Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 07 Apr 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 ==================================================================== Vera Pennington Vera Balch Pennington, 86, of Amarillo, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Llano Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Jud Wilhite, associate senior minister of Paramount Terrace Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Pennington was born and raised in Winters. She graduated from Winters High School. In 1935 she moved to Big Spring. She married Dee Balch in 1936 at Big Spring. He passed away in 1973. In 1949, she moved to Amarillo. She married Ed Pennington in 1979 at Amarillo, and they moved to Ruidoso, N.M. They returned to Amarillo in 1996. Mrs. Pennington was a district manager for Avon Cosmetics from 1948 until retiring in 1974. She was a longtime member of the Amarillo Business Women's Association. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Ruidoso. She was preceded in death by a son, Charles David Balch, in 1954. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Dorothy Deckerd of Lake Tanglewood and Becky Maples of Arlington; a stepson, Gary Rickman of Silver City, N.M.; four grandchildren, Renee Ashley and Randy Deckerd, both of Amarillo and Misty Maples and Shon Maples, both of Arlington; four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The family received friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Jack Barnett Jack Barnett, 79, of Amarillo, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in the chapel of Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St., with the Craig Logan officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Barnett was the owner / operator of Jack Barnett Appliance Service, retiring after more than 30 years of business. He was a member of Baptist Community Service Town Club. He was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a Baptist. Mr. Barnett married Pauline in 1941 at Plainview. She died in 2000. He also was preceded in death by a son, Gary Dale Barnett, in 1993. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Henry and Debra Miller, both of Amarillo; five brothers, W.Y. Barnett of Amarillo, Royce Blackshear of Dumas, Perry Blackshear of Cleo Springs, Okla., and Clarence Barnett and James Barnett, both of Tarrant County; three sisters, Farris Rowell, Peggy Ferguson and Dorothy Sipes, all of Dumas; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Multiple Sclerosis. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Morris E. Smith Morris E. Smith, 95, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, April 3, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in the Chapel of Memories at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Smith married Malissa Lucille Choate in 1928 at Mount Vernon. He moved to Amarillo in 1942 from San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1992. He was a member of the Amarillo Moose Lodge No. 1481, achieving the Pilgrim Degree, the highest degree of the order. Following his retirement from the Machinists' Union, he served in the capacity of public relations for Kelly Tire Co. Survivors include two daughters, Billie Tanner and JoAnn Banks, both of Amarillo; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Meal on Wheels of Amarillo. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Rebecca DeHoyos Rebecca DeHoyos, 60, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 6, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Chaparral Hills Baptist Church with the Rev. Alan Burkhalter of the church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. DeHoyos was a member of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church. She was a member of the Hispanic Lions Club, where she served as an officer. She was an office technician for Amarillo State Center and Texas Panhandle Mental Health Mental Retardation. She was born in Bastrop. She married Phillip DeHoyos in 1964 at Dallas. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Tonya DeHoyos Detten of Panhandle and Rachel Ann DeHoyos of Fort Worth; two sons, Steven DeHoyos of Shiloh, Ill., and Daniel C. DeHoyos of Amarillo; her father, Benito Buitron of Austin; a sister, Pauline Barbarena of Austin; four brothers, Benito Buitron Jr. of Mesquite and Andres R. Buitron, Antonio S. Buitron and Luis A. Buitron, all of Austin; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Texas Lions Foundation; Chaparral Hills Baptist Church, 3300 W. Cherry Ave., Amarillo, TX 79108; or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Robert Duncan Robert "R.D." Duncan, 48, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, April 4, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Jim Fox, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Duncan was born in Amarillo. He worked as a security guard for Bank One. Survivors include a daughter, Kimberly Hill of Frisco; his parents, Bob and Wanda Duncan of Amarillo; and a brother, Johnny Ray Duncan of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Hillcrest Baptist Church pastoral fund. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Mary Otha Lee Hume Mary Otha Lee Hume, 89, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with the Rev. Jay Roberson of Liberty Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Hume was a vibrant little lady, born Jan. 23, 1912 in Cuthbert. In 1916 her family moved to Mountain Park, Okla., where her father was sheriff. Otha Lee taught school in Albuquerque, N.M. before moving to Amarillo to settle. She taught second-grade for 25 years at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. With jet black hair, brown eyes and lots of freckles, she graduated from high school in Mountain Park. Energetic and smart, she went on to graduate from Oklahoma College for Women at Chickasha, Okla. She graduated from Southwestern State University at Weatherford, where she met Clyde Hume. They were married May 22, 1935. He lovingly called her "Bigun," she called him "Pup" and they eloped while in college. Clyde "Pup" Hume preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 1981, when he had a heart attack. Clyde and Otha Lee had only one child, Keith Hume who still lives here in Amarillo. He was Otha Lee's "guardian" until her death. Her last smile on this earth was for him. Otha Lee "Bigun" led a full and happy life. She loved tennis, golf and gardening. She was an artist and a seamstress. She was small in stature but did everything in a big way. Survivors include a son, Keith Hume of Amarillo; a sister, Jeanne Leitner of Amarillo; and a grandson, Cassey Hume of Lubbock; and a multitude of family and friends that loved and respected her. The family suggests memorials be to Diane Diaz, Nursing Care Unlimited, P.O. Box 31642, Amarillo, TX 79120. A special thanks to Rosie, an angel. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Alfred Sonny Blevins Alfred Sonny Blevins, 59, of Amarillo, died Thursday, April 5, 2001, in Alva, Okla. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Bob Miller, pastor of South Georgia Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Blevins was born in Crowell. He had been a resident of Amarillo for 25 years. Mr. Blevins was a retired truck driver for Wal-Mart. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He married Susie Pool in 1967 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Faye Blevins of Amarillo and Tracy Bowzer of Grove, Okla.; a sister, Mary Duggan of Hereford; a brother, Roy Blevins of Hereford; his mother and stepfather, Willie Abston and John McCauley of Amarillo; and two granddaughters, Tori and Teagan Bowzer. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Amanda Jane Emberton Amanda Jane Emberton, 79, of Amarillo, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Leon Green officiating. Burial will be in Washburn Cemetery. Mrs. Emberton was a longtime Amarillo and Panhandle resident. She married Oran Emberton in 1949 at Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; and by her son, Gary Emberton, in 1997. Survivors include a son, Gregory Dean Emberton of Bentonville, Ark.; a brother, J.R. Hinkle of Ridgeway; a sister, Hazel Womack of Hugo, Okla.; and a grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Gideons International. She leaves a close friend, Jimmy Rodgers, and many other loving friends. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Area Joseph Edgar Wheeler PAMPA - Joseph Edgar Wheeler, 82, died Friday, April 6, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in White Deer Cemetery at White Deer with the Rev. John Collis, pastor of the First Baptist Church in White Deer, and the Rev. John Dorn officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Wheeler married Lela Helpingstine on Aug. 11, 1942, in San Antonio. He worked for Cabot and IRI, retiring after 38 years. Survivors include his wife; three sons, James Wheeler of Midland, Otto Wheeler of Austin and Dean Wheeler of White Deer; a brother, Dean Wheeler of Tishomingo, Okla.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Masonic Home and School of Texas, P.O. Box 15040, Fort Worth, TX 76119. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Jim Whitten CHILDRESS - Jim Whitten, 81, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Newlin Cemetery at Newlin with the Rev. Norman Rushing, pastor of First Baptist Church in Childress, officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Whitten was a farmer. He served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include a sister, Odessa Freeman of Lancaster, S.C. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Jimmy Dale Roberts SHAMROCK - Jimmy Dale Roberts, 54, died Thursday, April 5, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Assembly of God with the Rev. Jason Cochran officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mr. Roberts was born Oct. 20, 1946 in Shamrock. He was an auto mechanic in Amarillo since 1985. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Roberts and Lenora Coots, both of Amarillo; two sons, Charles Roberts of Amarillo and Ricky Roberts; his mother, Mable Roberts of Shamrock; a sister, Barbara Hurt of Grants Pass, Ore.; and eight grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Leadie May Holland SHAMROCK - Leadie May Holland, 94, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Shamrock Cemetery with Joe G. Jernigan officiating. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Holland was born Nov. 5, 1906. She had lived in the Shamrock area for 65 years. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Holland was preceded in death by three spouses, Grady Ethridge, Howard Sherwood and C.O. Holland. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Earlene Ethridge, in 1933; by a great-grandson, Ben Range; and by eight brothers and sisters. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Strickland of Arlington; four granddaughters; a grandson; and 13 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Nelda Faye Gordzelik WHITE DEER - Nelda Faye Gordzelik, 84, died Friday, April 6, 2001, in Pampa. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Sunday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel in Pampa. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Sacred Heart Cemetery at White Deer with Monsignor Kevin Hand, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of White Deer, officiating. Mrs. Gordzelik was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A beautician for 40 years, she owned and operated White Deer Beauty Shop. Survivors include a son, Joe Gordzelik of White Deer; two daughters, Janie Stevens of Amarillo and Winona Sue Gordzelik of White Deer; a sister, Wanda Murray of Duncan, Okla.; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to White Deer EMS or the Sacred Heart Cemetery Association. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Loyd Wayne Cheatwood BORGER - Loyd Wayne Cheatwood, 73, died Thursday, April 5, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Riverview Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Milhoun officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. Cheatwood was born Sept. 1, 1927 in Lindsay, Okla. He was a warehouse purchaser for Phillips Petroleum. Survivors include four daughters, Debbie Duso, Pat Isom and Ila Mauldin, all of Borger and Sheila Webb of Katy; five brothers, J.D. Cheatwood and Alton Cheatwood, both of Borger, Lee Cheatwood of Dallas, Travis Cheatwood of McAllen and Meryl Cheatwood of Friendswood; a sister, Faye Mack of Auburn, Calif.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Evalyn Elizabeth Wood BORGER - Evalyn Elizabeth Wood, 86, died Thursday, April 5, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Gateway Baptist Church with the Rev. Tunis Schuurman and the Rev. Billy Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Stinnett by Brown Funeral Directors. Mrs. Wood was a homemaker. She was a member of Gateway Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Kay Reece of Borger, Peggy Lewis of Huntsville, Ark., and Jan Jones of Fort Collins, Colo.; a sister, Maggie Ruth Johnston of McLean; 11 grandchildren; 28 greatgrandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, April 7, 2001 Lillian Elizabeth Bailey WHEELER - Lillian Elizabeth Bailey, 82, died Friday, April 6, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Wheeler Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Jewel, pastor of Country Chapel, officiating. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home. Mrs. Bailey was born Nov. 19, 1918, to John and Caroline Harris Geyer, in Meridian, Okla. She married Cecil H. Bailey on Dec. 24, 1946, in Wheeler. She had lived in Wheeler County since 1945. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992; by a son, Paul Willyard, in 2000; and by a daughter, Delorse Moore, in 2000. Survivors include two sons, Carl Willyard of Oklahoma City and Frank Willyard of French Camp, Calif.; a daughter, Clarise Hathaway of Mobeetie; 17 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity.