The Clarendon Family Medical Center is reporting eight new cases of COVID-19 in Donley County residents this week. Active cases as of Tuesday afternoon was listed at 18, down four from this time last week. CFMD spokesperson Marsha Bruce said the clinic had received its vaccine allotment to give second doses to people who have already received the first round of vaccination. The clinic has not received any news on when additional doses might be available.
Former Clarendon woman publishes first book
A former Clarendon woman has fulfilled a lifelong dream by publishing her first children’s book.
Miranda Keelin Ellis said Night Song became available January 21 and has gotten good feedback from early readers.
“It is about nocturnal creatures, and the sounds they make at night,” Ellis said, who now lives in Pampa. “My goal is to help children with sleep issues and also spark the curiosity of all children who love animals.”
Night Song is meant for children between the ages of two and six but has appealed to children up through age 11.
“Older kids like that there are things hidden in the art,” Ellis said.
Ellis got the writing bug as a sixth grader in Memphis when she wrote her first poem and continued to grow in her love for writing when she transferred to Clarendon schools. As she pursued her love for writing, she started working at The Pampa News as a reporter until she left that job in November to pursue a goal of self-publishing.
Ellis said Night Song has been entirely done herself, including the artwork, which was actually what she started with.
“I got an art app on my iPad and was just experimenting with it when I made a rabbit with a flute,” Ellis said. “That became the inspiration for the entire project.”
Ellis’ rhyming picture book takes children on a magical journey through the night to discover how a rabbit, wolf, owl, frog and bugs all sing together to create the Night Song.
“It goes into the biology of how the sounds are made,” she said. “I took a lot of inspiration from the critters of North America.”
Ellis is also working on two other books, which are both in the editing stages. One is about a boxing kangaroo that is designed to help children deal with emotions, and another is about a little boy who goes on a cheese chase and learns to overcome his fears. A third book will be a fantasy-based book, Ellis said.
Her future works are at least six months down the road. Meanwhile, Night Songs is available for purchase at Amazon.com or folks can contact Ellis directly at facebook.com/MellisBooks/ and get a signed copy.
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Aging gracefully
John M. “J.M.” Dickson
John M. “J.M.” Dickson, Sr., age 97, passed away on January 25, 2021, in Memphis, from complications following COVID. He spent his life loving the Lord and his family and setting an example of what a good man should be. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 30 at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.
J.M. was born on Dec. 15, 1923, at the Dickson family farm near Hedley. He was the only son and youngest of six children born to his parents, John Green Dickson and Mollie Dukes Dickson.
He married his high school sweetheart, Ida Lou Johnson, on Dec. 7, 1941, as Pearl Harbor was bombed and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter, serving throughout WWII aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43). After the war, he returned to Hedley where he worked at farming, General Telephone Co., and later moved to Panhandle, where he retired from Pantex. When his wife Ida Lou died after 61 years of marriage, he relocated to Turkey.
He was a member of the Methodist Church and a past master in the Masonic Lodge where he earned his 32nd degree. He enjoyed entertaining others and played his bass guitar and harmonica with the Good Timers band (Panhandle) and Turkey Gems, providing music for thousands of friends throughout the area.
While he loved God, his family, and his country, he also loved to travel, tend the garden, and eat sweets of all types, especially homemade ice cream. Until his health diminished, he faithfully attended Navy reunions and shared stories with anyone who would take time to listen. He never met a stranger and was kind and accepting of all.
The family extends thanks to Marie Cruse, a special friend to J.M. while he lived in Turkey. They studied the Bible together, and she read the scriptures to him for many years after he lost his eyesight.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ida Lou, five sisters, and his sons, J.M. “John” Dickson, Jr., and Richard.
He is survived by his daughter Linda Dickson Phelan, daughter-in-law Eunice Dickson, seven grandchildren [Donna Dickson Ashley, Brent Dickson (Christine), Leah Dickson Tippin (Larry), Tamara Dickson Burrell (Jeremy), Cory Cooper (Teresa), Kendra Cooper Araiza (Efren), and Carl Cooper], 13 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. J.M. was also beloved by his nieces and nephews: Peggy Struble, Dixie Gartrell, Nancy Harris Henderson, Jack Quisenberry, and Tony Mikesell.
Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon is handling arrangements, and the family suggests memorials to Rowe Cemetery (Hedley) or Kindred Hospice (Amarillo). The family hopes to hold a memorial service at Hedley’s Methodist Church later this year.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Charles Samuel Lowry
Charles Samuel Lowry was gathered home unto his Maker on the Sixteenth day of January. He was born in Hedley, Texas on August 10, 1930 to Charles Miller and Janie Cousins Lowry. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Sara Rhea of Amarillo. He is survived by his son, Nick and wife Mary of Memphis, and by his daughter, Debbie Lowry Hartman and husband Delbert of Edgewood, New Mexico. He is also survived by his grandson, Tim Lowry of Memphis, his nephew Don Michael Rhea, niece Melissa Tague, and niece Kathy Bullard, and several great and great great nieces and nephews.
Sam was a beloved member of the community of Clarendon. He attended Clarendon High, graduating in 1948. He went on to attend Clarendon College, Texas Wesleyan University, and West Texas University, graduating with associates’, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, respectively. He worked for 22 years in education. Most of those years as a teacher for Clarendon ISD, and 16 years for Pantex. He was a devout member of the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon, and of the Donley County Retired Teachers’ Association. Sam was also an avid rockhound from an early age. Hunting, polishing, and cutting rocks was his lifelong hobby.
Sam will be remembered as a true friend to all, and was always ready to lend a helping hand, whether in the community, at his church, or to family and friends. He will be sorely missed, but we look forward to reuniting with him and our Savior some day.
Memorial Graveside services will be held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, 1:00 PM, Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon.
Mac John Stavenhagen
Mac John Stavenhagen, 86, died Friday, January 22, 2021.
Graveside services were held on January 26, 2021, at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Mac was born May 28, 1934, in Lipan, Texas, to Ira and John Stavenhagen.
Mac loved life and lived it well. He enjoyed the outdoors, and he was a great example of the phrase, “you have to work to be happy.”
He lived most of his life in Donley County, which he loved greatly. He once said, “there is no more rewarding place to live than a small town.”
Mac’s greatest joy came from being around his family, friends and fellow humans.
Mac was a natural-born businessman. He held a variety of jobs throughout his life — opening a barbecue restaurant, working as a Borden’s milk distributor — but his greatest success was owning Stavenhagen Furniture & Carpet where he partnered with his brother, Bill Stavenhagen. They later incorporated Clarendon’s first video rental store into the business. The brothers then moved the video rental into a RadioShack.
Mac graduated from Lelia Lake High School in 1952 and later served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Japan. He also attended Amarillo College.
On June 2, 1956, he married the love of his life, Jean Bailey. Later in life, Mac cherished his farm, where he raised registered cattle and owned a grand champion bull.
An active member of his community, Mac served as an alderman for the City of Clarendon for many years. He was also a member of the Lions Club, the First Baptist Church of Clarendon and the Clarendon Merchants Association.
He was preceded in his death by his wife Jean; two infant daughters, Lisa Gay and Mitzi Gail; two brothers, Ed, James and wife Virginia; and two sisters, Pearline McCuiston and Earline Strand.
He is survived by a son, Steve of Amarillo; two grandchildren, Cody and Casey; two brothers W.G. and wife Liz of Dumas and Bill and wife Annis of Clarendon; a sister-in-law Nita Graham and husband Gary of Memphis; and several nieces and nephews who Mac loved.
The family requests memorials be made to the Rowe Cemetery Association in Hedley.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Mary Linn (Tracy) Bills
Mary Linn (Tracy) Bills of Howardwick “finished the race” on January 23, 2021, at her home.
Visitation will be at Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Thursday, January 28, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. There will also be open visitation from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the same day. Robertson Funeral Directors is located at 212 Sully St. Clarendon, Texas.
An outdoor memorial service will be held at Vega Memorial Park Cemetery in Vega, Texas, on Friday, January 29, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.
Mary Linn was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on February 20, 1926, to Newt Lymn and Mylie Merle (Bills) Tracy. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. and graduated from Polytechnical High School and Texas Wesleyan University. She was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ.
Mary Linn was first and foremost a Christian. She was a natural evangelist and teacher. Her knowledge and understanding of the Bible was astounding. She was a loving mother to her children and “all God’s Children.” She was a talented artist and craftswoman with many skills and interests. She was a lover of all books and literature and reader of many, many books. Mary Linn was a gifted singer, and loved gospel music. It would have been very difficult to find a song that she did not know.
Mary Linn and Carroll “Edwin” Bills Sr. were married on January 29, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Mary Linn and her husband Edwin lived and preached the Gospel in Clayton, NM; Freer, Texas; Hannibal, Mo.; and Clarksville, Texas, during which time their children were born.
In 1964 they moved the family to Vigo Park, Texas, and began their second career, teaching school nearby at the San Jacinto Schoolhouse. Mary Linn received her master’s degree in Education in 1970 from West Texas A&M University. She taught all elementary school ages in Vigo Park, and First grade at Amarillo Christian School, and in Vega, Texas.
While living and teaching in Vega, she worked with others to establish a public library, while working to become a certified librarian.
After she retired from teaching in 1990, she and Edwin moved to Howardwick. Mary Linn became the librarian for the public library in Clarendon for several years. She said it was her “dream” job.
For many years Mary Linn taught Bible studies through correspondence courses with World Bible School, and some prison ministries. Many people came to know the Gospel through her devoted teaching.
She was preceded in death by her father in 1949, her mother in 1986, her sister Lennice (Tracy) Yucikas in 1995, and her husband in 2008.
Survivors include: daughter Susan Permenter (Bob) of Amarillo; Susan’s son Andrew Jackson of Oahu,HI; Susan’s daughter Amanda Jackson and grandson Wesley Betzen of Amarillo, TX; son Carroll Edwin Bills, Jr. and wife Cari of New Knoxville, OH; and daughters Melinda Fangio (Steve) of Amarillo, TX, Rebecca Hillman (Richard) of Indianapolis, IN, Ruth Randall (David) of Clarendon, TX; and “the son of her heart” Bill Baum – devoted friend and caregiver, of Lelia Lake, TX.
Her extended family and dear acquaintances encompass the world.
The family extends our special gratitude to the caregivers from Caring Senior Services and Kindred Hospice Care. We thank you for your loving concern and tender care.
In lieu of flowers, Mary Linn requested that donations be made to World Bible School, PO Box 2169, Cedar Park, Texas 78620.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Patty Joyce Lemons
Patty Joyce Lemons, 83, of Clarendon died Sunday, January 17, 2021, in Memphis.
Graveside services were held on Saturday, January 23, 2021, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Patty was born February 7, 1937, in Clovis, New Mexico to Hester Henry and Susie Walls Shields. She married Jerry Lemons on September 7, 1974, in Memphis. She had been a resident of Donley County most of her life. She drove a school bus for several years, and was a homemaker. She volunteered with Donley County Sr. Citizens Center for several years. Patty was a member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Bryan Myers; a brother, Buster Shields; a sister, Rebecca King; a grandson, Eric Myers; and a great grandchild, Aries Myers.
She was survived by daughters, Vickie Rieken of Borger, Cathy Myers and Janette Harrison both of Clarendon; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
The family request memorials be sent to the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Jackson visits Clarendon as he begins Congressional service
US Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Amarillo) has hit the ground running as the new member of Congress from the 13th District of Texas, and he’s finding the job is somewhat different than what he expected.
Jackson sat down with The Clarendon Enterprise Tuesday morning and said he ran with the expectation that President Donald Trump would be re-elected, which would have given him an advantage as a former White House official.
“That seemed like a far-fetched idea,” Jackson said of the possibility that Trump would not be re-elected.
Now, the freshman representative is looking to work with moderates in the opposition party to try to get things done for the nation and the Panhandle.
“I’m going to try to work with moderate Democrats, but they are being suppressed by the far left,” Jackson said. “My hope is that they (the far left) will overstep, they will go too far, and the moderates will stand up so we can get some things done.”
Jackson has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee, of which former Congressman Mac Thornberry of Clarendon was a member, as well as the Foreign Affairs Committee. He’s also part of the minority whip team; and even though he wasn’t named to the House Agriculture Committee, he will still plan to be a strong voice for area ag producers.
“No freshmen Congressmen from Texas were named to the ag committee,” Jackson said. “I’m going to be part of the leadership of a new House Ag Task Force that will work to find bipartisan solutions for our producers.”
He also said that he is first in line as soon as a position opens on the ag committee.
Until such time as moderate Democrats raise their voices to accomplish more bipartisan solutions, Jackson said he has no problem being the voice of conservative values in the face of a liberal agenda.
“They will not influence me,” he said. “They can come after me and come after my family, and I don’t care. I am willing to stand up to them.”
Jackson’s term in office began like no other. He was sworn in on January 3 and just three days later an angry mob stormed the Capitol. He said the day began with a peaceful rally for President Trump, but as Congress began the process of certifying the Electoral College votes, rioters entered the building and were soon trying to break down the door to the House chamber.
Jackson initially helped people ready their gas mask hoods before joining with three other Texas freshmen Congressmen in bracing the door to the chamber and arming themselves with pieces of furniture. As shots broke out, Jackson said Capitol Police evacuated the chamber through the Speaker’s Lobby.
“It was a terrible day for our nation,” he said. “Nobody thought that would happen, and 99.9 percent of Trump supporters would never do that. Most of them (Trump supporters) are people who don’t even leave trash behind after a rally, but (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi is spinning the riot.”
Jackson said he plans to focus on ag issues, armed forces, foreign affairs, rural health care, and election integrity as he begins his term. He will continue to be pro-Second Amendment, pro-life, and pro-First Amendment, he said. He also is urging Republicans not move to the new MAGA Party or Patriot Party, which began organizing this week.
“It will be the biggest blessing for Democrats if it is successful,” Jackson said, noting that it will split the Republican vote. “As Republicans with relationships with the MAGA crowd, we have to work to bring everybody together and stay united.”
In looking for areas of common ground, Jackson thinks infrastructure is an area that Republicans and moderate Democrats can work together on, especially in terms of improving broadband access to rural areas. Defense issues and ag issues are also areas he hopes Congress can find agreement on.
As President Joe Biden issues a series of executive orders to overturn Trump’s executive orders, Jackson said he thinks that may be another area the parties can find some agreement on – the need to reign in the power of the executive branch for what should be legislative issues.
“Both parties need to take back some authority on these executive actions,” he said.
In working for the 13th District, Jackson said he has new people staffing his office with a combination of experience and new blood. His chief of staff and his legislative director in particular both have congressional experience, while he has new faces working in offices in Amarillo and Wichita Falls, including Clarendon native Jake LaGrone, who is serving as Jackson’s district director.
Jackson lives in Amarillo, but he still owns a home in Maryland from his time working in the White House. He says he plans to sell that as soon as possible and will be traveling back to the district whenever Congress is not in session so that he can continue to keep in close contact with the people he represents.
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