Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 28 Aug 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, August 28, 1999, 7:39 AM Area Vera Leach Spake BORGER - Vera Leach Spake, 80, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Gregg Simmons, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Spake was born in Mountain Grove, Mo., and had been a Borger resident for 60 years. She was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she had been church librarian for 30 years and was a past president of the WMU. She was preceded in death by her husband, Verne, in 1987; and a son, James Spake in 1991. Survivors include a son, Milton Spake of Deer Park; a daughter, Lois Adams of Nacogdoches; two brothers, Henry Leach of Borger and Guy Leach of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Mary Helen Maes BORGER - Mary Helen Maes, 55, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Primera Iglesia Bautista Church in Borger, 709 E. Sixth with the Rev. Ricardo Garzon officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery at Borger by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St., Amarillo. Mrs. Maes was born in Coyame, Mexico, and was raised in Lovington, N.M. She had lived in Borger more than 25 years. She managed Sutphen's Bar-B-Q in Amarillo and Borger. She was a member of Primera Iglesia Bautista Church in Borger. She married Tilo Maes in 1966 at Hereford. Survivors include her husband; a son, Robert Maes of Amarillo; three sisters, Yolanda Herrera of Fritch, Margie Moreno of Hobbs, N.M., and Denise Herrera of Borger; and four brothers, Ismael Herrera of Odessa and Manuel Herrara, Ramon Herrera and Jesse Herrera, all of Carlsbad, N.M. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Annabelle Kirkpatrick TULIA - Annabelle Kirkpatrick, 75, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Rose Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Davenport of First Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was born in Spearman. She was a homemaker and farm wife as well as a member of First Baptist Church. She married James Stewart Kirkpatrick in 1945 at Detroit. He preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Martha Matzen of Ute Park, N.M.; a son, Jim Kirkpatrick of Tulia; two brothers, Ray Barbour of Tulia nd Dr. Larry Barbour of Wheeler; three grandchildren; and a greatgranddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to Rose Hill Cemetery Fund. Loyd Ford CLARENDON - Loyd Ford, 56, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Citizens Cemetery with Bright Newhouse, minister of Hedley Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mr. Ford was born in Lakeview, Hall County, and was a Clarendon resident for most of his life. For 29 years, he was selfemployed in the backhoe, ditching, plumbing and well business. He married Charlene Roberta Hight in 1964 at Clarendon. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Carol Bolton of Lewisburg, Tenn., and Chandra Ford of Clarendon; a son, Daniel Ford of Clarendon; four sisters, Micki Strickland of Brownwood, Myrtle Lee Guyer of Alvin and Helen Ford and Sue McDonald, both of Kingston, Okla; two brothers, Buddy Ford and Bubba Ford, both of Clarendon; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Jewel Fay Rogers Jewel Fay Elmore Rogers, 81, of Amarillo, a former Tahoka resident, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church of Tahoka with the Rev. Marvin Gregory, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Nevels Memorial Park by White Funeral Home of Tahoka. Mrs. Rogers was born in O'Donnell. She attended schools in Lamesa and moved to Tahoka in 1937 from Lamesa. She retired after 23 years as a telephone operator for GTE. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Tahoka where she coordinated Vacation Bible school for many years. She married Horace Rogers in 1940 at Lamesa. Survivors include her husband; a son, John Richard Rogers of Amarillo; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family request memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 1801 Avenue J, Tahoka, TX 79373. Selden Simpson Selden Simpson, 84, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Christian Church with the Rev. Andrew B. Parker, associate to the rector at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery with military rites by members of Fort Hood Army Base. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Simpson was born in Clarendon and moved to Amarillo in 1926. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1932 and New Mexico Military Institute in 1934. He also attended the University of Texas and West Texas State College, and received his bachelor's degree in 1936 from UT. In 1940, he received his law degree from the University of Colorado. Mr. Simpson joined the National Guard in 1933, then resigned to return to NMMI. In 1940, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. In 1960, Mr. Simpson was named brigadier general. He retired in 1973 as Area National Guard Chief. In 1946, Mr. Simpson joined the law practice of Gibson, Oschsner and Adkins, which merged with the firm of Simpson, Clayton and Fullingim in 1969. He retired in 1992. He was a member and past president of the Amarillo Bar Association and a member of the Texas State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Simpson was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, a member and past president of the American Legion Hansen Post 54, Association of the United States Army, a life member of Military Order of the World Wars, the Retired Officer's Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life member of National Guard Association of Texas and a life member of National Guard Association of the United States. He was a former director and secretary of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and served with the United Way in the 1950s. He was past president of the Amarillo Tri-State Fair Association. He was a former director of the Potter-Randall County Child Welfare Society and a past chairman and director of the Greater Amarillo Chapter of the American National Red Cross. Survivors include his wife, Carlie B. Simpson; a son, Col. Pat W. Simpson of Austin; a daughter, Reesie Miller of Longview; five stepsons, Romie Carpenter of Missoula, Mont., John McKnight of Cincinnati, Hugh McKnight of Tulsa, Okla., Phillip Umphres of Dallas, Joe Umphres of Venice, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Melody Goff of Jackson, Miss.; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the 36th Infantry Division Museum, Camp Mabry or Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Bishop All Faiths Chapel, Camp Mabry, P.O. Box 5218, Austin, TX 79863-5218. Ethel Boonie Johnson Ethel Boonie Johnson, 88, of Amarillo, died Monday, Aug. 23, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Fitzgerald of San Jacinto United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Mrs. Johnson was born and raised in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School. She was retired from the Department of Human Resources. She attended the United Methodist Women's Association and was a member of San Jacinto Methodist Church. She married Glenn Johnson in 1981 at Tucumcari, N.M. She was preceded in death by a son, Jim Minon Jr. in 1957 at Houston. Survivors include her husband; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity; or Meals on Wheels, 1416 W. Eighth Ave., Room 106, Amarillo, TX 79101. Abrasha Chantel Johnson Abrasha Chantel Johnson, infant daughter of Coquise Johnson of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Abrasha was born in Amarillo. Survivors include her mother and grandparents, Robena and Toney Davis, both of Amarillo. Garland Ray Melton Garland Ray Melton, 48, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Barney Railsback of Irwin Road Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum North. Mr. Melton was born in Boswell, Okla., and was a longtime Amarillo resident. He was employed as an electrician and in air conditioning. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. He married Shawnda Walker in 1979 at Oklahoma City. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Anthony Ray Melton of Deatsville, Ala., and Jessie James Melton of Amarillo; three daughters, Sarah Yvonne Melton, Shayna Marie Melton and Shyanna Kaye Melton, all of Amarillo; his parents, Mamie and Jessie Leo Melton of Luther, Okla.; three brothers, Rick Leo Melton, Kammy Dale Melton and Jessie Lee Melton, all of Luther; a sister, Clara Sue Curran of Wylie; and his grandmother, Zulu Byas of Clarendon. The family suggests memorials be to Gift of Life. James W. Ratcliffe James W. Ratcliffe, 76, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church Chapel with Chester O'Brien officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Ratcliffe was born in Dalhart where he graduated from high school. For two years, he attended Texas A&M University. He then served as a corporal in the Army Air Corps during World War II. For 28 years, Mr. Ratcliffe was payroll manager for Southwestern Investment Co. He was a member of the Association of Former Students of Texas A&M, the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation and First Baptist Church since 1965. He was married to Susie French in 1965 at Brownwood. Survivors include his wife and two cousins. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Elsewhere H.E. Wimberley GRAHAM - H.E. Wimberley, 88, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel in Graham with Dr. Autry Brown of Bolivar, Mo., officiating. Burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery. Mr. Wimberley was born in Knott. In 1970, he retired from farming in Muleshoe and Vega, then was a construction contractor. He moved from Amarillo to Graham in 1995. He was a member of the Oak Street Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon with Bell Avenue Baptist Church in Amarillo. In 1934, he married Gladys Brown at Muleshoe. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Coriene Grimsley of Soper, Okla.; three sons, Lon of Keller, M.L. of Canutillo and Gerald of Graham; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Bertie Miller Wright ABERNATHY - Bertie Miller Wright, 70, formerly of Ovalo, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in McBee Cemetery near Ovalo with the Rev. Scott Latham officiating. Arrangements are by Fry-Bartlett Funeral Home of Tuscola. Mrs. Wright was born in Earth and lived in Amarillo and Dumas for many years before moving to Ovalo in 1995 and Abernathy in 1999. She was a sales assistant for several department stores in Amarillo and Dumas. In 1995, she retired after 10 years with Dillard's. She was a member of the Honeybees of Lawn, Business and Professional Women's Club in Amarillo and First United Methodist Church in Abernathy. Survivors include a son, Larry Wright of Abernathy; a daughter, Judy Wright McKee of Missouri City; two brothers, Marvin Miller of Roggens, Colo., and Charles Miller of Collinsville; a sister, Mildred Bolinger of Siloam Springs, Ark.; and six grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604-9938; or Tuscola United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 205, Tuscola, TX 79562.