Potter Co. TX - Obits: Oct. 12, 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 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Amarillo Marlon Stephens Marlon Stephens, 45, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery Mausoleum with the Rev. Jeff Messer officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Ms. Stephens was preceded in death by a sister and her parents. Survivors include two daughters, Chrystal Leah Tabor and Summer Stephens; two sons, Michael Kaye and Bryan Kaye; and a brother, Eddie Stephens of Albuquerque, N.M. The family suggests memorials be to Tyler Resource Center, 200 S. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elene Jane Gilbert Elene Jane Gilbert, 91, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Grand Avenue Baptist Church with David F. Driskill, pastor, officiating and David Gruber assisting. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Gilbert was born Jan. 27, 1913, in Lone Oak, Hunt County, to Stanley Bob and Nanie Mae Shackelford Hunt. Elene married Oris Gilbert on Oct. 1, 1933, in Memphis. She had been a resident of Amarillo since 1970, moving here from Memphis, where she was the school cafeteria supervisor/director for many years, even serving lunch to Larry Combest. She also worked for the Austin School of the Deaf and the Blind. Elene had the great opportunity to cook for Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel. She was a member of the RSVP, Amarillo Senior Citizens Association and Grand Avenue Baptist Church. Elene will be fondly remembered as a loving, caring and giving spirit by all the lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and three brothers, Archie Joe Hunt, Curt Hunt and Buddy Hunt. Survivors include two nieces, Gloria Gruber of Austin and Polly Brock of Pasco, Wash.; and a nephew, Patrick Hunt. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels at BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beverly Iris Medlin Beverly Iris Medlin, 44, of Amarillo died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Cox Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, with the Rev. J. Alan Ford, pastor of Southwest Baptist Church, and the Rev. Robert Hooker, pastor of First Baptist Church of San Antonio, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Medlin was born in Kansas City, Mo., to Howard and Frances Holland. She graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School in Shawnee Mission, Kan., in 1977 and from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls in 1994. She lived in San Antonio for the past 10 years and owned Beverly's Computer Shoppe in San Antonio. She was a member of First Baptist Church of San Antonio. She lived in Amarillo from 1980 until 1983, where she attended Paramount Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father in January 2003. Survivors include three sons, Roderick Medlin and Nicholas Medlin, both of Amarillo and Christopher Medlin of Grand Prairie; a daughter, Camillia Medlin of Grand Prairie; her mother of Amarillo; a sister, Sandi Bryant of Amarillo; and two brothers, Anthony Holland of Trimble, Mo., and Malcolm Holland of Bonham. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will be at 3419 Thornton Drive. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area J.M. "Shelby" Sears BORGER - J.M. "Shelby" Sears, 76, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Dumas Cemetery in Dumas with Joe Childers, his grandson, officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mr. Sears was born Dec. 31, 1927, in Gem, Kan. He was a retired pipefitter for North American Underground Construction. Survivors include four sons, Paul Sears of Dumas and John Sears, Doyle Sears and Dale Sears, all of Atkins, Ark.; two daughters, Awyn Childers of Springfield, Ark., and Karen Sears of Rutland, Vt.; two brothers, Frances Sears of Oppole, Ark., and Walt Sears of Garden City, Kan.; a sister, Ann Deaton of Lamar, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Viewing will be at Morrison Funeral Directors in Dumas. The family will be at 503 Pine St. in Dumas. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lillian E. Williams OLTON - Lillian E. Williams, 87, formerly of Friona, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church in Friona with the Rev. Mark Stovall, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home of Friona. Mrs. Williams had been a resident of Olton for the past two years, moving from Friona, where she had lived since 1937. Survivors include a son, Dale Williams of Midland; a brother, James Pruitt of Woodward, Okla.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alberta "Bert" Kite PERRYTON - Alberta "Bert" Kite, 79, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Full Gospel Community Worship Center with the Rev. Tim Ramsey officiating. Burial will be in Blue Mound Cemetery in Beaver County, Okla., by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. Mrs. Kite was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Perryton. She married Robert "Bob" Kite on May 18, 1941, in Canadian. Survivors include a daughter, Pam Kite of Perryton; a son, Robert "Bob" Kite of Dimmitt; two brothers, Clarence Morris and Al Morris; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Ochiltree Hospice Volunteers, 3101 Garrett Drive, Perryton, TX 79070. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Barbee Johnson MEMPHIS - Betty Barbee Johnson, 84, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gary Boles officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Hughs Funeral Home. Mrs. Johnson was born June 23, 1920, in Hall County. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Hap; a brother, Bobby Barbee of Lakeview; and five sisters, Ellie Peeples of Amarillo, Becky Cummings of Quanah and Irene Russey, Jessie Wiley and Viola Robertson, all of Memphis. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 121 N. Eighth, Memphis, TX 79245 or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gloria Lopez De Aguilar DUMAS - Gloria Lopez De Aguilar, 62, died Friday, Oct. 8, 2004. Services will be at 1 p.m. MT Wednesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Springer, N.M., with the Rev. Danny Balizan officiating. Burial will be in Springer Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Dumas. Gloria Lopez De Aguilar was born Oct. 8, 1942, to Jesus and Antonia Zamora Aguilar in Springer. She married Joe E. Lopez on June 5, 1964, in Springer. Mrs. Lopez had been a resident of Moore County for more than 25 years. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. She was loved by all her family and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her father; a brother, Paul Aguilar; and a son, Joseph Ernest Lopez Jr. Survivors include her husband; a son, Chris Lopez of Amarillo; two daughters, Cheri Beedy and husband, Michael, of Pampa and Mindy Lopez and companion, Juanita Aguilar, of Dumas; a brother, Richard Aguilar and wife, Zella, of Pueblo, Colo.; a sister, Cheri Hancock of Pueblo; her mother of Pueblo; and eight grandchildren. The family will be at 609 E. Fifth St. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct.. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Lummus DUMAS - Bill Lummus, 69, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Lane Memorial Cemetery in Sunray with family members officiating. Flag detail will be by American Legion Post 224, Dumas. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mr. Lummus was born May 12, 1935, in Shamrock. He was a Moore County resident for 55 years. He was a member of Sunray Baptist Church. He served in the Army from 1956 to 1962. He worked for Cut-Rate for 25 years. Survivors include three daughters, Vanesa Cardwell and husband, Lee, of Farmington, N.M., Tonya Wills and husband, Jeff, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Lynne De La Rosa and husband, Raymond, of Amarillo; a son, Brian Lummus of Dumas; three sisters, Jeanette Anderson and Sandy Lummus, both of Dumas and Shirley Beard of Denison; his caregiver, Sarah Lummus of Dumas; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. The family will be at 507 S. Meredith. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Velma Jo Copeland DUMAS - Velma Jo Copeland, 90, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today in Northlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Garry Schwalk, minister of education at First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Copeland was born Sept. 6, 1914, in Kelley, La. Velma married John N. "Sam" Copeland in July 1937 in Rayville, La. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was a homemaker. She was a Moore County resident for 50 years. She was preceded in death by her husband and five brothers and sisters. Survivors include a son, Bill Copeland of Dumas; and two granddaughters, Nicola Kay Copeland of Chicago and Tanya Anne Copeland of Dallas. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 617, Dumas, TX 79029 or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jean Bush DALHART - Jean Bush, 76, died Monday, Oct. 11, 2004. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Lincoln Street Baptist Church with Rusty Hancock, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Horizon Funeral Home. Mrs. Bush was born Aug. 8, 1928, and raised in Ringling, Okla. She moved with her family to Dalhart in 1941. She met Richard Alton Bush in 1945 when they worked together at the 134 Taxi Service, where she worked as a dispatcher, and he worked as a taxi driver. They married on Sept. 4, 1946, in Tucumcari, N.M., and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in September. She worked at the Dalhart Hatchery for a number of years, before beginning a career as a dietician for Coon Memorial Hospital and Home. Jean was fondly remembered by the staff, residents, patients and public for her homestyle cooking. She retired from Coon Memorial on Dec. 16, 1977. After retirement, Jean continued her career at home as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Rex Bush; a daughter, Lorraine Frazier; a brother; a sister; and a granddaughter, Pamela Jean "P.J." Frazier. Survivors include her husband; a son, Danny Bush of Dalhart; a daughter, Deena Parker of Dalhart; three sisters, Barbara Wilkinson and Peggy Westberry, both of Dalhart and Bobbie Rowe of Lubbock. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lessie Trent FRITCH - Lessie Trent, 101, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Calvin Winters, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Trent was a homemaker. She was a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Harold Trent of Bandera; a brother, Jimmy Anthony of Oklahoma; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and six great-great- grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First Southern Baptist Church, P.O. Box 358, Fritch, TX 79036 or to Senior Citizen Sunshine Club of Fritch. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Donald Schilling DIMMITT - Donald Schilling, 68, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, in Lubbock. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. today in Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Ken Keller, the Rev. Tim Schwertner, Kyle Broderson, deacon, Jose Velo, deacon, and others officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Schilling was born Dec. 2, 1935, in Slaton. He married Agnes Kleman on Oct. 28, 1959, in Tulia. Mr. Schilling moved to Castro County in 1959 from Slaton. He was a farmer and a member of the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of Forrester. He served as Eucharistic minister, alter server and usher. He was once honored as farmer of the year in Castro County. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and a sister. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Donna Reinart of Dimmitt and Joyce Yannuzzi; four sons, Claude Schilling of Irving and Lee Schilling, Doug Schilling and Roy Schilling, all of Dimmitt; 16 grandchildren; five brothers, Walter Schilling of Dimmitt, Edward Schilling of Hereford, Joe Schilling of Amarillo, Leon Schilling of Bovina and Ronnie Schilling of Slaton; and four sisters, Mary Catherine Kuss of Slaton, Vera Schwertner of Wilson, Lorine Schwertner of Hereford and Joleen Walsh of Canyon. The family suggests memorials be to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, in care of Dick Schacher, 715 Maple St., Dimmitt, TX 79027 or to a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Narciso "El Maestro" Gonzalez HEREFORD - Narciso "El Maestro" Gonzalez, 85, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, in Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in St. Anthony's Cemetery with the Rev. Arturo Meza officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St., in Amarillo. Mr. Gonzalez was born Oct. 27, 1918. He was married to his wife, Josefina Gonzalez, for 45 years. Survivors include six sons, Miguel Gonzales and Juan Gonzales, both of Amarillo, Raul Gonzales of Austin, Fernando Gonzalez of Albuquerque, N.M., Jesus Gonzales of Midland and David Gonzales of Fayetteville, N.C.; four daughters, Maria Zepeda of Hereford, Alicia Murillo of Amarillo and Anita Minjarez and Bridgette Mendoza, both of Tacoma, Wash. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary T. Cua Hoffman PLAINVIEW - Mary T. Cua Hoffman, 81, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Wood-Dunning Funeral Home Colonial Chapel with the Rev. Don Robertson of College Heights Baptist Church officiating. Mrs. Hoffman was born Dec. 4, 1922. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 New Mexico Melvin Sachs CLOVIS, N.M. - Melvin Sachs, 90, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. John Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Symm officiating. Burial will be in Rhea Cemetery in Rhea, Texas, by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mr. Sachs was born June 18, 1914, the first child of George and Clara Sachs, in Deaf Smith County, Texas. In 1954, he married Esther Wagner. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Irene Gober of Lubbock, Texas; a daughter, Betty Christ of Richmond, Texas; two stepsons, Charles Wagner of Fallon, Nev., and Steve Wagner of Brighton, Colo.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Erlinda Mary Rios Vargas GUYMON, Okla. - Erlinda Mary Rios Vargas, 73, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, in Dumas, Texas. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. today in St. Peter's Catholic Church. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the church with the Rev. Stephen Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home. Local arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Mrs. Vargas was born Feb. 6, 1931, in Bristol, Colo. She had been a resident of Guymon since 1983. Survivors include her husband, Julio; three sons, Arthur Vargas, Julian Vargas and Mark Vargas, all of Guymon; four grandchildren; and four brothers, Frank Rios and Mike Rios, both of Denver, Alfred Rios of Englewood, Colo., and Richard Rios of Hutchinson, Kan. Memorials for the family's use will be accepted at the funeral home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Joyce Braboy AUSTIN - Joyce Braboy, 78, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. Burial will be in the church's memorial garden. Arrangements are by Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home. Mrs. Braboy was born in Chandler, Okla., on Oct. 17, 1925, to Ennis H. Hamic and Cora Ellen Stephens Hamic. Joyce grew up in Oklahoma City and in Amarillo. She was a member of the United States Cadet Nurses Corps while enrolled in St. Anthony's Nursing School in Amarillo. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Mack Braboy, in Amarillo in 1944, during his service as a cadet in the Army Air Corps. Joyce transferred with her husband as he was assigned to various bases during World War II, working in administrative civil positions on base. Following the war, Joyce and Bill returned to Amarillo, where they reared five children. The family relocated to Austin in 1975. Joyce loved her life and felt blessed in having many friends and family members who shared in it. She had a deep affinity for water and spent most of her adult life as a swimming instructor, coach and water safety instructor. She was an avid bridge player and entertaining anecdotist. She felt particularly enriched by her relationship with her extended family at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. Her family wishes to thank all her friends for their part in making Joyce's life a joyous one. She was preceded in death by her husband and an uncle, S.W. "Steve" Stephens of Oklahoma City, whom she regarded as a brother. Survivors include her children, Melody Kyle and husband, Scott, of Austin, Cathyrn Neese and husband, Paul, of Belton, William Braboy and wife, Jan, of Austin and Misty Soderstrom and husband, Stan, of Indianapolis; and Joyce was exceedingly proud of her 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, the most recent of whom was born the day before her death. The family suggests memorials be to the Permanent Endowment Fund of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. After the service, a reception for friends and family will be held in the church courtyard. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Bob Nunley LUBBOCK - Joe Bob Nunley, 80, died Monday, Oct. 11, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Resthaven Funeral Home Abbey Chapel. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park. Mr. Nunley was born Nov. 26, 1923, in Lubbock to J.A. and Mary Nunley. He married June Evelyn McAlister on Aug. 5, 1945, in Roswell, N.M. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Joe M. Nunley of San Antonio, Jim L. Nunley of Amarillo and Tom J. Nunley of Denver; a brother, J.A. Nunley of Lubbock; two sisters, Virginia Wells of Lubbock, and Billie Roenfeldt of San Angelo; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Garrison Care Center or to the American Cancer Society. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 James "Jim" G. Clarke HICKORY CREEK - James "Jim" G. Clarke, 57, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Swisher Cemetery in Lake Dallas. Arrangements are by Dalton and Son Funeral Home of Lewisville. Mr. Clarke was born March 31, 1947, in Amarillo, the son of John and Jane Ames Clarke. He married Karen Parman in Clayton, N.M., on Sept. 4, 1971. Jim was a devoted employee, acting as a district sales manager for ABF for more than 25 years. Jim loved to be in the outdoors, even when it rained. He could play just about any instrument and loved his music. He served as mayor of Hickory Creek from 2000 until May 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife; two sons, James Clarke and Christopher Clarke, both of Hickory Creek; two daughters, Bonny Haynes and husband, Jay, of Argyle and Cindy Weaver and husband, Jack, of Houston; seven grandchildren; three brothers, John Clarke of Odessa, Calvin Clarke of Wichita Falls and Mike Clarke of Amarillo; three sisters, Nancy Wansley and Cindy O'Neill, both of Amarillo, and Joan Saunders of Slidell, La.; and a host of extended family and close friends from his work and through his civic affiliations. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 12, 2004 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------