Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 31 July 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, July 31, 1998, 8:06 AM Amarillo Todd Lane Allred Todd Lane Allred, 35, a former Amarillo resident, of Washington, died Monday, July 20, 1998, near Seattle. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in Northwest Texas Hospital Chapel in Amarillo. Cremation was arranged by American Memorial in Renton, Wash.. Mr. Allred was born in Plainview and had lived in Amarillo several years. He attended school in Farmington, N.M. While living in Amarillo, he was a selfemployed carpenter. He customized automobiles. Survivors include two daughters, Melissa Wilson of Federal Way, Wash., and Lacy Jill Allred of Richland Hills; two brothers, Rodney Lamar Allred and Van Brett Allred, both of Amarillo; and a sister, Cliffa Hiett-Dunn of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to the United Way Travel Assistance Fund of Amarillo. Curtis Fields Jr. Curtis Fields Jr., 58, of Amarillo, died Sunday, July 26, 1998, at Clarendon. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery with Nathaniel Cantly, minister of North Heights Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Fields was born in Marshall and had lived in Amarillo for more than 30 years. He worked for Plains American Moving Co. Survivors include his wife, Mary Meander of the home; a son, Tyrone Fields of Childress; a brother, Kenneth Fields of Amarillo; two sisters, Ester Probis of Memphis, Texas, and Thelma FieldsMorris of Dallas. The family will be at 305 S. Kentucky. Granville Wood Granville "Guinea" Wood, 75, of Amarillo, died Thursday, July 30, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Lloyd Bird officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery at Clarendon. Mr. Wood was born in Whitney and raised in Hedley. He moved to Amarillo more than 50 years ago. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and India and Africa campaigns as a tech sergeant. He owned and operated G&B Cement Contractors until retiring in 1986. He married Bernice King in 1946. She died in 1983. Survivors include two sons, Russel Wood of Annadale, Minn., and Bobby Wood of Amarillo; three sisters, Nola McClellan of Stinnett, Lorene Cleere of Amarillo and Thelma Buck of Odessa; two brothers, Frank Wood of Amarillo and Glenn Wood of Englewood, Colo.; a special friend, Gayleen Howard of Childress; nine grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. The family will be at 1410 N. Arapahoe and request memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, Texas 79101. Stella Lokey Stella Lokey, 93, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. today in the Chapel of First Baptist Church with Dr. Chester O'Brien officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Lokey was born in Josephine and moved to Amarillo in 1927. She became a member of First Baptist Church in 1927 and was a member of the Mary Class Sunday School Class, Women's Missionary Union and a Circle Class. Mrs. Lokey was a member of the PEO Chapter C.M. She was instrumental in building the Amarillo Garden Center where she was a member and past president. She was an International Master Judge and a homemaker. She married Ted Lokey in 1924 in Greenville. He died in 1989. Survivors include two sons, Ted Y. Lokey and George Lokey, both of Amarillo; a daughter, Mary Alice Shelton of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. The family will be at 3400 S. Lamar St. They request memorials be to the Amarillo Garden Center, 1400 Streit Dr., Amarillo, Texas, 79106 or a favorite charity. The body will not be available for viewing. Girdie H. Simpson Girdie H. Simpson, 103, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. F.M. Byford of Paramount Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Simpson was born in Erath County and attended West Texas State Normal College. She had been an Amarillo resident for more than 50 years. She had been employed by White and Kirk prior to employment with American National Bank. After her retirement in 1959, Mrs. Simpson spent several years working with Southern Baptist missions in Southern California. She was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and a volunteer for Faith City Mission and Bivins Memorial Nursing Home. She married Horace Simpson in 1920 at Silverton. He died in 1967. Survivors include two daughters, Ernestine Harp of Amarillo and Helen Shelton of Frisco; a son, Charles Simpson of Mesa, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; and three great-greatgrandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Grand Avenue Baptist Church or Paramount Baptist Church library or music ministry. Lillie V. Selfridge Lillie V. Selfridge, 92, of Amarillo, died Thursday, July 30, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Selfridge was born in Sasakwa, Okla., and had been an Amarillo resident for 35 years. She was a homemaker and member of the Church of Christ. She married James T. Selfridge in 1921 at Holdenville, Okla. He preceded her in death in 1976. Survivors include two sons, Bill Selfridge of Howardwick and Dale Selfridge of Amarillo; four daughters, Mildred Churchman of Seattle, Chersie Davis of Bonham, Juanita Williams of Enid, Okla., and Naomi Wheless of Pryor, Okla.; a sister, Thelma Upshaw of Bakersfield, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 3930 Barclay. Canyon Reida Sandridge Reida "Berry" Sandridge, 38, of Canyon, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Central Church of Christ in Amarillo with Dick Marcear officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St., Amarillo. Mrs. Sandridge was born in Amarillo. She was a payroll administrator/purchasing agent for Owens Corning. She was a member of Central Church of Christ and of the praise team at the church. She taught junior achievement classes at various middle schools in Amarillo. She did volunteer work at the Domestic Violence Shelter. She married Jay Sandridge in 1993 in Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; two stepsons, Brian Sandridge and Chris Sandridge, both of the home; two daughters, Jada Sandridge and Juliana Sandridge, both of the home; a stepdaughter, Halli Sandridge of Fort Worth; her parents, Eldon and Bonita Berry of Amarillo; a brother, Rick Berry of Houston; and two sisters, Robin Hinnant of Amarillo and her twin, Ronda Hixson of Oklahoma City. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society District Office, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, Texas 79109; High Plains Children's Home and Family Services, 1501 W. 58th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79110. New Mexico Petrolino J. Martinez TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Petrolino J. Martinez, 76, died Monday, July 27, 1998. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today in St. Anne's Catholic Church. Burial will be in the family plot at Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home. Mr. Martinez was born in Tucumcari, where he was a lifetime area resident. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the Catholic church. He worked for Arch Hurley Conservancy District and had been a driver for E.L. Escort Services. Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Young and Lillian Najera, both of Tucumcari; two sons, Chris Martinez of New Port News, Va. and Robert Martinez of Albuquerque; four brothers, Joe Cestino Martinez of Tucumcari, Leonard Martinez of Albuquerque, Matlido Martinez of Phoenix and Guadalupe Martinez of Denver; 13 grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. Area Francis Bostick Wester BORGER - Francis Bostick Wester, 83, died Tuesday, July 7, 1998, at Los Angeles. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Brown's Funeral Home Chapel of the Fountains. Mr. Wester was born in Sulphur Springs. After high school, he began working in a bakery at Floydada before moving to Rockford, Ill., where he helped establish a Dr. Pepper franchise. During World War II, he served with the Army's 577th Signal Depot Co. in Europe. He left the Army in 1944 with the rank of staff sergeant and three Bronze Stars. After the war, he attended San Diego State at San Diego. He worked part time as a radio announcer, which became his career at KYOR and KSDO in San Diego. He founded the band The Country Cousins and opened Bostick's Rancho. In the 1950s he joined radio station KLAS at Las Vegas and was a master of ceremonies for the opening of the first television station in the city. In addition to his radio show, he hosted a children's television show. He returned to Texas in the 1950s and settled in Borger where he worked at radio station KHUZ. In 1963 he married Ann Obenhaus of Borger. They opened a restaurant in the early 1970s, which they ran for 10 years before retiring. She died in 1992. He moved to California last year. Survivors include a son, Mike Wester of Los Angeles; a brother, James Wester of Ennis; a sister, June Brim of Sulphur Springs; and two grandsons. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1870, Amarillo, Texas 79174; or a favorite charity in his name. Jessie Lee Kirkland SHAMROCK - Jessie Lee Kirkland, 71, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Calvary Christian Fellowship Church in Shamrock with the Rev. Joe G. Jernigan, pastor, and the Rev. Glen Switzer, pastor of Eleventh Street Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Lela Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Kirkland was born in Frisco and moved to Wheeler County in 1927. He served in World War II with the Army. He was employed for many years as a grave digger and also was a brick mason and carpenter. Mr. Kirkland was a member of the Eleventh Street Baptist Church in Shamrock. He was a life member of American Legion Deshazo George Post No. 68. He married Darlene Newsom in 1961 at Shamrock. Survivors include his wife; eight children, Roger Kirkland, Jessica Brooks and Jayson Kirkland, all of Shamrock, Randy Kirkland of Pampa, Sheila McCarty of San Antonio, Kytreena Anders of Wellington, Linda Cox of Sweetwater, Okla., and Shawn Kirkland of Amarillo; nine brothers and sisters, Fay Bonner, Willie B. Hooten, Bill Kirkland, Donald Kirkland, Naomi Lowe and Butch Kirkland, all of Shamrock, Shirley Gipson of Odessa, Walter Kirkland of El Reno, Okla., and James Kirkland of Pampa; and 16 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or Ronald McDonald House. J.D. Black HALE CENTER - J.D. "Preach" Black, 70, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Cotton Center First Baptist Church with Raymond Jones, pastor of Voss Baptist Church in Voss, officiating. Burial will be at Center Plains Cemetery in Cotton Center by Freeman-Abell Funeral Home of Hale Center. Mr. Black was born in Hermleigh and moved to the Cotton Center-Hale Center area in 1946 from New Deal. He had been a board member of the Cotton Center Coop Gin and Hale Center Wheat Growers. He was owner and operator of the Hillside Acres Country Club in Hale Center. He married Betty Mayfield in 1954 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jeff Black of Hale Center; four daughters, Pam Booher and Susie Thomas, both of Hale Center, Kim Thomas of West Monroe, La., and Buffie Schaeffer of Abernathy; two brothers, J.G. Black of Easter and Henry Black of Lubbock; two sisters, Cleo Crabtree of Arlington and Ovella Reeder of Las Cruces, N.M.; and 13 grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the EMS, Box 1027, Hale Center, Texas, 79041; Volunteer Fire Department, Box 487, Hale Center, Texas; or Volunteer Fire Department, c/o John Starnes, Box 52, Cotton Center, Texas, 79021. Helen Michaels Sherwood PANHANDLE - Helen Michaels Sherwood, 83, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Panhandle Church of Christ with Leonard Harper of Crosbyton officiating. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Sherwood was a native of Konawa, Okla. She graduated from Stratford High School. In 1936, she and her husband moved to Panhandle where they owned and operated Panhandle Cleaners for several years. At age 48, Mrs. Sherwood started college. She graduated from Frank Phillips Junior College, then received her master's degree in education in 1969 from West Texas State University. Mrs. Sherwood taught school for one year in Dumas and for 12 years at Eastridge Elementary School in Amarillo. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Mothers Club, Parent Teachers Association and worked with the Boy Scouts. She married Weston L. Sherwood in 1933 at Stratford. He died in 1975. Survivors include two sons, Marshall Sherwood of Panhandle and Greg Sherwood of Lubbock; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to St. Ann's Nursing Home or Garrettson's Retirement Center, Box 1239, Panhandle, Texas, 79068. Margarite Oteka Ray DUMAS - Margarite Oteka Ray, 75, died Wednesday, July 29, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with Gerald Clark, assistant pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mrs. Ray was born in Eldorado, Okla., and had been a Dumas resident since 1944. She was a homemaker and member of Bible Baptist Church. She married Charlie Ray in 1944 at Quanah. She was preceded in death by a son, Marshall Dale Golden, in 1993. Survivors include her husband; six sons, Bobby Joe Ray and Keith Ray, both of Amarillo, Harold Ray of Childress, Kenneth Ray of Pampa and Charles Dwight Ray and Michael Ray Sr., both of Dumas; two daughters, Betty Hawthorne of Killeen and Geraldine Ray of New Braunfels; two sisters, Pat Dennington of Gainesville and De'Esta Templeton Widner; 33 grandchildren; numerous greatgrandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family will be at 307 N. Meredith.