Archives for August 2019

James (JEM) Emmett Moores Simmons, 64, of Clarendon died Sunday, August 18, 2019.

Services were held on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, in First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Simmons was born March 21,1955, in Amarillo, and was a lifelong resident of Clarendon. He married Karen Ann Stafford October 14, 1978, at First Baptist Church in Clarendon. He was the owner at Simmons Insurance in Clarendon and serving as Vice-President at First Bank and Trust of Clarendon. In 1988, he took over the family ranching and farming operation.

Throughout his life he was involved with Boy Scout Troop #33 where he achieved Eagle Scout rank in 1969. He was a member of the Clarendon High School Class of ’73. He received his BBA from Texas Tech University in 1977 and received his master’s degree from West Texas State University.

He was a member of Al Morrah Shriners and Past Master of Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700, served on the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, and Clarendon Lions Club. He was a follower of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife Karen Ann Stafford Simmons, parents Anna Moores Swift and Emmett O. Simmons, and grandparents James D. Swift and Rachel Moores Swift, Nolie G. Simmons and Ella Hardin Simmons.

He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Simmons Zongker and husband Nathan of Clarendon, Jamie Kathleen Simmons Mehlhaff and husband Zach of Sachse, Texas; his grandchildren, Kase Ryan Zongker, Aleezah Brielle Mehlhaff, and Kinze Ann Zongker; one sister, Anna Beth Simmons McNabb of Charlotte, North Carolina; a mother in law, Elnora Stafford of Amarillo; two brothers in laws Tommy Stafford and wife Janice of Amarillo, Steve Stafford and wife Cindy of Claude; nieces and nephews Margaret McNabb, Madison McNabb, Amy Harris, Trey Stafford, Cody Stafford, Chrissy Fuller, and Chelsea Wright; and special friend Madeline Black of Clarendon.

The family requests that any memorials be to the Clarendon, Hedley, or Memphis Volunteer Fire Departments.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Rev. Melvin Brooks, Sr., 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 19, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Carl Taylor officiating. Burial followed in Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.

Rev. Brooks was born October 28, 1927, in Gilmer, Texas to Luther and Lubertha Ford Brooks. He proudly served in the United States Navy. He married the love of his life, Bennie Mae Pope on July 1, 1952. Rev. Brooks served the Lord faithfully from being a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and a Pastor. He loved his church home, St. Stephen’s Baptist Church in Clarendon, where he led the congregation for 29 years. Rev. Brooks retired from Phillips 66 as a craftsman. If you knew Rev. Brooks, then you knew he had a passion for gardening. He often shared the abundance of it with the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, James “Short Dog” Michael Brooks; grandson, Cedric Maurice Dickson; brothers, Charlie Brooks, Artis Brooks, Myers Brooks, Russell Brooks, Luther Brooks; and sisters, Connie Mack, Daisy Lee Odom, Inez Christian, Estine King and Buelah Hagler.

He is survived by his sons, Ben Melvin Brooks, Jr. and wife Janie of Wellington, Melton Ray Brooks of Muskogee, Oklahoma; daughters, Bertalene Dickson of Borger; Parilene Coffer of Dallas, Linda S. Heyward of California; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great great-great grandchildren; brother, Frank Brooks and wife Velma of Longview; sister, Doris Annette Moore of Longview; and a host of extended family.

Truman Neely Ledbetter, 81, of Claude died Friday, August 16, 2019, in Claude.

Services were held on Monday, August 19, 2019, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Rev. Eddy Helms and Rev. Dick Gravley, officiating. Burial followed in Claude Cemetery in Claude.
Arrangements are by Robertson Claude Chapel.

Truman was born September 9, 1937, in Samnorwood to Raymond “Red” and Ruby Neely Ledbetter. He married Jean Webb on August 30, 1959, in Samnorwood. Truman was a US Army veteran and was graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He had been a resident of Claude for 20 years. Truman had preached in Texas for over 30 years and was always busy visiting hospitals and the bereaved as a Pastor. He also was a correctional officer and Chaplain with TDCJ for 5 years. Truman loved watching westerns and was a Dallas Cowboys fan. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Troy Ledbetter; and a sister, Roberta Gollihugh.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Ledbetter of Claude; a son, Rod Ledbetter of Claude and girlfriend, Dawn; a daughter, Lisa Hooper and husband Rusty of Tulia; and five grandchildren, Corey, Chris, Cortnie, Tanner, and Laci.

The family request memorials be sent to the First Baptist Church in Claude.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Mackie Clark Salmon, 80, got his “angel wings” on August 16, 2019.

Services were held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mackie was born July 20, 1939. He grew up at Brice and went to school at Lakeview. At 16, he moved to Cedar Park near Austin where he spent most of his life. After retirement, he moved to Amarillo at Brookdale Senior Living then to Memphis Convalescent the past years.

As a child, Mackie was kicked in the head by a horse and consequently had a reading disability. He worked for the post office for more than 30 years. The post master wrote him letters of thanks for never being late nor absent from work for 20 years and 30 years. Mackie was “Mister Clean”. He was always neat and clean. He bought a home which he kept spotless with everything in place. He polished his vehicles after every ride. When he drove home he would wash, wax, and polish everyone’s vehicle and give us warnings that our vehicles would last longer if we took better care of them. Mackie loved to rollerskate and took his neighbor kids with him. He became like a father figure to some attending their ballgames, etc. Mackie liked the Dallas Cowboys, cars, and horses. He will be sorely missed by all.

Mackie was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Henrietta Edens Salmon; a brother, Nolan Salmon and wife Sue Keever Salmon; a niece, Linnie Salmon Crosnoe; and a sister, Gaye Salmon Galvan.

Mackie is survived by his sister, Sammie Salmon Goodwin Doering of Clarendon; a niece, Gina Goodwin Dilly and husband Tom and daughter, Lauren Dilly of Rockford, Michigan; a niece, Gail Galvan and nephew Greg Galvan of Atascadero, California; grand niece, Bailey Crosnoe and grand nephew, Brayden Crosnoe of Frisco; and a nephew in law, Steve Crosnoe of Frisco.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com