Obituaries

Jimmy Vonn Carter, 69, died March 26, 2009, in Amarillo.

Jimmy Vonn Carter was born in Donley County, on April 28, 1939 to Amul and Clara Carter. Jimmy graduated from Clarendon Jr. College in 1959 and West Texas State University in 1962 with a degree in Art. He owned J Vonn Studios in Amarillo. Jimmy was a talented and successful artist. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Clarendon. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his son, Jay Carter and wife Sherri of Joshua; two brothers, Garth “Red” Carter of Clarendon, and Neel Carter of Miami; three grandchildren: Sam Carter of Canyon, Jacob Carter, and James Fowler both of Joshua.

Theda “Penny” Butts, 83, died Thursday, March 26, 2009, in McLean.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Dave Stout , Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Howardwick, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Butts was born January 26, 1926, in Oklahoma to Virgil Guy and Lula Gibson Featherston. She married O.A. “Al” Butts on September 13, 1947, in Oklahoma. She was a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows Rebekah Lodge #149 IOOF from 1982-1988. She was recognized for outstanding service to the Dietary Department of Medical Center in Clarendon. She had been a resident of Howardwick for the past 30 years. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Milford Featherston; and a sister, Guila Parker.

Survivors include her husband, Al Butts of Howardwick; a son, Dave Butts of Howardwick; a daughter, Trisha J. Beach and husband Ronnie of Olathe, KS; a sister, Mildred Morris of Oklahoma; 3 grandchildren, Jessi Beach of Los Angeles, Calif., Sarah Kershner and husband Ben of New Britain, CT, and Alissa Adkinson and husband Grant of Amarillo; and three great grandchildren, Audrey, Ethan, and Emma.

The family requests memorials be to the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department, 247 Rick Husband Blvd., Howardwick, TX 79226.

Milo A. Baker died on March 22, 2009, at age 87.

Mr Baker was born March 11, 1922, North of Leedey, Okla. to Oliver Perry Baker and Mary Ellen Bales Baker. Milo’s childhood years were spent growing up on the family farm north of Leedey. He attended Leedey Public Schools, graduating from Leedey High School with the class of 1940. On June 21, 1941, Milo married Norma Lee Tuck at Woodward, Okla. Perry Baker and Mildred Mae Mathes were attendants; guests were Nellie Zelle and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Perry Baker. The couple made their first home in Leedey before moving to Wichita, Kansas for work. In September of 1942, Milo joined the United States Army and proudly served his country for three years. While in the Army, he received the rank of Technician 4, combat engineer as part of the 169th Engineer Battalion. Milo was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and a Service Ribbon along with four Bronze Service Stars. On September 30, 1945, he was honorably discharged and returned home to his loving wife in Camargo, Oklahoma. Milo remained in the reserves for many years continuing his education as a mechanic. The couple was blessed with the birth of their two daughters, Janeva Kay and Nelda Marie. They made their home in several locations including El Reno, Okla., Mulvane, Kansas, and Altus, Okla. before returning to Camargo, where they lived for the next 48 years.

In addition to a lifetime of farming and ranching, Milo worked as a mechanic at the Camargo filling station and retired as a Gas Field Operator from Western Farmers Electric. He and Norma liked working as a team, side by side, on their farm, and they spent many wonderful years together.

Milo enjoyed many things in life but especially raising cattle, country dancing, traveling to see the countryside, the local coffee shop, and time spent with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion. On October 28, 1990, at the age of 68, Milo was baptized along with his grandson, Travis. He later became a member of the Camargo Christian Church where he and Norma attended faithfully.

Milo was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Mary Baker; two brothers, Jay and Levi Baker.

He is survived by his wife Norma Lee Baker of Camargo, Okla.; two daughters, Janeva Kay Newell and husband Larry of Bethany, Okla. and Nelda Marie Woodard and husband Jerry of Clarendon; three grandchildren, Tarina Woodard of Lewisville, Texas, Travis Woodard and wife Claire of Holbart, Oklahoma, Lance Newell and wife Cristy of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two great-grandchildren, Ian and Elise Newell of Oklahoma City, Okla.; brother, Perry Baker and wife Jettie of Pryor, Okla.; brother-in-law Ben Zelle and wife LaMona of Arnett, Okla.; several nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Camargo Community Center, P.O. Box 38, Camargo, OK 73835.

Robert Ray Allison, Sr., 84, died Monday, March 23, 2009, in Bloomington, Minn.

Mr. Allison was born Oct. 10, 1924, to Robert Carl and Florence Pearl Allison. He was raised in Clarendon where he played football for the Bronchos before going off to war in 1942.  After his discharge in 46’, he started a long career working for Pioneer, Wisconsin Central, North Central, and finally Republic Airlines. Throughout his entire life, Robert was extremely proud to be a Texan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Boyd, sisters Lyla and Mary.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years Nancy, daughter Jan, son Bob, and granddaughter Katie.

Vernon Moore, 68, Monday, March 23, 2009, in Amarillo.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 27, 2009, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Elder Roy S. Williams, Sr., Pastor of the St. Stephens Baptist Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Vernon was born April 28, 1940 in Dallas, to Mable Gilmore and Melvin Moore Sr. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Wellington in 1960. He had been a resident of Clarendon and later moved to Amarillo and was employed by ASARCO until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of St. Stephens Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Mitchell Moore.

Survivors include four daughters, Michelle Johnson of South Carolina, Francine Lopez and husband Edwin , and Ursula Williams and husband Rigsby, all of Lawton, Okla, and Tamika Henderson of Amarillo; two brothers, Melvin Moore, Jr. and wife Denise of Amarillo, and Jerry Moore of Austin; two sisters, Louise Powell and husband Robert of Wellington, and Brenda K. Moore of Tacoma, Washington; 10 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild, and a special friend, Doris Gardner of Clarendon.
The family requests memorials be to the Donley County Senior Citizens.

Juanelle Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandma, friend and devoted teacher of Wolfforth departed this life on March 8 at the age of 78 years.

She was born September 7, 1930 in Clarendon to David E. Stevenson and Lois Wallace. Juanelle attended Clarendon High School, where she graduated in 1946. She received her BA degree in Education from WTAMU in Canyon and later received her MA in Education and Library Sciences from Texas Tech. She married Gordon Dennis Smith on December 20, 1965 in Brownfield. She was an educator for Frenship School District until her retirement in 1991. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church om Wolfforth and Kappa Kappa Iota sorority.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, LaQuita Mullings Myklebust of Englewood, Colorado, Karen Smith of Denver, Colorado, one son, Everette Smith and his wife Michelle, of Lubbock, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one son, Paul Michael Millings.
Services to celebrate Smith’s life were held March 11 at First United Methodist Church in Wolfforth, followed by interment at Loop Cemetery in Loop.

Elder O.L. Williams, Jr.,88, Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Clarendon.

1:00 pm on Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Elder Harry Williams, Pastor of the New Jerusalem COGIC of Borger and Elder Roy S. Williams, Sr. , Pastor of the St. Stephens Baptist Church of Clarendon, officiating. Burial was held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa. Services are under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Elder Williams, a long-time resident of Clarendon and the past 34 years in Pampa, was born January 7, 1921, to the late “Mother” Elvan Williams and O.L. Williams, Sr., in Dawson, where he also attended school. In 1944, he married Susie B. Jones and to that union was born ten children. Elder Williams accepted Christ and was called into the ministry in the Holiness Church in Clarendon, which is now called the True Church of God in Christ. Elder Williams served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He loved preaching, serving God, and his wife and children. He also loved farming and ranching. He worked many years for Jiggs Mann of Clarendon and the Brittens of Groom. He later married Zonia Lynn on July 7, 1975, in Clovis, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers; three sisters; his first wife, Susie B. Williams; three daughters, Lois Yarbrough, Barbara Walton, and Pamela March; and a grandchild, Ricky Yarbrough.

Survivors include his wife, Zonia Williams of Pampa; three sisters, Faye Conway of Austin, Betty Scott of Sweetwater, and Peggy Jackson of Dallas; three daughters, Peggy Smith and husband Mack of Clarendon, and Sandra Williams of Denver, CO; 5 sons, Ellis Williams of Amarillo, Elder Harry Williams and wife Ella of Amarillo, Billy D. Williams of Denver, Colo., Dwight Williams of Amarillo, and Elder Roy S. Williams, Sr., and wife Barbara of Clarendon; three step children, Sunni Wallace of Pampa, Delana of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Parnell Jackson of Pampa; 61 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
The family requests memorials be to the Community Care Center of Clarendon, PO Box 1007, Clarendon, Texas 79226

Patsy “Babe” Ruth Dodson,  80, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Amarillo.

Graveside servicse were held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at Llano East Cemetery with Dr. Guy Ellis officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Blackburn-Shaw Coulter Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX.

Patsy “Babe” was born on October 13, 1928, in Fredrick, Okla. to J.O. and Grace Shaw. She married Bobby Dodson on August 25, 1947. The newlyweds moved to Tulia in 1958 and then to Amarillo in 1963. The couple moved again in 1996 to Howardwick.

Patsy “Babe” Ruth Dodson was survived by her loving husband, Bobby Dodson; her daughter, Georgianna McLamb; her grandchildren, Buck and Codi Mc Lamb; and her great grandchild, River Kade Mako McLamb.

We will cherish her life and the memories we shared with her. God bless you and keep you, Babe.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department, Saints’ Roost Cowboy Church in Clarendon, or the Clarendon Country Club.

Charles Allen Patman, 89, died March 14, 2009, in Amarillo.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church, Borger, with Rev. Johnny Robertson officiating. Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Brown Funeral Directors.

Mr. Patman was a native of Clarendon and moved to Borger in 1940 after graduating from West Texas University. He and Marian McCormack were married on Mar 18, 1941. She preceded him in death on October 2, 1999. He retired from J.M. Huber Corporation in 1987 as Manager of Business Analysis after 42 years of service. Mr. Patman served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a Chief Warrant Officer and was a member of Hutchinson County American Legion Post No. 412. He was a member of the Borger School Board for 16 years and also served as Business Manager of the Borger Independent School District for three years. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Borger and served at various times as Chairperson of the Administrative Board, Council On Ministries, Finance Committee, and Sunday School Superintendent and Trustee.

He is survived by three sons, William and Fran Patman of Borger, Ed and Pam Patman of Amarillo, Dan and Pam Patman of Lantana; a sister, Ruth Robinson of Clarendon; a brother, Billy Patman of New Orleans; eleven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be given to BSA Hospice, Olivia’s Angels, PO Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.

Jewel Austin Houston, 48, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, in Clarendon.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009, in the First Baptist Church in Memphis with Elder Jeff Riles, Pastor of the True Church of God in Christ of Clarendon, officiating. Private burial was held in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. Services are under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jewel was born on December 26, 1960, in Memphis to Pink Wesley and Odessa Cooper Austin. She grew up in Memphis and graduated from Memphis High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Library Science from Texas Women’s University, and later achieved her Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas. While in college, she was a big part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. She married Billy Houston on March 23, 2002, in Clarendon. She was a member of the True Church of God in Christ in Clarendon where she served as secretary, board member, and head of the youth ministry. She was the Sunday school field rep for the Borger District COGIC. She was also the Texas NW COGIC Editor of Newsletter.

She was the library director for Clarendon College for many years; then later at Frank Phillips College in Borger, and then again at Clarendon College until her death. She was also was very involved in the Adopt a Student Ministry at Clarendon College.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Margie Montgomery.

Survivors include her husband, Bill of Clarendon; a stepson, Bill Houston, Jr. of Dallas; a niece/adopted daughter, Aleisha Dickson of Amarillo; three brothers, Kenneth Wayne Austin of Amarillo, Travis Austin of Denton, and Willie Earl McDonald of Dallas; five sisters, Cleola Johnson and Robbie Jackson, both of Memphis, Zetta Riles and Etta Austin, both of Amarillo, and Vernell Scott of Dallas; four grandchildren, Vanessa Houston, Jazmine, Zamiyah, and LaKenzee Dickson; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

The family will be at 201 West 4th in Clarendon.
The family request memorials be to the True Church of God in Christ Youth Ministry, PO Box 1433, Clarendon, Texas 79226.