Potter Co. TX - Obits from the Amarillo newspapers 6 November 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 Jess Benjamin Latham Jr. PANHANDLE - Jess Benjamin Latham Jr., 85, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in First Christian Church with Dr. James H. Cobb officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Latham was born Aug. 7, 1918, to Jess and Tina Latham in White Deer. He married his wife of 63 years, Kay Lowery Linder, on July 29, 1940. He graduated from Amarillo High School, later attending Texas A&M University and New Mexico School of Mines. He began farming and ranching in the Panhandle area in 1940. In 1947, he joined his father, Jess Sr., and brother, Bill Latham, in the crop hail insurance business when he became vice president of Panhandle Mutual Hail Association. In 1962, he founded Nationwide Crop Hail General Agency, which was a pioneer in developing new crop insurance products and coverages that are still being used industry-wide today. In 1971, he expanded the operation into several other states including New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Producer's Lloyds Insurance Co. was started in 1976 by Jess and his brother, Bill. It was during this period that Jess's two sons, Ben Latham and Larry Latham joined the company; shortly thereafter, they were joined by their five sisters as general agents. Over the next two decades, the insurance operation expanded into five general agencies and two insurance companies, servicing the crop insurance business in 23 states. The expansion of the company has grown to include two grandsons, Benson Latham and Brandon Latham, representing four generations of Latham involvement. The company has consolidated its operations under the name of Producers Ag Insurance Group and within the last year has moved into its new corporate headquarters at 2025 S. Hughes. In addition, Mr. Latham was involved in cattle, oil and gas development, farming, real estate and banking. He was one of the primary developers of the Belmar addition in the city of Amarillo. He served for many years on the board of American National Bank. He was a founding director of Mesa Petroleum Co. He was also founding stockholder and board member of Corporate Systems and had served on the board since its inception. He was past chairman of the National Crop Insurance Services Regional Committee. He had been a longtime member of First Christian Church, Amarillo Club and Amarillo Country Club. Jess and Kay enjoyed Heel and Toe Square Dance Club and traveling with friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters. Survivors include his wife; seven children, Linda Latham Hare, Ben Latham, Larry Latham and Pam Latham Dick, all of Amarillo, Sally Latham Lawler and Patti Latham Sadler, both of Austin, and Debbie Latham Corbin of Duncan, Okla.; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church, 3001 Wolflin Ave., Amarillo, TX 79109; or to The Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 John Chavarria Sr. HEREFORD - John Chavarria Sr., 91, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2003. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Rix Funeral Directors Chapel. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. Anthony's Catholic Church with the Rev. Kenneth Keller officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Survivors include two sons, Robert Chavarria of Dallas and Cruz Chavarria of Plano; four daughters, Alice Chavarria and Lea Hendrick, both of Amarillo, Minnie Romo of Hereford and Annie Brown of Odessa; 16 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Dave Edward Hand Sr. SPEARMAN - Dave Edward Hand Sr., 84, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Hansford Cemetery with the Rev. Patrick Six officiating. Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Hand was a farmer and a veteran of the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Helen; a son, Dave Edward Hand Jr. of Spearman; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association or First Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 399, Spearman, TX 79081. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Norberto Robert Cabrera Jr. DIMMITT - Norberto Robert Cabrera Jr., 44, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the church with the Rev. Ken Keller, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Cabrera was born May 18, 1959, in Dimmitt. He served in the Army. Survivors include his wife, Linda; a daughter, Yesenia Cabrera of Laredo; a son, Anthony Cabrera of Laredo; four stepchildren, Wanda Gean Beaver and Simon, Derrick and Lyman Holmes, all of Tulsa, Okla.; five sisters, Alice Saenz of Happy, Sela Diaz of Floydada, Mary Lopez of Plainview and Sue Becerill and Michelle Becerill, both of Perryton; and six grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Florence Cox PAMPA - Florence Cox, 83, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Fairlawn Cemetery of Elk City, Okla., with the Rev. Jerry Brewer, of Elk City, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Cox had been a resident of Pampa since 1957, moving from Elk City. She was employed as a saleswoman for Osgood Lagrone Monument Co. since 1975. Survivors include a son, Leon Brewer of Pampa; a daughter, Beverly Taylor of Pampa; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Coronado Healthcare Center, 1504 W. Kentucky, Pampa, TX 79065; or to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner, Pampa, TX 79065. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Rachel Merydith BOOKER - Rachel Merydith, 94, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Booker Christian Church with Jim O'Banion officiating. Burial will be in Heart Cemetery by Johnson's Good Samaritan Funeral Service. Mrs. Merydith was born July 15, 1909, in Woods County to William "Harrison" and Leora Gallaway Smith. She married W.C. "Coy" Merydith in Pampa in 1928. Survivors include a son, Ed Merydith of Booker; three daughters, Peggy Urban of Perryton, Pearl Thompson of Georgetown and Joyce Hughes of Richmond, Va.; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to "The Seasons" at Perryton or Booker Christian Church. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Wanda Lucile Townsend SPEARMAN - Wanda Lucile Townsend, 52, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Townsend was a group manager for the Alco Store from 1992 to 2000. She enjoyed crocheting, playing the guitar and singing. Survivors include a daughter, Robyn Townsend of Spearman; her mother, Donna Myers of Perryton; three sisters, Doris Elston of Beaver, Okla., and Cindy Lewis and Greta Scott, both of Perryton; and a granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to Harrington Cancer Center, P.O. Box 51628, Amarillo, TX 79159. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Amarillo Cordelia Kay Stuart Cordelia Kay Stuart, 66, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Memorial graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. MST Friday in Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Stuart was born in Albuquerque, N.M., on April 4, 1937, and was raised in Santa Rosa. She attended school there and was active in the Rainbow for Girls and the Girl Scouts. She married William H. Stuart on March 22, 1954. She moved to Roswell, N.M., and lived there for more than 40 years. She also raised her children there. She was very loved in her community. She worked as a waitress, did her arts and crafts and worked alongside her husband at Bill's TV Shop in Roswell as well as in Artesia, N.M. She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Pamala Xan Adams; and her father, James Richard Tucker. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia D. Fails and husband, William F., of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a son, William L. Stuart of Amarillo; a son-in-law, Ronald W. Adams of Amarillo; her mother, Frances A. Tucker of Albuquerque; a brother, Richard G. Tucker of Albuquerque; a sister, Mary Beth El Gouhary of Albuquerque; a future daughter-in-law, Janice R. Chrisman of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Joshua Brack Adams and Shauna Dyan Adams, both of Amarillo, and William Thomas Fails of Colorado Springs; and three great-grandchildren, Patricia Xan and Patrick Shine, both of Amarillo, and Karlee Xan Stuart of Dothan, Ala. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 LaVaughn Robertson LaVaughn Robertson, 66, of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in South Georgia Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Robertson was born on Feb. 18, 1937, in Borger and raised in Littlefield. She was a graduate of Littlefield High School and married Gene Robertson in 1957 in Andrews. She had been a resident of Amarillo for 40 years. She was a homemaker. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and spent her entire life putting her family and friends first. She was preceded in death by her mother, Della Havens; stepfather, Elmer Havens; and granddaughter, Alyson Kait Albright. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Pam Albright of Amarillo and Kerri Maldonado of Red Oak; and five sons, Greg Robertson and Ryan Robertson, both of Amarillo, Chris Robertson of Deland, Fla., and Steve Robertson and Brent Robertson, both of Arlington. The family suggests memorials be to the Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Animals or the American Cancer Society. The family will be at 8205 Paragon. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Jerry L. Huffman Jerry L. Huffman, 70, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. Mark Zimmerman officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; four daughters, Detta Raye Flores of Little Rock, Ark., Deleza Johnson and husband, Phillip, and Dyann Blankenship, all of Eldorado, Ark., and Melinda Hendricks of Amarillo; a son, Randy Ross of Amarillo; his mother, Marjorie Toepper of Clayton, N.M.; two sisters, Mary Ann Moriarty of Albuquerque, N.M., and Margie Bowen of Kansas City, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Louise Graves Louise Graves, 76, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Burial will be in Llano East Cemetery. Mrs. Graves was born in Reydon, Okla. She lived in Amarillo most of her life. She worked for Levi Strauss for several years before becoming employed as a cafeteria worker for the Amarillo Independent School District. She also worked as a self-employed housekeeper. In July, she began working at Market Street United as a demonstrator. She attended Trinity Fellowship Church. She married Raymond Graves in 1943 in Portales, N.M. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002; and a daughter, Kathryn Louise Graves in 1990. Survivors include two daughters, Carol Henderson and husband, Rusty, and Jessica Price and husband, Jim, all of Amarillo; a son, Carl Graves and wife, Cindy, of Pampa; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101. Sign our online guestbook at www.rectorfuneralhome.com. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 James Vernon Cranfill James Vernon Cranfill, 85, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Huff Funeral Home Chapel of Whitesboro with the Rev. Jerry Davis, of First Baptist Church in Collinsville, officiating. Burial will be in Collinsville Cemetery. Mr. Cranfill was born June 2, 1918, in Grayson County to the late Noah Franklin Cranfill and Ada Price Johnson Cranfill. He retired from Phillips Chemical Co., as a supervisor after 34 years. He was a Mason, member of Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, and a 50-year member of Isom Lodge No. 1242 in Borger. He was also a World War II veteran of the Navy. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Survivors include a brother, Lowell Cranfill of Memphis; a sister and brother-in-law, Zelma and J.W. Brockman of Grand Prairie; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Cranfill of Sherman. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Terry Richard Patchin Terry Richard Patchin, 64, of Amarillo died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Stephen United Methodist Church Chapel with Dr. Jim Smith officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Patchin was born in Tom Green County and was raised in Borger. He was a graduate of Borger High School. He was a veteran of the Army. He was a teacher and coach in Amarillo for many years. He first was at Alamo Catholic School and then went to work for the Amarillo Independent School District for 25 years before retiring in 2003. He married Bobbie Sue Minor in 2001 in Las Vegas, Nev. He was also a coach in Childress for two years. He enjoyed golf, travel, and spending time with his friends and their local poker club. He was a member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Max Patchin of El Paso and Michael Adam Reeves of Borger; three daughters, Tracy Patchin of Amarillo, and Shelia Lange and Carmen McKinney, both of Borger; and six grandchildren. The family will be at 6601 Rally. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels in care of BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Dewayne Gilbreath Dewayne Gilbreath, 45, of Amarillo died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Vurn Martin officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mr. Gilbreath was born in Amarillo. He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Survivors include four children, De Juan Percell, Taylor De Shane, Kamerian Michelle and Shyllamar Diontryce, all of Amarillo; four sisters, Juanetta Bradley, Patricia and Romona Gilbreath, all of Amarillo, and Brenda Gilbreath of Houston; and two brothers, Louis Gilbreath of Inglewood and Wardell Gilbreath of Houston. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Chloie Straub Chloie Straub, 86, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Raines officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mrs. Straub was born June 27, 1917, in Endee, N.M. She lived in Amarillo most of her life. She worked for General Motors, Pantex, the Air Force and retired from Santa Fe Railway after 20 years, working in the general manager's office. She married Herman J. Straub in 1948 in Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1993; two brothers, Leo Hail and Clinton Hail; and a sister, Linnie Cates. Survivors include a son, Jay Straub; a daughter-in-law, Glenda Straub; two grandchildren, Stefanie Straub and Shannon Waitman; a sister, Connie Perry; and several nieces and nephews. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Elsewhere Bernice E. Singleton ARLINGTON - Bernice E. Singleton, 79, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, in Fort Worth. Services have taken place. Arrangements were by Emerald Hills Funeral Home of Kennedale. Mrs. Singleton joined her Lord after a prolonged illness. "Her children rise up and call her blessed." Prov 31:28. As the co-founder of the Agape Clinics of Texas "She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy." Prov 31:20 She was an avid Aggie wife, mother and grandmother; Girl Scout leader; Mother's Club president; Hospital Auxiliary president; nanny; and friend. "Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." Prov 31:31. She will be greatly missed. Survivors include her son, Michael Singleton and wife, Jean, their three sons, Michael, Brae and Cale; her daughters, Carolynn Singleton and her daughter, Elisabeth, Debbie Singleton Lief and husband, Joe, and their three daughters, Keri Lief Baker and husband, Jim, Rebecca Lief and Jodi Lief, Staci Singleton and Jennifer Watkins; and two great-grandchildren, Alexander Singleton and Riley Paige Baker. Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 6, 2003 Click here to return to story: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/110603/obi_allobits.shtml © The Amarillo Globe-News Online