Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 21 Jul 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: Darren McCathern (quohadi@quackquack.com) Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Last updated; Friday, July 21, 2000, 6:05 AM Amarillo Juanita Ruth McLerran Juanita Ruth McLerran, 80, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 21, 2000. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Church of God of Prophecy with Wayne Mullin officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. McLerran was born in Silsbee. She moved to Amarillo in 1985 from Monterey, Calif. She was a registered nurse and played piano for churches in the Amarillo area. She married Lawrence McLerran in 1962 at Venice Beach, Calif. He died in 1994. Survivors include a daughter, Janie Ruth Bellet of Paris, France; two sons, Roy Edward Spencer of Amarillo and Merrill Glenn Spencer of Prescott, Ariz.; and 13 grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 J.T. Walker J.T. Walker, 73, of Las Vegas and formerly of Amarillo, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor of San Jacinto Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Llano Cemetery Garden Mausoleum. Mr. Walker was born in Chillicothe. He lived in Amarillo from 1951 to 1953, then moved to Pampa. He later moved to Vernon and opened a Sonic Drive-In in 1962. He moved to Las Vegas in 1976, where he worked was a manager for the Las Vegas Hilton and Slots before he retired. He attended Paradise Bible Baptist Church in Las Vegas. He married Billie Jo Barrett in 1945. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Steven D. Walker of Huntsville and Stanley Blaine Walker and Mark Jason Walker, both of Las Vegas; three sisters, Billie Vaughan of Amarillo, Linda Craven of Gonzales and Dorothy Patton of Amarillo; three brothers, Doyle Walker of Lampasas, David Walker of Estelline and Gary Walker of Lubbock; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 James Dotts James Dotts, 70, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St., with the Rev. Philip Randle officiating. Burial will be in Silver Mount Cemetery at Staten Island, N.Y. Mr. Dotts was born in Yazoo County, Miss., and lived in Amarillo for many years. He attended schools in Staten Island and graduated from McKee High School. He worked for Asarco in Perth Amboy, N.J., transferred to Asarco in Amarillo and retired. Mr. Dotts had served in the Army and was a member of Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Dotts of Amarillo; three sons, Bruce Dotts and Christopher Dotts, both of Staten Island and Bernard Reid of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Kimberly Neal of Amarillo and Joyce Howze of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, David Dotts, Lawrence Dotts and Nathan Dotts, all of Staten Island; and a sister, Corabelle Sanders of Vaughan, Miss. The body will be available for viewing at the funeral home. The family will be at 107 Chucker St. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Charley Rocco Priolo Jr. Charley Rocco Priolo Jr., 69, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Priolo was born in Amarillo and was a lifetime resident. He served in the Air Force from 1951-53. He worked for Page and Associates at Boy's Ranch, retiring in 1996. He was a songwriter and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He married Helen Kesner in 1953. Survivors include his wife; seven daughters, Karen Williams, Janet Jenkins, Laura Heddin and Nona Rivas, all of Amarillo, Mary Alexander of San Antonio, Tina Richard of Pittsboro, N.C., and Anne Crawford of Fritch; a son, Randy Priolo of Happy; four brothers, Thomas Priolo of San Antonio, Jim Priolo of Raytown, Mo., and Louie Priolo and Billy Priolo, both of Amarillo; a sister, Peggy Mayfield of San Antonio; and 16 grandchildren. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Corinne Ruth Reed Corinne Ruth Hobson Reed, 85, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Freedom Baptist Church with the Rev. Raymond Bowlin, pastor of Bushland Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Reed was born in Amistad, N.M. She graduated from high school in Clayton, N.M. She had lived in Amarillo for more than 65 years and worked as a cook at High Plains Baptist Hospital. She was a Baptist and a member of the Wild Rose Lodge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen G. Reed, in 1972. Survivors include a son, Glen Don Reed of Amarillo; three daughters, Gwen McKinney of Dallas, Vicki Bussell of Ardmore, Okla., and Lana Hodges of Amarillo; two sisters, Lois Bell of Soldotna, Alaska, and Edith Curfman of Drain, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and 23 greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Edith Freeman Edith Reed Freeman, 73, of Amarillo, died Friday, July 14, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5401 Bell St. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Freeman was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School. She attended nursing school in Lubbock and graduated as a certified licensed vocational nurse. She was awarded the National Compassionate Services Award by the Veterans Administration. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mrs. Freeman was preceded in death by her husband, Hershall B. Reed, in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, Laura Swenson of Canyon; three sons, William Reed of Bakersfield, Calif., John Reed of Austin and Harry Reed of Ogden, Utah; a sister, Alice Green of Amarillo; a brother, Harry Green of Houston; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Gordon W. Gabert Sr. Gordon W. Gabert Sr., 63, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Raines, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Gabert was born in Clovis, N.M., and had lived most of his life in Amarillo. He was a graduate of Amarillo High School in 1955 and a graduate of Texas Tech University. He was a civil engineer and worked for the Santa Fe Railway. He worked for the Department of Energy before retiring in 1999. He was a member of the Paramount Baptist Church. He married Sammye Jo Boyd in 1955 at Tucumcari, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a son, Gordon Gabert Jr. of Amarillo; two daughters, Trina Gabert of Long Beach, Calif., and Teri Gabert of Dallas; a brother, Johnnie Gabert of Georgetown; a sister, Elizabeth Offord of Georgetown; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Arthritis Foundation, 3001 W. Fifth St., Fort Worth, TX 76107. The family will be at 3909 Linda. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Lavada Lanier Lavada "Tud" Lanier, 74, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with the Gerald Chadwick, of Central Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Ms. Lanier was born in Vernon and moved from Fritch to Amarillo in 1980. She was a model and a Baptist. Survivors include a sister, Robbie Hartman of Amarillo; and a brother, Donnie Lanier of Nashville, Tenn. Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Elsewhere Joyce Givhan MIDLAND - Rebecca Joyce Givhan, 66, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church Glass Chapel with the Rev. C. Lane Boyd officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park by Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Givhan was born and raised in Canadian. She graduated from high school in Canadian and attended West Texas State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1969. In 1988, she earned her master's degree at North Texas State. Mrs. Givhan taught school at Pampa, Mexia and Navarro College in Corsicana before moving to Midland in 1981, where she taught at Midland High School. In 1997, she retired. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She married Claude Givhan in 1953 at Canadian. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Doug Givhan of Midland and Brad Givhan of Andrews; a daughter, Becky Ary of The Woodlands; a brother, Boyde Curnutt of Port Lavaca; a sister, Karen Eggleston of Higgins; and nine grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Area W.J. Lumpkins HAPPY - W.J. Lumpkins, 90, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000, at Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel in Happy with Monsignor B.A. Erpen officiating. Burial will be in Happy Cemetery. Mr. Lumpkins was born in Paducah. He was a longtime resident of Happy, and a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church. He was a Navy veteran and a custom harvester. He married Anna C. Burgett in 1945 at Gallup, N.M. She died in 1994. Survivors include four daughters, Lola Jo Stevens of Amarillo, Alice Murray of San Diego, Beatrice Cannon of Las Vegas and Celia Wren of Spokane, Wash.; two sons, W.J. Lumpkins Jr. of San Diego and Charles W. Lumpkins of Tulia; two sisters, Louise Hancock of Canyon and Evelyn Johnson of New Port Richey, Fla.; two brothers, Wayland Lumpkins and Wallace Lumpkins, both of Tulia; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Herbert Kyle Johnson CHILDRESS - Herbert Kyle Johnson, 40, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the New Hope Baptist Church in Pampa with the Rev. Billye Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Pampa by Walford-Walker Mortuary Funeral Home of Amarillo. Mr. Johnson was born in Pampa and had lived in Wellington before moving to Childress. He attended schools in Pampa and graduated from Wellington High School. He was a self-employed detail man and a member of the St. John Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Sally Ann Johnson; three sons, Sergio Johnson of Charlotte, S.C., Shelton Johnson of Amarillo and Carnell Hampton of Childress; five daughters, Renee Johnson of Pampa, Snapajus Johnson of Charlotte, S.C., Kaisha Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jacqueline Hampton and Lafoya Hampton, both of Childress; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie McKinnon of Wellington; three brothers, Walter Johnson and Clayton Johnson, both of Pampa and Willie McKinnon Jr. of Amarillo; and five sisters, Marion Wine and Sheri Johnson, both of Pampa, Denice Holt of Snyder, Beverly Watson of Carrollton and Kayla Harrison of Ben Brook. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Leatha Smith OLTON - Leatha Smith, 91, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Littlefield Memorial Park at Littlefield with Gary Skaggs, of Muleshoe, and the Rev. Randy Tucker, of Richland Hills Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Smith was born in Childress. She moved from Gainesville to Olton in 1995. She was a school teacher and a member of the First United Methodist Church. She married L.A. Smith in 1935 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Allison of Gainesville and Hellen Adrian of Muleshoe; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Elisabeth Anna Harris PLAINVIEW - Elisabeth Anna Harris, 53, of Plainview, died Tuesday, July 18, 2000, at San Antonio. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Plainview Cemetery with the Rev. Gerald Boerger, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mrs. Harris was born and educated in Weiden, Germany. She came to the United States in 1990 and worked at the Deli/Commissary at the Fort Sill Army base in Lawton, Okla. She was president of Beta Sigma Phi in Lawton. Survivors include a daughter, Micky Dixon of San Antonio; a son, Jeff S. Harris Jr. of Sonora; her mother, Theresia Patterson of Plainview; a brother, Larry Patterson of Aurora, Colo.; three sisters, Gabriele Raulston of Plainview, Angelia Vega and Dorothy Hunt, both of Odessa; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Ted Green WELLINGTON - Ted Green, 93, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Shamrock Cemetery with Tom Anderson, minister of Memphis Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home. Mr. Green was born in Montague County. He was a longtime resident of Collingsworth County and a retired farmer. Survivors include a brother, Rom Green of Oklahoma City. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Estelline Sythie Merritt MORTON - Estelline Sythie Merritt, 67, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Danny Jackson of Floydada officiating. Burial will be in Morton Memorial Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mrs. Merritt was born in Lubbock. She was a lifetime resident of Morton. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church. She married J.D. "Dake" Merritt in 1949 at Morton. Survivors include her husband; two sons, James Dee Merritt of Decatur and Coy Merritt of Morton; two sisters, Carolyn Sue Pond of Fort Worth and Norma Eling of Muskegon, Mich.; three brothers, Truman Weed of Saint Jo, Kenneth Weed of White Oak and Donald Weed of San Antonio; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson. The family suggests memorials be to the Alzheimer Association, South Plains Chapter, Texas Tech University - Health Science Center, 3601 Fourth St., Room No. 3A 116, Lubbock, TX 79430; or to the First Baptist Church in Morton. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Patricia Ann Dye CLAUDE - Patricia Ann Dye, 59, died Thursday, July 20, 2000. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, Amarillo, with the Rev. Jim Brown, of Monterray Baptist Church of Lubbock, and the Rev. J. Alan Ford, pastor of Southwest Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. in Claude Cemetery. Mrs. Dye was born in Canyon and had lived in Claude since 1972. She graduated from Happy High School in 1959. She was a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood. She was a volunteer paramedic for Claude Ambulance Service and a member of the First Baptist Church. She married Kenneth Dye in 1972 at Claude. Survivors include her husband; four sons, David Dye of Amarillo, Mike Corbitt of La Grange, Dale Dye of Arlington and Steve Dye of Frisco; two sisters, Laquitta Polvadore of Amarillo and Betty Sue Patterson of Canyon; and eight grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Claude Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 231, Claude, TX 79019. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Joshua Andres Flores DUMAS - Joshua Andres Flores, infant son of Andy Flores and Chasity Manning, of Dumas, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Dumas Cemetery with the Rev. Richard Scully of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Survivors include his parents; his grandparents, Valerie Cereceres and Carroll Tom Manning, both of Casper, Wyo., and Rosa Flores of Dumas; great-grandparents, Mike and Janet Cardenas and Nina Taylor, all of Casper. Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will be at 723 Binkley. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 John W. Bednorz PANHANDLE - John W. Bednorz, 72, died Wednesday, July 19, 2000. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today in St. Theresa Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in the church by the Rev. Jim Hutzler and Monsignor M. Mathieson. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Bednorz was born in Lark and was a lifetime resident of Panhandle. During World War II, he served in the Navy. He was a mechanic and retired from Lane & Company. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a volunteer fireman. He also was a member of the St. Theresa Catholic Church. He married Leona Mitchell in 1950 at Panhandle. He was preceded in death by a son, Roy Lee Bednorz. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Michael Bednorz of Dumas and Charles Bednorz of Panhandle; two daughters, Rebecca Kirkwood of Amarillo and Lea Ann Lanier of Panhandle; two brothers, Doug Bednorz and Don Bednorz, both of Panhandle; six sisters, Pauline Lowe of Fairfield, Calif., Lorene Qualls of Pampa; Mary Lee Hebert of Welsh, La., Leona Mathis of New Deal, Betty Caulkins of Frankston and Clara Rose of Carn City; 18 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000 Marye K. Thomas MCLEAN - Marye K. Crockett Thomas, 88, died Thursday, July 20, 2000. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Church of Christ with Jim Reyna, minister, and the Rev. Thacker Haynes, of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Lamb Funeral Home. Mrs. Thomas was born in Jester, Okla., and was a longtime resident of the McLean area. She was a nurse. She was a member of the McLean Church of Christ. She married Emory D. Crockett in 1933 at Mangum, Okla. He died in 1980. She married Garth Thomas in 1988 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; four sons, Don Emory Crockett, David King Crockett and Richard Kent "Dick" Crockett, all of McLean, and Frank Douglas Crockett of Pasadena; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 S. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065. The family will receive friends at the Thomas residence in McLean. Amarillo Daily News, July 21, 2000