Obituaries

Roy E. Ritchie,  age 54, died Saturday, April 11, 2009.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Morrison Memorial Chapel with Rev. Royce Matthews, pastor of First Assembly of God Church, Sunray, officiating.  Burial was held in Dumas Cemetery. Arrangements were by Morrison Funeral Directors.

Roy E. Ritchie was born October 11, 1954, in Hugo, Okla. to Roy and Raylene Ritchie.  He served in the US Army from 1971 to 1975.  On November 18, 1985 he married Hope Flores in Dumas. He was a millwright for Wemcon. He loved hunting, fishing, RVing and spending time with his family and friends.  Roy had been a resident of Dumas for the past 30 years and was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Sunray.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Ritchie and son, Robert Ritchie.

Survivors include his wife, Hope of the home; son, Steven Ritchie and wife Synthia; daughters, Steffanie Philley and husband, Jim, Jennifer Perez and husband, Gregg, Savannah Ritchie and husband, Nicolas Sanchez all of Dumas; mother, Raylene Ritchie of Clarendon; grandchildren, Brittney, Max, Jess, Benjamin, Chris, Henry, Alexia, Robert, Luis, Sidney, and Ayden; brother Mike Ritchie and sisters, Donna Fuller, Sharon Braddock, Brenda Davis, and Diane Shields.
The family suggests memorials be to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. 2nd,Dumas, TX 79029 or the American Cancer Society, 403 Pear, Dumas, TX 79029.

Chester Lee Moore,  79, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2009, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, Pastor, and John Hall, officiating. Burial followed in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Chester was born March 1, 1930, in Hall County to Joe Riley and Francis Josephine Moore. He had been resident of Hedley most of his life. He loved all kids especially his kids and grandkids. He would help anyone he would come in contact with. He was a Baptist.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy Bolden Moore; a sister, Thelma Ponder; two brothers, Buster and Junior Moore; a great granddaughter, Tonni Ruthardt; and a special friend, Nina Riddlesburg.

Survivors include two sons, Gary Moore of Clarendon, and Dallas Moore of Lelia Lake; three daughters, Shirley Brooks of Claude, Kim Goldsmith of Pampa, and Holly McCleskey of Hedley; two sisters, Rene Bada of Oklahoma City, and Mildred Parker of Amarillo; 20 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

The family requests memorials be to BSA Hospice or Rowe Cemetery Association.

Jim Roberts,  61, died Sunday, April 12, 2009, in Amarillo.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Lowe, Pastor, officiating. Private family burial was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jim was born August 8, 1947, in Memphis to James Thomas “Jake” and Mattie Irene Roberts. He married Debbie Bird on May 27, 1978, in Oxnard, California. He had been resident of Donley County most of his life. He had been the City Superintendent for the City of Clarendon for many years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandparents.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie of Clarendon; a son, Andy Roberts of Clarendon; two daughters, Jenny Adams and husband Michael of Wolfforth, and Megan Boone and husband Billy of Clarendon; and two grandchildren, Lucas and Maizy Adams.
The family request memorials be to First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, PO Box 157, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Nova Mears Little,  95, died Monday, April 6, 2009, in Pampa.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 10, 2009, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Kenny Rigoulot, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Pampa, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Little was born November 10, 1913, in Lingleville to Melvin W. and Della Sheffield Cook. She married Curtis Mears on December 20, 1941. He preceded her in death on November 28, 1968. She then married J.D. Little on April 3, 1970. He preceded her in death on August 30, 1988. She had been a resident of Clarendon before moving to Pampa in 1979. She was a graduate of West Texas University. She had been a school teacher for over 52 years and most of her teaching years were in Clarendon. She was a member of the Retired Teachers and was the Past Noble Grand of the Rebekah Lodge. She never taught a child she didn’t love. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pampa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Cook; her sister, Nell Jones; her husbands, Curtis Mears and J.D. Little.

Survivors include a son, Charles Mears of Pampa; her grandchildren, Derek Mears of Oklahoma, and Veronica Mears of Grand Rapids, Michigan; her stepchildren, Marquita Lenerose and Charlotte Ashford of Amarillo, and Royce Little of Honolulu, Hawaii.
The family request memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association, PO Box 983, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Luke “Pa” Hagood, 83, died on April 1, 2009, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday April 4, 2009, at Griggs Schooler Gordon Pioneer Chapel with Minister Sam Line of Church of Christ in Groom, officiating. Burial was held in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Luke was born on June 26, 1925, in Big Springs. Luke and his late wife were married in 1958, and he moved to Amarillo in 1963. Luke was a WW II NAVY veteran.  He was a carpenter and construction worker most of his life, he also owned his own company for a short time. Luke retired from Carpenters local #665.  Luke enjoyed fishing, camping, dancing and reading cowboy western books. Luke’s carpenter skills have made him a very good craftsman. Luke moved to Howardwick 4 years ago to live with his son. He also was a devoted 7th day Adventist. Luke was a wonderful husband, father and grandpa.

Survivors include three sons: Jimmy Hagood and wife Peggy of Athens, Norman Hagood and wife Annette of Howardwick, Danny Hersom and wife Becky of Amarillo; one daughter, Wanda Gutierrez and husband Lucresio of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 2 great- great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Wanza, two sons Ronnie and Donnie, and great granddaughter Hannah Coats.

The family requests that memorials to be sent to Odyssey Hospice.

Send online condolences at www.mem.com.

Lisa Kathryn Elliott, 53, March 29, 2009, in Howardwick.

Memorial services were at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009, in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa, with Dan Kovaly, minister of music at First Christian Church of Pampa, officiating.  Cremation and arrangements were by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.

Ms. Elliott was born September 25, 1955, in Kermit and attended Pampa High School.  She was a former member of the First Christian Church in Pampa.

Lisa was preceded in death by a sister, Jo Beth Shelley in 2004, her father, B. J. Elliott in 2008, and her stepfather: Bob Baker in 2001.

Survivors include her daughter: Shana Greenleaf and husband Robert of Spring; two sons: Jason Schuman and Casey Elliott, both of Houston; mother: Peggy Baker of Cuernavaca, Mexico; one sister: Valorie Pfannenstiel of Houston; two brothers: Dean Elliott and wife Debbie of Pampa, and Bobby Elliott of Odessa; one stepbrother: Kelley Baker and wife Melody of Pampa; one stepsister: Terri Wilterding and husband David of Amarillo; two grandsons: Cody Greenleaf and Chase Greenleaf, both of Spring; several nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorials be made to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas  79105.

Sign the on-line register at www.carmichael-whatley.com.

S.J. “Shorty” Smith, 80, died on Saturday, March 28, 2009, in Amarillo.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in The Chapel at Fairview Cemetery in Memphis with Rev. Bryan Knowles, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Smith was born April 16, 1928, in Lakeview to Frank W. and Della Braddock Smith. He married Mildred Louise Stevens on April 8, 1961. He had been a resident of Memphis for more than 20 years. He worked for the Texas Highway Department and worked at Memphis, Dalhart, and Perryton, where he retired in 1983. He was an avid fisherman. He was a member of Travis Baptist Church in Memphis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jerry Smith; a brother, Homer Smith; and a sister, Lucille Watts.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Smith of Amarillo; a son, Steve Smith and wife Wanda of Clarendon; a daughter, Janie Salzman and husband Brad of Farmington, NM; a step son, Tommy Henson; a stepdaughter, Peggy Crump and husband Kenneth of Amarillo; a sister, Frankie Adams of Midland; eight grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Mary Lee Longan, 87, died Sunday, March 29, 2009, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories with Wes Latham, officiating. Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Longan was born in Winnewood, OK on December 15, 1921, to Jeff and Rita Wilkins Losson. She married P.C. “Chuck” Longan on April 21, 1940, in Shamrock. She was a cotton farmers wife and raised eight kids. She was a great cook and also cooked at the Donley County Senior Citizens for several years. She was a great mother and always provided. She enjoyed to dance. She was an honorary member of the FHA, and active in the 4-H program. She loved her family, children, grandchildren, and animals. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck on May 6, 1990; her parents; a son, Bob Longan; and a brother, J.J. Losson.

Survivors include four sons, Gary Longan of Gallup, NM, John Longan and wife Hazel of Allendale, SC, Tom Longan of Lelia Lake, Bill Longan and wife Karen of Munday; 3 daughters, Sandra Longan of Pampa, Linda Dunham of Clarendon, and Marcia Mattes of Kansas City, MO; a daughter-in-law, Alice Longan of Houston; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and a beloved dog, Happy.

The family requests that memorials be to the Donley County Senior Citizens.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Darrell Rowe Hood, 41, died Saturday March 21, 2009, in Seabrook.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St.

Darrell was born in Amarillo on July 27, 1967, to Floyd and Alice Hood.  He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1985, while working on Paul and Linda Bell’s ranch. Darrell then began his career with Casteel Automatic Fire Protection, Inc. in Amarillo, Texas sweeping the floors of the shop. He married Serena Fain on July 25, 1992 and became father to Yancy Olivas-Hood. Together, they had one daughter Vandala Renee, on November 26, 1993. They then moved to Georgetown, Texas, living there for several years. In 2001 Darrell and his family moved to Houston, where he became Vice President of Casteel Fire Protection.  Darrell was known for his strong will to succeed and accomplished whatever he set out to do. Following in his father’s footsteps, Darrell joined the Masonic Lodge in 1995. He was raised to the degree of Master Mason and remained a proud member of the Clear Lake Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M..

Survivors include his mother Alice Hood; wife Serena Hood; son Yancy Olivas-Hood; daughter Vandala Hood; two brothers, Don Hood and Leonard Ahlstrom; four sisters Donna Napier, Delphina Major, Debra Cheeves, Bekki Coll; several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Kenneth Casteel, owner of Casteel Automatic Fire Protection, Inc., for being the close friend that Darrell admired and looked up to, as well as an employer and friend to the family.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you consider a donation to the Darrell Hood Memorial Fund at Moody National Bank located at 2338 Nasa Road One, Seabrook, Texas 77586.

Nell V. Smith Derr, of Bartlesville, Okla., formerly of Clarendon, died Friday, March 27, 2009, at age 91.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in the Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, Texas with Rev. Ray O‘Quinn, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Nell V. Smith Derr was born September 22, 1917, at Oakley, Tenn. the daughter of Leo Kirby Smith and Mattie Sidwell Smith. Her family moved to Granite, Okla. where she met and married Elbert Marion Derr on February 22, 1936. Elbert and Nell were married for 54 years until his death on December, 19, 1990. She moved to Dewey, Okla. in 2006. Nell loved to garden, fish, play bingo, and watch her favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elbert and five brothers and sisters, Omar, Paul, Noreen, Jessie and Gladys. Survivors include her son Marion Bill Derr and his wife Frankie of Bartlesville, OK; two grandchildren Randy Derr and his wife Jeanne of Bartlesville, Okla. and Kent Derr and his wife Carol of Sinking Springs, PA; five great-grandchildren, Erik Derr and his wife Linda of Chicago, IL; Jennifer Derr of Oklahoma City, Okla.,; Ryan and Josh Derr of Sinking Springs, PA; one sister, Robbie Smith of St. George, Utah.

The family requests memorials be to Carter Hospice, 3081 S.E. Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.