Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 7 Dec 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; Tuesday, December 7, 1999, 6:32 AM Area Donald E. Neal BORGER - Donald E. Neal, 76, died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in the First United Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Ray St. Claire officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery at Borger by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Neal was born in South Sudbury, Mass., and moved to Borger in 1954 from Amarillo. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He retired after 26 years as an operator for Phillips Petroleum Co. at the Copolymer Plant. He married Mildred Landers in 1949 at Fort Smith, Ark. Survivors include his wife; a son, Don Neal Jr. of Borger; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1102 Monroe in Borger. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Laverne Joiner MEMPHIS - Laverne Joiner, 73, of Del City, Okla., died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. George Archer officiating. Arrangements are by Memphis Funeral Home. Mrs. Joiner was born in Memphis. She was a member of Southwest Baptist Church in Del City, where she played the piano and sang in the choir. She married Willard Joiner in 1994. She was preceded in death by her first husband, B. Pete Kinsey. Survivors include her husband; a son, Billy Britt Kinsey of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a daughter, Mary Alice Campbell of Florence, Colo.; two brothers Dempy David Archer and the Rev. George Franklin Archer, both of Houston; a granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to the Diabetes Foundation. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Herbert Raymond Bagwell CLAUDE - Herbert Raymond "Ray" Bagwell, 82, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Claude Cemetery with the Rev. Gene Weinette, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Claude, officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St., in Amarillo. Mr. Bagwell was born in Armstrong County. During World War II, he served in the Army with the 24th Infantry Div. 21st Regiment, Company B. He was discharged as a staff sergeant. Mr. Bagwell farmed in Armstrong County until moving to Claude in 1976. After his retirement, he worked as a carpenter and furniture maker. He married Ardyth Wertenberger in 1947 at Plainview. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sherry Wright of Houston and Linda Bagwell of Amarillo; a son, Don Bagwell of Amarillo; a sister, Lena Beth Scoggins of Van Buren, Ark.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. The family will be at 904 Dyer in Claude. They suggest memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or the Harrington Cancer Center. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Dolly Mae Baker DUMAS - Dolly Mae Baker, 73, died Saturday December 4, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with Bill Kelp, activity director of Dumas Nursing Center, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mrs. Baker was born in Fort Smith, Ark., and had lived in Dumas for the past 20 years. She was a former longtime Spearman resident. A retired licensed vocational nurse, she had been employed by the Dumas Nursing Center. She was preceded in death by a son, Fred Baker Jr., in 1989. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Redwine of Morse; two sons, Glen Baker of Denver and Troy Baker of San Angelo; an adopted daughter, Lois Smith of Dumas; a brother, Ray Fielding; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 217 N. Meredith in Dumas. They suggest memorials be to Dumas Nursing Center, 1009 S. Maddox, Dumas, TX 79029. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Emma Wilson DUMAS - Emma Wilson, 78, died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Don Selman, pastor of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mrs. Wilson was born in Helena, Okla., and had lived in Moore County since 1965. She was a former Hartley County resident, where she graduated from high school. She was a homemaker and member of First Christian Church. She married Wilber Wilson in 1945 at Stratford. He died in 1994. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Hanson, in 1981. Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Wilson of Amarillo; two sisters, Frances Holden of Dumas and Merial Walton of Mount Pleasant; and four grandchildren. The family will be at 113 Cedar in Dumas. They suggest memorials be to First Christian Church, Box 791, Dumas, TX 79029; or Dumas Nursing Center, 1009 S. Maddox, Dumas, TX 79029. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Cipriana Sepulveda LOCKNEY - Cipriana Sepulveda, 83, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today in Bethel Assembly of God Church. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with Vincente Villalon Jr., pastor of The Redeemer Assembly of God Church in Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Lockney Cemetery by MooreRose-White Funeral Home of Lockney. Mrs. Supulveda was born in La Grulla. In 1959, she moved to Lockney from Pharr. She had farmed and was a homemaker. She was a member of Bethel Assembly of God Church. She married Encarnacion Sepulveda in 1939 at Edinburg. He died in 1990. Survivors include four sons, Pete Gonzalez of Exeter, Calif., Joe Sepulveda of Buda, Chon Sepulveda of Lubbock and Santos Sepulveda of Waseca, Minn.; five daughters, Irene Hernandez of Streamwood, Ill., Maria Villalon of Plainview and Josephina Galvan, Lupe Enriquez and Angie Gonzalez, all of Lockney; 41 grandchildren; and 64 great-grandchildren. Viewing will be until time of service Wednesday at the church. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Catherine Joy Payne McClain PAMPA - Catherine Joy Payne McClain, 67, died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Amarillo with the Rev. Dana Moore, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. McClain was born in Loco and raised in Wellington, where she graduated from high school in 1950. In 1978, she moved to Pampa. She had been a nurse's aide in Carlsbad, N.M., and for the Coronado Nursing Home in Pampa. She was a Baptist. She married Rube M. McClain in 1977 at Carlsbad. Her first marriage was in 1952 to Bobby J. Johnson. She was preceded in death by her first husband and by a son, Michael Gene Johnson, in 1954. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Tammy Langford of Elk City, Okla.; a son, Jimmy Ray Johnson of Panhandle; her mother, Ruby Payne of Amarillo; two sisters, Sylvia Sanders of Pampa and Marie Porter of Amarillo; a brother, John Otis Payne of Lubbock; and four grandchildren. Viewing will be from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. today at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home and from noon until time of service Wednesday at the church. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, 2404 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Morris S. Alverson CHILDRESS - Morris S. Alverson, 86, of Brownfield, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Childress Cemetery with the Rev. Kerry Wood officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home of Childress. Mr. Alverson was born in Childress County and was a retired farmer. Survivors include a brother, William David Alverson of Del Rio, and a sister, Mary Ruth Hamilton of Childress. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Joe Bishop DALHART - Joe Bishop, 68, died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with Jerry Davis, pastor of People's Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Home of Dalhart. Mr. Bishop was born in Dalhart and graduated from Dalhart High School in 1950. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a carpenter and past member of Dalhart Elks Lodge. Survivors include a daughter, Dee Dee Jo Bell of Dalhart; a son, Brent Bishop of Dalhart; a brother, Leroy Bishop of Arlington; three sisters, Lola Bell Jones of Granbury, Ora Lea Latta of Amarillo and Marilyn Kay Bishop of California; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Alton Porter DALHART - Alton Porter, 74, died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Christian Church with Ray M. Guy, senior minister of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home of Dalhart. Mr. Porter was born in Dallas County and graduated from Dalhart High School in 1943. During World War II, he served with the Army in the European Theater in France. He was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Mr. Porter returned to Dalhart and operated a furniture store. He then moved to Fort Worth, where he sold insurance. After his retirement, he returned to Dalhart. Survivors include two daughters, Leslie Dupy of Springfield, Mo., and Lindsey Escott of Fort Worth; his mother, Villia Porter of Dalhart; a brother, Wendell Porter of Dalhart; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Amarillo Metaline Marquardt Metaline Marquardt, 97, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements were handled by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Marquardt moved to Amarillo one year ago. She had lived in Pine Bluff, Wyo., taught school at Headrick, Okla., and for 10 years, had lived in Loveland, Colo. She married Woodard Lee in 1926 at Headrick. He died in 1973. She married John Marquardt in 1976 at McAllen. He died in 1996. Survivors include a son, Greig Lee of Amarillo; a daughter, Linda West of Fredericksburg, Va.; a sister, Juanita Trimmer of Phoenix; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Thelma Corgill Thelma Corgill, 91, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Primitive Baptist Church, 914 Colorado with Elder R.A. Tindall of the church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 15th and Martin Rd. Mrs. Corgill was born in Jacksboro. She was a homemaker and member of the Primitive Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Bob Corgill, in 1987, two daughters and a son. Survivors include a daughter, Martha Reese of Callisburg; a son, Jim Corgill of Hackett; a sister, Rita Smith of Tucumcari, N.M.; 15 grandchildren; 19 greatgrandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Dorothy Jean Matthews Dorothy Jean Matthews, 64, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with the Rev. Robert Lindley officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Matthews was born in Paris, Texas, and was a longtime resident of Amarillo. She was a housewife and a member of River Road Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, David Russell Matthews, Stuart Matthews and Jimmy Don Matthews; a daughter, Peggy Louis Patton; four sisters, Ann Evins, Judy Burch, Faye Webb and Robie Thomas; 11 grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren. Martha Josephine Word Martha Josephine Word, 81, of Albuquerque, N.M., died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church in Amarillo. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park in Borger by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell Ave. Mrs. Word was raised in Oklahoma and attended business school in Norman. In the 1940s, she and her husband moved to Phillips then moved to Borger in the 1960s. In the 1970s, she moved to Amarillo, where she attended Paramount Terrace Christian Church. She moved to Albuquerque in the early 1990s. She married James C. Word Jr. Survivors include her son, Jim Word of Mesa, Ariz.; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Mary P. Evans Mary P. Evans, 44, of Amarillo, died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Phillip Randle officiating. Mrs. Evans was born in Kilgore and moved to Amarillo in 1957. She graduated from Palo Duro High School and attended Amarillo College. She worked for Corporate Systems in software quality assurance. Survivors include a son, Jason Evans of Amarillo; a daughter, Jaime Evans of Brownfield; and a brother, Kenneth Pilkington of Amarillo. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Kenneth J. Fry Kenneth J. Fry, 73, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Argus Burnett, minister, officiating. Burial with military honors by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26 will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Fry was born in Fremont, Neb., and moved to Amarillo in 1980 from Norfolk, Neb. In 1988, he retired from Tiernan Aeration. During World War II, he served in the Navy. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He married Ruth A. Gray in 1955 at Iowa. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sue Ann Fry. Survivors include his wife; five sons, Wesley A. Fry, Harry L. Fry and Tony L. Fry, all of Amarillo, and Scott N. Fry and Bruce W. Fry, both of Lincoln, Neb.; two daughters, Angela D. Schaible of Norfork and Susie D. Fry of Amarillo; a brother, Harold Fry of Washington; a sister, Frances Marasco; and three grandchildren. Viewing will be from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. today. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Betty Jean Henley Betty Jean Henley, 65, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Dale Travis, pastor of Family Life Fellowship, officiating. Mrs. Henley was born in McCrory, Ark., and lived in Amarillo most of her life. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a daughter, Jan Browning of Amarillo; four sons, Mike Mason, Danny Mason, Rusty Mason and Chris Mason, all of Amarillo; a sister, Martha Coble of Amarillo; a brother, James Worthan of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 New Mexico Harold D. Smothermon CLOVIS, N.M. - Harold D. Smothermon, 66, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in The Chapel, 1500 Thornton, with David Swann officiating. Burial will be in Santa Fe National Cemetery at Santa Fe. Military honors will be by Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard by Muffley Funeral Home Inc. Mr. Smothermon was born in Walla Walla, Wash. He entered the Air Force in 1950 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam. He retired in 1974 at Altus, Okla., and moved to Clovis. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3280, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Faith Family Christian Church. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Bryan Smothermon and Chris Smothermon, both of Broken Arrow, Okla., Steve Smothermon of Roswell and Troy Smothermon of Clovis; a daughter, Iris Moore of Broken Arrow; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Rachel K. Crystal DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. - Rachel K. Crystal, 83, died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in National Cemetery at Santa Fe with Rabbi Isaac Celnik officiating. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Williams officiating. Mrs. Crystal was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She graduated from Hunter College at New York City. She served in the Navy during World War II as a private 3rd class. She was a member of Dean Lucas Post 25. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and had served as a past president. She also had been active with the Future Homemakers of America, Future Farmers of America and Girl and Boy Scouts of America. Mrs. Crystal was active in county extension organizations and the Cattle Capital Cowbells and Nightowls. She was a 50-year member and had served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross. She had been a member of the Encanto Garden Club, Order of Eastern Star, was a Friend of the Library and a donor to the Clovis High School Library. She was a congregation member of B'Nai Israel in Albuquerque. She was a homemaker and had been a hat designer for Dache.' She married Philip Crystal in 1944 at Brooklyn. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Michael R. Crystal, Robert L. Crystal and Jonathan A. Crystal; two daughters, Stephanie Thorp and Marcia Nordyke; and eight grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the American Red Cross. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Celedon E. Gutierrez CLAYTON, N.M. - Celedon E. Gutierrez, 81, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church by Deacon Louis Montoya. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Francis Catholic Church by the Rev. George Silva, pastor. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mr. Gutierrez was born in Atencio, N.M., and was a longtime resident of Union County. He owned and operated the Rabbit Ear Cafe for 27 years at Clayton, retiring in 1972. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He married Eloyda Eulalie Gonzales in 1939. She died in 1987. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Rose Mary Gutierrez, in 1941. Survivors include five daughters, Bertha Torres, Connie Vital and Terri Sanchez, all of Clayton, Helen Cimini of Fredricksburg, Va., and Victoria Trujillo of Boise City, Okla.; two sons, Gilbert Gutierrez and Julian Gutierrez, both of Clayton; a sister, Quirina Craine of Clayton; a brother, Fidel Gutierrez of Clayton; 25 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999 Kansas Ruth Lucile Thrall ELKHART, Kan. - Ruth Lucile Thrall, 91, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Morning Star United Methodist Church at Hough, Okla., with the Rev. Gary Shryock officiating. Burial will be in Barden Cemetery in rural Guymon, Okla. Arrangements are by Harrell Funeral Home of Elkhart. Mrs. Thrall was born in Chicago and moved to Elkhart in 1988. She was a homemaker and a member of Morning Star United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Homebuilder's Club and WCTU, all of Hough. She married Beauford Thrall in 1928 north of Guymon. He died in 1959. Survivors include three sons, Harold Thrall and Ralph Thrall, both of Guymon and Carl Thrall of Felt, Okla.; a sister, Verda Rommel of Brewster, Wash.; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family requests memorials be to Morning Star United Methodist Church or Barden Cemetery c/o Betty Dain, Route 2, Guymon, OK 73947. Amarillo Daily News, Dec. 7, 1999