Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 29 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; Sunday, August 29, 1999, 7:39 AM Amarillo 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 married Susie French in 1965 at Brownwood. Survivors include his wife and two cousins. Visitation will be from 7 until 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Helen Louise Renfro Helen Louise Renfro, 70, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Christian Lighthouse Center with Jackie Findley, pastor, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. Renfro was born in Roswell, N.M. She moved to Amarillo in 1950 and to Clovis, N.M., in 1978. She was a social worker for the state of New Mexico and president of the Senior Citizens Center in Clovis from 1997 until 1999. She was a member of Christian Lighthouse Center. Survivors include four daughters, Barbara Hayes of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Iris Renfro Cornwell, Janie Renfro and Juanita Haskins, all of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Patsy Martinez of Amarillo; a stepson, David Keel of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The body will not be available for viewing. The family suggests memorials be to the Don & Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. William Henry Smith William Henry Smith, 91, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St. Graveside services will follow at Kress Cemetery in Kress. Mr. Smith was born in Paris, Texas. He was a farmer and a roofer. His first wife, Ida Bell Smith, died in 1979. His second wife, Opal Smith, died in 1991. Survivors include three sons, Joe Walker of Lubbock, Glen Smith of Kress and Terry Smith of Waldron, Ark.; three daughters, Jane DeLeon of Lorenzo and Vickie Shackelford and Louise Helms, both of Amarillo; a sister, Ola Mason of Lubbock; 11 grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren. New Mexico H.E. Musser CLAYTON, N.M. - H.E. "Bill" Musser, 89, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999, in Granbury, Texas. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Clayton Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Smith, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Directors. Mr. Musser was born in Helena, Okla. For many years, he worked as a power plant operator for the electric companies in both Clayton and Tucumcari. In both Clayton and Tucumcari, he was a past master of the Masonic Lodges and a past patron of the Orders of Eastern Star. He was the first male instructor in the state of New Mexico for the Order of Eastern Star. He was preceded in death by two sons, Willis Everett Musser and an infant. He married Vera Delene Hight in 1931 at Clayton. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Helen Smith of Arlington; a sister, Dorothy Keiter of Wichita, Kan.; a brother, Bob Musser of Boise, Idaho; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Joyce Loyd TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Joyce Loyd, 70, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Dunn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Gene Richardson, Methodist minister, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at Bell-Ville Cemetery in Lockesburg, Ark. Mrs. Loyd was born in Lockesburg and moved to Tucumcari in 1980. She was a member of the Good Sam Club. She married Onis Loyd in 1948 at De Queen, Ark. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Leah Joyce Young of Shawnee, Kan., and JoAnn McAnally of Oklahoma City; two sisters; and a grandchild. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the Tucumcari Hospice. Oklahoma William Starkey FOSTER, Okla. - William "Bill" Starkey, 95, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Olton Cemetery at Olton with John Starkey officiating. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home of Olton. Mr. Starkey was born in Indian Territory and had lived in Farmington, N.M. He was a plant operator at Plateau Refinery for many years. He married Lillie Faye Malone in 1970. He was preceded in death by his wife and by a son, William J. Starkey. Survivors include a son, Earl Starkey of Foster; two daughters, Amenia McElreath of Cuero and Leota Gore of Oklahoma City; a sister, Nola Myrick of Friona; two brothers, Lee Starkey and Raymond Starkey, both of California; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Elsewhere H.E. Wimberley GRAHAM - H.E. Wimberley, 88, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel in Graham with Dr. Autry Brown of Bolivar, Mo., officiating. Burial was 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. today 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. 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. D. Raymond Oldham SOUTH FORK - D. Raymond Oldham, 83, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Monte Vista Cemetery. Arrangements are by Strohmayer's Funeral Home. Mr. Oldham was born in Duncan, Okla. He was president of the South Fork Kiwanis, Affiliated Foods and the Retail Grocers Association. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two children, Stuart Oldham of South Fork County and Susan McClain of East Lansing, Mich.; and two sisters, Juanita Yarborough of Clovis, N.M., and Wanett Parks of Austin. Alethea Cooper Claiborne FULTON - Alethea Cooper Claiborne, 77, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday in Charlie Marshall Funeral Home Chapel in Rockport. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Sacred Heart Church with Monsignor Louis Kihneman as celebrant. Private burial will be at a later date in Madisonville, La. Mrs. Claiborne was born in Madisonville and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockport. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Jack Claiborne; two daughters, Debra Lynn Savage of Edmond, Okla. and Pamela Kay Hameka of Bay Cliff; three brothers, Marion Cooper and Donald Cooper, both of Chalmette, La., and Donald Cooper of Harahan, La.; a sister, Florence Welborn of Meraux, La.; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to T.N.F.F., 4514 Travis, #313, Dallas, TX 75205. Dorothy Burke Hale TAHOKA - Dorothy Burke Hale, 80, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Franklin-Bartley Funeral Home Chapel in Lubbock with the Rev. John H. Ballard officiating. Burial will be in Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park. Mrs. Hale was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., moved to Lubbock in 1953 and to Tahoka in 1967. She was a longtime employee of the cosmetic department at Furr's Family Center and worked for Goodpasture Grain Company as an office manager. She was a member of United Methodist Church. She married Bartlett A. Burke in 1937 at Kentucky. He preceded her in death. She married Tom Hale in 1967. He died in 1979. Survivors include a son, Allen Burke of Amarillo; two daughters, Blane Voyles and Lucy Clevenger, both of Lubbock; a foster son, Bruce Horwood of Tahoka; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society; or the American Lung Association. Barney G. Mims STANTON - Barney G. Mims, 96, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Stanton Church of Christ with Clay Mims and Deral McWhorter officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring by Gilbreath Funeral Home. Mr. Mims was born in Indian Territory and moved with his family to Taylor County when an infant. He farmed in Jones County until moving to the Lenorah community in Martin County in 1938. He helped organize a Church of Christ in his community and served as elder in the Stanton Church of Christ for many years. He married Ila R. Haley in 1923 at Lueders. She died in 1973. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Christine Mims Barnett, in 1947. Survivors include three sons, Doug Mims of Cisco, Clay Mims of Wichita Falls and Jack Mims of Midland; a daughter, Dorothy Pinkston of Amarillo; a grandson, Mike Barnett of Lockhart; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Home Hospice, 1802 W. Wall, Midland, TX 79701. Area 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 and 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. today 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. George W. Wilcox CANADIAN - George W. Wilcox, 90, a former resident of Fort Supply, Okla., died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 1999. Graveside services were at 10 a.m. Friday in Elmwood Cemetery at Woodward, Okla., with the Rev. Jerry Golden of Canadian, officiating. Arrangements were by Zwanziger Funeral Home of Woodward. Mr. Wilcox was born in Eldorado, Okla., and attended school at Duke in Jackson County, Okla. For 24 years, he lived and farmed in the Fort Supply area in Oklahoma. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and had been a member of the Baptist church since 1948. His son, Garland Wilcox, preceded him in death. He married Oma Lee Goodwin in 1930 at Hollis, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Dolores Berryman of Canadian; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be mailed to Edward Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch St., Canadian, TX 79014. Gisela H. Davis STRATFORD - Gisela H. Davis died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, in Harlingen. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Stratford Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Stewart, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mrs. Davis was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany and lived in Stratford for more than 30 years. She retired from Stratford Independent School District as a secretary in 1986 and was a member of First Baptist Church at Stratford. She moved to Harlingen 10 years ago. She married S.J. "Jack" Davis in 1957 at Stratford. Survivors include her husband; four sisters, Charlotte Reese of Amarillo, Henriette Leu of Murnau, Germany, Gabriele Gehlert of Aschaffenburg and Cornelia Bauer of Celle, Germany; and three brothers, Peter Krebs, Michael Krebs and Ottmar Krebs, all of Aschaffenburg. The family will be at 6818 Windridge in Amarillo and suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 211 Zauk, Dumas, TX 79029. Vivian Grace Meaker Bulla PANHANDLE - Vivian Grace Meaker Bulla, 70, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Les Hall, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Bulla was a lifelong resident of Panhandle and a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church, where she was secretary for many years. She was the first city councilwoman, past president of Golden Spread Tole Painting and was worthy matron twice for the Order of Eastern Star. She married Howard Bulla in 1948 at Panhandle. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Robert Bulla of Hurst and Chuck Bulla of Amarillo; her father, C.E. Meaker of Panhandle; a brother, Robert Meaker of Panhandle; three sisters, Betty Janssen of Brownsville, Inez DeWalle of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Hazel Janssen of Panhandle; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Texas Hospice, 1000 Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101; or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 549, Panhandle, TX 79068. Opal Faye Haney CLAUDE - Opal Faye Haney, 80, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Gerald Aalbers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery in Littlefield with Donnie Howell, retired minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mrs. Haney was born in Rusk County and was a resident of Littlefield before moving to Claude 30 years ago. She was a homemaker, a caregiver and a member of First Baptist Church. She married Charles Harold Haney in 1938 at Rusk County. He died in 1966. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Shana Butler. Survivors include three daughters, Shirley June Butler and Renee Eddleman, both of Claude and Charlotte Milligan of Littlefield; a son, Harold Reagan Haney of Claude; two sisters, Verna Wade of Sacul and Eva Resberry of Henderson; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.