Obituaries

Dorothy Lois Breedlove affectionately known as Nanny by many family and friends died peacefully on May 31, 2022. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who gave selflessly to her family and community.

Dorothy was born April 1, 1919, in Clarendon to Clarence and Edna Phelps. After graduating from high school, she married David Finley McCleskey and worked for the Department of Defense during WWII until the birth of her son Mike.

Dorothy is remembered by her family for her fried chicken and chocolate pie dinners, her welcoming arms and her love of singing. She enjoyed golfing with Flip and playing card games with her friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband David who died in combat in WWII; second husband H.M. “Flip” Breedlove of 54 years; brothers Harold Phelps, Hugh Phelps, Haskell Phelps; sisters Mildred Hayes, Francis Lloyd; her stepson Mack Breedlove and his wife Janette Breedlove.

Dorothy is survived by her son Mike McCleskey and wife Judy Walker of Stephenville, Texas; the mother of her grandchildren Deanna McCleskey of Denton, Texas; her grandchildren Lisa Davis and Brandon McCleskey both of Denton; step-grandchildren Mark Breedlove of Austin, Stacy Vickers of Stephenville, Verne Walker of El Paso, Jim Walker of Walnut Springs and Misty Walter of Stephenville; numerous great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held in the fall at the Clarendon Cemetery.
Donations to a local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, Clarendon Cemetery, or a charity of your choice can be made in Dorothy’s name.

Josephine Parrish Burgess, 95, of Clarendon died Sunday, July 3, 2022 in Amarillo.

Services were held on Friday, July 8, 2022, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Larry Shields and Eddie Hankins, officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Josephine was born March 11, 1927, to Henry Vinkler and Irene Schoonover Parrish. She married Douglas Burgess on October 28, 1945, in Shamrock. She had been a resident of Clarendon since 1973 where she was a bank teller for First Bank & Trust for 20 years prior to her retirement. Josephine’s hobbies included sewing, boating and fishing, plus she was an avid quilter and a fanatical Dallas Cowboys fan. She also enjoyed family vacations and spending time with grandkids. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Red Hatters Club, 1912 Book Club, Golden Needle Quilt Club, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ and read through the entire Bible every year.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, in 1996; her brother, Victor Parrish; two sisters, Ora Lee Foringer and Jo Ann Brooks; and her great great grandchild, Jacob Helton.

Survivors include her daughters, Ronda Helton and husband Donnie of Dumas, Lacreta Watson and husband Ken of Amarillo, and Karen Boothe and husband Mark of Katy, Texas; a sister, Dovie Miller of Lubbock; six grandchildren, Neil Leeper and wife Catrina, Brad Helton, Lanika Leeper, Jennifer Trujillo, Garrett Boothe and wife Amanda, and Katherine Boothe; her great grandchildren, Zach Helton, Braden Sandoval and wife Madelyn, Jaden Trujillo, Autumn Trujillo, Benjamin Helton, Brendan Helton, Kelsi Been and husband Skyler, Cole Roser, Jason Roser, Toby Leeper, and Mara Boothe; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to High Plains Children’s Home / PO Box 7448 / Amarillo, TX 79114 or Donley County Senior Citizens / PO Drawer B / Clarendon, TX 79226.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

James C. Graham passed away Tues., June 21, 2022.

James was born May 20, 1941, and was the beloved husband of 57+ years of Rachel M. Graham; dear father and father-in-law of Todd (Ulla) and Jon (Amy) Graham; loving grandfather of Luke and Ella Graham; dear brother of Doyce (Linda) and Mike Graham; our dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.

James enjoyed his 60-year career at Monsanto.

Visitation was held at Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Tues., June 28. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Wed., June 29.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri.

Ricky L. White 62 of Wellington passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday June 22, 2022, at the First Christian Church with Steve Adams of Amarillo and Brian Moore, minister officiating. Burial will be in North Fairview Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home.

Ricky was born on September 29, 1959, in Wellington, to Elvis and Betty Nell Patterson White. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1978 and attended Stephen F. Austin University.

He returned to Wellington in 1980 and began his career as a heavy equipment operator for TxDOT where he garnered the nicknamed “Gar” from his coworkers. He retired in 2012 after 30 years of service. Ricky also painted with his friend and coworker Lanny Ford for about 30 years.
Ricky married Nanette Young Needham on November 12, 1994, in Amarillo. He was a member of the First Christian Church and an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dale Elvis White, and a granddaughter Kaylee Needham.

He is survived by his wife Nanette of Wellington; 5 sons Jeff Needham and Joanie of Wellington, Jacob Needham and Julie of Erick, Jonathan Needham and Stephanie of Wellington, Devin White and Amber of Amarillo, and Jordan White of Wellington; his sister Tammy White of Childress, and 10 grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the ALS Association.

Clayton Ty Lewis, 43, of Amarillo died Saturday, June 11, 2022 in Amarillo.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2022, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Chris Condit and Matt Campbell, officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Ty was born June 12, 1978, in Tucumcari, New Mexico to Steve and Pam Pearce Lewis. He grew up in Clarendon and was a graduate of Clarendon High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Ty was a paramedic for several years and had a big heart for always wanting to help people. He enjoyed skydiving and spending a lot of time on the computer. He had a been a resident of Amarillo for over 20 years and was a Catholic.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack & Ruth Lewis and Pete & Wilma Pearce.
He is survived by his parents, Steve and Pam Lewis of Amarillo; his brothers, Carroll Jack Lewis and wife Dannielle of Balmorhea and Cody Lewis and wife Misty of Mosquero, New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the Working Ranch Cowboys Association Crisis Fund or Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Joyce Louise (White) Thomas Neal passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, in McLean.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Church of the Nazarene in Clarendon.

Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Joyce was born on June 19, 1935, in Red River County, Texas, to R.A. and Louise White. She married M.G. Thomas on February 18, 1956, in Hedley. After his passing in 1988, she later married Harold Neal. Joyce graduated from Hedley High School before moving to Clarendon where she lived most of her life. For many years she made a living as a seamstress. She loved sewing for her nieces when they were little girls and made them numerous frilly dresses. Later, she became a certified nurses aide and worked at the Clarendon Medical Center for many years before retiring. She loved working out in her yard, playing the guitar, and singing, but most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, R.A. and Louise White; husbands, M.G. Thomas and Harold Neal; brother, Mack (Bud) White; and son-in-law Gilbert Collins.

She is survived by her daughter, Stacy Thomas Collins of Clarendon; grandchildren, Trenton Collins and Ann Smith of Canyon, Madison Collins and Zach McCord of White Deer, Melanie Jones and husband, Blake, of Pampa, and Malorie Collins of Clarendon; great-granddaughter, Serenity Grace McCord; sisters, Jane Hall of Holland, and Charlene and husband, Stephen Mills, of Gladewater; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved and adored her.

Danny Eugene Gaines, 52, of Clarendon died Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Amarillo.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Jeff Riles, officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Danny was born August 14, 1969, in Memphis to Alton and Billie Ruth Wilson Gaines. He was a lifelong resident of Clarendon where he was a graduate of Clarendon High School and worked for the City of Clarendon. Danny’s hobbies included going to the lake for camping and fishing, going to rodeos, horses, yard work and gardening. He married Angie Collins on December 30, 2004, in Armstrong County. He was a friend to many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Richard and Benjamin Gaines.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Angie Gaines of Clarendon; two sons, Marquis McGuire and Robert “Squeaky” McGuire both of Clarendon; a daughter, Kendall Frost of Claude; four brothers, Alton Gaines of Clarendon, Johnnie Gaines of Amarillo, Randy Gaines of Amarillo, and Brent Gaines of Clarendon; his sister, Glenda Wilson of Clarendon; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

The family request memorials be sent to American Heart Association or Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Peggy Sue Shults, 64, of Gruver died Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Gruver. Graveside services was held on Friday, June 3, 2022, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Peggy was born March 5, 1958, in Amarillo to James Haskell and Doyce Myrne Swearingen. She married Danny Lynn Shults on June 7, 1979, in Clarendon. Peggy had been a resident of Gruver since 1982 where she worked as a waitress for 11 years at El Vaquero and was a great housewife. Her hobbies included puzzles, every shape and size, and collected and pieced over 500 puzzles.

She also loved sitting on her porch at her house watching nature and her animals. She deeply loved her kids, grandkids, and her husband. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Gruver.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Danny Shults of Gruver; her son, Caleb Shults of Gruver; her daughter, Leah Crum of Spearman; her brother, Terry Swearingen of Amarillo; her sister, Penny McAnear of Clarendon; four grandchildren, Yancy, Shilah, Aidin, and Eastin; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the American Heart Association.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Joyce Marie Philley went home to be with the Lord Monday, May 30, 2022, in Vernon, Texas.
There will be a private service at a later date.

Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Joyce was born September 25, 1938, to Luther and Clarice Hall in Clarendon, Texas.

She married Jim Philley in San Jon, New Mexico, December 25, 1985. He preceded her in
death November 25, 2017. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Clarendon, Texas.

Joyce is survived by her son Ricky Mills of Clarendon; two daughters, Janis Walker of Vernon and Karen Maddox and husband Herman of Vernon. She is also survived by granddaughters, Nasha Gibson, Kalee Massey, Jana Kay Walker, Erin Mills and Shayla Mills and one grandson, Adam Maddox. She is also survived by four great grandsons and two great granddaughters. Her brother Ronnie Hall and wife Brenda of Amarillo also survive her.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls Texas.

“I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my pain, and I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.”

On May 17, 2022, Sarah Barber Nelson traded the earthly life she had known for her eternal life in the joy and presence of the Lord.

Sarah Gladys Gentry was born on March 26, 1929, in Gulfport, Mississippi and where she grew up to Alvin and Teresa Gentry. She attended Gulfport High School where her primary interest was music. She was a soprano in the choir and had her focus on opera. In 1948, she met Flake Barber while he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. They married and moved back to Texas where they raised their children in Friona and Hereford. They were married 31 years before Flake passed in 1979.

In 1987, she met James Marion Nelson. They were married on June 16, 1988, resided in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Belize City, Belize, and then later retired in Clarendon. They enjoyed all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and shared 21 years of love and companionship before James’ passing in 2009.

Sarah personified “joie de vivre” or an “exuberant enjoyment of life”. She loved making every person feel special and loved. She enjoyed family gatherings, entertaining, spending individual time with her grandchildren and many of her great-grandchildren.

Sarah leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, kindness, generosity, talent and creativity.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Flake, her husband James, a son, Cary Thomas Barber, daughters Michelle Barber, Nicki Douglas, Beth Jennings, and Cheryl Robinson, and also a granddaughter, Ashli Chantel Barber Frock, and a grandson, Steven Jennings.

She is survived by her daughter Kelly Barber Beavers and husband David of Amarillo, son Charles Flake Barber and wife Samara of Friendswood, daughter Tracy Barber of Clarendon, daughter-in-law Denise Bouvier of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and son-in-law Joey Douglas also of Denham Springs. Her 15 grandchildren include Leslie Wagner of Amarillo, Amy Wagner Flores and husband Philip of Amarillo, Aaron Wagner and wife Melissa of Sahaurita, Arizona, Daniel Beavers of Amarillo, Matthew Coker of Clarendon, Anna Coker Lara of Amarillo, Paul Coker and wife Tiffany of Huntsville Texas, Thomas Carroll of Clarendon, Anthony Barber and wife Jennifer, and Ryan Barber and wife Barb, both of Friendswood, Blake Jennings and wife Kelly, Dusty Davison all of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Samantha Sartor and husband Kevin, and Megan Douglas all of New Orleans, and Natlie Ohrenberger of Little Rock, 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

A service of celebration is scheduled to be held in her honor at Arena of Life Cowboy Church on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in Clarendon.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory may do so to Samaritans Purse, Salvation Army, or High Plains Food Bank.