Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 27 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 ==================================================================== Susan Evelyn Messer HEDLEY - Susan Evelyn Messer, 80, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Hedley Church of Christ with Bright Newhouse, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mrs. Messer was born in Olustee, Okla., and moved to Hedley in 1953. She graduated from high school in Harmony, Okla. She received her associate degree from Altus Junior College, her bachelor's degree from Panhandle State College in Goodwell, Okla., and her master's degree from West Texas State University. She taught nine years in Oklahoma and 34 years in Quail and Hedley high schools. She retired after 43 years. Mrs. Messer was a member of Hedley Lioness Club and Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a member of Hedley Church of Christ. She was married to Doyle Messer in 1953 at Hollis, Okla. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Angela Hines of Round Rock; two sons, Lyndon Messer of Hedley and Stuart Messer of Memphis; and five grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Gilbert A. Elms TULIA - Gilbert A. Elms, 88, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Davenport and the Rev. Troy Cates officiating. Burial will be in Littlefield Memorial Park at Littlefield by Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Mr. Elms was born and raised in Coryell County. He attended school at Brookhaven, graduated from Bula High School and attended West Texas State College. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps. He moved to Lamb County in 1925 and to the family farm in Briscoe and Swisher counties in 1950. A longtime farmer and rancher, he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Silverton. He was a member of the Farmer's Union, Tulia Veterans of Foreign Wars and Tulia Senior Citizens. He moved to the family farm in Tulia in 1998. He married Letha Anderson in 1936 at Littlefield. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Shirley Cates of Amarillo; a son, Larry Elms of Lubbock; three brothers, William Elms of Littlefield, James Elms of Columbus and M.A. Elms Jr. of Lubbock; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Gene D. Frisbie CHILDRESS - Gene D. Frisbie, 79, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in Fairview Church of Christ with Jeff Foster of the church officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Frisbie was born in Carey. He served in the Coast Guard during World War II. He was an ag manager for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He was a member of the Childress school board, the Masonic Lodge and the Planning and Zoning Commission of Childress. He was active in Little League and a member of Fairview Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Lenna Frisbie; two sons, Charles Frisbie of Midland and Dante Frisbie of Covington; two daughters, Leann Frisbie and Elena Manley, both of Childress; and eight grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Childress Public Library. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Malelia Low FRITCH - Malelia Low, 85, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001, in Houston. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Brasher, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens of Pampa by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Low was born in Maldrow, Okla. A resident of Fritch since 1977, she was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church. She also was a member of the Sunshine Club. She was married to Bill Low in 1940 at Borger. He died in December. Survivors include two sons, William Raymond Low of Bartlesville, Okla., and Craig Low of Katy; a daughter, Jerryl Dine Washer of Fritch; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home in Fritch. The family will be at 300 Michigan in Fritch. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Otis S. Holland HEDLEY - Otis S. Holland, 72, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, in Memphis. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bruce Howard, pastor, and the Rev. Lewis Ellis of First Baptist Church in Lefors officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon. Mr. Holland was born in Hall County and moved to Donley County in 1942. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a retired heavy-equipment operator. He was a member of Hedley Lions Club and First Baptist Church in Hedley, where he had served as deacon, church treasurer and Sunday school teacher. He married Margaret Louise Webster in 1970 at Hedley. Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Judy Clendennon of Pampa, Sandra Baggett of Claude, Marilyn Bolin of Texhoma, Okla., Nancy Stephens of Hedley and Cindy Chilton of Purcell, Okla.; three sisters, Kan Ellis of Clarendon, Rita Riley of Susanville, Calif., and Betty Stone of Amarillo; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Lawrence Kurtz PAMPA - Lawrence Kurtz, 90, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, in McLean. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. John Valdez, pastor of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, officiating. Arrangements are by CarmichaelWhatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Kurtz was born in Emerson, Okla., and moved to Pampa in 1920. He was a farmer in Gray and Carson counties for 58 years and a longtime member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. He married Irene Beaven in 1948 at Groom. She died in 1994. He also was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Kurtz, in 1958. Survivors include a son, Lawrence Gregory Kurtz of Pampa; a daughter, Rosalia Ellen Stewart of Oklahoma City; a brother, John Kurtz of Mulvane, Kan.; four sisters, Lena Craig of Pampa, Mary Woollard and Gertrude Clupny, both of Amarillo and Margaret McKinney of Starke, Fla.; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 James E. Hepler BORGER - James E. Hepler, 71, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Brown Funeral Directors, Chapel of the Fountains, with the Rev. Chris Riley, pastor of Central Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery. Mr. Hepler was born in Fort Towson, Okla., and had lived in Borger 66 years. He was an asbestos worker and insulator. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church and the E.O.C. He married Hazel Mayes in 1951 at Tucumcari, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a son, Rickey Hepler of Borger; a daughter, Sherry Dillard of Borger; a brother, Wayne Hepler of Pampa; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Cyrus W. Fields MORTON - Cyrus W. "Cy" Fields, 85, formerly of Morton, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001, in Lubbock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ken Peterson of O'Donnell and the Rev. Dan Carter of Morton officiating. Burial will be in Morton Memorial Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Fields was born in Star. He was a retired farmer and a member of First United Methodist Church in Morton. He moved to Lubbock in 1997. He was married to Bernice Soules in 1936 at Goldthwaite. Survivors include his wife; a son, Todd Fields of Lubbock; a daughter, Diane White of San Antonio; five grandchildren and a great-grandson. The family suggests memorials be to First Methodist Church of Morton or the Domingo Castaneda Family in care of City Bank in Whiteface. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the home of Mary Lois Ledbetter, 115 N.W. Fourth St. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Steven Michael West BORGER - Steven Michael West, 43, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001, in Bowie. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Church of God with the Rev. Jonathan Back, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. West was born in Borger and was lifetime resident. He was a carpenter foreman with Rice Construction Co. and a member of the Church of God. Survivors include his wife, Cathy; a son, Stephen Michael West II of Borger; a daughter, Tiffany Michelle West of Stinnett; his parents, Lloyd and Etta Mae West of Borger; a brother, Mark West of Borger; a sister, Linda Davis of Borger; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Otha Adkins Rakes BORGER - Otha Adkins Rakes, 84, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Bell Avenue Chapel of Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St., in Amarillo, with the Rev. Dale Bigham, pastor of Arden Road Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Fritch. Mrs. Rakes was born in Hedley. She attended Bible Baptist College in Springfield, Mo. A longtime Borger resident, she was a member of Arden Road Baptist Church, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and was a member of the senior adults Sunday school class. She married Carl Adkins in 1932 at Hollis, Okla. He died in 1964. She married Glen F. Rakes in 1965. He died in 1993. Survivors include two sons, Carvan Adkins of Austin and Kenneth Adkins of Amarillo; a daughter, Barbara Adkins Birt of Corpus Christi; a brother, Rex Lamberson of Amarillo; 14 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Verna Heneritta Abernethy WHEELER - Verna Heneritta Abernethy, 88, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Toby Henson, pastor, and her grandson, the Rev. Chris Ford, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Follett and Darrouzett. Burial will be in Kelton Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home. Mrs. Abernethy was born in De Queen, Ark. She moved to the Kelton community in 1945 and to Wheeler in 1992. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She married Louie Abernethy in 1928 at Calumet, Okla. He died in 1991. She also was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Abernethy, in 1931; and by a daughter, Currie Dell Bliss, in 1972. Survivors include seven daughters, Katherine Calcote of McLean, Joann Simmons and Cherry Johnson, both of Wheeler, Barbara Vines of Celina, Phyllis Shelton of Clarendon, Aliene Mills of Erick, Okla., and Vernell Thomas of Longview; a son, Jerry Aberneth of Coupland; two sisters, Josephine Clark of Porterville, Calif., and Georgia Crawford of El Reno, Okla; 28 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Amarillo May Mohney Laura May Mohney, 46, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Bell Avenue Chapel of SchoolerGordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Rusty Hawkins, pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Mohney was born in Hugoton, Kan. She graduated from Spearman High School in 1972 and attended Amarillo College, where she earned an associate degree in child care. She was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and attended the adult Sunday school class. She married Larry Mohney in 1981 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; a son, Tedd Mohney of the home; two daughters, Cameron Garcia and Caron Stuteville, both of Arlington; her parents, Richard and Gail King of Woodward, Okla; two brothers, Nelson King and Kenneth King, both of Woodward; a sister, Marie Hicks of Fairview, Okla.; five grandchildren; and a special friend, Jerrie Christie of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice or Grand Avenue Baptist Church. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Jimmy Douglas Roberts Jimmy Douglas Roberts, 56, formerly of Amarillo, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church of Lefors with Lewis Ellis, pastor, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Roberts was born in Fort Worth. He was a longtime resident of Amarillo before moving to Lefors in 1998. He served in the Army more than 19 years. He was a product technician at Pantex for 20 years. Survivors include a daughter, Michele Silvia Cox of Lefors; a son, Oliver Douglas Roberts of Amarillo; a sister, Sandra Bruce of Fort Worth; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Ronald McDonald House of Amarillo. The family will be at 501 5th St. in Lefors. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 H.C. Brooks H.C. "Pete" Brooks, 90, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Synder Cemetery at Snyder with Tom Holcomb, minister of East Side Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Mr. Brooks was born in Kaufman County. A longtime farmer in Scurry and Hale counties, he moved to Canyon in 1992. He was a longtime member of the Hale Center Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his wife, Daisy Ann Brooks, in 1972. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Buhrkuhl of Canyon; a son, W.C. "Bill" Brooks of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Earl Graham Earl Graham, 86, of Amarillo, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street with Dr. Stan Coffey, pastor of San Jacinto Baptist Church, and Chester O'Brien, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Graham was born in Quail. He served in the Army during World War II. He moved to Amarillo in 1976 and operated restaurants in the Amarillo area. He was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Laquita Koppenhafer of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Earlene Busby of Amarillo; two sisters, Mary Henley of Malone and Nella Mae Hix of Delta, Colo.; two brothers, Matt Graham of Cleburne and Pete Graham of Tucumcari, N.M.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be made to assist with expenses. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Mary C. Benson Mary C. Benson, 84, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St., with Melvin Darnell officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Benson was born in Romney. She moved to Amarillo in 1957. She was a homemaker, an artist and a longtime member of Sixth Street Church of Christ in Canyon. She was active in the Boy Scouts for five years. She married Damon W. "Benny" Benson in 1938 in Eastland County. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mary Alice Riopel of Magalia, Calif.; and a son, Wayne Benson of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association of Texas. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Gwyn Hess Gwyn Hess, 67, of Amarillo, died Feb. 26, 2001. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in South Georgia Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Miller and the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Mrs. Hess was born in Fort Smith, Ark. She graduated from Guymon High School. She worked for the city of Amarillo for 11 years. She was a volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and a member of South Georgia Baptist Church and Lamplighters Sunday school class. She married Jimmy Hess in 1981 at Claude. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Becky Burnam of Amarillo; two sisters, Judy Webb of Claude and Daphne Case of Moore, Okla.; a brother, D.K. "Buck" Taylor Jr. of Muldrow, Okla.; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to the South Georgia Baptist Church Building Fund. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Jerry Ann Phillips Jerry Ann Phillips, 79, of Amarillo, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Washington Avenue Christian Church with Jim Shelburne, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by SchoolerGordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Phillips was born in Denison. She retired as a nurse in 1984. She was a member of Washington Avenue Christian Church. She married Alven E. "Sonny" Phillips in 1942 at Denison. He died in 1989. Survivors include three daughters, Frances Bartlebaugh of California and Lola Barnes and Tonya Neiman, both of Amarillo; a son, Terry Phillips of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Kansas Carola N. Baird DODGE CITY, Kan. - Carola N. "Rollie" Baird, 77, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, in Hugoton. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Swaim Funeral Home with the Rev. Dick Robbins and Brent Schraeder officiating. Cremation has taken place. Mrs. Baird was born in Dodge City and graduated from Dodge City High School. She attended Dodge City Community College and Marymount Nursing School in Salina. She was a Western Union operator in California during World War II. A longtime resident of the Garden City and Dodge City area, she was a nurse aide and ward clerk at St. Catherine's Hospital in Garden City. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Garden City and was living in Garden City at the time of her death. She married Sherman Baird Jr. in 1946 at Dodge City. He died in May. Survivors include two daughters, Monte Mathias of Canyon, Texas and Leslie Wagner of Holcomb; three sisters, Mary Peterson of Lindsborg, Feryl Romeiser of Salina and Frankie Schraeder of Dodge City; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Garden City Humane Society. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 New Mexico Frank White Jr. CLOVIS, N.M. - Frank White Jr., 71, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in The Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church by the Rev. Carlos Chavez. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. White was born in Ashton, Pa. He served in the Air Force for 26 years, including service in the Vietnam War, and retired as a senior master sergeant. He came to Clovis in the 1970s. He was a finance officer and a director of the Eastern New Mexico Area Agency on Aging. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3280, American Legion Post No. 25, Clovis-Portales Elks Lodge No. 1244 and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He married Marcy Rokosz in 1977 at Clovis. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Lawrence Rokosz of Clovis and Randolph Rokosz of Albuquerque; two daughters, Catherine White of Plano, Texas and Pamela Seymour of Hebron, Ky.; a sister, Theresa McDonald of Pottsville, Pa.; and four grandchildren. Amarillo Daily News, Feb. 27, 2001 Elsewhere Mickey R. Herrmann LUBBOCK - Mickey R. Herrmann, 52, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in LakeRidge United Methodist Church with John Burk officiating. Arrangements are by Rix Funeral Directors. Mr. Herrmann was born and raised in Lubbock. He graduated from Lubbock High School and attended Texas Tech University. He was a supplier to agriculture industries and worked for Lummus Industries, then as a partner in Beltwide Industries which was later owned by MCH Gin Suypply. He was a member of LakeRidge United Methodist Church and was active in Boy Scouts and Little League. He married Cheryl Smith Roulaine in 1987 at Lubbock. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Heath Ray, Derick and Cameron, all of Lubbock; a daughter, Whitney, of Lubbock; a sister, Shirley Vernon of Amarillo; and a grandson. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to LakeRidge United Methodist Church Family Support Fund, 4701 82nd St., Lubbock, TX 79423; or the American Heart Association, 3403 73rd St., Lubbock TX 79423.