Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 21 Feb 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 ==================================================================== Gladys L. Ratliff CANADIAN - Gladys L. Ratliff, 98, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Miami with Rusty Ratliff, her grandson of Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Ratliff was born in Hall County and raised in the Memphis area. She had lived in Canadian more than 70 years. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She married Homer Ratliff in 1920 at Memphis. He died in 1984. Survivors include one son, Homer Ratliff Jr. of Miami; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and three greatgreat-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch St., Canadian, TX 79014. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21 2001 Billy Emmett Winters FRITCH - Billy Emmett Winters, 79, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Adams, from Tennessee, officiating. Interment will be in The Garden of Love at Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. Mr. Winters was born in Stephenville and had been a Fritch resident since 1952 and an area resident since 1926. He was director of purchasing for Phillips Petroleum Co. and served in the Army during World War II in the 45th and 103rd divisions in the European Theater. He attended Tarleton State College, was a Boy Scout leader and was a member of First Baptist Church in Phillips. Survivors include four sons, Gary Winters of Howardwick, John Winters of Jolon, Calif., and Billy D. Winters and Calvin Winters, both of Fritch; a daughter, Nancy Bruce of Fritch; a brother, Willis Winters of Odessa; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Emmett Earl Allen Emmett Earl Allen, 95, of Childress, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Childress Cemetery with the Rev. Clyde Fulfer of First Assembly, and the Rev. Lemy Pika officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home in Childress. Mr. Allen was born in Young County and was a longtime resident of Childress. He worked for Fort Worth-Denver Railroad as a car inspector and was a member of First Assembly of God. He married Thelma McDonald in 1930 at Hollis, Okla. She died in 1987. He also was preceded in death by a son, Danny Mac. Survivors include two sons, Carl D. Allen of Fort Smith, Ark., and E. Earl Allen Jr. of Phoenix; one sister, Bernice Clark of Decatur; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family suggest memorials be to First Assembly of God, P.O. Box 1077, Childress, TX 79201. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Ralph Wayne Shipman CHILDRESS - Ralph Wayne Shipman, 80, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Norman Rushing of the church officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Shipman was born in Mount Enterprise. A veteran of World War II, he was employed by the Texas highway department for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of First Baptist Church, serving as deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He married Minnie Morgan in 1941 at Lubbock. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Charlotte Thorne and Sally Wilks, both of Childress; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 James Burton McDaniel CLARENDON - James Burton "Jake" McDaniel, 92, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, in Childress. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. today in the Eastview Cemetery in Vernon with the Rev. Bryan Knowles, pastor of Community Fellowship Church, officiating. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc. Mr. McDaniel was born in Young County. He moved with his family to Wilbarger County and graduated from East Vernon School. He was a farmer, cattleman and member of First United Methodist Church. In December 1932, he married Yvonne Belle Key in Vernon. She died in 1995. He was preceded in death by a son, James Burton McDaniel Jr., in 1951. Survivors include one sister, Berniece Anderson of Hedley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Clarence Weatherford DUMAS - Clarence Weatherford, 69, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Dumas Cemetery with Steve Walker, minister of the Ninth and Bliss Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Weatherford retired several years ago from the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America after 32 years of service. His favorite things were keeping his yard beautiful, hunting and fishing. He received two Purple Hearts from wounds during his service in the Korean War. He married Elwanda Walker on June 6, 1952, at Clayton, N.M. He and his wife owned and operated Kirby Sales and Service in Dumas from 1988 to 1994. He was preceded in death by a son, Lynn Weatherford, on July 11, 1999. Survivors include his wife; one son, Mike Weatherford of Amarillo; one brother, M.J. Weatherford of Borger; two sisters, Ada Martin of San Angelo and Sue Pigg of Austin; six grandchildren, Brandon, Sheldon, John, Kristie, Dustin and Kit; and two great-grandchildren, Bailie and Macy. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Mary Louise Reeve FRIONA - Mary Louise Reeve, 90, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Friona Cemetery with the Rev. Don Boren of Friona United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home. Miss Reeve was born in Parmer County and graduated from Friona High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from West Texas State Normal College and a master's degree from Northern Colorado State University. She was an elementary school teacher and speech therapist for 41 years in Pampa. Survivors include a sister, Ruth Hume of Redding, Calif.; 15 nieces and nephews and 42 great-great-great nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to the West Texas A&M University Showcase of Music Scholarship Fund for education majors in Canyon. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 William Franklin Laubhan FOLLETT - William Franklin Laubhan, 66, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. Direct burial will be today in Follett under the direction of Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Mr. Laubhan was born in Shattuck, Okla., and was a lifetime Lipscomb County resident. Survivors include a cousin, Richard Laubhan of Follett. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Faeoline Messer Norton MEMPHIS - Faeoline Messer Norton, 83, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, in Acme. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Travis Baptist Church with the Rev. Phillip Shelton and Tom Posey officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Memphis Funeral Home. Mrs. Norton lived in Memphis most of her life. She owned and operated the Messer Cafe. She was a member of Travis Baptist Church and the Rebekah Lodge. She married C.J. Messer and Russell Norton, who both preceded her in death. A son, Charles Messer, also died earlier. Survivors include one daughter, Jaussetta Martin of Memphis; one brother, Ernest Hollis of Snyder; two stepsons, Larry Norton of Childress and R.L. Norton of Denver; two stepdaughters, Jo Thompson and Pat Norton, both of Amity, Ark.; six grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hall County EMS or a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 John Clarence Schaffer WHEELER - John Clarence Schaffer, 63, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in 11th Street Baptist Church in Shamrock with Bill Morrison, minister of Wheeler Church of Christ, and Scott Porter officiating. Cremation will follow by Wright Funeral Home. Mr. Schaffer was born in Gray County. He attended school in Groom and lived in Spearman several years before moving to Wheeler in 1989. He was employed by Wheeler County. He married Sylvia Kraetz in 1957 in Sedro Wooley, Wash. He served in the Navy from 1956 until 1959. Survivors include his wife; four sons, John Schaffer of Houston, Dean Schaffer of Amarillo, Robby Schaffer of Wheeler and Kenneth Schaffer of Erick, Okla.; one daughter, Marri Jayne Nielson of Austin; one brother, Sam Schaffer of Wellington; two sisters, Doris Boody of Wheeler and Barbara Clark of Shamrock; and eight grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to 11th Street Baptist Church in Shamrock or the American Liver Foundation. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 New Mexico Sue Hight CLAYTON, N.M. - Sue Hight, 64, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Mrs. Hight was born at Roy. She graduated from high school at Farley in 1954 and attended beauty college in Pueblo, Colo., and had been a beautician in Clayton since 1957. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She married Tony D. "T.D." Hight in 1959 at Clayton. He died in 1988. Survivors include a sister, Alice Murray of Ontario, Canada; and two brothers, Barrett Beard of Gladstone and Elmer Beard of Abbott. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Mirea Lopez ARCH, N.M. - Mirea Lopez, infant, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe. Survivors include her mother, Aracelia "Sally" Lopez of Arch; her father, Victor Galaviz of Arch; one brother, Alexander Lopez Galaviz of Arch; and grandparents Victor Lopez of Arch and Jesse Galaviz of Oklahoma. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Stella Aragon Lopez TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Stella Aragon Lopez, 92, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Dunn Memorial Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Anne's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home in Tucumcari. Mrs. Lopez was born in Newkirk, N.M. She was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church, and a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Arthur Lopez of Cottonwood, Calif.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Elsewhere Rheta Brown CROWELL - Rheta Brown, 47, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, in Wichita Falls. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Curt Plaxco, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Wichita Falls, officiating. Burial will be in Crowell Cemetery by Womack-Manard Funeral Home. Mrs. Brown graduated from Crowell High School and was a member of First Baptist Church of Seymour. She married Jackie Brown in 1970 in Crowell. She lived in Foard County until 1988, when she and her family moved to Baylor County. She was a gatekeeper at Cara Blanco Park for the W.T. Waggoner Estate. Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Kim Bergt of Vernon; one son, Jason Brown of Seymour; three sisters, Rhonda Whitley of Wichita Falls, Judy Cates of Amarillo and Joyce Hayes of Seymour; one brother, Gerald Howard, and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2000 Mozelle Burkett BONHAM - Mozelle Burkett, 75, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Cooper-Sorrells Chapel with the Rev. Dickie Golden officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Muleshoe. Survivors include a daughter, Juanita Kay Dulin of Bonham; one grandchild and two great-granddaughters. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Amarillo Ann M. Hurd Ann M. Hurd, 81, of Amarillo, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Claude Cemetery with the Rev. J. Alan Ford of Southwest Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Hurd was born in Weakley County, Tenn., and raised in Claude. She moved to Amarillo in 1990 from Marietta. She was a homemaker, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Waynoka, Okla., and a member of Southwest Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mack Hurd, in 1988. Survivors include one son, Ronnie Hurd of Topeka, Kan.; three brothers, Bob O'Daniel and Roy O'Daniel, both of Amarillo and Buck O'Daniel of Glendale, Ariz.; three sisters, Lucille Blair and Marie McDaniel, both of Amarillo and Barbara Leidholt of Miles City, Mont. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21 2001 Howell A. Smith Howell A. Smith, 87, of Amarillo, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. No services are planned. Cremation and arrangements were by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Smith was born in Newcastle and raised in Graham. He moved to Amarillo from Fort Worth in 1940. He worked for Amarillo Linen Co. for many years. He married Helen Iles in 1940 at Graham. She died in 1986. Survivors include a daughter, Glenda Brice of Amarillo; a son, Billy Smith of Amarillo; two brothers, Willard Smith of Graham and J.L. Smith of Grand Prairie; eight grandchildren and 12 great-greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 20, 2001 Ara George Ara George, 94, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth St., with Chester O'Brien of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Sweetwater City Cemetery in Sweetwater. Miss George was born near Eastland and lived in Sweetwater. She was employed by Western Union. She moved to Amarillo in 1942 and was chief bookkeeper for Western Union until she retired in 1973. Miss George was a member of First Baptist Church since 1942. She was a member of Business and Professional Women's Club and the Agape Sunday school class. Survivors include two sisters, Elsie Ezell and Kathryn Musick, both of Amarillo; one brother, Weldon George of Lubbock; four nieces; three great-nieces and three nephews. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Mary Lee Strickland Mary Lee Strickland, 88, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth St., with Jim Garrett of Polk Street United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Strickland was born in Bertrand, Okla. She lived in Austin the past 10 years. She was a licensed child care provider. In 1937, she married Homer H. Strickland. He died in 1981. Survivors include one sister, Flora Wade Kreutziger of San Antonio; one son, Jerry Strickland of Austin; two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Oklahoma Mildred Norene Lawson NORMAN, Okla. - Mildred Norene Greenslade Lawson, 96, formerly of Amarillo, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Primrose Chapel in Norman with the Rev. Scott Love officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park at Amarillo. Arrangements are by Primrose Funeral Service of Norman. Mrs. Lawson was born in Kaufman County, Texas. She grew up in Kaufman and moved to Amarillo where she worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone. She moved from Amarillo to Waynoka in 1933 and to Wellington, Kan., in 1941, returning to Amarillo in 1959. She moved to Norman in 1984. A member of First Christian Church in Norman and Amarillo, she was active in Christian Women's Fellowship and taught college fellowship. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and worked at election booths. She married Ivan Lawson in 1928 at Amarillo. He preceded her in death. Survivors include one daughter, Pat Markum of Norman; one brother, Tod Greenslade; three sisters, Verda McMinn, Jerry Smith and Christine Sowell; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Meals on Wheels or First Christian Church. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 21, 2001 Billy E. Davis BEAVER, Okla. - Billy E. Davis, 78, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Overton Cemetery near Beaver with Joey Hambright officiating. Arrangements are by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home of Hooker. Mr. Davis was born in Bald Knob, Ark. He was raised in Burbank and graduated from high school in Wichita, Kan. He moved from eastern Okla. to the Panhandle in 1974 and moved to Beaver in 1979. He was a maintenance worker for Beaver schools. He married Wilma Jeanie Davis and they were together for 33 years. Survivors include four sons, Waldon Earl Davis of Ponca City, Michael Eugene Reed of Thompson, Ga., and Joseph Earl Davis and Henry C.R. Davis, both of Beaver; two daughters, Beverly Osborn of Skiatook and Ruth Hawkins of Bartlesville; 16 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Church of the First Born in Beaver.