Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 30 May 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, June 1, 1999, 9:11 AM Amarillo Claude C. Swindle AMARILLO - Claude C. Swindle, 80, died Friday, May 28, 1999. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Llano East Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Swindle was born in Yuba, Okla., and lived in the Amarillo area most of his life. He was a farmer. He married Marjorie Vassaur in 1958 at Dimmitt. She died in 1998. Survivors include four sons, Johnny Bacon of Amarillo, Clifford Swindle of Vernon, Raymond Swindle of Clinton, Md., and Kenneth Swindle of Athens; two daughters, Sally Williams of Anaheim, Calif., and Gloria Cox of Springfield, Mo.; a sister, Ola Tarkington of Dallas; 18 grandchildren; and 32 greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Veterans Administration Medical Center, 6010 W. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Joe W. Jernigan Joe W. Jernigan, 45, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Memorial Heights Cemetery in Lefors with the Rev. Lewis Ellis, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lefors, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Jernigan was born in Pampa and graduated from Pampa High School. He then received his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University in 1978 and graduated from Texas Tech's School of Law in 1981. In 1982, he was admitted to the Texas Bar Association. Mr. Jernigan was licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1985. A former assistant district attorney for Potter County, he had been in private practice for a number of years. Mr. Jernigan was a member of First Baptist Church of Lefors, the National Rifle Association and the Attwater Association of the Republican Party of Amarillo. He married Donna Mathers in 1992 at Las Vegas. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Alisa Scott of Denver and Lena Marie Thompson of the home; a son, Joshua Thompson of the home; his mother, Hazel Jernigan of Lefors; six brothers, John Arthur Jernigan of Amherst, Mass., Billy Jernigan of Oklahoma City, Jimmy Jernigan of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Keith Jernigan, Jack Rose and Dan Rose, all of Pampa; and three sisters, Clarice Carey of Kingman, Ariz., Oweda Nordby of Lake Stevens, Wash., and Linda Bridgeman of Pampa. Mary Ruth Rayford Mary Ruth Rayford, 65, of Amarillo, died Monday, May 24, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Laurel, Miss. Burial will be in Nora Davis Memorial Cemetery at Laurel by Brown Mortuary of Laurel. Local arrangements are by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes. Mrs. Rayford was born in Yazoo County, Miss., and had lived in Amarillo since 1990. She graduated from public schools in Yazoo and attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. She was a housewife and a Catholic. Survivors include her husband, John B. Rayford; four sons, Mark K. Rayford of Tulsa, Okla., Scott K. Rayford and Stephen E. Rayford, both of New Orleans, and John B. Rayford Jr. of Amarillo; four daughters, Joy C. Rayford, Kay L. Rolland, Deadra A. Rayford and Kimbily R. Rayford, all of New Orleans; five brothers, Joe Brooks of Country Club Hills, Ill., Harold Brooks of Yazoo City, Miss., Edward Brooks of Hazel Crest, Ill., Edwin Brooks of Chicago and David Brooks of Tampa, Fla.; a sister, Wilma Warren of Mound Bayou, Miss.; and five grandchildren. Wayne Kelso Wayne Kelso, 68, of Amarillo, died Thursday, May 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell Street, with Ken Keller officiating. Burial will be in Memory Garden Cemetery. Mr. Kelso was born in Tulia and moved to Amarillo in 1951 from Canyon. He was owner and operator of Fleet Supply, a truck and trailer company, and served in the Air Force from 1951 until 1955. He was a member of the Aviation Club QB. He married Mary Lou Olinger in 1952 at Canyon. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Patricia Phillips of Hugoton, Kan., and Elizabeth "Liz" White and Cindy Wihebrink, both of Amarillo; his father, Hugh Kelso of Amarillo; a brother, Charles Kelso of Amarillo; a sister, Gwen Rennels of Lubbock; and eight grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Ruby A. Herring Ruby A. Herring, 85, of Amarillo, died Saturday, May 29, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Boulevard, with Dr. Larry Payne of Coulter Road Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery Mausoleum. Mrs. Herring was born in Talihina, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in the early 1960s from Tulsa, Okla. She was a seamstress and tailor and a member of the Eastern Star and Coulter Road Baptist Church. She married Carl L. Herring in 1958 at Tulsa. He died in 1987. Survivors include three sons, Jim Vallier of Amarillo, Louis E. Vallier of Abilene and Bobby F. Vallier of Milpitas, Calif.; four sisters, Jewel Horn of Alexandria, Va., Ruth Roberts of Norman, Okla., Sue Creel of Austin and Lois Alexander of Farris, Okla.; and three brothers, Leonard Slate and Kenneth Slate, both of Norman, Okla., and Jerry Horn of Texas. The family will be at 5110 Mesa and suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Alfonso D. Parker Alfonso D. "Al" Parker, 78, a former Amarillo resident, died Wednesday, May 26, 1999, in Denham Springs, La. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 I-40 East, with the Rev. Ricky E. Parker officiating. Entombment will be in Mausoleum East. Mr. Parker was born in Clarendon. He had lived in Amarillo for almost 30 years and was an electronic engineer. He was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald D. Parker and David M. Parker. He married Eva Griffin in 1941 at Albuquerque, N.M. Survivors include his wife of Denham Springs; a son, Ricky E. Parker of Denham Springs; a brother, Henry M. Parker of Amarillo; a sister, Frances Pantel of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Canyon Gayle Priddy Powers Boring DeLeon Gayle Priddy Powers Boring DeLeon, 61, of Canyon, died Saturday, May 29, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel with Phil Mercado, associate pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church of Amarillo officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Mrs. DeLeon was born in Springlake and graduated from Abernathy High School. She attended Draughn's Business College and worked at Retail Merchants in Lubbock and at Morrisons Supply in Amarillo. She was a Baptist, a volunteer with the Texas Commission for the Blind and Deaf in San Antonio and a member of Beta Sigma Phi. She married Joe Powers in 1955 at Lubbock and George Boring in 1973 at Juarez, Mexico. She married Leo DeLeon in 1988 at San Antonio. He died in 1997. Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Root of Canyon and Kim PowersSmith of Buda; a son, Danny Joe Powers of Amarillo; a stepson, Ray Boring of Miami; two sisters, Sheila Stanton of Wichita Falls and Barbara Plew of Altus, Okla.; and nine grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, 301 16th St., Canyon, TX 79015. New Mexico Barbara M. Lapp CLOVIS, N.M. - Barbara M. "Bar" Lapp, 63, died Wednesday, May 26, 1999. Services will be at 7 p.m. in The Chapel, 1500 Thornton, with the Rev. Chuck Bader officiating. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Lapp was born in Watford, England, and moved to Clovis in 1974. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church. She married Jack "J.L." Lapp in 1967 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Radonna Kay of Canton, Ohio and Christine Renee Price of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; a sister, Beryl Stunt of Chickerell, England; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Clovis Animal Welfare League, 407 N. Prince St., Clovis, N.M. 88101. Billy Bob Hittson DES MOINES, N.M. - Billy Bob Hittson, 64, died Friday, May 28, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Des Moines School gymnasium with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor of First Baptist Church in Clayton, N.M., officiating. Burial will be in the Des Moines Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton. Mr. Hittson was born in Raton, N.M., and graduated from Des Moines High School in 1953. He had been manager of the Spring Hill Ranch since 1972. He married Beulah Ann McLaughlin in 1953 at Clayton. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Barbara Zinck of Texline; two sons, Mark Hittson of Amarillo and Barry Hittson of Stratford; a brother, Scott Hittson of Des Moines; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Des Moines EMTs, Des Moines, N.M. 88418. Oklahoma Laura Park CHEYENNE, Okla. - Laura Park, 93, died Thursday, May 27, 1999. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Durham Church of Christ with Cecil Burch officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Rose Chapel Funeral Service of Cheyenne. Mrs. Park was born in Downing, Mo., and, as a small child, moved to Durham, Okla. In 1934, she and her husband moved two miles west to the Gem community of Texas. She was an active member of the Durham Church of Christ. She married Floyd Carey Park in 1926 at Cheyenne. He preceded her in death. Survivors include two daughters, Darlene Johnson of Cheyenne and Novella Van DenBerg of Kerrville, Texas; two sons, Jerold Park of Canadian, Texas, and Leslie Park of Addison, Texas; a brother, Clell Powell of Canoga Park, Calif.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Westview Boys Home, Hollis, OK. Elsewhere Bonnie Jean Butler SLATON - Bonnie Jean Butler, 63, of Medford, Okla., and a former area resident, died Thursday, May 27, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church in Slaton with Dr. Bob Webb, pastor of First Baptist Church of Denver City, and Bill Wright, pastor of First Baptist Church of Plains, officiating. Burial will be in Englewood Cemetery by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton. Oklahoma arrangements are by Hills-Ely Funeral Home of Medford. Mrs. Butler was born in Lubbock County and raised in Slaton where she graduated from high school. After her marriage, she lived in Seminole, Lamesa, Friona, Hereford, Childress and Snyder, Okla., before moving to Medford in 1992. Mrs. Butler was a bookkeeper for several grain elevators and a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Medford. She married Billy B. Butler in 1953 at Slaton. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Bill Butler Jr., of Plains and Randy Butler of Denver City; a daughter, Michelle Sparkman of Quanah; her mother, Ruby Boyce of Lubbock; a sister, Marilyn Wiley of Tomball; and six grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 3 until 4 p.m. Sunday at Englund's Funeral Home in Slaton. The family suggests memorials be to American Diabetes Association, 6600 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1310, Tulsa, OK 74136-3346; or the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852. Herschel E. Powell GRAND PRAIRIE - Herschel E. Powell, 59, died Friday, May 28, 1999. Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in New Hope Cemetery, Limestone County. Mr. Powell was born in Fredonia, Kan., and served with the Army. He was a former resident of Amarillo, where he worked for Bell Helicopter. He also worked for Northrop Grumman for 10 years. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Brenda Powell; two sons, Herschel Marvin Powell and Michael E. Powell, both of Grand Prairie; a sister, Joyce Shaw of Marana, Ariz.; two brothers, Thomas L. Powell and Donald Wayne Powell, both of Tucson, Ariz.; and a grandchild. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Area Doris E. Ritter SHAMROCK - Doris E. Ritter, 87, died Friday, May 28, 1999. Graveside services were at 10 a.m. Saturday in Shamrock Cemetery with the Rev. Joe G. Jernigan, pastor of Calvary Christian Fellowship Church, officiating. Arrangements were by Wright Funeral Directors of Shamrock. Mrs. Ritter was born in Albany, Mo., and moved to Texas in 1941. In 1947, she moved to Shamrock where she was secretary for the Wheeler County District Attorney, worked for Harry Frye Insurance Agency and taught piano. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Shamrock. She married William Roper Ritter in 1941 at St. Joseph, Mo. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1954 and a son, Gary Ritter, in 1990. Survivors include two grandsons, Brent Ritter and Tim Ritter, both of Lubbock. Inez Nicewarner MULESHOE - Inez Nicewarner, 74, of Littlefield, died Thursday, May 27, 1999. Services were at 1 p.m. Saturday in Missionary Baptist Church of Littlefield with the Rev. Art Freeman, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Muleshoe Memorial Park in Muleshoe by Hammons Funeral Home of Littlefield. Mrs. Nicewarner was born in Mahoney and lived in Muleshoe from 1946 until 1972 when she moved to Littlefield. She was a homemaker and member of the Missionary Baptist Church. She married W.D. Nicewarner in 1940 at Sulphur Springs. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Don Nicewarner of Amarillo and Ben Nicewarner of Lubbock; a daughter, Jo Ann Timms of Slaton; a brother, Billy Roe Stroud of Sandia; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Betsy Mae Griffis Hiduk HIGGINS - Betsy Mae Griffis, 77, of Lewisville, died Thursday, May 27, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Higgins Cemetery with Gary McClellan, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Mason Funeral Home of Shattuck, Okla. Mrs. Hiduk was born in Higgins and raised in the Higgins, Laverne and Shattuck areas. She graduated from Woodward High School then moved to Leadville, Colo. She and her husband then lived in Illinois. After her husband's death, Mrs. Hiduk moved to Lewisville. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Martha Washington chapter. She married Andy Hiduk at Leadville. He died in 1982. Survivors include three children, John Hiduk and Bobbie June Caldwell, both of Lewisville, and George Hiduk of Detroit; and six grandchildren. Sil Jones DALHART - Sil "Bud" Jones, 66, died Friday, May 28, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Central United Methodist Church in Dalhart with the Rev. Everett Statler, retired minister of Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home of Dalhart. Mr. Jones was born and raised in Dalhart. He graduated from Dalhart High School where he was a cheerleader. In 1957, he was discharged from the Army as an ammo storage specialist and inventory clerk. While in the service, Mr. Jones received a good conduct medal and was a sharpshooter. He was employed as night watchman for Caprock Feeders and a member of Central United Methodist Church. Survivors include three sons, Devin Jones of Round Rock, Darin Jones of Amarillo and Doug Dunn of Mount Orab, Ohio; two daughters, Debbie Breitling of Shallowater and Diane Dunn of Amarillo; three sisters, Ladene Johnson, his twin Sylvia Williamson, and Geraldine Carter, all of Dalhart; and 10 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the diabetic association. Matiel Sarena Markel BORGER - Matiel Sarena Markel, 92, died Monday, May 24, 1999. Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Highland Park Cemetery with rites by the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter 11. Burial was in Vesperland Garden at Highland Park Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Markel was born in Walt Hill, Neb., and had lived in Borger since 1926. She was owner of Matiel's Beauty Shop and a member of the Order of Eastern Star No. 457 in Stinnett and Rebekah's Lodge. Survivors include a nephew, Robert Doss of Pasadena, Calif. Loma Louise Isham STINNETT - Loma Louise Isham, 77, died Saturday, May 29, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Billy Holland, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. Mrs. Isham was born in Yale, Okla., and had lived in Stinnett for 20 years. She was a housewife and a member of First Christian Church. She married Joe Isham in 1941 at Dewey, Okla. Survivors include her husband; a son, Joe Nelson Isham of Stinnett; a daughter, Patty Elaine Day of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Viewing will be until service time Tuesday in the Memorial Chapel at the funeral home. Barbara Cox DUMAS - Barbara Cox, 66, died Friday, May 28, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. William B. Flores III, Baptist minister from Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mrs. Cox was born in Dalhart and had lived in Dumas since 1950. She was a homemaker and was recognized in the 1984-85 Notable Women of Texas. Her home was listed with the Dumas Chamber of Commerce as a tourist site. She married Streatfield Cox in 1971 at Clovis, N.M. He died in 1996. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Alicia Marie Lummus, in 1996. Survivors include two daughters, Beverly Philley and Debbie Sue Morgan, both of Dumas; two sons, Clinton Wane Rollins of Abilene and Kelly Lee Rollins of Idalou; a sister, Jo Anne Jacob of West; a brother, John Smith of Jacksonville, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1224 S. Maddox in Dumas and suggests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. 2nd, Dumas, TX 79029. Ivor Bagwell DIMMITT - Ivor Bagwell, 96, died Saturday, May 29, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Howard Rhodes, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Bagwell was born in Indian Territory, Okla., raised in Floydada and moved to Castro County in 1927. He was a farmer and a member of First Baptist Church in Dimmitt. He had served on the board of Dimmitt Consumers and on the Dimmitt School Board. He married Hazel Dunn in 1933 at Hereford. She died in 1998. Survivors include a son, Milton Bagwell of Dimmitt; a daughter, Nelda Fallwell of Richardson; a sister, Mildred Gullion of Weatherford; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Dimmitt.