Obituaries

Dorothy Lea Willis, 84 of Kingston, Okla., died Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at the hospital in Madill.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 25, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Kingston, Okla. with Rev. Bruce Davis officiating. Interment was held at the Kingston Cemetery in Kingston, Okla.  Services were under the direction of Watts Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Madill, Oklahoma.

She was born in Welch, Okla., to the late Ira Elmo Leighton and Dora Ann Peery Leighton on October 5, 1923.  Dorothy grew up in Welch and later moved to Meridian, Miss. She lived in Midwest City and Pauls Valley before moving to Kingston in 1964, where she lived the rest of her life.  Dorothy married John Charles Willis on July 22, 1944, in Oklahoma City.  He preceded her in death in November 3, 1986.  She was a member of the Eastern Star and the First United Methodist Church in Kingston, where she was very active in the UMW. Dorothy enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and traveling.

She is survived by a son, John T. “Terry” Willis of Moore, Okla.; a daughter, Martha Smith, of Clarendon; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and a sister, Agnes Alldredge of Arizona.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers; one sister; and two grandsons, Jacob and Woody.

Memorials my be made to the First United Methodist Church in Kingston or the Jacob Smith Memorial Band Scholarship, Donley Co. Bank, Clarendon, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.

Alta Lewis Lane, 102, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Canyon.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church of Canyon with Rev. Dr. Don McDonald, pastor, officiating. Graveside services were held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Brooks Funeral Directors.

Alta was born March 16, 1906, in Dublin, to the late Ernest Luther and Maggie Reaves Lewis. She moved to Donley County in 1907. She attended Lelia Lake School, graduating in 1923 as Valedictorian of her class. She attended Clarendon Methodist College and West Texas State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She did advanced work at the University of Colorado in Boulder and Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. She taught school 41 years in schools at Lelia Lake, Clarendon, White Deer, and Pampa. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Pampa, where she was a Sunday School Class and Department Supervisor for 20 years. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Sorority and held a lifetime membership in the National Education Association, Texas State Teachers Association, Phi Beta Kappa Green Sorority, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Her avocation was being a Professional Book Reviewer. She was also a member of several social organizations.

Alta married McHenry Lane on December 22, 1929; and he preceded her in death on October 19, 1991. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Carrol Lewis, and five sisters, Texas Batson, Lorene Holland, Lee Reeves, Jewel Robertson, and Louise Howard.

She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to offer their thanks to special caregivers, Irene Maldonado and Pina Lopez. The family also wishes to thank BSA Hospice.

Christian Blake Judd, 1, died Friday, April 25, 2008, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Chris Moore, Minister, officiating. Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Christian was born in Amarillo to Courtney Judd and Tim Sanchez. He was a resident of Clarendon since birth. He loved playing with balloons and watching his movies. He was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his great grandparents John Judd and Jesse and Ernestine Christopher; and a cousin, Maci Judd.

Survivors include his mother, Courtney Judd of Clarendon; his father, Tim Sanchez of El Paso; his grandparents Eddy and Linda Judd of Clarendon, Raymond Sanchez of Clarendon, Lisa Allen of Phoenix, Arizona; great grandparents, Willene Judd of Clarendon, Faye Sanchez of Lelia Lake, Raymond Sanchez of Lelia Lake, Geala Brister of Denver, Colorado; two aunts, Trina Wright and husband Glen of Clarendon and Amy Holt and husband Johnathon of Clarendon; three uncles, Kevin Judd of Waco, Kyle Judd and wife April of Minot, North Dakota, Nathan Judd of Clarendon; and many cousins and special family friends including the home health and Northwest Texas Hospital nurses.

The family requests that memorials be to a favorite charity.

Services for Chester Clay Jr., 55, were held Saturday, April 12, at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Corsicana.

Interment followed in Resthaven Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Corsicana.

Clay passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2008, in a La Grange hospital after a brief illness.

Chester Clay, Jr., was born January 11, 1953, in Galveston to Chester and Willie Mae Lacey Clay. He attended the public schools of Galveston and graduated from Ball High School in 1971. His education continued in Brownwood at Howard Payne University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. He later furthered his education with a master’s degree in counseling from Corpus Christi State University in 1986. While at Howard Payne University, Chester met and married Joyce Louis on December 20, 1975. To this union was born one son, Chad Clay.

An intelligent and hard-working individual, Clay spent 34 years volunteering and working for Texas Youth Commission in various capacities from volunteer to juvenile corrections officer, superintendent, and finally as assistant deputy executive director for juvenile corrections for the State of Texas. He worked to help the most troubled Texas children see hope where none had previously existed. Clay’s commitment to the communities in which he lived led to memberships in Rotary International and the Lions Club. Clay was named to Outstanding Young Men of America in 1983, and received the Howard Payne Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002.

Clay’s love for young people and the promotion of self-betterment led to his lifelong work with the young people of the state of Texas. His love for his family made him a good provider, and impact basic spiritual principles to them. His role as a friend led to the camaraderie of both men and women across the entire country. His love for Christ led him always to join a fellowship of believers wherever he lived. At the time of his death he was a devoted member of Concord Christian Center in Giddings. Though retired from the State of Texas at the time of his death, Clay was attending Blinn College to receive his teaching certificate.

He is survived by his wife of over 32 years, Joyce; his son Chad, both of Giddings; mother, Willie Mae Clay of La Marque; sister, Alrethia Dotson and husband Manuel of La Marque; brother, Bobby Armstrong Sr. of Beaumont; mother-in-law, Bobbie Ruth Louis of Clarendon; two godchildren, Evan Lynch and Jennifer Jones; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, John L. Louis of Clarendon, Odell and Rose Louis of Albuquerque, N.M., and Charles and Winnie Louis of Amarillo; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Chester Clay Sr.; two brothers, Norris Earl Horn and Eddie Ray Horn Sr.; and one sister, Melba Jean Nolan.Chester had a genuine concern for the welfare of his fellow man and his family.

His loving manner and gentle speech attracted people to him, and his conscientious services as a humanitarian won the hearts of many. He lived a peaceful life and was always ready and willing to help anyone in any way he could.

Jerald Coyce “Jerry” Hill, 67, died Friday, February 22, 2008 in Fort Worth.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008, in the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Rob Seale, Pastor, officiating. Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.

Mr. Hill was born February 26, 1940, in Clarendon to Orvel Otto and Lottie Burnett Hill. He was a sales representative in the wholesale grocery business for several years. He was a resident of Wichita Falls before moving to Fort Worth five years ago. He was a US Navy Veteran and was a Baptist.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Ben Hill.

Survivors include a daughter, Regina Cunningham of Amarillo; two sons, Michael Hill of Austin and Scott Hill of Little Rock, Ark.; two brothers, Bill Hill of Clarendon and Bob Hill of Denver, Colo.; and ten grandchildren.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Richard Dean Finch, 49, died Tuesday, February 12, 2008, in Santa Maria, Calif.

Graveside services were held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 22, 2008, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Chris Moore, Minister of the Clarendon Church Of Christ, officiating. Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Finch was born March 14, 1958, in Abilene to Richard Floyd and Charlotte June Richmond Finch. He had lived in California for the past several years, where he worked as a Security Guard.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Rocky Dale Finch, on March 5, 1993.

Survivors include a daughter, Chanel, Finch of Santa Maria, Calif.; his mother and step-father, June and Cole Lucas, of Santa Maria, Calif.; his father and step-mother, Richard and Gail Finch, of Tularosa, NM; an uncle, Roger Finch, of Clarendon; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Juanita Phelps, 82, died Thursday, February 21, 2008, in San Antonio.

A memorial service is pending in Clarendon.

Juanita was an accomplished business woman, an experienced traveler and a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister. She was the daughter of Robert C. Bingham and Rosa Rudd Bingham, both deceased. Born in Cooke County and raised in Clarendon, Juanita received an Associate’s degree from Clarendon College. She went to New York City during WWII to work for Western Union, returning to Texas after the war. She worked and raised her son in Clarendon, and later moved into the antiques business in Scottsdale, Ari., and San Diego, Calif. She settled in Austin when her grandson was born and worked in business administration until her retirement in 1995. Her travels took her around the world and across the United States. In addition to her expertise in the antiques business, she was an enthusiastic supported of the arts.

She was preceded in death by an older brother, Robert W. Bingham, and two infant sisters.

Survivors include her sister, Hazel Guy of Clarendon; her son, Charles Vaughn and his wife, Catherine Fontaine of San Antonio; and her grandson, Stephen Vaughn of Austin.

Troy Dean Skinner, 78, died Tuesday, February 19, 2008, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2008, in the First Nazarene Church in Amarillo with Rev. Carol Hartsfield, Associate Pastor, officiating. Burial was at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Troy was born on February 11, 1930, in Carlsbad, NM, to George T. and Alice Ida Wolford Skinner. He married Geraldine Edith “Gerry” Hawks on September 28, 1956, in Fort Sumner, NM. He was a salesman and an entrepreneur in the saddlery and tack industry. He founded and owned Skinner Boot Company for many years and had hand-made boots for several well known celebrities. He also founded Texas Horse Pads in Quitaque and started Texas Saddlery Company of Amarillo and Clarendon. He was a resident of Amarillo before moving to Clarendon in the mid 1970s. He loved being a private pilot and aircraft owner and built and flew many experimental aircraft, including gyrocopters, and ultra lights. He was a long time member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn. as well as the Experimental Aircraft Assn. He also loved to ride his motorcycle.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Scott, in 1972; and two sisters, Darlene Brown and Patsy Jo Skinner.

Survivors include his wife, Gerry, of Clarendon; two sons, Walt Skinner and wife Kathy of Amarillo, and Sam Skinner and wife Jean of McKinney; a daughter, Dr. Becky Monroe and husband Dee of Kingwood; a brother, Gary Skinner and wife Sandra of Lake Tanglewood; nine grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch or the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 364, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Marcetas Loi “Mable” Thompson, 86, died Thursday, February 14, 2008, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, in the First United Methodist Church in Vega with Minister Brad Thompson, officiating, and Jerry Keeley assisting. Musical arrangements were provided by the Southwest Church of Christ Singers. Burial was held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Vega. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors.

Mable was born July 7, 1921, in Rolla, Kansas to Everett Grant and Freda Hintergardt Tracy. She married Albert Day Thompson December 21, 1941. She had been a resident of Vega most of her life before moving to Clarendon in 1999. She was a secretary and clerk for SPS prior to her retirement. She was active in the Senior Citizens Association. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vega.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Day Thompson, on May 20, 1998; her parents; and her brother, Merlyn.

Survivors include two sons, Marvin Thompson and his wife Sue of Clarendon, and Jerry Ray Thompson of Calistoga, Calif.; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

The family requests memorials be to The Hali Project, 26551 Newton, Canyon, Texas 79015, or the American Cancer Society, or Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.

Camille Mann Miller, 51, a resident of San Saba, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2008, in Austin.

Services were held Saturday, February 16, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist in San Saba, with Rev. Sam Crosby officiating. Interment was at the McMillin Cemetery in San Saba County. Services were under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Home in San Saba.

Camille was born November 18, 1956, in Amarillo, the daughter of Winfred C. “Jiggs” Mann and Evelyn Wood Mann. On January 23, 2006, Karen Camille and Dick Miller were married in San Saba, where they made their home and she worked as a Para Legal and Rancher.

Camille is survived by her husband, Dick Miller, of San Saba; parents, Jiggs and Evelyn Mann of Clarendon; three sons, James Ross of Clarendon, Robert Wood and Joe Mann Miller of San Saba; two daughters, Elizabeth Carol Ross of College Station and Mary Katherine Ross of San Saba; one brother, Mark Mann and his wife Briss of Seminole; and one aunt, Willie Roberts of Amarillo; three nephews, Hadley and Colby Mann of Seminole, and Jack Whitten of San Saba; three nieces, Margaret, Katherine, and Carolyn Whitten of San Saba.

The family requests that memorials be made to the San Saba County EMS or to the Camille Mann Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund at Clarendon College c/o West Texas National Bank, PO Box 7727, Attention: Mark Mann, Seminole, Texas 79306.