Obituaries

Sara Francis Spalding Carter, 80, passed away on September 29, 2024, in Plainview. A memorial graveside service will be held in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview.

Sara was born on September 27, 1944, in Clarendon to Alfred B. and Eloise (Leach) Spalding. She grew up in Hedley, Texas where she graduated from High School in 1962. She married Gary Carter on May 25, 1977, in Clayton, New Mexico. She worked for Clayton Cattle Feeders as a bookkeeper for 30 years before retiring. She enjoyed following her children and grandchildren to their activities including sporting events and livestock showing. She also enjoyed playing card games with her family and loved planning our yearly ski trips to Red River and Angel Fire. She loved spending time with her family.

She lived for making sure others were taken care of! She was a long-time member of the Clayton Methodist Church and she was also a member of P.E.O.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Carter; parents, Alfred and Eloise Spalding; sister, Martha Lowe; and her mother-in-law, Martha Jean Carter.

She is survived by her son, Darrell Messer and wife Lori of Gruver; two daughters, Deana Crump of Clarendon, Lisa Vaughn and husband Travis of Petersburg; sister, Kathleen Pixley of Grove, OK; seven grandchildren, Matt Messer, Miles Messer, Mike Crump, Chris Crump, Ky Vaughn, Kenlee Vaughn, Kale Vaughn; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to the charity of your choice in memory of Sara Carter.

Vanetta “Tookie” McClellan Thornberry passed away on Thursday, September 26, after a lengthy illness. Born in 1937 and raised in Clarendon, she was the daughter of Carroll and John McClellan and devoted older sister to Jackie McClellan Clark.

Tookie enjoyed growing up in Clarendon where her life was full of friends, Church, Girl Scout camp, and school activities. She embraced it all with a big heart and a fun-loving spirit, qualities that stayed with her throughout life.

A graduate of Clarendon High School, Tookie also attended Clarendon College. In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Thornberry, and they shared 63 years of marriage until his passing in 2021. Tookie was a full partner on the Thornberry Ranch, keeping an eagle eye on cattle and weather.

Tookie was a worker. Whether it was in real estate, a long career at the Donley County State Bank, or volunteer activities, she gave her all. She was a lifelong member of Clarendon Methodist Church where she served on various committees and enjoyed Sunday School. Tookie loved her community and its history and was an active board member of Saints’ Roost Museum where she played a role in helping start the Annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff. She also enjoyed her membership in Les Beaux Art Club and served Meals on Wheels for a number of years. She treasured her friends of all ages.

At the center of Tookie’s life was her family. She is survived by three sons – Mac, and his wife, Sally; Lance and his wife, Judy; and Drew and his wife, Lesa. She was the beloved “Meme” to Chase (Caitlan), Cortnee (Matt), Will (Temnite), Mary Kemp; Amber, (Paul); Ashlen, (Patrick); and ten great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Clark, and brother-in-law, Will; her sister-in-law, Pat Thornberry, her nephews Richard, (Leane); Sandy, (Bobbie) and Mark, (Cynthia), and her dear niece, Haley, (David). She cherished each of them and their families.

The Thornberry family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of Goodlife Senior Living for the exceptional love and care they gave Tookie. We would also like to thank Enhabit Hospice for their professionalism and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at Clarendon Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 2, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to can donate in her honor to: Clarendon Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157 Clarendon, Texas 79226 or Saints Roost Museum, https://www.saintsroostmuseum.com/Donate or P.O. Box 781, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Arrangements are entrusted to Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Scharlett Sue Leeper, 84, of Clarendon died Friday, September 20, 2024, in Clarendon.

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Jerry Koontz and Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating.  Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Monday at the funeral home with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Sue was born June 23, 1940 in Donley County, Texas to Hollis Martin and Mary Ellen Craig Banister. She married Jack Thomas Leeper on May 22, 1958 in Hedley, Texas.  She had been a lifetime resident of Clarendon.  Sue worked for over 40 years as a nurse for the State of Texas and for the Nursing Home in Clarendon.  Her hobbies included painting, artwork, playing games, quilting, quilting with her sister, and getting dressed up to go out to eat with her friends.  Sue had served on the Clarendon College Nursing board, Donley County Hospital board, and served Donley County Senior Citizens for 18 years. She deeply loved all of her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of her kids and grandkids. She was active member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, where she played a vital role in Missions and served as the Missions director, and also loved taking kids to Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2003; her twin daughters; and two brothers, Basil and Kelsy Banister.

Survivors include her sons, Tommy Leeper and wife Jackie of Clarendon and Bryan Leeper and wife Kris of Pampa; her daughters, Anna Gay Leeper-Tafoya and husband Johnny of Clarendon and Scharla Miller and husband James of Claude; her sister, Patricia Johnston of Emporia, Kansas; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens in Clarendon, Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, or Gentiva Hospice.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Becky Hudson McAnear, 70, of Amarillo died Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in Amarillo.

Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 18, 2024 in the First Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Tamplen, officiating.  Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Tuesday with family receiving friends for visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Becky Ellen Hudson McAnear was born in Clarendon, Texas, on February 27, 1954, to Carroll Becton and Ruth Ellen Palmer Hudson. One of her first proud moments in life was being born ten minutes before her twin sister and lifelong best friend, Bette, thus always being known as the older sister.

Being twins and growing up in Clarendon, they certainly drew attention and shared many adventures together with their friends and family. They loved their travels to visit family members, especially when it involved a train ride or time spent at the lake. When one twin wasn’t sure of an activity, the sister could usually encourage the other to participate. Growing up in the First Methodist Church, where she was a lifelong member, they were often found trying to distract their mother from her role as organist during practice sessions.

She graduated from Clarendon High School in 1972 and went on to attend Clarendon College and West Texas A&M University obtaining her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1976. She worked at Pantex for more than 30 years, starting as a mail clerk riding a three-wheel bicycle carrying mail in the front basket before working her way up to become a technical writer until her retirement in 2017. She made many close friends along the way and touched many lives.

Becky and Mike McAnear were ecstatic over the birth of their daughter, Melissa, in 1985 and later their grandson, Josiah, in 2014.

She was known as one of the kindest people with the best smile and a fantastic laugh to go with it. She enjoyed quilting, crafting, exploring family history, keeping up with friends and family, and Dr. Pepper.

Preceded in death by her parents, brother Barry, grandparents Major and Edna Hudson, and Reverend George T. and Myrtle Palmer and her close friend, Jackie Wood.

Survivors include her daughter Melissa and son Josiah of Amarillo; sister Bette and husband Joe Meason of Amarillo, her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and close family members and friends.

Randal “Randy” Lynn Crump, 56,  of Clarendon, TX passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024 in Texola, OK.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 PM Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Clarendon College Matlock Arena with Joe Neal Shadle, Josey Shadle, Ike Hanes, and Brad Shadle officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Randal “Randy” Lynn Crump was born on April 12, 1968 to Janie Ivey Gibson and Morris Crump in Memphis, Tx. He graduated from Clarendon High School and went on to attend Clarendon College.

He married the love of his life, Buckie, on June 1, 2014 in Clarendon. They recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Randy and Buckie dated in high school, but were reconnected by fate many years later.

Randy worked in Hereford, Tx for Johnny Trotter as the cowboy boss before he moved to Clarendon to start his career at TXDOT. Randy retired from TXDOT in November of 2023 and began working at Bird Electric as a heavy equipment operator and was recently promoted to a safety professional.

Team roping was Randy’s life. He would rope with anyone, anywhere, any time and any age. He was a winner and has many buckles and saddles to show for it, but would give them away in a heartbeat. He enjoyed ranch rodeos, fishing and watching any kind of sport he could get on TV.

In addition to all of his rodeo activities, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He was a protector, loving, the best hug giver, a man with the biggest heart, and he loved to tell jokes and stories.

Those left to cherish his memories and honor him are his wife, Buckie Crump; his 6 pack of children, Carissa Crump; Dustin Crump and wife, Jordan; Jacee Crump; Cody Crump and Charlie; Nash Baker and wife, Larissa; Cameron Baker and fiance, Ryder; his mother, Janie Ivey Gibson; his father, Morris Crump and wife, Linda; his brother, Ray Crump and wife, Mike; and his sister, Laura Bailey and husband, Jason.

He greatly cherished his soon to be, 8 grandchildren. Kitana, Vanessa, Wyatt, Kennedy, Eidynn, Tobias, Mercy, and new baby Crump.

He will be greatly missed and remembered by his numerous nephews and nieces, Mike Crump and wife, Julie; Chris Crump and fiance, Rebecca; Avery Bailey, and Ethan Bailey; cousins, friends and his large rodeo family.

The family request memorials be sent to the Dalton O’Gorman Scholarship Fund.

 

Glenda Kay Koontz Rogers, 82, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, at Citizens Cemetery.

Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Community Fellowship Church with Jerry Koontz officiating.

Glenda was born in Memphis on February 27, 1942. She met and married Gary J Rogers in 1960. They had two daughters and later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they worked and raised their family. Glenda was known for her kind heart and loving soul. She was happiest when spending time with family and loved ones.

She was proceeded in death by her mother and father Delmar Rigdon Koontz and Pauline Lucille Koontz and her sister Cleta Koontz Goad.

She is survived by her husband Gary J Rogers and two daughters Kim Miller of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kira Shepherd and husband Shaun of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Two sisters, Barbara Helms of Clarendon, and Judy Morgan of Dallas; a brother Jerry Koontz of Clarendon; Three Grandchildren, Crystal Miller of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Nicole Sawyers of Lawton, Oklahoma; Austin Shepherd and wife Elizabeth of Coeur d’Alene Idaho; Four great grandchildren Logan Sawyers, Zander Sawyers, Liam Myers, Andrew Miller and one great great grandchild, Wade Miller, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Josiah Paul Howard, 20, of Amarillo died Monday, August 19, 2024, in Amarillo.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 23, 2024, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Seth Seale, officiating.

Cremation & Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Josiah was born September 23, 2003 in Childress to Bruce and Gwynne Howard. He had been a lifetime resident of Hedley. He was a 2022 graduate of Clarendon High School, and was attending Baylor University. While in high school he participated in UIL Debate, acting, and many other extra curricular activities. He always enjoyed a good debate and he loved hymns. He was involved in ministry through VBS, mission trips, and last summer participated as a summer intern at First Baptist Church in Wellington. He was the youngest of 11 siblings, and was a delight from the beginning. He was always very kind to all of his siblings. Josiah was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hedley, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers.

Survivors include his parents, Bruce and Gwynne Howard of Hedley; his paternal grandmother, Sammie Howard of Amarillo and his paternal grandmother, Ila Jane Gale of Hedley; his brothers, Samuel Howard of Marysville, Ohio, Stephen Howard and Peter Howard both of Amarillo; his sisters, Rachel Seale of Sunray, Rebekah Botello of Amarillo, Ruth Day of Amarillo, Laura Howard of Hedley, Lydia McCaffery of Amarillo, Deborah Miller of Amarillo, and Hanna Sims of Amarillo; 24 nieces and nephews; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family request memorials be sent to Rowe Cemetery Association in Hedley.

Geneva Ruth Barham, 74, of Bridgeport, went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2024. Devoted, loving, and caring wife of Robert Barham since May 14, 1987. She led a wonderful, sophisticated career as the CO of Barham Aviation in Runaway Bay, Texas.

Geneva was born on August 14, 1949, in Houston, Texas. She was known for her hard work, kind soul, beautiful smile, loving heart and giving personality. Everyone that knew her knew she had strong faith in the power of the Christmas Spirit. A holiday that was very dear to her heart and family. She would open up her home to the community to bring families together and enjoy the Christmas festivities. One of her favorite things to do was to spend time with her family, when she wasn’t doing that she was enjoying a retired life at home with her Husband.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Robert Barham of 37 years. Her children Cory, Craig and Jessica, Brandon and his wife Donna. Siblings; Brenda and her husband Nelson, Dennis Joe, James and Dwayne. Nieces and Nephews; Celina and her husband Tony, Brandi and her husband Jared. Her Grandchildren; Cody and his wife Tristan, Robbie and his wife Britney, Taylor, Geneva, Jessica and Logan. As well as her 16 Great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon during the hours of 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday August 16, 2024.

Graveside service will be held at Goodnight Cemetery on Saturday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m.
Any memorial donations that want to be made in Geneva’s name can be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

Carl Lee Evans was born February 1, 1940, in Santa Maria, California. He had been a resident of Fruitvale for 52 years, formerly living in Clarendon.

He was a member of the FFA at Clarendon High School, where he also played football for the Clarendon Bronchos, he was an awesome halfback, and later graduated in 1958. He attended Highland Baptist church, in Arlington, and was baptized in 1950 when he attended VBS.

He received many awards, from All-district halfback on the Clarendon Bronchos football team, FFA awards, to racing cars on dirt track, and many Salesman awards.

Carl worked hard on their farm in Ashtola, in the Texas Panhandle. He had to milk the cows in the freezing cold and do many farm chores. When they moved to Arlington, he worked at TI, where he met his beautiful wife, then on to Jim Walter Doors, Wayne Dalton Doors, and finally to Cassity Jones Lumber where he worked for 40 years, up until the day he died at 84½ years old. He was always top Salesman wherever he worked, and won many cruises from Cassity Jones.

He passed away at the age of 84 on August 1, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Naomi Ruth Conner Evans; father, Kermit Evans; mother, Florence Evans; brothers, Gene Evans and Kenneth Evans; and sister, Carol Powell.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Shelli & Jerry Crocker and Carla & Bryan McGlothlin; grandchildren, Evan Crocker, Ember Crocker, Ryan McGlothlin, Carley Sale (Jim), and Jana Brightman (Darren); great-grandchildren, Chloe Diane Sale, Aubrey Leigh Sale, and Jackson Cooper Sale.

Juanita Felipita Sanchez, also known as Faye, 85, of Lelia Lake died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Lelia Lake.

Rosary will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel at 6:00 PM.

Mass will be Saturday, August 3, 2024, in St. Mary Catholic Church in Clarendon at 10:00 AM with Fr. Anthony Aakula as the celebrant. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Faye Sanchez was born October 20, 1938, in Lourdes, New Mexico, to Epifanio and Guadalupe Jaramillo. She was the oldest of 11 siblings. She spent her early years in Lourdes, until her family relocated to Lelia Lake in the late 50s. Faye enjoyed sewing, cooking, and reading. In her younger years, she worked as a laborer hoeing cotton, later in her years, she cleaned houses.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and four brothers named Cleofes Jaramillo, Charlie Jaramillo, Robert Jaramillo, Jose Jaramillo, and spouse Ramon Sanchez.

Faye is survived by her three sons: Ramon Leroy Sanchez of Lubbock, Texas, Richard Sanchez of Lelia Lake, Texas, and Chris Sanchez of Pampa, Texas, as well as 11 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 4 sisters Gloria Jaramillo of Lelia Lake, Texas, Mary Jaramillo of Lelia Lake, Texas, Angie Jaramillo of Howardwick, Texas, and Theresa David of Lefors, Texas, as well as 2 brothers Elias Jaramillo of Lelia Lake, Texas, and Tony Jaramillo of Big Spring, Texas.

The family would like to thank the nurses, and all health care professionals for their care while she was in hospice who made her last days comfortable and peaceful.