Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 04 Jun 2001 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 ==================================================================== Esther Qualls Beason STINNETT - Esther Qualls Beason, 95, died Saturday, June 2, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Orville Rodgers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery at Panhandle by Brown Funeral Directors. Mrs. Beason was a native of Norman, Okla. She was a Panhandle area resident for 70 years. A housewife, she was a member of First Baptist Church in Stinnett. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Archie Qualls, in 1945; and her second husband, L.E. Beason, in 1983. Survivors include a niece, Patsy Quade of Rochester; three nephews, James Elder of Amarillo, Bob Elder of Ruidoso, N.M., and Dale Elder of Austin. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Sherman McElroy - Sherman "Mac" McElroy, 71, died Friday, June 1, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Westlawn Cemetery with the Rev. Terry Porter, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. McElroy was born on May 10, 1930, in Oklahoma City. He had lived in Borger for three years. An Army Air Corps veteran, he was a retired supervisor. Survivors include two sons, David McElroy of Prairieville, La., and Jeffery McElroy of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Rhonda Schlaht of Houston and Sandra Poche of Prairieville; a sister, Geraldine Smith of Borger; five grandchildren; and caregiver, Tina Masini of Borger. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Joan Courtney PAMPA - Joan Courtney, 72, died Saturday, June 2, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in New Life Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Harold Eggert, pastor, and the Rev. R.L. Courtney, retired minister, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Courtney was born on Dec. 29, 1928, at Lamesa. She married Glen Courtney on April 16, 1955, at Lovington, N.M. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Michelle Nelson of Houston; a son, Bruce Courtney of Pampa; two sisters, Sydney Carr of Houston and June Hines of Midland; and three grandsons. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Gene Sewell BORGER - Gene Sewell, 76, died Saturday, June 2, 2001, in Wellington. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Fairlanes Baptist Church with the Rev. Chad Chaddick officiating and Dr. Don Sewell assisting. Burial will be in Garden of Devotion at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Sewell married Lois Harris on Aug. 9, 1948, at Wheeler. He worked at Phillips Petroleum for 38 years and retired as a supervisor. Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. Don Sewell of South Lake; a daughter, Gayle White of Borger; two brothers, Walter Sewell and David Sewell, of Cordell, Okla.; a sister, Betty Rhodes of Weatherford, Okla.; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Panfork Baptist Encampment. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Jerry C. Phipps MULESHOE - Jerry C. Phipps, 97, died Saturday, June 2, 2001, in Amherst. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Cleveland Bass officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Phipps farmed in Wellington before farming in Bailey County. He was a member of Primitive Baptist Church in Muleshoe. Survivors include two brothers, Dudley Phipps of Dallas and J.D. Phipps of Lubbock; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Primitive Baptist Church, Muleshoe, TX 79347; or Harmonee House, 1400 Main Street, Amherst, TX 79412. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Amarillo Warren D. Nikirk Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with Brother Richard Dickerson of Temple Baptist Church officiating. Cremation will be by Memory Garden Crematory. Mr. Nikirk moved to Amarillo in 1952 from Claude. He was a heavy equipment operator. He served with the Marines Corps during World War II. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, JoJean of the home; two daughters, Cheryl Northan and Pegi Chaney, both of Amarillo; a son, John Mark Nikirk of the home; two brothers, Roy Lee Nikirk of Fort Worth and Billy Mack Nikirk of Irving; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Temple Baptist Church, 3208 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, TX 79109; or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Douglas Lee Hunter Douglas Lee Hunter, 30, of Amarillo, died Sunday, June 3, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. John Hunter, brother, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Hunter was born in Amarillo, where he was a lifetime resident. He graduated from Amarillo High School and West Texas A&M University at Canyon. He was manager of the Sandies football team while in high school. He was an Eagle Scout and a member and alumnae adviser for the chapter at WT. He was a member of Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. He worked for his father, State Farm Insurance Co., and was a staff representative and partner in Lazy 3 Cattle Co. Survivors include his parents, Lynda and Roy Hunter of Amarillo; a brother, John Hunter of Fort Worth; a sister, Cari Laminack of Amarillo; and grandmother, Joy Zamora of Sudan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity; or KA Building Fund, Box 50725, Amarillo, TX 79159. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Marie Ann Cole Phillips Marie Ann Cole Phillips, 72, of Amarillo, died Saturday, June 2, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Second Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Jones, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Phillips was born in Canton. She had lived in Amarillo since 1945. A homemaker, she was a member of Second Baptist Church. She married Orie L. Phillips on Aug. 4, 1945, at Jacksboro. Survivors include her husband; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie L. and Helen Phillips and Danny R. and Sherrie Phillips, all of Franklin; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janis and Scott Herbert of Amarillo and Lauri and Matt Mask of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a sister, Janice Sanford of Quitman; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Second Baptist Church Library, 419 N. Buchanan, Amarillo, TX 79107; or BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Reba Blair Reba Blair, 82, of Amarillo, died Saturday, June 2, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Pioneer Chapel at N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with John McMath, pastor of Bell Avenue Church of Christ, officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Heart Cemetery at Booker. Mrs. Blair was born in Annona on Dec. 21, 1918. She was raised in Mobeetie. She was a resident of Booker for many years before moving to Amarillo in 1998. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She married Horace Blair on July 24, 1939. He passed away in 1988. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Ann Conway of Panhandle; two sons, Larry Blair of Amarillo and James Blair of northern Virginia; a brother, R.C. Parker of McLean; a sister, Marie Gudgel of Wheeler; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Billie Miller Billie Miller, 89, of Amarillo, died Sunday, June 3, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Llano Cemetery with her grandchildren officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Miller was born in Mena, Ark. She moved to Amarillo in 1930. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Everette Miller, in 1996; and a great-granddaughter, Angela Faith Ferguson. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank "Buck" Wilson and Dorothy of Amarillo, James Dowlen and Sandra of Duncanville and Bob Joe Dowlen and Linda of Lubbock; stepson, Jimmie Miller of Dimmitt; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Jan Werner Adult Day Care Center, 3108 Fillmore, Amarillo, TX 79110; or Amarillo Senior Citizens Association, P.O. Box 31180, Amarillo, TX 79120. The family will be at 4841 Morning Drive. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Don Benson Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with the Rev. Jerry Davey of Pleasant Valley Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Washburn Cemetery at Washburn. Mr. Benson was a lifetime resident of Amarillo. He graduated from Caprock High School. He served with the Army during the Vietnam War and was a salesman for Public Steel. He was a member of the Brothers of the Third Wheel and president of the Family Association in Amarillo. In 1981, he married Margie Wilkenson. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kiley McMurry of Amarillo; two sons, Chris Ray and Benjamin Benson, both of Amarillo; five sisters, Lou Hughes of Amarillo, Linda Kelly and Patti Kernim, both of Portland, Ore., Nancy Tinkle of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Pegi Lovett of Saudi Arabia; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Sayman Collins Sayman "Tex" Collins, 77, of Amarillo, died Saturday, June 2, 2001. Services will be in the chapel at Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Melvin Suttle of San Jacinto Assembly of God officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth Ave. Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Striley of Amarillo, Trish Hughes of Belleville, Ill., and Diana Sue Bryant of Quanah; three brothers, Robert Collins of Sunray, Curt Collins of Borger and B.C. Collins Jr., of Redding, Calif.; a sister, Ola McNutt of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 New Mexico Ruby Pickering CLOVIS - Ruby Pickering, 78, died Thursday, May 31, 2001. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Texico Cemetery at Texico with Skip Clark officiating. Arrangements were by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mrs. Pickering had lived in Clovis since 1965. She married Walter Maxwell Pickering in 1971. Survivors include two sons, Charles S. Beard of Scottsburg, Ind., and John A. Beard of Aztec; a daughter, Linda S. Zimmerman of Enid, Okla.; three brothers, John Frantz and Bill Frantz, both of Owensboro, Ky., and Jack Frantz of Niceville, Fla.; two sisters, Gertrude Bowlds of Owensboro and Rosa Pettus of Portales; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Eva Dell Nix CLOVIS - Eva Dell Nix, 68, died Wednesday, May 30, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the chapel at Steed-Todd Funeral Home with Dr. Herbert Bergstrom officiating and the Rev. Wayne Boydstun assisting. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories. Mrs. Nix was a Casa Volunteer. She was a member of the Prince Street Baptist Church, BPO Doe's, Veterans of Foreign War No. 3015 and Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include a son, Alan Swanson of Jacksonville, Fla.; a daughter, Jamie Williams of Clovis; two brothers, E.L. Van Zandt of Levelland, Texas, and Jerry Rasco of Albuquerque; a sister, Maxine Goldsmith of Clovis; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Riley Brewer CLOVIS - Riley Brewer, 78, died Thursday, May 31, 2001. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. today in the chapel at Steed-Todd Funeral Home with Pastor Ed Abla officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories. Mr. Brewer married Inez Overturf on Sept. 13, 1941. He was the owner/operator of Riley's Shamrock gas station in Clovis for 37 years. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Jim Brewer of Yuma, Ariz., Doug Brewer of Lubbock, Texas, Terry Brewer of Edgewood and Donnie Brewer of San Antonio, Texas; three daughters, Pat Mason, Vicki Morris and Denise Durham, all of Clovis; a sister, Virgie McDaniel of Sallisaw, Okla.; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 90790, Albuquerque, NM 87199-0790. Amarillo Globe-News June 4, 2001 Elsewhere Otis McMillan Jr. LUBBOCK - Otis McMillan Jr., 69, died Saturday, June 2, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Southcrest Baptist Church with the Rev. Dudley Bristow officiating. Burial will be in City of Lubbock Cemetery by Rix Funeral Directors. Mr. McMillan was Postmaster at Farwell and Spearman and retired in 1991. He married Modean Cone on Feb. 24, 1956, at Lubbock. Survivors include his wife; a son, Gary McMillan of Laughlin, Nev.; two daughters, Sandra Hutchcraft of Enid, Okla., and Melinda Bonner of Clovis, N.M.; two brothers, Tom McMillan of Lake Brownwood and Herschel McMillan of Lubbock; two sisters, Veda Alston of Plainview and Nell Jordan of Carlsbad, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Building Fund at Southcrest Baptist Church, 3801 South Loop 289, Lubbock, TX 79423.