Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 18 April 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 Clara Mae Matthews MEMPHIS - Clara Mae Matthews, 80, died Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Coleman officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Hughs Funeral Home. Mrs. Matthews was born Feb. 24, 1923, in Hillsboro. She married O.D. Matthews Sr. on Oct. 24, 1939, in Memphis. Survivors include two sons, O.D. Matthews Jr. of Memphis and Henry Newsome of Compton, Calif.; nine daughters, Myrtle Jenkins, Marie Georage, Jerry Scott and Erma Briley, all of Memphis, Oneta Mason, Linda Devorce and Jeannetta Fields, all of Amarillo, Tommie Proby of Pampa and Carol Spearman of Hope, Ark.; 50 grandchildren; 83 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Zelma Mae Schiller BORGER - Zelma Mae Schiller, 84, died Thursday, April 17, 2003. Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Hilda Cavazos, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Schiller was born Sept. 19, 1918, in Conroe. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a son, Daniel Schiller of Borger; two daughters, Norma Yeary and Tricia Smith, both of Borger; three brothers, James White of Coffeyville, Kan., Richard White of Angleton and A.B. White of North Zulch; a sister, Evelyn Hardin of Conroe; six grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Asthma Foundation. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Emil N. Ehly NAZARETH - Emil N. Ehly, 72, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, in Canyon. Vigil and Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. today in the Holy Family CCD Building. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery with the Rev. John Hickey officiating. Memorial funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Holy Family Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Mr. Ehly was born Feb. 27, 1931, in Dimmitt. He grew up in Nazareth and graduated from high school there. He served in the Army for two years before returning to Nazareth. He married Mary Schumacher on April 28, 1954, in Rhineland. He farmed in the area for more than 40 years. He was also a truck driver and did custom hauling for 10 years. He was a member of American Legion, Holy Family Catholic Church and was a Eucharist minister. He was preceded in death by two sons, Wayne Ehly and Lonnie Ehly; six brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Glenda Gerber and husband, Roger, and Pam Upshaw and husband, Cody, all of Canyon, Wanda Teafatiller and husband, Barry, of Plainview, and Cindy Gatz and husband, David, of Easton, Kan.; a brother, Vincent Ehly of Canyon; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to American Legion; or Meals on Wheels of Nazareth. The reception of the body will take place at 2 p.m. today in the Holy Family CCD building. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Tressie Mae Watkins DUMAS - Tressie Mae Watkins, 93, died Thursday, April 17, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Morrison Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel with Rick Korsmo, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery. Mrs. Watkins was born Dec. 16, 1909, in Moore County. She was a Moore County resident all of her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Dumas. She married George "Buster" Watkins on June 26, 1928, in Amarillo. She was engaged in farming. She was preceded in death by a son, George D. Watkins in 1990; and a son, Larry Joe Watkins in 1947. Survivors include a sister, Irene Stevenson of Dumas; a granddaughter, Jan Harper of Loveland, Colo.; three grandsons, Kelly Watkins and wife, Nadine, and Alan Watkins and wife, Karen, all of Dumas, and Leslie Watkins and wife, Serena, of Dodge City, Kan.; and a daughter-in-law, Relda Watkins of Dumas. The family suggests memorials be to Bible Baptist Church Building Fund, 10 Elm Ave., Dumas, TX 79029. The family will be at 1106 Walnut St. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Marie Williams DALHART - Marie Williams, 94, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Central United Methodist Church with Jeff Taylor, pastor, and Stephen Lowrie, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Hartley Cemetery in Hartley by Horizon Funeral Home. Mrs. Williams was born Feb. 16, 1909, in Bonham, to Kaywood and Emma Robinson Baker, and raised there. Marie married Forrest Williams in 1946, and in 1948 they moved to Dalhart. Marie was a private nurse for many years. She was an active member of Central United Methodist Church. Marie had lived at Coon Memorial Home since 1995. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1987; a grandson, David; and a brother, James. Survivors include a daughter, Mildred Moseley and husband, Hurchel, of Ben Wheeler; a niece, Linda Garner of Bonham; a nephew, James Barker of Bonham; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Coon Memorial Auxiliary; or Hartley Cemetery Association. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Randall P. "Randy" Fry DIMMITT - Randall P. "Randy" Fry, 46, died Thursday, April 17, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Christian Church with Bruce Murphy, pastor, and Spence Moore, former pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Fry was born Dec. 30, 1956, in Durant, Okla. He had been a resident of Lubbock for several years. Survivors include his parents, Paul and Glenna Fry of Dimmitt; a brother, Chris Fry of Dimmitt; a sister, Tanya Schulte of Nazareth; and his grandmother, Ethel Fry of Dimmitt. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Amarillo Barbara Jo McCoy Barbara Jo McCoy, 56, of Amarillo died Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Southern Baptist Church with Dr. Randy Davis of Lifeway Fellowship Church officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. McCoy was born in Forney and later moved to Fritch. She was preceded in death by a son, James Bradley Pingelton; and her parents. Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Morrison of Fritch and Jolanda Shackelford of Amarillo; a son, Steven McCoy of Amarillo; a sister, Deborah Gee of Claremore, Okla.; two brothers, William Ross Roberts Jr. of Centerville, Ala., and Jackie Stewart Roberts of Dimmitt; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association, 2404 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Martha Elba Roqhuett Arias Martha Elba Roqhuett Arias, 85, of Amarillo died Thursday, April 17, 2003. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Mrs. Arias was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, and lived in Amarillo for the past eight years. She was Catholic. She was preceded in death by a son, Fernando Arias; and a daughter, Annie Arias. Survivors include a daughter, Martha Daniels of Bear, Del.; a son, Arnoldo Arias of San Jose; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Bernice Dewey Bernice Dewey, 81, of Amarillo died Monday, April 14, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Fairview Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Cliff H. Houghton, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. On April 14, the angels took this beloved saint home. Bernice was born in Carey on Nov. 22, 1921, and moved to Amarillo in 1940. She worked as a carhop at the old Double Dip Drive-In on Polk Street, where she met her husband, Kenswell, who was serving in the Army. They married in October 1941 and were stationed at Camp Roberts, Calif., during World War II. They returned to Amarillo after the war, where they lived and raised their family. Bernice was a devout member of Fairview Assembly of God Church. She was a dedicated student of the Bible and taught adult Sunday School classes for more than 30 years. She was also very active in the women's ministries at their church. She has touched and changed many lives due to her unwavering faith. It seem that each family and friend had a special name for Bernice. Some called her Ruth, some "Boofy," to some she was "Prayer Warrior and Angel." Of course, she will always be known as Momma, Mother, Meme and Honey to her husband, children and grandchildren. Her homecoming will leave a huge void in this family and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her. We are comforted in knowing that she is in Heaven and will watch over us all until we are reunited again. We love you. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Dee Ann Dowlen of Amarillo; a son, Ken Dewey of Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren, Trey Bunch of Grand Prairie, Kody Dewey of Oklahoma City and Thomas Dewey of Tulsa; two great-grandchildren, Madeline Jane Bunch of Charleston, S.C., and Sky Anne Dewey of Oklahoma City; a brother, J.R. Scott of Oklahoma City; and many nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Dwight L. Elliott Dwight L. Elliott, 86, of Amarillo died Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rusty Dickerson, pastor, the Rev. Perry Hunsaker, associate pastor, and Dr. Norman Grigsby, all of St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Elliott was born July 22, 1916, in McPherson, Kan., to R.E. and Lora Elliott, started school in McPherson, then moved to Walters, Okla., with the family. He was a Boy Scout earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. Elliott graduated from Walters High School in 1934 and graduated from Oklahoma University in 1939, with a bachelor of fine arts degree. He was a band director at Freedom, Okla., High School before taking the same job at Canyon High School in 1941. Mr. Elliott joined the Navy in December 1941 as a yeoman on the Fleet Service School Staff. Later, he served on the staff of the Admiral of the Seventh Amphibious Force in the South Pacific. He was the office manager of several freight companies and of Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Home until his retirement in 1983. He married Mary Alice Wilson on Sept. 14, 1946, in McLean Methodist Church. They were members of Polk Street Methodist Church and charter members of Homebuilders Sunday school class until he and Mary Alice became charter members of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He served as choir director for several years at St. Paul and also for St. Stephen United Methodist Church. He sang for years with the Blackburn-Shaw Quartet, also known as "The Four Hearseman" who won the International Barbershop Quartet Championship in 1955. He directed the Amarillo Golden Spread Chorus of SPEBSQSA and Amarillo Sweet Adeline Chorus for many years. In 1999, Dwight was inducted into the Barbershop Hall of Fame of the Southwestern District of SPEBSQSA, sang with many barbershop quartets, and performed with Amarillo Opera and Amarillo Little Theater productions. Mr. Elliott was a longtime member of San Jacinto Lions Club as well as serving as its president. After retirement he served many years as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Help One Student to Succeed (HOST) program for Amarillo Independent School District. He was an active member of the choir, bell choir and the Covenant Sunday School Class of his church. He was a longtime member of several square and round dance clubs. He and his wife served many years as voting precinct officials. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Dale Wilson Elliott and wife, Katrina, of Amarillo, and LaMar Elliott and wife, Vonnita, of Topeka, Kan.; a sister, Maxine Faulkner of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Sherie White and Mary D. Crist, both of Amarillo; four step-grandchildren, Carina Swenson and Jennifer Swenson, both of Amarillo, and Dustin Legler and Karamae Legler, both of Topeka, Kan.; three great-grandchildren; a nephew, Max Ray Faulkner of Amarillo; and a niece, Elaine Brownell of Muskogee, Okla. The family suggests memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4317 W. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Amarillo Jones Hales Jones Hales, 74, of Amarillo died Thursday, April 17, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in St. Stephen United Methodist Church with the Rev. Terry Lowe of the church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Hales was a lifetime resident of Randall County. He operated Hales Holstein Farm and Dairy. He bought his own farm in 1959 and operated it until 1979. He married Della Mae Curb on Aug. 3, 1951, in Amarillo. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Canyon. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Linda Dugan of Ruidoso, N.M., and Millie Harber and Debbie Bowen, both of Amarillo; two sons, Willie Hales of Lubbock and Larry Hales of Amarillo; two brothers, Richmond Hales of Canyon and Lewis Hales of Amarillo; two sisters, Jane Daniels of Amarillo and Ruby Herndon of Surprise, Ariz.; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to St. Stephen United Methodist Church. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Charlotte A. Johnson Charlotte A. Johnson, 45, of Amarillo died Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2820 Virginia Circle, with the Rev. Bob Miller, pastor of South Georgia Baptist church, and the Rev. Fines Marchman, pastor of First Baptist Church of Skellytown, officiating. Mrs. Johnson was born in Cleveland, Tenn., to Charles and Pauline Long in 1957. She married Mike Johnson on Dec. 9, 1983, in Ringgold, Ga. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Heather Cruz of Youngsville, N.C., and Tiffany Bolen of Memphis, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Nicholas Cruz and Dakota Bolen; her mother, Pauline Long of Cleveland; her father and stepmother, Charles and Faye Long of Cleveland; three sisters, Katherine Clinton of Tunnel Hill, Ga., Nancy Simonds and Teresa Langley, both of Cleveland; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Charlotte A. Johnson Memorial Fund at Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union, 6100 W. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79106; or Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Edgar Carl Podzemny Edgar Carl Podzemny, 82, of Amarillo died Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St., with J. Alan Ford, minister of Southwest Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Podzemny was born Aug. 1, 1920, in Umbarger, to Otto and Anna Podzemny. He served in the 317th Infantry of the 80th Division of the Army and received the Purple Heart Medal after being wounded at Mosselle, France, on Sept. 6, 1944. He married Dorothy Josephine May in 1948 and was a lifelong resident of Amarillo, where he farmed and ranched. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years. Survivors include three sons, Ed Podzemny and Richard Podzemny, both of Amarillo, and Mike Podzemny of Odessa; two sisters, Ann Erdman and Elsie Fluegel of Amarillo; a brother, Bob Podzemny of Sedan, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26, P.O. Box 864, Amarillo, TX 79105. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Winnie Ruth Dunlap Winnie Ruth Dunlap, 83, of Amarillo died Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Stratford Cemetery in Stratford with the Rev. Mark Metzger, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Stratford, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Dunlap was born Oct. 24, 1919, in Dallam County, one of eight children of pioneer family Joe and Judie Taylor. She grew up in Kerrick, graduated from Stratford High School in 1937 and attended college in Goodwell, Okla. She married Kay Dunlap in 1941. They lived in Boise City and operated Dunlap Hardware for many years. After Kay retired, they moved to Truth or Consequences, N.M. She was preceded in death by her husband; and four brothers, Walker Taylor, Jim Taylor, Ray Taylor and Pete Taylor. Survivors include two daughters, Regina Dixon and husband, Kermit, and Karen Greer and husband, Mark; four grandchildren, Lucinda Nobles, Kermit K. Dixon, Shelli Dixon and Whitney Keeney; two great-grandchildren, Bethany Dixon and Connor Dixon; three sisters, Virgie Mathews, Geneva Wells and Mary Hill; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Kerrick Community Center, Kerrick, TX 79052. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Canyon Enrique "Henry" Tijerina Enrique "Henry" Tijerina, 62, of Canyon died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, in Amarillo. Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. today in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Gabriel Rivas, deacon of St. Ann's Catholic Church, officiating. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Ann's Catholic Church in Canyon with the Rev. Phu Phan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Tijerina was born in O'Donnell, and had been a resident of Canyon for 11 years. He was a truck driver for 20 years, 12 of which he worked for Debbie and Rita Trucking Co. He had also been a part owner of H&B Auto Service and had been a transmission builder for Farnsworth Transmissions, Scottie's Transmissions and Aamco Transmissions. He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church. He married Felis Camarillo on Oct. 23, 1960, in Hereford. Mr. Tijerina's passion was camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Brenda DeLaGarza, Margarita Riojas and Diana Escalante, all of Amarillo; three sons, Mike Tijerina of Canyon, and Roldan Tijerina and Edward Tijerina, both of Amarillo; his mother, Josephine Tijerina of Dumas; five brothers, Baldo Tijerina, Al Tijerina and Luis Tijerina, all of Canyon, and Desiderio Tijerina Jr. and Robert Tijerina, both of Amarillo; four sisters, Linda Coronado and Josie Valdez, both of Amarillo, Carmen Liscano of Dumas and Angie Cano of Hereford; and 12 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 New Mexico Esther Fay Guhl Pemberton TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Esther Fay Guhl Pemberton, 74, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Immanuel Baptist Church of Tucumcari with the Rev. Sam Dunham, Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery by Dunn Funeral Home. Mrs. Pemberton was born May 20, 1928, in Rogers. She was a retired rural mail carrier. Survivors include three sons, Edwin Rierson of Clovis, Lynn Rierson of Forney, Texas, and James Rierson of Tucumcari; two daughters, Kay Trousdale of Tucumcari and Pattie Sowell of Los Lunas; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Elsewhere Elva Louiese Bonnie Murdock OREM, Utah - Elva Louiese Bonnie Murdock, 79, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary Cascade Chapel. Burial will be in Timpanogos Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Murdock was born Feb. 25, 1924, in Abilene, Texas. She married Oliver Bradley Murdock on Nov. 22, 1944, in Roswell, N.M. Survivors include her husband; four children, Olivia Anne Clyde and Timothy E. Murdock, both of Orem, and E. Bradley Murdock and Sherry D. Murdock, both of Provo; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nellye James of Amarillo, Texas. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 Cressie Hood LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Cressie Hood, 95, died Monday, April 14, 2003. Services were at 10 a.m. Thursday in Arch L. Heady and Son-Hikes Point. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Claude Cemetery in Claude, Texas, with Dean Whaley of Dalhart Church of Christ in Dalhart, Texas, officiating. Local arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors of Amarillo, Texas, 5400 S. Bell St. Mrs. Hood was born in Ford County, Texas. She retired as a teacher with more than 40 years of service, having taught in Texas schools in Pampa, McLean, and Claude from 1948 to 1968. She was a graduate of Abilene Christian University and West Texas State University. She was a member of National Teachers Sorority Delta Kappa Gamma and Westport Road Church of Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Swanson; a son, Dale Hood; and two grandchildren, Sherri Swanson and Brent Swanson; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Children's Home of Lubbock, 4404 Idalou Highway, Lubbock, TX 79408. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 William Clark "Bill" Griggs HOUSTON - William Clark "Bill" Griggs, 70, died Thursday, April 17, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Matthew Lutheran Church with the Rev. John Stelling officiating. Burial will be in Chappell Hill by The Settegast-Kopf Co. Funeral Directors. Mr. Griggs was born Dec. 16, 1932, in Lubbock. After graduating from Texas A&M, Class of 1954, he served in the Army in operations and intelligence. While earning his advanced degrees at Texas Tech University, he created the History of Engineering and Technology Center. This month he will be recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in the History Department at Tech. He published extensively, including two books on Southern history, and was a Fulbright Scholar to Brazil in 1983. He served on the Texas State Historical Commission, was a Fellow in the Texas State Historical Society, and served on the boards of numerous other historical and professional organizations. In 1987 Griggs founded and became the president and CEO of Southwest Museum Services, which constructs museums and museum exhibits worldwide. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Ernest Griggs and Thelma Clark Griggs; and a sister, Gloria Robertson. Survivors include his wife, Joan; a daughter, Nancy Elaine Warncke and husband, Russel; a son, John Charles Griggs and wife, Emelania Ibarra; a grandson, William Julius Warncke; two nieces; and a nephew. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174; or M.D. Anderson Chaplaincy Program, Houston, TX. Amarillo Globe-News, April 18, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/041803/obi_allobits.shtml