All Obits - Text Only Area McRoy "Okie" Wright PAMPA - McRoy "Okie" Wright, 87, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Ron Noble, pastor of the Pampa Chapel of the Apostolic Faith, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Wright was born Sept. 11, 1915, in Spiro, Okla. He married Velma Wright on April 9, 1938, in Spiro, Okla. He had been a resident of Pampa since 1942. He retired from Phillips Petroleum as a mechanic in 1980 after 38 years service. He was a member of the Top O'Texas Masonic Lodge #1381 AF&AM, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Scottish Rite Consistory of Lubbock and the Khiva Shrine Temple. He served in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pauline and Grant Cambern of Amarillo and Helen and Bill McGill of Pampa; one son and daughter-in-law, Windell and Linda Wright of Sherman; two sisters, Flora Goff of Spiro, Okla., and Delora Fronein of Ojai, Calif.; one brother, Irby Wright of Dallas; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today. The family suggests memorials be to the Leukemia Foundation or the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX, 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Maria Antonia Avila SPEARMAN - Maria Antonia Avila, 65, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. today in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A second service will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the church. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Avila was born to Antonio and Maria Peralta in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on May 26, 1937. She moved to Spearman in 1965 with her husband, Juan Avila, of 41 years, and their three children. She was a loyal and devoted employee at Hansford County Hospital for 25 years. Her lifelong journey led her through a full life of service. She volunteered her life to several organizations such as: Hansford County Hospital Guild, Sacred Heart Woman's Guild, Guadalupanas, Hansford County Hospital Auxiliary, the Campus Site-Based Committee at Spearman Elementary and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was instrumental in organizing many fund raisers for the community of Spearman and co-produced the Spanish program on KRDF-Radio with her husband, Juan. Through the Spanish program, she touched the lives of their listeners in Spearman, Gruver, Perryton and other surrounding communities. For 32 years, listeners and their children of these areas couldn't wait for holidays. She would hold an annual Christmas party for the children as well as celebrations on Easter and Cinco de Mayo. She would shower the children with gifts, food and lots of treats. She was the recipient of many awards, employee of the month and employee of the year at Hansford County Hospital, Spearman's Chamber of Commerce's Mother of the Year and numerous awards for her service at KRDF-Radio. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jose Juan Jr. Avila and wife, Carmen, and Marco Antonio Avila and wife, Patricia, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Sara Avila and Justin Harland of Spearman; her stepfather, Pedro Mendoza; two brothers, Pedro Mendoza Jr. and wife, Lisa, of Irving and Jimmy Peralta and wife, Raquel, of Laredo; two sisters, Dennis Rojas and husband, Oscar, of Spearman and Olivia Salinas and husband, Elezar, of Carrizo Springs; six grandchildren, Rossilyn and Roy John Bulls of Spearman, Beth and John Mark Avila and Ian and Ethan Avila, all of Amarillo; 10 nieces; seven nephews; 16 great-nieces and nephews; and numerous godchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Maria Avila Scholarship Fund in care of First State Bank of Spearman. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Michael L. Mitchell Sr. BORGER - Michael L. Mitchell Sr., 48, died Monday, April 21, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. Leonard Forsythe, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Mitchell was born Sept. 13, 1954, in Durant, Okla. He was a heavy equipment operator for Panhandle Crane Service. Survivors include his wife, Marie; two daughters, Marci Record and Sonya Jones, both of Denison; his father, Elvin William Mitchell of Amarillo; two brothers, Ronnie Mitchell of Borger and Garry Mitchell of Fritch; and three grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 William Rogers TURKEY - William "Clyde" Rogers, 86, died Monday, April 21, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Dreamland Cemetery with the Rev. Stuart Smith officiating. Arrangements are by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Mr. Rogers married Opel Faye Tyner in November 1936. She passed away and he married Josephine Copeland a year later. He was a deputy sheriff in Hall County for a number of years until retiring. He was preceded in death by his wife, Opel Faye Tyner; and his second wife, Josephine Copeland. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Kevin Rogers. Survivors include two sons, Kieth Rogers and wife, Rebecca, of Petersburg and Tommy Rogers and wife, Jan, of Lodi, Wis.; two daughters, Janice Hughs and husband, Butch, of Flomot and Marsh Blake of Lubbock; a brother, A.J. "Jr" Rogers of Roundup; two sisters, Mary McAllister of Sheridan, Wyo., and Lavern Melinder of Kalispell, Mont. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Jessie Cecil Jones PAMPA - Jessie Cecil Jones, 99, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Fairview Cemetery with family members officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Jones had been a resident of Pampa since 1946. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Milford Jones of Pampa; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and five great-great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Elsewhere Linda Lanai Wallin THORNTON, Colo. - Linda Lanai Wallin, 42, died Monday, April 21, 2003. Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Legacy High School Auditorium. Private burial will be in Highland Cemetery by Olinger's Highland Mortuary. Survivors include her husband, Joe; a daughter, Taylor; her parents, Judie and Virgil Burns; her grandmother, Ruth Raines; and her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Kenneth Ray Skinner HOUSTON - Kenneth Ray Skinner, 77, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in the sanctuary of Jersey Village Baptist Church with Ed Hogan, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Southland Cemetery of Grand Prairie. Arrangements are by Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home. Mr. Skinner was born Jan. 27, 1926. He was called home on April 22, 2003. He was the son of Ben F. and Bertha Skinner who were farmers in Van Zandt County. He graduated from Canton High School in 1944. Immediately after graduation he went to Dallas awaiting draft into the service. While waiting he worked at Chance Vaught assembling radio communications gear in B-24 bombers. When drafted, he went to basic training at Fort Lenardwood, Mo., and then on to the European Theatre as an artillery specialist in the 42nd Rainbow Division. He had several pictures taken of him in uniform while he was in France. One of these was at the Eiffel Tower and another at the Arc d'Triomphe. He was very proud of his military service and periodically enjoyed looking at his military pictures and paraphernalia. When he returned from Europe, he retuned to the family farm and decided to pursue his father's occupation. One day while plowing behind a mule, the "single tree" broke. This was life changing for Kenneth as he quickly decided to go to North Texas State University on the G.I. Bill and earn a degree in education. As an adolescent, his father told him he would be a teacher. After earning his associate degree he returned to Wallace in Van Zandt County and taught children in all grades in a one room school. After one year he returned to North Texas State University, completing his bachelor's degree. He was recruited by the superintendent of schools in Gladewater and accepted a job teaching fifth and sixth grade science and social studies at Broadway Elementary. While there, he met his wife, Glenna Ruth. They married on June 15, 1952. Their son, Ken, was born May 18, 1953. Kenneth and his family moved to Corsicana in 1957 for his first assignment as a principal at Bowie Elementary School. While in Corsicana, he became an ordained deacon of First Baptist Church. In 1960, he and his family moved to Amarillo where he was principal at Humphrey's Highland and Bivins elementary schools. In 1967, he became director of elementary instruction. In 1970, he became assistant superintendent. He retired from the Amarillo public schools in 1986 and remained in Amarillo until 1997. That year, he and Glenna Ruth moved to Houston to be closer to their son and his family. Kenneth and Glenna Ruth have been members of Jersey Village Baptist Church since moving to Houston. He was a very dedicated husband and father. He was a strong Christian leader for his family and a witness for God in his daily life. One of his many assets was his sense of humor. He skillfully used it to diffuse difficult situations and to make those around him receive more enjoyment from life. He loved children and used his special skills to help them receive a good foundation for their lives. His entire working life was dedicated to the education of children. After retirement, he continued to discuss educational issues. He received much enjoyment from his life's profession. He enjoyed two hobbies in life. He was very skilled in both. One of these was gardening. He always had a large garden in the back yard and in the alley at their home in Amarillo. He and Glenna Ruth raised tomatoes, okra, eggplant, squash and black-eyed peas. His gardens were always successful and he proudly gave many proceeds to friends and family. His second hobby was woodworking. He had a shop where he lovingly made his grandson wooden stilts, his first school desk and chair, bookends and various toy trains and cars. He also made a variety of presents for friends and relatives: bird houses, bookends, tool boxes and seasonal items. These will always be treasured items by the family. One of the things we will always remember about him was the talent and effort he applied to the Christmas season. He spent many hours planning and executing making each Christmas very special. From the decorations outside, inside, the special attention to the tree, the elaborate gift wrapping and observance of the holiday, he expressed his love for Christ and for his family. Kenneth was a very special man. His kindness, sincerity, integrity and wit will be missed. The family will have a lifetime of pleasant memories of him and his witness. Survivors include his wife of 50 years; a son, Ken and wife, Sandy; a sister, Maxene; and a grandson, Jonathan. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Anna Mae Thaxton MERKEL - Anna Mae Thaxton, 93, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Rose Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Scott officiating. Arrangements are by Starbuck Funeral Home. Mrs. Thaxton was born Feb. 10, 1910, in Grayson County to John William and Nora Lindsey Suter. She married Herbert Leslie Thaxton on Nov. 30, 1930, in Hendrix, Okla. She moved to Merkel in 1947. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband on June 25, 1978; and a son, John Allen Thaxton. Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Wanda R. Thaxton of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Beverly Redelspurger, Rodena Mote, Leslie Thaxton and Taya Reid; nine great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Amarillo Mary Ellen Oneal Mary Ellen Oneal, 92, of Amarillo died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Arden Road Baptist Church with the Rev. Dale Bigham, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Oneal was born July 17, 1910, to Perry and Susie Lemons in Greenville. She was the last remaining of five children. She moved to Amarillo with her mother and stepfather, T.A. Wilcoxin in 1924, and finished school in Amarillo. She married Floyd L. Oneal on Oct. 9, 1926. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend to everyone she met. She had been a member of Second Baptist Church since 1948. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1993; a son-in-law, Buster Fowler in 1975; her father, Perry Lemons in 1915; her mother, Susie Lemons in 1963; her stepfather; three brothers; and a sister. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Catherine "Kay" Henderson and husband, Emmitt, of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Denny Fowler, Jerry Fowler and Dee Schwartz; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 10 step great-grandchildren, whom she will always consider her own; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice of Amarillo; or Ware Memorial Care Center. The family will receive friends and relatives for viewing from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Leonard L. Wright Leonard L. Wright, 79, of Amarillo died Monday, April 21, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with Loran Harper of Comanche Trail Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery with military rites by DAV Chapter No. 26. Mr. Wright moved to Amarillo in 1997 from Buena Park, Calif. He was a retired groundskeeper. He served in the Army during World War II. He attended Comanche Trail Church of Christ. Survivors include a son, David Wright of San Diego; two daughters, Debbie Wright and Karen Kissinger, both of Lake Forest, Calif.; a niece, Judy Turner of Amarillo; two great-nieces, Angela Turner and Angelique Turner, both of Amarillo; and two grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Myrna Edwards Quarles Myrna Edwards Quarles, 101, of Amarillo died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Conway, senior pastor, and Chad Horton, director of pastoral care, Mary E. Bivins Foundation, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Quarles was born July 6, 1901, in Lanagan, Mo., to James and Sallie Glass. She had been a resident of Amarillo since 1927. She was a graduate of the San Jacinto School of Beauty of Amarillo, and owned and operated beauty shops in Amarillo. She was a lifetime member of the Texas Cosmetology Association of Texas and was a retired member of the Bluebonnet Auxiliary and Mothers-in-Law Club. She and her late husband, Mack, were charter members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo. She was a sustaining member of the former Byron Gist Sunday school class. She was involved in the children's Sunday school program and vacation Bible school ministries at Westminster. She had been a resident of Bivins Memorial Nursing Home since 1991. She was a woman who exemplified what faith in Christ meant. Her strong faith was an inspiration to our family, friends and all who knew her. We thank you for your prayers and display of love for us in this time of loss and sorrow. We know that Myrna Mom is with her Lord and Savior now and we know that we will be united with her again someday. She was preceded in death by her husbands, F. Lee Edwards in 1946 and Mack D. Quarles in 1981. Survivors include a son, Scott M. Edwards Sr. of Amarillo; a daughter, Martha Jane Edwards Wren of Denver; a brother, Ray Eugene Glass and wife, Joan, of Kerrville; five grandchildren, John Scott Wren and Randy Mack Wren, both of Denver, Nita Sue Edwards Soltis and Scott M. Edwards Jr., both of Amarillo, and Jay Robin Wren and wife, Mary, of Littleton, Colo.; nine great-grandchildren, Kimberlyn Sue McCune Jackson and husband, Dean, of Amarillo; Regan Jane Wren Hall and husband, Tim, David James McCune, John Thomas Wren and Allie Eliza Wren, all of Denver, Brooke Elizabeth Wren Sisan and husband, Ned, of Houston, Katie Jean Wren, Jason Christopher Wren and Victoria Jane Wren, all of Littleton; four great-great-grandchildren, Jennifer Sue Jeanette McCune, Maddison Jane Jackson and Dawson Edward Jackson, all of Amarillo, and Joshua Michael Hall of Denver; and several wonderful nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson St., Amarillo, TX 79101; or to The Presbyterian Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 New Mexico Charles Irby Bedford SANTA ROSA, N.M. - Charles Irby Bedford, 58, died Sunday, April 20, 2003. Memorial services were at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church of Santa Rosa with the Rev. Van Espy officiating. Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home. Mr. Bedford was born April 8, 1945, in Roswell to the home of H.G. "Pete" Bedford and Lois Weaverker Bedford. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include his wife, Judy; a son, Jim Grove of Amarillo; three daughters, Jeanie Cereghino of Lucille, Idaho, Brenda Sullivan and Debbie Terrell, both of Fort Sumner; his mother, Lois Bedford; and a brother, Larry Bedford of Wichita, Kan. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 Esther Pearl Campbell CLAYTON, N.M. - Esther Pearl Campbell, 95, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Hass Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor of First Baptist Church in Clayton, officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. Mrs. Campbell was born Jan. 7, 1908, in Van Zandt, Mo., to Ray B. Havens and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Tooley Havens. She traveled with her parents to Union County in 1922 where the family settled near the Oklahoma state line. Survivors include a son, Theo Campbell; four daughters, Joyce Hanson, Leta Burton, Mary Miller and Jean Kear; four brothers; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, April 24, 2003 This story printed from the Amarillo Globe-News Online at amarillonet.com: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/042403/obi_allobits.shtml