Potter Co. TX - Obituaries: August 11, 2004 ===================================================== 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 ===================================================== Amarillo Globe-News Obituaries Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Amarillo Jerry Freeman Witcher Jerry Freeman Witcher, 87, of Amarillo died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004. Memorial services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Llano Mausoleum with Dr. Murray Gossett, of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Arrangements were by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Witcher was a member of the Junior League of Amarillo and the Potter Randall Medical Auxiliary Society. She married Jones E. Witcher on June 24, 1939. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert L. Freeman and Leora Peek Freeman; five sisters; three brothers; and a great-grandson. Survivors include her husband, Jones E. Witcher, M.D.; a daughter, Virginia Witcher Rawlins of Amarillo; two sons, Jones L. Witcher and wife, Carol, of Amarillo and Alan Freeman Witcher of Glazier; a sister, Eloise Elsea of Norman, Okla.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79105-9985. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth Mason Kenneth Mason, 69, of Amarillo died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St., with Dr. Charles Jones officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Mason was born March 15, 1935, in Crawford, Okla., to Edward Levi and Pearl Mason. He married Janie Martindale in Clovis, N.M. They were married for 48 years. He was a retired electrician for the Amarillo Independent School District and a member of Second Baptist Church. He was also a volunteer coach for Kids Inc. for many years. Kenneth will always be remembered for his smile and great sense of humor. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Matt Mason. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jana Johnson and husband, Charlie; a son, Rick Mason and wife, Geneva; a sister, Sharon Shipp; a brother, Don Mason; four grandchildren, Chassity Freels and husband, Andrew, Justin Mason, Tara Caudill and husband, Phillip, and Lindsey Dixon and husband, Jesse; and two great-grandchildren, Tanner Caudill and Haley Dixon. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helen Willsie Helen Willsie, 50, of Amarillo died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa with Capt. Gary Steward, of the Salvation Army, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mrs. Willsie had been a resident of Pampa most of her life. She was a homemaker. Survivors include three daughters, Kristie Willsie and Tanya Willsie, both of Amarillo, and Jeanne Mendoza of Borger; her mother, Joyce Prater of Pampa; a brother, James Flippo Jr. of Amarillo; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite story. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helen D. McCuan Helen D. McCuan, 93, of Amarillo died Tuesday, August 10, 2004. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Polk Street United Methodist Church Chapel with Dr. James E. Garrett, pastor, officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. McCuan was born in Lueders, moving to Amarillo in 1918 with her parents. Her father, Dr. H.W. Duke, was a prominent doctor in Amarillo, and her mother, Mattie Duke, taught in the Amarillo public schools for 29 years. She married Marvin Garland McCuan in Amarillo on Feb. 10, 1929. Helen graduated from Amarillo High School in 1926 and from West Texas State Teachers College in August 1929. She worked in the office at Amarillo High School from 1943 to 1970. She was a member of the Amarillo Retired Teacher's Association and the National Association of Education Secretaries. Helen was a charter member of the Social Order of the Beauceant, chartered in August 1974, and held the office of president in 1976. She became a member of Daughters of the Nile in April 1947, serving as queen from 1974 to 1975. She was voted a life member in March 1975. Helen joined Eastern Star in May 1939. She was Worthy Matron of the Bonita Chapter from 1950 to 1951. Helen was president of Federated Women's Club from 1981 to 1983. She was a member of the Philomatic Club, which was organized in June 1920. The Phi Sigma Alpha Texas Zeta Chapter was formed in March 1988. Helen was president in 1994. The Philomatic Club and the Phi Sigma Alpha Texas Zeta Chapter merged in 1998. Helen served as Bonnie Amies' secretary from 2000 to 2004 and as president from 1995 to 1996 and 2000 to 2002. In 1970, she was voted an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. Mayor Kel Seliger declared April 28, 1996, Helen McCuan Day. Helen was a charter member of Amarillo Senior Citizens Association, organized in 1973, serving as president in 1987, and as recording secretary for the board of directors from its inception until earlier this year. She also served on the finance committees throughout her tenure. She was preceded in death by her father in 1940; her mother in 1955; twin sons Rex and Max McCuan on Feb. 11, 1938; and her husband in May 1970. Survivors include special friends, Doug and Denise Conder and their children Micah, Tara and Bryson and Jim and Gracie Sanchez and their girls, Ashley, Jamie, Jordan and Sandy. Her special friends invite you to a visitation, which will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas "T.O." Simpson Thomas "T.O." Simpson, 84, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Kevin Naillieux, Jim Price and Matt Hill officiating. Mr. Simpson was a zoo keeper and a rancher. He loved animals. He had lots of friends whom he loved to visit. He was always happy to share a smile, a story or a song with anyone. Survivors include a daughter, Della Baker of Branson, Mo.; two sons, Bill Simpson and James Simpson, both of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; and 18 great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the V.A. Rest Home, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, in care of Linda Harris, 6010 Amarillo Blvd. West, Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Ruth Cathey Horton Ruth Cathey Horton, 89, of Canyon died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Holley Funeral Home Chapel, 11th Street and Highway 60, with the Rev. Chester O'Brien, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo. Mrs. Horton was born March 20, 1915, in Jayton to Robert Lee Cathey and Nannie Bingham Cathey. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1932 and married Keith Horton in 1939. After graduation, she worked for Magnolia Oil and Gas and later for Western Sand and Gravel until 1949, when she retired to be a homemaker. They were charter members of Paramount Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1991. Survivors include three daughters, Cathey Jane Horton of Canyon and Nancy Ruth Horton and Jackie Lee Restine, both of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to American Parkinson's Association, Odyssey Health Care Hospice or American Heart Association. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Beulah Cariker DUMAS - Beulah Cariker, 92, died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in Sixth and Meredith Church of Christ with M.G. Smith, minister, and Darrell Rowell, family friend, officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Cariker was born Dec. 23, 1911, in LeFlore County, Okla. She was a Moore County resident since 1943. She married T.A. "Pappy" Cariker Sr. on Dec. 27, 1927, in Spiro, Okla. She retired in 1982 from Dumas ISD after 22 years of employment as manager of the cafeteria. She was a member of Sixth and Meredith Church of Christ in Dumas. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1990; two sons, T.A. Cariker Jr. in 1995 and Butch Cariker in 1996; three grandsons, Dale Wayne McKibbin in 2002, Robin Glenn Cariker in 1998 and Clyde "Little Boy" Ray Coleman Jr. in 1975; and a granddaughter, Connie Sue Rivera in 2002. Survivors include four daughters, Dot Cariker of Montesano, Wash., Tink Cariker of Sacramento, Calif., and Jane Cariker Parker and Gail Melban, both of Dumas; five sons, Irby Cariker of Salida, Calif., Doyle Cariker of Marysville, Wash., A.J. Cariker of Fort Worth, Frank Cariker of Port Angeles, Wash., and Donald Cariker of Round Rock; a sister, Lottie West of Red Oak, Okla.; a brother, Lloyd Thomas of Bokoshe, Okla.; 34 grandchildren; 74 great- grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 403 Pear, Dumas, TX 79029. Visitation will be at 907 Hastings. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cena Jane Armstrong CLARENDON - Cena Jane Armstrong, 89, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Oak Grove Memorial Garden in Irving with Dr. Lowell Howard, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Bells, officiating. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mrs. Armstrong was born Oct. 27, 1914, in Black Fork, Ark. She was a resident of Whitesboro before moving to Clarendon nine months ago. Survivors include a daughter, Rosellen Brogdon of Whitewright; two sons, Clarence Armstrong of Amarillo and J.O. Armstrong of Gordonville; a brother, Albert Southard of Archer City; three sisters, Ola Mae Barrick of Euless, Margene Cotton of Irving and Clara Bell Waits of Archer City; 13 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frances "Ruth" Farmer Bell BORGER - Frances "Ruth" Farmer Bell, 87, died Sunday, August 8, 2004, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St, in Amarillo with Dr. Carey Skinner, associate pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, officiating. Mrs. Bell was born to Walter LaFayette Farmer and Sarah Frances Burns Farmer in Jack County. She moved to Borger in 1939 with her husband, Adron "Earl" Bell, during the oil boom and lived there for 53 years until moving to Amarillo in March 2003. She was a housewife, mother and "Granny B" to her many grandchildren, great- grandchildren and many of their friends. Ruth loved animals and loved to garden. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1997; a stepdaughter, Earlene Patton; two stepsons, Floydean and Beryl Bell; two stepgrandsons, Ronnie and Mike Patton; a stepgranddaughter, Sharon Bell; and a granddaughter, Teresa Bell. Survivors include, three daughters, Marie Hall and Patsy Martz, both of Amarillo, and Vicki Bergeren and husband, Frank, of Borger; two sons, Donny Bell of Dallas and Danny Bell and wife, Klonda, of Borger; 11 grandchildren, Karla Koontz and husband, Jimmy Don, Karen Weatherly and husband, Barry Lee, Kenny Chavez and wife, Christy, and Kelli Chavez all of Amarillo, Lori Davis of Houston, Tommy Eppinette and wife, Pattie, of Altus, Okla., Steven Bell and Timmy Riley and wife, Rhonda, all of Dallas, and Tammy Smith, Tory Lopez and Daisha Bell, all of Borger; 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great- grandchildren, with another one due in December. Because of her love for animals, the family suggests that memorials be to the SPCA. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nathan F. Miller PAMPA - Nathan F. Miller, 85, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Wheeler Cemetery in Wheeler with Ernie and Susie Wilkinson, deacons of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Miller was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner. He owned N.F. Miller Plumbing Co. in Pampa for more than 30 years, retiring in 1994. Survivors include his wife, Lena Jean; three sons, Joe Miller of Pampa, Steven Morgan of New Braunfels and Tim Morgan of Aurora, Colo.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Doris Faye Vineyard of Tryon, Okla. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- E.J. Wade SPEARMAN - E.J. Wade, 84, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Walter Greaser and the Rev. Bob Elder officiating. Burial will be in Gruver Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Wade married Ann Holt on March 20, 1970, in Chickasha, Okla. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church. Survivors include three brothers, Alonzo Wade of Elmore City, Okla., Kenneth Wade of Wellston, Okla., and Delmar Wade of Amber, Okla.; and three sisters, Evelyn Norris of San Rafael, Calif., Bonnie Blow of Ardmore, Okla., and Mildred Farrington of Fresno, Calif. The family suggests memorials be to Hansford Hospice, 707 S. Roland, Spearman, TX 79081. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rose Cassady GRUVER - Rose Cassady, 69, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Gary Gumfory officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mrs. Cassady married Phil Cassady on Aug. 29, 1953, in Fort Sumner, N.M. She was a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include a daughter, Belinda Hamilton of Texhoma; a son, Monty Cassady of Fairview, Okla.; three sisters, Cora Steward of Perryton, Shirley Calaway of Baxter Springs, Kan., and Wilma Mooneyham of Miami, Okla.; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church, Gruver, TX 79040. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sister M. Antonina Mullebner PANHANDLE - Sister M. Antonina Mullebner, 95, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Sancta Maria Convent. Mass will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the convent. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St., in Amarillo. Sister Mullebner of the Divine Providence died Aug. 10, 2004, at Sancta Maria Convent in Panhandle. She was born March 13, 1909, in Auersthal, Austria. She entered the convent on Oct. 31, 1930, and made her perpetual vows on July 19, 1939. She became a member of the Sancta Maria Community in August 1957. Sister was a master seamstress and taught sewing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Marie Graf Mullebner of Austria; two sisters; and a brother. Survivors include a brother and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Sancta Maria Convent, Retired Sisters Fund, P.O. Box 906, Panhandle, TX 79068. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico George "Billy" Torres Jr. CLOVIS, N.M. - George "Billy" Torres Jr., 53, died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in The Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Rev. Sotero Sena officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home. Mr. Torres married Lilly Marmolejo on April 10, 1973, in Loresa, Texas. He was of the Catholic faith. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Christina Torres of Clovis; a son, Billy Torres of Las Cruces; three brothers, Frank Torres of Eric, Mich., Rudy Torres of Midland, Texas, and Bobby Torres of Toledo, Ohio; six sisters, Viola Salinas of Bovina, Texas, Linda Torres, Mary Ann Losoya and Diana Torres, all of Lamesa, Texas, Gracy Rushing of Big Spring, Texas, and Anna Hernandez of Tucson; and seven grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma William Abraham Talcott GUYMON, Okla. - William Abraham Talcott, 91, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, in Elkhart, Kan. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Odie Nunley and Jim Cunningham, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Mr. Talcott married Vera Mae Brinkley on Nov. 10, 1934. He owned and operated a radiator repair shop in Guymon until his retirement in 2000. Survivors include a son, Bill Talcott of Jasper, Texas; a daughter, Shirley Smith of Elkhart; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Clifford Talcott of Vidor, Texas, and Daniel Talcott of Guymon. The family suggests memorials be to Morton County Care Center in Elkhart and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Jimmy Dale Benton LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Jimmy Dale Benton, 54, died Sunday, August 8, 2004. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Pinecrest Memorial Park Gazebo with the Rev. Jay Flynt, his son-in-law, officiating. Arrangements are by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Mr. Benton was born May 12, 1950, in Memphis to the late Willie and Emma Reed Benton. He was employed by Will-Staff Worldwide as a job placement advisor. Jim graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he lettered as a middle linebacker in football for the Arkansas Razorbacks under Coach Frank Broyles from 1969 to 1973. He enjoyed playing golf, watching football and spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Susie Benton Goodman of Baytown. Survivors include Cindy Benton of Little Rock; a daughter, Emily Shay Flynt of Raymond, Miss.; a son, John Stephen Benton of Fayetteville; two granddaughters, Avery and Ally Flynt of Raymond, Miss.; seven sisters, Carol Wood, Joyce Jobe and Janie Bledsoe, all of Austin, Texas, Bonnie Wilson of Memphis, Texas, and Rita Bryant, Debbie Sims and Peggy Vinson, all of Amarillo, Texas; and a brother, Bobby Benton of Austin. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS 66601-1653. Please sign our online guest book at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/chenal. Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 11, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------