Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 23 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 ==================================================================== Peter J. Prieto Jr. Peter J. Prieto Jr., 25, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in the church by the Rev. Terry Burke, Catholic chaplain at Northwest Texas Healthcare System. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Prieto was born in Denver and was a lifetime resident of Amarillo. He was a Navy veteran and worked as a computer specialist at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center. He married Mary Prather in 1995 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; one son, Bryndan Prieto of the home; his parents, Pedro and Anna Prieto of Amarillo; two sisters, Caroline Bailey of Amarillo and Cheryl Hayden of Copley, Ohio; and one brother, Eric Prieto of Amarillo. The family suggest memorials be to the Lupus Foundation of America-West Texas Chapter. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Zelma Laverne Johnson Zelma Laverne Johnson, 34, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. No services are planned. Cremation and arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Miss Johnson was born in Amarillo and attended Amarillo schools. She worked for United Petroleum Transports. Survivors include four brothers, Pat Foster, David Morin and Billy Ray Morin, all of Amarillo, and Eddie Morin of Arlington; a sister, Paula Harrison of Plano; and special friend, Lisa Gowens of Amarillo. Viewing will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Palmer Black HOUSTON - Palmer Black, 97, formerly of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, in Dallas. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Chapel. Arrangements are by Crespo Funeral Home. Mr. Palmer earned a degree in industrial engineering from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1925. He was production manager at Amarillo Globe-News and manager at Russell's Printing. After retirement, he volunteered at High Plains Baptist Hospital in Amarillo and at Hobby Airport following his move to Houston. He was a member and deacon at First Baptist Church in Amarillo. Mr. Palmer was preceded in death by his wife Mary. Survivors include two sons, David Black of Houston and John Black of Dallas; four grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Jessie Cleva Stephens Jessie Cleva Stephens, 87, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Panhandle Cemetery at Panhandle with Jerry Davis officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Stephens was born at Gray, Okla. She graduated from Panhandle High School and moved from Panhandle to Amarillo in 1972. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.H. Stephens, in 1986. Survivors include two sons, Donnie Stephens and Leon Stephens, both of Amarillo; a sister, Velma Williams of Long Beach, Calif.; a brother, O.O. Padgett of San Marcos, Calif; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Johnny Martinez Johnny Martinez, 68, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Laurence Cathedral with the Rev. Dariusz Pawlowski officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Martinez was born in Barney, N.M. He served in the Army. He retired from Levi Strauss and the VA Medical Center and was working part-time for the San Jacinto Christian Academy and as a school crossing guard. He was a member of the St. Laurence Cathedral and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1475. Mr. Martinez was married to Alice Dominguez in 1951 at Clayton, N.M. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia Mary Martinez, in 1952. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Connie Montoya and Sandi Brandt, both of Amarillo; a son, Benny Martinez of Amarillo; two sisters, Juanita Ortiz of Clayton, N.M., and Helen Gonzales of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Candido Martinez of Loveland, Colo.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. The family will be at 3026 N. Hill St. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Joyce Evelyn Owens Joyce Evelyn Owens, 48, of Amarillo, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Vurn C. Martin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Miss Owens was born in Clarksville, Red River County, and raised in Amarillo. She graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1971. She earned her license in cosmetology at Amarillo College. She was a member of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church and Wroten High Plains Court of Calanthe No. 145. Survivors include two daughters, Danyeal Owens of Dallas and Shanteal Owens of Amarillo; her father and stepmother, Edward and Annie Fae Owens of Amarillo; six brothers, Darnell Owens and Delbert Young, both of Wichita, Kan., Rodney Owens, Timothy Gassaway and Kelvin Gassaway, all of Dallas, and Verble Gassaway of Amarillo; and two sisters, Lucretia Owens and Janice Faggan, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Joyce Owens Scholarship Fund at Amarillo Federal Credit Union. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Bobbie Carreathers Bobbie Carreathers, 68, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Langston Memorial Church of God in Christ with the Rev. Carter V. Smith, pastor of the Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Carreathers was born in Childress and had lived in Amarillo for the past 56 years. She attended school in Childress and Patten High School in Amarillo. She was a domestic worker and a member of Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ. Survivors include a son, Alvin Champion of Amarillo; a sister, Bessie Hopson of Amarillo; and a brother, Albert Newman of Amarillo; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will be at 2506 Orange St. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Anna Elizabeth Nollner Anna Elizabeth "Babe" Nollner, 88, of Amarillo, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street with Bob Setliff, of Amarillo South, officiating. Cremation by Memory Gardens Crematory. Mrs. Nollner was born in Roswell, N.M., and was a longtime resident of Amarillo. She was a homemaker and a Christian. Survivors include two sons, Robert Nollner of Germantown, Tenn., and Earl Nollner of Amarillo; a sister, Betty Wilson of California; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Ocie Daniel West Ocie Daniel West, 81, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Bell Avenue Chapel of Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Cremation has taken place. Mr. West was born in Floyd County. He moved to Panhandle in 1925, to Vega in 1929, and worked on his father's farm in Deaf Smith County until 1935. Moving to Amarillo, he attended Amarillo High School. In 1940, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railway and was the grievance chairman and secretary / treasurer of the Boilermakers Union in the Amarillo, Slaton and Fort Stockton areas. Following his service in the Navy, he returned to Amarillo and became a power house electrician and engineer in 1950. He retired from the railroad in 1972. A genealogist, he had written four books on the subject. Mr. West was married to Eupha Jean Johnson in 1939. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Maxine West. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Charlotte Ann Haley of Slidell, La., and Paula Sue Snider and Janie Christine West, both of Amarillo; a brother, Bill West of Albuquerque, N.M.; three sisters, Rosalie Clark of Amarillo and Leatrice West and Betty Wsnitzky, both of Hereford; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project, 6104 Gainsborough Road, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Canyon Beryl Ellen Richardson Beryl Ellen Stambaugh Richardson, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Strauss Atkinson, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, the Rev. Gayle Bowen, retired minister, and the Rev. Bob Miller, pastor of South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mrs. Richardson was born in Wellington, Kan., and graduated from Vici High School in Vici, Okla. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1952 and her masters degree in 1956 at West Texas State College. She received recognition and awards as an educator from 1949 to 1982, and was listed in Who's Who of American Educators and Teacher of the Year for the Texas A&M students from the Amarillo area. Mrs. Richardson was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was married to Newton J. Richardson in 1947 at Pampa. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, LuEllen Margaret Lightle of Hickley, Calif., and Pamela Joyce Butler of Amarillo; a son, Dr. Benny Ray Richardson of Borger; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a greatgreat-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to WTAMU Womens's Volleyball, c/o Intercollegiate Athletics, WT Box 60049, Canyon, TX 79016. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Elsewhere Arnulfo Hernandez Diaz INGLESIDE - Arnulfo Hernandez Diaz, 70, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001. Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001, in Charlie Marshall Funeral Home Chapel of Aransas Pass. Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2001, in Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church at Ingleside. Burial was in San Ignacio Cemetery at Ingleside. Mr. Diaz was born in San Antonio and had been a resident of Ingleside for the past 50 years. He was retired from the Ingleside school system and was a member of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons, Joe Diaz of Ingleside and Robert Diaz of Ralls; three brothers, David Diaz of Hereford, Ernest Diaz of Amarillo and Isidro Diaz of Levelland; two sisters, Janie Herrera of Lubbock and Rosa Diaz of Amarillo. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Marion Kent Hodges TEMPE, Ariz. - Marion Kent Hodges, 70, formerly of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2001. Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, in Tempe Mortuary followed by burial at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Hodges was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School, where he was a Golden Glove boxer. He attended Amarillo College. He was in the automobile business, managing auto dealerships in Arizona, California and Maryland. He owned a wholesale dealership in Tempe. He was preceded in death by a stepson, Patrick. Survivors include his wife, Sue; a son, Michael Kent Hodges of Wyoming; two daughters, Jerrianne of Monument, Colo., and Barbara Blendy of Alexandria, Va.; two stepsons, Michael of Portland and Johnny of Tempe; and a sister, Marjorie Helton of Houston. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 George Goodrich Walton COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - George Goodrich Walton, 89, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2001. Interment and arrangements are by Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Cremation by Mission Crematory. Mr. Walton was born in Atlanta, Ind. He was a research geophysicist. He was married to Hilda Felsobuky in 1939. She preceded him in death. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Blankinship of Colorado Springs; a son, Stephen A. Walton of Amarillo; a sister, Juliana Payne of Katy, Texas; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Verda Lee Hedrick HENRIETTA - Verda Lee Hedrick, 92, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Jim Moses, minister of music at First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Davis Funeral Home. Mrs. Hedrick was born in Maysville, Okla. She moved to Borger in 1943 and returned to Henrietta in 1970. She had lived in Amarillo for the past five years. She was a homemaker. She was married to Fletty Hedrick in 1928 at Henrietta. He died in 1984. Survivors include a daughter, Ona Lee Johnson of Borger; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Association; or Crown of Texas Hospice in Amarillo. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Area Benigno Presas HEREFORD - Benigno Presas, 71, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Parkside Chapel Funeral Home with Ernest Cantu officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery at Hereford. Mr. Presas was born in Mercedes. He was a retired farmer and had worked for the Odam brothers of Dimmitt. He was married to Ana Maria Martinez in 1950. She died in 2000. Survivors include four sons, Richard Presas of Amarillo, Rolando Presas of Dimmitt, Sergio Presas of Roswell, N.M., and Jose Luis Presas of Hereford; three daughters, Graciela Presas and Cecilia Presas, both of Hereford, and Rosa Linda Garcia of Dimmitt; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Della Mae Crump PAMPA - Della Mae Crump, 91, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Rick Parnell, associate pastor of Central Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Crump was born in Fannin County and had lived in Pampa since 1937. She had worked for Pampa Independent School District at Baker Elementary School. She was a homemaker and a member of Central Baptist Church. She was married to Herbert Harlan Crump in 1929 at Haskell. He preceded her in death. Survivors include a brother, Sam Keel of Amarillo. The family suggest memorials be to Central Baptist Church, 513 E. Francis St., Pampa, TX 79065; or American Cancer Society. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Doris M. Corbitt DALHART - Doris May Corbitt, 89, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hass Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Clifford Dane Sr., adult minister of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Corbitt was born and raised at Harmon County, Okla., and had lived in Dalhart since 1934. She was a homemaker, a beautician, and a member of the First Baptist Church. She was married to J.A. Corbitt in 1929 at Hollis, Okla. They owned and operated Corbitt's Barber & Beauty Shop. He died in 1991. Survivors include two sons, Dan Corbitt of Dalhart and Neal Corbitt of Temple; six grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. The family suggest memorials be to Memorial Park Cemetery Fund; or Memorial Hospice. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Oscar M. Noble SPEARMAN - Oscar M. Noble, 55, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Assembly of God with the Rev. Walter Greaser officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Noble was born in Okmulgee, Okla. He moved from California to Spearman. He was a truck driver. He was married to Janice in 1979 at Riverside, Calif. Survivors include his wife; three sons, James Ryan Noble, Jaye Roger Noble and Daryl Lee Noble, all of Spearman; a daughter, Brandee Noble of Spearman; his mother, Dorothy Erwin of Spearman; and a brother, James "Butch" Noble of Spearman. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Bettany Rochelle Cisneros PAMPA - Bettany Rochelle Cisneros, 50, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel. Memorial graveside services will be held at a later time in Miami Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Mrs. Cisneros was born in Pampa. She was a beautician and a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. She was an actress and a past board member of Act One. Survivors include two daughters, Erika Lapka of Pampa and Meghan Guill of Amarillo; a son, Carlo Lapka of Dallas; her stepmother, Ivy Cunningham of Pampa; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Ethel Christine Watkins PLAINVIEW - Ethel Christine Dillard Watkins, 85, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, in El Paso. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Horace Abbott, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery. Mrs. Watkins was born in Eureka and had lived in Plainview for the past 55 years. Survivors include a daughter, Darlene Young of El Paso; a son, Larry Watkins; a sister, Ruby Case of Plainview; a brother, Gene Dillard of Oklahoma City; two granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 Paul Rippstein HIGGINS - Paul Rippstein, 86, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Jimmy Morris, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Higgins Cemetery. Arrangements are by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mr. Rippstein was born in Burkburnett and attended Booster Station and Higgins schools. He had lived in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. He had worked for Cities Service Gas Co. and farmed. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene and the Union of Operating Engineers, and was a former Higgins volunteer fireman. Mr. Rippstein was married to Othel E. Stout in 1939 at Arnett, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Letha Sue Wilson of Boerne and Joy E. Campbell of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Higgins Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 23, Higgins, TX 79046; Higgins EMS P.O. Box 291, Higgins, TX 79046; the Church of the Nazarene; or a favorite charity. Viewing will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home in Canadian. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 23, 2001 S.J. Williams LOCKNEY - S.J. Williams, 87, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ted Samples and the Rev. Phillip Golden officiating. Burial will be in Lockney Cemetery by Moore-RoseWhite Funeral Home. Mr. Williams was born in Dougherty and attended schools in Lockney. A longtime resident of Lockney, he was a retired self-employed house painter. He also was a Mason and a member of the First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nettie May Ledger, in 1989. He also was preceded in death by two daughters, Betty Dipprey and Dorothy Frame. Survivors include a son, Robert J. Williams of Weatherford; a daughter, Sherry Race of Pampa; a brother, Jody Cecil Williams of Houston; a sister, Opal Porter of Russellville, Ark.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.