Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 7 Jan 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; Thursday, January 7, 1999, 6:31 AM Amarillo Melton L. Mullican Melton L. Mullican, 73, of Amarillo, died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Bill Kelley and Gary Chadwicke officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Mullican was born in Clarksville and moved to Amarillo in 1961. He attended schools in Arlington and Grand Prairie. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Mullican was employed as a security guard for IBP and was a truck driver. He was a member of First Christian Church in Panhandle, the Masonic Lodge, Carson Lodge in Panhandle, Khiva Temple and Scottish Rite. He was a Khiva Klown, provost and 32nd degree Mason. He married Jo Ann Stephens in 1954 at Durant, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sandy Small of Medicine Lodge, Kan., and Diane Smart of Commerce; three brothers, Charles Mullican of Baytown and Johnny Morris and Don Morris, both of Arkansas; four sisters, Mary Hooten of Clarendon, Nadine Mullican of Angel Fire, N.M., and Wanda Gower and Pat Like, both of Dumas; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 6 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. They suggest memorials be to Khiva Hospital Travel Fund. Margaret Stevenson Margaret "Peggy" Stevenson, 68, of 2902 Eddy, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in BlackburnShaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with the Rev. Keith Boutwell of Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Stevenson was born in Kansas City, Kan. She married Kenneth Robert Stevenson in 1948 at Sweetwater. She was a homemaker and a member of Olsen Park Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Kenda McDaniel of Amarillo; a son, John C. Stevenson of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. The family will be at 4401 Cline Road. Dene Hawkins Dene Hawkins, 69, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Terry C. Lowe of St. Stephen United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Hawkins was born in Saddle Mountain, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in his youth. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1948. He attended Amarillo College and was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin in 1956. He served in the Marines during the Korean War. He married Janene Wrather in 1956. They moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked for the National Security Agency. He later worked in wholesale electronic sales in the Amarillo and Dallas-Fort Worth areas. He was a member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife; a son, Russell Hawkins of Amarillo; a daughter, Becky Childers of Perryton; a brother, Roy Hawkins of Amarillo; and three grandsons. The family requests memorials be to Kirkland Court Activity Fund, 1601 Kirkland, Amarillo, TX 79106 or the American Diabetes Association. The family will be at 4813 Gary Lane. Vernell Moore Vernell "Pops" Moore, 66, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Warford-Walker Mortuary Inc., Chapel of Roses, 509 N. Hughes St., with the Rev. Howard Romaine, pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Borger, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Moore was born in Lincoln and attended Doak Spring High School. In 1947, he moved to Amarillo and was employed by ASARCO. He retired in 1978. He married Joretha Moore in 1980. Survivors include four sons, Stanley and Eugene Moore, both of San Diego, Tommie Moore of Dallas and Ryan Keith Dawn Moore of Amarillo; three daughters, Gwendolyn Moore of San Diego, Linda Moore of Lakewood, Calif., and Tanji McAldridge of Lubbock; two sisters, Ruth Moore of Lincoln and Eunice Moore of Giddings; and four brothers, Lester Moore of Amarillo, Johnny and Elton Moore, both of Houston, and Omar Shamaree of Lincoln. The family will be at 1423 N.W. 13th Ave. Evert Willard Fugate Sr. Evert Willard Fugate Sr., 83, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Graveside services will be private. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Fugate was born in Depew, Okla. He was a veteran of the Air Force where he served four years as crew chief. For many years, he was a brick mason with Fugate Masonry. He married Irene Reynolds in 1994 at Tucumcari, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Louella Ryan of Harrah, Okla.; a son, Evert Willard "Willie" Fugate Jr. of Amarillo; two sisters, Effie Smoot of Oklahoma City and Grace Linley of Amarillo; and three grandchildren. Roger Scott Sr. Roger Scott Sr., 84, of Pampa and formerly of Amarillo, died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Grover Neal, pastor, and the Rev. I.L. Patrick officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary Inc., 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Scott was born in Upshire County and graduated from Lake Providence Colored School. He attended Texas College in Tyler then later moved to Amarillo. In 1948, Mr. Scott became the first African-American police officer in Amarillo. The highlight of his 42-year career was being named Officer of the Year. He retired in 1980 from the Pampa Police Department with the rank of sergeant. Mr. Scott was active in the National Black Police Officer Association of Texas, the Elks, NAACP, Macedonia Baptist Church of Pampa and other community organizations. Survivors include a daughter, Willie E. Atkins of Amarillo; six sons, Sammy Scott, Roger Scott Jr., Bruce Scott and Calvin Ryan, all of Amarillo, Gene Scott of Denver and Alphonso Owens of Dallas; 16 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will be at 604 Arnold Place. Clarence Worth Freeman Clarence Worth "Pete" Freeman, 76, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Private memorial services are planned. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Freeman was born in Moran and was a longtime resident of Muleshoe. A Navy veteran of World War II, he was awarded two Bronze Stars. From 1970 until 1986, Mr. Freeman owned and operated a drilling business in Canyon. After retiring, he lived in Las Cruces, N.M., for 12 years before moving to Amarillo seven months ago. He married Jean Foster in 1947 at Muleshoe. He was preceded in death by twin sons. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Jeatonne Slaughter of Burleson and Jeanene Scoggin of Las Cruces; two sons, Carol W. Freeman and Rick B. Freeman, both of Amarillo; a sister, Lois Rundell of Magnolia; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Karl W. Hibbs Karl W. "Dutch" Hibbs, 92, of Amarillo, died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with Dr. Dana Moore of the church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mr. Hibbs was born in Mitchellville, Iowa, then moved to Amarillo. He retired from Texaco Oil. He was a member of Texaco Retirees' Club and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He married Auda Lewis in 1928 at Pampa. He was preceded in death by a son, Karl Lewis Hibbs, in 1930. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Karleen Conner of Amarillo; two sons, Robert I. Hibbs and Jerry L. Hibbs, both of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Ark Fund at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Dennis Sprague Dennis Sprague, 51, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Burial will be in Llano East Cemetery. Mr. Sprague moved to Amarillo 24 years ago from Muscatine, Iowa. He was a welder in construction. He married Mary Adams in 1964 at Muscatine. Survivors include his wife; two sons, J.J. Sprague of Korea and Stanley Sprague of Amarillo; a daughter, Deniece Forsyth of Colorado; his mother, Pauline Sprague of Tobin Creek, Mo.; a brother, Darrell Lee Sprague of Louisiana; and a sister, Pam Smith. The body will not be available for viewing. Erma Lee Denton Erma Lee Denton, 85, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. F.M. Byford of Paramount Baptist Church officiating. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Lakeview Cemetery at Lakeview. Mrs. Denton was born in Lakeview. In 1981, she moved to Amarillo from Memphis. She was a homemaker and member of Paramount Baptist Church. She married James Loran Denton in 1935 at Lakeview. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1975 and by a son, Durwood Lynn Denton, in 1942. Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Ann Walker of Amarillo; two sons, Royce Odell Denton of Seymour and Dennis Allan Denton of Amarillo; three sisters, Gertrude West of Fresno, Calif., Katrina Nash of Oceanside, Calif., and Sue Holcomb of Amarillo; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 4005 Harmony. Canyon Lavonne Courington Snoddy Lavonne Courington Snoddy, 88, of Canyon, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City, 25th and Western. Private burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Oklahoma City. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mrs. Snoddy was born in Payne County near Yale, Okla. She grew up and attended school near Howe, Okla. She graduated from Smithville Academy in Smithville, Okla., and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State College at Durant. In 1930, she married James Manford Snoddy and they lived in Oklahoma City. She was active in Oklahoma City's First Presbyterian Church. After her husband's death in 1963, she became a housemother, serving sororities and fraternities at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Arizona, University of Arkansas and Oklahoma State University. She moved to Canyon in 1994 and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a sister, Ruth Wyman of Fall Brook, Calif.; a son, Jack Snoddy of Bethany, Okla.; a daughter, Shirley Haines of Canyon; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Canyon Library Building Fund, 301 16th St., Canyon, TX 79015. Herta Meyer Albers Herta Meyer Albers, 92, of Canyon, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. Wayne Pafk, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mrs. Albers was born in Ritterhude, Germany. For 36 years, she taught school in Friona, Skellytown and Amarillo. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Palo Duro Hospital Auxiliary, Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Garden Club and Good Samaritan Children's Lutheran Home. She married Emil Albers in 1946 at Lubbock. He died in 1975. Survivors include a stepson, Bruce Albers of Mesa, Ariz.; a stepdaughter, Phyllis Kroeger of Seward, Neb.; a sister, Anna Meyer Gaertner of Dallas; and numerous grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Good Samaritan Campus, P.O. Box 729, Cypress, TX 77410-0729; or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2600 Fourth Ave., Canyon, TX 79015. Area Bernard J. Funk MEMPHIS - Bernard J. Funk, 87, died Monday, Dec. 28, 1998. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Neely Landrum officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Memphis Funeral Home. Mr. Funk was born in Philadelphia and lived in New Jersey and Florida before moving to Memphis in 1993. In 1971, he retired after 40 years with Western Electric. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen. Survivors include two daughters, Eileen Atkins of Memphis and Sharon Stellwag of Riverside, N.J.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Bud Sullivan DUMAS - Bud Sullivan, 82, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church of Dumas with the Rev. Scott Willingham, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Channing Cemetery in Channing by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Sullivan was born in Bonham County and had lived in Dumas since 1948. He was an Army veteran of World War II. In 1983, Mr. Sullivan retired as manager of Dumas Co-op after 35 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He married Elizabeth Garrison in 1948 at Tucumcari, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Martha Foster of Midland; a son, Michael Sullivan of Dumas; a brother, Don Sullivan of Yakima, Wash.; three sisters, Anne Gilbert of Dumas, Theda DiMario of La Mirada, Calif., and Helen Leming of Ontario, Calif.; and four grandchildren. The family will be at the family home one mile west of Dumas. They suggest memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. Second, Dumas, TX 79029; or First Baptist Church, Box 617, Dumas, TX 79029. Marion Griffin Cummins QUANAH - Marion Griffin Cummins, 85, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jesse Dea officiating. Burial will be in Quanah Memorial Park by Price-Jackson Funeral Home. Mrs. Cummins was born in Goodlett and was a longtime resident of Quanah, where she graduated from high school. She then attended Texas State College for Women in Denton and West Texas State University. She was a homemaker and member of First United Methodist Church, the 1904 Club and many civic organizations. In 1975, she married James Tucker, who died in 1983. She married A.B. Cummins in 1989 at Altus, Okla. He died in 1994. Survivors include a son, James A. Currie of Abernathy; a sister, Fern Nippert of Quanah; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Annie Keeton Thomas PAMPA - Annie Keeton Thomas, 75, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Darrell W. Evans, pastor, and the Rev. Barry A. Loving, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mobeetie Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Thomas was born in Pearl. She was a 16-year resident of Sunray. She moved to Spearman in 1966. In 1976, she moved to Pampa. She was a self-employed seamstress, did several types of artwork and attended the First Christian Church. She married Jerrold Thomas in 1946 at Canadian. Survivors include her husband; a son, Delbert Thomas of Wheeler; a daughter, Dianne Goode of Rio Rancho, N.M.; two brothers, O.G. Keeton of Plainview and J.P. Keeton of Canadian; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, P.O. Box 2234, Pampa, TX 79066-2234;; or the American Kidney Fund, Memorial Gift Program, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852. Oklahoma Irma Lee Weber HOOKER, Okla. - Irma Lee Weber, 73, died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999. Private graveside rites were Wednesday in Hooker Cemetery. Memorial services were at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Taylor officiating. Arrangements were by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon. Mrs. Weber was born in her family's home near Hooker. She grew up near the Mouser community west of Hooker. She attended Fernwood and Friendship grade schools through seventh grade and the Hooker schools through her senior year. She graduated from Hooker High School in 1943. She attended PAMC at Goodwell for a year before accepting a teaching position in the grade school at Straight during the first year of that school's existence, 1944-1945. She later worked for Dr. Blackmer at the Blackmer-Cawley Clinic for several years. She was a member of First Baptist Church and the Social Club. She was a homemaker, a cook and seamstress. She married Gene Weber in 1949 at Hooker. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Darlynn Suto of Guymon, Jeanine Fishback of Forsan, Texas, and Lori Jackson of Canyon, Texas; and seven grandchildren. An Irma Weber Memorial has been established for the Hooker Main Street Program or the Hooker Cemetery Fund. Memorials will be accepted at Hooker City offices or the Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Lillian Beatrice Bledsoe GUYMON, Okla. - Lillian Beatrice Bledsoe, 92, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Foursquare Church with the Rev. Alvin Clark officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon. Mrs. Bledsoe was born north of Guymon. A lifelong Guymon resident, she graduated from Guymon High School in 1926 and then attended college at Panhandle A&M College in Goodwell. She taught at the Eula School and was a longtime member of Foursquare Church. She married John S. Bledsoe in 1927. He died in 1966. Survivors include a daughter, Lo Ree Foreman of Dumas, Texas; three sons, Norman Bledsoe and Darrell Bledsoe, both of Guymon, and Bill Bledsoe of Holcomb, Kan.; a sister, Ruth Bohanan of Guymon; 17 grandchildren; 31 greatgrandchildren; and seven great-greatgrandchildren. A Lillian Bledsoe Memorial has been established for the Foursquare Church. Memorials will be accepted at the church office or Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. New Mexico Ernestina Rodriguez CLOVIS, N.M. - Ernestina "Tina" Rodriguez, 25, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Muffley Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in The Chapel with the Rev. Peter Jaramillo officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories. Miss Rodriguez was born in Portales. A homemaker, she lived in Clovis until 1982 when she moved to the Moriarty and Willard area. Survivors include a daughter, Corine Rodriguez of Clovis; a son, Isaiah Matthew Rodriguez of Clovis; her parents, Corine and Joe Rodriguez and Ernesto Rodriguez of Willard; a sister, Henrietta Garcia of Clovis; and two brothers, Ernest Rodriguez and James Chavez, both of Moriarty. Elsewhere Sylvia B. Smith CROSS PLAINS - Sylvia B. Smith, 82, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Memory Gardens of Hobbs, N.M., with Wayne Lenz officiating. Arrangements are by Higginbotham Funeral Home of Cross Plains. Mrs. Smith was born in Carrizozo, N.M. She was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church of Cross Plains. She married Charles G. Smith in 1936 at Lovington, N.M. He died in 1971. Survivors include two sons, Bill Smith of Amarillo and Jim Smith of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; a daughter, Bonnie Rogers of Cross Plains; a brother, William R. Ray of Sunnyvale, Calif.; five grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.