Obituaries

Juanita Ruth Wood of Lubbock passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2007, at the age of 80.

Services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at White Memorial Chapel in Lubbock with Rev. Keith Wiseman officiating and Rachel Shapard assisting.  Interment was held at City of Lubbock Cemetary.  Arrangements were under the care of White Funeral Home of Lubbock.

She was born on January 10, 1927, in Lubbock to Chester U. and Ethel L. (Elliott) James.

She graduated from New Deal High School and later graduated from Draughn’s Business College.

Juanita married Charles Winston Wood on June 17, 1950, in Roswell, NM. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her sister, Effie Lee Middlebrook of Shallowater; sister-in-law, Evelyn Jean Mann and husband, Jiggs of Clarendon, Texas; nephews, Doyce Middlebrook and wife, Paula of Shallowater, Mark Mann and wife, Briss of Seminole; nieces, Ruth Enger and husband, Don of Shallowater, Camille Miller and husband, Dick of San Saba; and nine great nieces and nephews.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 51 years, and her infant daughter, Linda Kay Wood.

The family suggests memorials be to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 2981 Lubbock, Texas 79408, or to a favorite charity.

Services for Margaret Ann Pepin, age 55, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2007, in the First Methodist Church in Claude with Rev. Janet Edwards, Pastor, and Mel Brunson, Elder at Amarillo South, officiating. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc. of Clarendon

Mrs. Pepin died Friday, May 11, 2007, in Amarillo. She was born October 15, 1951, in Wichita Falls to James William and Dorothy Nell Leatherwood Endicott. She married Joseph Pepin on April 6, 1990, at Ft. Worth. She had worked several jobs throughout her life, but enjoyed being a nanny the most.

After the death of her husband in 2003, Mrs. Pepin moved to Claude and was involved with the Women’s Bible Study and the Widowed Club at the Methodist Church. She was a life time member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #1475, she loved crafting, and was a loving, caring person who will be greatly missed. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Claude.

Mrs. Pepin was preceded in death by both her parents; and her husband Joseph Pepin in 2003.

Survivors include a son, DeWayne Houston of Hawaii; a sister, Gayla Fletcher and husband Phil of Claude; two sisters-in-law, Dora and Audrey; and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorials be to the First United Methodist Church in Claude or BSA Hospice.

Services for Gwen Hill were held Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Keith Martin and Kerry Wood, officiating.

Burial was in Citizens Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Hill, 81, died Friday, May 11, 2007, in Amarillo.

Mrs. Hill was born September 26, 1925, in Childress County, Texas, to J.H. and Maggie Wills Martin.  She married Orin Lee Hill on June 27, 1944, at Carlsbad, California.  She had been a resident of Clarendon and Donley County since 1946.  She was an LVN for the Adair Hospital, Medical Center Nursing Home, and other home health agencies before her retirement.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clarendon.

She is preceded in death by her husband on March 7, 2007, and her parents.

Survivors include two daughters, Karen Lewis of Amarillo and Donna Butler of Canyon; one foster daughter, DeAnn Wilson of Canyon; one brother, Wayne Martin and wife Patsy of Wellington; one sister, Billie Wood and husband W.H. of Childress; seven grandchildren; and 13 great gradchildren.

The family requests memorials be to the Shriner’s Hospital or the First Baptist Church of Clarendon.

Sign the online guest book at www.RoberstonFuneral.com.

Richard Lynn Thompson, 44, left this earth to find eternal peace on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. The joyful arms of his grandfathers, Day Thompson, W.H. Browning, along with his step-daughter, Kristine Sherwood, awaited his arrival in the everlasting Kingdom.

Those who remain on this earth who are mourning his passing and celebrating his life are his devoted wife, Debbie Thompson; and his parents, Marvin and Sue Thompson. He is also survived by his blessed daughter, Katherine Morrow and her husband, Jason; and stepdaughter, Natalie Stone. His brother, Brad Thompson and his wife, Karen and children, Justin and Hali; along with his sister, Susan Keeley and husband, Jerry and daughters, Krista and Kali, are also here to remember the life of their cherished brother. Other family members include grandmothers, Mable Thompson and Naveta Browning; aunts and uncles, Patty, Tippy, Bill, Susan and Linda Browning along with Jerry Thompson, Rodger, Pat, John, Amy and Matthew LeMasters are also present to celebrate the life of Lynn. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Shylee Morrow and Erik Stone.

Lynn was born May 18, 1962, and lived his life fully, as he attended Clarendon High School in Texas and graduated from Tulsa University School of Law in 1989. Lynn was a partner in the Law Firm Harris, McMahon, Peters, Thompson and Stall. He was a member of the Tulsa Bar Association, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as the First Christian Church Langley, Cherokee Yacht Club, Golf Club of Ok and The Coves- Grand Lake.

Lynn always demonstrated a fighting spirit, whether trying to beat his friends and family on the golf course or cheering Texas Tech on to victory. His positive spirit was evident in his law career, and most notably in the biggest battle of his life, his fight against the cancer, that finally claimed his body. Throughout all his trials, whether in a courtroom or in a hospital room, Lynn’s unwavering spirit and faith served him well. Lynn always understood that the time we have on this earth is short and each moment is precious. He exemplified this by his zest for life and his love of family and friends. Ours is the sad fate. We must go on without his energy and spirit in the flesh, however I know he would want us to laugh, smile and breathe deeply the joys of this life. Take comfort, my friends and family, that he is still here. You will hear him in a song, see him in each other, and love him always until you meet again.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Hali Project, 4515 Cornell, Amarillo, TX 79109. View and sign the online guestbook at www.legacy.com/tulsaworld.

M.J. “Jack” Beavers, 87, died Monday April 30, 2007, in Bonham.

Services were held Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Soper Church of Christ in Soper, OK, with Brother Donnie Bates, officiating.  Interment was held at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Soper.

M.J. “Jack” Beavers was born on June 3, 1919, to Willam Rufe and Alice Jane (Antwine) Beavers.  Jack married Winnona Leon Dale Cole on September 4, 1943, in Soper, OK.  He had lived in this area for the past twenty-nine years after moving here from Post and Memphis, TX.  Jack was a member of the Soper Church of Christ.  He had worked as a machinist in the textile industry and loved to farm. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alfayeda Ingram and Roberta Partin; and one brother, Willam R. Beavers, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Leon Dale Beavers of the home; two sons, Jack T. Beavers of Powderly, TX, and Robert M. Beavers of Soper, OK; four sisters, Juanita Popchoke and Leota Bardin both of Hugo, OK, Loretta Smith of Amarillo, and Elizabeth Davis of San Angelo; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Dale L. Kerr, 56, died Wednesday, April 25, 2007, in Claude, Texas.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 28,2007, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Rev. Jess Little, Pastor, officiating.  Interment was held at Claude Cemetery.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Kerr was born September 9,1950, in Amarillo to Billy Joe and Imogene Doyle Kerr.  He was a lifetime resident of Claude.  He married Jessie Faye Miller on May 21, 2005, at Claude.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Claude.

Mr. Kerr was preceded in death by his father in 1988 and his mother on October 19, 2001.

Survivors include his wife, Jessie of  Sulphur Springs; a step son, Trent Miller of Sulphur Springs; a step daughter, Trina Yoho of Sulphur Springs; a brother, Ronald Kerr of Amarillo; a sister, Gwen Kerr of Moore, OK; nieces & nephews reared as children, Chris Montgomery and Rhada Montgomery both of Moore, OK; Julie Roberts-Collins of Wellington, Tim Roberts of Claude, and Holly Roberts of Amarillo; other nieces and nephews, PerryLyn Kerr Combs of Rockwell, Kean Kelly Kerr of Ft. Worth, and Katy Kerr Melo of La Porte; 2 grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be to American Diabetes Association, First Baptist Church of Claude, or Claude Cemetery Association.

Zakery Kniight (James Harold Williams), age 41, born March 30, 1966, and left this world to be with his parents Norma Fetter Williams and Robert Lee Williams Saturday, April 21, 2007, at approximately 10:15 P.M.. 

Jim also joined his grandparents Victoria and Adam Fetter of Palmyra and Dora and Hughey Williams of Mt. Auburn.

Jim, or Zak as he had changed his name to, left behind a fiancee, Denise Connors of Springfield.  He also left a brother Robert Williams of Illiopolis, an uncle Eddie Williams of Mt. Auburn, an aunt Ruth Aebischer of Clarendon, an uncle and aunt Harold & Wanda Stouffe of Corsicana, along with many cousins, a niece Tonya, a nephew Robbie and great-nieces and nephews.

 Jim attended school in Illiopolis, graduated from the School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, IL. After attending classes at Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield College in Illinois, and University of Illinois at Springfield, he was to graduate in May to start his career as a Counselor.  He worked at both the Decatur Herald newspaper and the Jacksonville Journal Courier newspaper.  

Jim was a weight lifter attempting to lift the most weight for his age bracket in Illinois and worked out almost daily.  He had been working out at the YMCA in downtown Springfield for two hours; and as he walked to the bus stop, he experienced a cardiac arrest that took his life 10 days later. 

Graveside services were held at Oak Hill Cemetery, Palmyra, Ill., Sunday, April 29. Donations should go to the family.

Mary El Dora “Tillie” Anglin, 85, died Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in Amarillo.

Graveside services were held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2007, in Citizens Cemetery with Don Stone, Church of Christ minister from Clarendon, officiating.  Interment was also held at Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Anglin was born April 15, 1922, in Brice, Hall County, Texas to William and Zettie Rae Rebreed.  She was a Wellington resident before moving to Clarendon in 1957.  She married Everett William Anglin on December 29, 1938, at Hollis, Oklahoma.  She and her husband had farmed and owned Anglin’s RV Park and Our Playhouse and Anglin Motel in Clarendon before their retirement.  She also was an art teacher and had owned Tillie’s Art Studio and belonged to several Panhandle area artist groups.

Over the years, she had won many awards for her art.  She was a long time member of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ.  She will be remembered as a fun person and as one who dearly loved life, art, and her family.

Mrs. Anglin was preceded in death by her husband on March 16, 2001, and by a brother and two sisters.

Survivors include two daughters, Kay Saied of Amarillo, Cindy Ellis of Claude; one son, Sammy Anglin of Clarendon; one sister, Grace Gregory of Dumas; a sister in law, Billie Rexrode of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family request memorials be to Roadrunner Home Heath Care, 6515 North 18th Street in Memphis, Texas 79245.

Lynn De Juan Abel, born December 9, 1936, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2007, while traveling to France.

Visitation was held on Saturday, April 21 and funeral services were held Sunday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Greer Funeral Home Chapel in Mangum, OK, with interment at the Ladessa Cemetery, Greer County, Oklahoma, under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

As an accomplished life-long musician, playing the accordion and many other instruments, De Juan attended Denver University’s Lamont School of Music, and sang barbershop as a long time member of SPEBSQA (Society of the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America).

After service in the US Marine Corps 1957-1960 he earned his college degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.  As the founder of Hexagon Honeycomb Corporation he became a modern day industrialist, epitomizing entrepreneurial ambition and independence by developing that company into the world wide leader in the production and distribution of structural paper honeycomb.  He was presented the St. Louis Small Business Association Businessman of the Year Award in 1991.

He passionately loved travel, conversation with anyone, and his family, which for him extended to second and third degree relatives, with all of whom he managed to maintain active contact.

De Juan married Carol Ann Coniff in 1960, and they had two sons, Corew Steven Abel and Andrew Craig Abel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver J. and Willie Abel of Clarendon, his older brother, Billy Dan Abel, and his sister, Donna.

He is survived by his former wife Carol Abel of Scottsdale, Arizona; his son Corey Abel and wife Jenni Jordan Abel, and their children, Audrey Lynn and Oliver Emmett of Denver, Colorado; his son Andrew “Andy” Abel of Hollywood, Florida; his brother, Philip C. Abel of Ft. Worth, Texas; and his long time companion Krisztina Toth and her son Daniel Antmann; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

To all who knew him he was a devoted father, uncle, and friend.

Peggy Carroll Smith died Monday, April 16, 2007, in Newton.

Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2007, in Robertson Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, retired Baptist minister, officiating.  Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.  Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Smith was born January 4, 1934, in Hedley to William Wayne and Jessie Alice Carroll.  She was a resident of Clovis, NM, much of her life before moving to Newton several years ago.  She was educated in Portales, NM, and worked at Cannon Air Force Base for 19 years before her retirement.  She was a Baptist.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and five sisters.

Survivors include three sons, David Smith and wife Teri of Clovis, NM, Guy Smith and wife Barbara of Sedalia, CO, Larry Smith and wife Nancy of Highlands Ranch, CO; eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.