Potter Co. TX - Obits: March 2, 2005 ============================================================== 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, March 2, 2005 Amarillo Richard C. Best Richard C. Best, 86, of Amarillo died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Washington Avenue Christian Church with the Rev. Jim Shelburne, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Best was born Dec. 26, 1918, to Burt and Florence Best in Cordell, Okla. He was in the Army, serving in the Japanese Theater during World War II from March 1941 through September 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart after Okinawa. Mr. Best married Lelah Dorrell in Mountain View, Okla., on Feb. 14, 1947. She preceded him in death on Aug. 2, 1980. He married Othel Fowler on Oct. 1, 1982, and she also preceded him in death on April 13, 2001. Mr. Best worked at Southwestern Public Service for 33 years, retiring on April 1, 1981. He was a gentleman. He was a member of Kiwanis, Palo Duro Masonic Lodge, 45 and Uppers, and Washington Avenue Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; five sisters; and two sons. Survivors include a daughter, Alicia Cameron of Timbercreek Canyon; two sons, Jerry Fowler of Amarillo and Bill Fowler of McKinney; five granddaughters, Nicole Cameron of Timbercreek Canyon, Michelle Fowler of Amarillo, and Lisa Fowler, Stacey Fowler and Brook Fowler, all of McKinney; and two grandsons, Mark Fowler of Albuquerque and Eric Fowler of Hereford. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James O. Swafford James O. Swafford, 78, of Amarillo died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with the Rev. John Esler officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Swafford served in the Navy in the South Pacific and was a veteran of World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star. He married Anita Opela on July 13, 1981, in Wichita, Kan. He had been a resident of Amarillo since 1983. James was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lois Louise Swafford; and a son, William Joe Swafford. Survivors include his wife; three sons, James C. Swafford of Borger, Weldon Swafford of Dumas and Richard Swafford of Mooreland, Okla.; three daughters, Samantha Broaddus, Terressa Hilton and Kimberly Miner, all of Amarillo; two stepsons, Michael Hamilton of Amarillo and Jerry Hamilton of Fort Hood; a brother, Gene Swafford of Borger; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Mid-day Ambucs, P.O. Box 532, Woodward, OK 73802. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Hope Slaughter Virginia Hope Slaughter, 83, of Amarillo died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Robert E. Field officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Slaughter was born in Hall County on June 27, 1921, to William Hope and Virginia Mae Lemons. She served in the Army as a staff sergeant during World War II. Mrs. Slaughter married Richard M. Slaughter in November 1951 in Clovis, N.M., and they had been married 53 years. Mrs. Slaughter worked as an accountant for various individuals before becoming an accountant for R.M. Slaughter and Associate Companies. Mrs. Slaughter loved flowers and had been a past member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband; a son, Don A. Slaughter of Lubbock; three nieces, Marion Lane of Weatherford, Joyce Campbell of San Marcos, Calif., and Johnnie Potts of Howardwick; three nephews, Jimmy M. Lemons of Amarillo, Jerry B. Lemons of Clarendon and Jim Foy Lemons of Colonial Beach, Va.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vena B. Sullivan Vena B. Sullivan, 89, of Amarillo died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in First Presbyterian Church chapel with Dr. Jim Bankhead officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Sullivan had been a resident of Amarillo since 1935. She married Fred Sullivan in 1938. Vena was a homemaker for the majority of her life before working as a bookkeeper for SIC until retirement. She had enjoyed a longtime membership at First Presbyterian Church, most recently as a "Sidelined Saint." She was preceded in death by her husband in 1984. Survivors include three daughters, Sally Sullivan and Suzy Klein and husband, Brad, all of Amarillo, and Sheri Lutz and husband, George, of Dallas; six grandchildren, Jim Ralston, Jerry Ralston and wife, Carol, Bree Shuffield and husband, Dave, Britt Klein, Beth Lutz and Ben Lutz; and two great- grandchildren, Maddie and J.P. Ralston. The family suggests memorials be to the Talking Book Program of the Texas State Library, P.O. Box 12516, Austin, TX 78711-2516; or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruby Sanford Ruby Sanford, 89, of Amarillo died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. D.D. Fincher, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Mrs. Sanford was born June 9, 1915, in Gilmer. She married Curlee Kirk Sanford on Sept. 23, 1928, in Forney. They moved to Amarillo in 1945 from Dallas. She had been a member of Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church since 1948. She served in the Women's Missionary Society. She was a member of Amarillo Christian Council, Amarillo United Citizens Forum and past president of North Amarillo Political Action Committee. She was a member of North Star Electa No. 23 Order of the Eastern Star, and served as past worthy matron, district matron and treasurer. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1984; and a brother, Willie Mitchell in 2004. Survivors include two daughters, Debra Sutton of Amarillo and Tresea Anderson of Dimmitt; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many other relatives. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Dean Angel Dean Angel, 90, of Canyon died Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church of Canyon with the Rev. David Lowrie, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mrs. Angel was born July 19, 1914, in Lelia Lake to William and Mary Elizabeth Bullard. She married Wayland Angel at Lelia Lake on Jan. 20, 1935. He preceded her in death on Oct. 30, 1987. She graduated from high school at Lelia Lake in 1932, and they moved to Randall County in 1941, where they farmed and ranched. She loved to oil paint and was a member of First Baptist Church of Canyon. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Guilbert of Amarillo; two sons, Clifford Angel and Kenneth Angel, both of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Alzheimer's Association, 2200 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Wanda Laverne Covington Bayless PAMPA - Wanda Laverne Covington Bayless, 79, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Johnny Funderburg, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Bayless was a clerk for Gray County District Clerk's office. She was a member of First Baptist Church and B&PW Sunday school class. Survivors include a son, Gordon Bayless of Copenhagen, Denmark; a daughter, Wanetta Hill of Pampa; three sisters, Virginia Hall of Long Beach, Calif., Margaret Maguire of Hampton, Va., and Claudine Ware of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; her twin brother, Claude Covington of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two stepgranddaughters. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, TX 79066-0621. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Lee Cass FRIONA - Mary Lee Cass, 85, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Friona United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Patterson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Friona Cemetery by Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Cass was born May 14, 1919, in Wellington. She married Kenyth Cass on May 11, 1935, at First Methodist Church in Wellington. They farmed in Dodson and Littlefield, moving to Phoenix, and then Albuquerque, N.M., where Kenyth worked as a carpenter. In 1951, they moved to Friona, purchasing land and farming until Kenyth's death in 1988. Mary Lee was active in Friona United Methodist Church and in United Methodist Women. She loved writing poetry and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and offering hospitality to those she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Jerrell and Hattie (Gollihugh) Jones; and a brother, L.J. Jones Jr. Survivors include a son, Jerry Cass and wife, Karene, of Clovis, N.M.; a daughter, Gay Price and husband, George, of Midland; a sister, Dorothy Ingram and husband, W.S., of Friona; her grandchildren, Laurie Sheppard and husband, Frank, of Houston, Russell Price of Fort Collins, Colo., John Cass and wife, Renee, of Bryan, Jennifer Burks and husband, Brian, of Flint and Mary Frances Weatherly and husband, Ben, of Round Rock; her great-grandchildren, Rylee Cass and Hannah Burks; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to Prairie Acres; or Friona United Methodist Church. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judy Gayle Graumann FRITCH - Judy Gayle Graumann, 60, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Idalou Cemetery in Idalou with the Rev. Jimmy Gillmore, pastor of Riverview Baptist Church in Borger, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Graumann was a beloved mother, grandmother, homemaker, woodworker, fashion designer and crafter. She also raised dogs. She was born Sept. 2, 1944, in Lubbock to Clara Mae Holt and Alton B. Meador. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Texas Tech University for a while. During her young adult life, she worked for Lubbock Steel as a bookkeeper. She also worked for B&R Thriftway in Fritch, Wal-Mart in Borger and Hancock Fabrics in Amarillo. She was married first to Marcus Stephen Oden and then she married Raymond H. Graumann in Borger. She was known for her creative children's clothing and her unique woodworking. She had a talent to create unique crafts and quilts. She was also proud of raising schnauzers. She was preceded her death by her first husband; and her second husband on Jan. 14, 2002. Survivors include a daughter, Heather Oden Boyd and husband, Wesley, of Borger; a sister, Barbara Harris of Lubbock; two brothers, Joe Meador of Lubbock and Don Meador of San Marcos; and three grandchildren, Leslie, Garrett and Jacob. The family suggests memorials be to the Glaucoma Foundation, 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1206, New York, NY 10038. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph D. Madera PLAINVIEW - Ralph D. Madera, 83, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Wood-Dunning Funeral Home Colonial Chapel with Dr. Travis Hart of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Hale Center Cemetery. Mr. Madera was born on Jan. 24, 1922, in Hubbard. Ralph worked as a car and truck mechanic and had formerly worked as a mechanic on the Alaskan Pipeline. Survivors include his wife, Nadine; two daughters, Linda Seitz of Sacramento, Calif., and Connie Folsom of Flagstaff, Ariz.; a son, Ron Madera of Waco; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; eight stepchildren; and a sister, Rheba Burgess of Lubbock. The family suggests memorials be to American Heart Association. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doyle Procter QUANAH - Doyle Procter, 84, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with Rick Hedrick officiating. Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home. Mr. Procter was born July 26, 1920, in Eldorado, Okla. He married Wilma Aaron Box on Nov. 25, 1945, in Vernon. Survivors include two daughters, Betty Cure of Midland and D'June Black of Granbury; a son, Geff Procter of Evansville, Ind.; a sister, Myrt Procter of Quanah; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hardeman County Memorial Hospital, 402 Mercer St., Quanah, TX 79252. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Ray Rothwell CHILDRESS - Billy Ray Rothwell, 76, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Johnny Robertson of the church officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Rothwell was born Feb. 21, 1929. He was a member of American Legion, Scottish Rite, Elks Lodge and was a Mason. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; two stepsons, Clinton Henry of Merdian, Idaho, and Curtis Henry of Pampa; a brother, Dewie Rothwell of Brownwood; and five stepgrandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Lee Smith HARTLEY - Mary Lee Smith, 84, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel in Amarillo, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be in Cal Farley's Boys Ranch Cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Carson County and raised in Stinnett. She married Alvis Smith on Sept. 4, 1937. They lived in Pampa for many years until 1974, when they moved to Valle de Oro. She worked at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in the clinic until her retirement in 1982. After her retirement she moved to Stinnett, then to Hartley in 1988. Mrs. Smith was always devoted to her family and will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband on June 28, 1977; a son, Raymond F. Smith in 2000; and a sister, Francis Smith. Survivors include two daughters, Gail Gonzalez of Hartley and Donna Boyter of Dallas; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 S.W. 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Louise Huntley TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Louise Huntley, 85, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Dunn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jim Witcher, minister of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Huntley was born April 23, 1919, in Beach, N.D. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Birch of Tucumcari; two sons, Jack Huntley and Roger Huntley, both of Tucumcari; a sister, Irene Kidd of Portland, Ore.; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lelah Bonita McCarty CLOVIS, N.M. - Lelah Bonita McCarty, 89, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Services will be today in House Methodist Church in House with the Rev. Danny Sanders officiating. Her body has been donated to Texas Tech School of Medicine. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home. Mrs. McCarty was born Nov. 6, 1915, in Enid, Okla. She was the founder of House Pantry in House. Survivors include four sons, Charles Harmon, Thomas Eugene Harmond of Van Lear, Tenn., Max Albert Harmon of Kentucky and the Rev. Jewel Harmon of Monassa, Colo.; four daughters, Carrie Cummings of Fort Worth, Texas, Eva Burnadine Harmon of Cleveland, Texas, Lela Marian Blaylock of Cedar Hill, Texas, and Leila Jean Skaggs of Bucklin, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; and 23 great- grandchildren. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Wes Sample GUYMON, OKLA. - Wes Sample, 66, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Guymon Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements are by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home. Mr. Sample married Mary Lea Murdock on Feb. 4 1961, in Springer, N.M. He was affiliated with Allen's Inc. and the farming industry since 1960. Survivors include his wife; three children, Jim Sample of Guymon, Shona Moore of Dumas, Texas, and Don Sample of Puerta LaCruz, Venezuela; his mother, Eva Sample of Buffalo; two brothers, Lewis and Chuck Sample; three sisters, Betty Allen, Loretta Harwood and Roxie Luckie; and seven grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity and may be sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Millie W. Crowe ROCKPORT - Millie W. Crowe, 84, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, in Temple. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Charles Schuler officiating. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Charlie Marshall Funeral Home. Mrs. Crowe was born June 22, 1920, in Kewanee, Ill. She had been a resident of Rockport since 1991. Survivors include her husband, Stanley; three sons, Stanley Reed Crowe Jr. of Austin, Richard Charles Crowe of Buckholts and Douglas Baird Crowe of Taos, N.M.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Young Life, P.O. Box 1603, Fulton, TX 78358 or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ted Hudson McBride VICTORIA - Ted Hudson McBride, 57, formerly of Borger, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. Services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church in LaGrange with the Rev. John Nicholson officiating. Burial with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in West Lawn Cemetery in Borger by Koenig and Strickland Funeral Home. Mr. McBride was born Sept. 27, 1947, in Borger. He was a charter member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Amarillo. Survivors include his mother, June "Judy" McBride of LaGrange; and a sister, Sandra Burgess of Tempe, Ariz. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church in LaGrange or a favorite charity. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Larry Allen Carter DYKE, VA. - Larry Allen Carter, 57, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Spring Hill Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Hill and Wood Funeral Home. Mr. Carter died at home after a four-year battle with cancer. It was his wish to be at home and to be surrounded by his family and close friends, which he was. Not only did Larry have a wonderful and loving family, but he also had an exciting career. Larry proudly served in the Navy from 1967 to 1971, serving three tours in Vietnam. After receiving his associate's degree, Larry spent three semesters in law school while living in San Diego. Larry was then recruited by the Department of Justice, going to Seattle with the United States Marshal Service. Larry spent the next 27 years working in offices scattered throughout the country. He was in Seattle, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Memphis, Tenn., East St. Louis, Mo., and ended his career in Charlottesville, Va. Larry had many titles during his career, he was a deputy, inspector, supervisor, chief and senior deputy. But, the title or job description he loved the most was being a "Fugitive Hunter." During his time with the marshals, Larry participated in numerous Fugitive Apprehension Task Force operations and Top 15 Fugitive cases. His hunt for fugitives took him to many foreign countries as well, most memorable were Columbia, Guatemala, and Belize. In his last years, Larry's strength and optimism in fighting cancer inspired everyone who knew him. The family is most grateful to the "church family" at Spring Hill Baptist Church, and would especially like to thank his close friends David and Donna Roach and Barbara Ronan for their ever-present care and support during this difficult time. The family also wants to recognize the doctors and nurses at Martha-Jefferson and UVA hospitals, and the staff with Hospice of Piedmont. He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Olive Carter of Amarillo, Texas. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; two daughters, DeeDee Lautzenheiser and husband, Keith, of Minerva, Ohio, and Molly Sanchez and husband, Tito, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a son, Jesse of Dyke; and three grandchildren, Zavier and Tyson Sanchez and Nicholas Lautzenheiser; two sisters, Linda Ussery of Amarillo and Nancy Smith of Ridgeville, S.C.; and a brother, Stewart Carter of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to American Cancer Society for Colon-Rectal Cancer Research. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Amarillo Globe-News, March 2, 2005 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------