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Alma Jean Laney
Alma Jean Laney, 87, of Clarendon, passed away at home.
Services will be at a later date in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, one son, and two grandsons.
She is survived by her children, Donna and William Esman, one son, David Trest, and her daughter and caregiver, Patricia Trest of the home.
She is also survived by six grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and many great great grandchildren.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Clinic reports 101 active COVID cases
The Clarendon Family Medical Center has treated 130 postive COVID-19 cases through January 18, according to a report from the clinic on Tuesday.
By comparison, the clinic saw 72 cases in the entire month of December and 85 in November. The clinic is currently treating 101 active cases.
“November and December were bad but not this bad,” clinic spokesperson Marsha Bruce said.
Numbers reported by the clinic do not include residents who test positive outside of Donley County or who test postive at home. Bruce also said the clinic has had to turn people away because of limited staff.
Time’s up for Neece house; city taking demolition bids
The Clarendon City Council moved forward with orders to demolish the historic Neece home during the city’s regular meeting Thursday, January 13.
The home at 602 S. Bugbee has been the subject of recurring code issues dating back to 2014 with the city going back and forth with property owner Linda Lewis, who had hoped to restore the structure.
On December 2, Lewis’ husband asked the city council for more time to repair the house, but Clarendon Aldermen, following testimony of Code Enforcement Officer Gret Betts and Fire Marshal Jeremy Powell, declared the house as a dangerous structure and ordered its removal within 30 days.
Last week, City Administrator David Dockery told aldermen the city had received a letter from an attorney representing Mrs. Lewis, asking again for more time and promising to remove debris and outbuildings by January 29 and make the house structurally sound by February 28. Dockery said the letter proposed if the owners did not meet those deadlines, demolition could proceed.
Dockery also said the city’s attorney advised that if the council did accept the owners’ request, a bond should be required that would pay the city’s cost for demolition if they failed to meet the deadlines.
Dockery noted that while that might ultimately take the cost of demolition off the city, it would also make the process last months longer and would cost the city additional legal fees. He also said the city attorney had advised that the city not take action on any other properties until this case was finally handled.
With Aldermen John Lockhart and Jacob Fangman absent, the decision on the property was left to the three remaining aldermen.
“I’m done,” Alderman Larry Jeffers said. “It’s more than an eyesore; it’s a health issue. If they haven’t done anything in seven years, why now? They haven’t done anything in the last 30 days.”
Alderman Eulaine McIntosh leaned toward giving the owners more time.
“I hate to spend tax money if we don’t have to,” McIntosh said.
Dockery said demolition will likely cost $55,000 to $60,000, and Mayor Sandy Skelton said he had spoken with neighbors who had all voiced support for the city to take action on the property.
Alderman Terri Floyd was not enthusiastic about the decision facing the council, but ultimately sided with Alderman Jeffers.
“I hate it that such a historic house has gotten to this point,” Floyd said. “It breaks my heart, but I think it’s time.”
Jeffers moved, seconded by Floyd, to approve publishing a bid notice for the demolition of the house. The vote was then 2-1 with McIntosh opposed.
In other city business, aldermen approved amending the city’s employee handbook to provide for more vacation time for employees with longer tenure. City employees get two weeks of paid vacation and can earn an additional week of vacation after ten years of service. With last week’s action, employees with 20 years of service will get four weeks of vacation, and employees with 30 years of service will get five weeks of vacation.
The city council also approved a motion to set up non-interest bearing bank accounts for grant funds for waste water improvements and downtown revitalization. Dockery said those actions should be the final items needed to secure those grants and said award letters should be issued to the city this week.
Dockery also reported on streetlights in the city. A survey recently revealed that 57 of the 265 lights in the city were not working. Public Works Director John Molder developed a way to map and tag light poles with GPS coordinates. That information has been shared with Southwester Electric Power Co., and repairs are now being made to those lights, the administrator said.
Dockery also reported that COVID relief funds from the federal government totaling almost $400,000 have been freed from several of the requirements initially placed on the money. The city can now use those funds for almost any usual government purpose. Dockery recommended the council take its time to carefully consider how best to utilize the money for the benefit of the city.
Filing open for 24 local board seats
Citizens wishing to serve their community can now sign up for positions at seven local governments that are scheduled to hold elections this spring.
The cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick; the Clarendon and Hedley school districts; the Clarendon College District; and the Donley County Hospital District all have a total of 24 positions available this year.
In Clarendon, the two-year terms of Aldermen John Lockhart, Larry Jeffers, and Eulaine McIntosh are up this year.
Hedley has two aldermen’s seats and the mayor’s position up this year. Those are two-year terms and are currently held by Mayor Carrie Butler and Aldermen Tom Carson, and Danny Russell.
In Howardwick the terms of Aldermen Mary Grady, Terry Barnes, and Del Essary are expiring. Those are all two-year terms.
Clarendon ISD Trustees serve three years, and the terms of Robin Ellis, Chuck Robertson, and Zack Robinson are expiring this year.
Hedley ISD has two full three-year terms up this year. Those seats are held by Bruce Howard and Michael Metcalf.
Six positions are up this year on the nine member Clarendon College Board of Regents. College board member terms are six years, and three full terms are up this year as well as three partial terms. The full terms expiring this year are currently held by Susie Shields and James Shelton and one vacant seat formerly held by Ruth Robinson. Two partial terms are up on the college board that expire in 2024. Those are the terms of Lon Adams, who was appointed to the seat formerly held by Jerry Woodard, and a vacant seat formerly held by Edwin Campbell. A third partial term on the college board expires in 2026 and is currently held by Chriss Matthews, who was appointed after the resignation of Darlene Spier.
The Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors has four two-year terms up this year. Those are currently held by Jan Farris – Place 4, Nikki Adams – Place 5, Mark C. White – Place 6, and Lori Howard – Place 7.
All local boards are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must file for a specific place on the board. Candidate applications are available from the administrative offices of each entity.
Filing began January 19 and continues through Friday, February 18. Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 7, 2022.
Howardwick organizing city marshal office
The City of Howardwick is working to establish its own law enforcement office following last week’s city council meeting, January 11.
City Secretary Sandy Childress said the council voted to amend the city’s budget to set aside $8,000 to create the department of the city marshal, which in addition to providing the community with a certified peace officer will also give the city a way to serve municipal court papers to those with code violations.
“With the crime and thefts we’re seeing in our community, we think we can help our sheriff’s office in squashing crime,” Childress told the Enterprise.
Childress said some residents with prior law enforcement experience have stepped forward to volunteer, and she said the funds budgeted would pay for their state certifications and the expenses of the office.
The money for the department comes from a surplus in sales of properties in the city, Childress said.
“We can get bigger and better here, but it has to be clean and safe,” she said.
Howardwick hopes to have its city marshal office up and running within 90 days.
Vivian Dobbs
Vivian Dobbs was born Mar 4, 1929 to parents Burney Vandivere and Vivian Brown in Wellington.
Vivian graduated from Wellington High School and later married her best friend Malcolm Nathan Dobbs on Sept. 3, 1947. This union produced five children: Michael L. Dobbs, Travis L. Dobbs (deceased), Thomas K. Dobbs, David Bruce Dobbs and Laura Lynne Miser, as well as 10 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. They eventually settled in Fritch after moving from Borger.
While at Fritch, she was active in her church and community and established Fritch Meals on Wheels in which she participated for 10 years. She also worked at the Fritch Eagle Press and Fritch Museum.
Vivian was a wonderful wife and extraordinary mother and grandmother and was very active in community and Church. Later she moved to Clarendon in 2007 where she worked for a short time in the Library. As ever, she was active in her church and volunteered to support mission work in Lesoto Africa by helping to sew hundreds of school bags for their local children. Although in failing eyesight, she continued to prepare hundreds of loaves of pumpkin bread shared anonymously to Clarendon Meals on Wheels and sent cards of encouragement to local residents.
She was also an avid reader and loved music. Surprisingly, some of her favorites were artists Bob Seeger and the Eagles. Vivian was always full of life and laughter even as age and infirmity limited her ability to be as active as she once was.
She was loved by all who knew her and especially her children and grandchildren. Her enthusiasm and spirit will be long remembered.
Graveside services were held at Westlawn Memorial Park, 8547 Hwy 136 Fritch, on Jan 19, 2022. Vivian will lie in repose at the Minton Chatwell Funeral Home, at Broadway and Canadian, Fritch, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that remembrances be sent to Clarendon Meals on Wheels, 115 S 4th, Clarendon Texas, 79226. Phone: 806 874 2665.
Jimmy Paul Booth
Jimmy Paul Booth, 65, of Memphis passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022, in Childress.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the First Assembly of God Church in Memphis with Dale Griswald, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Jimmy Paul Booth was born on February 22, 1956, in Memphis, to Bluford and Eula Stevens Booth. He was one of seven children. Jimmy graduated from Memphis High School and was a lifelong resident of Hall County. He married Ann Brown on December 5, 1976, in Memphis. Jimmy worked as a mechanic for Chamberlin Motors in Clarendon for 20 years before shifting careers. He later retired from TxDOT after 17 and a half years of service.
Jimmy attended the First Assembly of God Church in Memphis. He enjoyed spending time in God’s word and praying. He had a love for racing and racecars. He was a Kansas City Chiefs fan who never missed a football game. He also enjoyed reminiscing about his high school football days with his friends. Above all, Jimmy loved his grandkids and spent as much time with them as he could.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bobby and Kenneth Booth; and two sisters, Mary Middleton and Lavern Booth.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Booth of Memphis; son, Johnny Booth of Memphis; three daughters, Lisa Booth and husband, Daniel, of Memphis, Janita Booth of Memphis, and Jennifer Benedict of Fort Walton Beach, Fl; two brothers, Don and Allen Booth; 14 grandchildren, Mary, Isaac, Alissa, Jordan, Elijah, Zachary, Joshua, Madison, Isaiah, Kyler, Emily, Lucas, Matiana, and Savannah; three great-grandchildren, Riley, Gracie, and Timothy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Sign our online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Harper, Howard win beef division at 2022 stock show
The 2022 Donley County Junior Livestock Show was held last Saturday, January 8, at the Donley County Activity Center with Tyler Harper and Emma Howard winning the beef division.
Harper showed the Grand Champion Steer, and Howard exhibited the Grand Champion Heifer.
Other top winners were Mya Edwards and her Grand Champion Sheep, Kaitin Ehlert and her Grand Champion Goat, and Calder Havens twice with the Grand Champion Gilt and the Grand Champion Barrow.
Reserve Champion honors went to Harrison Howard, steer and barrow; Taylee Ehlert, heifer; Mya Edwards, sheep; Madison Moore, goat; and Kaitin Ehlert, gilt.
(Editor’s Note: For pictures of all Grand and Reserve Champion winners from this year’s stock show, pick up this week’s print edition or get the full digital edition of The Enterprise here.)
Thirty-nine youth from the Donley County 4-H and Clarendon and Hedley chapters of the FFA exhibited 76 last weekend. That’s down from 51 kids showing 71 animals in 2021 but similar to 2020 when 39 kids showed 71 animals.
The livestock auction following the show generated an estimated $40,750 as of Tuesday morning, and that number will increase as donations continue to be received. Last year’s show brought in $28,500 by this point, but the 2020 premium sale totaled $41,400 the Tuesday after the show.
Showmanship awards this year went to Harrison Howard – Senior Beef, Emma Howard – Junior Beef, Mya Edwards – Senior Sheep, Eli Ritchie – Junior Sheep, Laney Gates – Senior Goat, Brandon Moore – Junior Goat, Calder Havens – Senior Swine, and Hunter Wann – Junior Swine. The Pee Wee Showmanship winners were Slade Pittman for goats and Mack Wann – swine.
Complete results of the show are as follows:
Steers
- English Light Weight – Laney Gates, Breed Champion; Brock Hatley, second; and Hudson Howard, third.
- English Heavy Weight – Trigg Harper, Reserve Breed; Brock Hatley, second; and Harrison Howard, third.
- American – Presley Smith, Breed Champion; Tyler Harper, Reserve Breed; Hayden Moore, third; and Hunter Wann, fourth.
- Cross Light Weight – Grant Haynes, first; Maloree Wann, second; Koyt Tucek, third; and Taylee Ehlert fourth.
- Cross Light Medium Weight – Koyt Tucek, first; Parker Haynes, second; and Grant Haynes, third.
- Cross Medium Weight – Harrison Howard, Reserve Champion; Parker Haynes, second; and Madison Smith, third.
- Cross Heavy Weight – Tyler Harper, Grand Champion; and Levi Gates, second and third.
Heifers
- Class 1 – Emma Howard, Grand Champion; Taylee Ehlert, Reserve Champion; and Levi Gates, third.
Barrows
- BOPB – Addison Havens, Breed Champion; Trigg Harper, Reserve Breed; and Isabella Martinez, third.
- Duroc – Heston Seay, Breed Champion; Trigg Harper, Reserve Breed; and Tyler Harper, third.
- WOPB – Calder Havens, Breed Champion.
- York – Koyt Tucek, Breed Champion.
- Hamp – Jodee Pigg, Breed Champion; Harrison Howard, Reserve Champion; Hudson Howard, third; and Addison Havens, fourth.
- Cross Light Weight – Maloree Wann, first; Hudson Howard, second; and Jodee Pigg, third.
- Cross Medium Weight – Harrison Howard, Breed Champion; and Hunter Wann, second.
- Cross Heavy Weight – Calder Havens, Grand Champion; Megan Weatherread, second, Maloree Wann, third; and Koyt Tucek, fourth.
Gilts
- Calder Havens, Grand Champion; Kaitin Ehlert, Reserve Grand; Hunter Wann, third; and Danika Middleton, fourth.
Sheep
- Class 1 – Mya Edwards, Grand Champion; Eli Ritchie, second; and Megan Weatherread, third.
- Class 2 – Mya Edwards, Reserve Grand.
Goats
- Class 1 – Flint Pittman, first and second; and Sabrina Smith, third.
- Class 2 – Javier Valles, first; Brandon Moore, second; and Fayde Turner, third.
- Class 3 – Kaitin Ehlert, Grand Champion; Laney Gates, second; Astin McAllister, third; and Kelby Brownlee, fourth.
- Class 4 – Madison Moore, Reserve Grand; Kaitin Ehlert, second; Laney Gates, third; Emily McCurdy, fourth; and Kelby Brownlee, fifth.
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