Potter Co. TX - Obits: February 02, 2007 ============================================================== 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 - Friday, February 2, 2007 Amarillo Bob Zan Ellis Bob Zan Ellis, 61, of Amarillo died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Charles Meyer of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Bob was born Dec. 21, 1945, in Elk City, Okla., to J.E. and Ella Ellis. He was raised on the family farm and attended schools in Erick, Okla. After graduating from Oklahoma State Tech, Bob made his living as a diesel mechanic and then, for 21 years, as an instructor in diesel mechanics at TSTC and Amarillo College, retiring in 2002. He enjoyed training and showing his dogs in obedience competition and field work. Bob made many friends, both two- and four-legged, teaching the dog obedience class for the AC Adult Continuing Ed Program for several years. Bob will be missed by neighbors, family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Patty. The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo SPCA, 800 W. Third Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101 or Meals on Wheels, 219 W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard G. Murphy Richard G. Murphy, 62, of Amarillo died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007. Celebration of life services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Murphy was born Dec. 23, 1944, in Borger to Tommy Ray and Ollie Baker Murphy. He lived his dream as a counselor for the Panhandle Alcoholic Recovery Center (PARC) and for the State of Texas as director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program for the Neal and Clements units. Murphy was a beloved father, grandfather and friend to many in the community. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Mildred, Doris, June and Mary; and two brothers, Jackie Ray and Garland. Survivors include his fiancee, Vicki Ivie; a daughter, Glenda Thompson; a son, Ricky Murphy; two grandsons, Josh and wife Rebecca and Jason; his stepfamily, Bryan Terry and wife Sandy and their children, Brandy and Branden; a niece, Debbie Brewer; two nephews, Billy Culwell and Roger Holland; and a cousin, Judy Haynes. The family suggests memorials be to the Old Corral Club, The Moss Lane Club or a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monetta "Sally" Norfleet Monetta "Sally" Norfleet, 80, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel with Bob Thomas, chaplain of Odyssey Health Care, officiating. Arrangements are by Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mrs. Norfleet was born Jan. 19, 1927, in Paducah, one of 12 children. She was raised in Paducah, and graduated from Paducah High School. She married Wayne Norfleet in 1947. He passed away in 1964. She had been a resident of Amarillo since 1948. She worked with her family's business, Findley's Fruit Market on Sixth Avenue in Amarillo for many years. She also worked as a secretary in Amarillo for many years. Her last job was for the Amarillo Senior Citizens Center from 1993 until 2005. She was a Church of Christ member. She was preceded in death by a son, Travis Ray Norfleet, in 1963. Survivors include a son, Ronald Norfleet of Amarillo; a sister, Susie Newcomb of Lubbock; and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much. The family suggests memorials be to The Downtown Women's Center, 409 S. Monroe St., Amarillo, TX 79101. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gabriella Haven Ruiz Gabriella Haven Ruiz, infant daughter of Crystal Silva and Eddie Phil Ruiz of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in The Body of Christ at Amarillo South with Craig Albright officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery Garden of Angels. Gabriella was born Jan. 30, 2007. Survivors include her parents; her grandparents, Stella Delgado, Barbara Silva, Gilbert Silva and Samuel and Lupe Ruiz; her stepgrandfather, Shane Stowe; two aunts, Esmeralda Medina and Sonya Silva; and two uncles, Gilbert Silva and Joseph Lucero. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patricia Rae "Pat" Tomberlin Patricia Rae "Pat" Tomberlin, 73, of Amarillo died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Clifton A. Mann, the Rev. Jo Roberts Mann and the Rev. Patsy Masterman, officiating. Private burial services will be Saturday. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Pat was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Amarillo to Raymond L. and Clara Harmon Moore. Pat graduated from Amarillo High School in 1950 and continued her studies at Christian College in Missouri and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She married James E. Tomberlin on Sept. 3, 1952, in Amarillo. Pat's father, Raymond Moore, was a longtime executive with Amarillo National Bank. It was he who created and established ANB's consumer lending program. In 1960, following in her father's footsteps, Pat took a "little part-time job with a small financial institution" headquartered in a classroom at Wolflin Elementary School. When she retired in 1997, she had brought that small financial institution into a place of prominence and respect During the past three decades, Pat became a greatly beloved loan officer, office "mother," credit union manager and customer and employee mentor. She adapted, led, changed and saw remarkable ECU growth. She instituted new programs and services, endured three computerization changes, and managed two moves to more spacious buildings. She was elected ECU's president and CEO in 1985, making her the first woman in Amarillo to be president of a financial entity. Pat was an enthusiastic member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. She belonged to the Black Belt Bible Study Group, Daughters of the King and the bulletin folding and mailing crew. She often prepared special dishes for parish gatherings and assisted in serving and cleaning up after the meal. She enjoyed music and collected classical music recordings. Her favorite pastimes were cooking and bargain shopping. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her former husband, James. Survivors include three children, Mary Ellen Fine of Austin and her children, Kelly and Rebecca; James Tomberlin Jr. and wife Cheryl of Houston and their children, Chase Lovvorn and Courtney Batten; and Joe Tomberlin and wife Dr. Janice Tomberlin of Fort Worth and their children, Bryce and Sarah; and a sister, Nancy Skaggs and husband Grady of Adrian and their children, Stephen, Susan, Ray and Tom. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to The Hunger Project, 15 E. 26th St., New York, NY, 19919, www.thp.org or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1601 S. Georgia St., Amarillo, TX 79102. The family will receive visitors from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Eddie Darrell Griffin CHILDRESS - Eddie Darrell Griffin, 59, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with Chad Richardson officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mr. Griffin was born Feb. 2, 1947, in Childress to Eddie and Juanita Griffin. He married Debbie Jester. Survivors include his wife; his mother, Juanita Minjon Sartin Dorsett of Childress; a daughter, Rishia Williams of Denton; two sons, Jon Wayne Griffin of Krum and Koby Keaton Griffin of Childress; a sister, Kimbra Dorsett of Childress; and a granddaughter. Sign the online guest book at www.johnsonfunerals.net. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Albertena "Tena" Powell CLAUDE - Albertena "Tena" Powell, 79, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, in Amarillo. Services with Order of the Eastern Star rites will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Janet Edwards, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in Channing Memorial Cemetery in Channing by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mrs. Powell was born Oct. 26, 1927, in Electra to Cyrus Virl and Lora Edna Baker Ruth. She married Billy Powell on Jan. 19,1973, in Clovis, N.M. Tena enjoyed needlepoint, quilting, hand crafts, crochet, and bead work. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 6 in Clarendon and was a current member of Amarillo Chapter No. 787. She served as past worthy matron numerous times. She was also involved with her churches that she attended in Hedley, Clarendon and Claude. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and a member of First United Methodist Church in Claude. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Hank Wurst and Billy Wurst; a daughter, Margarie Wurst; and a grandson, Baron Wurst. Survivors include her husband, Billy; four sons, Robert Wurst of Claude, Tommy Sanders and wife Marylan of Amarillo, Tony Wurst and wife Cindy of Washington and Jimmy Wurst and wife Becky of Houma, La.; two brothers, Jack Ruth of Seattle and Virl Ruth of Irving; a sister, Dorothy May Milam of Georgia; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a family friend, June Thompson. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church of Claude or Channing Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 34, Channing, TX 79018. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in Claude. Sign the online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imogene Richardson PAMPA - Imogene Richardson, 83, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens with the Rev. Terry Stegall of Grace Fellowship Church in Borger officiating. Arrangements are by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Mrs. Richardson was born Feb. 9, 1923, in Dublin. She was a bookkeeper/secretary for Richardson Amusement. Survivors include two sons, Mike Richardson and wife Kay of Pampa and Jody Richardson of Fort Meyers, Fla.; five grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Lorraine Fite TAHOKA - Lorraine Fite, 84, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, in Lubbock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Palo Duro Baptist Church in Wildorado with Dr. Ron Muller officiating. Burial will be in Wildorado Cemetery by White Funeral Home. Mrs. Fite was born July 26, 1922, in Oklahoma. She married J.L. Fite in 1946, and then married Gilbert Gandy on July 20, 2001. Survivors include her husband, Gilbert Gandy; and three stepdaughters, Geanne Forsythe, Gilda Taylor and Joanne Hammonds, all of Tahoka. The family suggests memorials be to Sweet Street Baptist Church, P.O. Box 751, Tahoka, TX 79373 or a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cindy Lynne Conard Cannon ROUND ROCK - Cindy Lynne Conard Cannon, 46, formerly of Snyder, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Russell Johnson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Cannon was born Dec. 12, 1960, in Lubbock. She married Trey Cannon on Dec. 29, 1984, in Snyder. She loved animals, especially dogs. She enjoyed walking her beloved Sailor, Happy and Banjo. She also enjoyed bowling, camping and boating. She worked as a graphic designer for 17 years. She designed the Coca-Cola sponsored calendar for the Round Rock Express, worked on the production team for the 25th anniversary book profiling Southwest Airlines and was the senior production artist for the award-winning premier issue of the Amarillo Observer. Survivors include her parents, Van and Melba Ruth Conard of Snyder; three sisters, Pam Camarata and husband Steve of Amarillo and Karen Martinez and husband Manuel and Diane Jones, all of Sweetwater; a brother, Scott Cannon and wife Amy of Lubbock; a niece, Kimberly Martinez of Sweetwater; a nephew, Ross Jones of Sweetwater; and two special lifelong friends, Candy Marshall of Amarillo and Cherrie Payne of Round Rock. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charley W. Wilson PHOENIX - Charley W. Wilson, 98, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Johnson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Phillip Randle, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St. Charley Woodrow Wilson was born July 22, 1908, in Ravenna to Henry J. Wilson and Martha McDonald, the youngest of 10 children. He attended elementary and high school in Frederick, Okla. After moving to Amarillo, he married Nellie Thweatt in June 1930. He was a resident of Amarillo for 67 years prior to moving to Phoenix in 1991 to be near their children. In Amarillo he was a member of Johnson Chapel AME Church and upon moving to Phoenix, he became an active member of Tanner AME Church in Phoenix. Charley served briefly in the U.S. Army during World War II and received an honorable medical discharge. He had worked for Bell Telephone Co. and retired from Santa Fe Railway Co. as a chair car attendant. He was an active member of the NAACP and other civic organizations. His goal in life was to make jobs and opportunities better for Texans and especially for those of Amarillo. He was preceded in death by his wife; and two daughters, Marion and Kay. Survivors include a son, Charles W. Wilson Jr. and wife Bettie of Chandler, Ariz.; a son-in-law, Nehemiah Clark of Atlanta; a brother and sister-in-law, William and Colleen Wilson of Los Angeles; three grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; and other relatives. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Phil Kittle GUYMON, Okla. - James Phillip "Phil" Kittle, 57, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Sunset Lane Baptist Church with the Rev. Lloyd Riddles, pastor, officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mr. Kittle was born Nov. 30, 1949, in Caney, Kan., to Betty Mae Keck and James Hazard Kittle. He married Patricia Ann Carter on June 2, 1972, in Guymon. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Brenna Ketcherside and Stephanie Shrum; three grandchildren; and a sister, Kathy Brune of Optima. The family suggests memorials be to Sunset Lane Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, February 2, 2007 Services Services Pending Vida M. Kranich, 78, of Bourbonnais, Ill., formerly of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Beatrice Evelyn Mahon, 98, of Borger died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007. Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Sisouphanh Phenphachanh of Amarillo died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. Blackburn- Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Samuel Benjamin Whittenburg Jr., 61, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2007. Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Services Scheduled Howard "Buddy" Simpson, 74, of Amarillo died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007. Remembrance services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at 3409 Bristol Road. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Services Today Johnnie Mae Carlile Coleman, 74, of Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. in Grand Avenue Baptist Church. Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. James Blevin Crow, 89, of Fritch. Services will be at 11 a.m. in First Southern Baptist Church. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery. Brown Funeral Directors of Borger. Beale Barnard Denton, 79, of Borger. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. in Brown Funeral Directors Chapel of the Fountains. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park. Evelyn A. Gillespie, 87, of Amarillo. Services will be at 2 p.m. in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery East. Walter Lee Lake, 85, of Laverne, Okla. Services will be at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Laverne Memorial Cemetery. Myatt-Seeger Funeral Home. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Golden Oaks Memorial Chapel in Enid. M.L. Mitchell, 85, of Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. in Palo Duro Care Center. Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Ray Morgan, 74, of Perryton. Services will be at 10 a.m. in Victory Family Church. Burial will be in Scott Cemetery in Pea Ridge, Ark. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Monetta "Sally" Norfleet, 80, of Amarillo. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.