, 1998, 8:39 AM Area The Rev. Vernon Cline DUMAS - The Rev. Vernon Cline, 81, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Clark, pastor, and the Rev. Onsy Whicker, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church at Roswell, N.M., officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. The Rev. Cline was born in Ladonia. He lived in Canadian for 27 years before moving to Dumas in 1981. He was a retired minister and a member of Bible Baptist Church. He had served in the ministry for more than 50 years. He was pastor of Canadian Central Baptist Church from 1953 until 1981 before moving to Dumas. The Rev. Cline married Lucille Butler in 1937 at Slaton. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Ann Warren of Dumas; three sons, Jim Cline of Gilmer, Paul Cline of Simpsonville, S.C., and John Cline of Dumas; a sister, Jenny Campbell of Lubbock; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. Second, Dumas, Texas 79029; or the mission fund at Bible Baptist Church, 10 Elm St., Dumas, Texas 79209. The family will be at 1103 Shamrock Drive. Ronald Gene Kinsey VEGA - Ronald Gene Kinsey, 65, died Sunday, April 12, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. James Peach, pastor, and the Rev. Marvin L. Roark, chaplain at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Vega Funeral Home. Mr. Kinsey was born in Dalhart. He graduated from Vega High School and served in the Army. He was a horse trainer. He married Margie Haws in 1963 at Raton, N.M. Survivors include his wife; his mother, Ella Lee Kinsey of Vega; two brothers, Marion Kinsey of Bushland and Frank Kinsey of Vega; and a sister, Laverne McKandless of Gustine. Allen Luke Smithers HEREFORD - Allen Luke "Al" Smithers, 85, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Fellowship of Believer's Church with the Rev. Nathan Stone, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mr. Smithers was born in Endee, N.M. He was a cowboy and worked in law enforcement. He married Mary Olivia Benson in 1976 in Wheeler County. She died in 1993. Survivors include a sister, Frankie Brown of Hereford. The family requests memorials be to Golden Plains Care Center activity fund. Zeffie Lee Vines CLARENDON - Zeffie Lee Vines, 72, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Bryan Knowles, pastor of Martin Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery. Miss Vines was born in Lakeview. She was a resident of Hall County most of her life before moving to Clarendon five years ago. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include a brother, Loyd Vines of Wellington. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice in Amarillo. Junior D. Ellis PAMPA - Junior D. Ellis, 70, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Paul Nachtigall, pastor of Highland Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Ellis was born in Pampa. He retired from Skelly, Getty and Texaco after 42 years of service as a pumper. He was a volunteer at Columbia Medical Center for many years and an active member of Highland Baptist Church. He was a Shriner. Mr. Ellis married Norma Jean Ward in 1947 at Pampa. Survivors include his wife; a son, Terry D. Ellis of Pampa; three daughters, Vicki Blackmon and Jo Lynn Imel, both of Pampa, and Rita Ellis of Amarillo; three sisters, Mary Crawford of Fontana, Calif., Ruth Litterell of Borger and Sybil Howell of Jasper; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Highland Baptist Church, 1301 N. Banks, Pampa, Texas 79065. Opal Ashley PAMPA - Opal Ashley, 72, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Fairview Cemetery with Dr. Derrell Monday, pastor of Central Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Ashley was born in Sandhill, Ala. She moved to Pampa in 1949. She worked as a cook on the Santa Fe Railway for five years. She also worked as a cook and baker for Furr's Cafeteria for 15 years. She married Charles Claude Ashley in 1947 at Anna, Union County, Ill. Survivors include her husband; a son, Charles Mathis Ashley of Pampa; a sister, Bobbie Ayers of Illinois; three brothers, Mathis Ayers, Darris Ayers and Kermit Ayers, all of Illinois; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Clifton B. Allen MULESHOE - Clifton B. Allen, 58, died Monday, April, 13, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Stacy Conner, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery with rites by Muleshoe Masonic Lodge. Mr. Allen was born in McAdoo. He moved to Muleshoe in 1950 from McAdoo. He was a Baptist and a member of Muleshoe Masonic Lodge. He was a custom saddle maker and had owned and operated Clifton B. Allen Saddle Shop. Survivors include a son, Winston Allen of Amarillo; a daughter, Shelly Allen of Borger; a sister, Charlotte Brannon of Leander; and two brothers, Roy Allen of Plainview and George Allen of Orting, Wash. Anita Clinton PLAINVIEW - Anita Clinton, 93, of Amarillo, a former Plainview resident, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Van Miller, minister of 11th and Amarillo Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Clinton was born in Paris, Texas. She grew up in Paris and Big Spring. She moved to Lockney in 1939, to New Deal in 1951, to Plainview in 1953 and to Amarillo in 1997. She married Marvin Clinton in 1939. He died in 1983. Survivors include three daughters, Lucille Settle of Lubbock, Betty Davis of Amarillo and Ida Mae Sease of Victoria; two sons, Truett Cargill and Bill Cargill, both of Amarillo; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Leroy Waller PLAINVIEW - Leroy Waller, 71, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in 9th and Columbia Church of Christ with Mike Prather, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery by Lemons Funeral Home. Mr. Waller was born in Darwin, Okla., and attended school there. He served during World War II and was discharged in 1945. He moved to Plainview in 1948. He worked for Fred Garrison Oil Co., Browning Seed, Co-op Compress, Coca-Cola Co., Waller's Texaco and Waller's Gulf. He retired in February. Mr. Waller was a member of 9th and Columbia Church of Christ. He married his wife, Ara, in 1945 at Antlers, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Delores Mitchell of Plainview and Patricia Hacker of Benton, La.; a brother, Orville Waller of Farris, Okla.; two sisters, Sylvia Daffern of Olton and Rebecca Fowler of Ceres, Calif.; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. R.D. Adams PLAINVIEW - R.D. Adams, 76, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Marvin James, pastor of Calvary Full Gospel Church of Lubbock, and the Rev. Joseph Johnson, pastor of Faith Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery. Mr. Adams was born in Monkstown. He grew up in Whitesboro, where he helped on the family farm. He moved to Plainview in 1949 and worked at Dale Walker. He retired in 1968. He was a member of the American Cancer Society. He was Baptist. Mr. Adams married Wanda Neal in 1950 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Jeneva Lee Warren of Amarillo, Loretta Kirbo of Driftwood and Teresa Adams of Lubbock; a son, Kenneth Adams of Sunrise Beach; a brother, Cecil Adams of Whitesboro; a sister, Helen Benjamin of Paris, Texas; 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Fay Harmon PLAINVIEW - Fay Harmon, 64, of Hereford, formerly of Plainview, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Charley Pierson of Dell City and Billy Pierson of Houston officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park. Mrs. Harmon was born in Silverton. She grew up in Plainview and graduated from Plainview High School in 1951. She worked at the old Plainview hospital as a nurse's aide. She also had worked in the Lockney and Floydada hospitals. She attended LVN school in 1973 and began working for Deaf Smith County Hospital in 1974. She retired in 1983. Mrs. Harmon attended Assembly of God Church. She married Haskell Harmon in 1954 at Plainview. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Norma Fay Davis of Austin; a son, Ronnie Eugene Harmon of Plainview; a brother, Homer Dudley of Plainview; five sisters, Lurine Dudley and Dora Biggerstaff, both of Plainview, Alma Lee Pierson of Bovina, Jimmy Crabtree of Muleshoe and Lenora Pierson of Hereford; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Texas Irene Miller Texas Irene Miller, 90, of Amarillo, a former Wellington resident, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Fairview Cemetery at Wellington with the Rev. Derwin Comer, minister of youth and music at First Baptist Church of Wellington, officiating. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington. Mrs. Miller moved to Amarillo in 1960. She was a homemaker. She married Bill Miller in 1924 at Bonita. He died in 1948. Survivors include three sons, Eddie Miller, Wendol Miller and Donnie Miller, all of Amarillo; five daughters, Jewell Waters of Albuquerque, N.M., Laverne Benton of Quitaque, Odell Hunt of Memphis, and Gene Mills and Byrel Locklear, both of Claude; 23 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. The family request memorials be to the Wellington Cemetery Association. Joy Avary Joy Avary, 70, of 1425 Rimsite Drive, died Sunday, April 12, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Southwest Baptist Church with the Rev. J. Alan Ford, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Avary was born in Spade. She moved to the Panhandle area in 1975 from California. She married Luke Avary in 1946 at Wellington. She was a homemaker. She attended Southwest Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Ginger Cochran of Ojai, Calif., and Dona Walker of Mission Viejo, Calif.; two sisters, Mozelle Acery of Lubbock and Merle Hill of Childress; and four grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Oris O. Gilbert Oris O. Gilbert, 89, of Amarillo, died Saturday, April 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano East Cemetery with the Rev. Allen Norris of Immanuel Baptist Church and the Rev. Calvin Powell of Grand Avenue Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mr. Gilbert was born in Grayson County. He moved to Amarillo 20 years ago from Memphis, where he worked at the cottonseed oil mill. He served during World War II with the Army medical corps in Germany. Mr. Gilbert was Baptist. Survivors include a sister, Aline McBride of Gunter; and a niece, Pauline Brock of Pasco, Wash. The family will be at 3005 N.E. 13th Ave. Alma Lorain Roberson Alma Lorain Roberson, 86, a former Amarillo resident, died Sunday, April 12, 1998, in Alvarado. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Field of Southeast Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Roberson was born in Eastland. She was a longtime resident of Amarillo until moving to Alvarado in 1995. She married Jeffie Hubert Roberson in 1930. He died in 1969. She also was preceded in death by a son, Jeffie Hubert Roberson Jr., in 1972. Survivors include a son, Bruce Roberson of Alvarado; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 4211 Clifton. Darla Lynn Bassett Darla Lynn Bassett, 33, of Amarillo, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with Jim Price officiating. Burial will be in Stinnett. Mrs. Bassett was born in Buffalo, Okla. She worked in sales at Southwestern Bell Telephone. She was non-denominational. She married Teddy O. Bassett in 1985 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Ashley Bassett and Katasha Bassett, both of Amarillo; her parents, Billy Aaron and Darlene Aaron of Stinnett; a brother, Johnny Aaron of Fritch; and a sister, Lana Fowler-Sims of Stinnett. The family requests memorials be to Pancreas Transplant Research in Memphis, Tenn. New Mexico Juan Q. Flores PORTALES, N.M. - Juan Q. Flores, 67, died Sunday, April 12, 1998. Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. today in St. Helen Catholic Church by the Rev. Anthony Martinez. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Helen Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales Inc. Mr. Flores was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. He moved to Roosevelt County in 1945. He worked on several ranches in the Floyd community for many years. He also had been employed by the Bigler, Rogers and Gregory families. He attended St. Helen Catholic Church. Mr. Flores married Maria Morales in 1955 in Mexico. She died in 1971. He also was preceded in death by two sons. Survivors include two sons, Juan Flores and Luis Flores, both of Portales; a daughter, Teresa Banda of Portales; several sisters and brothers, all of Mexico; 15 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The body will remain at the church until 10 p.m. today. The body will be returned to the church for visitation at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Garry Preston Virden ROSWELL, N.M. - Garry Preston "Bubba" Virden, 28, died Friday, April 10, 1998, in Carlsbad. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum, 6969 E. Interstate 40, in Amarillo, with Jud Wilhite of Paramount Terrace Christian Church officiating. Arrangements are by LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Mr. Virden was born in Amarillo and had lived in Roswell for five years. He was a mechanic for Calloway & Sons for four years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Roswell Drag Racing Association. He was the official starter for the National Hot Rod Association Race Track at Roswell. Survivors include his parents, Garry and Mary Shier Virden of Roswell; a son, Nathan Alexander Virden; a brother, Chris Virden of Amarillo; and his grandparents, Pat and Dorothy Virden of Amarillo, and Theda Shier of Roswell. Oklahoma Ray Lowry HOOKER, Okla. - Ray Lowry, 90, died Saturday, April 11, 1998. Graveside services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Hooker Cemetery by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Lowry was born on the family homestead west of Hooker. He graduated from Hooker High School in 1925. He farmed most of his life. He was a member of Hooker Methodist Church and had been a president of the Buffalo school board. He supported the Boy Scouts, the Hooker and Guymon football teams and Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Affiliates. Mr. Lowry married Irma Fox in 1933 at Elkhart, Kan. Survivors include his wife; a son, George Lowry of Hooker; a granddaughter; and a great-grandson. The family requests memorials be to the Hooker Cemetery Fund or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Affiliates c/o Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, Okla. 73945. Elsewhere Adra H. Carder EL PASO - Adra H. Carder, 74, a former resident of Clovis, N.M., died Sunday, April 12, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens at Clovis with Dr. Thomas P. Jones officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Carder was born in Clovis. She graduated from Clovis High School in 1941. She retired from Santa Fe Railway in 1974. She had been a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, Billy L. Carder; a son, Richard Massey; two daughters, Suetta Carder and Debi Doherty; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Lester A. Sherrod ASPERMONT - Lester A. "Pete" Sherrod, 92, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Barry Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Aspermont Cemetery by McCoy Funeral Home. Mr. Sherrod was born in Jones County and had been a longtime resident of Stonewall County. He graduated from Draughon's Business College. He was a farmer and a member of First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many years. Mr. Sherrod married Belle Hall in 1924 at Aspermont. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Wham Sherrod of Abilene, M.L. Sherrod of Canyon and Ky Sherrod of Amarillo; a sister, Mattie Trammell of Aspermont; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Beverly Alexander Blosch BEEVILLE - Beverly Alexander Blosch, 78, a former Hereford resident, died Monday, April 13, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with Dr. Jack Green of South Texas Children's Home, the Rev. Mac Robinson and Victor Barris officiating. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery at Amarillo with the Rev. Charles Davenport and Brad Holmes of First Baptist Church of Tulia officiating. Arrangements are by Galloway & Sons Inc. Mrs. Blosch was born in Ozona. She was raised in Hereford and graduated from Hereford High School in 1937. She was a private pilot and an accomplished art instructor. She taught for more than 20 years in her own studio in Beeville. She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Order of the Eastern Star. She married Albert Paul Blosch in 1949 at Panhandle. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Ann Behan. Survivors include her husband; a sister, Mary Lee Singer of Tulia; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the First Baptist Church school or scholarship Fund.