Tom Green Co. TX Obits from the San Angelo Standard-Times Jan 30 2000 Thanks to the San Angelo Standard-Times for permission to put their obits and death notices in the USGenWeb Archives. http://www.texaswest.com/ Copyright ©2002 - The San Angelo Standard-Times is a E.W. Scripps newspaper ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Funerals and Death Notices 1/30/00 TODAY SAN ANGELO - Floyd Woodrow Wall Sr., 81, graveside service at 2 p.m. in Mertzon Cemetery; arrangements by Johnson's Funeral Home. BROWNWOOD - Fay Dell White, 88, of Bangs, at 4 p.m. at Bangs First Baptist Church; burial in Bangs Cemetery; arrangements by Davis-Morris Funeral Home. COLEMAN - Weldon J. Allen, 84, of Houston, at 3:30 p.m. in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel; burial in Coleman Cemetery. COLEMAN - Lurline Kemp, 90, graveside service at 2 p.m. in Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion; arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home. GOLDTHWAITE - Howard Campbell, 84, at 2 p.m. in Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel; burial in Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery. MONDAY SAN ANGELO - Verney S. Wilson Abbott, 84, at 2:30 p.m. at Glen Meadows Baptist Church; burial in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens; arrangements by Johnson's Funeral Home. SAN ANGELO - Sidney Dunn, 83, memorial service at 2 p.m. in Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel. BRADY - A. Frank Metler, 71, graveside at 2 p.m. in Rest Haven Cemetery; arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home. KERMIT - Elizabeth White, 89, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church; burial in Kermit Cemetery; arrangements by Cooper Funeral Chapel. SONORA - Mae C. Ward, 86, memorial service at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church; arrangements by Kerbow Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Deaths Judy McGeath Judy McGeath, 53, of San Angelo died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a local hospital. Service will be at noon Monday in Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel with Gosse Mohler officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. She was born Dec. 19, 1946, in Littlefield. She was employed by the San Angelo Independent School District. Survivors include her husband, James McGeath of San Angelo; two sons, Jeff L. McGeath of San Angelo and Justin L. McGeath of Sonora; a daughter, Jana L. White of San Angelo; a brother, Don Foley of San Angelo; a sister, Annie Lois McCurry of Spring Lake; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Leon Woods Dr. Leon Woods, 81, of San Angelo died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a local care center. Service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Harris Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Webb and the Rev. Jim Turner officiating. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. in Eastlawn Memorial Park in Brownwood. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. He was born Nov. 12, 1918, in Comanche County. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he was a Baptist minister and a member of Harris Avenue Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Maurie Forbes Woods of San Angelo; a daughter, Jeanie Woods Gaddis of Clemson, S.C.; a son, Forbes Leon Woods of Duncanville; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Elsie McClelland Elsie McClelland, 72, of San Angelo died Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, at her residence. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Fairmount Cemetery. Arrangements are by Robert Massie Funeral Home. She was born May 8, 1927, in Quanah and was a lifetime resident of San Angelo. She worked in the dry cleaning industry. Survivors include two sons, George Lynn Methvin of Troy and Michael W. Joiner of Portales, N.M.; two daughters, Connie R. Joiner of San Angelo and Dixie Stephens of Slaton; three brothers, Doyle D. McClelland of San Angelo, Raymond L. McClelland of Denton and Gabriel J. McClelland of Midland; a sister, Dorothy Salvato of San Angelo; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Milton Gryder Milton Gryder, 62, of Sonora died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a San Angelo hospital. Services are pending at Johnson's Funeral Home. Gladys Beasley Gladys Gates Beasley, 90, of San Angelo died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at her residence. Services are pending at Johnson's Funeral Home. W.F. White MIDLAND - W.F. ``Bill'' White, 65, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, in a local hospital. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home. He was born March 31, 1934, in Midland. He worked on ranches in California, New Mexico and Robert Lee and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include a son, Joe Bob White of Midland; his brother, Bob White of San Angelo; and a sister, Anna Lee Rogers of Midland. Virginia Keefer BIG SPRING - Virginia Keefer, 82, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, in a local hospital. Service will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with burial in Trinity Memorial Park. She was born Sept. 2, 1917, in Waco. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband, Roy Keefer of Big Spring; a son, Jerry Garrett of Big Spring; two daughters, Kay Garrett Womack of San Angelo and Neeli Anderson of Houston; two sisters, Mattie Dee Kinnison of Moody and Juanita Newman of Fairfield; a brother, Eddie Blackwell of Crockett; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Gary Ellett BIG SPRING - Gary Wayne Ellett, 42, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in The Cuthbert Cemetery in Mitchell County. Arrangements are by Myers & Smith Funeral Home. He was born Sept. 12, 1957, in Big Spring and was a lifetime resident. He worked in the oil industry and for Carpet Cleaning Express. Survivors include his wife, Teri Nall, a son, Gary Wayne Ellett Jr., all of Big Spring; a daughter, Sugar Lynn Ellett of Breckenridge; two stepsons, Mike Nall and Cody Nall, both of Big Spring; his mother, Jennie Womack of Big Spring; his father, Herman Livesay of Sasakwa, Okla.; his stepfather, Billy Ray Brooks of Big Spring; three brothers, Wendell Dodson and Jimmy Livesay, both of Midland, and Edward Livesay of Sasakwa; and two grandchildren. Norma Culp BIG SPRING - Norma Jean Culp, 67, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a local hospital. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Mount Olive Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. She was born March 12, 1932, in Paris, Texas, and was a longtime resident of Big Spring. She worked as an aide at Mountain View Lodge and at Herman's Restaurant. Survivors include three sons, Henry Mayes and Bobby Sale, both of Paris, and Tommy Mayes of Oklahoma City; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Larry McNeely GOLDTHWAITE - Larry Don McNeely, 50, of San Saba died Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, in a Dallas hospital. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel. Service will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in San Saba with burial at 5 p.m. in Gussetville Cemetery in Live Oak County. He was born Dec. 5, 1949, in Abilene. He was a golf pro at the San Saba Golf Course and a Catholic. Survivors include his wife, Shirley McNeely of San Saba; three sons, James McNeely of Fort Worth and Shawn McNeely and Ryan McNeely, both of San Saba; a brother, David McNeely of Caldwell; two sisters, Ginger Fisher and Cheryl DeLeon, both of Abilene; and numerous nieces and nephews. Warren Duren GOLDTHWAITE - Warren Philip Duren, 86, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a local care center. Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church with burial in Duren Cemetery in Mills County. Arrangements are by Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home. He was born March 24, 1913, in Mullin and was a lifetime resident of Mills County. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Oleta Duren of Goldthwaite; two sons, Warren Philip Duren Jr. and Tom Fisher Duren, both of Goldthwaite; two brothers, Houston Duren of Goldthwaite and Roddy Duren of Odessa; a sister, Catherine Arendell of Stephenville; and five grandchildren. Charnelle Holland COLEMAN - Charnelle Holland, 79, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a local hospital. Service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Coleman Cemetery. She was born Dec. 7, 1920, in Cisco and had been a resident of Coleman since 1950. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of the Nazarene. Survivors include three daughters, Raynelle Collins of Wichita Falls, Anne Holland of Coleman and Denice Carter of Lenexa, Kan.; two brothers, Billy H. Boggs of Kilgore and Dowell Boggs of Platteville, Colo.; two sisters, Jean Price of Midland and Marcelle Fletcher of Gulfport, Miss.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gary Deason COLEMAN - Gary R. Deason, 35, of Santa Anna died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a Coleman hospital. Services are pending at Stevens Funeral Home. Ival Skinner KERRVILLE - Ival F. Skinner, 87, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in a local hospital. Services are pending at Overby Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ Obituaries MAE C. WARD SONORA - Mae C. Ward, 86, of Sonora died Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, in a San Angelo hospital. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Stephen officiating. Arrangements are by Kerbow Funeral Home. Mae was born to James Albert Cauthorn and Ada Earwood Cauthorn on the family ranch where Mae's son, Albert and his family, now live. Mae graduated from the Sonora Public School Systems and graduated from Baylor University. Mae still participated in the running of her family ranches in Sutton, Edwards and Val Verde counties. Mae taught school in Sonora and was past president of the Sonora PTA. She and her husband, Rip, were named Citizens of the Year for Sonora. She was a very active member of this community and will be greatly missed by the many people who lives she has touched through the years. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Sonora as well as being a member of the Sonora Women's Club. She is survived by her son, Albert and his wife, Cynthia, of Sonora; three grandchildren, Cathy Ball of Sonora, Kelly Holder and husband, Raphael, of Rowlett and Gus Ward and wife, Jerrilyn, of Sonora; her six great-grandchildren, Sarah Ball, Daniel Ward, Kasey Miller, Rachel, Tanner and Jarred Holder; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and two special friends, Anna Samaniego and Trini Guerra. Honorary pallbearers will be Jamie Parker, J.W. Sutton, Smith Neal, Bill Savell, Bennie King, Preston Faris, Vestel Askew, Byerl Dillard, Raymond Grantham, Mark White, Joe Lane, Patch Cochran, James Benson and Armer Earwood. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Rip Ward; and her fiance, Ted White. The family requests memorials be sent to the First Baptist Church of Sonora, Baylor University or a charity of choice. FLOYD WOODROW WALL SR. Floyd Woodrow Wall Sr., 81, of San Angelo died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at his residence. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, in the Mertzon Cemetery with Ed Palk and Jackson Smith officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. Floyd was born Sept. 29, 1918, to J.W. and Donnie Lue Wall in Tom Green County near Wall. He served his country in the Navy during World War II from 1941 to 1944. He married Violet Hall on Jan. 29, 1944, in California. He was a lifetime resident of San Angelo, working in sporting goods mainly as an outboard motor mechanic for several different dealers. He was a member of Johnson Street Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Violet Hall Wall of San Angelo; a son, Floyd W. ``Woody'' Wall Jr. and wife, Debbie, of Mertzon; granddaughter, Shawna Wall of San Antonio and her fiance, Eric Hutchinson, of San Angelo; a sister, Nora Mae McCleery and husband, J.E. ``Ernest,''of San Angelo; Patricia McNeil of California; and nieces and nephews. RUBY `JERRY' DENNIS Ruby ``Jerry'' Dennis, 84, of San Angelo passed away Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, in Shannon Medical Center. Service will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Calvin Warpula officiating. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Jerry was born May 31, 1915, in Glen Rose, Texas, to A.T. and Belle Robinson. She married Roy J. Dennis in October 1932 in Clovis, N.M. They moved to San Angelo in 1936 where she resided until her death. She was a member of Johnson Street Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy, her parents and two sisters, Audrey Cogdill and Bobbie Frazier. Jerry is survived by one son, Charles and wife, Lila, of San Angelo; two granddaughters, Lana Renfroe and husband, Jack, and Darla Custer and husband, Dwain; three great-grandchildren which she dearly loved and enjoyed, Lynzi Custer, Cade Custer and Ryan Renfroe; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Dwain Custer, Jack Renfroe, Franklin Flint, Butch Flint, Donald Lowery and J.M. Stinnett. MARY JANE NABERS EWALD CORPUS CHRISTI - Mary Jane Nabers Ewald was born June 10, 1918, in Pine Hill, Ala., and died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000. She grew up in San Angelo, Texas, where she met and married Vernon Vance Ewald. They moved to Corpus Christi, where Jane flourished as an artist, achieving many awards and honors. For many years she was an active member in the Corpus Christi Art Guild serving in many capacities. She shared her talents by teaching art classes. She loved experimenting with all art mediums, including watercolor, oils, pastels and sculpting. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bonnie Ethel Sheffield Nabers and Joel Murriell Nabers; her husband, Vernon; and her sister, Fairy Murriell Nabers Brister. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Betty Ruth Nabers Morris and Roger H. Morris Sr.; two nephews, Roger H. Morris Jr. and James Murriell Morris; nieces, Jo Ann Morris Bradley and Betty Jane Morris Albers Grant; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law and their husbands, James and Louise Grote, Oscar and Doris Lock; and her special friend, Mildred Cunningham. The Rev. Richard Grant conducted the graveside service Saturday, Jan. 29, in Seaside Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements were by Seaside Funeral Home. JOHN C. PUTMAN MINERAL WELLS - John C. Putman, 70, of Mineral Wells passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, in Erath County from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home with Dr. Carl Clinton officiating. Burial will follow in Staggs Prairie Cemetery in Palo Pinto County. John was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Haskell to John W. and Pearl Hagood Putman. He married Zelma Agee Oct. 6, 1952, in Mineral Wells. She preceded him in death in 1996. He lived in San Angelo from 1980 to 1988 when he moved to Mineral Wells. A Coast Guard veteran of World War II, he worked as a plumber and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Perry Putman and wife, Patsy, of San Angelo; a daughter, Kim Hill and husband, Kenny, of San Angelo; a brother and sister-in-law, B.P. and Gerlene Putman of Mineral Wells; two grandchildren, Tammy Bird and husband, Rob, of Stanton and Jackie Hill of San Angelo; three great-grandchildren, Kyli, Austin and Cade Bird, all of Stanton; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Bobby Branham, Jackie Hill, Rob Bird, Tommy Spurlock, Gary Smith and Joey Hagood. JIMMY DALE SMITH SANTA FE, N.M. - Jimmy Dale, 53, passed away Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jimmy was born Dec. 27, 1946, in San Angelo to James and Polly Smith. Jimmy lived in Santa Fe most of his life. Jimmy was awarded the Bronze Star for service in the Vietnam War and retired from US West telephone company after 26 years. He enjoyed his family, gardening and camping. Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, James D. Smith and maternal grandparents, Jess and Leona Watkins. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Janette Smith; one son, Kevin Smith, one daughter, Kelly Muniz and husband, Joe, and three grandchildren, Jessica and Corey Muniz and Eric Smith, all of Santa Fe; his mother, Polly Block, and one sister, Terri Satterwhite and husband, Chris, all of San Angelo; one brother, David Smith and wife, Debbie, of Carlsbad; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in National Cemetery in Santa Fe. Arrangements are by Berardinelli Funeral Service. The family requests memorials be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, 2500 Camino Entrada #A, Santa Fe, N.M., 87501 or to a charity of choice. DOUGLAS McGRAW Doug was born Dec. 12, 1920, in Varner, Ark., to Ottis B. McGraw and Mamie Rice McGraw. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was later stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Leaving the military after three years of service, he began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in Del Rio, Texas. He was appointed U.S. Postmaster of Del Rio in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. After 41 years of government service, he retired in 1982. He moved to Wall, Texas, and became engaged in ranching with his stepson, David ``Cotton'' Cave. Douglas was an avid baseball fan and participant. He played and coached at various levels throughout the years. One of his proudest moments was taking the Del Rio Little League to Williamsport, Pa., for the National Little League World Series in 1962. He also was active in the National Association of Postmasters (NAPUS) having served as a board member at both the district and state levels. After retiring, he served as PAC chairman and president of the Texas Chapter of the Retired Postmasters Association. He was awarded a lifetime membership with the Elks Lodge in Del Rio, having served in various capacities over the 37 years as a member. In addition, he was a founding member of the Border Credit Union and maintained an account there at the time of his death. He attended the Wall Brethren Church in Wall. He was preceded in death by first wife, Evelyn McGraw and a stepson, Gary Cave. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Bobbye McGraw of Wall; brothers, Charles McGraw and wife, Alta, of Prineville, Ore., and Mickey McGraw and wife, Norma, of Dallas; sons, Douglas McGraw Jr. and David ``Cotton'' Cave of San Angelo; a daughter, Sharon Cave Allen and husband, Paul, of Arlington; and his pride and joy, his grandchildren, Ryan Paul Allen and Lauren Joy Allen, all of Arlington. He left behind many nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends. Pallbearers include Hank Tripp, James Jacoby, Jimmie Wheeler, Dale Wilde, Bob Nowlin and Steve Wilson. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Dr. Parsons and the entire nursing staff at Shannon Medical Center for the care and kindness bestowed. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Johnson's Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Wall Cemetery. M.E. `MELVIN' BEEMAN M.E. ``Melvin'' Beeman, 73, of Austin died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, in Brady. There will be a family visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at the Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart with the Rev. Maurice Voity officiating. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at St. Catherine's of Sienna Catholic Church of Austin with the Rev. Oliver Johnson officiating. Graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. in Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Cemetery in Austin. Arrangements are by Robert Massie Funeral Home. Melvin was born Jan. 4, 1927, in Runnels County to Joe and Addie Brister Beeman. He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific. Melvin married Helen Englert on Sept. 6, 1947, in San Angelo. Melvin worked for Merchants Motor Lines of Abilene for 42 years where he became vice president before retiring. He was very active in St. Catherine's of Sienna Catholic Church where he was an eucharist minister. He is survived by his wife, Helen Beeman of Austin; four daughters, Vivian Fisher of Waco, Patricia Nelson of Rockport and Marian Beeman and Lynette Underwood, both of Austin; a son, M. Craig Beeman of Austin; four sisters, Emma Alsman, Irene Newman and Sally Allen, all of San Angelo, and May Henry of Murrieta, Calif.; three brothers, Ed Beeman of Port Aransas, Pete Beeman of Kermit and Leonard ``Buck'' Beeman of Lufkin; his grandchildren, Chris Cunningham, Ryan Fisher, Jason Fisher, Jeffrey Nelson and Joshua Nelson; and a great-grandchild, Alexis Fisher. Memorials may be made to Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart, 19 S. Oakes, San Angelo, TX 76903, St. Catherine's of Sienna of Austin, 4800 Convict Hill Rd., Austin, TX 78749 or to the charity of choice. SIDNEY DUNN Sidney Dunn, 83, of Olivehurst, Calif., died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, in Big Spring Veterans Administration Medical Center. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carl Rohlfs officiating. He was born March 12, 1916, in Avoca to William Jasper Dunn and Zenie Elizabeth (Middleton) Dunn. He grew up in Texas and attended school in Hillsboro. He served in the Texas National Guard and he joined the 142nd Infantry, 36 Division, U.S. Army in World War II. He was captured in Serlano Beach by the Germans and was a prisoner of war for 21 months. He was released on May 8, 1945. He received the Bronze Star and a P.O.W. Medal for serving his country. He belonged to the Veterans of Foreign War Olivehurst Post 4095 and Disabled American Veterans as a life member. He married Viola Breeden July 12, 1947, and moved to California and lived there until March 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, three brothers and his wife, Viola Dunn, 1997. Survivors include his four sisters, Edith Bradley, Elsie Wheless and husband, Mitchel, Ruby Lewton and Mary E. Longest, all of San Angelo; and one stepdaughter, Isis Dunlap; two stepgranddaughters; one stepgrandson of California; and several nieces and nephews. VERNEY WILSON ABBOTT Verney S. Wilson Abbott bestowed love and joy to her family and her many friends. She had a cheerful smile and a warm embrace for everyone she knew. She welcomed new friends with enthusiasm and greeted her family and loved ones with Christian charity and affirmation. Verney Leona Smith was the sixth of seven children of Vernon Lee and Mary Leona Brister Smith. She was born on New Year's Day of 1916. Little did the neighbors of Yoakum, Texas, know that the little girl known only as ``Baby'' until the age of three, would become the teacher, friend, mother and grandparent of so many across Texas. Having being a blessing to so many others, she went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, Jan. 28, 2000. Verney graduated from Southwestern College in San Marcos, Texas. She earned a teacher's certificate and taught in several Texas towns. In 1939, she married Chester R. Wilson. During World War II, Chester joined the U.S. Navy and Verney traveled to Dallas and then to New York City as an administrative aide in the U.S. State Department. After the war, Verney and Chester taught in Langtry, Texas, on the border of Texas and Mexico. Verney treasured the opportunity of teaching math and reading to children from both sides of the Rio Grande River. She also taught in Lamesa and San Angelo, retiring in 1985 after teaching a total of 37 years. Frequently, her students, now grown, would stop and thank her for the lessons of life she taught them. Teaching was not her only experience with children. She raised two of her own, Patricia and Claude. She provided proper guidance to keep them involved in church, Scouts and school activities. Verney was a frequent sponsor of youth and choir activities at Park Heights Baptist Church where she was a member of the Reapers Sunday school class. Later in life she joined Glen Meadows Baptist Mission. She was a charter member when the mission became a Southern Baptist church. She was an active member of the Silver Stars Ministry and accepted with pride the recognition as one of the Fearless and Faithful Four Pack. Verney married J. Harry Abbott in 1970. Their lives were full of adventure and travel. Their first quest into adventure was the purchase of a houseboat which they sailed on Lake LBJ. A few years later, they purchased one of several recreational vehicles. When they retired, Verney and Harry traveled throughout the United States and Europe. The marriage brought another joy to Verney's life, Harry's son, David. Verney S. Wilson Abbott will be missed by her former students and friends from school, her Sunday school and church friends, the Silver Stars and the remaining members of the Four Pack, and most of all by her family. Survivors are her children, Patricia Helfer and husband, Art, and Claude Wilson and wife, Connie, all of San Angelo, and David Abbott and wife, Jane, of Richmond, Va.; 10 grandchildren, Alvin Helfer, Wendi Velie, Melany Helfer, Jason Helfer, Chad Wilson, Sunday Wilson, Tiffany Wilson, Laura Wilson, Julie Abbott and Thomas Abbott; and four great-grandchildren, Brittani Velie, Mary Helfer, Sarah Helfer and Bradley Stevens. Also surviving is her sister, Josephine Mabry and husband, Les, and a brother, Leroy Smith and wife, Barbara; and numerous nieces and nephews. Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Glen Meadows Baptist Church with the Rev. Harry Matthews, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the building fund at Glen Meadows Baptist Church, 6002 Knickerbocker Road, San Angelo, TX.