Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 6 November 2002 Thanks to http://www.amarillonet.com/ for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved. Amarillo Globe-News http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------ All Obits - Text Only Area Margarita Ramirez Cano CANADIAN - Margarita Ramirez Cano, 65, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Abundant Life Assembly with Donald Hill, pastor of The River Church in Canadian, and Walter Hallam, pastor of Abundant Life Christian Center of LaMark, officiating. Burial will be in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery by Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors. Mrs. Cano married Domingo "Don" Cano on June 5, 1954, in Joliet, Ill. She moved to Canadian in 1965 from Childress. She worked at Hemphill County Hospital for more than 20 years, retiring in 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband on March 6, 2002. Survivors include five sons, Roy Cano of Amarillo, Ralph Cano of Fritch, Johnny Cano of Gypsum, Kan., Ray Cano of Canadian and Robert Cano of Dumas; three daughters, Regina Booth of Dickinson, Diana Wilson of Canadian and Yolanda Cano-Burke of St. Louis, Mo.; four sisters, Neives Quintero and Mary Ramirez, both of Joliet, Ill., and Maryann Thomas and Quanita Hallipane, both of Osceola, Ark.; five brothers, Little Joe Ramirez of Victoria, Ark., Arturo Ramirez of Blyville, Ark., and Paul Ramirez, Jesse Ramirez and Raydale Ramirez, all of Osceola, Ark.; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Margie Cano Fund c/o Stickley-Hill Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 475, Canadian, TX 79014 or c/o/ First National Bank, P.O. Box 97, Canadian, TX 79014. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Jackie Leach Stafford HEDLEY - Jackie Leach Stafford, 85, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in Memphis. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with the Rev. Bryan Knowles, pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mrs. Stafford was born April 23, 1917, in Donley County where she lived most of her life. She married Jack B. Stafford on Dec. 3, 1939, in Memphis. She and her husband owned and operated Stafford Grocery in Hedley for 25 years before retiring. She was a Methodist. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Fred L. Stafford and Bob D. Stafford, both of Amarillo; a sister, Faye Wiggins of Pasadena; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 Nellie Katherine Vitarelle CLARENDON - Nellie Katherine Vitarelle, 77, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with the Rev. James Ivey Edwards, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery in Claude. Mrs. Vitarelle was born Nov. 16, 1924, in Hockley County and was a resident of Armstrong County before moving to Clarendon in 1983. She married Victor B. Vitarelle on May 12, 1945, in Amarillo. She had worked as an R.N. for 32 years before retiring in 1973. She was a member of a nursing alumni association and a member of First United Methodist Church of Clarendon. She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 10, 1983; and a son, Gregory Dennis Vitarelle who died in Vietnam on July 25, 1969. Survivors include a sister, Hazel Campbell of Clarendon; and a brother, Gene Tyler of Rockwall. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 Jim Cline SILVERTON - Jim Cline, 83, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002.. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in the Silverton Cemetery with Judge Edwin Norris officiating. Arrangements are by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Survivors include a daughter, Ruth Ann Scrivner and husband, Curtis, of Turkey; and a granddaughter Khaki Scrivner of Turkey. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Lois Bruce DALHART - Lois Bruce, 73, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002 in Fort Worth. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Dalhart Church of Christ with Dean Whaley, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Dalhart by Horizon Funeral Home. Lois M. Williamson was born Aug. 18, 1929, in Driftwood, Okla., to Alfred & Olive "Walton" Williamson. They moved to Hartley during the Dust Bowl days. Lois graduated from Hartley High School in 1947 and on May 18, 1947, she married Kenneth Brown. He died in 1971. Lois married James Bruce in 1977. She was a longtime Hartley County resident, and a member of the Dalhart Church of Christ. She was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents and two stepbrothers. Survivors include her husband; four sons, Roy Brown and wife, Debbie, of Hartley, Wayne Brown and wife, Janet, of Dalhart, Mike Brown and wife, Dwayna, of Lubbock, and Pat Brown and wife, Julianne, of Lincoln, Neb.; three daughters, Carolyn Dye and husband, Larry, of Eerie, Kan., Shirley Downey and husband, Ron, of Yuba City, Calif., and Virginia Boaz and husband, Billy, of Amarillo; four stepsons, Royce Bruce and wife, Lena, of San Francisco, Calif., Bryan Bruce of San Francisco, Doyle Bruce wife, Sarah, of Fort Worth and Myron Bruce and wife, Vickie, of Evans, Colo.; two brothers, Darrel Williamson of Hartley and Ronnie Williamson of Dalhart; a sister, Charlene Thompson of Dalhart; and a stepbrother, Steve Alexander of Amarillo; 36 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home in Amarillo. The family will be at 1015 Peach. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Clotield Tiny Chambless SUNRAY - Clotield Tiny Chambless, 96, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, in Dumas. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the First United Methodist Church of Sunray with the Rev. David Purl, pastor, and the Rev. John Westman, former pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Lane Memorial Cemetery in Sunray by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mrs. Chambers had worked for the Cut Rate Grocery in Sunray as a bookkeeper and was a member of the Eastern Star where she was a past worthy matron. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Chambless, in 1966 and a son Buddy Chambless in 1996. Survivors include two sons, Gene Chambless of Sunray and Joe Chambless of Fort Worth; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church of Sunray. The family will be at 1004 Ave. P. in Sunray. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Amarillo David Cecil Bolton Sr. David Cecil Bolton Sr., 74, of Amarillo died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Mr. Bolton was a dedicated serviceman, retiring from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include a daughter, Virginia Olson of Amarillo; a son, David Bolton Jr. of Navasota; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. P. Rudolph Ruelas P. Rudolph Ruelas, 80, of Amarillo died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Ruelas was born Jan. 11, 1922, in Tucson, Ariz., to Cleofe Mendoza and Feliz Ruelas. He grew up on his parents' ranch at Box Canyon, in the Santa Rita Mountains, near Tucson. He served with the Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He married Alice C. O'Neil on April 14, 1951, in Tucson. Mr. Ruelas was a rancher until the 1960s, and grazed cattle on the Santa Rita Experimental Range. Later he worked for the United States Postal Service in Tucson delivering special delivery mail for many years. He was active in the Postal Workers Union. He was a longtime member of VFW Post 10008 in Tucson. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mary Ann Ruelas and husband, Scott Braucher, of Amarillo; a son, Robert A. Ruelas; and a sister, Tillie Hagey of Tucson. The family suggests memorials be to Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, WTAMU Box 60967, Canyon, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 Jimmy Lee Strayhorn Jimmy Lee Strayhorn, 59, of Amarillo died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St., with Glen Walton officiating. Burial will be in Bellevernon Cemetery in Friendship, Tenn. Mr. Strayhorn moved to Amarillo in 1977 from Friendship, Tenn. He had been employed in the heating and air conditioning business for the past 26 years. He was currently employed with Hutton Plumbing, Heating and Air. He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Joe Strayhorn in 1974; and his father, John Edward Strayhorn in 1976. Survivors include his mother, Mary Helen Strayhorn of Amarillo; a brother, Stanley Strayhorn of Kingsport, Tenn.; and a sister, Susan Langford of Howardwick. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX, 79114-9990. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 Rod Anderson Rod Anderson, 95, of Amarillo died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with Bob Thomas, chaplain at Crown of Texas Hospice, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Anderson was born on Jan. 1, 1907, in Ash Flat, Coal County of Indian Territory Oklahoma. He was the third child of eight children born to Henry Edward and Emma Malinda Scott Anderson. He married Geneva Harkins on Aug. 9, 1931, at the First Baptist Church in Beckham County, Okla. Their first home was a dugout northwest of Vincent, Okla. On Aug. 9, 2002, they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. Mr. Anderson began his oil field career in 1926, a career that lasted more than 70 years. The family moved to Fluvanna Community in 1955 from Midland. He began working as a pumper for Lomax Drilling of Midland. They later sold to Pip Petroleum of Detroit. He retired at the age of 88 to move to Amarillo to be closer to his family. He entered Bivins Memorial Nursing Home in August of 2002 after suffering a stroke. He was preceded in death by a son, Lewis Edward; his parents; a sister, Cora Mae Perry, on Aug. 13, 2000, at the age of 97; and his brothers, Marvin, Oran Henry, Hubert and Donald Perry. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Janice Hughes and friend, Jerry Pickens, of Amarillo, and Helen Porter and husband, Bebe, of Olathe, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Dana Higgs, Kal Higgs, Tim Smallwood and Kelly Smallwood, all of Amarillo, Pamela Middleton and Gary Middleton of Deer Park, Minn., Rodney Porter of Olathe, Kan.; and four great-grandchildren, Kallie Higgs, Kyle Higgs, Yvette Smallwood and Saira Smallwood of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Roscoe B. Thompson Roscoe B. Thompson, 82, of Amarillo died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Blackburn-Shaw Chapel, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, 315. E. Fifth Ave. Mr. Thompson moved to Amarillo in 1950 from Plainview. He retired from Bell Helicopter in 1984 and was previously an auto mechanic in Amarillo. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He was a life member of the VFW. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lena, on Jan. 31, 1962, in Amarillo, and a sister, JoAn Kranz. Survivors include a daughter, Delores Graves of Nashville, Tenn.; two sons, Ronald Thompson and Troy Thompson, both of Amarillo; a brother, Norris Thompson of Hugo, Okla.; two sisters, Naomi Stovall of Hugo, Okla., and Ethel Cox of Hubbard; a loving friend Kathleen Henderson; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Lois Loma Baker Lois Loma Baker, 80, of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mrs. Baker was born Aug. 4, 1922 at Farmersville to Ernie E. and Agnes D. Standifer. She graduated from Hereford High School and married Dennis H. "Potsy" Baker on March 23, 1943. She lived in Hereford before moving to Amarillo in 1954. She was employed by the Amarillo Globe-News from 1970 to 1984, retiring as head librarian. She worked on a part-time basis for the newspaper until 1988. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, her parents, and two sisters, Genece Black and Edith Winfrey. Survivors include two daughters, Cheri Baker Walker, and husband, Robert, and Janet Passow, all of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Robert Mark Walker of Flagstaff, Ariz., Kris Passow and wife, Kim, of Arlington, Kim Whitworth and husband, Bryan, of Benbrook and Stephanie Passow of Amarillo; and three great-grandchildren, Emily, Chase and Annalee Lois. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. Oklahoma Jerry Lee Bennett TEXHOMA, Okla. - Jerry Lee Bennett, 72, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, in Amarillo, Texas. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Davidson officiating. Burial will be in Texhoma Cemetery by Dawson-Welch Funeral Home. Mr. Bennett was born Oct. 6, 1930, in Texhoma. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include a sister, Darla Jean Beck of Mountain View, Calif. The family suggests memorials be to Texhoma First Baptist Church or Keenagers and may be sent to the funeral home, 715 W. Main St., Texhoma, OK 73949. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 Steven Charles "Steve" Birdsill GUYMON, Okla. - Steven Charles "Steve" Birdsill, 39, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002, in Amarillo, Texas. Prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev. Kenneth Hein officiating. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Derek Cox, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mr. Birdsill was born Aug. 18, 1963, in Torrance, Calif. He married Ginger Kerr Coleman on Dec. 25, 1997, in Guymon. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Haylie Birdsill and Stephanie Carter; four sons, Justin Birdsill, Austin Birdsill, Tyson Coleman and Jayson Coleman; his parents, Edith and Robert Birdsill of Guymon; six sisters, Judy Masse, Vicki Stelzer and Carla Huckins, all of Guymon, Christine Poterbin of Tonganoxie, Kan., Karen Smith of Hutchinson, Kan., and Laurie Morris of Omaha, Neb.; and five brothers, Michael Birdsill of Chico, Calif., Tim Birdsill of Lawrence, Kan., Ken Birdsill of Windsor, N.Y., Larry Birdsill of Oklahoma City and Robby Birdsill of Guymon. The family suggests memorials be to a memorial fund set up for the Austin and Haylie Birdsill Educational Fund and may be sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 New Mexico Mary Nell Littlefield CLOVIS, N.M. - Mary Nell Littlefield, 93, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Muffley Funeral Home Chapel with Dean Turvaville officiating. Burial will be in Tolar Cemetery in Tolar. Mrs. Littlefield married George W. Littlefield in 1930 at Clovis. She was a homemaker and a member of Eastern Star. Survivors include a daughter, Virginia Vance of Conifer, Colo.; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002 Elsewhere O.K. Clark BOISE, Idaho - O.K. Clark, 94, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002. Graveside services will be at 9 a.m. Thursday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Conway of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, 315 E. Fifth Ave. Mr. Clark was an Amarillo resident for more than 70 years. He was the last child born to the marriage of Willis A. Clark Sr. and Mary F. Montgomery on Jan. 15, 1908, in Cumby, Texas. He was married to Cleo Norman and they enjoyed almost 60 years together before her death in 1989. He moved to Amarillo in 1930 as a territory sales representative for Ely & Walker and worked for them until 1966. He then worked for Associated Textiles until his retirement in 1983. He was a World War II veteran. O.K. and Cleo were members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death. Survivors include two sons, C. Willis Clark of Belton, Texas, and Jerry K. Clark of Eagle, Idaho; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Presbyterian Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, Texas 79109. The body will not be available for viewing. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2002. This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/110602/obi_ob110602-18.shtml