Obituaries

Bobby Gene “Bob” Havens, 84, of Clarendon died Thursday, September 29, 2022, in Clarendon

No services will be scheduled per Bob’s wishes. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Citizens Cemetery.

Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Bob was born August 8, 1938, in Dickens, Texas to Arthur Milton and Sarah Vera Davis Havens. Bob was a graduate of Quail High School. He later married Connie Lee Phillips on October 26, 1963, in Clarendon. Bob had been a resident of Donley County most of his life where he was a farmer. He was also United States Marine Corps veteran. He was loving husband, father, brother, and a friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, on September 16, 2014; and two brothers, Milton Lee Havens and William August Havens.

He is survived by his daughters, Dianne Bentley of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, Crystal Stewart and husband Jon of Amarillo, and Bobbie Havens of Conroe; his seven grandchildren, Steven Bentley and wife Jessica of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, Meagan Logan and husband Garrett of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, Leigh Chandler and husband Curtis of Yukon, Oklahoma, Madison Stewart of Lubbock, Quinton Stewart and wife Stephanie of Amarillo, Wade and Cole Gillig both of Conroe; 9 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to Donley County Senior Citizens or Citizens Cemetery Association.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

 

Herbert Shields, 93, of Lelia Lake died Sunday, September 25, 2022, in Claude.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2022, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Larry Shields, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Thursday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Herbert was born November 8, 1928, in Dozier, Collingsworth County, Texas to John Wesley and Lonnie Caroline Marsh Shields. He married Hazel Dell Lewis on September 23, 1949, in Midland. Herbert worked in milk delivery and also was Conoco distributor prior to his retirement. He had been a resident of Donley County since 1962 and was a longtime member of the Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jimmy Shields; 7 brothers; and 3 sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Hazel Shields of Lelia Lake; a son, David Shields of Lelia Lake; a daughter, Misty James of Magnolia; one brother and the last of the Mohicans, Earl Shields of Lelia Lake; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the High Plains Children’s Home.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.

Robert Wayne Leathers, 75, of Paris, formerly of McLean, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at his home.

A memorial service will be held in McLean, Texas on October 8th at 3:30 p.m., with Thacker Haynes officiating.

Mr. Leathers, the son of Joe Robert Leathers and Joane Bullard Leathers, was born May 30, 1947, in Clarendon, Texas. He grew up on a farm and was a farmer at heart. He married the love of his life, Amanda Dalton Leathers, on May 27, 1967, and quickly moved her to Dallas where he was a Police Officer with the Dallas Police Department. He was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as a Military Policeman and he and Amanda moved to Ft. Greely, Delta Junction, Alaska, where they spent two beautifully blessed years. After his service, they returned to Dallas and began their family. The call back to farming came shortly after the birth of their son, and they made the move back to the Panhandle of Texas where they spent the majority of their lives and raised their children together.

Wayne was a hard worker and spent many years at Halliburton Oil Service but was able to retire early and again the call to farming and working on the tractor was in his heart. He loved being on his John Deere tractor ~ he would landscape, mow and do dirt work ~ it truly brought joy to his heart! Wayne loved his community and was always serving. For many years he would plow, plant and water a community garden in McLean – where he would offer the community all the vegetables they could pick. As much as he loved his community, his love for his family was even greater! He loved his wife of 55 years, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with all his heart. His love for the Lord was with all of his heart, mind & soul! Wayne was a member of the First United Methodist Church in McLean. He would want everyone to know how important it is to have a relationship with Jesus. He loved the Lord and lived a life where he loved others well! Matthew 22:37-39.

He is survived by his wife, Amanda Dalton Leathers, two children, Brandon Leathers & wife Carla, and Jennifer Robin Mann & husband Grant, grandchildren, Haley Jones & husband Isaac, Gabby Leathers, Kory Carmon, Kameron Carmon, KaLeigh Welch, Karli Dauernheim, Krisanna Spillman, Sarah Mann, Paul Mann, and Matthew Mann, great grandchildren, Emily Jones, Maggie Jones, Gavin Carmon, Alexis Carmon, Owen Carmon, Nolan Carmon, Zoey Carmon, Ezra Dauernheim, and Eliana Welch, and two siblings, Beverly Hood and Joe Leathers & wife Louise along with numerous nieces & nephews and a host of friends.

To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.

Charles Lester Petty, 83, of Clarendon passed away Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Lester was born on September 6, 1939, in Dallas to Harley Ward and Joyce Mae Petty. He was a resident of Quail before moving to Hedley where he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Stone on October 23, 1958. They moved to Clarendon that same year where he began his career working for Harvie Price at Price’s Truck Stop. He went on to manage Kerr-McGee, then later bought and operated Petty’s Texaco. In his free time, he spent his days raising livestock with kids and grandkids for 4-H and FFA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and one sister.
He is survived by his wife Shirley of 64 years; son, Dennis Petty and wife Ruth of Clarendon; daughter, Lacrecia Garza and husband David of Amarillo; three grandkids, Ryan Petty of Clarendon, Ashley Petty of Amarillo, and Chelsea Danner of Amarillo; one great granddaughter, Kendall Danner of Amarillo who was the apple of his eye; a sister, Pat Woodard of Memphis; and several nieces and nephews.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Glenda Mae Johnson, 67, of Moundridge, Kansas, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022, at her home. She was born September 8, 1954, in Groom, the daughter of O.D. and Dorothy Joyce (Johnson) Stephens.

Glenda cleaned for several businesses in the Moundridge area.
She was united in marriage to Jerry Roy Johnson on July 3, 1972, in Clarendon. He preceded her in death on February 28, 2016.

Glenda is survived by her sons, Jeremy (Sandra) Johnson of Moundridge, and Jason Johnson of Lindsborg; grandson, Wyatt (Abby) Johnson of Moundridge; two great-grandsons, Cian Lee and Gabriel Scott Johnson; two sisters, Debra Ellen (Windell) Sursa of Memphis, and Angela Kay (Tony) Houseman of Rosehill; and dearest family friend, Randy Hudson of Lindsborg.
She was preceded in death by her father, O.D. Stephens; mother, Dorothy Joyce Christensen; and husband, Jerry Johnson.

Cremation is planned with a Twilight Celebration of Life to be held in Texas at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital or Cal Farley Boys Ranch in Amarillo, TX, in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Connie McKinney, 65, of McLean, formerly of Clarendon, died Wednesday, August 24, 2022, in McLean.

Memorial graveside services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, August 27, 2022, in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean.
Family will be receiving friends for visitation from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Friday at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.

Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Connie was born June 12, 1957, in Pampa to Chester Leon and Bonna Jean Bohlar. She married James Edward McKinney on May 30, 1975, in Clarendon. She had been a resident of Clarendon for 34 years and McLean for 32 years. She worked as a bank officer at Bank of Commerce in McLean prior to her retirement. She was a member of the former First Baptist Church in McLean.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her younger sister, Becky Sheppard.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Edward McKinney of the home; her son, Michael McKinney of Amarillo; her daughter, Traci Merritt and husband Dustin of Groom; five grandchildren, Quentin Overby of Abilene, Cadance and Brinkley McKinney of Amarillo, and Brensen and Maddix Merritt of Groom; her aunt and uncle, Alfred and Jimmie Koch of Pampa; her sister, Toni Bohlar of McLean; her brother, Chester Bohlar and wife Sally of Alanreed; her brother in law, Lyn McKinney and wife Gina of Clarendon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Jack Arnold Moreman, 87, of Clarendon died August 16, 2022, in Southlake, Texas.

Graveside services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Chris Downer officiating. Viewing will be held Friday at the funeral home with family receiving friends for visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jack was born June 15, 1935, in Hedley, to Ray and Oleta Moreman. He graduated from Hedley High School and attended Clarendon College where he graduated with an associate degree. Later, he graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry as well as a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. While at Tech, Jack was employed by the Department of Animal Husbandry at the Beef Cattle Center and was also the Horse Herdsman. After graduating, he went to work for the Texas Animal Health Commission doing Bangs testing in Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio counties in far West Texas.

Jack went into the U.S. Army where he trained with the Ninth Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colorado. He served with the Eighth Army in Korea and with the Fourth Army in Fort Hood, Texas. While still in the U.S. Army, Jack married the love of his life, Fredie Jo Carter on June 12, 1959. Two children came out of this marriage, Phillip Wesley and Melody Gay.

After release from the Army, Jack worked as the manager of the Doneghy Ranches in Wellington, and Henryetta, Oklahoma for 8 years. Jack was also Feedlot Manager of the Alpha-Omega Feedyard in Hereford, a 40,000 head feedyard and 8,000 head summer programs in New Mexico and Colorado. Jack became the Assistant Director of the Ranch Management Program at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, for two years.

Jack later became the Manager of the JA Cattle Company in Palo Dura, Texas and Colorado. He left the ranch to become the Director of the Ranch and Feedlot Program at Clarendon College in 1974 and retired from that position in 1994. He then devoted his time to L&M Seed Company and Rolling Plains Ag Compost Inc., where he took care of nine feedyard’s manure, making compost of the manure and applying to farms and ranch land. Jack eventually sold the equipment and inventory in 2017 and retired at 84 years old.

Jack served 38 years on the Donley County Soil and Water Conservation District board as the Vice President, and he received the Conservation Business Man award in 2018 at the district convention. Jack also served for over 20 years on the Clarendon College Board of Regents as well as on the Selective Service Board. He was awarded the Pioneer of the Year in 2014 from the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce. Jack was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he was the Commander of the American Legion, Post 287 Adamson-Lane in Hedley, TX. He was also a lifetime member of the Methodist Church, serving as Financial Chairman. He attended the Walk to Emmaus and was involved in the Kairo’s Prison Ministry.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Fredie Jo Moreman; son, Phillip Moreman; daughter, Melody Sanderson and her husband Brent Sanderson, three grandchildren and their spouses Megan Baldock and her husband Hayden, Matt Sanderson and his wife Chandler, Mallory Hennessy and her husband Brandon. He had four great grandchildren, Rory Baldock, Adrinna Sanderson, Witt Sanderson and Lincoln Hennessy.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Ruth Word Robinson, 93, of Clarendon died Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in Clarendon.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2022 (on her 94th birthday) in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Tamplen, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Thursday, August 18, 2022, at the funeral home with the family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Ruth was born August 19, 1928, in Clarendon to William Marvin and Charlie May Taylor Patman. She was a lifelong resident of Clarendon where she was a graduate of Clarendon High School and Clarendon College. She then attended West Texas State University where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and was voted Personality Queen and Sun Bowl Princess. She married Robertson Ingham Word on June 25, 1949 and he preceded her in death on May 10, 1973. Ruth had a rewarding teaching and counseling career, working at Idalou, Pleasant Valley, Vernon, Hereford, and Clarendon Jr. College. She later married Joe Frank Robinson on January 21, 1977 and he preceded her in death on March 22, 2017. Ruth was involved in many organizations in Clarendon where she served as President of the Saints’ Roost Museum board from 1999-2002, member of the Clarendon College Board of Regents, Friends of the Library, Red Hatters Society, Donley County Historical Commission, and the Donley County Courthouse Lighting Committee to name a few. She was a proud relative of Col. Charles Goodnight and was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church.

Ruth was loved by many, and she loved deeply in return. Some of her favorite loves include, of course, her family, her friends, and the many students whose lives she touched over the years. But also Clarendon College, the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon, and the Willard Skelton Sunday School class. She got a particular delight playing Rummy Dummy with her friends, entertaining Goodnight relatives at the Saints’ Roost Chuckwagon Cook-off, and watching (and loudly cheering for) Patrick Mahomes. And we would be remiss if we failed to mention her abiding affection for Sonic ice, clearance sales at Talbots and Dillards, Snickers chocolate bars, and Diet Coke.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a stepson, Jim Robinson; a step son-in-law, Ronny Longan; and three brothers, Ardis, Allen, and Billy Patman.

She is survived by her son, Bill Word of Clarendon; her daughter, Libby Talley and husband Billy of Amarillo; her stepchildren, Jack Robinson and wife Susan of Amarillo, Joe Robinson, Jr. of Junction, and Janny Longan of Howardwick; 14 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family requests that memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

Katherine Sue (Sanders) Ariola, 81, of Clarendon passed away on August 6, 2022.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 12, 2022, at Clarendon Church of the Nazarene in Clarendon, with Allen Posey officiating. Burial will be at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Amarillo.

Katherine Sue (Sanders) Ariola was a wonderful woman that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “MawMaw” as she liked to be called by her grand boys, was also an amazing wife, mom, grandmom, great-grandmom, sister and certainly a friend to all she met.

Katherine’s story starts on February 5, 1941. She was born to Hugh and Oneta Sanders. Katherine started her life as the headstrong and independent woman everyone knew her to be, entering this world before the physician arrived in Antelope Flat, Texas, and unbeknownst to all, she was not the only one born that day. She was a twin.

She spent her childhood on the farm, learning hard work, honesty, and integrity that farm life so freely teaches. Her school years were in Lakeview, a heritage that she was proud of. She graduated from Lakeview High School as valedictorian of her class. It is there that she met the love of her life, James Bruce Ariola. Bruce’s sister Elly Mae, and Katherine were childhood BFFs. Elly wanted nothing more than to make Katherine “family,” so as to continue the lifelong friendship. And that she did. With her best matchmaking skills, she introduced Katherine to Bruce, and the rest is history. Katherine and Bruce were married in Memphis, Tx at the home of Glen and Shirlene Sanders on December 20, 1958. They started their lives out in Lakeview, as owners and operators of a laundromat and a blacksmith shop.

In 1959, Katherine and Bruce started their family with their firstborn, Kathy Lenae, followed by Janice Renee in 1960, Jaci Sulynn in 1963, and James “BO” Allen in 1969.

Katherine and Bruce fulfilled their lifelong dream of buying a farm in Brice. Together they spent many hardworking years on the family cotton, turned fish farm. Katherine and Bruce faced some gut-wrenching financial/legal struggles on the farm. Her valedictorian skills came in handy in those struggles. In a legal battle to save the farm, and without funds for an attorney, she bought a used set of law books at a garage sale, studied them intensely, and prepared and defended their case before a judge. They walked out of that courtroom victorious—case dismissed. Even through all her struggles and heartaches, never once did she give up hope, or become bitter.

Katherine could dress up to look like a beauty queen, or she could put on work clothes (with Mary Kay makeup, of course) and work the fields and fishponds with the best of them. She could attend Mary Kay ballroom parties or be in cut-off shorts and flip-flops catching rattlesnakes. She was a parts runner, a cotton trailer puller, an irrigation pipe mover, a gardener, a bookkeeper, and everything else farm life demanded. She worked that farm very hard alongside Bruce; however, her “selling ice to an Eskimo” skill was also used productively to help support the farm. Sales in luggage, glassware, jewelry, healthcare products, and finally Mary Kay helped tremendously in farm finances. She was so very proud of her two Mary Kay cars.

She was an amazing cook, and everyone knew and looked forward to delicious homemade meals served at her table. She could even make a fried bologna sandwich taste like the best thing you ever put in your mouth. She could catch, clean, fillet and cook catfish in her sleep and wow – it was incredible. So much so that the family finds it hard to even enjoy catfish elsewhere.

Katherine was no stranger to hardships, pain, and struggles. She buried not one, but two children, Kathy at the young age of 6 years old, and Bo at age 20, in a horrific tragedy, and then finally, her husband Bruce in 2012.
While she was staunch and fierce in her pursuit of what is right and good, she was a loving, kind, gentle soul, that even in her deepest grief, always thought of others first. There were a few times in her life, that she did not have an authentic and beautiful smile on her face – and that smile could and would light up the room. She made every person in her presence feel important and, most of all, loved.

Katherine dreamed of travel and that dream became reality in her and Bruce’s retirement years. A strange twist of fate through a hunting lease turned reverse mortgage type situation afforded Katherine and Bruce the financial freedom to travel, but more importantly, birthed an extraordinary and deep friendship. Katherine so often spoke fondly of the memories of their travels, but even more fondly of their special friend, Bart (whom she thought of and loved like a son). She always believed that was a Devine appointment and intervention ordained directly by God.

Katherine’s boys were her heart, her pride and joy—-Three grand boys, followed by five great-grand boys. There’s no denying that her boys, as she called them, were the people that she loved the most. Time spent at MawMaw’s house was very special for her boys, with so many precious lifelong memories made. Her nieces and nephews were just one step behind the “boys”—she loved them all dearly and always welcomed them as her own.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Katherine, are her parents, Hugh and Oneta, her two children, Kathy and Bo, and the love and light of her life, her husband, Bruce. Other loved ones that preceded her in death were her sisters-in-law, Judy Sanders, Shirley Hodges and Elly Gillespie.

Loved ones that will miss Katherine until they meet again are her two daughters, Janice Harvey, and SuLynn Mester and husband Randy; her grand boys, Matthew Brandes and son Ky, Joshua Brandes and wife Laura and sons, Zach, Hannon and Sloan, Kris Ariola and wife Taylor and son Tanner; her siblings, Leonard Sanders and wife Edna, Kenneth Sanders and wife Lois, and Larry Sanders; bonus “brothers” Robert Sanders and wife Linda, and Carl Sanders; sister-in-law, Lajuana Tucker, along with many nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

Sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com.

Norma Raye Taylor-Hall was born in Levelland to Arthur Raymond Taylor and Essie Mae McDonald-Bushert on August 29, 1950. She passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022 at the age of 71.

Family directed memorial services will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. in the Howardwick Baptist Church with Randy Schraider officiating.
Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

She travelled the state as a result of her father being in the oil business. She eventually settled in Fort Worth with her mother after her father passed away when she was only nine years old. After pursuing a career in the hotel industry like her mother she met and instantly fell in love with Larry Dale Hall of Azle in 1978 and married on Valentine’s Day 1979.

She had a nurturing spirit to all and many called her mother. She and Larry served several years in maternity homes in Texas and Arizona ministering and being loving house parents to many young women. Many lives were changed by her Christ-like love and unwavering kindness.

She was a highly skilled artist in both pencil and paint. Although she would insist that she wasn’t that was just her genuinely humble self.

She was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Taylor, mother Essie Mae McDonald-Bushert; two daughters and a stepbrother.

She is survived by her husband Larry Dale Hall of Clarendon, son Britton Hall and wife Tiffany of Borger, and three very loved grandchildren.