Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 23 February 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 Ira Austin Stephens DALHART - Ira Austin Stephens, 84, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Lincoln Street Baptist Church with Rusty Hancock, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Horizon Funeral Home. Mr. Stephens was born Aug. 31, 1918, in Denison to E.N. and Estelle Reed Stephens. He moved with his family to Dalhart in 1927. He was an Army veteran of World War II and served in the European Theater. He married Armilda Ruth Sublette on Feb. 1, 1944. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Lee Stephens; his parents; two brothers, Carl Stephens and Floyd Hill; a sister, Alice Jones; and a grandson, Eric Quinton Holt. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Peggy Kirkpatrick of Kingwood, Doris Franklin Holt of Dalhart and Gay Larry Gallagher of Liberal, Kan.; two sons, Austin Stephens of Dalhart and Kevin Stephens of Hartley; two sisters, Lois Vogt of Westwood, Calif., and Francis Goodwin of Burlington, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Jackie Forbus VEGA - Jackie Forbus, 68, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. James Peach, pastor, and Sam Line, Church of Christ minister, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Vega by Boxwell Brothers at Vega. Mr. Forbus was born in Sweetwater and had lived in Vega for more than 35 years. He was an alumni of Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. He had worked for Oldham County Implement and was a member of First Baptist Church in Vega. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on June 12, 2002. Survivors include three sons, Arthur Forbus and Robert Forbus, both of Houston, and Doug Forbus of Lewisville; a daughter, Linda Neuman of Beaverton, Ore.; two sisters, Winona Cannon of Fort Cobb, Okla., and Polly Isler of Rock Hill, S.C.; a brother, Allen Forbus of Sun City, Calif.; and five grandchildren. The family will be at 205 N. Second. Viewing will be from noon to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to noon Monday. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Tommy R. Mercer PAMPA - Tommy R. Mercer, 59, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum with Dr. Randy White, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Entombment will be in Memory Gardens Mausoleum by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Mercer was born June 9, 1943, in Pampa. He was a past member of First Baptist Church in Skellytown. Survivors include a son, Mark Mercer of Atlanta; his mother, Frances Mercer of Pampa; a sister, Sandra Mills of Perryton; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Sue Beasley HEREFORD - Sue Beasley, 51, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Frio Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Ansell officiating. The family will have a private interment by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Mrs. Beasley was born Dec. 16, 1951, in Clovis, N.M., the daughter of Jimmie and Janie Victor. She married Jack Beasley in Clovis in May 1995. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Janie Victor of Canton, Ga.; and two brothers, Gary Victor of Kennesaw, Ga., and Gene Victor of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice, 600 N. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79107. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Ruby Fleming PAMPA - Ruby Fleming, 82, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Fellowship Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Lowry, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Fleming was born July 24, 1920, in Denison. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Jim Fleming of Pampa; two daughters, Betty Sargent and Johnnie Hazel, both of Pampa; a stepdaughter, Von Wingeart of Falcon Lake; a sister, Grace Ivey of Borger; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Fellowship Baptist Church, building fund, 622 E. Francis, Pampa, TX 79065; or to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Joyce Louise Brack CANADIAN - Joyce Louise Brack, 70, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003. Memorial services will be at a later date in Canadian with Jimmy Robinson officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Brack was born Dec. 25, 1932, in Frederick, Kan. She moved to Canadian in the early 1970s. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her father, Elda Kitchen; a brother, Harry Charles; and a sister, Arla Mae Hoelscher, of Bushton, Kan. Survivors include three sons, Michael Brack and wife, Caron, Randy Brack and wife, Cindy, all of Amarillo, and Larry Brack of Great Bend, Kan.; two daughters, Vicki LaGrange and husband, Brian, of Dallas, and Jana Brack and Rogelio Perez, of Amarillo; her mother, Gracie Kitchen of Lyons, Kan.; a sister, Wanda Plautz, and Willie August of Bushton; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hemphill County Hospice organization. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Gene L. Sions BORGER - Gene L. Sions, 73, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Church of Christ at Borger with James Meekins officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors. Mr. Sions was a member of Church of Christ at Borger. He was a retired registered pharmacist and owner of Gibson Pharmacy. Survivors include his wife, Frances; two sons, Mike Sions of Ashland, Kan., and Mark Sions of Addison; a daughter, Anne Sions of Borger; a sister, Anita Steinle of Runaway Bay; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Milton Wyatt Bagwell CLAUDE - Milton Wyatt Bagwell, 78, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church of Claude with the Rev. Janet Edwards, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mr. Bagwell was born Aug. 12, 1924, in Armstrong County and lived there until 1949. He then lived several other places before returning to Claude in 1988. He married Earlene Johnson on Aug. 30, 1946, in Dumas. He was a technician in the chemical and aircraft industries for much of his life before his retirement. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the Harold Gist Post of the American Legion in Claude. He was the chairman of the Armstrong County Museum Board. He was a member of the Claude Lions Club, the Mid Century Club, the Wagoneers Camping Club and a member of First United Methodist Church in Claude. He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Nordane Bagwell, on Oct. 20, 1959, and Claude Lee Bagwell, on Oct. 18, 2002; two sisters; and two brothers. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Linda Phillips and husband, Al, of Dover, Ark.; five brothers, Ray Bagwell of Statesville, N.C., Bob Bagwell of Tulsa, Okla., Leonard Bagwell of Loma, Colo., Leon Bagwell of Gruver and Rex Bagwell of Claude; two sisters, Odessa Brunson of Claude and Addie Mae Cristy of Emmett, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Viewing will be today in Claude. The family suggests memorials be to the Armstrong County Museum, P.O. Box 450, Claude, TX 79019-0450; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Elsewhere Willie Gertrude Crosby LITTLEFIELD - Willie Gertrude Crosby, 93, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services have taken place. Burial was in Littlefield Memorial Park by Hammons Funeral Home. Mrs. Crosby was born Dec. 19, 1909, in Munday. She moved to Littlefield in 1945. Survivors include two sons, Lloyd Williams of Greeley, Colo., and Ben Williams of Dallas; three daughters, Marie Young of Stratford, Helen Templeton of Earth and Pat Gottlob of Lubbock; a brother, Charlie Altman of Granbury; 10 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and five step-great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Portales Children's Home or the Lubbock Children's Home. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 New Mexico Virgie G. Jones CLOVIS, N.M. - Virgie G. Jones, 56, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in The Chapel of Clovis with the Rev. Brad Reeves and Dr. Herbert Bergstrom officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. Jones was a lifetime resident of the Texico and Farwell, Texas, areas. She married Ray Jones on Aug. 8, 1991, in Las Vegas, Nev. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Shane Rater of Clovis and Shawn Rater of Archer City, Texas; two stepdaughters, Sherri Jones of Albuquerque and Dana Young of Sweetwater, Texas; her mother, Dorothy B. Jones of Clovis; three brothers, Michael Jones and Jamie Jones, both of Ranchville, and Pat Jones of Hillsboro; 15 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Diabetes Association, 525 San Pedro, N.E., Suite 101, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Amarillo Don Bramblet Don Bramblet, 73, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Crown of Texas Hospice with Bob Thomas, chaplain, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Bramblet was born in McLean. He was a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Emma; two daughters, Linda Small of Bedford and Marilyn Gough of Amarillo; two sons, Don Bramblet of Arlington and Mike Bramblet of Amarillo; a sister, Juanita Brown of Hedley; two brothers, Bill Bramblet of Valley View and Tony Bramblet of Arkansas; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Wilma Ann Mellinger Wilma Ann Mellinger, 71, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Mellinger was born Jan. 10, 1932, in La Rose, Ill., and graduated from high school in Dallas City, Ill. Wilma worked for Mason and Hanger for more than 34 years. She started with the company in 1951 at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, Iowa, and transferred to Pantex Plant in Amarillo in December 1973. She held many positions with the company and retired in 1990 as a line supervisor. After retirement, she went to work for Goodcare Home Health Services. She was a loving mother, and a great friend to all that knew her. She was known at Pantex as "Mom" due to her caring ways, listening ear and delicious cooking. She was always ready for a game of bridge or "42." she will be missed by all who loved and knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Esther "Dode" Van Dusen. Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Graham and husband, Jerry, of Amarillo; two sisters, Kathryn Blackman of Manhattan, Ill., and Mary Van Dusen of Atalissa, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Terrace Christian Church, building fund, 4000 Mays St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Amarillo Alice Elizabeth Milligan Alice Elizabeth Milligan, 93, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Faith Baptist Church with Kurtis Spidel, pastor, and Elder Swanson Hagerman officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Milligan went to be with the Lord. She had worked at Northwest Texas Hospital pharmacy for 27 years. She was married to J. Lee Milligan for 27 years. She loved the Lord and was a member of Southwest Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother to her family. She was greatly loved and will be missed by all. She was preceded in death by two sisters; two brothers; and her former husband, J. Lee Milligan, in 1992. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Hagerman and husband, Swanson, and Mary Lee Milligan, all of Amarillo, and Patricia Joyce Milligan Prince of Miami, Fla.; a son, Terry George Milligan of Azle; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and beloved caregivers, Joyce Ahler and Letha Amerson. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Violet DeWolfe Violet DeWolfe, 88, of Amarillo died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Paul DeWolfe officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. DeWolfe was born and raised in Beaver County, Okla., on the family farm. She was the third child of eight. She married Robert M. DeWolfe on Jan. 31, 1942, in Canyon. She graduated from Oklahoma State College in 1943. In 1946 she moved to Amarillo and began teaching art at Forest Hill Elementary. While teaching she received her master's from West Texas State College in 1955. At the time of her retirement in 1979 she was teaching art at Lamar Elementary. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Kappa Iota, the retired teachers association, and Washington Avenue Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband on Jan. 14, 2002; and a grandson, Christian August Longanecker, in 1990. Survivors include a daughter, Raymona J. Longanecker and husband, Dr. Ronald M. Longanecker, of Amarillo; three sisters, Erma Wallace of Denver, Joyce Harper of Liberal, Kan., and Normagene King of Pocatello, Idaho; a brother, Donald Dean Heitschmidt of Liberal; three grandchildren, Travis L. Longanecker and wife, Kristi R., of Perryton, Jameson T. Longanecker and wife, Tamra R., of Amarillo, and Katherine Brooke Wilson and husband, Clinton R., of Seattle; and two great-grandchildren, Christian Cole Longanecker and Hattie B. Longanecker, both of Perryton. The family suggests memorials be to Christian August Longanecker fund at St. Andrew's Episcopal School, 1515 S. Georgia St., Amarillo, TX 79102. The family will be at No. 18 Citadel. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Clifton O'Dell Rupe Clifton O'Dell "Cotton" Rupe, 80, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. Michael J. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Rupe was born Jan. 22, 1923, in Antlers, Okla., to Earl L. and Beulah E. Bradley Rupe. He married Laverle Justice on Dec. 31, 1946, in Carlsbad, N.M. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the Army. He was a member of the VFW. He was in automotive sales and a longtime resident of Carlsbad, N.M. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jack. Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Rupe of Midland; two daughters, Earlene Claypool and husband, Ron, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Patricia Brown and husband, Charles, of Amarillo; a sister, Betty Reddy of Roswell, N.M.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to New Mexico Christian Children's Home in Portales, N.M.; or to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Lou W. Palmer Lou W. Palmer, 66, of Amarillo died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Coy Wylie, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Palmer was born Aug. 4, 1936, in Seminole, Okla. She married Billie Palmer on Oct. 22, 1956. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994. Survivors include a son, Greg Palmer and wife, Billie, of Amarillo; her mother, Esther Bunch of Tulsa, Okla.; a brother, B.F. "Bud" Mathes of Tulsa; and three grandchildren, Ben, Rick and Megan Palmer, all of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Sky Camp in care of Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Rocky Lee Rawls Page Rocky Lee Rawls Page, 46, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Memorial services will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday in Faith City Mission. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Page was a lifelong resident of Amarillo. He had worked for the Stock Yard Cafe. Survivors include a brother, Ron Page of Amarillo; and two sisters, Kay Weldon and Casey Brewer, both of Amarillo. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Faith City Mission, 401 E. Second Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 Jay Ross Willis Jay Ross Willis, 36, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Llano Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. F.M. Byford officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Willis was born Feb. 25, 1966, and was raised in Amarillo. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1984 and was a lifelong member of Paramount Baptist Church. During his high school years he worked for Village Pharmacy. He attended North Texas State University and the University of Texas in Austin. He majored in classical guitar at North Texas before he became ill with multiple sclerosis in 1987. He was a dedicated musician and enjoyed spending time playing his guitar. His ability to play the guitar was cut short due to multiple sclerosis. He was confined to a wheelchair the last three years of his life. One of his favorite pastimes was playing with his two Yorkshire terrier dogs. He met his wife, Hatsue, in Austin. After spending some time in Japan, they were married and lived in Kanagawa, a suburb of Tokyo. She currently lives and works in Japan. After living in Japan for several years he returned to Austin to continue his studies at the University of Texas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Craig Vernoy Willis, in 1964. Survivors include his wife; his parents, Vernoy and Patricia Willis of Amarillo; a brother, Ted Willis of Tyler; and two nieces, Keely and Kari Willis, both of Tyler. The family suggests memorials be to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Panhandle Chapter, 6222 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, Feb. 23, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/022303/obi_ob022303-20.shtml