Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 16 Nov 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, November 16, 1999, 6:05 AM Area Doug Rochelle PADUCAH - Doug Rochelle, 76, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999, at Comfort. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. James Hooper, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Paducah Garden of Memories by Seigler Funeral Home. Mr. Rochelle was born in the Grow community in King County. He graduated from Paducah High School in 1941. He served in the Navy during World War II and later as a Marine medic. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He worked as a millwright and served as the business representative for Millwright Local 102. Mr. Rochelle was a member of Paducah First Baptist Church, was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Island City Masonic Lodge Post 215 and of the Scottish Rite Consistory. He had lived in San Leandro, Calif., for 37 years before moving back to Paducah in 1992. He married Nita Von Maxey in 1956 at Las Vegas. Survivors include his wife; a son, Melvin Rochelle of Kinston, N.C.; a daughter, Debra Vigil of Pleasanton, Calif.; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Norma Coon BORGER - Norma Coon, 80, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Sunset Memorial Cemetery at Stinnett with the Rev. Leonard Forsythe, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors. Mrs. Coon was born in Creston, Iowa, and had been a Borger resident for 10 years. She was a Methodist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Coon, in 1994. Survivors include two sons, Ron Dow of Borger and Don Dow of Carthage, Mo.; a daughter, Judith Pinkham of Garden Grove, Calif.; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Gracie Hickox CHILDRESS - Gracie Hickox, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Van Alstyne Cemetery at Van Alstyne with the Rev. David Nuckels officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Hickox was born in Grayson County and moved to Childress in 1944. She had been a nurse's aide. She was preceded in death by her husband, L.R. Hickox, in 1969. Survivors include three cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Lenwood Coleman of Trenton, Mr. and Mrs. James Holland and Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Wortham, all of Anna; and a friend, Margaret Bobo of Childress. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Atha Othella Butler CLARENDON - Atha Othella Butler, 84, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with the Rev. James Ivey Edwards, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Clarendon, officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery at Clarendon. Mrs. Butler was born in Sache and lived in Borger from 1935 until moving to Dumas three years ago. She was a homemaker and member of First United Methodist Church of Clarendon. She married Earl Melvin Butler in 1934 at Sayre, Okla. He died in 1981. Survivors include two sons, David Butler of Dumas and Kenneth Butler of Quanah; two sisters, Helena Catoe and Willa Cook of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggest memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon or to Boys Ranch. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Lorraine Annice Pickens SHAMROCK - Lorraine Annice Pickens, 71, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Church of Christ in Shamrock with Cottie Tarbet of Shamrock officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Pickens was born in Gallup, N.M., and had lived in Shamrock all of her life. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She married Jim Pickens in 1979 at Wheeler. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Charlotte Louise, in 1946. Survivors include her husband; a son, David Deger of Shamrock; a daughter, Debra Hiltbrunner of Fort Worth; four stepdaughters, Donna Pickens, Danielle Pickens and Trishia Long, all of Kansas, and Carolyn Clarkson of Illinois; five grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Rosalie F. Smith PAMPA - Rosalie F. Smith, 97, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Jim Teeter, pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Dane, Okla., and moved to Pampa in 1928 from Fairview, Okla. She was a seamstress and a nursing assistant, working with the homebound in the Pampa area. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Blue Bonnett Friendship Club and St. Paul United Methodist Church. She married Everett Otis Smith in 1922 at Anadarko, Okla. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1961 and by a son, James H. Smith, in 1969. Survivors include a son, Robert A. Smith of Lewisville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 511 N. Horbart, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Lawrence A. Pundt CANADIAN - Lawrence A. Pundt, 87, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Aaron Laverty, pastor of Gageby Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mr. Pundt was born in Locust Grove community in Lipscomb County where he attended school. He graduated from Canadian High School. He was a charter member of Locust Grove Baptist Church where he served as church clerk and Sunday School superintendent among other capacities. Mr. Pundt retired as a farmer and rancher. He farmed and ranched with his father until his parents moved to Canadian, then he acquired the farm and ranch. He married Evelyn May Kelln in 1949 at Locust Grove. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Alexander of Pampa and Jeri Lynn Pundt of Canadian; and a granddaughter. The family suggest memorials be to Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch St., Canadian, TX 79014; Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. Fourth, Canadian, TX 79014; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Amarillo James Henry Campsey James Henry "Jim" Campsey, 93, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today in Polk Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Wade, associate pastor, officiating. Private family burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery at Vega. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Campsey was born in Knox City and moved to the Texas Panhandle in a covered wagon. He worked as a cowboy for the XIT, 4 6666s, LS and T-Anchor ranches and for ASARCO for 25 years. He wintered in Zapata for 27 years, attended Lakefront Congregational Church and was a Baptist. He married Verna Mae Steward in 1931 at Tucumcari, N.M. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Jimmy Campsey and Billy Campsey, both of Amarillo, Jerry Campsey of Lubbock and Lee Campsey of Odessa; a daughter, Ida Lou Pendleton of Amarillo; four sisters, Kitty Eastman of Lytle, Mary Steward of Lubbock, Polly Schott of San Antonio and Billie Junek of Port O'Connor; a brother, Son Campsey of Devine; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four step-greatgrandchildren; and a step-great-greatgrandchild. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Deborah Sue Kennedy Deborah Sue Kennedy, 47, of Amarillo, died Friday, Nov. 12, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Arden Road Baptist Church with the Rev. Dale Bigham, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Kennedy was born in Amarillo and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Metro Barber College and the American Technical Institute. She was active in umpiring softball and was a member of Arden Road Baptist Church. She married Terry Kennedy in 1988 in Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Melissa Pommier of Slidell, La., and Erica Hendricks of Amarillo; a son, Clayton Todd Wagner of Amarillo; parents, Donna and Clayton Fortenberry of Amarillo; a sister, Janis Hemphill of Amarillo; two brothers, David Fortenberry of Greenwood and Kevin Fortenberry of Amarillo; and four grandchildren. The family will be at 1108 S. Western St. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Maria Gonzalez Maria Gonzalez, 77, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rosendo Herrera, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Gonzalez was born in Eagle Pass, and moved to Amarillo 35 years ago. She was a homemaker and a Catholic church member. She married Trinidad Gonzalez in 1949. Survivors include her husband; a son, Brian Trinidad Hall of Amarillo; two sisters, Beatrice Salas and Chaga Salas, both of Eagle Pass; a brother, Gilbert Mendez of Eagle Pass; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family will be at 2410 S. Arthur St. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Alvin Flowers Alvin Flowers, 61, of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. K. Ray McDowell, pastor, and Dr. Fred Fike, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Erick Cemetery at Erick, Okla. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Flowers was born in Erick and had lived in Amarillo most of his life. He had been a controller of Ryder Truck Rental for 30 years and was a member of First Church of the Nazarene. He married Phyllis Brindle in 1961. Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert Flowers of Amarillo; two sisters, Lela Yarbery of Erick and Lily Hutchison of Kingston, Okla.; and two grandchildren. The family will be at 1703 S. Highland St. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Jeff Dana Gentner Jeff Dana Gentner, 36, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Grace Community Church with Bill Gehm, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Gentner was born and raised in Buena Park, Calif., where he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1981. He moved to Amarillo in 1994 from Buena Park. He was a guard at the Neal Unit in Amarillo and the Jordon Unit in Pampa during 1998. He was a member of Grace Community Church. Survivors include a daughter, Kayla Gentner of Amarillo; parents, Joseph and Patsy Gentner of Buena Park; two brothers, Joe Gentner of Amarillo and Chris Gentner of Orange County, Calif; a sister, Linda Hamm of Buena Park; and grandmother, Fay Witcher of Hemer, Calif. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Mary Louise Neusch Mary Louise Neusch, 92, of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. Jerry Stein officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in St. Francis. Mrs. Neusch was born in Nazareth and lived in Amarillo all of her life. She was a Catholic and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Ralph Neusch, in 1957. Survivors include two sons, Herman Neusch of Burnett and Arnold Neusch of Amarillo; five daughters, Rita Flowers of Roswell, N.M., Myrtle Reavis, Rosemary Hill and Betty Tinker, all of Amarillo, and Zona Hurschfeld of Tampa, Fla.; 31 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Serena Rinay Armendariz Serena Rinay Armendariz, infant daughter of Candace Ramirez and Rene Armendariz of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Llano East Cemetery with the Rev. J. Alan Ford of Southwest Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Survivors include her parents; a brother, Caleb Andrue Armendariz of Amarillo; her grandparents, Sherille Ramirez of Amarillo, Ernest Ramirez of Borger and Mr. and Mrs. Savas Armendariz of Pampa; and her great-grandparents, Cordie Coatney and Felipe Ramirez, both of Amarillo, and Gavino Armendariz of Houston. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Nancy Embry Hanna Nancy Embry Hanna, 45, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church, 4000 Mays, with the Rev. Scott Greer officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell Ave. Mrs. Hanna was born in Sayre, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1974 from Claude. In 1976, she graduated from West Texas State University. A homemaker, Mrs. Hanna was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church, a Randall Booster Club Team Mom and board member for the Southwest Amarillo Basketball Association. She married Richard Hanna in 1990 at Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Keith Embry, in 1984. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Brian Embry, Mathew Embry and Michael Hanna, all of the home; a daughter, Rachel Hanna of the home; and a sister, Karen Day of Amarillo. The family suggest memorials be to Nancy Embry Hann Memorial Scholarship Fund at First State Bank of the Southwest. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 New Mexico Blanche Burton CLOVIS, N.M. - Blanche Burton, 92, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in 21st Street Church of Christ with Cecil Bunch and Skip Clark officiating. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery by SteedTodd Funeral Home. Mrs. Burton was born in Stephens County and moved to New Mexico in a covered wagon, homesteading in Forest. She moved to Clovis in 1968 where she was a news writer for the Clovis and Tucumcari newspapers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Escar Burton, in 1992 and a son, Billy Burton. Survivors included five daughters, Emmie Love, Yvonne Mercadante, Faye Mcwilliams and Bertie Snipes, all of Clovis and Ellen Burton of Moreno, Calif.; two brothers, Buddy Christesson of Melrose and Jerry Christesson of Marble Falls, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1409 Claremont. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Elsewhere Virgie Powell SPUR - Virgie Powell, 89, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999, at Lubbock. Memorial services were at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the First Christian Church with Jack Alexander, pastor, and the Rev. Larry Burton of Spur, officiating. Arrangements were by Campbell Funeral Home. Mrs. Powell was born in Whitesboro and moved to Dickens County in 1918. She graduated from Spur High School in 1928. She taught school in the early 1930s in Midway, Dickens County and Magic City in Wheeler. She was a member of the Spur Ex-Student Association and First Christian Church. She married Archer L. Powell in 1935 at Wellington. He died in 1980. Survivors include four daughters, Dorothy Wilson of Booker, Nancy DeShan of Dallas, Pat Hightower of Spur and Jane Bridge of Afton; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Spur Library or the Spur Ex-Student /Scholarship Fund. Amarillo Daily News Nov. 16, 1999 Nellie S. Averitt KNOX CITY - Nellie S. Averitt, 53, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church in Knox City with the Rev. Johnny Johnston officiating. Burial will be in Knox City Cemetery by Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Averitt was born in Gatesville and had lived in Knox City since childhood. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married Richard Averitt in 1964 at Seymour. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Rick Averitt of Lampasas and Monty Averitt of Amarillo; a daughter, Tanya Welch of Amarillo; four brothers, Benny Saenz of Wichita Falls, Moses Saenz of Altus, Okla., Alex Saenz of San Marcos and Joe Saenz of Seymour; three sisters, Esther Grindstaff of Knox City, Sara Casillas of Seymour and Tommie Saenz of Cleburne; and three grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to First Baptist Church of Knox City, TX 79529. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999 Virgil Ralph Smith PHOENIX - Virgil Ralph Smith, 73, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, Nov. 5, 1999. Services were held Nov. 9 in Paradise Chapel Home of Phoenix with Gary Kriege, pastor, officiating. Mr. Smith was born in Lillydale, Tenn., and moved to Oklahoma in 1929. During World War II, he served with the Army in the Philippines. In 1953, he earned his degree in agriculture from Oklahoma A&M. Mr. Smith taught vocational agriculture in Wanette, Okla., until 1957 when he was employed by Watkins Products in Winona, Minn. He later was vice president of its agri-marketing division. In 1973, he became president of World Seeds and negotiated a wheat seed agreement with the former Soviet Union. In 1974, Mr. Smith moved to Amarillo where he worked for Kemin Industries. He returned to Oklahoma in 1979 where he ran an apple and peach orchard in Konowa. In 1981, he moved to Phoenix and was active in residential property sales. Survivors include his wife, Colleen Terian; four children, Alicia Wadas of Phoenix, Phillip Smith of Amarillo, Gloria Smith of Scottsdale and Charles Smith of Tucson; two brothers, Lawton Smith of Lone Wolf, Okla., and Don Smith of Altus, Okla.; five sisters, Ova Williams of Phoenix, Mary Ethel of Oklahoma City, Euna Heidenreich of Duke, Okla., Mona McGinnis of Mangum, Okla., and Inez Baker of Anadarko, Okla.; his former wife, Rowena Ann Smith of Tempe; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Nov. 16, 1999