Name:  WILLIE FLORENCE BROWN LAMBERT

Died:  Saturday, 2/18/2006 in Mt. Pleasant, TX

Born: 8/08/1919 in Abilene, TX

Attended school:  Claytonville, TX

Married: Elmer Lee Lambert (12/25/1935 in Ft. Worth, TX)

Occupation: Worked for Texas National Bank, Sweetwater City Water Office and Eckerd Drugs

Church Affiliation:  Member, First Baptist Church of Sweetwater, TX

Predeceased in death by: Husband, Elmer Lee Lambert (8/22/1994) and brother, Marion Brown

Survivors:  Son, Gene Lambert and wife Jo Ann (of Mt. Pleasant, TX); Daughter, Janice Ilene VanDever (of Ft. Worth); 3 sisters, Loraine Mosely (of Coldwater, MS), Tinsey Carr and husband Charlie (of Falcon Heights, TX) and Evelyn Stroud and husband Bob (of Harlingen, TX); Brother, Wayne Brown and wife Mae (of Lexington, TX); 5 granddaughters, Chery Banks and husband Gary, Charla Denman and husband Chuck, Tammy Buttron and husband Troy, Melissa Lara and husband Michael, and Kelly Ordinary and husband Brian; 10 great-grandchildren, Candice Rhea, Chance Banks, Lauren Denman, Keri Denman, Morgan Aman, Cloie Teague, Sara Buttron, Trey Rondinaro, Isabella Lara and Zackary Lara.

Funeral service:  Monday, 2/20/2006 at 10:00 a.m. in McCoy Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater, TX

Officiated by:  Rev. Harvey Tingle

Interment: Sweetwater Cemetery, Sweetwater, TX

Mortuary:  McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater, TX

Other information:  Mrs. Lambert lived in Sweetwater since 1940 and in Mt. Pleasant the past few years.


 

Name:  J. B. COOPER, JR.

Died:  Monday, 2/20/2006 at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene, TX

Born: 2/06/1926 in Roscoe, TX

Parents:  J. B. Cooper, Sr. and Ellie May Plunkett

Graduated from:  Roscoe High School (1944) and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Texas Tech University (1950).

Military Service:  Paratrooper in the U.S. Army from June, 1944 until June, 1946.

Married: Mava Adams (in 1957)

Occupation: Mr. Cooper began farming in the Roscoe Community in 1950.

Church Affiliation:  Active layperson, United Methodist Church

Survivors:  Wife, Mava Adams Cooper (of Roscoe); 3 daughters, Alicyn Mayes and husband Randy (of Albuquerque, NM), Sue Cooper (of Watauga, TX), and Eileen Hilliard and husband Jay (of Lawton, OK); 2 sisters, Eloise Reed (of Coppell, TX) and Betty Ellis (of Dallas, TX); 5 grandsons, Joel, Nathan and Daniel Mayes, and Samuel and Joseph Hilliard.

Funeral service:  Wednesday, 2/22/2006 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Roscoe, TX

Officiated by:  Rev. Vernon Baker and Rev. Namida Shipman

Interment: Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, TX

Mortuary:  McCoy Funeral Home of Roscoe, TX

Other information: 

 

Family visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 2/21/2006 at McCoy Funeral Home in Roscoe, TX. 

 

Mr. Cooper was active in many agricultural organizations.  He was director and president of the Roscoe Co-op Gin.  He was also director of AgroSystems, Brighton, IL.  He was past director of Farm Credit Council of Texas and past president of Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council.  He had served previously as Nolan County ASC Community and County Committeeman.  He was an original USDA Cotton Board member and served on the USDA Advisory Committee on Cotton.  He was President of Rolling Plains Cotton Growers.  Additionally, Mr. Cooper served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas for a 3-year term beginning in January 1991.  He was the first Texas Director of Farmland Industries Co-op at Kansas City, MO.  Mr. Cooper received the Gerald Thomas Award for “Outstanding Agriculturalist” in 1984 from the College of Agricultural Sciences of Texas Tech University.  He also received a “Distinguished Service Award to Texas Agriculture” from the Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas.  Mr. Cooper was named “1983 Cooperator of the Year” by the Agricultural Cooperative of Texas and “Man of the Year in Agriculture” in 1968. 

 

Mr. Cooper was an active layperson in his local church congregation and a member of the Conference Council of the Methodist Church.  He was also a valued leader in the development and continued growth of Butman Methodist Encampment.

 

Memorials may be made to Butman Methodist Camp, 158 County Road 674 in Merkel, TX  79536 or American Cancer Society at 209 S. Danville, Building B, Suite 107, Abilene, TX  79605.


 

Name:  GROVER M. HANES

Died:  Saturday, 2/18/2006 in the Harbour View Care Center in League City, TX

Age:  83

Funeral Services:  Graveside services on Wednesday, 2/22/2006 at 11:00 a.m. in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, TX

Officiating Rev. James Baker

Interment:  Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, TX

Mortuary Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home of Sweetwater, TX


Name CLARINE CLAYTON HENRICHS KERBY

Died:  Saturday, 2/18/2006

Funeral Services:  Wednesday, 2/22/2006 at 2:00 p.m. in the McCoy Chapel of Memories, Sweetwater, TX

Officiating Rev. Caleb Teeters

Interment:  Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, TX

Mortuary:  McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater, TX


Name:  JESSE ARENAS, SR.

Died: Tuesday, 2/21/2006 at his residence in Roscoe, TX

Born: 11/17/1943 in Loraine, TX

Married: Simona Garcia (1959 in Sweetwater, TX)

Occupation: Worked for the City of Roscoe; Farmer

Church Affiliation:  Catholic

Predeceased in death by: Brother, Felipe Villegas

Survivors:  Wife, Simona Arenas (of Roscoe, TX); 3 daughters, Alice Fierro and Anna Arenas (both of Sweetwater) and Santos Limones (of Roscoe, TX); one son, Jessie Arenas, Jr. (of Sweetwater, TX); 5 brothers, Santiago Villegas (of Grand Prairie, TX), Tony Villegas and Frank Villegas (both of Roscoe, TX), Robert Villegas (of California) and Adolph Villegas (of Inadale, TX); 3 sisters, Maggie Robles (of Ft. Worth, TX), Helen Garcia and Lillie Sustaita (both of Roscoe, TX); 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral service:  Thursday, 2/23/2006 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Albert Catholic Church in Roscoe, TX

Officiated by:  Father Michael Rodriguez

Mortuary:  McCoy Funeral Home

Other information:  Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 2/22/2006 at the funeral home in Sweetwater.  Mr. Arenas had lived in the Roscoe area all of his life.


Christeen A. Conger

Christeen A. Conger, 87, of Blackwell died Friday, 2/24/2006, in San Angelo, TX.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, 2/26/2006, in the Blackwell Fire Department with Rev. John Curry, Paul Archnol and Bubba Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, 2/25/2006, at McCoy Funeral Home.

Mrs. Conger was born on 8/15/1918, in Decatur to Virgie and George Nichols. She was one of seven children. She lived in Lubbock from 1937 until 1968, where she worked for McWhorter Cleaners from 1950 until 1952. She owned Chris's Cleaners from 1952 until 1968, when she moved to Blackwell. She was a member of Blackwell Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Jackie Harrell and husband Bob of Blackwell; two granddaughters, Brigette Sooter of Lubbock and friend David Taylor of Wilson, and Shockey Nail and husband Ronnie of Lubbock; three great-granddaughters, Christlyn Belliveau of U.S. Marine Corp. in N.C., Jessika Taylor of Wilson, and Amanda Hoyle of Blackwell; three great-grandsons, Brandon Harrell of Blackwell, Colton Taylor of Wilson and Koby Nail of Lubbock; special friend, Daris Hagler of Blackwell; several wonderful nieces and nephews; and several friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by three husbands, Charlie Rutledge, Leroy Conger and Luther Conger; her parents Virgie and George Nichols; three sisters, Estell Stroud, Inez Harrison and Rib Marsalis; three brothers, A.G., J.P. and Dalton Nichols; and her granddaughter, Tonya Sooter.


 

Luiz Alfonzo Jimenez

Luiz Alfonzo Jimenez, 42, of Sweetwater died Thursday, 2/23/2006, in Nolan County.

Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, 2/27/2006 at Sweetwater Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home. Father Michael Rodriguez will be officiating.

Mr. Jimenez was born on 9/29/1963 in Del Rio. He married Carolina Gutierrez on 9/27/1976 in Sweetwater. He worked at the Sweetwater Compress and as a roofer. He was Catholic and lived in Sweetwater most of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Carolina Jimenez of Sweetwater; two daughters, Sarah Franklin of Sweetwater and Juanita Limone of San Antonio; three sons, George Gutierrez of Sweetwater, Luis Gutierrez of Sweetwater and Brian Jimenez of Roby; his father and mother, Alfonzo and Linda Jimenez of Sweetwater; three sisters and three brothers; and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, J.P. Jimenez.


Anita Aguilar

Anita Aguilar, 58, of Abilene, formerly of Sweetwater, died Friday, 2/24/2006 in Coronado Nursing Home in Abilene.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 2/28/2006, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Father Michael Rodriguez officiating. Burial will follow in the Sweetwater Cemetery.

Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2006 in the McCoy Chapel of McCoy Funeral Home.

Ms. Aguilar was born on April 18, 1947 in Sweetwater. She was a member of the Immaculate Heart Church. She worked at USG and as a carpenter. She graduated from Sweetwater High School.

Survivors include her mother, Marcella Aguilar of Sweetwater; a sister, Frances Gloria and husband Lupe of Sweetwater; two brothers, Joe Aguilar of Farmersbranch, and Pete Aguilar of Dallas; one son, Kevin Atkins of Amarillo; two nieces and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Aguilar on Sept. 12, 2005.

 


 

 

Weltha Ann (Aunt Wet) Gelazis

Weltha Ann (Aunt Wet) Gelazis, 91, of Sweetwater died Sunday, 2/26/2006, in the Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.

The graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, 3/01/2006, in the Slater's Chapel Cemetery with the Rev. James Baker officiating.

The service will be under the direction of Cate-Spencer and Trent Funeral Home of Sweet-water.

Mrs. Gelazis was born on 12/27/1914, in Houston. She married Stanley Gelazis on 7/04/1948, in Las Vegas, Nev. Mrs. Gelazis was a homemaker and attended Western Union School in Sweetwater. She went to work for Western Union in Los Angeles, Calif., from 1943-50.

Survivors include two nieces, Cleta Bowers of Hereford and Sharon Rotan of San Angelo; two nephews, Jimmy Rogers of Sweetwater and Larry Rogers of Midland; numerous great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Gelazis, on 3/25/1997; her parents, the Rev. Edward and Eva Giesler; three brothers, Elvis Giesler, Arvel Giesler and Kermit Giesler; two sisters, Mary Esther Sears and Dortha Lovell, and one niece, Eddie Pearl Gossett.


Louise Bollinger

Louise Bollinger, 82, of Big Spring, died on Monday, 2/27/2006, in the Hospice House of Odessa.

The funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, 3/01/2006, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Dr. Dave Ring, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.

She was born on 10/02/1923, in Loraine.

She taught school in Ackerly for three years, Flower Grove for three years and at Sweetwater High School for 35 years, retiring in 1985. She had lived in Sweetwater for 40 years before moving to Big Spring in 1990.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and the Texas Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Doyle and Isabelle Bollinger of Albuquerque, N.M.; three sisters, Dena Walden of Lubbock, Billie Adams and Janice Bollinger, both of Big Spring; 11 nieces and nephews, 25 great-nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Betty Jean Gross.

The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Drawer 1229, Big Spring, TX 79721-1229; or to Home Hospice, 111 E. 7th, Suite A, Big Spring, TX 79720.

Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring.


 
Ethel Meyer Finley  -  Former WASP passes away in Delaware

Former WASP Ethel Meyer Finley of Rehoboth Beach, Del., died on Feb. 24, 2006, at the home of her daughter in Forked River, N.J. She was 85.

Finley, who was born in Lake City, Minn., lived on a farm near there until graduating from high school in 1937. She earned a bachelor's degree in science, mathematics and physical education from Winona State Teacher College, and she was the first woman at the school to participate in the Civilian Pilot Training program, training with renowned aviator Max Conrad. She taught school for a year before she learned she could not earn a living and have enough left to fly planes, so she went to work operating the Link trainer at the airport in exchange for flying time.

In March 1943 she entered the Army as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). She was one of about 1,000 women who were the first to serve as U.S. military aviators. She trained military pilots, logging more than 1,000 hours of flying before the WASP were disbanded in December 1944.

While in the Army, she met James A. Finley Jr., and they were married in Dec-ember 1944.

She left aviation to raise a family, living in West Virginia and Pennsylvania before settling in Summit, N.J. in 1952. They lived there for 30 years, and she became active in womens affairs by starting halfway houses for women recovering from substance abuse.

After moving to Rehoboth Beach, Finley again became active with the WASP organization. She served a variety of positions and continued to travel to national air shows and events throughout the country telling the story of the women aviators and encouraging young women to follow their dreams. She was president of the organization from 1992-94, when Congress granted the women veterans status.

She received the Delaware Trailblazer Award in 1995 and was named to the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Wright Flight Youth Program in Tucson, Ariz, and served on the Dover Air Mobility Museum Foundation Board. For seven years, through 2005, she organized the WASP activities at the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In in Oshkosh, Wisc., and the national Sun and Fun Air Show in Lakeland, Fla.

In Delaware, Finley remained active in the womens affairs, serving on the Delaware Commission for Women and helping to establish Tau House and Houston Hall in Georgetown. 

She is survived by her sister Ione Olson of Minnesota, and her children Janet Finley of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Michael J. Finley of Odessa, Del.; and Joanne Marine of Forked River, N.J. She has four grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. 


 

Walter E. Ingalls Jr.

Walter E. Ingalls Jr., 77, of Sweetwater died Sunday, 2/26/2006, in the Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater.

 

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, 3/03/2006, in the McCoy Chapel of Memories with the Rev. William Mayo officiating.

 

His body was cremated.

 

Mr. Ingalls was born on 1/29/1929, in Yuma County, Colo. He married Betty Jane Bennett on 8/14/1989, in Denver, Colo. Mr. Ingalls was a farmer and auto mechanic. He lived in Sweetwater since 1992 and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. He loved trees and birds.

Survivors include one daughter, Julie Squires and Tobby Reeves of Sweetwater; one son, Douglas Ingalls of Sweetwater; one sister-in-law, Vina Ingalls of California; two grandchildren, Shannon Haseman and Chris of Sweetwater, and Jessica Garcia and Sgt. Joe Eaddie of Jacksonville, N.C.; three great-grandchildren, Christopher and Tayton Thompson and Seth Andrew Garcia; his first wife, Betty Ramos of Sweetwater; and a special friend, Janet Patty of Sweetwater.

 

He was preceded in death by his second wife, Betty Jane Ingalls, on 8/30/2004; two brothers, Dallas Ingalls and Phillip Ingalls; and three sisters, Mildred Brandon, Lois Pratt and Ruth Nikkel.

Memorials may be made to the National Arbor Day Foundation, Hendrick Hospice Care or a favorite charity.


 

 

Cecil E. Kinerd Sr.

Cecil E. Kinerd Sr., 88, of Houston and formerly of Sweetwater, died Wednesday, 3/01/2006, in Houston.

The funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, 3/03/2006, in the McCoy Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater with Denny Sneed officiating.

 

Burial will follow in the Sweetwater Cemetery.

 

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, 3/02/2006, in the funeral home.

Mr. Kinerd was born on 11/06/1917, in Nolan. He married Evelyn Faye Ewing on 9/03/1938, in Roby. He had owned and operated Kinerd Texaco for many years and also managed the Sweetwater Airport for years. He had a charter service and a flying school. Mr. Kinerd was a graduate of Nolan High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in World War II and received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, American Defense Ribbon and European African Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations Ribbon Air Medal.

 

Survivors include two sons, Cecil E. Kinerd Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Houston and James Michael Kinerd and his wife, Gwelda of Sweetwater; one sister, Jean Kinerd of Sweetwater; four brothers, Fred Lee Kinard of Abilene, Leslie Kinerd and Ray Kinerd, both of Conroe, and Thomas Kinerd of Dallas; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Faye Kinerd, on 10/05/1995; and his brother, Howard Kinerd.


 

 

Eugene E. “Little Gene” White

Eugene E. “Little Gene” White, 39, formerly of Loraine, died Saturday, 2/25/2006, in Orlando, Fla., as a result of an automobile accident.

 

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, 3/03/2006, in the First United Methodist Church in Loraine with the Rev. Keifer Cauble officiating.

 

Burial will follow in the Loraine Cemetery under the direction of the Kiker-Seale Funeral Home.

 

Mr. White was born on 9/24/1966, to Eugene and Patricia Eisiminger White in Abilene. He was a graduate of Loraine High School. He was a construction worker and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

 

Survivors include his parents, Eugene and Patricia White of Loraine; two daughters, Ashley White and Brittany White, both of Abilene; his ex-wife, Janie Dennison of Abilene; one brother, Mark Segraves of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Valerie Pruitt of Roscoe and Barbara Jones of Hutchison, Kan.; his maternal grandmother, Ruth Eisiminger of Partridge, Kan.; and a grandchild, Jacob White of Abilene.


Elton Berthold

Elton Berthold, 82, passed away on 3/01/2006, in Victoria.

Mr. Berthold was born on 8/03/1923, in Bee County to the late Julius H. Berthold and Donia Ruth Duge Berthold. He married Isabel Lorene Nielsen on 4/06/1949, in Goliad. Elton was a retired farmer and member of the Catholic church, as well as a member of the Sons of Hermann.

Survivors include his wife, Lorene Berthold of Berclair; two sons, Larry Berthold and his wife, Kay, of Portland, and Troy Berthold and his wife, Jamie, of Beeville; one daughter, Laurl Jones of Sweetwater; two sisters, Ellen Nora Hester of Weslaco and Ethel Mumford of Driscoll; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, 3/03/06, in the Beeville Memorial Park.

Serving as honorary pallbearers were Glenn Hester, Dr. Bruce Bauknight, Dr. Larry Reidel, R.E. Handy and Chris Diebel.


 

Dorothy McNeal

Dorothy McNeal, 87, of Clyde died Saturday, 3/04/2006, in the Clyde Nursing Center.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, 3/07/2006, in the Cate-Spencer and Trent Funeral Home chapel in Sweetwater with the Rev. Orvel Brantley officiating.

Burial will follow in the Sweetwater Cemetery.

Mrs. McNeal was born on 10/19/1918, in Sweetwater. She married Walter Burk McNeal on 2/01/1936, in Sweetwater. She worked as a waitress for Al's Cafe before retiring.

Survivors include one son, Bobby McNeal and his wife, Frances, of Breckenridge; four brothers, Clyde Wilson of Houston, Orvil Wilson of Robstown, Murrell Wilson of Wichita Falls and LeRoy Wilson of Tyler; three sisters, Jewell Mayrant of Huntsville, Bonnie Holland of Raymondsville, and Imajean Bass of Wichita Falls; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Burk McNeal, on 3/16/1983; and one son, Donny McNeal, on 2/24/1987.


 

Arthur Louis "Dutchie" Lehmann

ROSCOE — Arthur Louis "Dutchie" Lehmann, 84, died Monday, March 6, 2006. Services are 1:30 p.m. Thursday at McCoy Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater with Denny Sneed officiating. Burial with Military Graveside Rites performed by the Nolan County Honor Guard will follow in Roscoe Cemetery, directed by McCoy Funeral Home of Roscoe. Visitation is 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at McCoy Funeral Home in Roscoe.

Mr. Lehmann was born December 23, 1921 in Roscoe. He was a graduate of Roscoe High School in 1936. On February 17, 1959, he married Melba LaDean Dowell in Roscoe. He was a member of the Nolan County Honor Guard and also a member of First Salem Lutheran Church. Mr. Lehmann was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran receiving the Purple Heart. He was a member of American Legion Post #227 in Roscoe and the VFW Post #2479 in Sweetwater. He was avid about sports and played baseball early in life. He also loved to hunt fish, play dominoes, and work in his yard and garden.

Mr. Lehmann was preceded in death by: his wife, Melba, on January 2, 1998; three brothers, and six sisters.

Mr. Lehmann is survived by: daughter, Kaye Joy and husband Jimmie of Roscoe; three grandchildren, Zachary Joy, Tanner Joy, and Nikolas Joy, all of Roscoe; sister-in-law, Catherine Lehmann of Granbury; brother-in-law, Milton Schmidt and wife Alene of Austin; numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful companion, Lady.

Memorial may be made to Hendrick Hospice, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604-9938 or New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 New Mexico 236, Portales, NM 88130-9411.

McCOY FUNERAL HOME / ROSCOE, TEXAS


 

Virgie Burgess

Virgie Ruth Burgess, 56, of Sweetwater died Friday, March 3, 2006, in Abilene.

The funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 9, 2006, in the McCoy Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater with the Rev. Mark Metzger officiating.

Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in the Corinth Shiloh Cemetery in Corinth.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2006, in the funeral home.

Ms. Burgess was born on Oct. 7, 1949, in Fort Worth. She was a member of the Highland Heights United Methodist Church and was a homemaker. Ms. Burgess lived most of her life in Sweetwater.

Survivors include three sons, James Michael Howard and his wife, Mary, and Clem Ward Howard and his wife, Judy, all of Sweetwater, and William Shayne Howard and his wife, Christy, of Roscoe; one daughter, Amanda Yvonne Burgess of Sweetwater; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild; her uncles, John Meadows and his wife, Vergie, of Sweetwater, James W. Meadows and his wife, Edna, of Haltom City, and Charles W. Meadows and his wife, Barbara, of Galax, Va.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ida Smith.


 

 

Chester “Chet” Kummerow

Chester “Chet” Kummerow, 97, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2006, at Lake Park in Sylvania, Ohio. 

The son of John and Anna Kummerow, he was born Feb. 10, 1909, in Ottawa Lake, Mich. He met the love of his life, Mary Connolly, at a dance and the two eventually married in 1934 and enjoyed 72 wonderful years of marriage. Chet began working for A&P until 1938 when he started Kummerow's Market. He and his wife, Mary, operated two locations eventually selling the Dorr St. location and opening another one in Point Place.

He retired in 1975. Following retirement, they moved to Florida in 1980 and returned in 2002 to live with their daughter in Toledo, Ohio. Chet loved boating and fishing, which he and Mary often did together. He was quite a good dancer and enjoyed playing cards, bowling and watching football. Chet had a real passion for horses as well. Chet and Mary shared a great sense of humor. He will be remembered best as a loving and kind husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; children, Jack (Jane) Kummerow, Shirley (Lew) Binns; grandchildren, Jack Kummerow, Judy Yingling, Jeff Kummerow, Jan Planton, Scott McMahon, Todd McMahon, Connie Welling, Ellen Swartz; and 11 great grandchildren.

Friends may visit the family on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave., Toledo, Ohio.

The funeral service will be held Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3934 W. Laskey Rd., Toledo, Ohio, 43623.


 

Mary Katherine Hunt “Kitty” Owen

Mary Katherine Hunt “Kitty” Owen, 82, of of Sweetwater, died Sunday, March 5, 2006, in the Oak Mount Nursing Home of Katy.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2006, in the Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. Orvel Brantley officiating.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories in Sweetwater under the direction of Cate-Spencer and Trent Funeral Home of Sweetwater.

The family will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2006, in the funeral home.

Mrs. Owen was born on Dec. 12, 1923, in Sand Springs, Okla. She was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church. Mrs. Owen worked as a nursing home administrator for the Holiday Retirement Center for more than 25 years before retiring. She was a member of the board of directors for Rolling Plains Hospital, TSTC Nursing School, PPI and was a member of the ABWA. She worked with the Boy and Girl Scouts and was a bridge player.

Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Kay Owen of Katy; one brother, George H. Hunt of El Paso; two grandsons, Terry Ree Owen of Fort Worth and Tayt Owen of Lewisville; one granddaughter, Cassie Owen of Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; one great-grandson, William Robert Owen of Fort Worth; one great-granddaughter, Kelli Elizabeth Owen of Fort Worth; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W.R. Owen Jr., and a son, Michael Terry Owen.


Elizabeth Christine McLeod Elrod

Elizabeth Christine McLeod Elrod, a loving Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died Tuesday, March 7, 2006. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Larry Mayfield and Jim Ravanelli leading the services. Following the services, burial will be in the Elrod family plot in Sweetwater City Cemetery in Sweetwater, Texas.

She was born December 3, 1921, in Trent, Texas. Christine was the daughter of the late Carlton and Era McLeod, who instilled in her the values of living a Christian life. She was married for 64 years to Joe Elrod, originally from Sweetwater.

Christine attended Abilene Christian College. Joe and Christine married December 23, 1941, but were unable to complete their education then because of WWII. She began working June, 1942, at Lubbock Army Airfield and South Plains Army Airfield shortly after Joe volunteered for the Army Air Corps. After the war they settled in Big Spring where two children, Gloria Ann and Charles were born. In 1954 they moved to San Marcos to finish college, and both graduated from Southwest Texas State. She then taught school for several years. Their daughter, Lisa Jo, was born in 1958. In 1970, Joe and Christine moved to Canyon Lake where they resided for 31 years, helping to establish the Canyon Lake Church of Christ. They moved to Abilene in 2002, where they were members of Buffalo Gap Church of Christ.

Her life was centered on her family, church, friends, and her home. She had been a cancer survivor since 1995. Christine was a wonderful example as a wife, mother, and teacher. She enjoyed doing things for others.

Survivors include her husband Joe Elrod, her children, Gloria Ann Speak of Ft. Worth, Charles Dennis Elrod and his wife Helen of San Antonio, Lisa Jo Fowlkes and her husband Bryan of Abilene. Her grandchildren are Chad Berry of Euless, wife Rebecca; Chris Berry of Ft. Worth; Capt. Jonelle Eychner of Montgomery AL, husband Capt. Brad Eychner; Todd Elrod of Alpine; Brianna and Bryson Fowlkes of Abilene. She had two great grandchildren: Carter and Carrigan Berry of Euless. She is also survived by a sister, Anne Bogle and her husband Chet; her brother-in-law David Elrod and wife, Evelyn. She was preceded in death by her sister, Gloria Wakeman.

Memorials may be sent to the L.E. and Ada Adrian Scholarship Fund, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX 79699, or to Casa Sonrisa, P.O. Box 2189, Round Rock, TX 78680.


Jodie Hilliard Jr.

Jodie Hilliard Jr., 87, of Sweetwater died Tuesday, March 7, 2006, in Sweetwater.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2006, in the Greater Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William Jackson officiating.

Burial will follow in the Sweetwater Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater.

Mr. Hilliard was born on March 6, 1919, in Maples. He married Flossie Lewis in 1948. Mr. Hilliard was a self-employed master carpenter and lived in Sweetwater since 1971. He was a deacon of Greater Zion Baptist Church of Sweetwater.

Survivors include two sons, Jodie Hilliard III of Grand Prairie and Kenneth Hilliard of Hutchison; two daughters, Verna Sue Hilliard of Garland and Patricia Elaine Hilliard of Dallas; one brother, N.H. Hilliard of Texarkana, Ark.; two sisters, Odessa Davis of Houston and Elizabeth Edwards of St. Louis, Mo.; 19 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Flossie Hilliard, on Jan. 2, 1992, and a daughter, Willie Etta Walker.


 

 

Nora McCracken

A funeral services for Nora McCracken, 82, of Lubbock, will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m., Friday, at Resthaven.

Mrs. McCracken died Thursday, March 9, 2006.

She was born May 6, 1923, in Roscoe to the late Arno and Bertha Rannefeld. She married Leroy McCracken March 1, 1946. He preceded her in death, March 28, 1996. They moved to Lubbock from Sweetwater in 1970. She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her son, Johnny McCracken of Lubbock; two daughters, Brenda Parker of Memphis, Tenn., and Pam Martini of Stamford; two brothers, Elgin Rannefeld of Humble and Monroe Rannefeld of Roscoe; five granddaughters, Patricia Simons of Bay City, Michelle Parker of Austin, Bridget Alcala of Albuquerque, N.M., Jennifer Parker of Memphis, Tenn., and Carri Murphree of Lubbock; and three great-grandchildren.


 

 

Aetna L. Taylor

Aetna L. Taylor, 84, of Sweetwater died Wednesday, March 8, 2006, in Sweetwater.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2006, in the Highland Heights United Methodist Church with the Revs. Roger Mobley and Ron Kelley officiating.

Burial will follow in the Sweetwater Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater.

Visitation will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, in the funeral home.

Mrs. Taylor was born on May 20, 1921, in Fisher County. She married Bryant Taylor on Nov. 26, 1936, in Dallas. Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Highland Heights United Methodist Church and a lifelong resident of Sweetwater. She worked for Walls and Roscoe Drapery and Colorado City as a seamstress.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda Wade and her husband, Orin, of Midland; three sons, L.B. Taylor and his wife, Martha, and Doug Taylor and his wife, Jenene, all of Sweetwater, and Dennis Taylor and his friend, Niki, of Bedford; one sister, Katherine Smith and her husband, Lowell, of Fritch; 15 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


 

Velma F. Butterfield

Velma F. Butterfield, 87, of Sweetwater died Thursday, March 9, 2006, in the Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2006, in the Cate-Spencer and Trent Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Ward Hayes officiating.

Burial will follow in the Roscoe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2006, in the funeral home.

Mrs. Butterfield was born on Nov. 15, 1918, in Roscoe. She married Howard Alfred Butterfield on March 20, 1946, in Roscoe. Mrs. Butterfield was a homemaker and member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Kat White of Sweetwater; one son-in-law, Charles Wayne Jones I of Sweetwater; three grandchildren, Melissa McBroom, Christopher F. “Chris” Jones and Charles “Chuck” Jones II, all of Sweetwater; nine great-grandchildren, Rachelle and Randy Hill of Sweetwater, Matthew and Charlsea Jones of Wastella, Mason and Samantha Husted of Palestine, Krissie, Creegan and Harmony Jones of Sweetwater; one brother, Amos Garrett of Lorenzo; and two sisters, Mary Garrett of Pasadena and Lee Wyatt of Belton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Alfred Butterfield, on Aug. 12, 2002.

 


 

 

Dannie W. Hair

Dannie W. Hair, 60, of Sweetwater died Friday, March 10, 2006, in the Abilene Regional Medical Center.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2006, in the Cate-Spencer and Trent Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Ward Hayes officiating.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories.

Mr. Hair was born June 30, 1945, in Roscoe. He worked for Ludlum Measurements for 13 years and was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran.

Survivors include his mother, Edna Hair of Sweetwater; two daughters, Missie Hair and Stacey Tucker, both of Sweetwater; one brother, Ronnie Hair and his wife, Shirley, of Little Rock, Ark.; and four grandchildren, Jerald, Derien, Kevin and Xavier.

He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Hair, on Dec. 29, 2001.


  

 

Eddie Franklin Smith

Eddie Franklin Smith, 57, of Conway, Ark., passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006.

Born June 16, 1948, in Sweetwater, a son of the late L.V. and Opal Smith, he was a computer operator for 3-M Company, a Navy veteran and member of the Church of Christ in Sweetwater.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Smith; three sisters, Bonnie Baker of Raleigh, N.C., Connie Havner of Sweetwater and Donnie Moore of Santa Maria, Calif.; and one brother, Freddie Smith of Mesquite.

Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, Ark., with Jeff Jasso officiating. Interment followed at Crestland Memorial Park


Sheila Kay Head

Sheila Kay Head, age 60, of Snyder and formerly of Sweetwater passed away on Monday, May 22, 2006 in Abilene, Texas.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2006 at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater with the Reverend Mike Redden officiating. McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater is in charge of the arrangements.

A family visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater.

Sheila was born on July 28, 1945 in Wichita Falls, Texas. She owned and operated Buchanan Flower's in Sweetwater for numerous years; she was a member of the Broadway Baptist Church of Sweetwater, and she was a long time resident of Sweetwater. She lived in Lubbock the past two years. She worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Survivors include: two sons, Kirby Head & wife, Randy, of Snyder, Texas and Joe Head & wife, Angela, of Merkel, Texas; a daughter, Sheryl Johnson & husband, Jason, of Abilene, Texas; three grandsons, Ethan Head, Justin Head, and Brandon Head; four granddaughters, Samantha Balthrop, Kendell Balthrop, Sydney Head and Casey Head; two brothers, Mike Keel of Houston, Texas and Pat Cook & wife Cheryl of Plano, Texas; and her father, Jim Cook & his wife, Helen of Dallas, Texas.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, granddaughters, nieces, & nephews.