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Archives for April 2021

Connie Clifford

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Graveside services were held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
On Friday, April 9, 2021, Connie Clifford, loving wife and mother of two girls, passed away at age 84.

Connie Clifford

Connie was born on February 18, 1937, in Woodsboro, Texas, to E.W. and Florence Thurk. She attended Woodsboro High School and graduated in 1955. She then went on to receive her degree in Home Economics from the University of Texas in Austin in 1959. She immediately went to work for Houston Light and Power as a Home Economist/Consumer Advocate for six years.

On November 10, 1961, she married Fred Clifford at the Grace Lutheran Church in Woodsboro, Texas.
Connie had a passion for sewing. She even made her own wedding dress and all of her bridesmaid dresses. She loved to bake, cook and garden. She was known for her beautiful eyes and infectious smile.

In 1965, Connie and Fred relocated to Clarendon, Texas, where Connie became a long-time member of the First Baptist Church and together, they raised their two girls, Gayla and Trisha. Shortly after moving to Clarendon, Connie began to teach in Estelline.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Florence, and her father, E.W.

She is survived by her husband, Fred Clifford; daughter, Gayla (Chris) Reynolds of Pleasanton, Texas; daughter, Trisha Clifford of Pflugerville, Texas; her brother, Larry Thurk, of Corpus Christi, Texas; as well as five grandchildren (Megan Pope, Shelby Pope, James “Ross” Reynolds, Will Reynolds, and Ruthie Bell), and wonderful nieces and nephews, including Virginia and Brit Patten; Abby (Cole) Llewellyn; Annie (Barrett) Coon and great-great-nephews, Brecken and Bray; caretakers including, Nancey Owens, Danielle Youree and Paulette Kidd, and many other wonderful friends and neighbors.

Flowers or donations are requested to be sent to church of your choice, the Donley County Senior Citizens, or Citizens Cemetery (P.O. Box 983) in Clarendon, Texas.

Four active COVID cases this week

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Active cases of COVID-19 have ticked up in the last two weeks, according to information from the Clarendon Family Medical Center.

Clinic spokesperson Marsha Bruce reported four new cases this week, all of which are active. That figure is up from one active case two weeks ago.

The clinic has now conducted a total of 1,353 COVID-19 tests, with 365 positives. Combined with known positive tests on local residents at other sites, Donley County has had a total of 408 positive cases since the pandemic began with 13 fatalities, a local mortality rate of 3.19 percent.

Large crowd expected for CC judging contest April 10

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The Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest will attract a huge crowd and likely double the population of the town this Saturday.

As of Tuesday, 2,396 contestants were registered for the event, which is almost the same as in 2019 when the contest drew its biggest crowd ever. However, Johnny Treichel, Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, says he expects there may be ten to 15 percent of registrants who might not show up this year.

The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The biggest single event doubles Clarendon’s population for a day each year. The contest attracts around 2,000 high school FFA students and 4-H students from around Texas and nearby states.

The number of registrations doesn’t include the hundreds of parents and coaches who accompany the students to the contest. According to the 2010 US Census, Clarendon has a population of 2,026.

Past contests have had huge impacts on the local economy. Restaurants are typically packed for the event, and this year will hopefully be equally successful. Best Western Red River Inn reported they are booked solid for Friday night.

In addition to helping local merchants, the event also presents a great opportunity for CC to showcase its campus, faculty, and programs for prospective students. Treichel Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, said the event is a big recruiting tool for the college.

“This is the only time each year the college has this many potential students on campus,” he said. “And we are pleased to have such positive support from the community year after year.”

Ten-digit dialing coming to 806 area code

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Texas Panhandle and South Plains telephone users will soon have to use ten digits (area code plus telephone number) to make local calls, according to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

The change will begin to occur on April 24, 2021, and will be enforce on October 24 for Texans with phone numbers in the 254, 361, 409, 806, 830, 915 and 940 area codes.

The new dialing standard is due to an order issued July 16, 2020, by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Order 20-100), which approved 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Order requires all telecommunications providers (including telecommunications carriers, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] providers, and one-way VoIP providers [covered providers]) to make any network changes necessary to ensure 988 access by July 16, 2022.

Several Texas area codes, including 806 and 940) have numbers with a 988 prefix. Therefore, those areas must transition from seven-digit to 10-digit local dialing.

April 24, 2021 marks the beginning of a “permissive dialing period” in which callers in those area codes can still complete a call with seven-digit dialing. When that period expires on October 24, 2021, only calls dialed with ten digits will be connected.

After the permissive dialing period, local calls dialed with only seven digits will reach a recording prompting them to hang up and dial again using both the area code with the seven-digit telephone number.

Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use seven-digits.

Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit local dialing. Any needed reprogramming of alarm and home security equipment must be done during the permissive dialing period from April 24, 2021 to October 24, 2021 to avoid interruption of those services.

Some other examples of services that may need to be re-programmed are: life safety systems or medical monitoring devices; PBXs; fax machines; Internet dial-up numbers; fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates; speed dialers; mobile or other wireless phone contact lists; call forwarding settings; and voicemail services and other similar functions.

Customers should also ensure the area code is included in all other places where a telephone number is displayed like their websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, and even personal or pet ID tags.

Telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change. The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.

Customers will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls. Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services). If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 are currently available in one’s community, they can still be dialed with just three digits.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) even after the 988 code is in effect.

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Sandell will host TobyMac live on April 16

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Clarendon’s Sandell Drive-In will kick off its 2021 season of live concerts next Friday, April 16, with an in-person performance by TobyMac.

The Sandell developed a reputation for hosting some of the biggest names in Christian music last year after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the development of drive-in concerts that brought a lot of famous performances to small towns all across America.

The TobyMac concert continues the Sandell’s partnership with Awakening Events and will also feature the DiverseCity Band and Cochren & Co. Ticket prices range from $88 to $250 per car based on parking location and with a limit of six people per car.

Toby McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac, is an American Christian hip hop recording artist, music producer, songwriter and author. He has charted 20 solo singles on Billboard’s Christian Songs list.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the concert, and the show begins at dusk.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.driveintheatertour.com.

Jones 5K, polar plunge set for April 17

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A new Polar Bear Plunge will be held in conjunction with the ninth annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K, which will be held Saturday, April 17 at the new Clarendon Aquatic Center.

Ella and Ben Estlack sit in front of the new Clarendon Aquatic Center Monday afternoon as water feature are being tested. The pool was filled this week, and workers are making final adjustments and treatments as the center gets ready for the Chance Mark Jones Polar Bear Plunge on April 17 and the grand opening Memorial Day weekend. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the events in memory of the late Chance Mark Jones to raise awareness of Child Abuse. Jones passed away in January 2011 as a result of abuse.

Those interested in running or walking the 5K (about 3.1 miles) or taking the plunge are encouraged to sign up by April 8 to take advantage of the early registration price.

Early registration is $20 for the 5K, $20 to take the plunge, or $30 for a combo registration for both events. Signing up by April 8 also guarantees participants the official 5K/Plunge t-shirt.

Registrations after April 8 will cost $25 each or $40 for the combo registration.

The Lions Club is also encouraging all participants to wear costumes for both the 5K and the plunge with a prize being award to the best dressed person in each competition. The crazier the costume, the better, the club says.

The year’s 5K will again start and end at the Clarendon Aquatic Center and will run through the city, around Prospect Park, which is the home of the Lions’ Chance Mark Jones Memorial Playground, and past several historic sites. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Following the race, at about 10:30, the Polar Bear Plunge will take place inside the Aquatic Center, with registered plungers being the first people to jump into Clarendon’s brand new swimming pool.

Race and plunge registrations are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center at the Mulkey Theatre, at the Enterprise, or online at https://bit.ly/2Qp85lE.

Sponsorships are also available, and potential sponsors are also asked to sign up by April 8 to ensure their names are on this year’s t-shirt.

Proceeds will go towards the many charitable activities of the Clarendon Lions Club, which includes eyeglasses for local school kids, Christmas food baskets for local families, hosting the local office of The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center, local scholarships, continued park improvements, and monetary support for other local charities.

For more information, contact Lion Ashlee Estlack at ashlee.estlack@gmail.com or 806-662-4687 or Lion Roger Estlack at publisher@clarendonlive.com or 806-874-2259.

Open for business

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Braxton Gribble and his friends took advantage of the warm weather Saturday to set up a lemonade stand and earn some spending money. The boys were doing a booming business and even had to send out for more supplies to keep up with demand. Enterprise Photo / Elaina Estlack

Drive-in egg hunt

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Approximately 90 kids participated in an Easter evening egg hunt Sunday at the Sandell Drive-In. The hunt for about 2,000 eggs was done by age categories and was followed by a presentation of The Passion of the Christ. Courtesy Photo / Eric Riddle

Marilee Self

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Beloved mother and wife, Marilee Self, passed away on February 26, 2021, at 81 years of age in Dallas, from complications from the COVID virus.

Marilee Self

Marilee was a life-long learner. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class in Lelia Lake, and then received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Fifteen years later, she earned her Master of Education Degree from the University of Missouri. After dedicating many years to teaching elementary school and special education in Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona, Marilee co-founded a literacy council in Pinal County, Arizona, for which she was nominated for the 1994 President’s Volunteer Action Award.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Marilee Self was dedicated to her family and they cherish many wonderful memories.

She is survived by her husband, George Self; and her daughter, Kristi Shade, and her sons, Mitch Self and Brad Self, along with their spouses and children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Sheila White. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Mary Jane Smith. Marilee is sorely missed.

Private family burial was held in Citizens Cemetery. Cremation & Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mary Willene “Nana” Judd

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April 2, 2021 Willene took her last breath here on earth and breathed her first breath in Heaven in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Mary Willene “Nana” Judd

Services were held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Chris Moore, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Willene was born January 10, 1927, to Etta and Joe Burgett in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. At an early age, the family relocated to Texas, where she attended schools at Samnorwood and Wellington.

On November 24, 1942, she married her childhood sweetheart, Oran G. Judd, known to friends and family as John. They were blessed with two sons, Glenn and Eddy Wayne. They moved several times, as necessitated by work for John, finally settling in Clarendon, where John went into business for himself. They made their home and raised their sons there. Willene always made herself available to them and put their needs above her own. John died May 25, 1999 after a long illness where she seldom left his side. They had been married 56 years.

In 1967, she attended the John V. London School of Vocational Nursing, after which she found her niche in the geriatric field and worked the last 20 years before she retired at the Clarendon Nursing Home. She had such a sweet, generous spirit, and always gave her patients the best care possible and loved them as if they were her own family. Nana, she was known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was always involved in their school functions and sports. She was a Clarendon Broncos fan, and rarely missed a game, and found those games even more exciting when her sons, grandsons, or great-grandsons played. She also was a great Dallas Cowboys fan. She was dearly loved by her family and friends, and they were enriched by her devotion to them and to her God.

She loved painting and quilting, but most of all she loved her Lord, and scripture, and was always involved in church activities and assisting her church family any way she could. She was a longtime member of the Clarendon Church of Christ, and her presence will be sorely missed.

Those she left in the caring hands of God are her son, Glenn and wife Claudette of Georgetown, Texas; her daughter in law, Linda Judd of Clarendon; nine grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Those eagerly awaiting her arrival in Heaven are her husband, John; her Mama “Bill” Etta Parrigen; stepfather, Cult Parrigan; her son, Eddy Judd; her sisters, Dovie and Caroline; and two great grandbabies. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

In lieu of flowers, Willene requested donations be sent to the Clarendon Church of Christ, Donley County Senior Citizens in Clarendon, or the Citizens Cemetery Association.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

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