Obituaries

Deborah Lorene Land, our beloved wife, mother and grandmother went to be with the Lord on January 4, 2021.

A celebration of Deborah’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Panhandle. Burial will follow in the Panhandle Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.

Deborah was born in Groom April 12, 1951 to Alexander Selkirk and Lorene McAnear. She was raised on a farm that was on the county line between Donley and Armstrong. Deborah accepted the Lord at the young age at Goodnight Baptist Church. Growing up in a family of seven, they all worked together, doing their part on the farm. She attended school for 12 years at Clarendon. During school years she was an exceptional tennis player, going on after high school to play college tennis. She graduated from Clarendon High School in 1969 and attended Clarendon College for two years earning her Associate Degree.

Deborah married Steve Land on May 22, 1971. After the wedding they moved to Canyon, Texas to attend West Texas State University. Deborah earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and began a lifelong profession as a teacher. She taught at Rolling Hills Elementary School one year before moving to Memphis with Steve where she taught one year at Lakeview Schools, before ending three years at Memphis Elementary. While at Memphis, she helped with the women’s tennis program developing several state champions.

In 1978, she moved to Panhandle with Steve where she taught kindergarten for 3 years, then moved to Jr High where she taught English and Reading until she retired in May 2008. During her teaching years at Panhandle, she managed to raise 3 boys and make numerous trips to North Western University in Oklahoma to earn her Master’s of Education degree. She had an impact on the lives of so many students during her career, many of them being at Panhandle High School.

After retirement, Deborah helped with vacation bible school at First Baptist. She loved doing yard work and working in her flower beds.

She loved traveling to Warrenton and Canton to hunt for vintage treasures, but her favorite was attending her grandkids activities.

Deborah is preceded in death by her parents, AS and Lorene McAnear; her sisters, Barbara Harmon and Brenda Barrett; and two brothers, Jimmy McAnear and Cody McAnear.

“DD” is survived by her husband, Steve of Panhandle; three sons, Mark and wife Callie of Panhandle, Kirk and wife Josie of Amarillo and Wesley and future wife, Sarah; two sisters, Judy and husband, Bill Monk of Amarillo and Sheila Babbitt of Amarillo. She is also survived by her very special loved ones, five grandchildren, Mackie, Leah, Carly, Jack, and Joyce and Grand dogs, Bandit, Hondo, Oakley, and Scout along with one Grand cat, Raider.

The family request memorials to the First Baptist Church of Panhandle.

Mae Ellen Butler, 84, of Clarendon died Monday, January 4, 2021 in Clarendon.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021 in St. Stephens Baptist Church in Clarendon. Graveside service will follow 12:00 p.m. in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Viewing will be held Friday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mae Ellen Butler was born on November 9, 1936 to Jimmy Lee and Varie Harris of Matador, Texas. She enjoyed dancing, hanging out with family and friends, and never met a stranger. She was a lifetime resident of Clarendon and a member of St. Stephens Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam Butler, and 4 brothers and 2 sisters
She leaves to cherish her memories: Two sisters, Fern Jones and May Dee Harris ; One brother Bennie lee Harris of clarendon Texas; five daughters Lena Faye Dawson of Amarillo, Texas, Mary Ann Moreno, Geneva Butler, and Pearly Butler of Clarendon, Texas, and Shawn and Bill Walker of Fort Worth, Texas. May Butler had 32 grandchildren, over 75 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Thelma Estelle (Moss) Shields, 91, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord Saturday, January 9, 2021, in Amarillo.

A Public Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Viewing will be Friday, January 15, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Family requests the wearing of a face mask and to practice social distancing. Officiating the service is Gary Shields (son), Landon Shields (grandson), Larry Shields (son), Craig Shields (son) and Audie Shields (son). Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Mrs. Shields was born in Bray and had been a Donley County resident her entire life. She married Arthur Gibson Shields in 1955 at Hedley. Her community involvement included Book Club, Red Hatters and Texas Teacher Retirement Association. She was a school teacher with a primary focus on teaching music. She was a member of the Clarendon Church of Christ where she loved to serve her Lord and others.

Through her life she enjoyed anything musical, playing the piano, teaching herself to play the violin, painting, daily Bible reading, teaching Bible class and enjoying time with her family. She loved her family, her fellow teachers, students, church family and friends. Love is something she practiced in her life. If you knew her you witnessed the love that filled her heart. She was an example of unconditional love with a tremendous natural ability to overlook the faults of others.

She is survived by four sons, Gary Shields and wife Renee’ of Lelia Lake, Larry Shields and wife Pat of Amarillo, Craig Shields and wife Cathy of Friona and Audie Shields and wife Sonye of Mineral Wells. 11 grandchildren,23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Shields, Father Walter H. Moss, Mother Vera Willie (Bailey) Moss, Brothers Clarence Moss and Gene Moss, Sisters Louise (Moss) Farris and Letha (Moss) Springer.

A memorial webpage is available at the following link: http://thelmashields.wixsite.com/memorial

Memorials can be sent to Tipton Children’s Home, 1000 N Broadway Ave, Tipton, OK 73570 or Rowe Cemetery, PO BOX 213, Hedley, TX 79237.

On January 8, 2021, Russell Bret White of Clarendon passed away at the age of 54.

Bret will be forever missed by his wife Leslie White, his daughters Maci White and Skyler Johnston (and husband David), his parents Donald and Mary White, his brother Randy White (and wife Jana), his nieces Kristin Henderson (and husband Michael) Jenci Dorl (and husband Trent), and Janae White, 3 great nieces and a great nephew, as well as in-laws Mark, Cenee, Brice, and Briss Graham and father in-law Keith Graham and the late Brenda Driver Graham.

Bret White was born in Wellington on November 30, 1966 to Mary and Donald White. Bret was a faithful member of the Clarendon Church of Christ and loved the Lord. When he made the decision to put on Christ in baptism, he knew the importance and wanted to do it immediately.

During his years at Clarendon High School, Bret excelled in football and track and earned multiple honors in FFA and judging. After graduating high school in 1985, he attended Clarendon College where he had a short career in bareback bronc riding, averaging 0.07 seconds per attempt. He only attempted it once.

Bret stayed in Clarendon after college and was Co-owner, along with his brother Randy, of White’s Feed and Seed. Anyone who went into the “feed store” is bound to have some fond memories of Bret and know that he never met a stranger, always had time for everyone, and never failed to shake your hand or give you the best bear hug you have ever received. If you spent any time roasting peanuts at White’s Feed and Seed or leaning on the counter sipping coffee at WTG, you know Bret’s heart. Bret was very soft spoken, but katy bar the door when he got to that point. He always spoke with such wisdom and if he had something to say you better listen because he had put a lot of thought into it. He also had such a servant’s heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

He prepared communion for 33 years and helped Leslie clean the church building, however, most of the time he could be found at the podium singing songs over the mic as Leslie strongly encouraged him to get back to work. After 27 years of working at the feed store Bret switched careers to be the district manager of West Texas Gas, covering the areas of Pampa, Claude, Clarendon, Hall County, and Wellington. He took pride in his job and loved his employees; he was so proud of their station and the kindness they showed the customers and community.

Bret loved his brother Randy; they were not only siblings but best friends. Together, along with their dad, they worked the land at Quail and enjoyed working cattle, ranching, and picking at their momma. You knew Bret loved you when he picked on you. Bret also loved the Clarendon Broncos. On Friday nights he could be spotted standing near the concession stand, with his hands behind his back, watching the game and Saturday mornings eating breakfast burritos and talking play by play with the boys at the store. Bret was an avid music lover and had an eclectic taste ranging from gospel to rock to prime country. He enjoyed singing. When he was courting Leslie, he would sing to her, and over the years the most precious memories are of him singing to his family. Even in his final moments he was singing, “God be with you till we meet again” to his bride.

Bret married his beautiful bride, Leslie Graham on August 22, 1987 and together they had two precious girls, Maci and Skyler. If you ever talked to Bret you knew how proud he was of his girls. The thing he enjoyed most in life was being a daddy and husband. He was also the very best Uncle B to his nieces, but the name he was most excited to carry was that of B-Paw and he couldn’t wait to meet his first grandchild this summer. I like to think B-Paw is already playing ball with his grandson. -My tribute to you Uncle B, love Kristin

Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the Quail Cemetery 4156 FM 1547 Quail, Texas 79251. At the caution light turn left, and the cemetery is one-mile north on the right.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the Clarendon Ambulance Association for their care and compassion.

If you feel led to give in Memory of Bret, please make a contribution to the Clarendon Ambulance Association.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Jewel Fay Carter-House of Ranger, formerly of Clarendon, passed away in Ranger on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the age of 102.

Graveside services were held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jewel was born July 30, 1918 in Granbury, Texas to Walter Thomas and Annie L. Endsley Chapman. Prior to moving to Ranger, Jewel had been a longtime resident of Clarendon. She had married A.G. Carter in 1960 and after his death in 1970, Jewel married Clarence House in 1985. Jewel was a loving mother and grandmother. Jewel also loved cooking, and even had a few of her recipes published in several cookbooks in Donley County. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; by both her husbands, A.G. in 1960 and Clarence in 1987; a brother, Homer Washington Chapman; and by a sister, Mary Agnes Chapman.

She is survived by a son, Charlie Anderson of Ranger; a daughter Julia Barker and husband Clyde of Stinnett; 5 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and by 4 great-great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens Center.

Imogene Randall, 90, of Hedley died Monday, January 11, 2021 in Memphis.

Graveside services will be 3:00 PM Thursday, January 14, 2021 in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Viewing was held Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.

Imogene was born December 20, 1930 in Floydada to Herbert Marice and Ruby Duncan Williams. She married Claude Randall on February 7, 1964 in Henrietta, Texas. She had been a resident of Hedley since 2000. She was a licensed dog groomer and enjoyed painting. She was a devoted Christian and read her Bible daily. She volunteered for Faith City Missions while living in Amarillo and was a member of the First Assembly of God in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on April 14, 2008; and a sister, Jo Loucks.

She is survived by her son, David Young of Paris, Texas; her daughters, Teresa Brun of Memphis and Jeannie Webb of Paris,

Texas; a sister, Francis Wheeler of Parnell; 4 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Joe Brian McCary, age 56 of Clarendon, passed away on January 3, 2021, while visiting family in De Leon, Texas.

Brian was born in Fort Worth on March 6, 1964, to Clovis McCary and Gerry Hall.

He graduated in 1983 from Richland High School, and he married Lisa Witkowski on May 5, 1989. They had one son, Jacob King McCary, born October 29, 1990.

Brian was employed by Beck Plumbing for more than 20 years while accomplishing his journeyman license in plumbing from the State of Texas. He has been self-employed plumber in Clarendon for the last 20 years.

Brian was known and remembered by family for having a kind heart and a giving soul and having great physical strength. He loved Elvis Presley and his dogs, especially Abigail, Sam, and Buddy. His favorite pastime was watching movies. He was most proud of his son, Jacob King McCary, and his grandson, Austin McCary.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Tom Hall; a stepbrother, Mark Hall; parental grandparents, Henry and Lillie Mae McCary; and maternal grandparents, Vree and Naomi King.

He is survived by his son, Jacob King McCary; his grandson, Austin McCary of Clarendon; the mother of his son, Lisa Witkoski McCary of Fort Worth; his father Clovis McCary and wife Emily of Clarendon; his mother, Gerry Hall of De Leon; two sisters, Gwen McCary of Lubbock and April McCary Hampton and husband Jason of Amarillo; several nephews and nieces and great nephews; special friends Randy and Kellie Beck of Decatur and Shirley Osburn of Clarendon; and his fur baby, “Buddy.”

The family will honor his wishes to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Clarendon.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Meals on Wheels PO Drawer B, Clarendon TX 79226.

Be good! What a simple phase, but J.D. Skaggs made it a way of life. Born in Wellington on November 1, 1931, he began a journey to being an unassuming giant of goodness. As a young child his parents, John Fenton Skaggs and Hattie Ophelia Plunkett Skaggs, moved the family to Hedley to farm a mountain of caliche. Hard ground and hard times made his brothers, Frank, John Edward, Harvey, Douglas Jr, and Billy Ray, tough enough to take care of their only sister Inez.

After leaving school he followed the lead of his brothers and joined the United States Army in 1952 and left the farm for the first time. He was stationed at Fort Sill and Fort Bliss as a fuel transportation technician when he was deployed to Korea where he served two deployments. In 1954, J.D. received an honorable discharge and returned to Hedley to help his parents on the farm. As fate would have it, he began to drive the bus for Hedley High School and met the love of his life, Nena Marie Hill, and began the next chapter promptly after her graduation. On June 4, 1955, Nena Marie Hill became Mrs. Skaggs and the story of the good man truly began.

You see he was always a family man. He cared for his brothers and sister. He cared for his parents. He cared for his friends and Army comrades. But his real show of love was with the births of his three daughters, Vicky, Kay, and Cheryl. He made a life around raising and nurturing his wife and family and surrounding them with love.

He worked as a mechanic for several years and earned a living by the sweat of his brow and the wiry strength of his hands. Some years later, he got a job as a John Deere tractor mechanic. It has been said that he bled green and yellow and many people began to believe that his name was just initials for John Deere as his name became synonymous with the brand.

He became the prevailing expert in the area and a highly respected diagnostician of ailing machinery. After retiring from John Deere, he began working for Donley County as an equipment operator. You see he had fixed every kind of piece of heavy equipment, but his real fascination was with the operating of the toys he repaired. He truly loved his work and the ability it gave him to provide for his family.

J.D. raised three beautiful daughters, and his face glowed when he talked about them just like he did when he talked about Marie. He was so proud of his ladies and he loved his extended family, which was always expanding. As each of his brothers and sister passed away J.D. would gather in their children and families. He was the consummate patriarch of his family and his arms always seemed long enough to wrap the whole brood in a hug. He loved his nieces and nephews, cousin and adopted children and always had a kind word, a hug and a smile for each and every one of them. When he became a grandfather his capacity to love exceeded all logic and expectation.

There are a million words to describe a man of few words. Words like gentle, kind, gracious, godly, understanding, compassionate, loyal, strong, and resilient don’t even begin to describe the man he was to the members of his family and friends. There was but one word; he was GOOD. In every sense of the word, he was good. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and prayed every day. He loved his church family, and his godly nature led him on the journey to genuine goodness.

He taught us all how to be good through his example, and we will always strain to reach the lofty standard he set for us. We will forever be challenged to uphold the legacy he worked so hard to instill in us. He became a hero, a mentor, a shoulder, a confidant, a helping hand, and stronghold of love for many of us throughout life. Therefore, in his memory we challenge each of you to uphold the standard of goodness you have been shown.

On December 28, 2020, at the age of 89, he finally received the reward he had been striving for so long and received his wings in glory.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, six brothers, one sister and the love of his life Nina Marie.

He is survived by his daughters Vicky Knowles and husband Anthony of Memphis, Kay Manuel and husband Gary of Memphis, and Cheryl Skaggs of Broken Arrow, Okla.; three grandsons, Josh Talley and wife Candace of Memphis, Matt Talley and wife Jessie of Hartley, and Dustin Knowles and wife Krista of Keller; seven great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A family lead memorial service was held at the First United Methodist Church in Hedley on January 2, 2021. Graveside services followed in Rowe Cemetery.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Bobby Stephens, 78, of Lefors passed away, Monday, December 28, 2020, at home.

Services were held on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at First Baptist Church in Lefors with Rev. Mathew Honeycutt, pastor at First Baptist Church of Lefors, and Rev Ken Houston, pastor at Sunray Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Mr. Stephens was born September 6, 1942, in Memphis to John and Inez Skaggs Stephens. Bobby graduated from Hedley High School in 1961. He was a fireman with the Amarillo Fire Department for 15 years. Bobby started B&C Plumbing in Amarillo before joining Malcolm Hinkle Plumbing in Pampa to be near his love, Maxine Sanders. They were married on March 17, 1989, in Amarillo. In 1993, he started working in the maintenance department at TDCJ, retiring in 2003. Bobby enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending winters in the Rio Grande Valley. He also loved cooking out and spending time with his family, especially all his grandchildren. Bobby was a member at First Baptist Church of Lefors.

He is preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Gaye McGuire on January 31, 2017.

He is survived by wife, Maxine of the home; two daughters, Kimberly Powell and husband Jay of Tool and Connie Burnam and husband Rick of Hedley; nine grandchildren, Nathalie, Kristopher, Sarah, Kyle, Bradley, Patricia, Amber, Timber, and Tamra; 15 great-grandchildren and a great great-grandson.

Memorials can be made to BSA Hospice of the Southwest, 5211 SW 9th Ave., Suite 100, Amarillo, Texas 79106, or Panfork Baptist Encampment, 4530 CR 210, Wellington, TX 79095.

Sign the online register at www.carmichael-whatley.com.

Maxine Talley Robinson, 81 of Clarendon, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on December 21, 2020.

Maxine was born June 1, 1939, in Ashtola to Wanna Mae and Emery Talley. The eldest of three children, Maxine was ever in the role of caretaker as well as big sister. While most of her growing up years were in Donley County, where she developed a love of the outdoors, cattle, and animals of all kinds, the family briefly moved to Odessa, where she formed a lifelong bond with her best friend, Bonnie Lewis. This bond of childhood friendship lasted more than 70 years until her passing.

Maxine was active in the family’s farming and cattle business with her taking an important role as she and her husband, Don, traveled to Canada, California, Arizona, Missouri, and many other destinations throughout the US marketing, showing, and hauling cattle. Ever a person who loved the outdoors, Maxine often helped with the crops as well.

Maxine’s love for the Lord is evidenced by her willingness to bring others to Christ. She can be credited with sparking the desire for baptism in many in the community and in her family. Maxine leaves behind a great legacy as each and every one of her children and her grandchildren are followers of Christ. As a Bible school teacher or one willing to bring food to the sick or bereaved or readily drive someone to Amarillo for doctor’s visits, Maxine truly had a servant’s heart. Possibly, she will be best known in her family for encouraging her family to study the Bible. As she always said, the Lord wants a portion of your time and studying his word every day is the best way.

Maxine loved her family and is survived by her husband of 64 years, Don; the couple’s three children, Mona Robinson Oney, Clint (Elaina) Robinson and Lori Robinson. Maxine took great delight in her six grandchildren: Michelle (Jimmy) Spradley, Sarah (Dustin) Clark, Heather (Martin) Oliver, Alexa (Jeremy) Leech, Michael (Kylie) Hall, and Samantha Jarpe. A source of pride and joy for Maxine were her 10 great grandchildren: Camden Spradley, Jayci Clark, Nolan Spradley, Dylan Clark, Shaylee Hall, Madilynn Oliver, Daegan Hall, Ryan Leech, Caleb Oliver and Dawson Hall.

Maxine leaves behind many other friends and family members including her sister, Judy Hays and husband Bill; her niece Christina George; Christina’s children Aaron and Cassie Childress; a new great niece Vivia; and brother-in-law, Dale Robinson and wife Sue and son Morgan.

Maxine is proceeded in death by her parents Wanna Mae and Emery Talley, her brother Wendell, her grandmother Beulah Matlock, her mother-in-law Lois Robinson and son-in-law Bruce Oney.

Memorials may be made to the Eastern European Mission, PO Box 55245, Hurst, TX 76054, physical address 777 Lonesome Dove Trail Hurst, TX 76054. Their phone #800.486.1818. Their website info@eem.org. EEM distributes Bibles to Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and the Ukraine.

A celebration of life for Maxine will be held at a later time.