Morgan Wheatly

Ralph Joe Hill, 82, Wednesday, October 17, 2012, in Clarendon, Texas.

Services were held Saturday, October 20, 2012, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, with Rev. Larry Capranica, Rev.Charlie Floyd, Rev. Chris Downer, officiating.

Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Ralph was born July 19, 1930 in Sunset, Texas to O.T. and Nola Lowrance Hill. He married Janie Lee Butler Hill on February 29, 1952, in Clovis, NM. He was a cowboy for several area ranches, an electrician for Household Supply, as well as a deputy for the Donley Co Sheriff’s Office. He was a lifelong resident of Clarendon. He was a member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon. To follow are a few things you should know about Ralph. To know him was to know the definition of a husband, a father, and grandfather, a great grandfather, a friend. Beneath a tough exterior, he held in himself a hear the size of a sunset. And behind his definite eyes there was a deep, rare, guiding wisdom that taught him to cherish the people that were important and to be patient with everyone else. It was a wisdom that taught him that money only matters for the things you need. That love, more than anything, should define the life you lead. And that God could stay in your heart daily, even if you keep it to yourself. To know Ralph Hill was to be present for that which defines strength and loyalty, love and forgiveness, joy and character. And much like a cowboy on horseback, riding off into a deep, vast distance, his character was, for those who knew him, synonymous with the spirit of the Texas country. A spirit that could teach us all to stand tall and stay honest. To be proud, not arrogant. To care for family and provide for them everything they need. To pick your battles but to take no guff. To rely on yourself when you can, and others when you need to. To work hard but love harder. He was a shining example of what life should be.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janie Hill on January 14, 2012; 3 brothers Nolan, Orin Lee, and Ross Hill; a sister Nita Fancher; and a great grandchild, Randy Joe Hill, Jr.

He is survived by 3 sons; Danny Hill and wife Debra, Tommy Hill and wife Brenda both of Clarendon, Randy Hill and wife Kay Lynn of Canyon; a daughter Linda Hill of Clarendon; a special niece Belinda McGranahan and husband Rick; 9 grandchildren, Dakota Hill, Jadon and Jake Thornton, Jarad Lax, Gabe Hill and wife Amanda, Katy Miller and husband Matt, Jenny Baker and husband Justin, Courtney D’Costa and husband Chris, Lauren Shadle; and 11 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens.

Martha Jane Barker, 76, died Thursday, October 18, 2012, at Claude, Texas.

Services were Sunday, October 21, 2012, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Bill Hodges, Pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene, officiating.

Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Mrs. Barker was born February 11, 1936 in Brice to Claudie Cecil and Beulah Gertrude Williams Rich. She married Billie Barker on September 8, 1952 in Clovis, NM. She loved her entire family and enjoyed crocheting and being an LVN helping other people. She worked at Memphis for 20 years and Dumas for several years prior to her retirement. She had been a resident of Clarendon most of her life and was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 2 brothers, Lester Rich and Darr Rich; and 3 sisters, Edith Hinkle, Esta Mae Harp, and Gladys Tice; and 2 grandchildren, McKenna Thompson and Steven Howell.

She is survived by 5 sons, Billie “Trooper” Barker and wife Pam of Stinnett, Flint Barker of Clarendon, Shawn Barker of Amarillo, Blade Barker and Duel Barker both of Clarendon; 3 daughters, Naomi Tolbert and Martha Jett both of Clarendon, and Starlet Taylor and husband Robert of Canyon; a brother, Cecil Rich and wife Mary Alice of Amarillo; 2 sisters, Mina Ivey of Clarendon and Mary Denton and husband Charles of Amarillo; 18 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to Hospice of the Southwest or Citizens Cemetery Association / PO Box 983 / Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Ruth Pauline “Polly” Robertson Shelton, age 88, died Saturday, October 13, 2012, at Vidor.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2012, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with James Shelton and Charles Yeager, officiating. Interment will follow in Citizens Cemetery with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Polly was born May 5, 1924, in Clarendon to James Alonzo and Ina Ann Hahn Robertson. She married Cecil Holt Shelton on October 20, 1941, in Clarendon. She had been a resident of Amarillo before moving to Vidor 22 years ago. She was a life member of the PTA and was a Church of Christ member. She also loved jigsaw puzzles and sold Tupperware as her hobby.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2001; her sister, Belva Mae Robertson Castleberry Nolan; and her brothers, Alvin Ray Robertson and James Harold Robertson.

Survivors include her daughter, Velma Ann Anderson and husband Frank Wayne of Vidor; her son, James Marshall Shelton and wife Cynthia V. of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Melodie Ruth Farmer and husband Jimmy, Walter Wayne Anderson and wife Gayla Joan, and Carrie Ruth Hands and husband Dr. Martin; four great grandchildren, J.P. Schnack, III, Marshall Wayne Schnack, Christina Gayle Anderson, and Ethan Wayne Anderson.

Marie Black, 81, of Wellington died on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in Amarillo.

Services were held on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at the Church of Christ with Phil Collard, minister officiating. Burial followed at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery by Adams Funeral Home.

Marie was born on June 9, 1931, in Wellington to J.D. and Nellie Wisdom Gibson. She married Bill Black on August 2, 1948, in Dodson. He died in 1967. She operated the Skyrocket Donut Shop for 17 years and managed Allsups Convenience Store #49 for 16 years in Wellington. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Marie was also preceded in death by a grandson Shane Black in 2008, a great grandson Cody Black in 2011, by a brother Charles Gibson in 1967, and by her son in law Tony Hunter in 2009.

She is survived by two sons, Jimmy Black and his wife Vicki of Wellington and Kenny Black and his wife Donna of Clarendon; two daughters Pam Hunter and Kim Clancy both of Wellington; a brother John Gibson of Lubbock; three sisters Bernice Needham and Helen Gollihugh both of Wellington and Mary White of Clarendon; by eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Jack Needham Memorial Scholarship Fund or Home Delivered Meals in care of Adams Funeral Home, 1300 East Avenue, Wellington, TX. 79095