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Archives for July 2020
Doris Winnifred Braddock
Doris Winnifred Braddock, formerly of Clarendon, passed peacefully with her children by her side in Pampa on Wednesday, July 01, 2020, at the age of 95.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Dale Meadows officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Doris was born November 27, 1924, in Cape Town, South Africa, to Henry and Louise Ing. She grew up in Cape Town the oldest of eight children. She moved to the United States at the age of 18. She married Wesley William “Shorty” Braddock in 1949. Doris worked various jobs, was a homemaker, and retired after working as a medication aid for 23 years at Clarendon Medical Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters and four brothers; her sons Robert Wayne Braddock and Steven Keith Braddock; and her husband “Shorty” whom she was married to for 56 years.
She is survived by a brother John Ing of Cape Town South Africa, her daughter Pat and husband Ben Ford of Pampa, her daughter Dorothy and husband Scott Hahn of Canyon, and her son Dennis and wife Jamie Braddock of Pampa, five grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff of Coronado Health Care and Interim Hospice nurses for the love and care shown to Doris.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
COVID-19 UPDATE: Abbott issues order requiring face coverings
Donley County will not seek an exception to Gov. Greg Abbott’s new order requiring Texans to wear face coverings to control the spread of COVID-19, according to County Judge John Howard, MD.
Abbott issued the new order on Thursday, July 2, which requires people to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing.
The order goes into effect at 12:01 p.m. on July 3 and applies to all Texas counties. Counties with 20 or fewer active COVID-19 cases can submit a form to opt out of the mask order, but Judge Howard said he will not do so at this time.
“We are participating in a public health effort, and this is one of the best things we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Judge Howard said.
The judge also reported a new positive case in a patient of the Clarendon Family Medical Center, which is in addition to another local person who reportedly tested positive in an Amarillo hospital over the weekend. Those cases would bring the total number of positive cases in Donley County to 29, but at least 25 of those are classified as “recovered.”
Abbott’s order does allow some exceptions to the mask mandate, some of which include children under the age of ten, people with health issues that would prevent wearing a mask, people consuming food or drink or is seated at a restaurant to eat or drink, people who are voting or assisting with voting, and people who are swimming.
The order says those violating the mandate can receive a verbal or written warning for a first offense and that second and subsequent offenses shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 for each offense. Officials cannot detain, arrest, or jail anyone for violating the order.
The complete text of the governor’s order is available here.
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Ruth Raney McAdoo
Ruth Raney McAdoo, formerly of Clarendon, passed away in Pampa on Monday, June 29, 2020 at the age of 84.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Ruth was born December 6, 1935, in Hedley, to Wallace and Elva Aufill Raney. She grew up in Clarendon and was a graduate of Clarendon High School and Clarendon College. She was always proud of her parents farming operation 10 miles southeast of Clarendon. While living in Raton, New Mexico, she worked as a Branch manager for a bank, and had part interest in race horses. She also taught school in Amarillo and was an owner of Panhandle Productions. Ruth one time was a primary fundraiser for the Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association, and also did fundraising for many Lions Clubs. She was a charter member of the High Plains Lighthouse for the Blind, and was a board member of the Texas Counsel for the Blind. Ruth loved to travel.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Kendra Lou Johnson; and sister Ann.
She is survived by a son, Rex Johnson of Clarendon; two daughters, Kristy Brandon of Amarillo and Ruthy Wright of Alma, Arkansas; seven grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
Syble Lee Ervin Cook
Syble Lee Ervin Cook, 93 of Panhandle died June 4, 2020, of natural causes. She was born in Lavaca, Arkansas, February 19, 1927, to Earl and Olvie (Morris) Ervin.
Syble married Jack Clifton Cook on June 2, 1943 and from their marriage they had nine children. J. C. Cook (deceased), Linda Smallwood of Amarillo, Shirley Baker and husband Raymond of Panhandle, Sandra Bannister (deceased), Jackie Cook of Nashville, Tennessee, Tommy Cook (deceased), Betty Sanderson of Chandler, Arizona, Molly Brucker and husband Craig of Clarendon, and Marilyn Defries and husband Larry of Clarendon.
Syble leaves behind six children, 20 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 19 great- great grandchildren.
She worked at Marie Foundations in McLean for many years. She was a very gifted seamstress and made many dresses for her daughters. She also loved to quilt, crochet, garden and work jigsaw puzzles, but what she loved most was her family and all of their holiday gatherings.
She married V. E. Johns in 1964 and they moved to Panhandle in 1966. She worked at various places, including Filter Media and Bell Helicopter.
She married Jackie Miller in 1982, and divorced him in 2007, changing her surname back to Cook.
The family would like to thank BSA Hospice of the Southwest for their loving care of our mother.
Memorial services will be held July 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm, 4800 Greenbelt Way #1. Clarendon, TX 79226. Cremation was under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. Graveside memorial will be July 5, 2020, at 5:00 pm at Panhandle Cemetery, Panhandle, TX 79068.
Clarendon welcomes visitors to 2020 celebration
Clarendon is set to welcome visitors to the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 2, 3, and 4.
The coronavirus pandemic has put most area July Fourth celebrations on hold this year, but the Panhandle’s oldest will still move forward this weekend.
Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Junior Rodeo scheduled for Thursday night, July 2, and the Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights, July 3 and 4, will be limited to 50 percent capacity with social distancing encouraged. All rodeo events will go on as usual, except for the dances afterward. COEA will also proceed with the usual kids’ events, including the calf scrambles.
The First Baptist Church confirms there will be no Depression Lunch downtown Friday this year.
The big day will be Saturday, July 4, beginning with the Arts & Craft Fair on the square at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Donley County 4H. Booths must be reserved through the Donley County 4H by calling 806-874-2141.
Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade, sponsored by Shelton & Shelton Attorneys and Mike’s Pharmacy, will also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up at 8:30 at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.
Kids’ Parade Chair Kim Fowler is asking all parents to register their kids for the parade online by using the form at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents.
Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will also start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parade is “Texas Strong – United We Stand,” and entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center. Entry forms are also available at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents.
The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250.
Pre-registration and adherence to the theme is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due in the Visitor Center by 5 p.m. on July 1. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club barbecue will be set up on the west side of the Courthouse square this year instead of the traditional location on the east side as plans call for spreading booths and activities over the entire square. The Shriners are also making plans for curbside pick-up of barbecue plates on Jefferson Street for senior citizens and others who prefer to avoid the crowd on the Fourth.
Tickets will be $15 per plate, and food will be served to-go style starting about 11 a.m. or as soon as the parade is over. Advanced tickets are available at the Enterprise or may be purchased on the square July Fourth.
Henson’s Turtle Race will take place at 1:30 p.m. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day Saturday night at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30.
Commentary: Independence Day amidst COVID-19
By Donley County Judge John Howard, MD
Independence. As Americans we enjoy this blessing as our birthright. Yet, it was not given to us; we earned it. We have sacrificed much to preserve it for almost a quarter of a millennium. Independence is enshrined in our Constitution and embedded in our DNA. And none value independence more than Texans. We celebrate it every year with now familiar events here in Clarendon.
This year’s celebration comes in the midst of our battle against a deadly worldwide pandemic. The battle has seriously challenged our nation and affected every person in the land. Half a million worldwide have perished already. Over 127,000 of those were Americans – more than any other country. While only 2300 of those were Texans, the incidence of disease is on the rise in our state and the Governor on Friday imposed new restrictions on the re-opening of the state.
I am pleased, and proud, to report that our last case in Donley County was on June 3rd. And before that, the last case of community spread was on April 9th. The citizens of our community took seriously the threat which at one time characterized us as the “sickest county in Texas” and gained us some temporary notoriety. And we stopped it! But with cases on the rise around us, and the probability that some folks will come in from out of town, we must continue to exercise reasonable precautions to protect ourselves from further spread here.
Several communities have cancelled their traditional 4th of July celebrations this year. In Clarendon we will have our rodeo, parade, and gathering on the courthouse square. It will look different this year. We will not serve our own barbeque. The crafts will be spread out on the square to permit more distancing in the crowd. And there will be handwashing stations and sanitizer available.
Some of us will need to carefully consider whether we should be in a large gathering of people – where we know the virus spreads more easily. Those of us who are more vulnerable to serious problems from the virus (over 60 years old, heart, lung or kidney problems, diabetes, obesity, immune system disease – to name a few) will need to weigh the risk. All who attend should exercise well known prudent precautions to prevent contracting or spreading the virus. Wearing a mask reduces such risk when you will be closer than six feet from others. I know it is hard, but we really don’t need to shake hands and hug each other this year – and when we forget that, don’t forget the hand sanitizer.
Remember that the disease can be spread by those who have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. If you are serious about avoiding the virus then you also need to avoid close contact with those who have been in a crowd. The incubation period after exposure is around 4-5 days but can be up to 11 days. And those who contract the illness can continue to shed the virus for 3-4 weeks. While we may feel that we are at low risk from the virus ourselves, we must consider the impact of spreading to others. Ultimately it is the responsibility of each individual to protect themselves. Responsibility – the all-important corollary to Independence.
However you choose to celebrate our Independence I urge you all to have a great, and safe, weekend. And remember those who have provided it as our legacy. God Bless America.
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