Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 4 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; Saturday, September 4, 1999, 7:26 AM Amarillo Leah Hodges Leah Hodges, 34, of Dallas, formerly of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Jud Wilhite, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Miss Hodges was born in Amarillo and moved to Dallas 10 years ago. She was a sales assistant with First Dallas Securities. Survivors include a daughter, Chloe Noelle Soverns of Nevada; her parents, Gary and Deborah Hodges of Amarillo; a stepmother, Lynda Banger of Amarillo; two sisters, Deidre Stuart and Debra Fawvor, both of Dallas; two stepsisters, Eren Allen of San Diego and Kerry O'Brien of Amarillo; and her grandmother, Mavis Stroble of Albuquerque, N.M. The family will be at 2615 S. Hayden. They suggest memorials be to Buckner Foundation, Adoption and Maternity Services, 4830 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, TX 75228. D. Russell Weston D. Russell Weston, 85, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel in Borger with the Rev. Ken Sheppard, pastor of Faith Covenant Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Beatitudes in Westlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Weston was born in Lee County, Va., and had lived in Borger from 1948 until 1995. From 1941 until 1946, he served in the armed forces. He graduated with an engineering degree from University of Oklahoma and received his master's of business administration from West Texas State College. Mr. Weston retired in 1978 after 46 years as an engineer for Phillips Petroleum Co. He was a member and past president of American Petroleum Institute. In 1995, he moved to Amarillo. He married Wilma Jarrell in 1945 at Pampa. He is survived by his wife. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Tom Powell Tommy Powell, 30, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Rd., with Jim Fox, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Cancy Cemetery in Cherokee County, Okla. Mr. Powell was born in Pawnee, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1984 from Colcord, Okla. In 1986, he graduated from River Road High School. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Delaware County, Okla. He married Christian Oliva Banos in 1993. Survivors include his wife; a son, Nicolas Powell of Amarillo; his mother, Cossena Powell of Colcord; two brothers, Terry Powell of Amarillo and Les Powell of Colcord; four sisters, Karen Thames of Martinez, Calif., Cindy Powell of Pinole, Calif., Cindi Riggins of Colcord, and Tammy Powell Avant of Dover, Ark.; and his grandparents, John Catron of Stilwell, Okla., Louise Reed of Tahlequah, Okla., and Lillie Powell of Farwell. Margaret C. Bencini Margaret C. Bencini, 84, died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999. Private family services will be held. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Bencini was born in Kansas City, Mo., and had lived in Amarillo for 29 years. She was a homemaker and a past member of Southwest Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rupert Leslie Bencini, in 1984. Survivors include two sons, Denzel Bencini of Amarillo and Leslie Bencini of Monroeville, Pa.; and two granddaughters. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001; or a favorite charity. Metta Pearl Rogers Metta Pearl Rogers, 92, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle with the Rev. Raymond Bowlin, pastor of First Baptist Church of Bushland, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Rogers was born in Indian Territory near Sayre, Okla., and had lived in Amarillo for 50 years. She was engaged in the ranching and restaurant business. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bushland. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Floyd Rogers, in 1977. Survivors include a son, Richard David Rogers of Amarillo; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Marilynn Tuttle Marilynn Tuttle, 79, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Park Cemetery followed by memorial services at 3 p.m. in Robison Chapel of the Plains, First Christian Church with Dr. Alan Lobaugh, senior minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Tuttle was born in Chicago and had lived in Amarillo since 1946. She retired as office manager for Dr. Billy Rual Jones. She was a member of First Christian Church. She married Robert Harold Tuttle in 1946. He died in 1969. Survivors include two sons, Phil Tuttle of Woodbridge, Va., and Cliff Tuttle of San Francisco; a half-brother, Donald Coffman of Seattle; and two grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. They suggest memorials to First Christian Church, 3001 Wolflin, Amarillo, TX 79109; or Martha's Home, 1204 W. 18th, Amarillo, TX 79102. New Mexico Lola Godfrey CLOVIS, N.M. - Lola Godfrey, 94, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Steed-Todd Funeral Chapel with Robert Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Godfrey was born in Arkansas. She had been a resident of Clovis for the past 25 years and was a lifelong member of Church of Christ. She was married to James Bryan Godfrey. He died in 1981. Survivors include three daughters, Jimmalee Nieves, Fern Stewart and Imogene Godfrey, all of Clovis; a sister, Trilvy Foreman of Miami, Okla.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Masako Black CLOVIS, N.M. - Masako Black, 64, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Christian Church with the Rev. James O'Brien officiating. Arrangement are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Black was born in Osaka, Japan, and was a longtime resident of Clovis. She married Walter Black in 1967 at Tokyo, Japan. She is survived by her husband. Area Ila Whitman Stephens SHAMROCK - Ila Whitman Stephens, 94, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in the First United Methodist Church of Shamrock with the Rev. Julius Early, pastor of the Quitaque United Church, officiating, assisted by the Rev. John Dorn of Shamrock United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Shamrock Cemetery with arrangements by Wright Funeral Home. Mrs. Stephens was born in Shaver, Ark. She attended Arkansas Tech at Russellville, Ark., and taught school in Branch, Ark. She married Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Stephens in 1926 at Carbon City, Ark. Then they moved to Texas and settled in the Abra Community south of Shamrock. In 1927, they moved to the Shamrock area. She worked at B&L Department Store for 16 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shamrock for more than 63 years, where she was a youth teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, in 1992. Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte Stephens Bergin of Gruver and Shelah Stephens Lile of Lubbock; a son, S.S. Buddy Stephens of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Shamrock United Methodist Church, the Shamrock Meals on Wheels or the Shamrock Cemetery Association, Shamrock, TX 79079. Alice Olene Edwards TURKEY - Alice Olene Edwards, 89, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Renay Rice of Dickens and the Rev. Melvin Clinton officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Myers-Long Funeral Directors of Turkey. Mrs. Edwards was born at Fort Sumner, N.M., and moved to Turkey with her family in 1919. She was a member of The Hope Baptist Church. She had worked as a practical nurse and a cowgirl. She was a poet and ballad singer. She married Roy Edwards in 1926 at Turkey. He died in 1974. Survivors include five daughters, Christine Brummett and Kay Beavers, both of Quitaque, Nelta Green of Plainview, Rita Northcross of Chandler, Okla., and Anita Ramsey of Silverton; four sons, Jearl Edwards of Amarillo, Jerry Edwards of Quitaque and Bruce Edwards and Bobby Edwards, both of Ingleside; 26 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Turkey Heritage Foundation, c/o Lawana Cruse, Turkey Texas. Fred Austin Harrell PLAINVIEW - Fred Austin Harrell, 56, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Joe P. Weldon, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, officiating. Private burial for family only will be in Plainview Memorial Park. Mr. Harrell was born in Sayre, Okla., where he graduated from high school. In 1961, he moved to Plainview. For 12 years, he was a manager for C.R. Anthony's and he worked as a salesman for Jack Morris Ford for 27 years. He married Jackie Noland in 1967 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; a son, Shane Harrell of Plainview; four brothers, Bud Harrell of Sweetwater, Glenn Harrell of Sayre and Marvin Harrell and Billy Lehew, both of Oklahoma; and two sisters, Vergie Callen of Midland and Ruth Pyeatt of Reydon, Okla. J.M. Murrell Brown MULESHOE - J.M. Murrell Brown, 82, of Post, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Bobby Broyles of First Baptist Church of Earth officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Mr. Brown was born in Coghill, Tenn. In 1944, he moved to Muleshoe from Oklahoma Lane. He had been a school business manager for the Muleshoe Independent School District for 20 years. Mr. Brown was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a York Consisitory 26th degree Mason. He was a member of the Muleshoe Jaycees where he had served as president. He married Doris Wharton in 1941 at Clovis, N.M. She died in 1973. Survivors include three daughters, Merle Katherine Claypool of Logan, N.M., Sheryl Lynn Welch of Muleshoe and Carol Ann Hester of Post; two brothers, Dee and F.L. "Jackie" Brown, both of Muleshoe; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery, P.O. Box 373, Muleshoe, TX 79347; or a favorite charity. Tommy Earl Simmons BORGER - Tommy Earl Simmons, 84, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Assembly of God with the Rev. Calvin Newton, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Devotion in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Simmons was born in Grainola, Okla., and had lived in Hutchinson County since 1940. During World War II, he served with the Army Engineers in Iceland. In 1977, Mr. Simmons retired from plant construction and maintenance for Phillips Petroleum Co. He was a master Mason and 50-year member of Adobe Walls Lodge No. 1355 and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1789. He married Marie Higgins in 1936 at Shidler, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a son, Tommy D. Simmons of Borger; and a brother, Andrew Simmons of Shidler. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of the Panhandle. Tom Quirk DUMAS - Tom Quirk, 69, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Wagoner, pastor, and Dr. Vince Kolb, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dumas, officiating. Burial will be in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors. Born in Groom, Mr. Quirk had lived in Dumas since 1969. He was an Army veteran, a farmer and a member of First United Methodist Church. He married Anita Tibbets in 1997 at Panhandle. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Tronda Foote of Idalou; a son, Lynn Quirk of Sunray; two stepsons, Mark Moore of Tomball and Mike Tibbets of Oklahoma City; three stepdaughters, Cindy Miller of Jamestown, Ohio, Robin Newby of Enid, Okla., and Toni Upton of Canyon; two brothers, John Quirk of Fritch and Jerry Quirk of Dickerson; four sisters, Georgia Jean Turner of Hobbs, N.M., Evelyn Ollinger of Groom, Shirley Husted of Irving and Mary Baggerman of Claude; and 14 grandchildren. The family will be at 129 Bailey in Dumas. They suggest memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 East Second, Dumas, TX 79029; or First United Methodist Church Building Fund, Box 395, Dumas, TX 79029; or a favorite charity. Leona Blanche Woltzen PANHANDLE - Leona Blanche Woltzen, 90, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Memorial services are planned for a later date in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Linn Township, Benson, Ill. Arrangements are by Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth. Miss Woltzen was born in Benson and had lived in Panhandle since 1974. A homemaker, she was a Lutheran and a member of the Wolther League. She is survived by her brother, Buster Beenders of Panhandle; nieces and nephews. Deborah Kay Baker WELLINGTON - Deborah Kay Baker, 45, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in North Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Monte Kreis, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington. Mrs. Baker was born in Floydada and attended school in Wellington. She was a cook in a nursing home and a hairdresser. Her first marriage was to Lonnie Ray Driver in 1969 at Durant, Okla. He died in 1977. Her second marriage was to Fred Baker in 1984 at Quanah. He died in 1991. Survivors include four sons, Lonny Driver of Wellington, Cory Driver of Hollis, Okla., Brandon Driver of Poteau, Okla., and Buddy Driver of Childress; her mother, Dorothy Green of Wellington; two brothers, Jacob Green of Oklahoma City and Douglas Green of Wellington; four sisters, Ann Smith of Amarillo, Linda Rollins and Yvonne Dugger, both of Hollis, and Vicky James of Altus, Okla.; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Lung Association, American Cancer Society or the Wellington Cemetery Association. Raymond Lee Pearce PLAINVIEW - Raymond Lee Pearce, 81, died Friday, Sept. 3, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church Family Life Center with Dr. Travis Hart, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Lemons Funeral Home of Plainview. Mr. Pearce was born in Troup then moved to Springlake when he was 5 and attended schools in Plainview. He worked in the C.C. Camp and served in the Navy from 1942 until 1945. After his discharge, Mr. Pearce worked for the Cloverlake Dairy in Plainview, Plainview Ice Co., and Lusters Laundry. For 10 years, he worked for the Plainview Independent School District. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Disabled Veterans and the Plainview Senior Citizens. He married Mildred Avis in 1950 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; nieces and nephews.