Potter Co. TX - Obits: March 30, 2006 ============================================================= Thanks to Amarillo Globe News: 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 Thursday, March 30, 2006 Amarillo Sheila F. Drake Sheila F. Drake, 59, of Amarillo died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. Vera Roberts officiating. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Boise City Cemetery in Boise City, Okla., with the Rev. Mark Roberts officiating. Local arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Drake was born in Wichita, Kan., to Vinita and George Walton on Sept. 13, 1946. She graduated from high school in Boise City. She married William E. "Gene" Drake on Dec. 10, 1945, in Keys, Okla. They moved to Amarillo in 1975. Mrs. Drake and her husband were partners in their business, Drake Properties. Last year they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. She was an exceptional wife, mother and grandmother. Her life revolved around the lives of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jeaneen Phillips and husband Todd of Amarillo; two sons, Erik Drake of Amarillo and Kevin Drake of Round Rock; a brother, Shelby Walton of Amarillo; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice in care of Olivia's Angels, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176 or a favorite charity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Alice A. "Gussie" Tignor Alice A. "Gussie" Tignor, 91, of Amarillo died Wednesday, March 29, 2006. No services are scheduled. Cremation arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Tignor was born Nov. 16, 1914, in Bivalve, Md. She attended Townsend State Teachers College. Upon graduation, she married her childhood sweetheart, Hobart "Tig" Tignor in 1937. She taught primary grades and was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed reading, painting and travelling. She was preceded in death by her husband; and a son, Douglas. Survivors include two daughters, Valerie Gardner and husband Douglas of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Barbara Watson of Amarillo; a daughter-in-law, S. Lee Tignor of Hot Springs, Ark.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- E.M. Blackburn Jr. E.M. Blackburn, 93, of Amarillo died Monday, March 27, 2006. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. The Rev. Jeff Conway officiated. Mr. Blackburn was born on April 25, 1912, in Marion, Ala., to and Estelle and E.M. Blackburn, Sr. He had lived in Amarillo since 1919. E.M. married "D. Jo" Bush on June 15, 1935. She preceded him in death on April 2, 2001. He joined the American Business Club in 1931 and held every office in the club, including president in 1940, before his retirement in 1985. He was vice president of the first Junior Chamber of Commerce formed in Amarillo. He was a deacon of First Baptist Church and chairman of the building committee when the Sunday School addition was built. Mr. Blackburn also served on the boards of the Better Business Bureau, the Salvation Army, the Maverick Club, Faith City Mission, Amarillo Country Club and Lake Tanglewood, where he helped organize and raise money for Lake Tanglewood Church. He was instrumental in the organization of the Amarillo Club. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1952. He was president of the Amarillo Independent School Board and on the committee that purchased the land for Tascosa High School. He served twice as president of the United Fund. Mr. Blackburn was recognized by the Panhandle Funeral Directors Association with the E.M. Blackburn Pioneer Award. This would have been his 88th year in the funeral business. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a son, Ed Blackburn and wife Linda of Fort Worth; two daughters, Karen Blackburn of Fremont, Calif., and Brenda Hood and husband Jack of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two granddaughters, Rachael Blackburn-Cazod and husband Kanon of Kansas City, and Katie Hood of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two grandsons, David Hood and Matt Hood and wife Shiela, all of Colorado Springs; two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Ellen Hood of Colorado Springs; several nieces and a nephew; and Bill Lackey, his longtime caregiver. The family will be at 5502 Everett Ave. They suggest memorials be to Presbyterian Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie St., Amarillo, TX 79101. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Charles N. Brannon Charles N. Brannon, 85, of Amarillo died Wednesday, March 22, 2006. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Claude Church of Christ with Kent Watson and Alfred White officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Brannon was born Sept. 18, 1920, to Charlie and Leona Brannon. He attended High School in Pyron. Mr. Brannon married Maxine Lee on Oct. 29, 1938. He served in the United States Army during WWII as a foot soldier and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen. Mr. Brannon worked as a general contractor in Portales, N.M., until 1965 when he went to work for Eastern New Mexico University. He retired from ENMU in 1990 as the head carpenter after 25 years of employment. He and his wife moved to Claude in 2003 to be closer to the family. He loved to fish and hunt. Mr. Brannon was a talented craftsman and enjoyed making gifts for his family. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Claude. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Merlene Brannon; a granddaughter, Angela Smith; two sisters, Cecil Marie Coates and Mary Martha Brannon; and one brother, Clinton Brannon. Survivors include his wife, Maxine Brannon; a daughter, Karen Smith and husband Jim of Amarillo; two sons, Quincey Brannon and wife Shirley and Troy Brannon, all of Amarillo; a sister, Zonell West of Snyder; two brothers, J.W. Brannon and wife Vera of Wasilla, Alaska, and Aubrey Brannon and wife Janette of Burleson; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Gertrude Wright Gertrude Wright, 89, of Amarillo died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Tenth Avenue United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tommy Ewing officiating. Burial will follow in Llano Cemetery by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. Wright was born in Frederick, Okla., and lived in Amarillo for over 65 years. She married Willie B. Wright on Aug. 7, 1937. He preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1979. She worked as a cook for the Silver Grill Cafeteria for over 16 years, and later went to work for Northwest Texas Hospital. She was a member of Tenth Avenue United Methodist Church and was a member of United Methodist Women. She is survived by a daughter, Linda Pinson and husband Jim of Alamogordo, N.M.; a son, Don Wright and wife Linda of Fritch; a sister, Katie Brown of Wichita Falls; a brother, John McCandless of Carlsbad, N.M.; five grandchildren, Jimmy Pinson and wife Susan of Alamogordo, N.M.; Scott Pinson of Alamogordo; Dana Bonistalli and husband John of Ellicott City, Md.; David Wright and wife Katharine of Amarillo and Kenneth Wright of Oklahoma City; eight great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Torey, Lynda Kay and Sierra Pinson; Isabella and Amelia Bonistalli and Davis and Conner Wright; and a special friend, Mary Nell Walker. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 200 N.W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo TX 79107. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Nicki Allred Smith Nicki Allred Smith, 85, of Amarillo died Sunday, March 26, 2006. Memorial services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with the Rev. Robert Field officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mrs. Smith was born Feb. 28, 1921, in Rosebud, N.M. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a son, David Culbertson of Amarillo; a sister, Jackie Vicars of Bowie; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79101. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Christopher Ray Johnson Jr. Christopher Ray Johnson Jr., infant, died Thursday, March 23, 2006. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Of Blessing Seventh Day Adventist Church with the Rev. James Roberts officiating. Cremation services are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Survivors include his parents, Antisha Sherelle Daniel and Christopher Johnson of Amarillo; and his grandparents, Tony Luke, Rowena Daniel, Chris Williams and Vicky Williams, all of Amarillo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Georgia Ann Boyd Georgia Ann Boyd, 63, of Amarillo died Monday, March 27, 2006. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Llano Mausoleum chapel by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Ms. Boyd was born April 2, 1942. She was a home health care provider. Survivors include a daughter, Sherri Gonzales of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Monique, Eric and Paul, all of Amarillo; and two great-grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Larry Jesse Larry Jesse, 69, of Amarillo died Wednesday, March 29, 2006. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Jesse was born on Sept. 21, 1936, in Wellington. He was a four-year veteran of the Air Force and was a letter carrier for the US Postal Service for 32 years in Amarillo. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Johnnie Jesse, in 1988; and a daughter, Teresa Jesse in 1991. Survivors include his wife, Anita; his mother, Delma Jesse of Wellington; two daughters, Regina Taylor and Kim Jesse, both of Amarillo; a son, David Sherman of Michigan; a brother, Keith Jesse and wife Marilyn of Childress; two sisters, Janece Bevers of Childress and Joy Belew and husband Alton of Glen Rose; and a grandson, Chad Taylor of Amarillo. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Area Alvin C. "Swede" Schmucker HEREFORD - Alvin C. "Swede" Schmucker, 90, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. A prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. today at Hereford Heritage Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Rest Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Schmucker was born Oct. 24, 1915, in Nazareth to Margaret and Henry Schmucker. He was a retired self-employed mechanic. He was a gifted, self-taught musician who entertained many over the years with his versatile playing of the fiddle and organ. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Schmucker was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 54 years, Rosemary; a brother Harold; a sister, Emma; infant children, Kenneth and Barbara; a grandson, Mitchell Weinheimer and great-grandson Brennan Hofmann. Mr. Schmucker is survived by his wife, Josie; a brother, Arnold and wife Joni of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters, Agnes Warren of Woodward, Okla., and Rita Albert Hartman of Silverton; three sons, Bob and wife Vicky of Hereford, Charles Allen and Harold and wife Allyn of Plano; four daughters, Dianne Beutel and husband Herb of Possum Kingdom Lake, Janice Weinheimer and husband James of Groom, Peggy Boyett and husband Ben of Rapid City, S.D., and Marilyn Woodward of New Braunfels; two stepdaughters, Shirley Fangman and husband Teddy of Friona and Judy Kitten of Canyon; 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, seven stepgrandchildren and 16 stepgreat-grandchildren. Mr. Swede's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family suggests memorial contributions be to St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 115 N. 25 Mile Ave., Hereford, TX 79045; Hereford Senior Community Center, 401 Jack Griffin Ave., Hereford, TX 79045; or a favorite charity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Janett Sandoval Longoria SPEARMAN - Janett Sandoval Longoria, 42, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Guillermo Morales officiating. Burial will follow in Hansford Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. Mrs. Longoria was born in Clovis, N.M., on Sept. 3, 1963, and married Lucas Longoria on June 3, 1981, in Spearman. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jenny Longoria of Spearman; her parents, Helen and Felix Sandoval of Spearman; two brothers, Ernie Sandoval and Felix Sandoval Jr., both of Spearman; and a sister, Rachel Sandoval of Albuquerque, N.M. The family suggests memorials be to Hansford Hospice, 707 S. Roland, Spearman, TX 79081. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Jennie Gibson STINNETT - Jennie Gibson, 71, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Stinnett with the Rev. Glenn Reece, interim pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Stinnett Cemetery by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. She married F.C. Gibson on Dec. 13, 1958, in Borger. She was a member of Borger Creative Art Club, a volunteer for BSA Hospice and Hutch Care. Survivors include her husband; a son, Kevin Gibson of Stinnett; two daughters, Dianna Yeager of Stinnett and Debbie Betts of Borger; two brothers, L.D. Lewis of Pampa and Adrian "Hoot" Lewis of Mena, Ariz.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, 800 N. Sumner St., Pampa, TX 79065. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Dr. Bill Hardage PLAINVIEW - Dr. Bill Hardage, 62, died Saturday, March 25, 2006. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church sanctuary with Dr. Travis Hart, pastor, officiating. Funeral arrangements are by Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Dr. Bill Hardage, 62, of Plainview died Saturday, March 25, 2006, in a plane crash in San Benito County California. Dr. Hardage was born May 7, 1943, in Clovis, N.M., to Lacy Monroe and Bertha Clementine Hardage. After Bill graduated from Lazbuddie High School, he attended Hardin-Simmons College. He married Nell Mayfield on Oct. 4, 2003, in Plainview. Bill first came to Wayland Baptist University in 1963, transferring from Hardin-Simmons College to run for Wayland's new track and field program which placed him in the Hall of Honor at WBU for his track and field accomplishments. After earning his degree in 1965, he moved to Lubbock to coach football and track at Coronado High School and then to Texas Tech University as assistant track coach and physical education instructor. He earned his master's degree there. He returned to WBU as assistant track and field coach and assistant professor of physical education for five years. He received his doctorate in education at Texas A&M-Commerce. In 1979 he became director of special services at WBU, and was instrumental in expanding Wayland's reach in adding eight additional external campuses in the United States and in Kenya, Africa. In 2001 he was named executive vice president of WBU. Dr. Hardage as a member of Plainview Noon Lions Club helped organize the Plainview fly-in club and was a member of The Experimental Aircraft Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He also was a member of First Baptist Church of Plainview. Survivors include his wife, Nell Hardage of Plainview; three daughters, Cindy Bessire and husband Todd of Muleshoe, Sandi Enloe and husband Brad of Plano and Kasey Kliegl and husband John of West Des Moines, Iowa; a son, Tim Hardage and wife Stacie of Plainview; and 10 grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Attn: Hardage Family Scholarship, Wayland Baptist University, Office of Advancement CMB 621, 1900 W. Seventh Street, Plainview, TX 79072. The family will receive friends after the memorial service in the church parlor. Sign the online guest book at www.kornerstonefunerals.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Robert Dobbins HEREFORD - Robert Dobbins, 77, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006, in Amarillo. Celebration of life services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Frio Baptist Church with the Rev. James Peach and the Rev. Ken Varner officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Hereford by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home. Mr. Dobbins was born March 16, 1929, in Winters to Carlton and Annie Lee Dobbins. He married Gwendolyn "Dickie" Gulley on Oct. 25, 1957, in Frio, and was a lifelong farmer around the Frio community. Mr. Dobbins was a veteran, having served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Frio Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a daughter; and two grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Richard Dobbins and wife Paula and Robby Dobbins, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Carla Leverman of Littleton, Colo.; a sister, Loleta Vinson of Hereford; and five grandchildren. The family request memorials to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice, Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105 or the Frio Baptist Church, 322 FM 1055, Hereford, TX 79045. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Kenneth Parker CHILDRESS - Kenneth "Po" Parker, 76, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Chad Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Kirkland Cemetery. Mr. Parker was born on March 27, 1930, in Childress to Alvin and Jewell Woods Parker. He married the former Ruth Morris on Sept. 8, 1952, in Kirkland. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Gail Sims of Childress and Sharon Stewart; two sisters, Linda Watkins of Waco and Gaynell Ferguson of Oviedo, Fla.; three grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Oklahoma Verda Barbara Woodrum Cooper HARDESTY, Okla. - Verda Barbara Woodrum Cooper, 83, died Sunday, March 26, 2006. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Guymon with the Rev. Harold Bollinger officiating. Burial will follow in Hartville Cemetery. Mrs. Cooper married Lee Cooper Jr. on March 27, 1943. The couple worked their farm south of Hardesty and raised cattle. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Barbara Jacobs of Springfield; a son, Ervin Cooper; two sisters, Naomi Hillis of Wichita, Kan., and Rinda Bartlett of Bucklin, Kan.; two brothers, Paul Woodrum of Salem, Ore., and Robert Woodrum of Shattuck; and four granddaughters. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity and may be left in care of Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11122, Guymon, OK 73942. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Alfred Garcia GUYMON, Okla. - Alfred Garcia, 68, died Monday, March 27, 2006. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Guymon with the Rev. Bill H. Pruett, pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church, officiating. Mr. Garcia was born on July 13, 1937, in San Juan, N.M. He worked in pipeline construction for the majority of his life and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Survivors include three brothers, Pete Garcia and Paul Garcia, both of Guymon, and Gilbert Garcia of Bedford, Fla.; three sisters, Mary Johnson of Fritch, Texas, Manulita Chamblee of Guymon and Frances Morehead of Phoenix. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity and will be accepted at the funeral home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, Okla., 73942. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Thelma Kimsey GUYMON, Okla. - Thelma Kimsey, 98, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006, in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill Funeral Chapel in Oklahoma City with Karl Kimsey, grandson, officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mrs. Kimsey was born Nov. 1, 1907, near Duncan, Okla., to Beulah Gann and John M. Jackson. She married D.E. Kimsey on March 29, 1929. Survivors include three sons, E.R. Kimsey of Guymon, Don Kimsey of Centrahoma, and Terry Kimsey of Wardville; two daughters, June Shepherd of Dunn Loring, Va., and Sue Hegeman of Eldorada Hills, Calif. The family suggests memorials be to Guymon Schools Educational Foundation, Richard Kimsey Scholarship or Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, all in care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Elsewhere N. Jeanne Baker SUN CITY, Ariz. - N. Jeanne Baker, 80, died Friday, March 24, 2006. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Bellevue Heights Church in Sun City. Mrs. Baker was born Nov. 19, 1925, to L.W. and Regina Conely Lamb in Perryton, Texas. She was the third of five children. Jeanne graduated from Amarillo High School in Amarillo, Texas. In her early years she enjoyed dancing and was a star with the Dixie Dices Dancing Darling Team. She grew up in Perryton and Amarillo, and remained true to her Texas heritage her entire life. Jeanne and her husband, Lee, moved from Texas to North Carolina, then to New Mexico, and back to Texas before settling in Illinois. After she and her husband couple retired, they moved to Arizona. Jeanne was the inspiration and an example to her family and friends. Throughout her life, she was active and independent; she always lived life to its fullest. Jeanne loved to travel and said it "invigorated her" to visit places near and far. She was a strong, proud woman who didn't compromise her family, her morals or her values and was never shy to give advice or her opinion. She can still be heard saying "Strike while the iron is hot" to her many children and grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor and enjoyed immense laughter throughout her life. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Jim Lamb; a sister, Betty Lamb Wilson; and a daughter, Gwyn Ann Baker Ruble McLaughlin. Survivors include her husband, Lee R. Baker of Sun City; two daughters, Cynthia Baker Schuyler of Wheaton, and Vickie Lee Baker of Sun City; four sons, Craig Baker of Phoenix; James Scott Baker of St. Petersburg, Fla; Lee R "Buddy" Baker of Mansfield, Texas; and Gene David Baker of Plano; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters; Peggy Lamb Herrmann of Amarillo and Billie Ann (Lamb) Johnson of Albuquerque, N.M.Relationships were an important part of Jeanne's life, and she leaves behind many that love, respect and honor her memory.The family suggests memorials be to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Denise Marie Koch SALIDA, Colo. - Denise Marie Koch, 46, died Friday, March 3, 2006, in Denver. Memorial services were held Thursday, March 9, at Lewis and Glen Funeral Home in Salida. Mrs. Koch was born Feb. 3, 1960, in Hutchinson, Kan. She great up in Salida and spent most of her adult life in Amarillo, Texas. She lived in Eckert, Colo., for the remainder of her life. Survivors include her parents, Patricia Parco of McPherson, Kan., and George Nelson of Lyons, Kan.; her children, Twyla Koch of Delta, Colo., and Christopher Koch of Amarillo; a brother, Galen Nelson of McPherson, two sisters, Donna Martinez of Pueblo and Calleen Reeves of McPherson, Kan.; and a grandson. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Hubert Alfred Abston VERNON - Hubert Alfred Abston, 92, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Wilbarger Street Church of Christ with Jay Hanley officiating. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery by Sullivan Funeral Home of Vernon. Mr. Abston was born Sept. 6, 1913, in Rayland, to Bertis Pickens and Almesta Louella Edwards Abston. He married Edna Ruth Thompson on Feb. 5, 1933, in Altus, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Donald Abston of Amarillo and Joe Abston of Little Rock, Ark.; a daughter, Frances Baker of Mount Pleasant; three sisters, Louise Flowers and Maurine Pierce, both of Hobbs, N.M., and Wanda Derr of Irving; seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to the Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Services Pending Jennie Lou Gibson, 71, of Stinnett died Wednesday, March 29, 2006. Services pending with Brown Funeral Directors of borger. Donald John Mootz, 85, of Dalhart died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Services pending with Horizon Funeral Home of Dalhart. Thelma Rudder, 85, of Amarillo died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Services pending with Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Services Scheduled D.M. "Bill" Brummett, 70, of Plainview died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Military graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Plainview Memorial Park by Lemons Funeral Home. Raymundo Saenz, 66, of Plainview died Monday, March 27, 2006. Prayer services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday in Lemons Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Lemons Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Ida Thurman, 75, of Dumas died Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Cornerstone Church. Burial will follow in Northlawn Memorial Gardens by Morrison Funeral Directors of Dumas. Services Today Elmer Lee Beard, 62, of Abbott, N.M. Rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Springer. Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Abbott Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors. Bill Casteel, 79, of Canyon. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. in Collinsville Cemetery in Collinsville. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Thomas Earl Chumbley, 71, of Pampa. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. in Cornerstone Baptist Church. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. in Prairie Dell Cemetery in Hemphill County by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Donald G. Davis, 74, of Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Comanche Trail Church of Christ with Loran Harper, minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Coulter Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter St. There will be no viewing or visitation. Ollie B. Goodman "Ollie B," 101, of Panhandle. Services will be at 2 p.m. in Church of Christ in Panhandle. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. Cindy Joy Johnson, 49, of Edmond, Okla. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will be at a later date in Hilltop Cemetery in Pagosa Springs, Colo. Arrangements are by Matthews Funeral Home. Julian W. Johnson, 89, of Lubbock, formerly of Hereford. Services will be at 1 p.m. in Resthaven Funeral Home Abbey Chapel. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. William "Bill" Neal, 91, of Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be in Groom Cemetery. Leroy Reeves, 84, of Waka. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Perryton Mennonite Church. Burial will be in Waka Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Leonora Reyna, 56, of Clovis, N.M. Services will beat 10 a.m. Thursday in Steed-Todd Chapel. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories. Clay Richardson, 64, of Morton. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Morton Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Alvin C. "Swede" Schmucker, of Hereford. A prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. at Hereford Heritage Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. May Weaver, 93, of Clovis, N.M. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in 16th and Pile Church of Christ. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Steed-Todd Funeral Home.