Potter Co. TX - Obits: May 25, 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, May 25, 2005 Amarillo Kay R. Ussery Kay R. Ussery, 71, of Amarillo died Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. John Watson officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Ussery was born Sept. 12, 1933, in St. Louis, Mo. She graduated from Ritnour High School in 1951 in St. John, Mo., and married Mike Ussery in her local Presbyterian church. They have been married 52 years. She moved with Mike as he served in the Army until discharged in December 1953. They lived in Albuquerque, N.M., while Mike attended the University of New Mexico. They moved to Roswell, N.M., in 1960, then to Springfield, Mo., in 1961 and Chesterfield, Mo., in 1967. Kay was always an active volunteer in the public school system with her children, Vince and Kathy, until they graduated from high school. She moved with her husband to Amarillo in 1978. She will be long remembered by her family, friends and caregivers as a wonderful, loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law and devoted friend. Kay Ussery was a graduate of Amarillo College and enjoyed being a tutor of English as a second language for many years. She was a member of both the Randall County and Amarillo Republican Women clubs and worked as a Republican election judge at Sleepy Hollow School. Kay enjoyed traveling and had vacationed in most all of the 50 states as well as in 12 foreign countries. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Her hobbies were playing cards, especially bridge, and working with genealogy, having made two trips to Salt Lake City for additional information. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy L. Ussery-Estill on June 28, 1999. Survivors include her husband; a son, Vince of Plano; two grandchildren, Jessica and Dain of Plano; a twin brother, George E. Richmond of St. Louis; a brother-in-law, Albert T. Ussery and wife, Margie, of Albuquerque; a sister- in-law, M. Carol Russell of Albuquerque; and a second cousin, Edna Perkins and husband, Dave, of Lafayette, La. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 1400 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judy Blackburn Williams Judy Blackburn Williams, 63, of Jerseyville, Ill., formerly of Amarillo, died Friday, May 13, 2005, in Sunset Hills, Mo. No services were held. Mrs. Williams was born July 29, 1941, in Amarillo, the daughter of the late Percy and Dorothy Doty Blackburn. She married John W. Williams in 1977. She retired in 2004 after 23 years at Principia College as an administrator. In 1999, she and her husband purchased the Alpha Omega Chapel, formerly First Christian Church of Jerseyville. They purchased it to preserve the historic church, the second oldest in Jerseyville. The chapel is now being utilized to display and share the many treasures that Judy and John collected on their numerous trips around the world. She was a member of Christian Science Church in Jerseyville, where she served as chair of the board and second reader. She was also a member of Jersey County Historical Society and Elsah Historical Society. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Gae Blackburn Wilson. Survivors include her husband; a sister, Beth Blackburn Daumit of Jupiter, Fla.; her uncle, E.M. Blackburn of Amarillo; a niece, Holly Wilson Reasoner of Sterling, Va.; a nephew, Charles R. Wilson of San Francisco; and several cousins. The family suggests memorials be to Alpha Omega Fund, 304 E. Exchange St., Jerseyville, IL 62052. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnis G. Hicks Burnis G. Hicks, 92, of Amarillo died Saturday, May 21, 2005. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in North Fairview Cemetery in Wellington. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Miss Hicks was born in Blanket in 1913 and moved with the family to Wellington in 1915. Miss Hicks worked with the U.S. War Department in Washington, D.C., during World War II. She then worked several years with Phillips Petroleum, Douglas Aircraft and then from 1957 until her retirement in 1973, she worked with the U.S. Defense Department at the Pentagon. Burnis loved hiking and covered 1,400 miles on the Appalachian Trail. In 1972, at the age of 59, she joined a running club in Washington and began training to run marathons. She ran her first marathon, the JFK 50 miler, that year and was hooked. The next year she again entered the JFK 50 and promptly set a national record for the 60-year-old and over class, becoming the first 60-year-old person, man or woman, to finish the JFK 50. Sports Illustrated covered the story and honored Burnis with an award. She delighted in telling the Sports Illustrated reporter that she passed several exhausted midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy who "run themselves out" on the steep Weaverton Cliff portion of the course. Burnis competed in 19 marathons, five times she ran the 14,110-foot-high Pikes Peak Marathon, three times the 50 mile JFK and on 75 mile marathon in Marathon. She ran her last marathon at the age of 70. She gave much of herself and her finances to others, especially children's homes and elderly friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Thomas "J.T." Clifton James Thomas "J.T." Clifton, 25, of Amarillo died Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Regi Fowler of Paramount Terrace Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Clifton was born in Amarillo on March 9, 1980. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Keitha Clifton and Morris and Opal Bishop. Survivors include his parents, Larry and Debbie Clifton of Amarillo; three sons, Logan James Clifton, Cole Garrett Clifton and Jacob Daniel Loyd, all of Amarillo; and his special friends, Annie Loyd and her children, David and Matthew Loyd. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- William "Bill" Sloss William "Bill" Sloss, 78, of Amarillo died Sunday, May 22, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church with R.A. Tindall, elder of the church, officiating. Burial will be a 2:30 p.m. in Hansford County Cemetery in Spearman by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St. Mr. Sloss was born in Shamrock to William and Fannie (Haynes) Sloss on June 7, 1926. He was married to Mildred Tucker until she passed away on March 31, 2005. They were married 56 years. He was self-employed as a carpenter for many years. He was also a farmer in Dimmitt and worked in the smelter in Dumas for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife; both parents; a son, Jack Dee Sloss; two brothers, C.E. Sloss and RC Sloss; and three sisters, Georgia Russell, Flora Thompson and Josie Pearl Sloss. Survivors include a son, Billy Sloss; his daughters-in-law, Paulette Sloss, Roni Sloss and Gaylene Kreitz, who was like a daughter; a brother, Franklin Dee Sloss; two sisters, Mildred Maloney and Ree Hill; eight grandchildren, Jackie Woolsey, Mark Kubena, Travis Sloss, Haley Sloss, Brandon Sloss, Heather Sloss, Jessica Sloss and Andrew Kreitz; six great-grandchildren, Sahara, Summer, Zayne, Alicea, Danny and Hawk; and many loving in-laws and many special nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy D. Anderson Billy D. Anderson, 60, of Amarillo died Monday, May 23, 2005. Memorial services will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Anderson was born Oct. 5, 1944, in Amarillo. He had worked as a laborer doing construction work. Survivors include a daughter, Sherene Kemp; a son, Bryan Anderson; and a brother, Danny Anderson. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Judith Marie Bohensky Kirkland PANHANDLE - Judith Marie Bohensky Kirkland, 64, died Monday, May 23, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel in Amarillo, 4100 S. Georgia St., with the Rev. Jose officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Mrs. Kirkland, the eldest of four children, was born Jan. 14, 1941, in Mildred, Pa. Judy was employed by BWXT Pantex from 1980 until 2004. She was affectionately known by co-workers and friends as "Sam." Judy, "Sam," loved life and each and every individual in life. Her generosity was only surpassed by her genuine love; never too busy for anyone in need. She knew no strangers, left the welcome mat out and always managed to set an extra plate. For those who knew her, know today that she is truly home as she walks with the Lord. Survivors include her husband, Cleo; a son, Michael E. Calton of Fort Worth; her mother, Julia Saxer of Dushore, Pa.; a sister, Jean Ann Clinton of Dushore; two brothers, Joseph Bohensky of Amarillo and Jimmy Bohensky of Dushore; and two grandchildren, Jeremey and Nicholas. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chuck Wait DUMAS - Chuck Wait, 70, died Sunday, May 22, 2005. Graveside services will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Dumas Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. in First Christian Church with Darrell Wait, pastor of the church, and Eddie Tubbs, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. Mr. Wait was born May 9, 1935, in Sawyer, Kan., to E.R. and Virgie Young Wait. On May 21, 1957, he married Saundra Hatfield in Pratt, Kan. He had resided in Dumas since 1967 and owned and operated Chuck's Engine Service in Etter until his retirement. Chuck loved to fish, play golf and fly private planes. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Dumas. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Charles Wait and wife, Mary, of Houston, Darrell Wait and wife, Holly, of Dumas and Dudley Wait and wife, Cindy, of Schertz; two sisters, Ida Jones of Garden City, Kan., and Vivian Rogers and husband, Jim, of Wichita, Kan.; a brother, Don Wait of Wichita; and four grandchildren, Miranda, Crysann, Jason and Rebecca. The family suggests memorials be to Dumas Memorial Hospice, 209 S. Bliss St., Dumas, TX 79029; or a favorite charity. The family will be at 121 Bellaire St. Visitation will follow the memorial service in the fellowship hall of the church. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Jo Mackey Clark PERRYTON - Betty Jo Mackey Clark, 68, died Monday, May 23, 2005. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Greg Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Mrs. Clark was born Dec. 29, 1936, in Henrietta, Okla. She had lived in the area since 1959, moving from Oklahoma City. She married James W. Clark in 1959 in Henrietta. She graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. She worked at Sanford Hospital as a nurse from 1958 until 1968. She was the school nurse for Perryton Schools for 14 years from 1968 to 1982. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Perryton and served on the memorial fund board. She was a member of YMCA board, Chamber of Commerce, Planned Parenthood and Eastern Star. She was director of YMCA and Ochiltree General Hospital Board since 1982. She was preceded in death by her parents, Logan and Hellen Mackey; and a son, Mark James Clark. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Tami Goodson of Perryton and Cindy Adair and husband, Carter, of Frisco; a brother, Kenneth Mackey and wife, Sandra, of Perryton; a granddaughter, Wesley Goodson of Perryton; and an uncle, Bill Conaster of Henrietta. The family suggests memorials be to Ochiltree Hospital, 3101 Garrett Drive, Perryton, TX 79070. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myradell Cessnun Sorrells DALHART - Myradell Cessnun Sorrells, 74, of Abilene, formerly of Dalhart, died Monday, May 23, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Rainbow Johnson, pastor of Church Without Walls in Austin, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Horizon Funeral Home. Mrs. Sorrells was born Feb. 6, 1931, in Dalhart. Myradell Cessnun graduated from Drahghon's Business College and was bookkeeper/key maker extraordinaire for Dalhart Hardware. Jesse Sorrells was the foreman of Reynolds Cattle Co. and needed a key made, then many keys made. They married in 1950 and were dance partners for 54 years. Myradell and Jess lived on the Reynolds Ranches for 35 years in Dalhart and Kent. Myradell loved to dance, golf, sew, cook, and wear all things Ralph Lauren. Her "daughters" include Marilyn, Judy Susan, and Synthia. Her love of golf started in the early 1950s. She took golf lessons from the local undertaker and was the first woman to par the Dalhart Country Club. She was proud of a string of champion wins in the 1960s that ran for more than 10 consecutive tourneys. She was also extremely proud to be listed on an all-star basketball team when she played for the "Wolverines." Myradell graduated from Dalhart High School in 1948. Myradell was always the cheerleader for Medical Pay Inc., which she helped launch in 1999 and continued to be a participant until her death. She loved her friends at Shady Oaks Country Club, Social Security Administration, Hendrick Medical Center, Graham Hospital, Texas Department of Human Services and her old friends at First Christian Church in Dalhart. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Judy L. Sorrells of Abilene and Marilyn Sorrells Schmidt of Dalhart; two nieces, Susan Cessnun Gunnels of Big Lake and Synthia Cessnun Howell of Dalhart; a grandson, Douglas Schmidt of Dalhart; two granddaughters, Melanie Schmidt Bohr of Dalhart and Shelley Schmidt Drgac of Caldwell; and two cousins, Warren Eaton of Flower Mound and Cecilia Vaughn of McAllen. The Sorrells clan requests that friends bake a cake and take it to a family experiencing sorrow as Myradell did so many, many times. The family suggests memorials be to Dalhart Senior Citizens Center, 610 Denrock St., Dalhart, TX 79022 Sign our online guest book at www.horizonfuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leonard Arnold Wall HEREFORD - Leonard Arnold Wall, 79, of Logan, N.M., formerly of Hereford, died Friday, May 20, 2005. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Hereford Heritage Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with Craig Keel of the Church of Christ in Canyon officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Wall was born Oct. 30, 1925, in Giles. He married Leona Otts in 1947 in Clovis, N.M. Survivors include a son, Wyndell A. Wall of Amarillo; a daughter, Derenda Jones of Brainerd, Minn.; three sisters, Glenny Peters, Freda Moody and Melba Hinson, all of Wellington; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the Volunteer Fire Department or Senior Citizens, P.O. Box 7, Logan, NM 88426. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Ann Ward FRITCH - Betty Ann Ward, 82, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in Amarillo. The family will have a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Ward was born Feb. 7, 1923, in Great Divide, Colo., to Robert and Elizabeth Drake. She lived in Pampa for more than 30 years before moving away. She was a member of the Episcopal Church in Pampa. She loved to help others, animals, garden, the outdoors and mostly her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Survivors include her husband, H.E. "Gene"; a daughter, Carol Ward of Fritch; a son, Mr. and Mrs. Donald D. Ward of Oak Point; a grandson, Russell Heath Morris of Covington, Ga.; a granddaughter, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Daggett of Portales, N.M.; and two great-granddaughters, Jamie Ann Morris and Serenah Daggett. The family suggests memorials be to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 E. Pike's Peak Ave., Suite 600, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3624. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frances M. Harbour GRUVER - Frances M. Harbour, 84, died Saturday, May 21, 2005, in Spearman. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. today in Gruver Cemetery with the Rev. George Price, pastor of Gruver United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon, Okla. Mrs. Harbour was born May 28, 1920, in Tulsa, Okla. She was a member of Lovers Lane Methodist Church in Dallas. Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Logsdon of Gruver; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Hansford Manor, 707 Roland St., Spearman, TX 79081; or a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Virgie Hargrove CARNEGIE, Okla. - Virgie Hargrove, 88, formerly of Perryton, Texas, died Sunday, May 22, 2005. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Full Gospel Church in Perryton with Mike Waterbury, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree County Cemetery in Perryton by Ray Hackney Funeral Home of Mountain View, Okla. Mrs. Hargrove was born April 6, 1917, in Jefferson County. She married Woodrow Wilson Hargrove in July 1934 in Wichita Falls. Survivors include a son, Arlie Hargrove of Perryton; two daughters, Sue Rich of Perryton and Shirley Pattison of Carnegie; seven grandchildren; 17 great- grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Daisey Mullins of Wichita Falls. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------