Potter Co. TX - Obits: July 11, 2007 ===================================================== Contributed by: Lola Withrow 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 - July 11, 2007 Amarillo G. Robert Benjamin G. Robert Benjamin, 89, of Amarillo died Saturday, July 7, 2007. Memorial services will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Benjamin was born June 10, 1918, in Pittsburgh to George Robert and Marie Benjamin. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Like his father before him and his daughters to follow him, he was a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. It was there, in pharmacy school, he met the love of his life, Elvira Gillespie. They would spend the next 64 years together. A devoted and loving husband, he spent the last seven years as the primary caregiver to his wife. After a successful career as a business owner and pharmacist in Ellwood City, Pa., he assisted in the growth of the GNC organization. He retired at the age of 70, as the vice president of GNC. In addition to his long, successful career, he enjoyed a good game of golf. The past two years he won the senior golf tournament held at the Venango Trail Country Club in Pennsylvania. There his friends knew him as "Real Old Bob." He was fortunate enough to play his last golf game on May 4 of this year. He and his wife moved to Amarillo just last month to be closer to family. Survivors include his wife, Elvira Benjamin; two daughters, Johanna Marie "Jonni" Applefield of San Diego and Bonna Benjamin and husband Bob Muscianese of Amarillo; a sister, Kathryn Lowe of Saratoga, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Aric, Aaron and Jared Applefield and Laura and Chris Muscianese. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edith Atchison Edith Atchison, 94, of Amarillo died Monday, July 9, 2007. Services will be at 9 a.m. Thursday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Glen Walton of Bell Avenue Church of Christ and Dalton Key of North Amarillo Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Atchison was born Jan. 26, 1913, in Menard County to Robert R. and Berta Sessom. She was a homemaker and a member of North Amarillo Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, O.B. Atchison, in 1986. Survivors include a daughter, Melva Needham of Amarillo; a son, Royce Atchison and wife Tracy of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Donna Fulton of Canyon, Cynthia Mapes of San Antonio, Katherine Jennings and Kristi Samperi, both of Amarillo, and Mark Atchison of Oregon; and seven great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114-7448. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cleo M. Brown Cleo M. Brown, 74, of Amarillo, formerly of Dalhart, died Saturday, July 7, 2007. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Christian Church in Dalhart with Jerry Davey of Amarillo and Barry Walker of First Christian Church in Dalhart officiating. Arrangements are by Horizon Funeral Home of Dalhart. Cleo M. Brown, "Loved All and Loved by All," was born June 3, 1933, in Nada to Hubert Edward and Mary Elizabeth Schoellman. She married Billie J. Brown on Nov. 7, 1952, and was a homemaker. Cleo was a longtime resident of Dalhart and recently moved to Amarillo. She was a member of Pleasant Valley Christian Church in Amarillo. Survivors include her husband, Billie Joe Brown; two daughters, Zo Beth Howell and husband Richard and Deborah Reynolds and husband Earl, all of Amarillo; seven grandchildren, Avery and Brett Beesley, Nathan and Jody Reynolds, Lissie and Brandon Stennett, Jennifer and Brian Rea, Kendra and Blue Baggett, Dustin and Tracy Howell and Josh and Christy Howell; 14 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Stephens, Pauline Hight, Irene LaFonck and Louise Tywater; and a brother, Robert Schoellman. The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Sign the online guest book at horizonfuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shirley Ann Stevens Shirley Ann Stevens, 69, of Amarillo died Monday, July 9, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Jim Fox officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Shirley was born Jan. 19, 1938, in Beaver, Okla., to Ernest Leroy and Iva Mae Wing. She graduated from LVN school in 1964 and in the late '60s worked for Northwest Texas Hospital surgery. Before retiring she worked for Dr. McCaleb for about 10 years and other facilities including Industrial Health Center. She married U.C. "Pat" Stevens in November 1984. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Sonny Wing, Marlin Eugene Wing and Marvin Dean Wing; and a sister, Mary Leona Morken. Survivors include a daughter, Pamela Putman and husband Roger of Lone Oak; two brothers, Wesley Jack Wing of Diamond, Okla., and Roger Wing of Denver; a granddaughter, Nikki King and Christopher Weiss of Amarillo; many nieces and nephews; and many other friends and family who loved her. The family wishes to thank VistaCare for their love and support. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Randy Wayne McKenzie Randy Wayne McKenzie, 43, of Amarillo died Wednesday, July 4, 2007, in Memphis, Tenn. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with Jed Humphrey, minister of music at South Georgia Baptist Church, officiating. Mr. McKenzie was born May 3, 1964, in Monroe, La. He owned and operated McKenzie Container Repair, repairing waste containers nationwide for more than 10 years. He was known for his quality workmanship. Mr. McKenzie moved to Amarillo at the age of 12. He moved to Newcastle, Okla., in 2004. He enjoyed traveling and making children smile. He was an excellent father and mentor. He married Kimberly "Kimmy" Sue Henderson in 1995. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Jaymi Foster and Jaycie Henderson, both of Amarillo; two sons, DameYell DeShazo and Dakoda McKenzie, both of Amarillo; his father, Harvey McKenzie of Baskin, La.; a sister, Brenda Barlow of Wisner, La.; three brothers, David McKenzie of Oklahoma City, William McKenzie of Amarillo and Shelby McKenzie of Gilbert, La.; and a grandson, Thomas J. Walker. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area Ralph Lee Hicks WELLINGTON - Ralph Lee Hicks, 74, died Monday, July 9, 2007. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Joe Cantu of Hollis, Okla., officiating. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home. Mr. Hicks was born June 23, 1933, in Haskell County to Roy L. and Elsie Griffith Hicks. He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. Survivors include a son, Ernest Benton of Wellington; a sister, Alta Faye Yancey of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Sue Stotts MEMPHIS - Mary Sue Stotts, 95, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Tom Posey officiating. Burial will be in Rowe Cemetery by Hughs Funeral Home of Memphis. Mary was born Nov. 1, 1911, in Meridian, Miss., to the late George T. Foster and Nettie L. Youngblood Foster. When she was a small child, the family moved to Lamar County. In 1923, the family moved to West Texas and settled in the Giles community. She was a graduate of Memphis High School. She married Jerry Stotts in 1941 in Childress. He preceded her in death on Aug. 7, 1955. She then moved to Memphis, where she was a member of First Christian Church and the Senior Citizens Association. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Nelda Sue Cope; four brothers; and a sister. Survivors include two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to First Christian Church, 914 W. Main, Memphis, TX 79245. Sign the online guest book at www.hughsfuneralhome.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coye Whitby DALHART - Coye Whitby, 90, died Monday, July 9, 2007. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Rusty Hancock, pastor of Lincoln Street Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Horizon Funeral Home. Coye was born Oct. 6, 1916, in Texhoma to John Henry and Freddie McClendon. She attended Dalhart schools, graduating in 1933. Coye was a member of First Christian Church. She was an avid golfer and bridge player and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kay Whitby; and a daughter, Pam Strong Francione. Survivors include a son, Mike Whitby of Dalhart; grandchildren, Dana and Kurtis Abla of Dalhart, Kathy and Tracey Hinkle of Parker, Colo., Nikki and Creighton Alexander of Laurence, Kan., and DJ Strong of San Antonio.; and great-grandchildren, Madison and JD Abla, Canon, Whitby and Cosmo Alexander and Josh, Jacob and Jesse Hinkle. Sign the online guest book at horizonfuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Nelson Henderson ODESSA - John Nelson Henderson, 86, died Monday, July 9, 2007, in Big Spring. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Hale Center Cemetery with J. Henderson officiating. Arrangements are by Bartley Funeral Home of Plainview. Mr. Henderson was born Feb. 25, 1921, in Roscoe. He farmed in the Hale Center area for years and worked as a roustabout in the Odessa area. Survivors include two daughters, Ora Jhonette Baglio of Corona, Calif., and Kathryn Posey of Odessa; a brother, Jim Henderson of Plainview; three sisters, Ida Shannon of Alabama, Ruby West of Odessa and Fanny Altenbaumer of Baytown; and two grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- James O. "Whip" Willson PAMPA - James O. "Whip" Willson, 74, died Monday, July 9, 2007. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Palmer, pastor of Carpenter's Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Willson was a lifelong resident of Pampa, graduating from Pampa High School in 1952. He was employed by Cabot Corp. and IRI International as a welder, retiring in 1986 after 30 years of service. Survivors include a son, Tim Willson of Pampa; a daughter, Lisa Stevens of Pampa; six grandchildren.; a brother, Alfred Willson of Pampa; and two sisters, Nadine Lockhart of Amarillo and Betty Craig of Pampa. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Viola Amelia Reiss Erhart GUYMON, Okla. - Viola Amelia Reiss Erhart, 94, died Saturday, July 7, 2007 in Liberal, Kan. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Victory Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Burkett, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Mrs. Erhart was born March 28, 1913, in Plains, Kan., to Amelia Louise Behnke and Henry Conrad Reiss. She married Aubrey Rolland Erhart on June 7, 1931, on the Reiss family farm. Survivors include a daughter, Joyce Jannette Erhart Higgins of Guymon; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere David Keith FORT WORTH - David Keith, 63, died Sunday, July 8, 2007. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church in Keller. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Victor Cemetery, the family cemetery in Erath, by Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. David was born Dec. 3, 1943, in Amarillo to the late Bob and Margaret Freeman Keith. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1961 and from Amarillo College in 1963. He was a manager in telecom for Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway for 45 years. As a native Texan, David was a proud member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and was a member of First Baptist Church in Keller. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald, in 2001. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Linda Keith: two sons, Kristopher Keith and wife Kriston and Kyle Keith; three brothers, James Keith and wife Jean of Amarillo, Bert Keith and wife Donna of Arizona and Bob Keith and wife Jane of Fairfield; his mother-in-law, Pearl Browder of Giles; and two grandchildren, Katherine and Kassidy. The family suggests memorials be to Attn.: Development, Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 500, Fort Worth, TX 76107. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico Sarah E. "Pat" Pickett TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Sarah E. "Pat" Pickett, 90, died Saturday July 7, 2007. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Center Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Tom Broom officiating. Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home. Sarah E. "Pat" Pickett was born July 8, 1916, in Mount Pulaski, Ill. She moved to Tucumcari in 1999 to be with her sister, Tommy Proffitt, who preceded her in death. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Erma Covey of Springfield, Ill.; a brother, Mark Glasco of Lakeland, Fla.; a sister, June Irwin of Newton, Kan.; a grandson; and three great-grandchildren of Cincinnati, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews including Donna Dominguez and husband Bobby, with whom she lived during the last months of her illness before her death, and Johnny Proffitt and wife Loretta, all of Tucumcari. Following her wishes, Sarah E."Pat" Pickett has been cremated. Her cremains will be buried with her husband, Clay, in Lincoln, Ill. The family suggests memorials be to Helping Hands Hospice, 615 Second St., Tucumcari, NM 88401. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Services Services Pending Ellen Patterson Meech, 48, of Amarillo died Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Jennie Aragon Padilla, 84, of Borger died Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. Services Scheduled Darville E. Atherton, 82, of Wheeler died Monday, July 9, 2007. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery. Wright Funeral Home. Faye Stephens New, 70, of Amarillo died Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Serviced will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Phylllis Shelton, 68, of Clarendon died Tuesday, July 10, 2007, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery. Robertson Funeral Directors. Services Today Cleo M. Brown, 74, of Amarillo, formerly of Dalhart. Services will be at 10 a.m. in First Christian Church in Dalhart. Horizon Funeral Home of Dalhart. Peggy Sue Bryson, 77, of Panhandle. Services will be at noon in Hillside Christian Church. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Sweetwater Cemetery in Sweetwater. Andrews Funeral Home of Andrews. Viola Amelia Reiss Erhart, 94, of Guymon, Okla. Services will be at 2 p.m. in Victory Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Ruby Nippert, 96, of Childress. Services will be at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church Chapel. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home. Vergia Dee Bentley Reagan, 96, of Amarillo. Services will be at 11 a.m. in Wheeler Church of Christ in Wheeler. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., in Amarillo. John M. Ward, 96, of Amarillo. Services will be at 10 a.m. in Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home Benton Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. ---