Obituaries

Graveside services for Dora Edith Neal, age 85, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2001, in Groom Cemetery in Groom with Rev. Rob Seale, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial was held in Groom Cemetery in Groom under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc.

Mrs. Neal died Wednesday, May 16, 2001, in Clarendon. She was born January 26, 1916, in Goodnight, Armstrong County, Texas, and was a resident of Portales, NM, before moving to Clarendon in 1980. She married Leslie Neal on July 16, 1933, at Armstrong County.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by a son, Harold Neal, on August 4, 1999.

Survivors include her husband, Leslie Neal of Clarendon; three sons, Kenneth Neal of Gun Barrel City, Texas, Frank Neal of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Benny Neal of Ossian, Indiana; two sisters, Mary Tipton of Plainview and Myrle Ard of Vacaville, California; numerous grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Choella Faye LaGrone, age 69, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2001, at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Rev. Chris Downer officiating. Burial was held in Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Brooks Funeral Directors.

Mrs. LaGrone died May 5, 2001, in Amarillo. She was born on July 12, 1931, at Catesby, Oklahoma. She worked for fifteen years for the United States Postal Service. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brack, on September 12, 1998.

Survivors include three sons, Jake LaGrone of Nashville, TN; Randy Travis of Amarillo; and Jay Travis of Enid, OK; one daughter, Janet Burgess of Enid, OK; one brother, Don Wynn of Gage, OK; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Memorials may be made to BSA Hospice, PO Box 950, Amarillo TX 79176.

Flora Kathryn Westmoreland McMurtry (Kaki) passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2001. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-four years, James Alfred McMurtry, and her sister, Janice Young of St. Louis, MO. 

She is survived by her sister, Louise Darnell, of San Angelo, TX; her four daughters, Connally McMurtry of Dallas, Marcia Bankhead of Dallas, Marilyn Bergman of Boerne; and Christina Craig of Dallas; her eleven grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

Kaki was born in Clarendon on November 7, 1920. She attended the University of Missouri where she pledged Pi Beta Phi in 1938. After marrying Alfred in 1941, they built a life around ranching and raising a family in Clarendon . After retirement in 1969, the couple moved to Rockport, Texas, and finally to Dallas. Always active in her church and her community, she remained diligent in the pursuit of excellence for her family and for herself. A lifelong learner, she spoke fluent Spanish, was a life master at bridge, a gourmet cook, an avid reader, and an innovative homemaker.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4, 2001, in the chapel of Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas where she was a charter member. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2001, at First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4307 Newton Ct., Dallas, TX 75219.

Graveside services for Bobby Allen Teague, age 64, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2001, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Teague died Sunday, April 29, 2001, in Pampa.  He was born December 23, 1937, in Gray County and was a lifetime resident of Pampa.  He had worked as a general laborer most of his life before his retirement.  He was a Baptist.

He was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Teague, and a sister, Pat Goble.

Survivors include four sons, Timmy Paul Teague, Jefferson Teague, John Teague, and William Teague; one brother, J.C. Teague, Jr. of Clarendon; four sisters, Gertie Ingram of Springdale, Arkansas, Fay Swindle of Pampa, Lela Walker of Springdale, Arkansas, and Peggy Miller of Sanger, Texas; an aunt, Marie Fields of Olivehurst, California; and two uncles, Bill Teague of Pampa and Tom Teague of Pampa.

Graveside services for Bobby Allen Teague, age 64, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2001, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Teague died Sunday, April 29, 2001, in Pampa.  He was born December 23, 1937, in Gray County and was a lifetime resident of Pampa.  He had worked as a general laborer most of his life before his retirement.  He was a Baptist.

He was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Teague, and a sister, Pat Goble.

Survivors include four sons, Timmy Paul Teague, Jefferson Teague, John Teague, and William Teague; one brother, J.C. Teague, Jr. of Clarendon; four sisters, Gertie Ingram of Springdale, Arkansas, Fay Swindle of Pampa, Lela Walker of Springdale, Arkansas, and Peggy Miller of Sanger, Texas; an aunt, Marie Fields of Olivehurst, California; and two uncles, Bill Teague of Pampa and Tom Teague of Pampa.

Mabel Edith Eichelberger Elmore passed away peacefully in Canyon, Texas, on Saturday, April 21, 2001.

Mabel was born in Goldston Community near Clarendon on December 4, 1907, and lived in Clarendon until ill health necessitated her move to Conner House in Canyon in September 1996.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jefferson Fontayne Elmore and an infant son, Don Allen Elmore.

Mable leaves a daughter, Mary Elmore Bentley and husband, Alvis of Austin; sons, Gene Elmore of Clarendon and Jerry Elmore and wife, Janis, of Houston. Other surviving family members include seven grandchildren, Dr. Dan Bentley and wife Susan, Cheryl Bentley Harper and husband Brad, Natalie Elmore Holland, all of Amarillo, Regina Elmore Cunningham and husband Scot of Leander, Lisha Elmore and husband Terry of Canyon, Scott H. Elmore of Houston, and Jefferson Fontayne Elmore of Dallas. She is also survived by 16 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Mabel attended Goldston schools, graduated Clarendon High School and attended Clarendon College for two years. She was a dedicated cattleman’s wife and was always interested in Clarendon and Donley County. Mabel’s memory will live on in the lives of her family through the love she exhibited for each and every member. She was very talented with her hands and created beautiful knitted and crocheted works of art which are treasured by her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clarendon College; Donley County Senior Citizens Association in Clarendon; or Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon.

Services were held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 23, 2001, in Robertson Chapel of Memories with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating. Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery.

Funeral services for Tinsley E. “T” Mullins, age 57, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2001, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, Pastor, and Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial was held in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc.

Mr. Mullins died Saturday, April 21, 2001, in Amarillo. He was born December 29, 1943, in Hedley and was a lifetime resident of Donley County. He married Nancy Lou Shaw on April 8, 1966, at Hedley. He had been a farmer, a trucker, service station operator, and an employee of Donley County. He served one term as Donley County Precinct 3 Commissioner. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hedley.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Mullins of Hedley; his mother, Lola Brown of Hedley; three sons, Danny Wayne Mullins of Hedley, Billy Lynn Mullins of Pampa, and Steve Dale Mullins of Nashville, Tennessee; one sister, Peggy Watt of Hedley; two brothers, William Mullins of Elkland, Missouri; and Leonard Mullins of Fritch; and two granddaughters, Kendra Mullins of Lumberton and Kelsey Mullins of Clarendon.

Casket bearers were Ronnie Hill, Bill Hill, Ronnie Glover, Windell Sursa, Toby Woodard, Gary Alexander, Larry Crump, and Alvin Alexander. Honorary bearers were Danny Hersom, B.J. Pierce, Coy Stephens, and Jerry Jeffries.

The family suggests that memorials be to Rowe Cemetery Association, the Kidney Foundation, or a favorite charity.

Haskell Thomas Phelps, age 84, died Monday, April 16, 2001, in Clarendon.  His body was donated to Texas Tech School of Medicine in Lubbock.  No services are planned.  Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Phelps was born January 24, 1917, in Lelia Lake and was a lifetime resident of Donley County.  He was a farmer and later worked as a barber for several years before his retirement.  He was a US Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, having served in the 411th Bomb Squadron.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Phelps, on February 7, 2000.

Survivors include one brother, Hugh Phelps of Terrell, Texas, and three sisters, Dorothy Breedlove of Clarendon; Mildred Hayes of Panama City, Florida; and Frances Lloyd of Rock Hill, South Carolina.

John B. Stevens of San Angelo, Texas, died Sunday, April 15, 2001, at the age of 94 years. 

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2001, in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Johnson’s Funeral Home.

He was born at Loco, Indian Territory, Oklahoma, on February 1, 1907. His parents were William T. Stevens and Ida Preskitt Stevens. He was married to Jewel Stubbs at Boles near Marietta, Oklahoma, in December 1928. They had six sons, John W. of Corsicana, Texas; William T. of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kenneth H., deceased; Douglas D. of Alta Loma, California; Earl D. of San Angelo; and Ara L. of Jemeze Springs, NM.

He had 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jewel in 1994; one son, Kenneth in 1999; two grandsons, Darrell in 1974 and Duane in 1966; and one great grandson, Brandon in 1996.

Survivors include sons, John W., Williams T., Douglas, Earl Stevens, and Ara Stevens; 18 grandchildren; 16 great grand children; one brother, Coy Stevens of Clarendon; one sister, Viola Praft of Marietta, Oklahoma; and one brother-in-law, Cecil Stubbs of Elmer, Oklahoma.

Funeral services for Bertie Lee Helton, age 94, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 16, 2001, in the Groom First United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Moore and Rev. Jerry Moore, officiating. Burial was held in Groom Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc. of Clarendon.

Mrs. Helton died Friday, April 13, 2001, in Amarillo. She was born February 25, 1907, in Donley County and was a Goodnight resident before moving to Groom 58 years ago. She married Nathaniel Benton Helton on April 24, 1938, at Clarendon. He preceded her in death on June 2, 1996. They owned and operated N.B. Drive-In in Groom for several years before retiring. She was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groom.

Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Stoope of White Deer; one son, Micah Stewart Helton of Skellytown; two grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Dwayne Hudson, Gayle Stewart, Gary Stewart, Leon Schaffer, Cliff Fraser, and Jack Stephens.

The family suggests that memorials be to Groom First United Methodist Church.