Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 19 January 2003 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 Joy Gibbins Snyder GROOM - Joy Gibbins Snyder, 81, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church of Groom with the Rev. David Kelly, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Groom Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mrs. Snyder was born Nov. 5, 1921, in Groom and was a lifetime Groom resident. She married Ripley Albert Snyder on Jan. 10, 1942, in Claude. She had worked as a ward clerk at the Groom Hospital, as the produce manager at the Groom Grocery and was a cook for the Groom Lions Club and baked for the public before her retirement. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Groom for many years and had been a Sunday school teacher. She later kept the nursery at the church. Pallbearers include Earl Barker, Lynn Barker, Maurice "Cobb" Britten, Chris Britten, Randal Patterson and Gary Parrish. Honorary pallbearers include A.J. Newsom and Bill Britten. Survivors include her husband; a son, Jerry Snyder and wife, Carolyn, of Amarillo; a daughter, Nina Richey and husband, Truman, of San Angelo; five grandchildren, Hallie Snyder of Austin, Kemberly Alexander of Dallas, Marc and Tonya Alexander of Amarillo; Sean and Leticia Richey of Carlsbad, and Cory and Jennifer Richey of San Angelo; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Groom. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Bessie Mitts GRUVER - Bessie Mitts, 92, died Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Methodist Church of Gruver with the Rev. Jerry Moore officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mrs. Mitts was born Feb. 19, 1910, in Old Hansford. She married Chester E. Mitts on June 20, 1931, in Spearman. She was a lifelong resident of Hansford County. She was preceded in death by her husband; and a son, Alvin E. Mitts. Survivors include a son, Calvin S. Mitts of Hereford; three grandchildren, Lynn Mitts of Long Beach, Calif., Sharon Lowrey of Hereford and Stuart Mitts of Dallas; and three great-grandchildren, Dane Lowrey, Parker Lowrey and Jenna Lowrey, all of Hereford. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Robert S. Orozco Sr. MULESHOE - Robert S. Orozco Sr., 61, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. A second service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Joe Augustine and Ralph Reyes officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park. Mr. Orozco was a welder and member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He married Dolores C. Castorena on July 8, 1964, in Farwell. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Richard Orozco, Rudy Orozco and Robert Orozco, all of Muleshoe, and Ronnie Orozco of Lubbock; two daughters, Maria Theresa Orozco and Mary Louisa Villegas of Muleshoe; four brothers, Luciano, Dolores, Josemaria and Josesevero Orozco, all of Muleshoe; and 11 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Harry J. Charles BOVINA - Harry J. Charles, 82, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Quita Jones, pastor, and the Rev. Gene Hawkins of Lubbock officiating. Burial will be in Bovina Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home of Friona. Mr. Charles moved to Lubbock in 1993 moving from Clovis, N.M. He was a former longtime resident of Bovina. He was born April 30, 1920, in Tangiers, Okla. He was a 1940 graduate of Bovina High School. He established Charles Oil Co. in Bovina in 1948 and operated it for 42 years. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bovina and Farwell Masonic Lodge where he had been a member for more than 50 years. He was a member of Khiva Shrine-Clovis Cycle Corps, former member of the Bovina Lions Club, the school board, Bovina City Council, member of the Elks Lodge and a volunteer at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock. He was an avid golfer and continued to play until his health began to fail at 81. Survivors include a son, Billy J. Charles and wife, Barbara, of Bovina; a daughter, Harriette Glasscock and husband, Kent, of Carrollton; a sister, Ellen Marie Estes of Bovina; two brothers, Jimmy Charles of Deming, N.M., and Mark Charles of El Paso; four grandchildren, Ginger Martin, Melissa Catero, Brooke Charles and Cameron Charles; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Shriners Hospital or First United Methodist Church of Bovina. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Elsewhere Milton H. Price TEMECULA, Calif. - Milton H. Price, 74, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003. Military graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Riverside National Cemetery with Kevin Kline, pastor of Sunridge Community Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Valley Funeral Home of Murrieta. Mr. Price was born July 24, 1928, in Higgins, Texas, to Layton and Dorothy Price. He graduated from Borger High School in Borger, Texas. He married the former Betty Cofer of Borger on Dec. 27, 1949. He was a former president of Weskem Inc. For many years he was a member of United Methodist Church where he served as chairman of the administrative board. He held positions as president of Borger Rotary Club, president of the Purchasing Agents Association and served on the Borger School Board. In his early years he was an outstanding quarterback for Borger High School football team and named as a Texas All-State player. As a college freshman he was a member of the University of Texas football team. He went on to play as quarterback for the University of New Mexico and the United States Marine Corps in San Diego. Survivors include his wife, Betty; three daughters, Karen Stephenson and husband, Dale, of Jacksonville, Fla., Laurie Koralewski and husband, Rick, of Temecula and Pam Bulla and husband, Tom, of Clear Lake, Texas; a brother, Ronald Price and wife, Brenda, of Amarillo, Texas; a beloved granddaughter, Meghan Bulla of Claremont; two beloved grandsons, Kelly Stephenson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jeremy Stephenson of Tallahassee, Fla.; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Juanita Hamby Perkins HOUSTON - Juanita Hamby Perkins, 77, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003. Arrangements are by Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Ms. Perkins was born in Tarrant County and moved to Amarillo in the early 1930s. She moved to Houston in 1997. Survivors include a son, David D'Wayne Perkins of Houston; and two sisters, Onita Isham of Ocoee, Fla., and Beulah Mae McLaughlin of Midland. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Canyon Roy "Shirley" Smith Roy "Shirley" Smith, 71, of Canyon died Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel with Charles Davenport, pastor of First Baptist Church of Tulia, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Mr. Smith was born Aug. 30, 1931, in Springer, Okla., to Lester and Birda Welch Smith. He married Barbara Sparks west of Canyon on Nov. 30, 1952. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Durant, Okla. He farmed and ranched in Randall and Deaf Smith counties. He enjoyed his kids, grandkids, horses and cattle. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Donna Jordan and husband, Don, of Alva, Okla.; a son, Scott Smith and wife, Donae, of Canyon; four sisters, Dorothy McCown of San Diego, Calif., Jean Trimble of Mena, Ark., Nita Swafford of Fort Worth and Nalda Trent of Durant; and four grandchildren, Jennifer and Brad Jordan of Stillwater, Okla., and Ashleigh and Ryan Smith of Canyon. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 New Mexico Almyra Ragland SAN JON, N.M. - Almyra Ragland, 75, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Assembly of God Church in San Jon with the Rev. Raymond Hudson and the Rev. George Irving, Assembly of God ministers, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot of San Jon Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home of Tucumcari. Mrs. Ragland was born July 21, 1927, in Tahlequah, Okla. She had been an ordained minister of the Assembly of God since 1950. Survivors include her husband, Hermond; a son, Waymond Ragland of San Jon; a daughter, Cheryl Yaws of Midland, Texas; a brother, James Haddock of Cleburne, Texas; and five grandsons. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Oklahoma Ethel Seago STILLWATER, Okla. - Ethel Seago, 92, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Ochiltree Cemetery with the Rev. Greg Kennedy officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton, Texas. Mrs. Seago was an accomplished seamstress and artist. She enjoyed working with handicapped children. Survivors include two daughters, Vena Weathers of Stillwater, Okla., and Betty Keiffer of Helena, Okla.; three brothers, Erlis Pittman of Spearman, Texas, Wamon Pittman of Warden, Wash., and Leonard Pittman of Fritch, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74074. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Amarillo Nina Belle Mathews Nina Belle Mathews, 91, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church Chapel. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. in Dalhart Memorial Gardens of Dalhart by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Mathews was born in Everton, Ark., on Oct. 14, 1911. Her family moved from Everton to Dalhart in the late 1920s where they made their home until 1953 when they relocated to Amarillo. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Amarillo and was a leader in the nursery department of the church for more than 35 years. She was an accomplished pianist and loved writing music and songs. She was preceded in death by her husband, William W. "Bill" Mathews; two sons in 2002, Walter of Grass Valley, Calif., and Bill Jr. of Clinton, Okla.; her parents, W.T. and Nancy Belle Cantrell of Dalhart; five brothers; three sisters. Survivors include two sons, Harry of San Antonio and Phillip of Austin; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 L.H. Barley L.H. Barley, 68, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Childress Church of Christ with Dr. Mike Henderson and Mr. Robert Carter officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home of Childress. Mr. Barley was born March 21, 1934, in Childress to Henry and Beulah Barley. He was a longtime resident of Childress. Survivors include his wife, June; two sons, Terry Barley of Amarillo and Tony Barley of Childress; a daughter, Shawna Burnam of Amarillo; a sister, Jimmie Burton of Levelland; and seven grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Janice Haning Griffith Janice Haning Griffith, 54, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Amarillo Cowboy Church with Eddy Mardis officiating. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Monday in the Mobeetie Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Griffith was born in Amarillo and was raised on the 6666 Ranch. She was a 1966 graduate of Panhandle High School and a 1968 graduate of Frank Phillips Junior College. She married Gary Griffith in 1968 on the 6666 Ranch. She had been the office manager for Amarillo Area Hospital Home Care and had also worked for the American Quarter Horse Association. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold "Peeler" Haning in 1997. Survivors include her husband; a son, Brandon Griffith and wife, Dee, of Amarillo; her mother, Evelyn Haning of Mobeetie; a brother, Buster Haning of Wheeler; and two granddaughters, Tailore Reasoner and Hunter Griffith, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to the American Quarter Horse Foundation. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Erma Lee Zielke Erma Lee Zielke, 79, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Zielke was born in Hansford County on Dec. 13, 1923. She worked as a beautician in Amarillo for 30 years. Survivors include a daughter, Lee Zielke of Amarillo; a brother, Alva Hankla of Durango, Colo.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Inez Marie Philley Inez Marie Philley, 83, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with Gene Shelburne, of Anna Street Church of Christ, officiating. Entombment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Philley was born Nov. 13, 1919, in Nimrod. She was retired from McClish Pest Control of Amarillo. She was a longtime resident of Amarillo and she and her family moved from Abilene in 1958. She was a longtime member of Anna Street Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, in December 2002; two sisters, Leta Ledbetter of Cisco and Rozelle Chew of Los Angeles. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Richardson of Amarillo and Sharon Cain of Topeka, Kan.; a brother, Lloyd Simpson of Lake Charles, La.; four grandchildren, Robert Richardson of Philadelphia, Michael Brent Shaffer of Dallas, Nicole Conforti of Lawrence, Kan., and Kerry Miller of Decatur, Ark.; and four great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Ashley, Joshua and Adam, all of Decatur. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 200 N.W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79107. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 James P. Walker James P. Walker, 63, of Amarillo died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Chuck Neal, pastor of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Walker was born in Amarillo. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict and received a letter of commendation from the South Korean President and a presidential citation from the U. S. president for leading 120 Korean civilians to safety. He was a salesman for Golden Light, Cains Coffee Co. and Toot'n Totum. Survivors include his wife, Helena; three daughters, Janice M. Glass of Argo, Ala., Sandra K. Walker and Shawnda W. Melton, both of Amarillo; three sisters, Margie Louise Martin, Betty Joe Fenley and Carolyn Sue Taylor, all of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Raymond Isham Raymond "Ray" Isham, 77, of Amarillo died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church Sanctuary with Lynn Garrett officiating. Private family committal will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, East Mausoleum, by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Isham married Evelyn Hillman in 1947 in Borger. He was a retired employee for Southwestern Public Service. He served in the Army and was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Isom Masonic Lodge in Borger and a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Charlotte Hansen of Amarillo; a sister, Ruby Hurt of Amarillo; and two granddaughters. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Betty Tucker Betty Tucker, 77, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Conway, senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Tucker was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1944. She attended Columbia Christian College in Columbia, Mo., graduating in 1948, and returning to Amarillo to work for Smyth Auto Supply from 1948 to 1957. She married Lawrence Tucker on April 12, 1958, in Amarillo. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1985. Survivors include a daughter, Valerie Goodman and husband, Robert, of Pagosa Springs; a son, Matt Tucker of Dallas; and two grandchildren, Jordan and Hayley Goodman. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Eloisa Salazar Cortez Eloisa Salazar Cortez, 68, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Prayer services will be at 6 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. A second service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Iglesia Cristiana Evangelica Church with the Rev. Ray Ramos and the Rev. Alvino Alvarez officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Cortez was a dedicated, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She married Joe Cortez Sr. on Aug. 20, 1949, in Amarillo. She was a homemaker and a member of Iglesia Cristiana Evangelica Church. She was preceded in death by two sons; three sisters; and two brothers. Survivors include her husband; six sons, Joe Cortez and wife, Sadie, David Cortez, Ruben Cortez and Greg Cortez, all of Amarillo, Steve Cortez and wife, Karen, of Reno, Nev., and Jerry Cortez and wife, Charlie, of Waxahachie; two daughters, Maria Fajardo and husband, Raymond, and Susan Dodge, all of Amarillo; a brother, Robert Salazar of Amarillo; 32 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 Jack O. Pearson Jack O. Pearson, 68, of Amarillo died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Memorial services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Loran Harper, of Comanche Trail Church of Christ, officiating. Mr. Pearson was born in Raton, N.M. He attended Slaton High School in Slaton and graduated from Highland High School in Albuquerque, N.M. He attended Texas Tech University and served in the Army from 1955 to 1957. He married Mary Allbright in 1958 at Slaton. He worked for the Santa Fe Railway in Slaton; Clovis, N.M.; Amarillo; and Wellington and Topeka, Kan. He retired in 1990 after 38 years. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Shera Smith, Roson Wilson and Dawn Larson, all of Amarillo; a son, Bill Pearson of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The body will not be available for viewing. Sign our online guestbook at www.rectorfuneralhome.com. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 200 N.W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79107. Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 19, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/011903/obi_ob011903-21.shtml