Obituaries

Funeral services for Barry Dwayne Curry, 47, of Palestine were held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2006, at Herrington/Land of Memory Chapel  in Palestine with Dr. Arthur Lockard officiating.  Burial followed at Fort Houston Cemetery.

Mr. Curry died Monday, February 20, 2006, at Palestine Regional Medical Center.  He was born May 6, 1958 in Plainview to Billy Joe Curry and Alta June Seymour Curry.  He was raised in Plainview and had lived in Palestine the past 16 years.  Mr. Curry was a Wal-Mart truck driver and was a Christian all of his life.

He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Joe Curry, and step-brother, Jackie Davis.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Curry of Palestine; a son, Bryan Dwayne Curry of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; daughters, Jennifer Wallace and Renee Curry of Mount Juliet; step-daughter, Shellie Peiffer of Palestine; parents, June and Loy Davis of Clarendon; brothers, Todd Curry and Kelly Curry of Clarendon; step-brother, Tommy Davis of Abernathy; sister, Sonja O’Neal of Clarendon; step-sister, Cindy Gayle of Houston; and four grandchildren, Destynie, Emily, Charity, and Briley.

Pall bearers were Bryan Curry, Leslie Seymour, Cecil Seymour, Michael Strickland, Todd Curry, and Kelly Curry.  Honorary pallbearers were Wal-Mart truck drivers.

Funeral services for Winnie Evelyn Mote Burton, age 80, was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2006, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Rev. Darrell Burton, grandson and pastor of Martin Baptist Church in Clarendon, and Rev. Jess Little, Pastor, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Burton died Friday, February 17, 2006, in Washburn.  She was born May 4, 1925, in Cameron, New Mexico, to Paul and Edith Mote.  She attended school at Wheatland, New Mexico.  She married Cloyd Burton on April 19, 1941, in Clovis, New Mexico.  They lived in eastern New Mexico for a time and then moved to the Washburn community in Armstrong County in September 1943.  Mrs. Burton was a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude and the Fairview Busy Bee Home Demonstration Club.  She particularly enjoyed the Searchers Sunday School class, of which she was a member for many years.  She was a homemaker, loving wife and mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  She will be greatly missed.  She loved her God, her family, and her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and one brother.

Survivors include her husband; her children; Judy Bynum and husband W.A. of Big Springs, Kenneth Burton and wife Patsy of Lubbock, and Linda Smith and husband Jerry of Stockton, California; two brothers, Hobart Mote and Bill Mote; five grandchildren; Darrell Burton, Wanda Cox, Cecil Bynum, Cindy Sturdivant, and Lorrie McCampbell; and twelve great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were grandsons of Mrs. Burton.  Honorary bearers were nephews of Mrs. Burton.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the Searchers Sunday School Class Mission Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, PO Box 170, Claude, TX 79019-0170.

Funeral services for Opal L. Clendennen, age 85, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Bruce Howard, pastor, officiating.  Burial was held at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.

Mrs. Clendennen died February 16, 2006, in Pampa. She was born November 18, 1920, in VanZandt County.  She had been a resident of Hedley most of her life. She married Tom Clendennen on January 26, 1952, in Hedley. He preceded her in death in January of 1991.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hedley.

Survivors include one daughter, Paula Seitz of Mobeetie; two sons, Tommy Clendennen of Amarillo and Tony Clendennen of Pampa; one sister, Alpha Nelson of Lewisville; one brother, Jake DeHart of Kaufman; nine grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hedley or the Hedley Senior Citizens Center.

 Graveside services for Dorothy Neil Tankersley Stone, age 73, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 17, 2006, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, retired Baptist minister from Clarendon, officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Stone died Monday, February 13, 2006, in Amarillo.  She was born Mary 22, 1932, in Clarendon, where she lived until moving to Amarillo over 50 years ago.  She was married to Emory C. “Red” Stone, who preceded her in death on November 6, 2000.  She had worked as a secretary in several places prior to her retirement.  She loved to fish and garden and to “dig in the dirt.”  She was a member of the Highland Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Savers and husband Michael of Dalhart and Karen Bates and husband Phillip of Waco; three sisters, Sammy Jean Ipson of Monroe, Utah; Laddell Danielson of Paradise, Utah; and Mary Helen Bauer of Salt Lake City, Utah; and three grandchildren, Shane Swaney, Matthew Storrs, and Brent Raney.

The family requests memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon.

Funeral services for Helen Martin Witt, age 89, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, in the Church of Christ in Groom with Gaylord Cook, Minister, officiating.  Burial was held in Groom Cemetery in Groom under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Witt died Friday, February 10, 2006, in Clarksville, Texas.  She was born June 25, 1916, in Howe, Texas, and had been a resident of Groom most of her life before moving to Clarksville five years ago.  She married Dr. John Witt on July 3, 1937, at Groom.  She loved Groom and the surrounding area.  She was a member of the Groom Church of Christ where she had taught the first grade Sunday School Class for approximately 25 years.  She was also a member of the Panhandle Pen Women.

She was preceded in death by her husband on March 16, 1981.

Survivors include a daughter, Lynell Peek of Clarksville, Texas; two sons, Dr. Dan Witt of Hoisington, Kansas, and Jay Ross Witt of Palestine, Texas; and six grandchildren.

Dorthy Jean Bogard Knorpp passed away peacefully at her home on January 29, 2006. A private memorial service was held by the family on Sunday, February 5, 2006.

Dorthy enjoyed gardening, creative endeavors, and spending time with her family. She will be missed by her two daughters, Connie Pitts of Grandview and Regina Knorpp of Clarendon; her brother, Charles Bogard of Amarillo; her three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two nieces; and one nephew.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.

Graveside services for Ruth Melton, age 75, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Larry Dan Melton, Jr., of Fielder Road Baptist Church of Arlington, Texas, officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors in Amarillo.

Mrs. Melton died January 28, 2006, in Amarillo.  She was born in St. Louis, Oklahoma, on February 10, 1930.  She was blessed with a marriage of 59 years to J.B. Melton.  She graduated from West Texas State College and taught school for Amarillo Independent School District.  She was a member of the Washington Avenue Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband, J.B. Melton of Amarillo; two sons, Jerry Melton and Larry Melton, both of Amarillo; one daughter, Glenda Hunkpillar of Renton, Washington; one brother, Elbert Dan Swearingen of Azle, Texas; one sister, Mary Alice Rich of Canyon; seven grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Aleta Ellen Coleman Thompson, age 69, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2006, in the Church of Christ in Clarendon with Rev. Eddie Stegall, Minister, officiating. Burial will be in Dozier Cemetery in Dozier  under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Thompson died Monday, February 6, 2006, in Amarillo.  She was born July 24, 1936, in Wellington, Texas, to John Alexander Coleman and Lettie Mary Hooten Coleman. She married William James “Jimmy” Thompson December 21, 1959, at Dozier. She was a teacher and had a State Teacher’s Certificate in Home Economics and Special Education. She taught at Clarendon, McLean, in the Prison System, and at other schools in surrounding towns. She also worked with her husband while he was sheriff of Donley County.  She was a resident of Clarendon since 1976 and lived in other surrounding communities in the Texas Panhandle.  She was a member of the Church of Christ in Clarendon and Clarendon Red Hatter’s Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on March 20, 2005; three brothers, and two sisters.

Survivors include two sons, William Thompson and wife Lynn of Clarendon and Walt Thompson of Borger; one brother Donald Coleman of McLean; one sister, Laverne Bentley of Dozier; two grandchildren, Todd Thompson of Clarendon and Emilie Thompson of Amarillo.

Family requests that memorials be sent to BSA Hospice of Amarillo, Jimmy Thompson Scholarship Fund at Clarendon College Foundation, Westview Boys Home in Hollis, Oklahoma, or Lubbock Children’s Home.

Graveside services for Vona Laura Scott Williams, age 90, were held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2006, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Truman Ledbetter, retired Baptist minister from Claude, officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Williams died Thursday, February 2, 2006, in Ganado, Texas.  She was born October 22, 1915, in Lakeview, Hall County, Texas, to W.R. and Prudie Crowder Scott.  She married Harry Williams in September 1933 at Hollis, Oklahoma.  She owned and operated a beauty shop in Dumas for several years, and then later she taught at the Amarillo Beauty School prior to her retirement.  She was a resident of Enid, Oklahoma, for approximately ten years before moving to Ganado in October of 2000.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on July 19, 1981; a son, Billy James Williams on October 1, 2000; and a grandson, James L. Williams on June 25, 1989.

Survivors include one daughter, Helen Andel of Ganado, Texas; nine grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.

Memorial services celebrating the life of Joe Reeves Naylor, age 50, of Austin were held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2005, in Riverbend Church.  Arrangements were under the direction of Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home.

Mr. Naylor died Thursday, January 20, 2005.  He was born in 1954 in Portales, New Mexico.  He grew up in Amarillo and attended Amarillo High School.  He graduated from West Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and worked for State Farm Insurance for 27 years as a claims manager.  He was a member of the Optimist Club of America.  He was involved in the activities of his children and enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors, and life with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Carla; a son, Cole; a daughter, Jessica; his father and mother, J.B. and Betty Naylor of Amarillo; three brothers, Kelton, Nelson and wife Korinne, and Russell and wife Candice, all of Amarillo; two sisters, Jade Jennings and husband Mickey and Jona Huber and husband Jake, all of Amarillo; a brother in-law, Jim Hatfield and wife Lynn of New Mexico; seven nieces, four nephews; and many countless friends throughout the country.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

The family suggests memorials be to the Naylor Children College Fund, In Care of Jim Alfred, 5800 N. Mopac, Austin, TX 78731 (512) 419-3461 or to the Missy Project for Brain Aneurysm Research, 11303 Dead Oak Lane, Austin, TX 78759.