Obituaries

Lucille Clark Smith, 98, of Mesquite, Texas, died May 18, 2004. She was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, in the Grove Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Dallas with Rev. Connie Millsap and Rev. Chuck Cox officiating. She was a long time member of the Pleasant Mound United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 74 years, Dennis Smith; daughters, Ruth Priest and husband, Welton, and Beth White and husband, Virgil; son, James Smith and wife, Evelyn; grandchildren: Cindy Whitaker; Shelly Smith and husband, Randy; Carol Witt and husband, Dennis; Steve White; Tanya Davis and husband, Jim; Deborah Toner; and Mark Smith and wife, Cathrine; great grandchildren: Travis Zachary, and Megan Whitaker; Beau and Tiffany Smith; Shane and Chelsey Witt; Heather Davis; Shane, Amanda, and Samantha Toner; Megan, Collin, and Kristin Smith; sister, Mabel Beardsley; sisters-in-law, Imogene Glass, formerly of Clarendon, and Genevieve Rains; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Helen Estlack of Clarendon, Kay Strawn of Panhandle, Dixi Jones of Pueblo, Colorado, and Roy Hartzog of Farwell.

Funeral services for Beverly Jo Henderson, age 43, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at St. John Baptist Church in Amarillo with Rev. Grover Neal officiating.  Burial was held in Llano Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Amarillo.

Ms. Henderson died May 14, 2004.  She was born August 7, 1960, in Clarendon and was raised in Clarendon.  She graduated from Clarendon High School and pursued a career in business as a secretary.  She moved to Amarillo and then in 1983 to Fort Worth, where she became a hairdresser and a dental assistant. She also worked at Harris Methodist Hospital in the dietary department. 

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Tommie and Rosie Childs; her Aunt Louise; and a cousin, Hershall Gardner.

Survivors include her mother, Etta Rene McCampbell of Amarillo; one daughter, Courtney Henderson of Fort Worth; six sisters, Carmen Childs, Rosie McCampbell, and Juanita McCampbell, all of Amarillo; Leta McCampbell and Kathy McCampbell of Fort Worth; one brother, Hamilton McCampbell; six aunts and one uncle, William and Dorothy Hawthorne, Othella Bowie, all of Amarillo; Billie Gaines of Clarendon; Estella Mae Bringham of Irving; Norma Lee of Orange; and Dale and Jean Childs of Brownwood and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Wallace, age 90, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2004, in the First United Methodist Church with Rev. James Ivey Edwards, Pastor, officiating.  Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Wallace died Monday, April 19, 2004, in Amarillo.  She was born September 22, 1913, in Clarendon and had been a lifetime resident of Clarendon.  She married Leamon Lafayette Wallace on June 18, 1932, at Amarillo.  Mrs. Wallace was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, where she had served as a Sunday School teacher, was a member of the WSCS, and had served on various church committees.  She had also spent many years as an active member of various civic groups and was a former Sweethearts of the Panhandle Square Dance Club.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Frances Johnson on December 6, 1998; and by all nine of her brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her husband, Leamon Wallace of Clarendon; one daughter, Doris White of Clarendon; one son, Glen Wallace of Brady; six grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Tony Wallace, Mark White, Mitch Johnson, Montye Smith, Chauncey Hommel, and Tom Higley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association, the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, or to a favorite charity.

Graveside services for Wilbur Lee McNabb, age 86, of Clarendon and formerly of Sudan, was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at Sudan Cemetery with family members officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home in Sudan.

Mr. McNabb died Monday, April 19, 2004, in Clarendon.  He was born March 6, 1918, in Carnegie, Oklahoma.  He married Elwanda Williams in El Paso on January 23, 1943.  He moved to Canadian from Water Valley in 1999.  He was a long time resident of Sunday.  He was a farmer and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.  He was a veteran of World War II.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Phebe Elane McNabb; two sisters, Ruby Nixon and Nellie Pelzer; and three brothers, Charles, Mac, and Jim McNabb.

Survivors include his wife, Elwanda S. McNabb of Clarendon; sons, Chester McNabb and wife Naomi of Bedford and Gregory McNabb and wife Teresa of Amherst; daughters, Rita Samantha Lee Davis and husband Lonnie of Clarendon, Rose Deupree and husband Joel of Buchanan Dam, and Wibalene Remick and husband Paul of Danville, Vermont; two sisters, Alma Guberman of Illinois and Jo Boyles of Sudan; sixteen grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, 1356 New Mexico 236, Portales, New Mexico 88130; or to Girlstown USA, PO Box 135, Whiteface, Texas 79339.

Jeanie Echols, age 65, died Monday, April 19, 2004, in a Snyder care center.  Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at the First Christian Church in Albany with Rev. Colby Smith officiating.  Burial was held in Albany Cemetery.

Mrs. Echols was born December 27, 1938, in Clarendon.  She married Robert Echols on December 22, 1967, in Dallas.  She was a member of the First Christian Church. She was a founder of the Albany Chapter of Beta Sigma Phil and was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Echols of Albany; two daughters, Jeanine Hill and husband Jim of Albany and Jan Matthews of Grand Prairie; two step-daughters, Robbie Gehling and husband Jimmy of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Jill Kolb and husband John of Colleyville; three brothers Dwight McAnear and wife Sharon of Durango, Colorado, Ronnie McAnear and wife Melinda of Clarendon, and Freddie McAnear and wife Marsha of Pearland; her mother, Mrs. J.G. McAnear of Clarendon; and five grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Granville McAnear, Garrick McAnear, Todd McAnear, Dax McAnear, Craig Bray, and Kirk Bray.  Honorary pallbearers were members of the Albany Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

Funeral services for Ellie Jane Wilkinson, age 92, will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2004, in Robertson Chapel of Memories with Dr. Genoah Goad, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Howardwick, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Wilkinson died Monday, April 26, 2004, in Clarendon.  She was born March 14, 1912, in Altus, Oklahoma, and was a resident of Nunn, Colorado, for 21 years before moving to Clarendon 21 years ago.  She married George Alton Wilkinson on January 28, 1933, at Erick, Oklahoma.  He preceded her inn death on August 2, 1988.  She and her husband were wheat farmers in Montana and Colorado for much of their life before their retirement.  They were active in the homemade crafts business in Colorado and were avid world travelers.  They were charter members of the Clarendon VFW Post 7782 and VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  Mrs. Wilkinson was well known for her homemade candies and other items, which she enjoyed delivering to various people within the area, especially during the Christmas season. She was also very involved for many years in the Donley County Senior Citizens Association in Clarendon.  She was a Presbyterian.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers, and one nephew.

Survivors include two brothers, Alex Walker of Pine Grove, California; and George C. Walker of Wheeler; numerous nieces and nephews including from the Panhandle area, Bill Walker of Briscoe and Nancy Davis of Howardwick; numerous great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, as well as great great great nieces and nephews who were all very special to her.

Casket bearers will be Dan Davis, Don Davis, Jamie Walker, Chad Knight, Dusty Walker, and Stephen Horton.

The family requests that memorials be to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Funeral services for Bonnie Ernestine Christopher, age 80, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 26, 2004, in Robertson Chapel of Memories 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., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Christopher died Friday, April 23, 2004, in Amarillo.  She was born August 1, 1923, in Clarendon and had been a resident of Donley County most of her life.  She married Jesse Lowell Christopher on January 7, 1943, at Clarendon.  He preceded her in death on January 14, 1964.  She was a homemaker whose life revolved around her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as other family members.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

Survivors include three daughters, Linda Judd and Karen Wortham, both of Clarendon; and Barbara Graham of Amarillo; one son, Larry L. Christopher of Clarendon; one sister, May Pearl McDonald of Kingston, Oklahoma; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Lottie Charlotte Burnett Hill, age 91, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Rob Seale, Pastor, officiating.  Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Hill died Monday, April 26, 2004, in Clarendon.  She was born March 19, 1913 in Flippin, Arkansas, and had been a resident of Hall and Donley Counties most of her life.  She married Orvel Otto Hill on December 22, 1929, in Mountain Springs, Cook County, Texas.  He preceded her in death on May 4, 1987.  She had worked as a grocery clerk much of her life before her retirement.  She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Benny Boyce Hill; all of her siblings; and by two grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, Bill Hill of Clarendon, Bob Hill of Ingelwood, Colorado, and Jerry Hill of Fort Worth; twelve grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were family members of Mrs. Hill.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be to the Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo.

Billy Mix Phillips, age 73, went to be with the Lord April 13, 2004, surrounded by family and friends. 

Services were held on Saturday, April 17, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at the South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo with Rev. Bob Miller, minister of the church, officiating.  He was assisted by Rev. Jim Brown, minister of the Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock. Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Schooler Funeral Home of Amarillo.

Mr. Phillips was born in White Deer on May 21, 1930.  He attended school sin White Face, Klondike, and graduated from Lelia Lake High School in 1948, where he was active in basketball and track.  He attended Clarendon College in 1950, where he was awarded a scholarship in boxing and basketball.  He married Margie Nell Crofford at Martin Baptist Church on June 21, 1950.  They spent 50 of their 53 plus years together in Amarillo.

He was employed with the United States Postal Service for 36 years as a carrier.  There he received a million mile safe driving award and recognition for superior service.  He was a member of the National Letter Carriers Association and sang in a quartet at the Texas State Letter Carriers Convention.  He sang with the Panhandle Singing Men before he became ill.  While employed with the Postal Service, Bill also served as a music minister, serving over fifty years of full-time and interim work in many Baptist Churches throughout the Texas panhandle, one being the First Baptist Church in Claude, where he served for 15 years. During that time, many musical programs were done by the choir.  He also served as Director of the Senior Adult Ministry for the Amarillo Baptist Association.  He received the honor of doing music at the Old Field Baptist Church in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina on the 200th year anniversary. Many of his ancestors were ordained to the ministry and were active in this church.  In 1952, Bill and his wife were instrumental in helping start a Baptist Mission in Burlington, Colorado, which is now the First Southern Baptist Church in Burlington.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Ernest A. Phillips, in 1961; his mother, Maybelle Weddle Phillips, in 1968; a brother, Ralph Alfred, US Marines, in 1958; and a sister, Mayrene Hearn, in 1985.

Survivors include his wife, Margie; a daughter, Marla Gail Johnson of Oklahoma City, OK, and her husband, Tommy; a son, Bradley Mix Phillips, of Amarillo; a brother, Tommy Phillips and his wife Ruth; three grandsons, Michael Brett Shadix of Oklahoma City, Bradley Bates, and Justin Taylor Phillips of Amarillo; two step grandsons, Anthony and Stevie Johnson; five nephews; and four nieces.

The family requests memorials be sent to United We Build Fund for South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo.

Funeral services for Woodrow Wesley Ashcraft, age 86, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2004, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor, officiating.  Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Ashcraft died Saturday, April 10, 2004, in Clarendon.  He was born March 8, 1918, in Lakeview, Hall County, Texas, and had lived in Clarendon most of his life.  He married Corene Row on December 11, 1938, in Clarendon.  He had been employed in several area business and farming operations throughout his life before his retirement.  He was a member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by a son, Wesley Merie Ashcraft on January 11, 2001, and by three great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Corene Ashcraft of Clarendon; one son, Jimmy D. Ashcraft of Copperas Cove; three daughters, Jo Veta Sasser of Odessa, Nancy Watson and Judy Haire, both of Clarendon; one brother, James Ashcraft of Clarendon; 13 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Darrell Leffew, Ronnie Ward, Johnny Leathers, Anthony Knowles, Larry Kidd, and Bud White.