Obituaries

Funeral services for Carol Ann Powell, age 62, of Deadwood, were held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steven Hill and Mervin Scott, officiating.  Burial was held at Deadwood Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home.

Mrs. Powell died April 24, 2006, in Tyler.  She was born February 2, 1944, in South Gate, California, to Florence Whitfield and Kermit Evans.  She settled in East Texas in 1984 coming from Dallas.  On November 15, 1983, she married Thad Ervin Powell.  She was a member of the New Shady Grove Baptist Church in Deadwood and was an animal lover and an enthusiastic gardener. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

Survivors include her loving husband, T.E. “Thad” Powell of Deadwood; son, Jeff Powell of Dallas; daughter, Priscilla Bean of Mesquite; brother, Carl Evans and wife Ruth; and a host of friends.

Funeral services for Darr Thomas Rich, age 83, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, in Robertson Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bill Hodges, Pastor of the Clarendon Church of the Nazarene, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc.

Mr. Rich died Sunday, April 30, 2006, in Amarillo.  He was born March 12, 1923, in Brice, Hall County, Texas, to Claudie Cecil and Beaulah Gertrude Williams Rich.  He was a long time Clarendon resident before moving to Amarillo several years ago.  He was a farmer most of his life before his retirement.  He was a US Army Veteran of World War II and was a Baptist.

Survivors include three daughters, Joan Wallace of Midlothian, Carol Dunlap of Allen, and Linda Vereen of Clebrune; five sisters, Mina Ivey and Jane Barker, both of Clarendon, Mary Denton of Amarillo, Edith Hinkle of Tahoka, and Galdys Tice of Hughes Springs; one brother, Cecil Rich of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.

Pall bearers were nephews of Mr. Rich.

Memorials may be made to the Georgia Manor Nursing Home in Amarillo.

Funeral services for Willie Mozell Rogers Hall, age 84, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2006, in Robertson Chapel of Memories with Perry Hall, family member, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Hall was born April 14, 1922, in Wood County, Texas, and came to Clarendon in 1998 from Winslow, Arkansas, where she had lived since 1972.  She married George W. Hall in April 1940, at Hollis, Oklahoma.  She owned a grocery store in Winslow, Arkansas, prior to her retirement.  She was a live-in caretaker for the elderly in their homes for many years.  She loved going to garage sales, as well as being a “rock hound” rock collector.  She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1970; by a daughter, Vanetta Carol Hall in 1944; a sister, Blanche Tackett; and two brothers, Charlie Rogers and Hershel Rogers.

Survivors include three sons, Donnie Hall and wife Cleta of Clarendon, Marvin Hall and wife Margaret of Minden, Louisiana, and Perry Hall and wife Loyce of Winslow, Arkansas; and two sisters, Faye Melton of Salem, Oregon, and Murle Winston of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The family requests that memorials be to the First Assembly of God Building Fund, PO Drawer F, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Graveside services for Nolen Dee Hill, age 85, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2006, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Baptist Minister from Clarendon, officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Hill died Saturday, April 22, 2006, in Clarendon. He was born February 28, 1921, in Cooke County, Texas, to O.T. and Nola Lorance Hill.  He had been a lifetime resident of Donley County and was an honest, hard working man.  He married Ella Mae Burleson on May 2, 1953, in Clovis, New Mexico.  He was a farmer most of his life prior to his retirement.  He was a Methodist.

He was preceded in death by his wife on June 19, 1996; a son, Ronnie Hill on March 26, 2002; a daughter, Barbara Cochran on July 1, 1988; and a sister, Nita Fancher.

Survivors include one step-daughter, Jeannie Owens and husband Mike of Clarendon; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Hill of Clarendon; a son-in-law, David Cochran of Hereford; two step-sons, Leon Gibbs and wife Nita of Amarillo and Milton Gibbs and wife Ellen of Lubbock; three brothers, Orin Lee Hill and wife Gwen and Ralph Hill and wife Janie, all of Clarendon, and Ross Hill and wife Robbie of Amarillo; 18 grandchildren; and 34 great grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 364, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Wiley T. Killian, age 90, who recently moved to Hedley, Texas, died April 10, 2006. 

Mr. Killian was born in San Diego, California, and was raised in Hemet, California, where he met and married his wife, Ruth, in 1939.  They moved to Arizona around 1955 and spent the rest of their life together in the Scottsdale, Arizona, area.  Wiley was a retired Vice President of ConAgra Foods.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, on February 22, 1997.

He will be deeply missed by his survivors: daughter, Linda Scott of Donley County; son Michael Killian of Los Angeles, California; three grandchildren, Newt Scott, Jr., of Galveston, Kristopher and Kevin Killian of Los Angeles.

Mr. Killian will be buried next to his wife in Hemet, California.

Funeral services Michael Ray Shelly, age 35, will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2006, in Robertson Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with family members of Mr. Shelly officiating.  Burial will be held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Shelly died Saturday, April 22, 2006, in Orange, Texas.  He was born November 24, 1970, in Dumas and had been a resident of Memphis for several years.  He served for two years in the US Army and had worked various places throughout his life.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ – Latter Day Saints.

Survivors include his parents, James Calvin Yoder of Cherokee, North Carolina; John Shelly of Colorado Springs, Colorado;  and Billie Cockerham of Memphis; a great grandmother, Pauline Jones of Clarendon; a sister, Kimberley Kuhn of Lubbock; and a brother, Douglas Shelly of Lakeland, Florida.

Funeral services for W.T. “Pope” Sullivan, age 74, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2006, in the Claude Church of Christ with Kent Watson, Minister, officiating. Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Sullivan died Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in Amarillo.  He was born October 9, 1931, in Clarendon and had been a Claude resident for approximately 50 years.  He married Elizabeth Oxley on October 31, 1954, at Clovis, New Mexico.  He was a maintenance supervisor with TxDOT for over 40 years prior to his retirement.  He was a US Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, a former member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Claude Lions Club, and a member of the Claude Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Don Sullivan in 2005.

Survivors include his wife, Liz Sullivan of Claude; one daughter, Debbie Johnson and husband Brad of Stafford, Kansas; a son, David Scott Sullivan and wife Robin of Gaylesville, Alabama; one sister, Pauline Brazille of Amarillo; three brothers, Jack Sullivan of Mulberry, Florida, Jo Sullivan of Clarendon, and Jimmy Sullivan of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be to the Casas Sonrosa Children’s Home, 3300 RR 1431, PO Box 2189, Round Rock, Texas 78680-2180 or to the Claude Medical Services.

Ansley M. Spencer Gunderson, age 30, died on April 13.

Death was instant when her car hit a trash hauler doing a U-turn on Highway 101 in Marin County, California.

Ansley graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1991, attended Wellesley College, and graduated from University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Her career started at the age of 13 working in the University of Kansas Medical School for Dr. S. K. Day at his research laboratory. In his retrospective address to colleagues upon leaving KU Med, Dr. Day singled Ansley out as a person of significant importance who assisted him in writing successful grant proposals. Ansley worked for Accenture consulting where her goal was to be one of the youngest women partners.

Ansley married Martin Gunderson on September 16, 2000, in Northfield, Minn. They lived in St. Paul, Minn., Charlotte, North Carolina, and Monrovia, Calif. 

In addition to her career efforts, Ansley provided many testimonials about her 12-step recovery at annual conventions, prison meetings, and other opportunities, as she always encouraged others to maintain their programs. Ansley was an exceptional speaker, providing a source of sparkle and fun at any gathering. She is remembered as a very beautiful woman who captivated everyone she touched, with a vibrancy and quality for life that was exceptional.

From a very young age, Ansley always talked about being 30 years old, which she did achieve with grace and love for God and family that were beyond words.

She is survived by her husband, Martin Gunderson, her parents, Merlin and Jacqueline Spencer of Leawood, Kan.; her sister, Heather Spencer of Amenia, New York; her maternal grandmother LaTrice Bell Kent of Shawnee, Kan.; and her paternal grandmother, Alice M. Spencer of Rockwell City, Iowa.

A celebration of her life was held in Kansas City on April 18, at Pilgrim Chapel. Final services will be at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minn., at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22.

James McMorries, 62, of Howardwick died Sunday, April 9, from injuries suffered while battling a fire on March 12.

Funeral services for were held Wednesday, April 12, at Paramount Terrace Christian Church in Amarillo. Burial was at 4 p.m. at the Masonic Cemetery in Seymour with arrangements by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

James Wilson McMorries, Jr., was born April 4, 1944, in Seymour, Texas, and lived in Amarillo before making his home in Howardwick about a year ago.  He graduated from Amarillo High in 1962.  He was a member of the Clarendon Country Club, Howardwick Volunteer Fire Dept., National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers, Amarillo Association of Realtors, and the Khiva Shrine. He was a Master Mason and member of San Jacinto Lodge #1330, Palo Duro Lodge #1239, Amarillo Lodge #731, and Clarendon Lodge #700.

James married Tanis Price on May 3, 1997, in Amarillo. James owned and operated McMorries Appraisal Co. James was a loving son, husband, father, and Papaw and will be dearly missed by family and friends. 

James had a great sense of humor and a little stubborn streak to go along. He helped everyone he could even if he didn’t know them.

James was preceded in death by his mother, Helen McMorries. 

He is survived by his wife, Tanis, of Howardwick; his father and step-mother, James and Linda McMorries, of Jacksboro; three daughters, Annette Montano and husband Paul of Amarillo, Robin Schroeder and husband Jim of Mesa, Ariz., Brenda Harshman of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one step-daughter, Megan Bowes of Amarillo; one step-son, Kelly McWhorter and wife Dai of Amarillo; three sisters, Jo Helen Irwin and husband Terry of New Orleans, La., Judy Blalack and husband Johnny of Hobbs, New Mexico, Janet Williams and husband Johnny of Amarillo; three step-sisters, Brandy Gardner of Vernon, Sharmy Brownlee of Paducah, and Torry Stover of Mckinney; and eight grandchildren, Orie and Brett Dunn, A.J. and Allton Montano, Connor and Keenan Montoya, Connor McWhorter and Coble Bowes.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Volunteer Firefighters Fund at Amarillo National Bank, PO Box 1, Amarillo, TX 79105, in care of Jeff Cook and Joseph Garcia.

Rual Dewayne Chisum, age 73, of Clarendon died April 2, 2006, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa with Rev. Jay McGaughy, pastor of the Temple Baptist Church of Dumas, officiating. Burial was in Miami Cemetery in Miami, under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.

Mr. Chisum was born August 15, 1932, in Miami. He married Dianna Day on March 22, 1979, in Clovis, New Mexico.  He had been a resident of Clarendon since 2000, moving from Greeneville, Tennessee.  He was a member of the Mary Ellen & Harvester Church of Christ of Pampa.  He retired from the Yellow Freight Transportation in 1998, after 47 years of service.  He was a member of the Teamsters Union in Greeneville, Tennessee, the Elks Lodge in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and the Moose Lodge in Amarillo.

He is survived by his wife, Dianna L. Chisum of the home; one son, Ronald W. Chisum of Dumas; four daughters, Cheryl Cabanski of Burleson, Shelley Morrison of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Beverly Mooneyham of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Christy Barham of Greeneville, Tennessee; his step-mother, Myrtie Mae Hamblen of Amarillo; two sisters, Winona Colson of Amarillo and Vanessa Swindell of Lewisville; two brothers, Milton Ford of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ronald C. Chisum of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, R.C. Chisum & Edna Faye Reavis; one son, Billy Dewayne Chisum in 1996; one daughter, Tammie Lynn Chisum in 1980; two brothers, Bobby Chisum in 1980, and Cecil Ray Chisum in 2001.

The family requests memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 6605 I-40 West, Suite A-6, Amarillo, Texas 79106, or Odyssey HealthCare, 6900 I-40 West, Suite 150, Amarillo, Texas 79106.