Obituaries

Funeral services for Don Freeman Rampy were held March 27, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. in the Nazarene Church of Higgins, Texas.  His nephew, James “Jim Bob” Thomas officiated.

Mr. Rampy was born February 26, 1939, in Abilene, Texas, and passed away on March 22, 2003, in Aurora, Colorado.

He attended school at Chamberlain and Lelia Lake before joining the Air Force.  He served four years followed by two years of active reserve.

Most of his adult life he was in housing construction and renovation.  At the time of his death, he was project manager for a newly completed 800 plus housing complex and for a new 900 plus project that was just beginning in the Aurora, Colorado, area.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; two sons, James Leston Rampy and Justin Wayne Rampy; three daughters, Karen Denise Thomas, Teresa Mae Montoya, and Cheryl Ann Stevens; seven grandchildren (and one on the way); three brothers, Troy Rampy, Aubrey Rampy, and Billy Lynn Rampy; three sisters, Onita Thomas, Willa Bolin, and Janette Baumberger; his in-laws Leston and Viola Stout; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Don Rampy; parents J.F. “Jim” and Clara Mae Rampy; a sister, Joe Beth Warner; and brother Delbert Wayne Rampy.

Casket bearers were sons, James “Butch” and Justin; grandson, James Don “J.D”; sons-in-law Dave Montoya and Craig Stevens; and brother-in-law, Trent Bolin.  Honorary bearers were brothers Troy, Aubrey, and Billy Lynn; and father-in-law, Leston Stout.

Military services wee conducted, and burial was under the direction of Mason Funeral Home of Shattuck, Oklahoma.

Funeral services for James Mack Justiss, age 81, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2003, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Dr. Charles Davenport of Tulia, and Rev. Janet Edwards, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Claude, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Justiss was born September 2, 1921, in Goodnight, Armstrong County, Texas, and was a lifetime Armstrong County resident.  He married Lorene Dye on August 20, 1940, in Claude.  He was a building contractor from the 1950s through the 1980s.  Prior to his retirement, he had built 60 to 70 homes in and around Claude as well as having helped build the Claude, Goodnight, and Clarendon Baptist Churches. He also helped in the construction of Clarendon College.  In addition to being a contractor, he was also engaged in farming and ranching. He was a 50-year member of the Claude Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite, a member of the Panhandle Builders Association, and had served two different terms as mayor of Claude from August 1959 until April 1961 and from April 1977 until April 1981. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

Survivors include his wife, Lorene Justiss of Claude; two daughters, Ruth Hancock of Clarendon, and Evelyn McGowan of Levenworth, Washington; one brother, Ralph Justiss of Goodnight; two granddaughters, Amy Dorris and husband Ken, Buffie Smith and husband David; and five great grandchildren, Eric Dorris, Taylor Smith, Tyler Smith, Brooke Smith, and Trenton Smith.

The family suggests that memorials be to the Claude Masonic Lodge, the Claude Cemetery Association, or the Claude Ambulance Service.

Funeral services for Lena Smith King, age 92, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2003, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. King was born September 5, 1910, in Lindsay, Oklahoma, to John Preston Welch and Lilla Verna Melton Welch.  She was the eldest of six children.  She was a resident of Pampa, then Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, before moving to Clarendon in 1979.  She married Lue H. Smith on May 23, 1929, at Woodward, Oklahoma.  He preceded her in death on May 11, 1968.  She married E. Hugh King on February 14, 1972, at Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.  He preceded her in death on September 16, 1975.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, three sisters, and a grandson, Kenneth W. Teague on January 7, 1983.

Survivors include two daughters, Verna Grace Teague and husband J.C. of Clarendon, and Loretta Anne Bell of Amarillo; one son, Joseph David Smith of Amarillo; five grandchildren, J. Stanley Teague and wife Linda of Amarillo; B. Jeffery David Smith of Wichita, Kansas; Kerry Ann Michael and husband John of Wichita Kansas; Leah G. Crawford and husband Paul of Montgomery, Alabama; and Lena Jo “Jodie” Bell of Houston; ten great grandchildren; and her church family at Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.

Funeral services for Barbara June Heady, age 64, of Meade, Kansas, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at Fidler-Orme Mortuary Chapel in Meade with Pastor Tom Elliott presiding.  Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Pastor Bright Newhouse officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Fidler-Orme Mortuary in Meade, Kansas.

Mrs. Heady died Sunday, March 30, 2003, at the Meade District Hospital.  She was born February 28, 1939, in Caney, Kansas, to Dwight Etter and Ella Marie Miller Moore.  As a young girl, she moved with her family to California and was a 1957 graduate of San Lorenzo High School in San Lorenzo, California.  Upon graduation she moved to Clarendon and later moved to Childress.  In April of 1989, she moved to Meade, Kansas, where she worked as a nurse’s aide at the Meade District Hospital for many years, then became a self-employed caregiver. She was a member of the Church of Christ for 64 years.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ella Marie Moore, and step-father, William O. “Bill” Moore.

Survivors include four daughters, Ronda K. Altman of Childress, Bonnie Sloss of Childress, Tammy Eikman of Childress, and Sherri Gonzales of Meade, Kansas; one brother, Harold L. “Tracks” Moore of Stratford; her father and step-mother, Dwight and Emma Etter of Wichita, Kansas; eleven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to the Beam Senior Citizens in care of the funeral home.

Graveside services for Charles Alexander “Bud” Wright, age 90, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2003, in Citizens Cemetery with Reverend Bill Hodges, pastor of the Clarendon Church of The Nazarene, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Wright was born March 6, 1913, in Clarendon where he lived his entire life. He married Carman Camilla Jones on June 5, 1954 at Clarendon.  Mr. Wright was a farmer and windmill repairman most of his life before his retirement, and he was a Presbyterian.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Guy Wright, Thompson Wright, and Norwood Wright; and 5 sisters, Gladys Servis, Dorothy Leggett, Isabell Thornberry, Lucille Hodel, and Fannie Daugherty.

Survivors include his wife, Carman of Clarendon; one daughter; Susan Ann Wright of Abilene; one son, John Charles Sommers of Dallas; one sister, Laverne Greene of Palestine, TX; two grandsons, Scott Sommers and Nicholas Sommers, both of Dallas; and two great grandsons, Cole Sommers and Luke Sommers, both of Dallas.

Margaret Ann Jenkins lost her battle with cancer on Monday, March 3, 2003.

Margaret was more familiarly known to her family and friends as Marty.  She was born to Dr. Oscar L. and Mina Bourland Jenkins in Clarendon, Texas, on September 30, 1928.  The family moved to the Dallas area in 1940, and Marty graduated from Highland Park High School in 1946.  She graduated from Stevens Junior College in 1948 and was in the Class of 1950 at Southern Methodist University.

Marty was very talented musically and earned a full scholarship to Interlocken to continue her studies of the bass and piano.  While at Stevens, she played bull fiddle with the Kansas City and St. Louis symphony orchestras. 

Marty married Jere Bobb Hinckley in 1951, and they were blessed with four sons and a daughter.  Mary and Jere worked in the family businesses, the Gay 90’s Ice Cream and Hinckley Cold Storage.  Marty developed the recipe for the ice cream that was used to make the Nutty Butty Bars that were sold for many years at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

Marty and Jere were avid folk and square dancers and were founding members of the Texas International Folk Dance Committee. 

Having children had interrupted Marty’s college work at SMU, but Marty was never one to give up.  When her second son entered SMU, Marty went with him, completed the credits she was missing, and both she and her son graduated from SMU in December 1977. 

Marty always said, “Don’t cry a tear for me when I’m gone.  I’ve enjoyed every experience God gave me.”  She gave her love, time, and help freely to her family, friends, and community.

Through the years she was active in PTA, Garden Clubs, Boy Scouts, and every bridge club that would have her.  Marty financially supported her church and many good causes.  She helped many people learn how to water ski and play her favorite game, bridge.  Her children’s friends loved coming over to the house and always said she was the greatest mom.  Marty was always there when someone needed her.

Marty was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Mina Elise.

She is survived by her four sons and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2003, at the Sparkman Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel in Dallas.  Interment was held at Hillcrest Memorial Park immediately following the service.  Reverends Larry Ravert and Hall Hinckley officiated.

Funeral services for Edgar Lee Reynolds, age 78, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at Coulter Road Baptist Church in Amarillo with Brother Ron Whill and Rev. Bryan Knowles, officiating.  Burial was held in Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Schooler Funeral Home, of Amarillo.

Mr. Reynolds died Saturday, March 8, 2003, in Amarillo.  He was born in 1924 and married Charlene Owens in January 19, 1946.  Mr. Reynolds served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II in England, Germany, and Belgium and hauled ammunition to George C. Patton in the European Theater. He worked for the J.R. Porter Ranch in Clarendon, Jenkins Brick & Supply, and the Transportation Department of Mason & Hanger-Pantex where he retired after 28 years of employment.  Mr. Reynolds played basketball for Gholston and Clarendon in the Caprock League in the 1950’s and coached YMCA baseball during his four sons’ years growing up in the Palo Duro High School area.

Mr. Reynolds’ list of medals include the American Theater Campaign Medal, the EAME Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was preceded in death by a son, Edgar Lynn Reynolds, in 1937, and by two sisters and 4 brothers.

Survivors include his wife, Charlene Owens Reynolds of the home; one daughter, Janet Dianne Macon and husband David of Amarillo; 3 sons, Danny Reynolds and wife Anne of Arcadia, OK; Henry Reynolds and wife Debra of Amarillo; and Barry Reynolds of Amarillo; 3 sisters, Martiel Webb of Amarillo; Marie McCracken of Clarendon; and Lorine McAnear of Clarendon; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be made to BSA Hospice, PO Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79109 or to Coulter Road Baptist Church (General Fund), 4108 Coulter Road, Amarillo, TX 79109.

Funeral services for Evelyn L. Blanton, age 88, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday March 11, 2003 in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Dr. Charles Davenport and Rev. Janet Edwards, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, of Clarendon.

Mrs. Blanton was born October 11, 1924 in Armstrong County where she lived her entire life.  She married Russell Blanton on December 1, 1935 at Claude.  Mrs. Blanton was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1977, and by two sisters and 3 brothers.

Survivors include one son, Joe Blanton and wife Shere of Claude; two grandchildren, Russell Blanton of Claude, and Toni Thomas and husband Craig of Claude; two great grandchildren, Preston and Macy Thomas of Claude; a sister-in-law Lili B. Bagwell of Claude; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family asks that memorials be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or to a favorite charity.

Graveside services for Audra D. Tisdale, age 80, of Decatur, Texas, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2003, at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Bryan Knowles officiating.

Mrs. Tisdale died February 25, 2003, in Decatur.  She was born May 28, 1922, in Atoka, Oklahoma.  She married Edgel O. Tisdale on December 27, 1941, in Atoka, Oklahoma.  She was a housewife.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Pat Doak and husband Don of Cleburne and Barbara Bible and husband Gary of Decatur; one sister, Nola Moore of Austin; and three grandchildren, Julie Bible of Decatur, Paul and Stephanie Bible of Denton, and Jeff Bible of Decatur.

Funeral services for Milton Wyatt Bagwell, age 78, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2003, in the First United Methodist Church in Claude with Rev. Janet Edwards, Pastor, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Bagwell died Friday, February 21, 2003, in Amarillo.  He was born August 12, 1924, in Armstrong County and lived there until 1949.  He then lived several other places before returning to Claude in 1988.  He married Earlene Johnson on August 30, 1946, at Dumas.  He was a technician in the chemical and aircraft industries for much of his life before his retirement.  He was a US Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the Harold Gist Post of the American Legion in Claude.  He was the chairman of the Armstrong County Museum Board, a member of the Claude Lions Club, the Mid-Century Club, the Wagoneers Camping Club, and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Claude.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Nordane Bagwell, on October 20, 1959, and Claude Lee Bagwell on  October 18, 2002; and by two sisters and two brothers.

Survivors include his wife, Earlene Johnson Bagwell of Claude; one daughter, Linda Phillips and husband Al of Dover, Arkansas; five brothers, Ray Bagwell of Statesville, North Carolina; Bob Bagwell of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Leonard Bagwell of Loma, Colorado; Leon Bagwell of Gruver, Texas; and Rex Bagwell of Claude; two sisters, Odessa Brunson of Claude and Addie Mae Cristy of Emmett, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be made to the Armstrong County Museum, PO Box 450, Claude, Texas 79019-0450 or to a favorite charity.