Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 11 Jan 2000 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, January 11, 2000, 6:40 AM Area Lester Landers Stewart PAMPA - Lester Landers Stewart, 77, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial chapel with the Rev. Barry Loving, minister of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Stewart was born in Cave City, Ark., and had lived in Pampa since 1952. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He worked 45 years as a superintendent in pipeline development. He was a member of the operating engineers of the AFLCIO. He was a Christian and had family ties with First Christian Church. He married Martha Leona Keen in 1943 at Kansas City, Mo. She died in 1973. He married Jean Hines in 1975 at San Mateo, Calif. She died in 1998. Survivors include four sons, Lester Michael Stewart of Scottsdale, Ariz., Richard Keen Stewart of Lubbock, David J. Stewart of Taos, N.M., and Richard Scarborough of San Francisco; two daughters, Yacquelina Hutchison of Colorado and Ramona Robertson of Fort Worth; two sisters, Atha Marie Wright of Borger and Wanda Jean Burke of Spearman; and 12 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 11, 2000 Martha "Marty" Adams Curry PAMPA - Martha "Marty" Adams Curry, 48, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Scott McManus, minister of The Living Word Church in Greenville, and the Rev. Doug Yates, pastor of the First Nazarene Church in Pampa, officiating. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene, under the direction of Elmwood Memorial Park Funeral Home. Mrs. Curry was born in Gorman. She was a resident of Pampa for two years, moving there from Abilene, where she lived for seven years. She retired from Hendricks Medical Center in Abilene in 1996 as a medical transcriptionist. Survivors include two daughters, Jennifer Lynn Gilly Wallace of Stephenville and Angela Mae Gossett Smith of Pampa; two sons, Todd Wallace of Stephenville and Aaron Smith of Pampa; two sisters, Ruth of Salmon, Idaho, and Carrie A. York of Pampa; two brothers, Robert Adams of New York City, and Richard Smith of Pampa; and one grandson. The family will be at 1121 S. Hobart. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Ila Corene McKay PAMPA - Ila Corene McKay, 83, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with the Rev. James W. Morris, retired Assembly of God minister of Sachse, and Rev. Todd Dyess, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Pampa, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. McKay was born in Decatur County, Tenn. She had been a resident of Pampa since 1929. She married Jack McKay in 1949 in Pampa. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company from 1932 until 1971, when she retired. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church. Her husband preceded her in death in 1992. Survivors include two nieces, Wanda Lou Morris of Sachse and Ernestine Scott of Oklahoma City and two great nephews, Randy Holmes and Ronnie Holmes, both of Pampa. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, Box 1981, Pampa TX 79066-1981. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Birdie M. Williamson CHILDRESS - Birdie M. Williamson, 91, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Johnny Robertson of First Methodist Church of Childress officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery. Mrs. Williamson was born in Kirkland. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas E. Williamson, and a son, Dorman E. Williamson. Survivors include two daughters, Betty Spear of Houston and Kathleen Bell of Dallas; six grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Childress. The family will be at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. Thursday. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Annie Jo Conley PAMPA - Annie Jo Conley, 60, died Friday Jan. 7, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the McCullough Street Church of Christ with John Carter, minister of Westside Church of Christ of Shamrock, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Conley was born in Anderson County. She moved to Pampa in 1975 from Anderson County. She was a homemaker and a housekeeper at Highland General and Worley hospitals. She was a member of the McCullough Street Church of Christ, where she was involved in the chorus group. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lula Mae Ryan, in 1999. She married James Otis Conley in 1975 in Pampa. He preceded her in death in 1988. Survivors include three daughters, Etha Broadnax of Pampa and Pearley Wise and Evelyn Young Jackson of Fort Worth; two sons, Albert Young III and Nicholas Conley of Pampa; three sisters, Betty Wright of Shamrock and Berdea Carter and Eula Perry of Pampa; two brothers, John Ryan and Rufus Ryan of Pampa; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to McCullough Street Church of Christ. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Elbert Andrew Lewellen CHILDRESS - Elbert Andrew Lewellen, 77, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Norman Rushing, pastor of First Baptist Church of Childress, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home of Childress. Mr. Lewellen was born in Brownwood. He was past commander and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a former member of the Elks Club and was an Air Force veteran. He was an automobile paint and body repairman. He married Midge Surdey in 1950. Survivors include his wife, Midge Lewellen of Childress; two sons, Max Lewellen of Childress and Dan Lewellen of Sapulpa, Okla.; four daughters, Brenda Gaba of Dallas, Vicky Brehm of Tulsa, Laura Hill of Sapulpa, Okla., and Tammy Lewellen of Tulsa; a brother, Columbus Lewellen of Childress; 14 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Amarillo Lucile W. Ramsey Lucile W. Ramsey, 90, formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, in Gunnison, Colo. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St., with Paul Sneed officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Ramsey was born in Ardmore, Okla. She married D.Y. Wrather in 1930 at Amarillo. He died in 1950. She worked 20 years for Paramount Terrace Elementary School. She volunteered with the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Alice Wrather Browder; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Amarillo Daily News, Jan. 11, 2000 Tereza G. Escamilla Tereza G. Escamilla, 84, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Prayer services are at 6:30 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Alfred Vargas of Christian Life Center Assembly of God officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Escamilla was born in Repueblo de Oriente, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She married Tomas M. Escamilla in 1934. They moved to Amarillo in 1972. She was a homemaker and a member of Christian Life Center. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Judy Mendez in 1976 and Teri Malacara in 1997. Survivors include her husband; five sons, Tony Escamilla of Fritch, Doroteo Escamilla, Thomas Escamilla Jr. and Paul Escamilla, all of Amarillo, and Santos Escamilla of Othello, Wash.; a daughter, Ruth Malacara of Amarillo; 27 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Lloyd Ann Markham Lloyd Ann Baker Markham, 87, of Amarillo and formerly of Silsbee, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Farmer Funeral Home Chapel at Silsbee with the Rev. Randy Carrion, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Silsbee, officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont. Mrs. Markham was born in Groveton and moved to Silsbee in 1927. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Sam Houston State University in 1936. She married Dr. Ira G. Markham in 1940 at Silsbee. He died in 1975. She retired in 1976 after 33 years teaching for the Silsbee Independent School District. She moved to Amarillo in 1996. She was a member of Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association and First United Methodist Church in Silsbee. Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl Beckley of Amarillo; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church in Silsbee or the organ fund at First Presbyterian Church in Canyon. Harley G. Hicks Harley G. Hicks, 71, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle. Officiating will be the Rev. Terry Lowe of St. Stephen United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. Mr. Hicks was born in Canyon and lived in Amarillo for 44 years. He graduated from West Texas State College and was a retired certified public accountant. He served in the 45th infantry division, U.S. Army, during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church. He married Jo Ann Ritchey in 1953 in Dalhart. Survivors include his wife of Amarillo; a son, Ritchey Hicks of Amarillo; a sister, Winnie Dee Small of North Carolina; a brother, Elmer Hicks of California; and a grandson, Anthony Milligan. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be sent to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Leo Brown Leo Brown, 71, of Amarillo, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2000. Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Morrison Memorial Chapel in Dumas with the Rev. John Wagoner, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Dumas, officiating. Interment will be in Dumas Cemetery. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mr. Brown was born in Melrose, N.M., and had been an Amarillo resident for two years but lived in Dumas since 1941. He was a retired lab technician for Potash Company of America. He married Nadine Harris in 1958 in Dalhart. Survivors include his wife, Nadine Brown of Amarillo; a son, Jerry Franklin of Canadian; two daughters, Terri Klock of Fritch and Trudy Lovell of Canyon; two brothers, Joe Ed Brown of Dayton and Charles Brown of Brownfield; two sisters, Mabel Howard of Muleshoe and Ethel Widner of Jacksboro; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. The family will be 4810 Rose Drive in Amarillo. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Spencer W. Smith Spencer W. Smith, 69, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church with the Rev. Charles Meyer, pastor, officiating. Cremation was by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors. Mr. Smith was born near McCamey. He graduated from Amarillo High School. He received his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from Texas A&M University. He had been a resident of Amarillo for many years. He worked for several years for the Texas Highway Department. He was a longtime member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Survivors include six cousins, Dr. Ernestine Smith, Dallas Smith, Virginia Posey, Lindley Smith, Fletcher Smith and Betty Howze of Amarillo. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Marilyn Ruth McKinney Marilyn Ruth McKinney, 49, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at South Lawn Assembly of God with the Rev. Jerald Middaugh and the Rev. Jan Middaugh officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Ms. McKinney was born in Hawthorne, Nevada. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and South Lawn Assembly of God Church. She worked for Potter County for nine years and for Randall County four years as a deputy sheriff. She was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Charlene McNulty in 1991. Survivors include a sister, Wanda Jean McKinney of Amarillo; her mother, Zelma McKinney of Amarillo; and two nieces, Tonja Green and Monica McNulty of Amarillo. Memorials may be made to the DARE Program, 501 16th St., Canyon TX 79015. The family will be at 4430 Evelyn. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Dorothy Pauline "Polly" Kirkwood Dorothy Pauline "Polly" Kirkwood, 74, of Amarillo, died Sunday Jan. 9, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Southeast Baptist Church in Amarillo with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home. Mrs. Kirkwood was born in Walnut Ridge, Ark. She came to Amarillo from Ripley, Tenn., in 1966. She retired from K-Mart in 1987. She belonged to the Friendship Baptist Church. She married Arvel Lackey in 1941 in Osceola, Okla. He preceded her in death in 1972. She married Sam Kirkwood in 1973 in Amarillo. He died in 1990. Survivors include a son, Albert Lackey of Amarillo; three daughters, Paulette Prescott of Amarillo, Sharon Fisher of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Bettye Reed of Amarillo; two sisters, Elsie Doty of Amarillo and Nellie Lovelady of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center or BSA Hospice. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Virginia Jung Roper CANYON - Virginia Jung Roper, 76, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Albany Cemetery with the Rev. Ruben Castaneda officiating. Internment will be at Albany Cemetery. Arrangements are by Godfrey-Neese Funeral Home. Mrs. Roper was a homemaker. She was a Catholic. She married Jack Reid Roper in 1950 in Ardmore, Okla. Survivors included her husband, Jack Reid Roper of Canyon; a son, Jack R. Roper II of Keller; a daughter, Jene Christine Patton of Canyon; two sisters, Nellie Hawks of Fort Worth and Doris Snook of Indio, Calif.; a brother, Harry Jung Jr. of Lubbock; three grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 New Mexico Pauline Stewart Dixon CLOVIS, N.M. - Pauline Stewart Dixon, 93, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church Chapel with the Rev. Charles Bader officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Dixon was born in Portland, Ore. She had been a teacher, retiring from Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore. She had been a member of Peace Presbyterian Church in Eugene. She moved to Clovis five years ago. She was a homemaker and member of First United Methodist Church. She married Homer J. Dixon in 1929 at Dayville, Ore. He died in 1968. She also was preceded in death by a son, Loring Dixon, in 1982. Survivors include a daughter, Eleanor McKinney of Clovis; a sister, Martha Sans of Woodland, Calif.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be in Pauline and Homer Dixon's names to Education Together Foundation, P.O. Box 523, Junction City, Ore.; or to the PEO Scholarship Fund, c/o 1340 Stratford Lane, Clovis, NM 88101. Teresa Marie Tawney PORTALES, N.M. - Teresa Marie Tawney, 19, died Sunday Jan. 9, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Community Church. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Community Church. Burial will be at Melrose Cemetery in Melrose. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home Inc. of Clovis. Teresa was born in Clovis. She was a resident of Clovis until moving to Melrose in 1990. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1998 and moved to Portales in October 1998. She was a sophomore at Eastern New Mexico University, a member of St Helen's Catholic Church in Portales, a Christian Children's Department teacher at St. Helen's Catholic Church and a volunteer for church activities. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who Among High School Students and the volleyball team. She was a HOST volunteer at ENMU, assisting Portales Junior High School in Portales. Survivors include her grandfather / adopted father Frank Tawney Sr. of Melrose; her mother and stepfather, Brenda and Ben Wells of Melrose; two brothers, Frank Tawney Jr. of Cannon Air Force Base, and Daniel Tawney of San Antonio; and three sisters, Elena Wells of Melrose, N.M., Rosemary Lyden of Belgium and Sandy Morales of Carrizozo, N.M. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Oklahoma Leila Jane VanDeburgh BEAVER, Okla. - Leila Jane Reiswig VanDeburgh, 62, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. in Beaver First Christian Church with Roger Neff and Chuck Lightfoot officiating. Burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service. Mrs. VanDeburgh graduated from Beaver High School. She had been a member of Beaver First Christian Church since 1949. She also was a member of the music club. She married Scott VanDeburgh in 1955 at Beaver. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Steve VanDeburgh of Balko, Craig VanDeburgh of Medford and Doug VanDeburgh of Jacksonville, N.C.; a daughter, Tami Hernandez of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Gary Reiswig of East Hampton, N.Y., and David Reiswig of Evansville, Ind.; and six grandchildren. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Elsewhere Homer O. Watson ODESSA - Homer O. Watson, 73, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Phillips and Lucky Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J.W. Butler and the Rev. Jimmy Tidwell officiating. Burial will be in Forest Grove Cemetery. Mr. Watson was born in Tanglewood. He worked for Haliburton Services from 1948 to 1991, when he retired as divisional manager. During those years he worked in McCamey; Iran; Big Lake; Rankin; Odessa; Andrews; Wichita, Kan.; and Oklahoma City. He moved back to Odessa in October from Fort Worth. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Methodist. Mr. Watson married Frances Butler in 1949 at Bartlett. Survivors include his wife; a son, Homer O. Watson III of Odessa; a daughter, Margaret Watson Slagle of Andrews; his mother, Thelma Kyle Watson of Lexington; three sister, Mona Haack of San Antonio and Myrtie Alice Fritcher and Elaine Quinney, both of Lexington; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Robert Wesley Martin SAN ANTONIO - Robert Wesley "Bob" Martin, 72, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000. Services were at 10 a.m. Friday in Porter Loring North Chapel with the Rev. Alan Stanley officiating. Burial with military honors was in Sam Houston National Cemetery. Mr. Martin was born in Wichita, Kan. As a teen he was a member of the Koshare Indians, a Scouting dance troupe in La Junta, Colo. He played in bands and orchestra during high school and college. In 1946 he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Randolph Field. He was discharged as a sergeant in 1947. He returned to Colorado, where he graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. After college Mr. Martin moved to San Antonio. In 1959, he entered the civil service at Kelly Air Force Base, where he worked in chemical and environmental management. He earned his master's degree in chemistry from Trinity University. In 1987 he was named Air Force Logistics Command Federal Environmental Engineer of the Year. He retired in 1989. Mr. Martin established Custom Photography and worked as a professional photographer. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Survivors include his wife, LaDonna; two daughters, Annette Trlica of Austin and Delores Hannsman of New Braunfels; and a sister, Pat Wiley of Amarillo. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000 Albert Lee Gruhlkey AUSTIN - Albert Lee Gruhlkey, 69, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Amey Funeral Home. Burial will be in Austin Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Amey Funeral Home. Mr. Gruhlkey was born in Amarillo. He graduated from West Texas State College and served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He retired in 1992 from the Texas Employment Commission, where he was director of both the San Angelo and Houston districts, and was director of a number of departments, the last of which was program director of veterans affairs for the state of Texas. He was past president of the Texas State Chapter and International President of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security and Past President of Texas Public Employees Association. Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Gruhlkey; a daughter, Leanne Martin of Austin; two sons, Kurt E. Gruhlkey of Garland and Karl E. Gruhlkey of Youngstown, Ohio; and six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research in Memphis, Tenn. The family will be at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Amarillo Daily-News, Jan. 11, 2000