Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 20 Nov 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; Friday, November 20, 1998, 10:02 AM Amarillo Leon M. Foster Leon M. Foster, 81, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Field of Honor at Westlawn Memorial Park at Borger with the Rev. Allen Norris, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Amarillo, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Foster was born in Lockney and moved to Amarillo 32 years ago from Pampa. He had been a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church. He retired in 1969 as a mechanic for Cabot Corp. and served in the Army during World War II. He married Nell Mowery in 1966 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a son, Rodney Foster of Grove, Okla.; a daughter, Elaine Jay of Parsons, Kan.; a brother, Leonard Foster of Borger; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Eula Margaret Savage Shepherd Eula Margaret Savage Shepherd, 80, of Virginia Beach, Va., and a former Amarillo resident, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St., with Dr. Alan Lobaugh of First Christian Church officiating. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Shepherd was born in Tulia and lived in Amarillo for 65 years. She retired from the accounting department of AllisChalmers Farm Equipment. She was a member of First Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt Durwood Savage, in 1967. Survivors include a daughter, Vicky Hunt of Virginia Beach; a son, Horace Jay Savage of Poolesville, Md.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, 2404 W. Seventh, Amarillo, TX 79106. Booker Cornish Booker Cornish, 78, of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in New Zion Primitive Baptist Church with the Rev. Henry Crawford, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary Inc., 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Cornish was born in Coolidge and lived in Levelland for 42 years. A retired farmer, he was a member of Loveall Baptist Church in Levelland and New Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Amarillo. He moved to Amarillo several months ago. Survivors include four daughters, Mildred Darton and Jo Anne Manuel, both of Amarillo, Ceda Mae Hough of Dayton, Ohio, and Mary Ann Harkins of Huntsville, Ala.; a son, Booker T. Cornish Jr., of Amarillo; and four grandchildren. The family will be at 2314 N.W. 11th. Charles Mayberry Charles "Chuckie" Mayberry, 41, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Battle, pastor, and the Rev. Elgie Crow, pastor of Carter Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by WarfordWalker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes. Mr. Mayberry was born in Gregg County and graduated from Tascosa High School in 1975. In 1981, he attended Texas Cosmetology School and also attended West Texas A&M. An Amarillo resident for several years, he was a hair stylist for Kim's Beauty Salon. Survivors include his parents, Loyd and Beth Mayberry of Amarillo; three brothers, James Mayberry and Dwight Mayberry, both of Amarillo, and Allen Mayberry of Longview. The family will be at 1445 N.W. 12th Ave. Gladys Isham Gladys Isham, 82, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park East Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Quinfred Oakley of Valle De Oro Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St. Mrs. Isham was born in Hollis, Okla. At an early age, she moved to Clarendon where she attended elementary and high schools and graduated from Clarendon Junior College. In 1938, she received her degree in business administration from West Texas State Teachers College. After graduation, Mrs. Isham taught commercial subjects at Alanreed High School for three years, worked at Pantex for three years and was bookkeeper for Amarillo Warehouse. In 1946, she was employed by the Helium Activity where she became a full accountant and, in 1966, named acting chief branch of finance. Mrs. Isham was a 20-plus-year member of San Jacinto Baptist Church. She married Thomas C. Isham in 1941 at Clarendon. Survivors include her husband and a brother, Calvin K. Salmon of San Antonio. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Girls Town or to one's favorite charity. Anna Swearingen-Beach Anna Swearingen-Beach, 66, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Larry Dan Melton of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens. Mrs. Beach was born in St. Louis, Okla. She retired after 17 years as cashier for Jeff's Grand Burger. She was a den mother for Boy Scouts, a softball coach for eight years for Kids, Inc. and a homemaker. Mrs. Beach was a Baptist and had lived in Amarillo for 50 years. She married Sidney Rhea Beach in 1948 at Hedley. He died in 1992. Survivors include two daughters, Vickie Beach Latta of Floydada and Brenda Beach Shelton of Amarillo; two sons, Sidney P. Beach of Lubbock and James R. Beach of Amarillo; two sisters, Ruth Melton and Mary Alice Rich, both of Amarillo; two brothers, Haskel Swearingen of Clarendon and Elbert Swearingen of Fort Worth; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Canyon James Madison Black James Madison Black, 84, of Canyon, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Dreamland Cemetery with the Rev. Roy Byrd, retired Presbyterian minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Black was a graduate of Canyon High School and attended West Texas State College. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a retired carpenter. Survivors include three sisters, Betty Schneider of Kingman, Ariz., Katy Byrd of Toyahvale and Chloe Ann Black of Canyon; and a brother, William Black of Canyon. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. New Mexico Oralia Chacon TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Oralia "Bimbo" Chacon, 61, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Dunn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Anne's Catholic Church by the Rev. John C. Daniel. Burial will be in the family plot at Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Chacon was born in Punta de Agua and had been a longtime Harding County resident. She and her husband, Don Chacon, had lived in Punta de Agua for the past seven years. She was retired from the Mosquero School System where she was the business manager. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at Punta de Agua, was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and had served on the parish council. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Donny Chacon of Punta de Agua and Steve Chacon of Belen; a daughter, Paula Baker of Tucumcari; three sisters, Elvira Gonzales and Theresa Sanchez, both of Punta de Agua and Mary Abeyta of Santa Fe; three brothers, Daniel Torres and Fermine Torres, both of Barstow, Calif., and Eloy Torres of Punta de Agua; and six grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing from noon until service time at Dunn Funeral Home. Oklahoma Edna Cunningham Lanman Cann HELENA, Okla. - Edna Cunningham Lanman Cann, 89, formerly of Higgins, Texas, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church in Higgins with the Rev. Clifford Baze and the Rev. Robert Meller officiating. Burial will be in Higgins Cemetery by Lanman Funeral Home of Helena. Mrs. Cann was born in Alva, Okla., where she graduated from high school. After her marriage to her first husband, Ray Lanman, she attended West Texas State College then received her bachelor's degree from Northwestern State College in Alva. She taught at schools in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. She was a former member of the United Brethren Church and was a member of First Baptist Church in Higgins. She moved to Helena in 1997. In 1940, she married Clark Cann and lived on a ranch near Higgins. He preceded her in death. Survivors include three sons, Kenny Lanman of Helena, Larry Cann and Joe Cann; a daughter, Sue Decker; two brothers, Dick Cunningham of Alva and Jack Cunningham of West Fork, Ark.; a sister, Thelma Welch of Venice, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The casket will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. today at Lanman Funeral Home and then will be open from 10 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church in Higgins, Texas, through the funeral home. Ray Everett Witten BOISE CITY, Okla. - Ray Everett Witten, 63, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Boise City School Auditorium with John Henley and Glen Walton officiating. Burial will be in Boise City Cemetery by Cimarron Mortuary. Mr. Witten was born and raised in Boise City. He attended two years of high school in New Mexico then his family returned to Boise City after his graduation in 1953. He was an Army veteran and worked in the oil fields for four years. In 1958, Mr. Witten returned to Boise City where he farmed and taught himself to weld and to be a machinist, mechanic, engineer and technician. He founded Witten Welding, which moved to its present location in 1978. Mr. Witten was a lifelong resident of the Boise City Church of Christ where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and church treasurer. He was instrumental in organizing and managing the Black Mesa Bible Camp for children in 1966. He served as board member and treasurer. In 1977, Mr. Witten earned his private pilot's license. He also was a self-taught musician. He married Sandra Pruitt in 1956 at Farmington, N.M. Survivors include his wife; four children, Michael Ray Witten of Boise City, David Kent Witten and Julie Ann Witten Truitt, both of Detroit, and Laura Sue Witten Griffith of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Bill Witten of Boise City and Dewayne Witten of Houston; a sister, Delaine Witten Meier of Okeene; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Black Mesa Bible Camp or funds established at Keyes and Boise City banks to help family with expenses. The memorials may be left in care of the Cimarron Mortuary, Box 277, Boise City, OK 73933. Ruth Agnes McBryde Bryan GUYMON, Okla. - Ruth Agnes McBryde Bryan, 92, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. John Goss of Forgan and the Rev. Chris Trent, youth minister, officiating. Burial will be at Elmhurst Cemetery by HensonNovak Funeral Directors of Guymon. Mrs. Bryan was born near Cheyenne and attended schools in Berlin and Britton. She attended junior college in Elk City and later graduated from Highlands University with a degree in education and biology. For more than 30 years, she taught in schools in Kenton, Keyes, Felt, Yarbrough, Hooker and Guymon. Mrs. Bryan was an active member of First Baptist Church and Delta Kappa Gamma educational sorority. She married Rueben Marvin "Jack" Bryan in 1930 at Liberal, Kan. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Donald Charles Bryan. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Jack Boyd Bryan of Duncanville, Texas, David Robert "Bob" Bryan of Ponca City and Pat Marvin Bryan of Edmond; five grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Ruth Bryan Memorial at the Dunaway Manor. Memorials will be accepted at the Manor or Henson-Novak Funeral Home, Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Area Jimmye Bonds TULIA - Jimmye Bonds, 75, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Davenport officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Bonds was born and raised in Canyon. She graduated from Canyon High School and from West Texas State College with a teacher's certificate. During World War II, she worked at an ammunitions plant in California. She returned to Swisher County and coached basketball and taught school at Kress. She married Louie La Van Bonds in 1945 at Kress. After her marriage, she taught school in Tulia. She also was a bookkeeper for B.S.& W. Gin and later for Union Hill Gin. After her husband's death in 1979, she worked as a bookkeeper at Swisher Memorial Hospital at Tulia. She had been working for the Panhandle Plains Education Authority as a data processor in Canyon since 1991. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Tulia. Survivors include two daughters, Loretta Peck of Gothenburg, Neb., and Nancy Jones of Canyon; a son, Van Bonds of Happy; four sisters, Sarah Thompson of The Woodlands, Mae Coffee and Jean Lockhart, both of Austin, and Ila Jennings of Canyon; three brothers, Tom Slack of Perryton, Joe Slack of Archer City and Herbert Slack of Tucumcari, N.M.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center in Amarillo. John W. Fennell BORGER - John W. Fennell, 92, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Fellowship Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark McGaughey of Kansas City, Mo., and the Rev. Mike Smith, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa by Brown Funeral Directors. A native of Paris, Texas, Mr. Fennell had been a Borger resident for 54 years. He retired as an operator from J.M. Huber Carbon Division and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Lee Fennell, in May. Survivors include four daughters, Billie Reyna, Deanie O'Neal and Johnnie Malone, all of Borger, and Barbara "Bob" Francis of Amarillo; a brother, Hubert Fennell of Abilene; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1108 Indiana. Clyde Blalock BOVINA - Clyde Blalock, 85, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church in Bovina with the Rev. Gary Morgan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Bovina Cemetery with military rites by Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard. Arrangements are by EllisBlackwell Funeral Home. Mr. Blalock was born in Marlow, Okla., and moved to Bovina in 1931. He was an Army veteran of World War II and Korea. He retired as a truck driver for a fuel company and was a member of First Baptist Church. He married Helen Langer in 1941 at Hereford. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Ute Ross of Dimmitt; a brother, Bob Blalock of Springtown; three sisters, Dora Mae Brown of Clovis, N.M., Pernie Free of Bovina and Ivy Green of Bowie; and three grandchildren. Harlie E. Blundell PERRYTON - Harlie E. Blundell, 86, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Silent Home Cemetery near Roll, Okla., with Billy McCallie officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Mr. Blundell was born in Shattuck, Okla. He moved to Perryton in 1983 from Crawford, Okla. He was a farmer and rancher. He married Euoolis Townsley in 1936 at Chandler, Ariz. She died in 1993. Survivors include a son, Jim Blundell of Perryton; a daughter, Karen Spero of Lincoln, Neb.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to one's favorite charity. Maria Dolores Rueda STRATFORD - Maria Dolores Rueda, 31, died Friday, Nov. 6, 1998. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Roca De Salvasion Igelsia of Stratford with the Rev. Ricardo Chabolla, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mrs. Rueda was born in Nazas, Durango, Mexico, and had been a Stratford resident for more than 10 years. She was a homemaker and member of Roca De Salvasion Igelsia. Survivors include three sons, Rafael Rueda, Vicente Rueda and Arlin Rueda, all of the home; two daughters, Jaquelinne Rueda and Jennifer Rueda, both of the home; her father, Juan Jose Lozoya of Juarez, Mexico; three brothers, Juan Pastor Lozoya of Sonora, Mexico, Ismael Lozoya of Dumas and Deodoro Lozoya of Juarez, Mexico; and four sisters, Gregoria Lozoya, Margarita O. Lozoya, Julia Lozoya and Luz Maria Lozoya, all of Juarez. The family will be at 818 Miller. Ellen Gertrude Brown CLARENDON - Ellen Gertrude Brown, 88, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Truman Ledbetter, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Mrs. Brown was born in Corsicana and lived in Amarillo for 10 years before living in Clarendon for 24 years. She returned to Amarillo a few years ago. She was a homemaker and member of Southlawn Baptist Church. She married Rosco Brown in 1927 at Hedley. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1978, a daughter, Marty Leffew, and two sons, Lee Roy Brown and Troy Brown. Survivors include a daughter, Jo Ward of Oklahoma City; four sons, Ray Brown of Weatherford, Tommy Brown of Fort Worth, and Charles B. Brown and Johnny Brown, both of Amarillo; two brothers, Theran Gossett of Miami and Jay Gossett of Big Spring; 19 grandchildren; 24 greatgrandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Minnie Lee Wafer PLAINVIEW - Minnie Lee Wafer, 88, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Thomas A. Williams of Carver Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park. Ms. Wafer was born and raised in Wortham. She was a homemaker and a caretaker. She was a member of Carver Church of Christ. She is survived by a friend, Debra Shols of Plainview. Fern McClellan TEXLINE - Fern McClellan, 74, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. CST Saturday in Texline United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Hestand, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Texline Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, N.M. Mrs. McClellan was born in Meno, Okla., and moved to Texline in 1929. She had been employed by the Texline School cafeteria for seven years. For 38 years, she was pianist at the Texline United Methodist Church where she had been a member since 1951. Mrs. McClellan was a member and organist of Texline Chapter No. 640 of the Eastern Star and played piano for the Texline Lions Club. She married Cecil McClellan in 1965 at Texline. Survivors include her husband; a sister, Lois Childress of Boise City, Okla.; a brother, Dalton Decker of Midland, Mich.; three special children, Lindsay Gallagher, Brenda Browning and Sara Reeves. The family suggests memorials be to Texline United Methodist Church, a cancer fund, or one's favorite charity. Merlin Eugene Chapman TULIA - Merlin Eugene "Gene" Chapman, 51, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Tulia with Gary Moore, United Methodist Church lay minister, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery by Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Chapman was born in Amarillo and raised in Tulia where he graduated from Tulia High School in 1966. During the Vietnam War, he was a bomb inspector in Dallas. From 1976 until his retirement in 1989, he was a supervisor for USDA. Mr. Chapman was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Sargent Bluff, Iowa. He moved to Aiken in 1989. He married Joan Wall in 1968 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Cindy Keller of Payson, Ariz., and Sherry Clark of Springlake-Earth; a son, Jay Chapman of Plainview; his parents, Merlin and Helen Chapman of Tulia; a sister, Debra Kinser of Tulia; a brother, Larry Chapman of Tulia; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association.