Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 29 March 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; Monday, March 29, 1999, 5:58 AM Amarillo Eloisa Maxey Eloisa Maxey, 76, of Amarillo, died Friday, March 26, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Barney Railsback officiating. Entombment will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum East. Mrs. Maxey was born in Hugo, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1950. She was a housewife and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She married Russie L. Maxey in 1948 at Paris, Texas. He died in 1998. Survivors include three sons, Albert Meyer of Muskogee, Okla., Jimmy Maxey of Kings Mountain, N.C., and Roy Maxey of Palestine, Texas; two daughters, Judy Maxey Johnson of Wewahitchka, Fla., and Terry De Los Santos of Lake Tanglewood; a sister, Elisa Abernathy of Hugo, Okla.; a brother, Cecil Elizondo Jr. of Fort Towson, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 until 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Tommy C. Bigham Tommy C. Bigham, 72, of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. John R. Watson, III, pastor of St. Peters Episcopal Church, officiating. Military rites will be by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 26. Masonic rites will be by Amarillo Masonic Lodge No. 731 AF&AM. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage. Mr. Bigham was born in Quanah and moved to Amarillo in 1960. He served with the Navy during World War II, and was a commercial plumber and a member of the Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local Union No. 196, of Lee Masonic Lodge No. 435 AF&AM, and of St. Peters Episcopal Church. He married Margie Konkler in 1946 at Quanah. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Prissy Vanover of Amarillo; a son, Andy Bigham of Amarillo; two sisters, Madie Fagan of Amarillo, and Connie Lee Newnham of Hankamer; a brother, Bill Bigham of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will be at 3102 S. Woodland, and suggests memorials be to St. Peters Episcopal Church, or to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Velma Thomson Velma Thomson, 89, of Amarillo, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Llano East Cemetery with the Rev. Gil Lain, pastor of Paramount Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Thomson was born in Mena, Ark., and had lived in Amarillo for 19 years. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married Jack Thomson in 1960 at Roswell, N.M. Survivors include her husband; a son, James Bowen of Amarillo; two brothers, Joe Roberts of Plainview and D.F. Roberts of Lubbock; a sister, Martha Porter of Plainview; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will be at 6302 Kalee Drive, and suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association, 2404 West Seventh, Amarillo, TX 79106. Jack Duke Jack Duke, 92, of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dick Marcear and Leonard Waggoner officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth Ave. Mr. Duke was born in Duncan, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1926 from Wolfe City, where he graduated from Wolfe City High School. He worked for Pantex during World War II and retired as a painting contractor. He was a member of Central Church of Christ. He married Dicie Pickens in 1935 at Oklahoma City. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Carol Weeks of Lumberton and Judy McGuire of Odessa; a sister, Maribelle Anderson of Osceda, Wis.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Central Church of Christ, 1401 S. Monroe, Amarillo, TX, or to a favorite charity. Beulah E. Hommel Beulah E. Hommel, 98, of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in McLean United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thacker Haynes, pastor, and the Rev. Norman Grigsby, pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Alanreed Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Hommel was born in Charlotte, N.C., and moved to the Kelton and McLean community when young. She was a homemaker, a member of McLean United Methodist Church, and a rancher for over 50 years in Alanreed. She moved to Amarillo eighteen months ago. Her husband, Ollie Hommel, died in 1984. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Patsy Miller, in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, VonDell Grigsby of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Building Fund at McLean United Methodist Church. Julia L. Espinosa Julia L. Espinosa, 77, of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. today in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Vicky Martinez officiating. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Temple of Praise Spanish Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Ezekiel Contreras officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Espinosa was born in Amarillo, and was a member of the Simpson / Espinosa Chapter of the GI Forum, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and of Temple of Praise Spanish Assembly of God Church. She married Tony Espinosa in 1941 at Amarillo. He died in 1968. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Mike Espinosa, in 1968, and Robbie Espinosa, in 1967. Survivors include three daughters, Patsy Klem, Jean Andrew and Nina Hibl, all of Amarillo; a son, Tony Espinosa of Amarillo; three brothers, Jesus Lopez, Domingo Lopez and Benny Lopez, all of Amarillo; three sisters, Antonia Rosas and Santos Quintero, both of Amarillo, and Lucy Thompson of Phoenix; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Temple of Praise Spanish Assembly of God Church. Leota Dona McClure Leota Dona McClure, 78, formerly of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 27, 1999, in Lubbock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with the Rev. Jim Fox, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church of Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. McClure was born in Sweetwater and moved to Amarillo when she was an infant. She was a homemaker, a Baptist and worked in Central Supply of High Plains Baptist Hospital. She moved to Lubbock 11 years ago. She married Elmer McClure in 1937 at Amarillo. He died in 1974. She was also preceded in death by three sons, Claude Wesley McClure, in 1944, Clifford Leon McClure in 1944, and Charles Elmer McClure, in 1997. Survivors include a granddaughter, Deborah Fisher of Lubbock; three grandsons, Charles McClure Jr. of Abernathy, Clifford McClure of Georgia and Michael McClure of Fargo, N.D.; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. New Mexico Mary Shaw Powell CLAYTON, N.M. - Mary Shaw Powell, 92, died Friday, March 26, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mofax Cemetery, southwest of Gladstone, N.M., by Hass Funeral Directors. Mrs. Powell was born in Rankin, Okla., and moved to the Mills area of Harding County, where she was a farmer and a rancher. She was a member of the Wheatland Extension Club and of the Farley Community Church. She married Roy A. Powell in 1926 at Raton, N.M. He died in 1978. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Wesley Powell, in 1927. Survivors include a daughter, Juanita Baker of Gladstone, N.M.; a son, Alfred Powell of Santa Fe, N.M.; two brothers, Richard Shaw of Springer, N.M., and Albert Shaw of Roy, N.M.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Mofax Cemetery Fund, c/o Juanita Baker, HCR 60, Box 34, Gladstone, N.M. 88422, or to a favorite charity. Oklahoma Lula Brackeen MUSKOGEE, Okla. - Lula Brackeen, 99, died Monday, March 22, 1999. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Macedonia Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry H. Smith, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Booker T. Washington Cemetery by Granger Funeral Home. Mrs. Brackeen was born in Forrest City, Ark., and moved to Eufala, Okla., where she attended school. She was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, where she served as mission secretary for 37 years, in addition to sponsoring the children's Christmas and Easter programs for many years. Her husband, Augustus C. Brackeen, preceded her in death. Survivors include four sons, Arthur Brackeen of Amarillo, Earl Brackeen of Muskogee, Thomas Brackeen of Temple Hills, Md., and Roger Brackeen of Sun City, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-greatgrandchildren. The family will be at 2701 S.W. 28th Street in Muskogee. Elsewhere C.H. Markham HICO - C.H. Markham, 89, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Glenda Whitehead officiating. Burial will be in Duffau Cemetery by Rutledge Funeral Home. Mr. Markham was born in Duncan, Okla., and had lived in Duffau since 1979. He was a retired rancher and farmer and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hico. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Mike. Survivors include his wife, Edna Kettler; a daughter, Avis Lyons of Lafayette, La.; four sons, Don Markham of Richardson, Charles E. Markham of Duffau, Clifford Dale Thompson of San Angelo and Darryl Thompson of Austin; a sister, Avis Parker of Wheeler; three brothers, Ralph Markham of Albuquerque, N.M., Glenn Markham of Wheeler and Cecil Markham of Lubbock; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Tommy Ellen Click MORTON - Tommy Ellen Click, 80, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Assembly of God with the Rev. Forest Scrader, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Morton Memorial Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Click was born in Lufkin and moved to the Morton area from Crockett in 1944. She was a grocery store employee and worked for Ruth and Earnest Whitecotton's Grocery Store in Griffith for several years. She and her husband owned and operated Click's Meat Packing Co. in Morton. After her retirement in 1983, she moved to Lubbock. She married Richard Click in 1934 at Crockett. He died in 1989. Survivors include a daughter, Georgia Mae Campbell of Lubbock; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Kidney Fund Inc., 6110 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852. Elizabeth K. Masterson GUTHRIE - Elizabeth K. Masterson died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Chris McCauley officiating. Private burial will be in JY Ranch with arrangements by RIX Funeral Directors. Mrs. Masterson was born in Plano and educated in Plano and Fort Worth. She was a rancher who owned the JY Ranch near Guthrie, was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paducah, and a former member of the President's Council at Texas Tech University and the Ranching Heritage Center. She married R.B. Masterson III in 1959 at Fort Worth. He died in 1978. She married Bill Whitehead in Fort Worth in 1998. Survivors include her husband; a son, William A. Masterson of Guthrie; two sisters, Opal Koslow of Amarillo and Nellie Kirkpatrick of Granbury; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Viewing will be until 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, and from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church. The family suggests memorials be to the Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 Fourth St., Lubbock, TX 79409, or to Cal Farley's Boy's Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79105-9985. Area Paul B. Sangster SKELLYTOWN - Paul B. Sangster, 69, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Robert Kelley, pastor of White Deer United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery with graveside rites by ISOM Masonic Lodge No. 1242 AF&AM. Mr. Sangster was born in Earlsboro, Okla., and moved to Skellytown from Borger in 1953. He owned and operated J&P Construction and P.B. Sangster Electric until his retirement in 1991. He served in the armed forces and was a member of ISOM Masonic Lodge No. 1242 AF&AM in Borger, and of the Scottish Rite in El Paso. He was preceded in death by his twin daughters. He married Darline Cother Lorenzen in 1978. Survivors include his wife; a son, Joe W. Sangster of Texline; three daughters, Carla Gifford of Lefors, Margie Elaine McLarty of Seymour and Diana Bruner of Pampa; a stepson, Steven Lorenzen of Richardson; three brothers, Olin Sangster and Houston Sangster, both of Earlsboro, Okla., and James Eugene Sangster of Hugo, Okla.; a sister, Lila Weaver of Tecumseh, Okla.; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. W.A. Davis MCLEAN - W.A. "Ott" Davis, 90, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Heald United Methodist Church with Thacker Haynes officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery at McLean by Lamb Funeral Home. Mr. Davis was born in Glen Rose. He was a farmer, rancher, carpenter and welder in the McLean area for the past 58 years and was a member of Heald United Methodist Church. He married Opal Ernestine Sparlin in 1937 at Elk City, Okla. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Jacquelyn Younger of Amarillo, Jana Gay Davis of Canyon, and Rhonda Graham of McLean; a brother, Bill Davis of Hereford; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Heald United Methodist Church, Rt. 1, c/o Mickey Jackson, McLean, TX 79057. Lawrence Brown PLAINVIEW - Lawrence Brown, 77, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Randy Lawson, pastor of Glad Tidings Worship Center, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery. Mr. Brown was born in Lindsay, Okla. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II, and farmed in Prairie View and Providence until his retirement in 1970. He was a Baptist. Survivors include two sisters, Zelma Perry of Plainview and Darlis Jensen of Lindsay. Floyd Smith PAMPA - Floyd "Bud""Smitty" Smith, 77, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Revs. Fred Palmer, pastor of Carpenter's Church, and Lonny Robbins, pastor of Trinity Fellowship, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Smith was born in Strong City, Okla., and served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1951, he moved from Cheyenne, Okla., to Pampa, where he was a contractor at Celanese and did bridge work for the Sante Fe Railway. He worked for the city of Pampa in the parks department from 1970 until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of Carpenter's Church. He married Bernice Beals in 1946 at Wheeler. Survivors include his wife; a son, Tommy Smith of Pampa; two daughters, Therisa Teakell and Carolyn Jacobs, both of Pampa; a brother, Gordon Smith of Cheyenne, Okla.; two sisters, Ruby Woods of Fort Gibson, Okla., and June Scribner of Reydon, Okla.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Harvest House, 736 S. Cuyler St., Pampa, TX 79065. Anna Sue Cox Lemons HEREFORD - Anna Sue Cox Lemons, 80, formerly of Panhandle, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church at Panhandle with Chaplain Keith Boutwell of Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice officiating. Arrangements are by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. Mrs. Lemons was born in Carson County, graduated from Panhandle High School, attended Amarillo College, and was a rancher in Carson, Randall and Gray counties. She and her husband raised stocker cattle in the Texas Panhandle area during wheat pasture grazing season and pastured them during the summers in northeastern New Mexico and in southeastern Colorado. She moved to Hereford in 1962, where she was a member of First United Methodist Church. She married Ellis Lemons in 1938 at Amarillo. He died in 1997. Survivors include a son, Neal Lemons of Pampa; a daughter, Suzanne L. Rogers of Amarillo; a sister, Lola Pearl Howe of Panhandle; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Panhandle Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 6222 Canyon Dr., Amarillo, TX 79109, or to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79106. Augusta M. Farris HART - Augusta M. Farris, 84, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Allie Balko, pastor of First Baptist Church in Wicket, officiating. Burial will be in Hart Cemetery by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Mrs. Farris was born in Era and attended Draughn's Business College. She moved to Hart in 1944 from Sentinel, Okla. She was a homemaker, a hairdresser, and a member of First Baptist Church, and the Good Neighbor Club. She was Hart Days Pioneer of the Year in 1998. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Patsy Farris and Peggie Farris, and by two granddaughters, Tonya Cleaver and Kari Homfeld. She married Loyd W. Farris in 1934 at Hobart, Okla. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Ronnie Farris of Dalhart, Billy Joe Farris of Hart and Ricky Farris of Dimmitt; a brother, Billy Haire of Houston; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 until 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Myrtle Anna Reeves SHAMROCK - Myrtle Anna Reeves, 104, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jack Lee, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Reeves moved to Texas from Alabama in 1894, and to Dalhart in 1903. She moved to Locust Grove community, where she lived on a farm, in 1907. She lived in the Twitty area for most of her life, and was a member of First Baptist Church. She married Raymond Clinton Reeves in 1910 at Texola, Okla. He died in 1955. She is also preceded in death by a grandchild, and by two great-grandchildren. Survivors include four sons, Amos Reeves and J.C. Reeves, both of Shamrock, Kenneth Reeves of Pampa, and Donald Reeves of Wheeler; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church Activity Center, 401 Main, Shamrock, TX 79079. Jimmy Matthews BORGER - Jimmy "Bimbo" Matthews, 45, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Ridling, pastor of Missionary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Mr. Matthews was born in Memphis and moved from Lelia Lake to Borger in 1965, where he worked for the city. He married Wanda Whitcher in 1979. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Tracy Matthews and Billy Matthews, both of Borger; three daughters, Melissa Matthews, Britney Matthews and Amy Matthews, all of Borger; his mother, Odessa Matthews of Borger; two brothers, Haskell Matthews and Jerry Matthews, both of Borger; three sisters, Leatha Mitchell of Borger, Rene Cross of Hugoton, Kan., and Alice Jo Lance of Houston; and a grandchild. Ben M. Rapstine WHITE DEER - Ben M. Rapstine, 89, died Saturday, March 27, 1999. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Kevin Hand, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Rapstine was born in Lancaster, Calif., and had lived in White Deer for most of his life. He was a retired farmer, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and of White Deer Senior Citizens. He married Mabel Alta Mackey in 1933 at Amarillo. He was preceded in death by a grandson. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Doug Rapstine and Greg Rapstine, both of White Deer, and Phil Rapstine of Austin; a daughter, Kathy Rose of Pampa; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, c/o Clint Caylor, 2130 Charles, Pampa, TX 79065, or to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, P.O. Box 2234, Pampa, TX 79066-2234, or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Memorial Fund, or to a favorite charity. Hazel Barrow DALHART - Hazel Barrow, 88, died Sunday, March 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Assembly of God with the Revs. Claude Hendricks, pastor, and Jimmy Reese, pastor of Shepherd of the Plains in Canyon, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home. Mrs. Barrow was born in Oklahoma and raised near Gainsville. She lived in Dalhart, Channing and Vega prior to returning to Dalhart in 1975. She was a member of First Assembly of God. She married Ervin C. Barrow in 1930 at Marietta, Okla. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Stanley Barrow. Survivors include a son, Choice Barrow of Dalhart; two daughters, Betty Longpine of Hays, Kan., and Marlene Key of Dumas; a sister, Mae Cooper of Tioga; a brother, Houston Rollins of Lubbock; six grandchildren; and 10 greatgreat-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Assembly of God of Dalhart. Mary Potts HEREFORD - Mary Potts, 20,died Saturday, Jan. 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Memory Hill Gardens Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements in Tennessee are by Family Funeral Care Funeral Directors. Local arrangements are by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mrs. Potts was born in Memphis, Tenn., and moved to Deaf Smith County in 1979. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, John Potts of Hereford; a daughter, Shelby Potts of Hereford; a son, Christopher Potts of Hereford; two sisters, T.J. Myers and Lynn,both of Memphis; and her mother, Betty Ray of Memphis.