Obituaries

Funeral services of Myrl Cole Brown, age 90, were held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2002, in the Bykota Baptist Church in Amarillo with Jeff Messer of Amarillo and Ricky Dale Brown, grandson of Mrs. Brown, officiating.  Burial was held at 2:30 p.m. in Silverton Cemetery in Silverton under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon.

Mrs. Brown died Wednesday, November 20, 2002, in Amarillo.  She was born November 3, 1912, in Tyler, Texas, and was a former long time resident of Borger.  She had lived in Amarillo for the past ten years. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Carnell English, on October 22, 1951, and by her second husband, Fred W. Brown on July 4, 1979.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Bykota Baptist Church in Amarillo.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Keith English in 1984 and Robbie Joe English in 1990; one daughter, Norma Lee Brown in April 2002; a sister, Hazel Brandon; and both of her brothers, Mason Cole and T.M. Cole.

Survivors include a daughter, Freida Cooper of Lubbock; three sisters, Jimmie Lee Matheson of Amarillo, Wilma Paxton of Phoenix, Arizona, and Romaine McAllister of Houston; seven grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.

The family requests memorials be to the Bykota Baptist Church, 2033 NE 26th, Amarillo.

Funeral services for Gene Fontayne Elmore, age 61, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2002, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon.

Mr. Elmore died Sunday, November 24, 2002, in Clarendon.  He was born and raised in Clarendon with his brother and sister.  After he married, he moved away to Amarillo and later to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex where he received numerous outstanding sales awards both as an insurance salesman and sales manager.  Upon his retirement, he returned to his roots in his hometown of Clarendon where he enjoyed being reunited with life long friends.  Gene’s life touched many, and he was a blessing to all those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Don Allen Elmore; his father, Jefferson Fontayne Elmore, and his mother, Mabel Eichelberger Elmore.

Survivors include a sister, Mary Elmore Bentley of Austin; a brother, Jerry Lynn Elmore of Houston; three daughters, Regina Elmore Cunningham and husband Scot of Leander, Texas, Natalie Elmore-Morris Holland of Amarillo, and Lisha Elmore Ralston and husband Terry of Canyon; twelve grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be to the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.

Funeral services for Alma Louise Ward, age 82, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2002, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Rev. Truman Ledbetter, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, and Edwin Campbell of Clarendon, officiating.  Burial was held at Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Ward died Saturday, November 23, 2002.  She was born February 7, 1920, in Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, to Stacy Pinkny Glasscock and Ronda Dollye Stokes Glasscock.  She had been a resident of Claude most of her life.  She had resided at the Palo Duro Nursing Home in Claude since June of 2001 and considered the residents and staff her extended family.  She married Jack Ward in December 1947.  He preceded her in death on July 3, 1994.  During her early life, she was very involved in the activities of her children and was a long time 4-H leader.  She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

Survivors include three daughters, Janet Cooper and husband Johnny of Clarendon, Beth Smith of Junction, Texas, and Jackie Matthews and husband David of Amarillo; one son, Stacy Ward of Amarillo; two step children, Patricia Bradbury and Jerry Ward of Kilgore, Texas; one brother, Roy B. Glasscock of Odessa; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Stacy Don Ward, Roy Dale Cooper, Bryan Matthews, Doodie Tyler, Wayne Tyler, and Jack Fields.

The family requests that memorials be to the Palo Duro Nursing Home in Claude.

Ruby Jean Donaho of LaGrange, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, passed away October 28, 2002, after a brief struggle with cancer. Graveside services were at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 30, 2002, at Coolidge Cemetery in Coolidge, Texas.

Ruby was born June 21, 1936, in Coolidge. She was a LaGrange resident for the past five years and prior to that a longtime Clarendon resident. Her giving, caring, and loving life will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her precious infant daughter, Deborah Jean; infant son, Allen Dale; and her parents, John and Mertie Creacy Ives.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jim Donaho of LaGrange; three sons, Mike Nance and wife Jeanice of Lexington, Texas; Gary Nance and wife Lynn of Elgin, Texas; Steve and wife Theresa of Highland Village, Texas; stepdaughter Jeanette Wenzel and husband Billy of Memphis, Tenn.;and stepson Jimmy Donaho of Temple, Texas. She is also survived by her dear grandchildren Brian Nance, Barbi Nance Barrios, Teri Nance Hutchison, Christi Nance, Cory Nance, Ashlee Nance, Derek Nance and nine great-grandchildren. Her brother, Doyle Ives and wife Bobby of Baytown, Texas;and sister, Barbara Ives Barnett and husband Larry of Spring, Texas, plus numerous nieces nephews and friends who will  miss her greatly.

Funeral services for Gladys Irene Hommel, age 97, were held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2002, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. James Ivey Edwards, Pastor, and Rev. Terry Tamplen, Pastor of Kingswood United Methodist Church in Amarillo, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon.

Mrs. Hommel died Friday, November 8, 2002, in Clarendon.  She was born August 12, 1905, in Bells, Texas, and was a resident of Alanreed before moving to Clarendon in 1925.  She married Frank Johnson Hommel on October 16, 1923, at El Reno, Oklahoma.  She was a homemaker and a long time former member of The Mothers Club.  She was very involved in the First United Methodist Church, where she was a member and was in the Win-One Sunday school class.

She was preceded in death by her husband on August 20, 1996, and a daughter, Velma Geraldine Robertson on February 28, 1983.

Survivors include two daughters, Frankie Henson of Clarendon and Lois Marie Moore of Dallas; one son, Chauncy Hommel of Clarendon; one sister, Blanche Hardman of Amarillo; 12 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and 16 great great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were grandsons and great grandsons.

Funeral services for Lillie Ann Hook, age 68, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2002, in the Hedley Church of Christ with Bright Newhouse, Pastor, officiating. Burial was held in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon. 

Mrs. Hook died Wednesday, November 6, 2002, in Lubbock.  She was born April 9, 1934, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, and was a Pampa resident before moving to Clarendon in 1984.  She married Cecil Lee Hook on December 27, 1954, at Snyder.  She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and cooking for her family and friends.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Hedley Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Debora Lorena Hook; a son-in-law, Pierre Gasser; a brother, Leon Baker; and a sister, Mildred Beattie Ray.

Survivors include her husband, Cecil Lee Hook of Clarendon; three sons, Cecil Lee Hook, Jr., and wife, Barbara of Amarillo; Rick Hood and wife, Vicki, of Amarillo; and Michael Andrew Hook and wife, Tina, of Amarillo; one daughter, Deanna Kay Gasser of Amarillo; four sisters, Zora Stephens and husband, Wilson of Hedley, Callie Stephens of Hedley, Peggy Hook of Amarillo, Rosie Wright and husband, Doug, of Hedley; six brothers, Robert Baker and wife, Judy, of Childress; Paul Baker, and wife, Ricki, of Hedley; Hubert Baker and wife, Martha, of Wellington; Ronnie Baker and wife, Peggy, of Flower Mound, Texas; twelve grandchildren; two great grandchildren; 43 nieces and nephews, and numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services for Jackie Leach Stafford, age 85, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2002, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon.

Mrs. Stafford died Monday, November 4, 2002, in Memphis.  She was born April 23, 1917, in Donley County where she had lived most of her life.  She married Jack B. Stafford on December 3, 1939, at Memphis.  She and her husband owned and operated Stafford Grocery in Hedley for 25 years before retiring.  She was a Methodist.

Survivors include her husband, Jack Stafford of Hedley; two sons, Fred L. Stafford and Bob D. Stafford, both of Amarillo; one sister, Faye Wiggins of Pasadena, Texas; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Nellie Katherine Vitarelle, age 77, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2002, in Robertson Chapel of Memories with Rev. James Ivey Edwards, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery in Claude under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon.

Mrs. Vitarelle died Tuesday, November 5, 2002, in Clarendon.  She was born November 16, 1924, in Hockley County and was a resident of Armstrong County before moving to Clarendon in 1983.  She married Victor B. Vitarelle on May 12, 1945, in Amarillo.  He preceded her in death on September 10, 1983.  She had worked as an R.N. for 32 years before retiring in 1973.  She was a member of a nursing alumni association and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Dennis Vitarelle, who died in Vietnam on July 25, 1969.

Survivors include a sister, Hazel Campbell of Clarendon; and a brother, Gene Tyler of Rockwall.

Graveside services for Patrick Homer Salmon, age 86, were held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2002, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Sherman Eastland, Chaplain at Northwest Texas Healthcare Systems in Amarillo, officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon.

Mr. Salmon died Friday, November 1, 2002, in Dallas.  He was born in Brice, Hall County, Texas, in 1916.  He married Eunice Ruth Reynolds in 1945.  He served in the 74th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe during World War II.  He returned to Hall County to farm until 1959 when he moved to Amarillo to pursue a career in woods craftsmanship.  He built furniture and clocks while working at Maywood, Inc., for 25 years.  He continued to live in Amarillo until moving to Dallas in 2000 to live in Eden Terrance Retirement Center, where he resided until his death.  He was a non-denominational church member.

He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Salmon, in 1974 and his wife, Ruth Salmon, in 1997.

Survivors include two daughters, Zackie Salmon of Laramie, Wyoming, and Pati Salmon Gordon of Dallas; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

Graveside services for Leslie Louie Coe Keith, age 92, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2002, in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Wellington with Rev. Darrell Burton, Pastor of the Martin Baptist Church in Clarendon, officiating.  Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., in Clarendon. He died Sunday, October 27, 2002, in Clarendon.

Mr. Keith, affectionately known as Pappy to his grandchildren, was born December 25, 1909, in Clarksville where he lived until moving to Collingsworth County in 1937.  He lived in Loco and Wellington, where he farmed until his retirement 22 years ago at which time he moved to Howardwick.  He married Ruby May Cain on December 14, 1931, at Clarksville.  She preceded him in death on December 16, 1995.  He was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daryol Keith, in 1979 and a daughter, Sylvia Harkins, in 2001.

Survivors include one son, Dean Keith of Howardwick; two sisters, Nora Noe and Cora Smith, both of Lovington, New Mexico; ten grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.