Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 23 March 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 Rita Howell BORGER - Rita Howell, 85, died Saturday, March 22, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Brown Funeral Directors, Chapel of the Fountains, with the Rev. Jim Terry, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery. Mrs. Howell was a housewife and longtime resident of Borger. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include three sons, Ronald Howell of Big Spring, Roger Howell of Eastland and Benny Howell of Pottsboro; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Charlotte Elizabeth Holland BORGER - Charlotte Elizabeth Holland, 70, died Thursday, March 20, 2003 in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Church of Christ at Borger with Mr. Stan Mitchell, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Holland was born July 31, 1932, in Antlers, Okla. She was a member of the Church of Christ at Borger for 50 years. Survivors include her husband, Jack; two sons, Perry Holland and Mark Holland, both of Borger; a daughter, Christie Perez of Frisco; five brothers, Glen Burgin of Mineola, Bill Burgin of Pond Creek, Okla., Troy Burgin and Roy Burgin, both of Amarillo, and Lavorne Burgin of Wildwood; a sister, Norma Jean Lowe of Pasadena; and 10 grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Donald "Don" Lorenz BORGER - Donald "Don" Lorenz, 64, died Thursday, March 20, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Stinnett Cemetery with the Rev. Calvin Winters, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Fritch, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Lorenz was born Sept. 20, 1938, in Dewey, Okla. He retired July 31, 2002, after 30 years with Phillips Petroleum Co. as a unit operator. Survivors include his wife, Connie; two sons, Scott Lorenz of Fritch and Larry Lorenz of Pampa; three daughters, Donna Lorenz and Sherry Lorenz, both of Fritch, and Kristine Lorenz of Borger; his father, Kenneth Lorenz of Huntington Beach, Calif.; four brothers, Richard Lorenz of Huntington Beach, Calif., Kenneth Lorenz of Gordonville, Ed Lorenz of Bend, Ore., and Bob Lorenz of San Francisco; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Elizabeth "Lib" Mitchell PAMPA - Elizabeth "Lib" Mitchell, 91, died Saturday, March 22, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors, Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Scott Penrod, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Mitchell was born Oct. 5, 1912, in Dallas. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include a son Henry Atchison of Dallas; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Pampa Senior Citizens Center, 500 W. Francis, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Vivian Riley PAMPA - Vivian Riley, 84, died Friday, March 21, 2003 in Arlington. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors, Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Scott Penrod, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Riley was born Nov. 23, 1918, in Lamar, Ark. She was a homemaker and member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Gaylene Kernen and Teresa Dinsmore, both of Pampa; a brother, Donald Whiteley of Pampa; two sisters, Sidney Jackson of Pampa and Betty Fillingim of Grand Prairie; three grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Association, Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Alice Marie Aills SEGUIN - Alice Marie Aills, 49, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Friona Cemetery with D.L. Harguess of Canyon officiating. Military honors will be by the Marine Reserve Center in Amarillo. Arrangements are by Blackwell Funeral Home of Friona. Mrs. Aills was born Aug. 16, 1953, in Clovis, N.M. She was a retired master sergeant in the Marine Corps after 21 years. Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Vallie Dee Carmichael and Marvin Carmichael of Seguin; three sisters, Mary Stone of Friona, Brenda Reese of Portales, N.M., and Virginia Henderson of Santa Fe, N.M.; and four brothers, Johnny Aills of Victoria, Cecil Aills and David Aills, both of Houston, and Carroll Aills of Cleveland. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Georgia Ann Biggers SPEARMAN - Georgia Ann Biggers, 91, died Friday, March 21, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Faith Lutheran Church with the Rev. Beverly Cook officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole, Okla., by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Biggers was born in Holdenville, Okla., in 1911. She was a resident of Pampa for 41 years before moving to Spearman in 2001. She married Cecil Biggers in 1933 and he died in 1965. She was a telephone operator for AT&T for 16 years. She worked for C.R. Anthony Clothing for more than 25 years, retiring in 1987. She was a nursery attendant at Central Baptist Church for over 30 years. She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Pampa. Survivors include a son, Cecil R. Biggers and wife, Myrna, of Spearman; a sister, Florida Belle Surgnier of Ada, Okla.; two granddaughters, Regina Biggers of Spearman and Hilary Biggers of Amarillo; and a great-grandson, Alan Biggers of Spearman. The family suggests memorials be to Central Baptist Church Nursery Ministry of Pampa or to Faith Lutheran Church of Spearman. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Choice S. Scott MOBEETIE - Choice S. Scott, 93, died Friday, March 21, 2003 in Wheeler. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Grace Fellowship Church with the Rev. Eerin Mercer officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home. Mrs. Scott was born Aug. 5, 1909, in Allen. She graduated from Briscoe High School. She married Truman Scott in Wellington on Sept. 11, 1941. They lived in Wheeler until 1962 when they moved to Gravette, Ark., and returned to Mobeetie in 1975. Survivors include three sisters-in-law; and five cousins. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 New Mexico Luigi Posada CLOVIS, N.M. - Luigi Posada, infant son of Mario and Socorro Posada, died Friday, March 21, 2003. Graveside services have taken place. Arrangements were by Muffley Funeral Home. Survivors include his parents of Texico; three brothers, Mario Posada Jr., Jose Posada and Sergio Posada, all of Texico; and grandparents, Petronilo and Josefina Posada of Texico and Vicente and Raquel Monarrez of Juarez, Mexico. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Canyon John C. Payne John C. Payne, 46, of Canyon died Friday, March 21, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Trinity Fellowship Church of Amarillo with the Rev. Jerry Bell officiating. Private burial is by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mr. Payne was born April 25, 1956, in Amarillo to Thomas L. and Shirley Elliott Payne. He graduated from Canyon High School in 1974. He was a heavy equipment mechanic employed with DePauw Earth Movers. He was a member of Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo. Survivors include a daughter, Bonnie E. Payne of Amarillo; a son, John David Payne of Amarillo; his parents, Tom and Shirley Payne of Canyon; a brother, Tim Payne of Happy; and a sister, Sheila Payne of Eric, Colo. The family suggests memorials be to Trinity Fellowship Church. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Elsewhere Germaine A. Spies LITTLETON, Colo. - Germaine A. Spies, 83, died Friday, March 21, 2003. Services and burial will be in Hays, Kan., by Hays Memorial Funeral Home. Mrs. Spies was born in Catherine, Kan., and had lived in the Denver area for the past 40 years. Survivors include two sons, Dennis Spies of Amarillo, Texas and Dave Spies of Littleton; two daughters, Mary Nightstar of Golden and Ruth Schumm of Denver; eight grandchildren, including Quentin Spies and Tracy Stewart, both of Amarillo, and Angie Lish of Austin; a brother; six sisters; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society; or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Sara Janice Elkins COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Sara Janice Elkins, 57, died Sunday, March 16, 2003. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marty Hamrick officiating. Arrangements are by Swan Law Funeral Directors. Ms. Elkins was born Aug. 6, 1945, in Amarillo. She graduated from North Texas University and received her physical therapy training at UTMB Galveston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her father, Van J. Elkins. Survivors include her mother, Shirley Jo Hester; her stepfather, Andy Hester; sisters, Ann Dunivan and Lynn Elkins and their families; a niece, Tandy Mack; two nephews, Don Dunivan and Colin Dunivan; and a friend, Shirley Hill. The family suggests memorials be to a charity of choice. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Carl R. Moran Jr. KERRVILLE - Carl R. Moran Jr., 75, died Friday, March 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with Kenneth Moore officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mr. Moran was born in Gould, Okla., on Dec. 18, 1927. He married Dewey Evelyn Hail in Vernon on Dec. 25, 1945. He worked for Scott Lumber Co. and for Western Builders before going into business for himself as a contractor. He was preceded in death by his first wife on Jan. 3, 1984. He remarried in 1986 to Dorothy Jean Aday. She preceded him in death on June 13, 1998. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He loved to fish. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gayle Moran. Survivors include two daughters, Carlla Tittle and husband, John, of Kerrville and Melinda Martin and husband, Jeff, of Leander; a stepdaughter, Jane Romero and husband, J.R., of Amarillo; a sister, Lawanda Moore of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Khiva Shrine Temple of Amarillo, 305 E. Fifth Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101; or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Amarillo Hector Dennis Figueroa Hector Dennis Figueroa, 12, of Amarillo died Friday, March 21, 2003. Rosary will be at 8 p.m. today in 138 Avenue I. Mass will be at 2 p.m. Monday in La Iglesia de San Jose in Hereford, with Emilio Fuentes, deacon, officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery of Hereford by Rix Funeral Directors of Hereford. Hector was born Oct. 12, 1990, in Hereford. He was a student at Woodlands Elementary School in Amarillo. Survivors include his parents, Mario and Rosa Figueroa Guillen of Amarillo; and two brothers, Nick Figueroa and Kit Figueroa, both of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Joseph E. Bixenman Sr. Joseph E. Bixenman Sr., 81, of Amarillo died Friday, March 21, 2003. Prayer services will be at 3 p.m. today in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the church with Monsignor Joseph Bixenman Jr., Monsignor Harold Waldow, Monsignor Joseph Tash, Monsignor Francis A. Smyer and the Priests of the Diocese celebrating. Inurnment will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Bixenman was born in Wein, Mo., on Feb. 10, 1922. He married Mary Anne Hundt in Aztec, Ariz., on Feb. 4, 1944. He served in the Army during World War II and retired from Santa Fe Railway as an engineer after 37 years. He was a founding member of St. Laurence Parish and St. Thomas the Apostle Church and was most recently a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He was a volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center for eight years. He volunteered as a tax preparer for the senior citizens and worked as a floral delivery person for Scott's Flowers. He was president of the Phoenix Club. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Erwin J. Bixenman. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Monsignor Joseph Bixenman Jr. and Timothy H. Bixenman Sr., both of Amarillo; three sisters, Eileen Moser of Burlington, Iowa, Rita Pranger of Lacy, Wash., and Marjorie Dunn of Galesburg, Ill.; two brothers, Gerald Bixenman of Panama City Beach, Fla., and Robert Bixenman of Weaver, Iowa; family member, Vicki Bixenman of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Tim Bixenman Jr., Stacie Bixenman and fiance, Scott Sturgeon, Gina Pattie and husband, Duane, Sarah Bixenman and Trisha Goforth and husband, Mark, all of Amarillo; and seven great-grandchildren, Chase, Blake, Keaton, Kyla, Anson, Bailey and Kaitlyn. The family suggests memorials be to St. Mary's Catholic Church, building fund, 1200 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79102; or to Catholic Family Service, 200 S. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Gene H. Gray Gene H. Gray, 71, of Amarillo died Thursday, March 20, 2003. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mr. Gray married Velma Louise Slater on May 1, 1955, in Fort Sumner, N.M. He worked for Herzfeld Beauty Supply for 20 years. Survivors include his wife; and a son, Darrell Gene Gray of Amarillo. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Ruby Lee Ayres Ruby Lee Ayres, 93, of Amarillo died Friday, March 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Chester O'Brien of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Gruver Cemetery in Gruver. Mrs. Ayres married J.M. Ayres on Oct. 2, 1926. They retired from farming and moved to Amarillo in 1960. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 5, 1990. Survivors include a son, James Ayres of Amarillo; two daughters, Monta Jo Dalton and Wanda Stewart, both of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 Leonard A. Smith Leonard A. Smith, 89, of Amarillo died Friday, March 21, 2003. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Howard Batson, of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Smith was born Sept. 9, 1913, in Holton, Kan., to Charles Allen and Maude Ellen Sullivan Smith. He married Myrtle Marie Daniels on Oct. 15, 1934, in Holton. He retired in 1972 from International Harvester Co. after 35 plus years of service. He was a veteran of the Army serving in World War II in the European Theatre. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart award. Survivors include his wife of 68 years; a daughter, Rita Brewer and husband, Gerald, of Amarillo; and a granddaughter, Dr. Stephanie M. Jozefowicz and husband, Dr. James J., of Indiana, Pa. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 MaryPaul Cunningham MaryPaul "Paula" Cunningham, 80, of Amarillo died Friday, March 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Paramount Baptist Church with the Rev. F.M. Byford officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in White Deer Cemetery of White Deer by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Cunningham was born in Hollis, Okla., to the Rev. Wm. Henry Foulks and Beaulah Pearl Jackson Foulks on Oct. 22, 1922. She was the youngest of 11 brothers and sisters. She graduated from Gould High School in Hollis. She was a member of Paramount Baptist Church. She was a very loving and caring mother and grandmother who did whatever she could for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Newton "Toby" Cunningham, of White Deer, in December 1972; and her youngest son, Alton Wayne Cunningham, in July 1980. Survivors include a daughter, Paula Ann Montgomery of Amarillo; a son, Toby Lewis Cunningham of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Yvonne Lennartz, William T. Montgomery Jr., Brandi Montgomery, Tiffany Cunningham, Amanda Cunningham and Jennifer Cunningham; and two great-grandsons. The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Baptist Church Library or the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 John William Bishop John William Bishop, 74, of Amarillo died Saturday, March 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Roy Wheeler, the Rev. Scott Greer and the Rev. Mark Zimmerman, all of the church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Bishop was born in Quail. He graduated with an accounting degree in 1949 from West Texas State University. He retired from Producers Grain Association where he served as vice president and comptroller. He was past president of Data Processors Management Association. He was active in AMBUCS and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and active in the alumnae group. He was also a 36-year-member of the Lamplighter Sunday school class and a deacon at Paramount Terrace Christian Church. He married Donna Blair Gaines in Amarillo on Feb. 24, 1967. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Judd Bishop and wife, Jan, of Lafayette, La., and Joe Gaines and wife, Carla, of Dalhart; a daughter, Julie Blair of Amarillo; a sister, Mary Waits of Phoenix; three grandsons, Joe W. Gaines and wife, Stephanie, Cody Gaines and Landon Blair and wife, Scarlette; a great-great-granddaughter, Madison Ann Gaines; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to El Porvenir Christian Camp in care of Paramount Terrace Christian Church, 4000 Mays, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/032303/obi_ob032303-23.shtml