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Olin Aubrey Smith - August 11, 1917 ~ November 16, 2006

Sheffield - On November 16th, with deep sorrow and sadness, we bid farewell to one of the last of a great generation of true Texas cowboys.

Olin, "Da" to all of his family and the countless others who called the Smith Ranch home, saw many changes in his time on this earth, and worked his way through many trials and tribulations. Olin's favorite place to be was mending fence, tending to some of the best stock ever raised, or just piddlin' around the ranch in his old red Willis jeep. Olin handled his business as well as the way he lived his life in an Old West fashion, in his words, "it's just like digging a post hole, take care of the outside and the inside will take care of itself". He loved to be outside, especially if there was a dear old friend or family member to tell the stories of lessons hard learned or Lonesome Valley hunting stories. Olin's recollection of the people and history of the Pecos River valley was to be envied. He loved this country the way he loved Babe, all out, no questions asked. His family and friends will cherish the many memories and years they were able to spend with him and he will never be forgotten.

He was born on the 11th day of August, 1917, in Sheffield, Texas at the Smith Ranch to Will and Ethel Smith.

Olin is survived by his best friend and love of his life, Kathryn Lois (Babe) Smith, to whom he married on May 26, 1937, 2 daughters, Mary Lois Coots and Oleta Kate Patterson, 6 grandchildren and their spouses, Lloyd Jr.and Darri Coots, Roger and La Nae Coots, Olin and Kathleen Kennedy, Clayton and Stormi Kennedy, Kelly and Lorrie Kennedy and Shirley and Jeffery McMahon, 15 great grandchildren, Calen Coots, Whitney and Haley Coots, Robert, Shanna, Colleen and Colton Kennedy, Dean Kennedy and Hagen Mangham and Savannah Pendergrass, Patsy McQuitty and Will and Joe Kennedy, Dustin and Sean McMahon and 1 great, great grandchild, Carli McQuitty, and a special caregiver Regina Villa and countless other family and friends. Olin was preceded in death by his parents, 1 daughter, Patsy Mae Smith, his 2 brothers and 2 sisters, William (Peck) Smith and Clovis Smith and Edna (Pattie) Brooks and Morine Carson and one son in law, Lloyd Coots, Sr.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, November 21st, 10:30 a.m. at the Sheffield Cemetery with a gathering at the West Side Community Center following. Pallbearers are Will Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Dean Kennedy, Dustin McMahon, Sean McMahon and Michael McQuitty.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to West Texas Boys Ranch or the Iraan Exes Association. Arrangements under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home of Crane
Erwin Frank Schuster

Erwin Frank Schuster, 85, died Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in a local nursing home. Service will be at 2 p.m., March 23, 2007 at First Baptist Church in Iraan with burial in Iraan Cemetery . Arrangements are by Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Survivors include his daughter, Rebecca Carroll of Hardin; and son Frank Schuster of Farmington, N.M.

Darr Dwight “Puney” Snailum

Darr Dwight “Puney” Snailum, 76, died Sunday, March 18, 2007, in Odessa. Memorial service will be at 4 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Snailum of Fort Stockton; sons Darr Dwight Pierce of Plano, Randolph Lee Pierce of Gilmer, and Alan Kent Haley and Mark Wayne Haley, both of Kermit; daughter Darrla Lynn Pules and Gerardo of Fort Stockton; brothers Ted Wayne Snailum of Horseshoe Bay and Jerry Don Snailum of Fairview; and sister Shirley Ann Jordan of Marble Falls.

Manuel L. Sanchez

Manuel L. Sanchez, 48, of Coyanosa died Sunday, Aug. 15, 1999, in Fort Stockton.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today at the Old Imperial Community Center in Imperial. Service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the community center with burial in Imperial Cemetery . Arrangements are by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born May 1, 1951, in Sinton and was a lifetime resident of Coyanosa. He was a plant operator for Phipps Sand & Gravel in Grandfalls and was a Catholic.

Survivors include his wife, Josie Sanchez, his mother, Guadalupe Sanchez and two daughters, Mary Sanchez and Elizabeth Sanchez, all of Coyanosa; three brothers, Joel Ramirez of Coyanosa, Ralph Galvan of Odessa and Romeo Sanchez of Pecos; and three grandchildren.

MARTIN W. STEPHAN

Funeral services for Martin W. Stephan, 71, of Coyanosa, Texas will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 14, 2004 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Plainview. Rev. Michael Fickenscher will officiate, assisted by Rev. Gerald Boerger. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park under the direction of Lemons Funeral Home of Plainview.

Mr. Stephan died Monday, October 11, 2004 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.

He was born December 2, 1932 in Abilene. He graduated Lockney High school in 1951 and married Ruby Schaefer July 24, 1955 in Plainview.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Stephan of Coyanosa; three daughters, Wanda Stephan of Coyanosa, Janette Wilheim and husband Dale of Nazareth and Linda Branham and husband Eric of Coyanosa; one son, Clinton A. Stephan and wife Susan of Grand Falls; one brother, Clarence Stephan and wife Teddie of Coyanosa; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Stephan was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Hildegard Eifert Stephan and a sister Ruth P. Stephan.

Claud Stuard

Claud Stuard, 86, of Iraan, died Saturday, May 4, 2002, in Crane Memorial Hospital in Crane. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Iraan Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Restland Cemetery in Iraan .

Mr. Stuard was born Aug. 21, 1915, in Ranger, Texas. He served in the Army during World War II. He had lived in Iraan since 1947. Mr. Stuard married Marjorie Archer on March 11, 1949, at the Iraan Christian Church. He was a member and elder of the Iraan Christian Church. He retired from Chevron Oil Company in 1980 after 34 years of service.

He is preceded in death by one daughter, Eileen Stuard.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Archer of Iraan, Texas; two sons, Ron Stuard of Sheffield, Texas, and Joe Stuard of Dierks, Ark.; one sister, Imogene Lain of Artesia, N.M.; and six grandchildren. Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home

Betsy Louise Stevens

Betsy Louise Stevens died Jan. 23, 2007, at Stevens Hospital in Edmonds, Wash. She was 68. Mrs. Stevens was born March 29, 1938, in McAllen, Texas, to L.T. and Margaret Mangum. She graduated from Fort Stockton (Texas) High School in 1956. She attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. She and her family moved to Delta in 1959, where she became her father’s first bookkeeper at Delta Implement.

She married Jerry Stevens and she became a Navy wife. They lived in Grand Junction, Maryland, Alaska, Hawaii and Oak Harbor, Wash. The marriage ended in divorce.

Mrs. Stevens worked for many years in Special Services at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. She retired from an auto parts job in 2002. She enjoyed dogs, reading, crocheting afghans, watching the Seahawks, crossword puzzles, talking on the phone to her brother, music and playing the piano. She had a lovely alto voice.

Mrs. Stevens is survived by her longtime companion, John Jewell of MountLake Terrace, Wash.; a daughter, Vanir Stevens of Oak Harbor, Wash.; two brothers, Ralph Mangum and his wife Pat, and David Mangum, all of Delta; a niece, Gina Cassel of Delta; and two grandchildren, Michael Gutensohn and Chelsea Gutensohn, both of Washington.

A graveside memorial service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. at Delta City Cemetery with Reverend Bill Forbes officiating.

Sign the memory tribute and view the obituary online at www.mesaview.net . Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery is handling the arrangements.

Mahala Victoria Sibley

Mahala Victoria Sibley died unexpectedly in Austin on July 26, 2003, of natural causes. She was born on March 26, 1952, in Fort Stockton, Texas, as the middle child of Ft. Stockton natives Dr. D.J. and Jane Dunn Sibley.

She was predeceased by her older brother, Dunn Jacobi Sibley in January 1991. Her younger brother is Hiram Sibley of Alpine.

She attended public schools in Ft. Stockton and St. Andrews in Austin. She also attended St. Mary's in the Mountains in New Hampshire and the Orme School in Arizona and was graduated from Austin High. An artist and life-long patron of the arts, she received a BFA in studio art in August, 1978 from the University of Texas at Austin. She subsequently did graduate work in photography at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

She was the loving mother of Shiloh Jane Sibley-Cutforth, born November 24, 1985, and Kiowa Sehoy Sibley-Cutforth, born December 20, 1986. Mahala was presented in 1971 as Diamond of the Women's Symphony League Jewell Ball and was Bluebonnet Queen of Texas in 1972. She was presented at the Cotton Palace, The Tyler Rose Festival, the International Debutante Ball in New York, and she led the Bi-Centennial parade as Queen of the Austin- Travis County Live Stock Association riding a sterling silver saddle mounted on a palamino horse. She was a member of the Austin Art League I and the Austin Symphony. She was passionately interested in the arts, and loved her desert home in West Texas. She was a collector of contemporary Texas art. She drew and painted for many years, and rendered the environs of the desert and the mountains in hand-painted ceramic tiles, shown and displayed in Alpine and surrounding areas. She maintained a studio for her art work in Alpine for several years, and was the creator of a ceramic tile mural commissioned for the Hallie Stillwell Museum near the Big Bend National Park. She loved music and dancing.

Her most abiding passion was for her daughters Shiloh and Kiowa. The girls spent most of their childhood in Alpine, Texas, and recently had moved with Mahala to Austin. Kiowa has been attending the Loomis- Chaffee school in Windsor, CT.

In addition to her children, Mahala is survived by her parents, Dr. D.J. and Jane Dunn Sibley of Austin; her brother and sister-in-law, Hiram and Liz Sibley of Alpine and their two children, Rachel and Christopher; her sister-in-law, Jan Akers and children, Sarah Elaine Sibley and Elizabeth Victoria Sibley of Midland, and Roger Cutforth of Terlingua. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mahala Sibley Memorial Fund, UT College of Fine Arts, Austin, Texas 78712. There will be a private burial at the Glass Mountain Ranch but the date is undetermined at this time. Arrangements by Weed-Corley- Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 452- 8811. You may view memorials at www.wcfish.com

Jack N. Smith

Jack N. Smith, Big Lake, died January 21, 2007. He was 75 years old.

Born July 25, 1931, in Iraan, Jack was a welder. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He had lived in Fort Stockton before moving to Big Lake six years ago.
His sons, Johnny Smith, Bowie and Larry Smith, Baton Rouge, La.; his daughter Gretta St. John, Springtown survive him.

Five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive him.

Funeral services were held January 24, at 2 p. in the Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Tim Frenhold officiated. Interment followed in East Hill Cemetery

William David (Dub) Slaughter Jr.

William David (Dub) Slaughter, Jr., died Thursday, December 28, 2006. He was 48 years old. Born June 12, 1958 in Las Cruces, N.M., Dub, as all of his family, many friends and acquaintances knew him was the son of David and Barbara Slaughter. Dub graduated from Iraan High School in 1976, and graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in finance and a degree in Ranch Management in 1981. After graduation, he left Fort Worth and moved back to Sheffield to begin his career in ranching.

He was a man that loved to be in the presence of any conversation. He was at ease surrounded by all walks of life. He spent countless hours trying to improve upon the many endeavors that he was involved in. He became a very well respected man by holding true to his convictions, and by his influence on the many boards and associations that he was affiliated with, not limited to but including, the Iraan-Sheffield ISD School Board for 15 years, the Pecos County Livestock Association, the Ozona Wool and Mohair Association, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn., the Pecos County Appraisal District, the newly created Pecos County Water District.

Dub is survived by his wife and best friend Susan Mertz Slaughter, to whom he married July 23, 1982; their two sons Will M. and Len M. both of Sheffield; his parents David and Barbara Slaughter, Sheffield; and his brother Mark Slaughter, La Porte. Dub is also survived by three of Susan's brothers, Len Mertz and Mort Mertz, both of San Angelo, and Michael Mertz, Eldorado and his sisters-in-law Susan and Trina, and numerous nieces and nephews, and way too many friends to count. Dub was a devoted husband, son, father and friend that will be greatly missed.

Graveside services were held Saturday, December 30. at the Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo. Pallbearers were Dub's five nephews, Phillip, Lawson, James, and Louis Mertz and Hollen Slaughter.

In lieu of flowers, the Slaughter family has requested that memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Jose Manuel "Porkchop-Dirty" Sarabia, Jr.

Jose Manuel "Porkchop-Dirty" Sarabia, Jr., Carlsbad, NM died Sunday, May 20, 2007, in Lubbock. He was 20 years old. He was born September 14, 1986, in Fort Stockton to Jose Manuel Sarabia and Matilde Bernal. Jose and Claudia Jimenez were united in marriage June 16, 2002, in Fort Stockton. He worked as a derrick hand and was in the church choir.

His grandfathers, David Bernal and Seferino Sarabia preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Claudia Jimenez, Carlsbad, NM; his son, Jose Edgardo Sarabia, Carlsbad, NM; and his parents, Matilde Bernal, Garden Dell; and Jose Manuel Sarabia, Fort Stockton. Also surviving Jose are his sisters, Norma Sarabia (Norman), Fort Stockton and Staccy Sarabia (Duky), Alpine.

Funeral services for Jose will be Friday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at El Buen Pastor Church, Fort Stockton. Alvino Arenives, Alvino Ureste and Vicente Cabello will officiate. Interment will be in the Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery . Services will be directed by Memorial Funeral Home, Fort Stockton.

Arturo G. Sanchez , Midland, died Sunday, February 11, 2007 at his residence. He was 62 years old.

Born November 29, 1944 in Fort Stockton, he was the son of Agustin and Jesusita Sanchez. He was raised in Fort Stockton. Arturo was united in marriage to the love of his life, Hope Valenzuela, November 20, 1965 in Fort Stockton. They were happily married for 36 years. Arturo moved his family to Midland in 1978. He worked for Midland 66 Oil Company for 25 years.

His wife, Hope Sanchez; his parents: Agustin and Jesusita Sanchez; one brother, Adan Sanchez and one sister, Olga Gonzales preceded him in death.

Arturo is survived by four children: Penny Gonzales, Lori Sanchez and Arthur Sanchez, all of Midland and Eddie Sanchez, Lubbock; Seven brothers and sisters: Rafael and Rey Sanchez and Elodia Fabela all of Fort Stockton, Arcilia Reyes, Monahans, Agustin Sanchez Jr. of Louisiana, Cecilia Reyes, Hobbs, N. M. Minda Aragon, Denver, Colo.
Seven grandchildren: Jessica Gonzales, Stephanie Sanchez, Christopher Mendez, Crystal Sanchez, Christian Sanchez, Lee Gonzales and Marcus Sanchez all of Midland; numerous nephews, nieces and a host of friends also survive Arturo.

Prayer Service were held February 14 at 7 p.m. at Pipkin Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Service will be Thursday, February 15, at Pipkin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Serenity Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Isaac Carrasco, Aldo Ramon, Eric Ramon, Amonario Ramon, Adan Sanchez and Robert Sanchez. Services are under the direction of Pipkin Funeral Home. Family messages and condolences may be emailed to: pipkin@nts-online.net

Martin Joseph Shuster

Martin Joseph Shuster, 86, Fort Stockton, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Odessa. He was born June 21, 1919, at Homestead, Penn. He was united in marriage to his wife, Wilma March 17, 1946 in Fort Stockton. She preceded him in death, July 15, 1998.

A resident of Fort Stockton since 1946, Martin was owner and operator of a local grocery store. He was a longtime member of the Lions Club, was chosen Citizen of the Year 2003, had been on the Fort Stockton Independent School District, was a West Texas Little League Commissioner, and an avid golfer. He was a member of the First Christian Church.

He is survived by: his sons, Joe Shuster, Bobby Shuster and David Shuster, all of Fort Stockton; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His sisters, Ruth Clegg, Clearwater, Fla. and Marian Owens, Spring Hill Fla. also survive him.

Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17 at the Fort Stockton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. in the First Christian Church, Fort Stockton. Reverend Ernie Waggoner will officiate. Interment will be in East Hill Cemetery , Fort Stockton. Arrangements are under the direction of Fort Stockton Funeral Home

Maria Galindo Salgado

Maria Galindo Salgado, 78, Fort Stockton, died January 6, 2006 at Odessa. Born December 11, 1927, at Fort Stockton. A lifelong resident of Fort Stockton, Maria was a truck stop custodian.

She is survived by: her daughter, Hortencia Phillips, Fort Stockton; her sisters, Benina Salgado, and Margarita Nanez, both of Fort Stockton; and her brother, Amelio Salgado, Roswell. Nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive her.

A rosary was held January 9 at the Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 10 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Father Floro Hinacay officiated. Interment was in Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery . Arrangements were under the direction of Fort Stockton Funeral Home

Rosa E. Smetak

Rosa E. Smetak, 93, a homemaker, died Monday, July 7, 1997, in Fort Stockton. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at Fort Stockton Funeral Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Agnes Catholic Church with the Rev. Charlie Geller officiating. Burial will be at St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Frenstat and moved to Fort Stockton in 1944 from Sidney, Texas.

SURVIVORS: Sons, Earnest Smetak, Rudolph Smetak, Ben Smetak and Junior Smetak, all of Fort Stockton, Paul Smetak of Killeen and Charlie Smetak of Big Spring; daughters, Francis Schultz, Lillie Bean and Donna Verette, all of Fort Stockton, Margie Schultz of Stephenville, Rudy Tyson of Camden, Ark., and Dorothy Wilkerson of Proctor; sister, Mary Rejcek of Hills" boro; 31 grandchildren, 36 great- grandchildren and 5 great-great- grandchildren.

L. A. ``Larry'' Sherrill Jr

L. A. ``Larry'' Sherrill Jr., 58, of Fort Stockton, a performance evaluator for Firestone, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998, in Fort Stockton. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Fort Stockton Church of Christ with the Rev. Harold Durham officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in Pecos and had lived in Fort Stockton since 1974. He was a member of the Church of Christ

SURVIVORS: Wife, Dixie Sherrill of Fort Stockton; daughters, Teresa Ward of Littleton, Colo., Cindy Payne of Junction and Chris Sherrill of Abilene; brother, Richard Tilton of Carlsbad, N.M.; sister, Darlene Kendrick of Lockhart; and two grandchildren.

Juan A. Sotelo

Juan A. Sotelo, 41, of Fort Stockton, died Sunday, May 3, 1998, at Medical Center Hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Templo Los Olivos with the Rev. Filimon Ponce officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in La Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico, and had lived in Fort Stockton for three months after moving from Balmorhea. She was a member of an Evangelical church.

Survivors: Parents, Manuel and Juana Sotelo of Fort Stockton; daughter, Michele Sotelo of Fort Stockton; brothers, Ernesto Sotelo of Hobbs, N.M., Arturo Sotelo of Huntsville; sisters, Maria Isabel Rodriguez of Fort Stockton, Maria S. Rey of Odessa, and Nora S. Leyva of Fort Stockton.

Oscar Muriel Strong

Oscar Muriel Strong, 82, of Fort Stockton, a retired operation and maintenance supervisor for Northern Natural Gas, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at Medical Center Hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Krueger officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

Survivors: Wife, Dana Strong of Fort Stockton; sons, Orville Wayne Strong of Corpus Christi, Melvin Oscar Strong of Port Lavaca; daughters, Sharon Lee Spear of Santa Anna, Calif., Linda Rae Harrison of Weatherford; brothers, Charles Strong of Dakota City, Neb., Melvin Strong of Omaha, Neb., Vernon Strong of Albany, Ill., Willis Strong of Omaha, Neb. and Bradley Strong of South Sioux City, Neb.; sister, Dorothy Chamberlain of Schuyler, Neb., eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren

Wilma Shuster

Wilma Shuster, 70, of Fort Stockton, owner/operator of a retail business, died Wednesday, July 15, 1998, in Odessa. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church with the Rev. Ernest D. Waggoner officiating. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery . Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

She was born in Spur and had lived in Fort Stockton since 1941. She was a Protestant.

Survivors: Husband, Martin Shuster of Fort Stockton; sons, Joe Shuster of Fort Stockton, Bobby Shuster of Monahans, David Shuster of Burleson; brother, Billy Joe Hinson of Brownwood; and six grandchildren.

Fidel G. Salazar

Fidel G. Salazar, 62, of Fort Stockton, a farm worker, died Thursday, Sept. 3, 1998, in Fort Stockton. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Catholic Church with the Rev. Raymond Garcia 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.

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

Survivors: Wife, Louise Salazar of Fort Stockton; sons, Abel Salazar of Arlington, Fidel Salazar Jr. and Victor Salazar, both of Fort Stockton; daughters, Delia Rodriguez, Angie Salazar, Vicki Miller, Rosie Ramos and Rachel Huerta, all of Fort Stockton; brother, Abel Salazar of Fort Stockton; and 17 grandchildren

Jack E. Silliman

Jack E. Silliman, 89, of Fort Stockton, a retired civil engineer, died Thursday, Sept. 24, 1998, at the Fort Stockton Nursing Center. Services will be private. Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.

He was born in Redrock, Okla., and had moved to Fort Stockton in 1928. He built the Firestone track in Fort Stockton. He was Methodist.

SURVIVORS: Wife, Nita Silliman of Fort Stockton; sons, Tom Silliman of Great Falls, Va., Frank Silliman of Odessa and Bill Silliman of Fort Smith, Ark.

Winnie Short

Winnie Short, 98, of Fort Stockton, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in Fort Stockton.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Wolf Cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma with Andy Quinton officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Funeral Home of Fort Stockton.

She was born in Colgate, Okla.

Survivors Sons, Con Short of Wewoka, Okla., and Charles Short of Texas; daughters, Colene Shockey of Balmorhea, Umijeam Nielson of Oklahoma and Lavonnia Babb of Troy; sisters, Margret Agee of Mushogee, Okla., and Minnie Branson of Utah; numerous grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Yolanda Martinez Soto

Yolanda Martinez Soto, 55, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2007 in Amarillo, Texas. Born April 1, 1952 in Fort Stockton Texas to Jessie (Munoz) and Edubijen "Biken" Martinez.

Survivors include: children, Annette Patton of Kansas City, Missouri, Michael Soto and Olivia Goodwin and fiancé Nick Alvarez, all of Amarillo, Texas; mother, Jessie Martinez of Guymon, OK; sisters, Mary and husband Carlos Urias of Guymon, and Martha White of Charleston, West Virginia; brother, James Edward Martinez and fiancé, Jolynda of Guymon, OK; 6 grandchildren, Adrienne, Vincent, Ciera, Brennan, Madison, Gabriella; along with numerous nieces, nephews aunts, uncles and cousins and countless friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Yolanda's memory to St. Agnes Catholic Church. A Memorial Service will be held 1pm, Saturday, June 23, 2007 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fort Stockton, Texas. Private family interment

Frances Acosta Esparza Sparkman, Pecos

Frances Acosta Esparza Sparkman, Pecos, died June 20, 2007, at Hospice House in Odessa. She was 77 years old.

Born at the San Pedro Ranch in Fort Stockton June 7, 1930, she was the daughter of Aurelio and Manuela Acosta, Pecos. She was a long time resident of Pecos, a homemaker and a Latter Day Saint.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Amando Esparza, Sr. and Rodney Sparkman, Sr.; her brother, Jose Cruz Acosta; her grandchildren, Matthew Navarrette, Christina Natividad, Trey Esparza, Brenda Fuentes and Derrick Duran.

Frances is survived by her parents, Aurelio and Manuela Acosta, Pecos; seven sons, Wayne Sparkman, Pecos; Amando "Mondie" Esparza, Odessa; Alfonso Esparza and Jesse Esparza, both of Midland; Melvin Sparkman, Big Spring; Rodney Sparkman, Jr., West Bountiful, Utah; and Jim Sparkman, Sylacauga, Ala.; and eight daughters, Sylvia Hernandez, Fort Stockton; Susan Reyes, Mary Franco and Patricia Sparkman, all of Pecos; Martha Sparkman. San Antonio; Cynthia Sparkman, Round Rock; Virginia Jones, Irving; and Louise Travae, Dublin. Also surviving her are four sisters, Mary Pallan, Amelia Reyes, and Rosa Payan, all of Pecos; and Concha Swanson, El Paso; and 48 grandchildren, 74 great grand children and eight great great children.

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. She touched so many lives by her loving and giving example. She will truly be missed but never forgotten. Families can be together forever! Till we meet again, Mom! Your loving family for all time and eternity!

Funeral services were held Friday, June 22, at Pecos Funeral Home. President Wayne Sparkman officiated. Interment was at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery, Pecos. Arrangements were under the direction of Pecos Funeral Home

Maria M. Sotelo

Maria M. Sotelo, Fort Stockton, died Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in Fort Stockton. She was 84 years old.
She was born November 20, 1922, in Grandfalls. She was a Catholic, a lifelong resident and a homemaker.

Maria and Carlos Sotelo were united in marriage June 1, 1946, in Fort Stockton.

Her husband, Carlos Sotelo, December 1994, and her son, Ray Sotelo, December 1976, preceded her in death.

She is survived by a son, Robert Sotelo, Fort Stockton; and her daughters, Elia Fathree, Alicia Calderon and Anita Martinez, all of Fort Stockton. Sixteen grandchildren and 28 great Grandchild also preceded her in death.

Rosary was held Thursday evening, July 26, at the Fort Stockton Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held Friday morning, July 27, at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Father Arturo Pestin officiated. Interment was in the Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements were directed by Fort Stockton Funeral Home, Fort Stockton

Joy Coates Schneemann

Joy Coates Schneemann of Fort Stockton TX died Friday, June 13, 2003, at the age of 77.


Funeral services were held at First United Methodist Church in Fort Stockton on June 16 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kevin Phillips officiating. Burial followed in East Hill Cemetery.


Joy Coates and her twin brother, Roy, were born in Ozona TX on Feb. 9, 1926, to Fleet and Cora Cranfill Coates.
She married Phillip Schneemann in Ozona TXon Nov. 23, 1946. They had lived in Grants, NM, prior to moving to Fort Stockton in 1966.


Survivors include her husband, Phillip Schneemann of Fort Stockton TX; two daughters, Phyllis Burris of Silver City, NM, and Lynda Powell of Alpine; one son, Stephen Schneemann of Iraan; seven grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.

Alberto Carnero Sanchez

Alberto Carnero Sanchez, 92, of Fort Stockton, a retired laborer, died Saturday, March 30, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.

Services will be at 10 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Stockton. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Monday in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be at Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery.

He was born in Ojinaga, Mexico.

SURVIVORS: Sons, Oscar Sanchez, Alfredo Sanchez, and Daniel Sanchez, all of Fort Stockton; daughters, Margarita Elva Sifuentes of Fort Stockton, and Maria De Jesus Samaniego of Presidio; sisters, Maria De Jesus Carnero Rey of Fort Stockton and Lucia Burrola of Mexico; 29 grandchildren; and 87 great-grandchildren.

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