Obituaries

Joyce Louise (White) Thomas Neal passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, in McLean.
Memorial services will be announced at a later time.

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 was 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, Texas, and Charlene and husband, Stephen Mills, of Gladewater, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved and adored her.

Benjamin Franklin Ross, 80, of Howardwick died Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in Howardwick.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Howardwick First Baptist Church.
Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Benjamin was born November 9, 1941, in Bald Knob, Arkansas to James Earl and Frances McDaniel Ross. He proudly served our country and was a US Air Force veteran. He married Joni Jay Springer on November 9, 1992, in Amarillo. He had been a resident of Amarillo before moving to Howardwick 14 years ago. He enjoyed being a mechanic and loved old cars and trucks. He was a great story teller and loved his grandkids and great grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers; and a grandson.

He is survived by his wife, Joni Ross of Howardwick; his sons, John Wesley Ross of Arizona, Michael Blasy of Amarillo, Timothy Benton of Howardwick, and Patrick Benton of Idaho; his daughter, Natasha Springer of Amarillo; two brothers; five sisters; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Gayla Sue Hutton Boshart, 69, passed away on March 11, 2022, in San Antonio. She was born in Perryton and grew up in Clarendon and Childress. She graduated from the University of North Texas with her Masters in Education with a minor in Spanish. While at UNT, Gayla met Ray Boshart. They were married in July 1975 and were married for 46 years.

Gayla was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boerne, Texas. She taught English and Spanish for over 30 years until she retired in 2007. While teaching was her passion, she truly loved her family, Boston Terriers, and Texas. Anyone who knew her knew that she was a proud Texan and loved all things Texas. Gayla will be remembered for her bright personality that drew people to her. Her genuine kindness made you feel as if you were old friends the moment you met. Her good-natured sense of humor hid a razor-sharp wit that left you either laughing or squirming.

She is survived by husband Ray, daughter Morgan Williams and son-in-law Mack Williams, brother Nova Robert Hutton, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Nova and Ruby Hutton, and brother Billy Joe Hutton.

At this time there will not be a service, but a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Gayla asked for her body to be donated to research for rheumatoid arthritis.

Earl B. Morrow, 86, of Clarendon died Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Amarillo.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Jim Fox, officiating.

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

Earl was born October 16, 1935, in Healdton, Oklahoma to Ira Kenneth and Jewel Walker Morrow. He married Sharyn Bruce on August 1, 1970, in Amarillo. He had owned Morrow’s Redi Mix for a number of years and had worked for Texas Department of Transportation for 10 years.

He had been a resident of Clarendon most of his life and while living in Amarillo, he volunteered as a football coach for Kids, Inc. He and Sharyn served in Missions and Evangelisms for 45 years and was a member of the Missions Service Corps. Earl was also a former Sunday school teacher and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Howardwick.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; four sisters; and a grandson, Ruben Burkhalter.

He is survived by his wife, Sharyn Morrow of Clarendon; one son and five daughters; his brother, John Tom Morrow of Clarendon; two sisters, Mary Brown of Amarillo and Ina Blassingame of Mineral Wells several grandchildren; several great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the Kidney Foundation.

Bonnie Maxine Campbell went to her heavenly home on March 20, 2022.

Bonnie was born in Douglas, Texas, and is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Margaret Smith.

Bonnie was a successful and influential Realtor, Broker, and Community Leader. She spend much of her professional life in Hendersonville, Tennessee, helping individuals and families find their dream homes. She also made it her goal to help her peers and community.

Her accomplishments are too many to list. Some of those most important to her were Realtor of the Year in 2000, serving as President of the 100 Plus Club in 1993-94, member of the Women’s Council of Realtors, and being listed in the “Outstanding Women of America.” Following her “retirement”, she and husband, Gary, returned to Clarendon,  where she served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was named Woman of the Year in 2013. Bonnie was also a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Gary Campbell, her children, Terry (Martha) Ellerbrook of Lubbock, Bobby (Barbara) Ellerbrook of Clarendon, Kim (Aaron) Garland of Jonesborough, Tennessee, and Chris (Missy) Campbell of Hendersonville, Tennessee. She was Nan to 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was a remarkable and accomplished woman, and she will be greatly missed by many.

Bonnie’s family will be receiving friends the afternoon of Friday, March 25th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Bobby Ellerbrook, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Peggy LaVerne Cockerham, 84, of Howardwick died Monday, March 7, 2022, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 14, 2022, at Howardwick First Baptist Church, with Pastor Jim Fox, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery.

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

Peggy LaVerne (McCracken) Cockerham was born on April 28, 1937, in Clarendon, to George Pinkney and Molly Marie Reynolds McCracken. She married Jimmie Delano Cockerham on June 18, 1953, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Peggy was an Air Force wife for twenty years which led her to raise her four children by herself while her husband was deployed overseas. Her husband’s career led them to move all over the country.

Peggy received her LVN degree in 1967, and later became a registered nurse in 1991. She was the first graduate of an osteopathic nursing school to be licensed in South Carolina. After moving back to Clarendon in 1976 and later to Howardwick in 1983, Peggy became the Assistant Director of Nursing at the Clarendon Nursing Home in 1977. Later, she was promoted as the Director of Nursing until she retired in the late 90’s. Despite retirement, Peggy remained very busy. She actively volunteered in the Howardwick community, was a leader in the Texas Panhandle Alzheimer’s Association, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Howardwick. Peggy enjoyed being a member of the Red Hats Club and was also a Girl Scout Leader.

Peggy instilled a love of reading into her children, and she shared this love with others as a Friend of the Burton Memorial Library. Peggy also wrote a weekly column in the newspaper known as “’wick Picks”. Peggy loved taking her family camping, and her children will always cherish the many memories they made on these trips. Peggy enjoyed quilting, sewing, and crafting. Above all, Peggy loved her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Cockerham; 3 brothers, Ronald Franklin McCracken, Bobby Lee McCracken, and Georgie Dale McCracken; and her sister, Patsy Lavonia McCracken Cox.

She is survived by her son, Gary Cockerham and wife, Candy, of Clarendon; 3 daughters, Cindy Pharris and husband, Ronnie, of Clarendon, Lori Allen of Amarillo, and Colleen Fross of Howardwick; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; several cousins, and by Buffy The Wonder Dog.

The family request memorials be sent to Donley County Senior Citizens, Drawer B, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Sign our online guest book at www.robertsonfuneral.com.

Mary Kathryn Hoggatt, 73, of Hedley died Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Dallas.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mary was born April 20, 1948, in Groom to William Battle and Mildred Harris. She married Johnny Lee Hoggatt on January 16,1976 in Canyon, Texas. She has been a resident of Hedley for the past 30 years and worked as a LVN for High Plains Baptist hospital in Amarillo as well as worked in nursing homes in Tulia, Clarendon, and Memphis prior to her retirement. Her hobbies included crafts, knitting, painting, drawing, and researching genealogy. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hedley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Ronny Harris.

She is survived by her husband, Johnny Hoggatt of Hedley; her sons, Johnny Hoggatt and wife Jana of Canyon, and James Hoggatt and wife Kristy of Oceanside, California; her daughter, Mary Tolbert of Happy; her brother, Roy Harris of Waco; and 8 grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church of Hedley or Hedley Senior Citizens.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Norma Jean Hatcher, 84, formerly of Clarendon, died Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Amarillo.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Robertson Saints Roost Chapel in Clarendon.

Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Norma Jean (Northern) Hatcher was born on March 4, 1938, in Irene, Texas, to Harvey and Wilda Robertson Northern. She married Gordon Dale Hatcher on October 3, 1964, in Amarillo.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Gordon Dale Hatcher.

She is survived by two brothers, James Northern of the Houston area and Bobby Northern of Amarillo; and three sisters, Dorothy Vinson, Karen Dellis, and Sherry Loehr and husband Dan, all of Amarillo.

The family requests no flowers be sent. Instead, please consider a memorial donation to the Harrington Cancer Center.

Sign our online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.

Thomas William (Tommy) Hughes was born March 10, 1948, in Memphis, he passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

His parents were Thomas Urban Hughes and Margaret Lee (Clark) Hughes. He has two sisters, Mary Martin and husband, Mitchell, and Carolyn Altman and husband, Stanley. His three nieces are Jessica Hughes, Kimberly Horn, and Julie Barker. Tommy also has several great-nephews, Dustin Thomas, Lee Tolbert, Mitchell Parry, Brady McKay, Cooper Horn, Blayne Horn, and Bowen Barker. The great-nieces are Brooke Martin, Kyndell Horn, and Peighton Barker. The great-greats are Kinsleigh Thomas, Ryker Thomas, and Sofia Villereal.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his great nephew, Hudson Barker.

Tommy grew up on his family farm in Lakeview. He attended the Lakeview Methodist Church with his family, and was baptized as a teenager. He graduated from Lakeview High School and after high school he attended Clarendon Junior College for a semester. He worked many years with his dad on the family farm.

Private family graveside services will be held in Citizens Cemetery.

Sign our online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.

Gladys Marie Blackburn Risley, 77, died in Dallas after a long battle with cancer on February 17, 2022.

She was born January 14, 1945, in Clarendon to Charles Edward and Gladys Hardin Blackburn. She attended Clarendon schools and received a BS in medical technology from the University of Missouri Kansas City. She worked in the microbiology laboratory at BSA in Amarillo for the last 28 years of her career.

Marie married Lloyd Risley in Clarendon on January 26, 1964. Together they went on many Rio Grande River ministry trips and also Eastern European and South American short-term mission trips with International Commission. They were active in nursing home ministries in Amarillo and McKinney for more than 30 years.

Marie is survived by her husband, her daughter, Teresa Hill, and husband Kelly from McKinney and her son, Miles Risley and wife Michelle of Corpus Christi, and her brother, Butch Blackburn, and his wife, Paula, of Clarendon. Her grandchildren are Richard, Amanda, Nicholas Risley and Emily, Brecken, and Brighton Hill. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Tammy Diane Blackburn Spivey, and a granddaughter, Molly Abigail Hill.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Heritage Church, 4045 W. Eldorado Parkway, McKinney, Texas 75070, at 1:00 p.m. Pastors Len and Cheri McLaughlin will officiate. The family requests donations to Gideons International at 103 S, Bonham Drive, Allen, TX, 75013 or Heritage Church Missions at above address.