Maria Baeza, 86, of Iraan died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998, in a San Angelo hospital. A wake service was held Wednesday in Gutierrez Chapel of Prayer. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Joe Vasquez officiating. Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Iraan Cemetery in Iraan. Arrangements are by Gutierrez Funeral Chapels.

Mrs. Baeza was born Sept. 11, 1911, in Boquillas, Texas. She was a Catholic and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include one son, Abel Baeza, and his wife, Ofelia. Also surviving is one grandchild.

Edith M. Bowman, 87, of San Angelo passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2007 in a local nursing home.

Family visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the Robert Massie Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, February 23, 2007 at the Imperial Cemetery in Imperial, Texas. Arrangements are by Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Edith was born September 28, 1919 in Big Spring, Texas to Gay and Hessie Hartman. Edith's unfaltering faith in God is what defined her and carried her through life's challenges. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Leslie for
thirty-seven years. Together they were vital community servants. She showed enormous love for her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her greatest enjoyment and pride. Edith will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Leslie Graham Bowman.

She is survived by daughters Gayle Bowman of San Angelo; Maurine Boyd and husband Gary of Midland, Texas; Peggy Eubank and husband Jim of San Angelo, Texas; son Graham Bowman and wife, Tara of Ft. Stockton,
Texas; Grandchildren: Justin Boyd, Dillon Boyd, Leslie Watkins, Courtney Bowman, Josh Eubank, Rachael Eubank and Blake Bowman.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the administration and staff at Sagecrest Alzheimers Care Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Sagecrest Alzheimers Care Center, 438 Houston Harte Expressway, San Angelo, Texas 76901. Edith's obituary and memorial guest book may be viewed online at www.RobertMassie.com

Robert Ernest Bohannon, age 88, died Sunday, December 12, 2004 at Coleman County Medical Center. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kermit Sorrells officiating. Burial will be in Silver Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mr. Bohannon was born December 31, 1915 to Joseph Lafayette Bohannon and Mildred Louisa Crawford Bohannon in Brown Ranch, Coleman County, Texas. He attended the Bowen school. He farmed in Coleman County until 1946. He married Myrtle Lenora Thompson on April 29, 1948 and moved to Bakersfield, Texas. He was employed by Bland and Scott Oil Company until 1971. From 1971 to his retirement in 1982, Ernest and Lenora operated The Bakersfield Exxon Station and convenience store. Upon retirement they moved back to Coleman, Texas where they resided at 1810 South Concho until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Lenora, and only son, Jerry of Katy, Texas; one brother, Thomas Edwin Bohannon of Abilene, Texas; five nephews and six nieces.

He was preceded in death by brothers Elbert, Durwood (Buster), Travis, Raymond and his sister, Lurline Kemp. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his name to the Alzheimer¹s Association, Greater West Texas Chapter, 4400 N. Big Spring #C-32, Midland, Texas 79705.

Claudia Burnett

Claudia Burnett, the sister of Sandra Clay of Dunn, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Odessa.

Graveside service for Mrs. Burnett, 57, of Odessa is set for 2 p.m. Saturday in the East Hill Cemetery .

Born on Dec. 3, 1945 in El Paso, Mrs. Burnett was a dog breeder and had lived in Odessa for 35 years. She had previously lived in Fort Stockton. Mrs. Burnett was a member of Caprock Baptist Church.

Survivors also include her mother, Anna Elam of Fort Stockton; two daughters, Cathy Caskey and Brandi Halbaedier, both of Odessa; two sons, Jamie Halbaedier of Conroe and Derick Halbaedier of Odessa; and six grandchildren.

Consepcion Baeza

Consepcion Baeza, 76, died Sunday, July 22, 2001 of cancer at her home in San Jacinto. A native of Fort Stockton, Texas, Mrs. Baeza lived in San Jacinto 25 years. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, Ramon; six sons, Joe of Whittier, Ray of Hemet, Marco of Riverside and Hector, Rick and Jesus, all of San Jacinto; five daughters, Manuela Vega and Aurora Cisneros, both of Texas, Carmen Almeida of San Jacinto; and Josie Guzman and Linda Baeza-Stauffer, both of Temecula; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 27, 2001 at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Mortuary in Riverside. Friends may call at the mortuary from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 2001 Burial will be in Crestlawn Memorial Park.

James "Jim" (Mr. Ford) Butler, died November 27, 2006 in Fort Stockton. He was 84 years old.

Born in Fort Cobb, Okla. November 10, 1922, Jim was the son of Robert and Bertha Reed Butler.
James and his wife Inez lived in Morton until 1970 where they owned a garage and wrecking yard. James and Inez moved to Graham in 1970. Then in 1990 they moved to Lake Brownwood. Their final move came in 1999 when they came to Fort Stockton.

James had a great love for fast cars, and built and raced many hot rods in his lifetime. James was widely known as "Mr. Ford". James and Inez began their racing career on the circle track circuit in 1950.

In the late 1950's James began drag racing on the quarter and eighth mile tracks. Two of James most famous racecars were Rowdy Willy which won the Top Ten In The World honors in 1960. James sold Rowdy Willy to the Charioteer Drag Racing club in Hobbs N.M. and the driver for the Charioteers was Lee Proctor of Odessa.

Rowdy was in a featured article in the fall 2004 edition of the Gasser magazine. The last hot rod was a little Falcon Ranchero powered by a 289 cubic inch engine. James won the World Championship at Green Valley in 1966 with Remember Me. Bryan Teal was the only man James felt was worthy of driving his race cars and was the official driver of Remember Me.

Dickey Harrell known as "Mr. Chevrolet" drove Remember Me once on the eight mile track in Illinois, winning the championship. Both Rowdy Willy and Remember Me held many world records. In 1963 James built a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint "Lil Red" for the Morton Ford House which was never outrun .... until James outrun it with his 1963 Ford Falcon 289 cubic inch rod "Remember Me".

The most famous winning races were when James won the Nationals with "Rowdy Willy" and also with his tow car, a 1958 Ford station wagon. Two years later he won the Nationals with "Rowdy Willy" and also with his tow car a 1960 Ford Starliner. When James lost his eyesight and retired from drag racing, he began a new career of working on boat motors, this career lasted for 45 years.

There was never anything he could not do when he had an engine to work on and tools in his hand until the day he passed from this earth. "I'm sure daddy rode a hot rod to heaven," said his children.

His wife Inez Hallford Butler; his parents Robert and Bertha Butler; five brothers, Roy Dell, Glen, Melvin, Floyd, and Skinner; and two sisters, Arlie and Vida, preceded James in death.

He is survived by: his brother, Lewis Butler, Levelland; his daughters, Evelyn Butler Cunningham and her husband Bill Cunningham, Fort Stockton, and Patsy Butler Harris, Fredericksburg. Five grandchildren, Vickie Bradshaw, and Beverly Ezell, both of Fort Stockton, Amy Lightner, Monahans, David Harris, San Saba, Ronald Harris, Brownwood; thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson also survive.

Graveside services for James Clinton Butler will be in Morton at the Enochs cemetery Thursday November 30 at 10:30 am. Pallbearers will be David Harris, Ethan Ezell , Ronald Harris, Brandon Ezell, Chance Helmers, Billy Bradshaw, and Tyler Lightner. Honorary pallbearers will be Bryan Teal, James Swafford, Joe McCrorey, Buford Hemphill, Lee Proctor and Raymond Martin. Arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home, Fort Stockton.

Bonifacia Hernandez Burgess, 92, died Friday, April 14, 2006 in Odessa.

She was born May 14, 1913 in Fort Stockton. Bonifacia and Alvaro Burgess were married in Fort Stockton. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by: her son, Albert Burgess, Dexter, N. M.; her daughter, Maria Cruz Burgess, Santa Fe, Texas; her sister Gloria Martinez, Lubbock; nine grandchildren; eighteen great granchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation was Sunday, April 16 at the Fort Stockton Funeral Home and later at Templo Triunfo de la Fe. Interment was in Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery . The Reverend Jesus Gevara officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

W. Christine Butler, 69, died Thursday July 10, 1997, at Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Wright officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery in Canadian with the Rev. Hiram Reyes officiating. Arrangements by Richard W. Box Funeral Homes.

She was born in Gladstone, N.M., and moved to Iraan in 1980. She was a Baptist.

SURVIVORS: Husband, R.Q. Butler of Iraan; sons, Ralph Smith of Tijeras, N.M., Phelan Ray Butler of Circleville, Utah, Ronald Butler and Loren Butler, both of Arlington; daughters, Diane Monroe of Iraan and Debra Cochrell of Higgings; sister, Agnes Bishop of Wellington and 21 grandchildren.

Jose R. Bernal, 72, of Fort Stockton, a retired roustabout, died Tuesday, March 3, 1998, at medical Center Hospital. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with the Rev. Jim Chaumont officiating. Rosary will be said at 7 tonight at Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery .

He was born in Chisel and had lived in Fort Stockton since 1966 after moving from Cyanosa. He was a veteran of the Army. He was Catholic.

SURVIVORS: Wife, Rufina Bernal of Fort Stockton; sons, Ruben Bernal of Fort Stockton, Salvador Bernal of Odessa, Joe Bernal Jr. of Fort Stockton; daughters, Celia Ambris of Fort Stockton, Ofelia Sanchez and Nimfa Bernal of Odessa, and Maria Elena Bernal of Fort Stockton; brothers, Amancio Bernal of Marathon, Damacio Bernal of Las Cruces, N.M., Manuel Bernal of Midland, Tomas Bernal of Almagordo, N.M., Roque Bernal of Las Cruces, N.M., Julio Rodriguez of Almagordo, N.M.; sisters, Santos Espaza of Ralls, Juanita Bernal of Almagordo, N.M.; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren

Forrest G. Barnett, 74, of Fort Stockton, a retired oil and gas technician with the Texas Railroad Commission, died Saturday, April 18, 1998, at Midland Memorial Hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jim Miles officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in Merkel, and he was an World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps. He was a Presbyterian.

SURVIVORS: Wife, Ethel Barnett of Fort Stockton; sons, Thomas Barnett of Moreno Valley, Calif. and Steven Alan Barnett of Odessa; daughter, Mary Katherine Baker of Crane; and ten grandchildren

Pablo (Paul) Blanco Jr., 70, of Fort Stockton, a retired business owner, died Monday, July 13, 1998, at Pecos County Memorial Hospital. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with the Rev. Barry McLean officiating. Rosary will be said 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Stockton Funeral Home. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in Fort Stockton and was a lifelong resident. He was Catholic.

Survivors: Wife, Susana R. Blanco of Fort Stockton; sons, Daniel Blanco and Jesse Blanco, both of Fort Stockton; daughters, Oralia Mesa, Josie Pacheco and Delores Flores, all of Fort Stockton; brothers, Tom Blanco of Marfa, Albert Blanco of Fort Stockton; sisters, Louisa B. Cobos of Marfa; Esperanza B.Franco of Odessa, Gloria B. Garrison, Anita B. Subia and Leonor L. Blanco, all of Fort Stockton; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Julia C. Baiza, 80, of Fort Stockton, a homemaker, died Thursday, July 23, 1998, in Fort Stockton. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday at Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Ajuita, Mexico, and moved to Fort Stockton in 1948. She was a Catholic.

SURVIVORS: Sons, Jesus Baiza, Roy Baiza and Ramiro Baiza, all of Fort Stockton, Calalo Baiza of Chicago; daughter, Dora Rascon of Fort Stockton; sisters, Elodia Aiala of Chicago, Ofelia Calmillo of San Antonio, Enedina Cardenas of Agujita, Mexico; 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Freda M. Brown, 86, of Fort Stockton, a retired English teacher, died Thursday, Aug. 6, 1998, at Medical Center Hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Larry Krueger officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Sentinel, Okla., and had been a resident of Fort Stockton since 1943 after moving from Iraan. She was Methodist.

SURVIVORS: Sister, Loy Worth of Enid, Okla

Clarisa R. Barraza, 2, of Fort Stockton died Friday, Sept. 25, 1998, at University Hospital in Lubbock. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ruban Salinas officiating. Burial will be at St. Agnes Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Fort Stockton.

SURVIVORS: Parents, Hugo Barraza and Denise Carrillo of Fort Stockton; grandparents, Christina Galindo, Reyes Fuentes, Homar Carrillo, Manuela and Chon Barraza, all of Fort Stockton; great-grandparents, Sixto and Enriquita Pacheco of Odessa, Alfredo and Lucila Sanchez of Fort Stockton and Felipa Vasquez Barraza of Coahuila, Mexico; and great-great-grandparents, Alberto Sanchez of Fort Stockton.

Anna Lee Bennett, 72, of Fort Stockton, a homemaker, died Monday, Sept. 28, 1998, at Medical Center Hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist with the Rev. Jeff Witcher officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in McQueen, Okla., and moved to Fort Stockton in 1962 from Arlington. She was Baptist.

SURVIVORS: Husband, Donald J. Bennett of Fort Stockton; sons, Donnie Lee Bennett of Amarillo, Roger W. Bennett of Fort Stockton and Dwight L. Bennett of Kermit; daughter, Sue Boles of Breckenridge; brother, Bill Wise of Clarington; sisters, Louise Wright of Amarillo and Dorothy Daniel Watsonville, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Truptiben J. Bhakta, 36, of Fort Stockton, a motel owner/manager, died Monday, Sept. 28, 1998, at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo. Services will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Kapura, India, and moved to Fort Stockton in 1994 from Van Horn. She was Hindu.

SURVIVORS: Husband, Jayvadan Bhakta of Fort Stockton; daughters, Kajal Bhakta and Smitha Bhakta, both of Fort Stockton; sisters, Mina Bhakta and Sandhya Bhakta, both of India, Jayshree Bhakta of San Antonio; and brothers, Himansu Bhakta of India and Subodh Bhakta of Houston.

Refugia Sanchez Benavides, 90, of Fort Stockton, a homemaker, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, in Fort Stockton. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. David Herrera officiating. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Fort Stockton and was a lifetime resident. She was Catholic.

SURVIVORS: Brothers, Abel Benavides and Antonio Benavides, both of Fort Stockton; and sisters, Irene Gonzales of Canoga Park, Calif., and Anita Davis of Fort Stockton

Marland Lloyd Bollier, Fort Stockton, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, in Midland. He was 71 years old.

Born June 20, 1936, in Ballinger, he was the son of Henry Dee and Dolly Singleton Bollier. He went to high school in Junction, moving to Fort Stockton during the summer of 1971.
He was a self-employed carpenter for over 50 years. He loved to "waltz" the ladies and enjoyed a good game of billiards and help out on the ranch every chance he got. Those who knew him loved him and he will be missed.

His mother, Dolly Singleton Bollier, his father, Henry Dee Bollier and his brother, Russell Bollier preceded him in death.

Marland is survived by his son, Marty Bollier, Fort Stockton; his daughters, Amy Diane Bollier, Midland; Pamela Jana Bollier, Austin; and Alexis Renee Bollier, Coahoma; and his sisters, Donna Dee Houston, San Angelo; and Darla Ford, Brackettville. Five grandchildren, Damian Christian Raines and Alexander Benton Church, both of Midland; Kassie Kane Bollier, San Angelo; Aston Britt Bollier, Lubbock; and Sean Cole Bollier, Austin.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 10, in Fort Stockton. Interment was at East Hill Cemetery , Fort Stockton. Pastor Scott Owens officiated. Memorial Funeral Home, Fort Stockton, directed arrangements

Cynthia Ann Conner Berry, Kerrville, died Saturday, July 21, 2007. She was born September 16, 1946, in Fort Stockton to Cis and Nolan B. Conner.

She was a 1965 graduate of Fort Stockton High School and a graduate of Texas Tech. She was a Red Rider through and through. Second only to family was her love of Texas Tech. Cynthia married her childhood sweetheart, Richard Alan Berry August 24, 1968. She had a love for antiques, refurbishing furniture and most importantly working side by side with her beloved Richard who was not only her husband, but also her best friend. Her humor was well known and everyone who knew her will remember her light-hearted pranks. She was a friend to all, but closest to her heart were the Ole Broads, her childhood friends since kindergarten, and the Wednesday Night Dinner Group.

She was preceded in death by her father Nolan B. Conner and her mother-in-law, Lucile Griffin Berry.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Richard; her three daughters and their families, Stacy and Shawn and their children, Dustin and Clay; Leslie and Jeremy and their children, Jeremy, Jaydin, and Ethan; and Dana and Russell. Her mother, Cissy Conner; her brother, Ronney; her two sisters, Diane and Judy and their families also survive her.

A celebration of Cynthia's life was held Monday evening, July 23 at the Berry home in Ingram. The family suggests memorials be sent to Sid Peterson Hospice or the Cancer Society. Arrangements were under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Funeral Home. An on-line guestbook, provided by Kerrville Funeral Home, can be accessed at http://www.kerrvillefuneralhome.com by selecting Obituaries. Then select "Sign Guestbook" at the bottom of the individual memorial.

Damon Boyd, Imperial, died August 8, 2007, in Fort Stockton. He was 83 years old.

Born February 14, 1924, he was the youngest of nine children born to Exa Mauldin and Arch Boyd in Newman. He graduated from Sylvester High School and entered the Armed Forces where he spent time in Japan. After his discharge from the military, Damon worked in the Sweetwater area for a short time before moving to Coyanosa in 1951, just as the farming industry was being initiated and the town of Coyanosa was being established. He farmed and ranched in that area until 1970 when he married Athea Lee Grammer and moved to Imperial where he continued farming and ranching and later did contract work in the oil industry.
Damon was a charter member of the Coyanosa Volunteer Fire Department and the local Lions Club. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Buena Vista ISD for many years, serving as president much of that time. He also served on the Pecos County Memorial Hospital Board and was a past member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Imperial and the Imperial Masonic Lodge. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Dallas Order.

As an avid hunter and fisherman, Damon delighted in elk hunting in Colorado, deer hunting anywhere and fishing in the Rio Grande with his buddies. He had been a member of both the Texas Old-Time Fiddlers and New Mexico Old-Time Fiddlers Associations. He was well known throughout Texas and New Mexico for his beautiful, smooth fiddling, and he judged and participated in many contests and won numerous awards in both states, including two world championships. In his later years when he could no longer travel to contests, he enjoyed entertaining with a group of friends in nursing homes in Crane, McCamey and Odessa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

Damon is survived by his wife of 36 years, Atha Lee; a son, Gary Boyd and his wife, Maurine; a daughter, Dyan Bramwell and her husband, Rod; a step-daughter, Kenna Ivey and her husband, Paul; a step-son, Carlin Grammer and his wife Penni; and a brother, Buddy Boyd. Twelve grandchildren, Justin Boyd, Dillon Boyd, Steven Simicek, Casey Bramwell, Traci Collins and her husband, Brandon, Paul Ivey and his wife, Kari, Lauren Ivey, Mitchell Ivey, Missy Boadle-Grammer, Niki Boadle-Grammer, Darryl Grammer and Austin Grammer, and three great grandchildren, Tyler Collins, Blake Collins and Kamryn Collins also survive him.

Services were held Saturday morning, August 11, at First Baptist Church, Crane. Rev. Tommy Parker presided. Interment was in the Crane County Cemetery, Crane. Arrangements were under the direction of Shaffer Nichols Funeral Home, Crane.

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