Archives for February 2022

Judy Pitts Cruse passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at the age of 72.

Services were held at Turkey Church of Christ on Saturday, February 5, 2022, with Bro. Gerald Bedwell and Bro. Hugh Miller officiating. Graveside services will follow at Flomot Cemetery.

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

Judy was born September 1, 1949, in Matador, Texas to Douglas Pitts, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Bryan Pitts. She married the love of her life, Donnie Ray Cruse, in Matador on October 4, 1968. The couple lived in College Station, Slaton, Lubbock, and Plainview before moving back to Flomot in 1978. She prioritized being a Christian above everything and was a member of the Flomot Church of Christ for most of her life. Her passion was serving God, serving her family, and, as a nurse, serving her patients. Her hobbies included gardening, needlework, and especially attending any activities in which her grandchildren were involved.

Judy has five children: Regina and her husband, Chad Seward of Goldthwaite, Brand and his wife Jodi Cruse of Turkey, Chancy and his wife Christie Cruse of Clarendon, Roegan and his wife Carol Cruse of Flomot, and Talon and his wife Chris Cruse of Flomot. She has twelve grandchildren: Allison and husband Aris Shelton, Quaid and wife Shyana Seward, Macy Seward; Branson, Baylor, and Brayson Cruse; Zane Cruse; Ashley and husband Victor Pastrana, Bradley Alred, and Brock Taylor; Colton and Audrey Cruse. She has three great grandchildren: Hayden and Harper Pastrana; and Reece Shelton.
Judy is also survived by her sister Lou and husband Billy Cogsdil, her brother Kenneth and wife Tami Pitts, her brother Don and wife Paulette Pitts; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Douglas Pitts Jr, her mother, Mary Elizabeth Pitts, and her husband, Donnie Ray Cruse.

The family requests donations be made to Flomot Fire Department or Flomot Cemetery Association.

Barbara Lea Hewett, 83, of Clarendon passed away on February 1, 2022, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 7, 2022, at Robertson Saints Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Bill Hodges and Chuck Robertson, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery.

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

Barbara Lea (Jacobs) Hewett was born on November 17, 1938, in Clarendon to Alton and Alma Winnell Talley Jacobs. Barbara was a resident of Clarendon most of her life. She married Bobby Glen Hewett on October 19, 1962, and worked side by side with him managing Allsup’s for a number of years.

Barbara was a woman of great faith. She was a long-time member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Clarendon. Barbara was a prayer warrior and demonstrated her faith through her kind and nurturing spirit. She enjoyed gardening and cooking for her family. Barbara was better known as Granny by all, and she deeply loved her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bobby Glen Hewett; son, Robert Douglas Hewett; sister, Bettie Phillips and husband, Donnie; grandchildren, Sean Campbell and Brittany Campbell; niece, Tambra Phillips and nephew, Todd Phillips.

Barbara is survived by two sons, Darren Hewett and Jeffrey Hewett, both of Clarendon; two daughters, LaDonna Burkett and husband, Stephen, of Garland, and Cindy Mills and husband, Charlie, of Howardwick; sister, Gale Putnam and husband, Butch, of Jonesboro; four grandchildren, Trisha Chambless and husband, Deston, Kae Lea Hewett, Jacob Hewett, and Nolan Burkett; two great-grandchildren, Delaney and Jetson Chambless; one niece, Shonda Cummins; three nephews, Jason Putnam, Aaron Putnam, and Michael Putnam; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 790, Clarendon, TX, 79226; The Gideons International, PO Box 2304, Amarillo, TX, 79105; or Donley County Senior Citizens, Drawer B, Clarendon, TX, 79226.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

 

Altha Kay Miller, 78, of Brownwood, Texas, passed away on February 2, 2022 in Brownwood.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Robertson Saints Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Todd King, officiating. Burial will follow in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Altha Kay (Brown) Miller was born on October 23, 1943, in Hedley, to Roy and Juanita Bramblett Brown. Altha was a resident of Brownwood for 20 years, and she was a member of the High Mesa Cowboy Church. She raised three children, and she loved cooking for them. Altha deeply loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them while making memories at family gatherings. Altha also enjoyed going to the casino.

Altha is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her son, Sid Ketchum and wife, Tammy Robinson, of Brownwood, Texas; two daughters, Sarah Chitwood of Brownwood, Texas, and Judy Garrison and husband, Mack, of Amarillo; two brothers, John Brown of May, Texas, and Roy Brown and wife, Sharon, of Amarillo; three sisters, Marie Norton of Amarillo, Helen Ford of Clarendon, and Gracie Burkhalter of Oklahoma City; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Sign our online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.

Miles “Punch” Skelton, 79, of Clarendon died Tuesday, February 1, 2022 in Clarendon.

Services were held on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Travis Bennett, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Punch was born August 8, 1942, in Dalhart to O.D. and Gwen Skelton. He married Kay Barkley on April 2, 1961 in Raton, NM. Punch was a lifelong cowboy and horseman who worked for ranches from Arizona, Colorado, to the Texas Panhandle. He started making handmade boots for cowboys in 1968 in his spare time. In 1993, He opened his own boot shop with his wife Kay in Channing, Texas.

After moving back to Clarendon, he continued his boot making business up until his death. He mentored and taught several people all over the U.S. the trade of boot making. He was a dedicated family man who loved his late wife, children, and grandchildren dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, O.D. “Fat” and Gwen Skelton; and the love of his life, Kay Skelton.

He is survived by his children, Lisa Parman and husband Danny of Lefors, Lori Leuch and husband Tracy of Menard. Shawna Demel and husband Robbie of Whiteface, and Bryan Skelton and wife Nerie of Donie, Texas; his sisters, Laura Turner, Carolyn Roach, and Ramona Berry; his brother, Bunk Skelton; 7 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to Arena of Life Clarendon Cowboy Church Building Fund / PO Box 641 / Clarendon, TX 79226.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Mary Louise Morrow, 81, of Clarendon, died Thursday, February 3, 2022, in Memphis.

Graveside service were held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood officiating.

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

Mary was born September 10, 1940, in Goodnight to Lloyd and Frances Hearn McCord. She was long time resident of Donley County. Mary married John Tom Morrow September 11, 1999, in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. She enjoyed sewing, counted cross stitching and cooking. Mary was member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law’s, Jessica McCord; and uncle, Thad Carroll.

She is survived by her husband, John Tom Morrow; son, Gary Price of San Antonio, Texas; sister, Sue Hardy of Clarendon and brother, Lloyd McCord of Hawley, Texas; three sister in laws, Marti Price of Fort Worth, Mary A. Brown of Amarillo, and Ina Blassingame of Mineral Wells; brother-in-law, Earl Morrow and wife Sharyn of Clarendon; aunt, Cora Lee Carroll of White Deer; and niece, Angelia Price of Fort Worth; a cousin, Curtis Phillips and wife Pam of Pampa and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.

Jerry Don Courtney, born October 4, 1939, in Wills Point, Texas, to Albert and Lottie Courtney passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022 at his home in Amarillo.

With the help of his daughter, Courtney hosted an open house for his friends and family for three days before his passing. He lived and enjoyed life to the fullest and left it the same way.

Courtney grew up in Wills Point and graduated from Will Point High School in 1956. He attended The University of Texas in Austin before serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated with honors from The University of Texas in Arlington in 1967. While at UTA, he played minor league baseball with the Lewisville Merchants.

He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1970 from The University of Texas School of Law in Austin. He began his career in Amarillo with the Underwood Law Firm before forming the Lowe & Courtney Law Firm in Clarendon, TX.

In his professional and personal life, he defended those who had no defense and received numerous awards for serving underprivileged communities.

He leaves behind his daughter, Emily Bayle, her husband; twin grandsons; brother Maston Courtney of Waco; sister Elaine “Sissy” Foster of Carrollton; nieces and nephews; cousins; and the many friends he cherished. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Dr. Albert K. Courtney.

Honorary pallbearers are Maston Courtney, Tom Paniszczyn, J.C. Fowler, John Homer, Danny Mayfield, and Tim Young.

Because of dangers associated with gatherings at this time, his memorial service will be postponed until late March or early April. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity or cause close and meaningful to you.