Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 1 Sep 1999 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, September 1, 1999, 6:07 AM Area Winnie Berry MULESHOE - Winnie Berry, 94, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Muleshoe Church of Christ with Harry Riggs, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Lazbuddie Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Mrs. Berry was born in Purdy, Ark., and attended school in Paris, Ark. She moved to Muleshoe in 1979 from Farwell. She was a homemaker and a member of the Muleshoe Church of Christ, where she was active in the "55 and Alive" program. Mrs. Berry had worked in photographic studios, retouching and painting photographs. She and her husband had lived in Oklahoma and California and had managed a mobile home park in Odessa. She married Murphy H. Berry at Clarkville, Ark., in 1928. He died in 1987. Survivors include a sister, Ruby West of Elmore City, Okla.; a brother, T.M. Jones of Elmore City, Okla; and 22 nieces and nephews. The family requests memorials be to Muleshoe Church of Christ, P.O. Box 753, Muleshoe, TX 79347 or to the American Heart Association. Ross McClendon Wieland PADUCAH - Ross McClendon Wieland, infant son of Charlie and Lezlea Wieland, of Midlothian, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Garden of Memories with the Rev. Roy C. Keith officiating. Arrangements are by Seigler Funeral Home. Ross was born in Dallas. Survivors include his parents; a sister, Ainsley Wieland, of Midlothian; maternal grandparents, Jerry and Carol McClendon of Paducah; and great-grandfather, B.L. Carrick of Childress. Louise Hudgens STRATFORD - Louise Hudgens, 77, of Kerrick, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today in Lane Memorial Cemetery in Sunray with the Rev. Michael Colwell, chancellor of pastoral care in Amarillo, officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Hudgens was born in Hereford, lived in Stinnett for 25 years and moved to Kerrick three years ago. She was a homemaker. She married Willie "Shorty" Hudgens in 1938 at Frederick, Okla. She was preceded in death by a son, Alvie Lee Hudgens. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Florecia Eslinger of Kerrick; a son, Gary Ray Hudgens of Kerrick; two brothers, George Hembree of Wisconsin and Gene Hembree of Stinnett; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Lloyd Bonds DUMAS - Lloyd Bonds, 73, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard Scully officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mr. Bonds was born in Lockney and had lived in Dumas since 1953. A Navy veteran, he retired as a lab technician from Diamond Shamrock in 1986. He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He married Ladell Backus in 1944. She died in 1997. Survivors include two sons, George Bonds of Stratford and Melvin Bonds of Dumas; two daughters, Flora Luttrell of Denver and Kathy Trayler of Dumas; a brother, Kenneth "Skeet" Bonds of Dumas; eight grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. The family will be at 520 Oak in Dumas. Taylor Grae Huff QUANAH - Taylor Grae Huff, 2month-old son of Cassie Huff of Quanah and Richard Huff of Safford, Ariz., died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Quanah Memorial Park with the Rev. Clinton Young, minister of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Price-Jackson Funeral Home. Taylor was born in Wichita Falls. Survivors include his parents; a brother, Clayton Huff of the home; and his grandparents, Richard and Lisa Naron of Quanah and Steven Sanders of Sacramento, Calif. Judy Faye Drake BORGER - Judy Faye Drake, 51, died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Private graveside services will be in Attica Cemetery in Attica, Kan. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Miss Drake was a native of Harper, Kan., and had lived in Borger for 37 years. She was a care-giver at Golden Years and a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include two brothers, John Drake of Lawrence, Kan., and Gary Drake of Borger; and a sister, Mary Bauman of Newport, Ore. The family suggests memorials be to Paw Pals, c/o Kaye Ray, president, 122 Broadmoor, Borger, TX 79007. Mildred V. Cropper FRITCH - Mildred V. Cropper, 84, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Stinnett with the Rev. Leonard Forsyth, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Cropper was born in Lake Zurich, Ill., and moved to Fritch 1996. Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Lesch of Fritch and Sherri Cropper of Borger; a granddaughter; and a greatgrandson. Billie Jo Castleberry SHAMROCK - Billie Jo Castleberry, 74, died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Calvary Christian Fellowship Church with Joe Jernigan officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater. Mrs. Castleberry was born in Haskell and was a longtime resident of Shamrock. For many years, she was a saleslady at The Men's Store. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Mrs. Castleberry had lived in Sweetwater for a month. She married Herbert Stuart Castleberry in 1941 at Alanreed. He died in 1975. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Brothers of Sweetwater; a sister, Vivian Corona of Houston; two brothers, Jimmy Pennington of Elk City, Okla., and Johnny Pennington of Tennessee; two grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Viewing will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday in the church. John Rogers KRESS - John Rogers, 60, died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jay Simpson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Kress Cemetery by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home of Plainview. Mr. Rogers was born in Tulia and was a lifetime resident of Swisher County. He graduated from Kress High School in 1957. He owned and operated Rogers Garage for 40 years and had served on the Kress City Council. He was a member of First Baptist Church and the National Guard Reserve. Survivors include a son, Jeffery Rogers of Kress; a daughter, Zenita Rowland of Hart; three brothers, Harold Ray Rogers of Greenville, Ed Rogers of Kress and Danny Rogers of Lake Tanglewood; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Kress Cemetery Association. Amarillo Robert Carl Gray Robert Carl "Bob" Gray, 56, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage, with Gary Abramson of Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officiating. Cremation is by Rector Funeral Home. Mr. Gray was born in Amarillo where he lived for most of his life. He was a volunteer for Coronado Kids, Inc. He was a competitive speed skater and had held a record for more than 30 years. Mr. Gray was a life member and past president of Panhandle Kennel Club. He was an American Kennel Club licensed dog show judge, served on the board of directors and was AKC delegate for the American Bullmastiff Association and was a member of Dog Judges Association of America. A member of the American Bullmastiff Association and Southwest Bullmastiff Club, he bred and owned a best in show dog among his champion bullmastiffs. Survivors include his wife Gayle; a son, David Gray of Amarillo; a brother, Jim Gray of Amarillo; a nephew, Dr. Todd Gray of Amarillo; and a grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to SPCA. The body will not be available for viewing. Socorro Gonzales Cortez Socorro Gonzales Cortez, 85, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church by the Rev. Hector Madrigal, pastor. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Cortez was born in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico, and had lived in Amarillo since 1931. She was a homemaker and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She married Valentin Cortez in 1931 in Amarillo. He died in 1973. She also was preceded in death by four sons, Valentin Cortez Jr., Manuel Cortez, Francisco Cortez and Francisco Cortez. Survivors include seven children, Joe Cortez Jr., Jesus Cortez, Guadalupe Tinajero, Felipe Cortez, Luis Cortez and Amelia Hermosillo, all of Amarillo and Ricardo Cortez of Pahrump, Nev.; a sister, Carmen Ramirez of San Antonio; 34 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Donald Ray Woods III Donald Ray Woods III, infant son of Donald Ray Woods Jr. and Tousha Henderson, of Amarillo, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today at Llano East Cemetery. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Survivors include his mother and father; a sister, Deniquea Moore; grandparents, Barbara Henderson, Elmo Skinner and Norma and Donald Ray Woods Sr., all of Amarillo. Rex L. Kirby Rex L. Kirby, 69, of Amarillo died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St. Burial with additional services will be at a later date in Mooreland Cemetery in Mooreland, Ind. Mr. Kirby was born in Hagerstown, Ind., and graduated from Mooreland High School. He attended Ball University for three years and fought in the Korean War with the Air Force. He was the owner/operator of Rex Kirby Lawn Service. Survivors include two sisters, Mary Lou Koontz of Mooreland and Peggy Sue Rednour of Shirley, Ind.; and three brothers, Ted C. Kirby and Dana F. Kirby, both of Greenfield, Ind., and Michael A. Kirby of Mooreland. Hayden Samuel Adams Hayden Samuel Adams, infant son of Martin and Christi Adams of Amarillo, died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Sunray Baptist Church in Sunray with the Rev. Philip Hilton, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Lane Memorial Cemetery in Sunray by Morrison Funeral Directors. Hayden was born in Amarillo. Survivors include his parents; a brother, Payton Adams of the home; his grandparents, Johnny C. Buse of Sunray and Mr. and Mrs. Mart Adams of Fort Stockton; and his great-grandparents, Agnes Buse of Sunray, Mr. and Mrs. Tab Brewster of El Paso and Happy Franklin of Fort Stockton. The family will be at 4630 S. Bonham in Amarillo. They suggest memorials be to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148. Bobbie Ruth Strawn Bobbie Ruth Strawn, 84, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Strawn was born in Cisco and had lived in Amarillo since 1996. She was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church of Perryton. Prior to moving to Amarillo, she lived in Spearman and Perryton. Survivors include two sons, Tom Strawn of Oklahoma City and Rodney Pierce Strawn of Spearman; two sisters, Cecile Woodward of Artesia, N.M., and Clara Henderson of Abilene; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Ware Memorial Care Center, 400 W. 14th, Amarillo, TX 79101. New Mexico Delfinio Lovato PORTALES, N.M. - Delfinio Lovato, 91, died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today at St. Helen Catholic Church by the Rev. Tobin Hitt. Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales, N.M. Mr. Lovato was born in Sena, N.M. He married Rita Saiz in 1932. In 1944, they moved to Portales, where he worked at Russell Dairy. He also trained horses for Dr. Monroe He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church. Mr. Lavato was preceded in death by a son, Paul, in 1988. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Frank Lovato, of Philadelphia, Chris Lovato and Ciprano Lovato both of Portales; four daughters, Vitalia Garcia, Patricia Smeal and Grace Peterson, all of Portales, and Felis Simpkins of Amarillo; a brother, Antonio Lovato; 37 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; and 70 great-great grandchildren. Elsewhere Lawrence Michael Nattrass GALLOWAY, Ohio - Lawrence Michael Nattrass, 39, died Monday, Aug. 23, 1999. Services will be at a later date in Galloway. Local and cremation arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle, Amarillo. Mr. Nattrass was born in New Mexico and had lived in Ohio for number of years. He was a truck driver. He is survived by his sister, Teresa Lister of Galloway. Reba Hyde Watkins ODESSA - Reba Hyde Watkins, 70, died Monday, Aug. 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jarrell Sharp officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. Mrs. Watkins was born in Franklin County and moved to Odessa in 1935. In 1948, she graduated from Odessa High School. With her husband, she served in the United Methodist Church in the Texas and Northwest Conferences from 1952 until 1973. In 1973, Mrs. Watkins moved to Midland where she and her husband were managers of the Midland College Bookstore for three years. She retired from the oil industry in 1990. She married Howell A. Watkins in 1950. Survivors include her husband; a son, David of Midland; a stepson, Ron of Kansas City, Mo.; two brothers, Ray of Rosenberg and Gerald of Midland; three step-grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to American Cancer Society, 2304 Wadley, Midland, TX 79705; or Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702. Fred Medford ANDREWS - Fred Medford, 72, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Means Memorial United Methodist Church of Andrews with the Rev. Norman Grigsby of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Amarillo and the Rev. Jim Terry, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Andrews Old Cemetery by McNett Funeral Home of Andrews. Mr. Medford was born in Bell County and lived in Andrews for 39 years. An Army veteran, he retired in 1986 after 32 years as maintenance foreman for Amaco. He was a member of Means Memorial United Methodist Church. He married Phyllis Elaine Kenworthy in 1950 at Goldsmith. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Dan Medford of Houston and Tim Medford of Amarillo; a daughter, Donna Bassham of Midland; two brothers, Pat Medford of Sundown and Albert Medford of La Grange; five grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Juvenile Diabetes Association.