Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 9 May 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 ==================================================================== CHILDRESS - Opal Daulton Smith, 87, died Sunday, May 6, 2001, in Fort Worth. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in First Assembly of God with the Rev. Clyde Fulfer, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Smith married Beal Cato Smith on Nov. 15, 1931 at Hollis. She was a member of First Assembly of God of Childress. Survivors include four sons, Harold Beal Smith of Powders Springs, Ga., Stephen Michael Smith of Mesa, Ariz., Jerry Dean Smith of Clarksville and Billy Van Smith of Mountain Home; a daughter, Linda Sue Trent of Amarillo; a sister, Marie Allen of Benson, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Kennye Brown PERRYTON - Kennye Brown, 55, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Ochiltree County Cemetery with the Rev. Marlon Sparks officiating. Arrangements are by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Ms. Brown was born Feb. 8, 1946, in Wichita Falls, to Kenneth and Sylvia "Christine" Faulkner Dewell. Kennye worked at Gibson's Discount Center in Perryton and then at Citgo Service Station as a manager. Survivors include a son, Alan Brown of Perryton; a daughter, Kristi Todd of Perryton; two sisters and six grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Amarillo Glenn S. Hill Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with Dr. Paul Richardson officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Hill was born in Sayre, Okla. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Hill of the home; four daughters, Debbie Chesser of Amarillo, Dee Dee Hill, Dana McAlpine and Nanci Hill, all of Alaska; two sons, Fred Hill and Randy Hill, both of Alaska; two sisters, Loudine Kendrick and Francine Hanson, both of Amarillo; and nine grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Ray Monroe Luttrell Ray Monroe "R.M." Luttrell, 80, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, May 2, 2001. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with Adrian Twinney officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Luttrell was born in Dallas. He lived in Amarillo most of his life. He was a self-employed mechanic for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross Ulysses Luttrell and Mary Catherine Harber. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ross Bennie "R.B." Luttrell and three sisters, Elsie Putnam, Ann Miller and Catherine Winters. Survivors include a sister, Ruby Elcon of Jackson, Calif., and several nieces and nephews. The body will not be available for viewing. The family suggests memorials be to the Salvation Army. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 N.C. Thrasher N.C. "Coon" Thrasher, 61, of Amarillo, died Monday, May 7, 2001. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Graveside service will follow immediately at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. Mr. Thrasher was born in Houston, Miss., and had lived in the Amarillo and Canyon area since 1959. He was a heavy-equipment operator, having worked for Howell Sand & Equipment Company. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Tonja Cargill of Amarillo; a sister, Emma Sue Finley of Amarillo; four brothers, Charlie Thrasher, Neal Thrasher and Avery Thrasher, all of Amarillo and Jackie Thrasher of Garden City, Kan.; three grandchildren; 14 nieces and nephews; and longtime companion, Linda Smith of the home. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Harry James Wheeler Harry James Wheeler, 76, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Field of Southeast Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Wheeler worked at Panhandle Laundry for more than 40 years before retiring. He married Wilma Jones on Sept. 20, 1947, at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife, Wilma. The family suggests memorials be to American Diabetes Association. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Twanda Billington Twanda Billington, 77, of Amarillo, died Saturday, May 5, 2001. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Hillcrest Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Fox of the church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road. Mrs. Billington was born in Brinkman, Okla. She moved from Erick, Okla., to Amarillo in 1955. She was a house parent at Amarillo State Center for 13 years and a home health care aide for 10 years, retiring in 1997. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Bob Patterson, in 1978. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Patterson of Rock, Kan.; a son, Steve Billington and his wife, Lynette, of Amarillo; five sisters, Sue Riem of Alaska, Jackie Harper and Fern Chapman, both of Mangum, Okla., Joy Weaver of Midwest City, Okla., and Patsy Youngblood of Oklahoma City; three brothers, Eddie Miller of Mangum and Norman Miller and Bob Miller, both of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Robyn Whipkey and Bob Billington, both of Amarillo, Cara Vinson of Arkansas City, Kan., Warren Billington of Pampa, Jerry Billington of Bushland and Janette Kiser of Masterson; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 2901 Martin Road, Amarillo, TX 79107. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Gloria Sue Bolden Gloria Sue Bolden, 61, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, May 8, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with Dr. Jim Smith, senior pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Bolden was born in Newport, Ark. She moved to Lubbock in 1972 and then to Amarillo in 1986. Mrs. Bolden was a secretary. She married Billy M. Bolden on Nov. 19, 1971, at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; a son, Rev. Scott Brenton of Talbotton, Ga.; two daughters, Kelley Brenton and Lisa Gamblin, both of Amarillo; three stepdaughters, Coreta McReynolds of Alvarado and Denise Bolden and Marlene Bolden, both of Amarillo; a brother, Danny Spencer of Mena, Ark.; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. The family will be at 4600 S. Georgia St. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 James R. Cook Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Rick Rice, pastor of Bykota Southern Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the East Mausoleum of Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Cook was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps. Survivors include his wife, Arietta Cook; a son, James W. Cook of Amarillo; a daughter, Sharon Kay Armstrong of Gahanna, Ohio; a brother, Gilbert Glen Cook of Carmichael, Calif.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Bykota Southern Baptist Church, 4022 N.E. 26th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79107. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 George W. Scearce Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Burial will be in Memorial Park East Mausoleum. During World War II, Mr. Scearce served in the Army Air Corps and was a prisoner of war. He worked for the Texaco Refinery for 46 years, retiring in 1985. He married Birttie Jackson in 1945 at High Point, N.C. She preceded him in death on Feb. 16, 1997. Mr. Scearce was a member of Tri-State Bluegrass Association. He also coached Kids, Inc. Softball. Survivors include three sons, Jim Scearce, Tommie Lynn Scearce and Don Scearce, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Linda Kelly of Amarillo; a brother, Bill Scearce of Thomasville, N.C.; a sister, Lillian Norman of Newport News, Va.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. The family will be at 2913 S. Spring St. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 New Mexico Mary Louise DeVoll PORTALES, N.M. - Mary Louise DeVoll, 84, died Sunday, May 6, 2001, in Clovis. Services will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mrs. DeVoll was born on July 31, 1916, in Clovis to Albert and Nancy Beavers Searcy. She married Horace DeVoll on June 22, 1940 at Clovis. Survivors include a niece, Mary Morcom Lindsey of Roswell. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 John Eugene Grim CLOVIS, N.M. - John Eugene Grim, 55, died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in Lubbock, Texas. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in The Chapel with Tom Rush, chaplain, officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Grim married Karen Mackenroth on Dec. 10, 1967, in Emigsville, Pa. An Air Force retiree, he owned Lo-Cost Auto Sales and Service. Survivors include his wife; a son, John Grim of Clovis; two daughters, Tamra Munro and Debra Emerick, both of Clovis; his father, Lloyd Grim of Dallastown, Pa.; three sisters, Janet Grim and Kathy Grim, both of Dallastown and Gloria Blymire of Felton, Pa.; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, 1330 San Pedro Drive N.E., Albuquerque, N.M. 87110. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Oklahoma Mary Helen Hein GUYMON, Okla. - Mary Helen Kohler Hein, 65, died Sunday, May 6, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today in St. Peter's Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev. Scott Adams and the Rev. Kenneth Hein officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Garrett Cemetery north of Boise City. Arrangements are by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home. Mrs. Hein married Peter Joseph Hein on July 19, 1954, in Boise City. She was instrumental in the development of Guymon Loaves and Fishes and Senior Concerns. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Cheri Livesay, Cindy Quesenbury and Catrina Booth, all of Guymon; a son, Joe Hein of Guymon; her mother, Parlee Kohler of Boise City; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Loaves and Fishes. Memorials will be accepted at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Elsewhere Lola Mae Purcell BRIGHTON, Colo. - Lola Mae Purcell, 90, died Sunday, May 6, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Rice Chapel. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery at Thornton. Arrangements are by Rice Mortuary & Crematory of Brighton. Mrs. Purcell was born on Sept. 9, 1910, in Clarendon, Texas, to Ben and Ora Bales. She married Ray Purcell. He died on June 9, 1985. Lola was a paint contractor and she loved to dance. Survivors include a daughter, Kay Todd and her husband, Bob; a granddaughter, Heather Williams; a grandson, Shane Purcell and a great-grandson, Zachary Purcell, all of Aurora. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Cynthia Vivian Hall SHERMAN - Cynthia Vivian Hall, 85, died Sunday, May 6, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Western Heights Church of Christ with Joe Ed Furr officiating. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery by Waldo Funeral Home. Mrs. Hall was born Feb. 26, 1916, in Rotan, to William Harmon Harrison and Fredonia Easter Reed. Her father was a farmer. They moved to Floydada, where she met and married William Nelson "Buck" Hall Sr. They were married 43 years. To escape the Dust Bowl they traveled to Los Angeles. During the war, Vivian worked in the factories there. After raising her family she moved with her son to Sherman. Vivian died on Sunday, May 6, 2001, at her home in Sherman following a brief battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by three sisters and a brother. Survivors include three daughters, Nancy Singletary and Martha Morgan, both of Amarillo and Mary Alvarez of Morrow, Ga.; a son, Nelson Hall of Sherman; grandchildren, Kathy Brannon, Amy Francis and Nick Stafford, all of Amarillo, Ann Elrod of Rocky Face, Ga., and Aaron McFall, Kady Hall and Nelson Hall III, all of Sherman; great-grandchildren, Skyler Brannon, Brylee Brannon, Maddison Francis and Burke Francis, all of Amarillo and Madison Elrod and Olivia Elrod, both of Rocky Face; and her best girlfriend, Annette Hall of Sherman. The family suggests memorials be to Hospice; or the scholarship fund at Western Heights Church of Christ, 800 Baker Park Drive, Sherman, TX 75092. Vivian was a loving and devoted mother and homemaker. Her strong faith and devotion to Jesus Christ was an inspiration to all her family. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 Willoughby John Sparks MIDLAND - Willoughby John "Bill" Sparks, 86, died Wednesday, May 2, 2001. Services were at 10:30 a.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with John Rech, pastor, and Bob Hopkins, pastor, officiating. Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Saturday in Hansford County Cemetery. Arrangements were by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Sparks was born to John Gray Bynum Sparks and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Douglas, on Nov. 22, 1914, in Hansford County, the youngest of 12 children. He grew up in Spearman. On Feb. 25, 1936, he married Julia Helen Browder. He and Helen had two sons, Don and Bynum. She preceded him in death in May of 1992. He was a longtime resident of Amarillo. He was a member of San Jacinto Methodist Church. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America in Amarillo. Bill was a small-business man in Amarillo for years until he retired and moved to Midland in 1980 to be close to his family. On Sept. 15, 1993, he married Sunny Davis. Mr. Sparks went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 2, 2001. Survivors include his loving wife, Sunny; two sons, Don Sparks and his wife, Gwyn, of Midland and John Bynum and his wife, Debbie, of Rockwall; three grandsons, Jeff and his wife, Val; Kevin and his wife, Jill and Todd and his wife, Karen, all of Midland; two granddaughters, Heather Marecle and her husband, Eric; and Jennifer Rabe and her husband, Josh, of Rockwall; a sister, Fanny Vennaman of Hansford County; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were David Lewis, Valton Hall, Darrell Smith, Bill Wilson, Allen Hale and R.E. Womack. Honorary pallbearers were the Buddy Wood Class and the Fellowship Class of First United Methodist Church. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to Manor Park building fund; Young Life of Midland or a favorite charity. He is remembered by everyone for his quick smile, kind heart and his love for his family and others. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001 J.B. Stewart Sr. MIDLAND - Rev. John Ballard Stewart Sr., 92, died Monday, May 7, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Stewart, known to everyone as J.B., was born in Boswell, Okla., on Aug. 31, 1908, to Joshua Lafayette Stewart, a farmer, and Elwa White Stewart, a school teacher. For the first 30 years of his life, J.B. was a farmer, first alongside his father in Oklahoma and later around Haskell. As a boy he loved to go fishing in nearby Boggy Creek, Okla. After moving to Lake Creek he met Mary Willie Muse Stewart during the summer of 1933 and they were married on Dec. 28 of that year. J.B. was a very hard worker, especially well-organized and dedicated, and a gifted speaker. He greatly enjoyed visiting with and helping people. Like many who grew up in the years before television, J.B. could tell fascinating, detailed stories about his life and the people he had known, and he retained this special talent until the very end. One of J.B.'s best friends was John English, a Methodist preacher, who was a major influence in his life. In the summer of 1938, J.B. answered the call to the Methodist ministry, and he was granted his first license to preach, serving four small churches on the Blair Circuit prior to graduation from McMurry College in Abilene. His other churches included Trent, 1941-1943; Leuders, 1944; Groom, 1945-1947; Stanton, 1948-1949; Midland Asbury, 1950; Spearman, 1951-1953; Tahoka, 1954-1956; Amarillo Buchanan Street, 1957-1959; McLean, 1960-1965; Abilene Elmwood West, 1965-1966; Panhandle, 1967; Abilene Fairmont 1968-1970; Happy, 1971; and Midland First United Methodist, 1972-1976. Following his initial retirement in 1976, J.B. continued to serve Midland First United Methodist for many more years as a minister of visitation, finally retiring after nearly fifty years of ministry. J.B. was preceded in death by Mary, his dear wife of 66 years who passed on to glory Nov. 17, 1999; and by his sister, Hazel. Survivors include his sisters, Bessie Ames Stewart, Cornelia Faye Hirsch and Marjorie Vanderworth; his sons and their families, John Ballard Stewart Jr. and Jane of Avon, Conn., and Don Arlos Stewart and Becky of Palestine; his grandchildren, John Ballard "Trey" Stewart III of Kalamazoo, Mich., Tiffany Stewart of Houston, Wendy Stewart of Austin, Tyler Stewart of Portland, Ore., Cicily Waneck of Livingston and Amy Shackelferd of Greenwood, Ark.; and his three great-grandchildren, Sadie Shackelferd, Cody Shackelferd and Blair Waneck. Pallbearers will be Trey Stewart, Tyler Stewart, Ron Gold, Daniel Waneck, Stewart Shackelferd and Pat Yocham. Amarillo Globe-News, May 9, 2001