Obituaries

Funeral services for Jessie Mae Cruse, age 92, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, march 27, 2001, in Robertson Chapel of Memories in Clarendon with Billy Jones, Church of Christ Minister from Jericho, officiating. Burial was held at the Groom Cemetery in Groom under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc. of Clarendon.

Mrs. Cruse died Sunday, March 25, 2001, in Claude. She was born November 26, 1908, in Lelia Lake, Donley County, Texas. She was a resident of Amarillo before moving to Claude in 1964. She was married to Clyde Henry Cruse on January 21, 1928. They raised greenhouse tomatoes in Claude for several years. Mr. Cruse preceded her in death on October 28, 1990. She was a homemaker, who was very devoted to her family. She was a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Randy Ritter, in 1977.

Survivors include one daughter, Juandell Ritter-Bivens of Groom; one son, Bennie Cruse of Amarillo; two sisters, Melba Leathers of Clarendon and Dean Angel of Amarillo; five grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Casket bearers were grandsons and great grandsons.

The family suggests that memorials be to a favorite charity.

Funeral services for Bonnie Oree Davis, age 94, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2001, in Robertson Chapel of Memorial 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.

Mrs. Davis died Monday, March 26, 2001, in Clarendon. She was born February 23, 1907, in Myrtle Springs, Van Zandt County, Texas, and had been a Donley County resident most of her life. She married Vernon Davis in 1923. He preceded her in death on September 2, 1972. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Doyle Davis and Billy Bob Davis; and by two sisters and seven brothers.

Survivors include two daughters, Loreva Ross of Amarillo and Juanelle Scot of Melrose, NM; two sons, Donald Davis of Amarillo and Johnny Davis of Clarendon; on brother, Ernest Taylor of Amarillo; 20 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorials be to a favorite charity.

Funeral services for Edna Earl Dawkins, age 63, were held 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2001, in the Claude Church of Christ with Kent Watson, minister, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc. of Clarendon.

Mrs. Dawkins died Thursday, March 22, 2001, at US Hwy. 287 near Amarillo.  She was born March 22, 1938, in Amarillo and was a resident of Texhoma, Oklahoma, before moving to Claude in 1974.  She married Drue Leroy Dawkins on April 28, 1978, at Claude.  She had worked for the past five years as the baker at St. Ann’s Nursing Home in Panhandle.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Claude Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by a son, Chuck Brown, in 1994.

Survivors include her husband, D.L. Dawkins of Claude; three sons, David Brown of Amarillo, Dan Brown of Wichita Falls, and Joe Brown of Amarillo; four sisters, Mildred Cantrell of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Gloria Carver of Amarillo, Emma Lee McDowell of Amarillo, and Barbara Danile of Amarillo; and four grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Don Minkley, Don Salmon, Paul Rutherford, Ted Carter, Jimmy Finley, and Terry Carter.

Rosary for Frank Ruyle “Bud” Hermesmeyer, age 79, was held Monday, March 26, 2001, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church with funeral services held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2001, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon. 

Mr. Hermesmeyer died Saturday, March 24, 2001, in Clarendon. He was born September 7, 1921, at Jericho, Texas, and had lived in Donley County most of his life. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1941 and attended Baylor University before entering the armed services as a gunner in the US Air Force in August 1942. He was discharged as a Corporal in 1945. He married Edna Pearl Derrick on April 29, 1942, at Amarillo. He was a Catholic and served 21 years on the Donley County Soil Conservation Board and 22 years in the Southwestern Football Official s Association. He had been a farmer most of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nell Hermesmeyer; two sisters, Nettie Hermesmeyer and Nell Britten; two daughters, Jean Karen Hermesmeyer and Judy Claire Hermesmeyer; and a daughter-in-law, Carole Hermesmeyer.

Survivors include his wife, Pearl Hermesmeyer of Clarendon; four sons, Frank Hermesmeyer, Jr., and wife Jeannine of Vancourt, TX, Henry Hermesmeyer of Odessa, John Hermesmeyer and wife Wynelle of Dumas, and Paul Hermesmeyer of Odessa; a daughter, Mary Jo Huseman and husband Bryan of Littlefield; two brothers, Johnny Bill Hermesmeyer and Phillip Hermesmeyer, both of Jericho; two sisters, Jo Ann Gulde of Amarillo and Pauline Kline of San Antonio; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Refugio Benavidez, Abby Abdullah, Leon Church, Mike Britten, Pat Britten, Tim Jones, Bill Dorsey, and Butch Blackburn.

The family suggests that memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association or St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Hall Fund in Clarendon.

Graveside services for Eva Leon Kennedy-Hammack, age 87, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2001, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Hedley, officiating. Burial was held in Rowe Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Hammack died Saturday, March 24, 2001, in Memphis. She was born August 30, 1913, in Parnell in Hall County and had been a resident of Donley County most of her life. She was preceded in death by her husbands, James Marvin Kennedy in 1968, by Lindsey Canada, and then by Eddie Hammack in 1994. She was a homemaker and a member of the Hedley Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Hoyce Kennedy and Perry Kennedy; and by a brother, Jack Nivens.

Survivors include a daughter, Cleta Davis of Little Rock, Arkansas; a son, Carroll Kennedy of Colorado City, Texas; a brother, R.L. Nivens of Grandbury, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Ann Kennedy of Hedley; eight grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Everett William Anglin, age 84, were held at 2:00 p.. on Monday, March 19, 2001, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Don Stone, Minister of the White Deer Church of Christ, officiating.  Burial was held in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc. of Clarendon.

Mr. Anglin died Friday, March 16, 2001, in Amarillo.  He was born June 5, 1916, in Stratford, Oklahoma, and was a resident of Wellington before moving to Clarendon in 1957. He married Mary El Dora “Tillie” Rexrode on December 29, 1938, at Hollis, Oklahoma.  He was a farmer much of his life before his retirement and was the owner of Anglin RV Park in Clarendon.  He was a member of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and the Clarendon Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Tillie Anglin of Clarendon; one son, Sammy Anglin of Clarendon; two daughters, Kay Saied of Amarillo and Cindy Ellis of Claude; two brothers, Henry Anglin of Roswell, NM, and Hershel Anglin of Vernon; three sisters, Mattie Winton and Norma Jean Parker, both of Wellington, and Aline Vandiver of Amarillo; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Mark John Howard, Donnie Ray Howard, Mark Allen, Earl Shields, Buddy Howard, Orsbain Perkins, and Buster Shields.

The family suggests that memorials be to the Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 South Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101.

Graveside services for Dorothy Faye McDaniel, age 74, were held on Wednesday, March 21, 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.

Mrs. McDaniel died Monday, March 19, 2001, in Fritch.  She was born February 24, 1927, in Glen Rose, Somervell County, Texas.  She was a resident of Big Lake, Texas, before moving to Fritch 20 years ago.  She married Jack Ray McDaniel on November 4, 1967, at Claude.  She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her father, W.B. “Jack” Edens, in 1991 and a son, Jerry Melvin Gilchrest, in 1973.

Survivors include her husband, Jack McDaniel of Fritch; her mother, Hazel Edens of Clarendon; one son, Robert McDaniel of Lubbock; three daughters, Sue Denton and Beth Watson, both of Sanford, and Katherine Salinas of Colorado; two sisters, Beth Wynn of Clarendon and Bonnie Cherry of Burnet; 14 grandchildren; and number of great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that memorials be to BSA Hospice.

Helen Frances “Boo” Porter Lowe of Clarendon, Texas, went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ and members of her family on March 9, 2001.

Helen Lowe was born March 30, 1926, to Ralph and Jennie Dale Porter in Clarendon and became the beloved wife of William J. “Bill” Lowe on August 26, 1948, in Clarendon. Helen was the cherished mother and grandmother of Harry and Cindy Lowe Koch of Heath, Texas; Will, Sandy, Callie, and Lila Lowe of Houston, Texas; and Sam, Tonya, and Emory Lowe of Amarillo, Texas.  She is also survived by her sisters, Annie Ree Porter Stuckman of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jean Dale Porter Landreth of Denver, Colorado; and by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and numerous cousins. Helen’s mother and father predeceased her, as did her brothers, William M. (Bill) Porter and Ralph Powell (Sonny) Porter. She also was predeceased by an infant son, William Douglas Lowe.

Helen attended Clarendon public schools and Clarendon College and earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas. After graduation, she worked on the Gonzales, Texas, newspaper; and many years later she wrote the column, “Bifocals,” for The Clarendon Press. At the time of her marriage to Bill Lowe, Helen was employed on the staff of The Roundup, a publication of the University of Texas.

When Bill completed law school in 1949, the Lowes returned to Clarendon, where Bill joined Helen’s father in the practice of law. Helen taught in the Lelia Lake Public Schools until she and Bill started their family. She then became a full-time, stay-at-home mother who supported Bill fully in the practice of law.

Mrs. Lowe was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clarendon and previously was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon where she taught Sunday School.  She was also a member of the Pathfinders Club in Clarendon and served on the board of the Gabbie Betts Burton  Memorial Library in Clarendon, where she volunteered in the literacy program.  Among her other many civic and community activity involvements were Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Helen Lowe was a person who very quietly lived as a Christian, doing many things for others in private, without seeking recognition of any kind.

Services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2001, in the First Baptist Church of Clarendon with Rev. Truman Ledbetter, Pastor, officiating. Interment was in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas, with Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., directing.

Casket bearers were Doug Lowe, Jerry Broadway, Jerry Courtney, John Dryden, John Moore, Wayne Lowe, Jeff Walker, and Larry Brackett,

Honorary bearers were T.M. Caldwell, Kenneth Vaughan, Charlie Deyhle, Wade Porter, Chuck Deyhle, Doug Shelton, R.L. Gilkey, and Keith Crawford.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Clarendon or to the Gabbie Betts Burton Memorial Library of Clarendon.

Katie Beulah Phillips, 102, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, in Clarendon, Texas.

Services were held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, March 12, 2001, in Robertson Chapel of Memories with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon, officiating.

Burial was in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc.

Mrs. Phillips was born September 28, 1898, in Herron, Hill County, Texas; and she was a resident of Clarendon for more than 70 years. She married Lloyd Clay Phillips on July 21, 1917, at Chillicothe.  He preceded her in death on October 30, 1944. She worked as a waitress for much of her life, and she attended the Church of Christ.

Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by four sons: A.D., Billy, Lavel, and Donnie Phillips; and by three grandchildren: Robert, Ronnie, and Tambra Phillips.

Survivors include one daughter, Laverne Berger of Big Spring; one son, Jimmy Phillips of Mexico; a daughter-in-law, Bettie Phillips of Clarendon; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 8 great great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Mutt Graham. B.B. Osburn, Todd Phillips, Ricky Phillips, and Justin Phillips.

The family suggests that memorials be to Medical Center Nursing Home in Clarendon or Crown of Texas Hospice in Amarillo.

Donald Dean Simmons, Sr., died March 11, 2001, in Amarillo.

Services will be Friday, March 16, at Robertson Chapel of Memories with Bruce Howard, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hedley, officiating. Burial will be in Ft. Sill Cemetery in Ft. Sill, Okla.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon. The family will be gathering at Saye’s Guest Cottage.

Mr. Simmons was born August 6, 1939, at Mankato, Kan., and graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1957. He retired from the US Army in 1979 after 20 years. He served two tours in Germany and two tours in Korea.

At the time of his death he had made his home in Clarendon, having moved here from Amarillo.

He is survived by a daughter, Kimberly Kirkland of Howardwick and her husband Barry; a son, Donald Simmons, Jr., of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Justin and Lauryn Kellas of Howardwick and Brandon, Kaycee, and Chelsea Simmons of Amarillo.