Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 31 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; Sunday, May 31, 1998, 8:59 AM Amarillo Edward J. Anderson Edward J. "Andy" Anderson, 78, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, May 27, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Charles Jones of Second Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Anderson was born in Princeton, Mo. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was a member of Second Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Madie Anderson, in 1990. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Donna Jean Keeney of Amarillo. The body will not be available for viewing. Cecil Calvin Cecil Calvin, 85, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Llano Mausoleum with Windell Taylor, chaplain of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, officiating. Arrangements are by BlackburnShaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce St. Mr. Calvin was born in Meadow, S.D., and grew up on a homestead in South Dakota. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He served in the European theater from 1942 until 1946 with the 90th Division. After the war, he worked on a ranch and later moved to Amarillo. Mr. Calvin was employed as a truck driver by Penland Distributing. He was a Protestant. He married Florence Baker in 1954 at Raton, N.M. She died in 1992. Survivors include a daughter, Phyllis Rhodes of Anchorage, Alaska; and four grandchildren. The family request memorials be to Veterans Administration Women's Auxiliary. Terry Dean Blackwell Terry Dean Blackwell, 35, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Memorial services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Coulter Road Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Payne of the church and the Rev. Bob Miller of South Georgia Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements were by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Blackwell was born in Channing. He had lived in Hereford for 17 years before moving to Amarillo eight years ago. He graduated from Hereford High School and West Texas State University with a degree in business. He was employed by Amarillo Gear, attended Coulter Road Baptist Church and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Hereford. He married Janie Rodriquez in 1994 at Canyon. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jalee Dawn Blackwell of Amarillo; his mother, JoAnne Blackwell of Hereford; his father and stepmother, J.R. Blackwell and Sheri Lang of Amarillo; his grandmother, Bess Miller of Canyon; and a stepbrother, Tyler Lang of Amarillo. The body will not be available for viewing. Rhonda Jane Wallace Rucker Rhonda Jane Wallace Rucker, 32, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. Carey Skinner, associate pastor, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Rucker was born and raised in Amarillo. She was a 1983 graduate of Palo Duro High School and attended Texas State Technical College. She was employed as a manicurist and was a partner in Texas Tips Nail Salon. She attended Trinity Baptist Church. She married Ronnie Rucker in 1985 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; a son, Remington Rucker of Amarillo; a daughter, Roni Jane Rucker of Amarillo; parents, Jane and Dean Parrish of Amarillo and Jimmy Wallace of North Carolina; grandparents, Noma and Jay Evans of Amarillo; a sister, Roya McArthur of Amarillo; two brothers, Rusty Wallace of Missouri and Randy Wallace of Dallas; five stepbrothers; and a stepsister. The family will be at 4050 Rose Dr. The family requests memorials be to Rhonda Rucker Leukemia Fund, c/o People's Federal Credit Union. The body will not be available for viewing. Raymond Blessen Raymond Blessen, 69, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 29, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth, with the Rev. Raymond Bowlin officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Survivors include a son, Tommy Blessen of Bartlesville, Okla.; a daughter, Vicki Clary of Amarillo; two brothers, William Edgar Blessen and Robert L. Blessen, both of Amarillo; and three grandchildren. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be to a favorite charity. Elsewhere Amber Sims CHICO, Calif. - Amber Sims, 9, died Tuesday, May 26, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church in Chico. Arrangements are by Bidwell Chapel at Chico. Amber was born in Atwater. She attended Shasta Elementary School where she was an office aide and earned the Top Cat Award for good citizenship. Survivors include her father, David Sims of Chico; grandmother, Sharon Sims of Texas, her mother, Shannon Stohlman of Chico; a sister, Tori Stohlman of Yuba City; stepmother, Tammy Ables of Chico; and other grandparents, Jerry and Dona Stohlman of Gridley and John and Gloria Ogorman of Calistoga. James Samuel Smethers GILBERT, Ariz. - James Samuel Smethers, 74, died Wednesday, May 27, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Arrow, Okla. Burial will be in Floral Haven's Veterans Field of Honor. Mr. Smethers was born in Wister, Okla. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a longtime resident of Tulsa, Okla., and moved to Gilbert, Ariz., two years ago. Survivors include his wife, Vera; a daughter, Sharon of Gilbert; a son, Jimmy of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Maxine Templer WACO - Maxine Templer died Saturday, May 30, 1998. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco with the Rev. Jim Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Mrs. Templer was raised and educated in Austin. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in education and history and her masters of arts in government and political science. She taught public school in Austin and McLennan counties. She served as counselor and supervisor of Instruction and Curriculum at the University of Texas. Mrs. Templer moved to Waco in 1946. For more than 40 years, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder and president of Women of the Church. She married William Bell Templer in 1946 at Waco. He died in 1989. Survivors include her son, John Wesley Templer of Amarillo; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. New Mexico Frances Price CLAYTON, N.M. - Frances Price, 82, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the Don R. Wood Auditorium with Berlin Raymond and John Wegter officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mrs. Price was born in West Burlington, Iowa. She was employed as a nurse in Waterloo, Iowa; Wheatridge, Colo.; and Raton and Clayton for more than 15 years. She married Aaron Price in 1946 at Clayton. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Joy Blubaugh of Iola, Kan.; three sons, Jim Price of Las Cruces, Joe Price of Happy, Texas, and Jon Price of Clayton; and five grandsons. The family request memorials be to American Cancer Society, c/o Margaret Emery, 317 Aspen St., Clayton, N.M., 88415; or the American Diabetes Association, New Mexico Affiliate, 525 San Pedro N.E., Albuquerque, N.M., 87108; or a favorite charity. Vera Mae Bowman TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Vera Mae Bowman, 72, of Roy, died Friday, May 29, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Mosquero Community Church with Bill Bowman and Charlie Duree officiating. Burial will be in Roy Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mrs. Bowman was born and raised in Roy where she lived most of her life. She lived in Tucumcari from 1955 until 1974. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, taught Sunday school and assisted with Vacation Bible School. Survivors include her husband, Willis W. Bowman; two sons, Willis W. Bowman Jr. of Roy and Bill Bowman of Tucumcari; a sister, Mary Dudley of Conchas Dam; three grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. Visitation will be until 7 p.m. today in the funeral home. Lovice F. Clark CLOVIS, N.M. - Lovice F. Clark, 84, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with Dr. Bill Sylskar officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by SteedTodd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Clark was born in Vian, Okla. She moved to Clovis while in high school and graduated there. She lived most of her married life in the Pleasant Hill community and returned to Clovis in 1987. Mrs. Clark was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was active in the circle and teaching. She married Maurice Clark in 1931 at Clovis. She was preceded in death by a son, Paul Clark, in 1989. Survivors include her husband; a son, Donald Clark of Pleasant Hill; four granddaughters; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 1501 Sycamore, Clovis, N.M., 88101. Oris Eshleman TEXICO, N.M. - Oris Eshleman, 90, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jesse Shaver officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mr. Eshleman was born in Grier. He lived and farmed in the Pleasant Hill and Texico communities all of his life. He married Hazel Lee Bingham in 1927 at Texico. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jay W. Eshleman of Texico and Jack Eshleman of Clovis; a daughter, Wanda Kelly of Texico; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The casket will be closed at service. Friends may call at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be to Baptist Children's Home or Farwell Convalescent Center. Winson Vongsamphanh CLOVIS, N.M. - Winson Vongsamphanh, 12, died Wednesday, May 27, 1998. Services will be at 9 a.m. Monday in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial will be in Memory Gardens in Amarillo by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Vongsamphanh was born and raised in Clovis. He recently graduated from sixth grade at Parkview Elementary where he was an honor roll student. He attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Survivors include his parents, Souanchanah and Somchahn Vongsamphanh; and two brothers, William and Sunrise, both of Clovis. Mary Alice Loven Longley CLOVIS, N.M. - Mary Alice Loven Longley, 77, died Thursday, May 28, 1998, in Houston. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in The Chapel, 1500 Thornton in Clovis with the Rev. Curtis Tucker officiating. Burial will be in Kenna Cemetery in Kenna by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. Longley was born in Childress, Texas. She moved to Clovis in 1980. She was a homemaker and attended Bethel Assembly of God Church. She married Joe A. Longley in 1947 at Roswell who died in 1994. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Emmitt Longley, in 1945. Survivors include three sons, Harold Longley, Larn Longley and Jay Longley, all of Clovis; seven daughters, Faunette Griffin, Mary Couvillon, Monette Nelson, Nancy Harper, Jo White and Florine Jobe, all of Clovis, and Lanita Hodges of Bloomfield; two brothers, Delmer Lee Loven of Canyon, Texas, and Dee Loven of Hurst, Texas; 24 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. Oklahoma A. Cecil Grable GUYMON, Okla. - A. Cecil Grable, 91, died Thursday, May 28, 1998, in Elkhart, Kan. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Henson-Novak Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dick Powell, retired minister, officiating. Burial will be in Baker Cemetery. Mr. Grable was born in Nash. With his family, he pioneered to the Eva community in 1907. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps as a sergeant from 1941 until 1945. He farmed in the Eva community until his retirement in 1979. He then moved to Guymon. He married Annabel McDonald in 1943 at Las Vegas. She died in 1990. Survivors include his niece, Leda Ruth of Duncan; a great-nephew; and two brothers-in-law. The family requests memorials be to the Cecil Grable Memorial for Cal Farley's Boys Ranch or the Eva Community Center. Memorials will be accepted at Henson-Novak Funeral Home, Box 1306, Guymon, Okla., 73942. Area Frances Laverne Nivens STINNETT - Frances Laverne Nivens, 74, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Mulhearn Funeral Home Chapel at West Monroe, La., with the Rev. George Bonner officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Parklawn Cemetery at Plainview. Mrs. Nivens was a member of the Stinnett United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy G. Nivens. Survivors include two sons, Bill Glen Nivens of West Monroe and Jerald D. Nivens of Bastrop, La.; a brother, W.D. McKay Jr. of Grand Prairie; a sister, Dorothy Womack of Lubbock; 11 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. Joe Angel Luna CLARENDON - Joe Angel Luna, 55, died Wednesday, May 27, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Robertson Chapel of Memories with James Haynn, elder, of Amarillo and Mike Rhinehart, elder, of Clarendon officiating. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors Inc. Mr. Luna was born in Raymondsville and was a resident of Stinnett for 16 years before moving to Clarendon five months ago. He had worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. for 23 years and was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Church. He married Carol Ann Parker in 1979 at Pampa. Survivors include his wife; his parents, Angela Luna of Borger and Celestino Luna of Dallas; five sons, Joseph Luna of Borger, Celestino Luna, Ricky Luna and Greg Luna, all of Amarillo, and Robby Luna of Tell City, Ind.; three daughters, Andrea Johnson of Germany, Faleshia Farmer of Stinnett and Shalina Galvan of Amarillo; three brothers, Tony Luna of Dallas and Juan Najera and Tavo Najera, both of Alamo; six sisters, Goya Hernandez and Connie Triana, both of Borger, Sophie Gallegoes of Dallas, Susie Mayorga of Fritch, Suesanna Martinez of Kenosha, Wis., and Soila Villa of Borger; and 15 grandchildren. Delma Law Meacham QUANAH - Delma Law Meacham, 96, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Gravesides services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Quanah Memorial Park with the Rev. Clinton Young, minister of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Price-Jackson Funeral Home. Mrs. Meacham was born in Dickens County. She taught in one-room schools for Dickens and Motley counties. In 1942, she moved to Quanah where she was principal of the Goodlett schools. Mrs. Meacham also taught pre-school and first grade in Quanah. She was a Baptist, a member of the Baptist Women's Study, the Home Demonstration Club and the Art Club. She married James Robert Meacham in 1922 at Motley County. He died in 1972. Survivors include a son, John Robert Meacham of Woodland Hills, Calif.; a daughter, Marian Conley of Quanah; four grandsons; and eight great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Hardeman County Historical Museum. Richard Lee Dhane SHAMROCK - Richard Lee Dhane, 49, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Lela Cemetery in Lela with Sid Smith, minister of Church of Christ in Shamrock, officiating. Arrangements were by Wright Funeral Directors. Mr. Dhane moved to Lela nine years ago. He was employed as a farm laborer. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He married Joyce Crosby in 1990 at Shamrock. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Shannon Dhane and Richard Dhane Jr., both of Sherman; two daughters, Teresa Harker of Sherman and Sally Dhane of Durant, Okla.; his parents, G.W. and Jean Dhane of Whitewright; five brothers, George Dhane, Tim Dhane and Johnny Dhane, all of Sherman, and Jim Dhane and Andy Dhane, both of Whitewright; and three sisters, Joyce Harris of Sweetwater and Irene Dhane and Martha Wheeler, both of Sherman. Robert Darrell Brown PLAINVIEW - Robert Darrell Brown, 71, died Wednesday, May 27, 1998. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Wood-Dunning Funeral Home Colonial Chapel with Larry Pruitt officiating. Burial was in Plainview Memorial Park. Mr. Brown was born in Dallas and was a veteran of World War II. He was employed as a custom harvester. He was a member of the Church of Christ and the Plainview Senior Citizens Center. He married Madelyn Robertson in 1946 at Canyon. Survivors include his wife; a son, Kevin Dane Brown of Mesquite; a daughter, Tamara Shan Wright of Lewisville; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Helen Rhea Wood BORGER - Helen Rhea Wood, 94, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Leonard Forsythe, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens of Pampa. Mrs. Wood was born in Chicago. She moved to Borger in 1939 from Wewoka, Okla. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married Claud Wood in 1924 at Newkirk, Okla. He died in 1994. Survivors include three sons, William Benson Wood of Skellytown, and Thomas Claude Wood and Roy Wood, both of Fritch; a daughter, Lois Gene Newman of Springdale, Ark.; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren. The family will be staying at 815 Skyline Dr., in Borger. Dr. Will Fleming Graham BORGER - Dr. Will Fleming Graham, 77, died Thursday, May 27, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Presbyterian Church of Borger with the Rev. Roger Harwerth, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Love in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Dr. Graham was born in Tulia and had been a Borger resident since 1966. He served as a lieutenant in the Navy. He graduated from Baylor University and Baylor Dental College. He received his postgraduate education preceptorship from Southwest Society of Orthodontics. Dr. Graham retired after 29 years as a dentist and orthodontist. He was appointed by the governor to the State Board of Dental Examiners. He was past president of the Panhandle District Dental Society and a delegate to the Texas Dental Association, the American Dental Association board of directors and the Multiphase (Orthodontic) Foundation. Dr. Graham was a member of the American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Orthodontics, Multiphase Foundation, Texas Tweed Orthodontics Foundation, Texas Dental Association and Panhandle District Dental Society. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Borger, Paul Harris Fellowship and a past member of the Community Concert Board, the Rotary Club of Borger and the 100 Club. He married Evelyn Brown in 1944 at Dallas. Survivors include his wife; a son, John Will Graham of Albany, Ore.; a daughter, Barbara Graham of Cody, Wyo.; and four grandsons. The family requests memorials be to the Presbyterian Children's Home or to a favorite charity. Joe Harris BOVINA - Joe Harris, 72, died Thursday, May 28, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Bovina Church of Christ with Jeff Procter, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Bovina Cemetery by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home of Friona. Mr. Harris was born in Avalon. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He moved to Bovina in 1956 from Dallas. He was a farmer and later a cattle feeder in a feed yard. He was a member of Bovina Church of Christ. He married Dorothy Randle in 1948 at Waxahachie. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Carl Harris, Jimmy Harris and Danny Harris, all of Amarillo; three daughters, Patricia Ray of Phoenix, Betty Shepherd of Levelland and Ruby Jones of Friona; two sisters, Ruby Criss of Dallas and Charlotte Harrison of Los Angeles; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Lester C. Sears FARWELL - Lester C. Sears, 73, died Friday, May 29, 1998. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. CDT Tuesday in Sunset Terrace Cemetery in Farwell with the Rev. Richard Laverty officiating. Arrangements are by SteedTodd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Sears was born in St. Joseph, Mo. He lived in Clovis for many years before moving to Farwell 25 years ago. From age 17, he was employed in construction. He was employed in his family-owned construction company, operating heavy equipment until his death. He married Dovie Wright in 1946 at Muleshoe. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carla; and two sisters, Lorraine Hall and Jody Fulgham. Visitation with the family will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Geneva Justice DIMMITT - Geneva Justice, 74, died Saturday, May 30, 1998. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church of Dimmitt with the Rev. Howard Rhodes, pastor, and the Rev. Paul Kenley, former pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Terrace Cemetery in Post by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mrs. Justice was born in New Lynn. She lived in Hereford from 1958 until moving to Dimmitt in 1974. She was a member of First Baptist Church and the Plains Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She married Virgil Justice in 1941 at Lamesa. He died in 1992. She also was preceded in death by a son, J. Ken Justice, in 1991. Survivors include two daughters, Avie Lewis of Georgetown and Janet Ross of DeKalb; two sisters, Dorothy Keeton of Abilene and Jewel Rogers of Abernathy; and four grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be to Dimmitt Hospice Care, P.O. box 278, Dimmitt, Texas, 79027. Laura Belle Clark Reed LITTLEFIELD - Laura Bell Clark Reed, 78, died Friday, May 29, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Sunset Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Benny Goss, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Hammons Funeral Home of Littlefield. Mrs. Reed was born in Converse, La. She graduated from the Methodist School of Nursing in Houston in 1941. She was employed for many years by Medical Arts Hospital. She married Frank Reed who died in 1985. She also was preceded in death by a son, Carl Hubier Brabach, in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, Regina Arrendell of Cleveland; and a granddaughter. The family requests memorials be to Regina Arrendell for scholarship funds.