Obituaries

Susie Shadle, 65, of Clarendon died Sunday, August 25, 2019, in Amarillo.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2019, in the Donley County Activity Center in Clarendon. Private Family Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Susie was born June 22, 1954, in Amarillo to Harvey and June Price. She married James Dennis Shadle on July 21, 1971, in Clarendon. She had been a lifetime resident of Clarendon. Susie had worked for Lowe & Courtney Law office for 14 years and for Shelton Law Office and Security Abstract for 30 years where she was a legal secretary and title company manager.

She enjoyed golfing, reading, and walking and sometimes reading and walking combined. She loved the mountains and the beach. Susie had also taught Sunday school for several years. She dearly loved her kids, grandkids, and her great grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, Billy Price.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Shadle of Clarendon; her mother, June Price of Clarendon; a son, Che Shadle and wife Linde of Clarendon; a daughter, Tracy Herrera and husband Tony of Lubbock; a brother, Rick Price and wife Tammy of Lubbock; a sister, Cindy Caldwell of Pampa; a sister in law, Melody Price of Clarendon; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family request memorials be sent to Christ Kids in Clarendon.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Elizabeth “Bessie” Marie Fichte, 93, of Amarillo died Friday, August 23, 2019, in Amarillo.

Graveside Services were held on Monday, August 26, 2019, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Michael Erickson, officiating.

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

Bessie was born on July 18, 1926, in Wheeler to Louis Herman and Martha Annie Phillipp Seedig. She married Harvey Albert Fichte on October 11, 1950, in Wichita Falls. She was a resident of Holliday for many years before moving to Clarendon in 1968, where she worked for the county clerk. She enjoyed cooking and was a very active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Pampa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and numerous siblings.

She is survived by her son Ray Fichte and wife Cathie of Yukon, Oklahoma; grandson Zachary Fichte; granddaughter Jami Fichte and husband Matt Kepple; great-granddaughter Kennedy Ray Fichte; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the Citizens Cemetery Association.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com

Michael Shawn Odom, 60, of Ft. Worth died Tuesday, August 19, 2019 after a long illness.

Mike was born in Alamagordo, New Mexico on July 21, 1959, to parents Gene and Paula Skelton Odom. The family moved to Amarillo three months later where he attended school until moving to Ft. Worth, Texas in 1973. Mike attended Southwest High School and TCU. He served in the United State Air Force where he was stationed in Sembach, Germany. In 1980, while serving abroad, he met and married his wife, Carmen of Zaragoza, Spain. After his honorary discharge from the military, Mike went on to work and retire from the US Postal Service. Post-retirement, Mike did volunteer work including Meals-On-Wheels where he enjoyed helping those less fortunate. He would even carry extra unbrellas in his vehicle to hand out to the homeless caught in the rain. Mike enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and was always sensitive to their needs.

In their free time, Mike and Carmen loved traveling abroad. They traveled extensively through Europe, South and Central America, and Africa where Mike summited Mt. Kilimanjaro with his uncle, Sandy Skelton.

Mike is survived by his wife Carmen, sons Shawn Odom of Ft. Worth and Damian Odom of Zaragoza, Spain, parents Gene and Paula Skelton Odom of Aledo, grandmother Frances Skelton of Clarendon, brother Matthew Odom of Aledo, sisters Lisa Thompson of Ft. Worth and Roxann Aguilar of Lewisville, the Perera, Lerin, Monton and Jimenez families of Zaragoza, Spain, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.

James (JEM) Emmett Moores Simmons, 64, of Clarendon died Sunday, August 18, 2019.

Services were held on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, in First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Simmons was born March 21,1955, in Amarillo, and was a lifelong resident of Clarendon. He married Karen Ann Stafford October 14, 1978, at First Baptist Church in Clarendon. He was the owner at Simmons Insurance in Clarendon and serving as Vice-President at First Bank and Trust of Clarendon. In 1988, he took over the family ranching and farming operation.

Throughout his life he was involved with Boy Scout Troop #33 where he achieved Eagle Scout rank in 1969. He was a member of the Clarendon High School Class of ’73. He received his BBA from Texas Tech University in 1977 and received his master’s degree from West Texas State University.

He was a member of Al Morrah Shriners and Past Master of Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700, served on the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, and Clarendon Lions Club. He was a follower of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife Karen Ann Stafford Simmons, parents Anna Moores Swift and Emmett O. Simmons, and grandparents James D. Swift and Rachel Moores Swift, Nolie G. Simmons and Ella Hardin Simmons.

He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Simmons Zongker and husband Nathan of Clarendon, Jamie Kathleen Simmons Mehlhaff and husband Zach of Sachse, Texas; his grandchildren, Kase Ryan Zongker, Aleezah Brielle Mehlhaff, and Kinze Ann Zongker; one sister, Anna Beth Simmons McNabb of Charlotte, North Carolina; a mother in law, Elnora Stafford of Amarillo; two brothers in laws Tommy Stafford and wife Janice of Amarillo, Steve Stafford and wife Cindy of Claude; nieces and nephews Margaret McNabb, Madison McNabb, Amy Harris, Trey Stafford, Cody Stafford, Chrissy Fuller, and Chelsea Wright; and special friend Madeline Black of Clarendon.

The family requests that any memorials be to the Clarendon, Hedley, or Memphis Volunteer Fire Departments.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Rev. Melvin Brooks, Sr., 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 19, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Carl Taylor officiating. Burial followed in Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.

Rev. Brooks was born October 28, 1927, in Gilmer, Texas to Luther and Lubertha Ford Brooks. He proudly served in the United States Navy. He married the love of his life, Bennie Mae Pope on July 1, 1952. Rev. Brooks served the Lord faithfully from being a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and a Pastor. He loved his church home, St. Stephen’s Baptist Church in Clarendon, where he led the congregation for 29 years. Rev. Brooks retired from Phillips 66 as a craftsman. If you knew Rev. Brooks, then you knew he had a passion for gardening. He often shared the abundance of it with the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, James “Short Dog” Michael Brooks; grandson, Cedric Maurice Dickson; brothers, Charlie Brooks, Artis Brooks, Myers Brooks, Russell Brooks, Luther Brooks; and sisters, Connie Mack, Daisy Lee Odom, Inez Christian, Estine King and Buelah Hagler.

He is survived by his sons, Ben Melvin Brooks, Jr. and wife Janie of Wellington, Melton Ray Brooks of Muskogee, Oklahoma; daughters, Bertalene Dickson of Borger; Parilene Coffer of Dallas, Linda S. Heyward of California; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great great-great grandchildren; brother, Frank Brooks and wife Velma of Longview; sister, Doris Annette Moore of Longview; and a host of extended family.

Truman Neely Ledbetter, 81, of Claude died Friday, August 16, 2019, in Claude.

Services were held on Monday, August 19, 2019, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Rev. Eddy Helms and Rev. Dick Gravley, officiating. Burial followed in Claude Cemetery in Claude.
Arrangements are by Robertson Claude Chapel.

Truman was born September 9, 1937, in Samnorwood to Raymond “Red” and Ruby Neely Ledbetter. He married Jean Webb on August 30, 1959, in Samnorwood. Truman was a US Army veteran and was graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He had been a resident of Claude for 20 years. Truman had preached in Texas for over 30 years and was always busy visiting hospitals and the bereaved as a Pastor. He also was a correctional officer and Chaplain with TDCJ for 5 years. Truman loved watching westerns and was a Dallas Cowboys fan. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Troy Ledbetter; and a sister, Roberta Gollihugh.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Ledbetter of Claude; a son, Rod Ledbetter of Claude and girlfriend, Dawn; a daughter, Lisa Hooper and husband Rusty of Tulia; and five grandchildren, Corey, Chris, Cortnie, Tanner, and Laci.

The family request memorials be sent to the First Baptist Church in Claude.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Mackie Clark Salmon, 80, got his “angel wings” on August 16, 2019.

Services were held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Mackie was born July 20, 1939. He grew up at Brice and went to school at Lakeview. At 16, he moved to Cedar Park near Austin where he spent most of his life. After retirement, he moved to Amarillo at Brookdale Senior Living then to Memphis Convalescent the past years.

As a child, Mackie was kicked in the head by a horse and consequently had a reading disability. He worked for the post office for more than 30 years. The post master wrote him letters of thanks for never being late nor absent from work for 20 years and 30 years. Mackie was “Mister Clean”. He was always neat and clean. He bought a home which he kept spotless with everything in place. He polished his vehicles after every ride. When he drove home he would wash, wax, and polish everyone’s vehicle and give us warnings that our vehicles would last longer if we took better care of them. Mackie loved to rollerskate and took his neighbor kids with him. He became like a father figure to some attending their ballgames, etc. Mackie liked the Dallas Cowboys, cars, and horses. He will be sorely missed by all.

Mackie was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Henrietta Edens Salmon; a brother, Nolan Salmon and wife Sue Keever Salmon; a niece, Linnie Salmon Crosnoe; and a sister, Gaye Salmon Galvan.

Mackie is survived by his sister, Sammie Salmon Goodwin Doering of Clarendon; a niece, Gina Goodwin Dilly and husband Tom and daughter, Lauren Dilly of Rockford, Michigan; a niece, Gail Galvan and nephew Greg Galvan of Atascadero, California; grand niece, Bailey Crosnoe and grand nephew, Brayden Crosnoe of Frisco; and a nephew in law, Steve Crosnoe of Frisco.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Betty Ruth Braddock Collins, 89, of Amarillo died Sunday, August 11, 2019, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, in the Robertson Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Bobby Ellerbrook, officiating. Burial will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Betty was born on August 25, 1929, in Hopewell, Texas to Tommy Brince and Carrie Gladys Hargrove Gambill. She was raised in Paris, Texas, before moving to Clarendon, where she lived most of her life and was a member of the Assembly of God Church. She was very active in the church’s women’s ministry. She was a Cub Scout den mother. She enjoyed quilting and going to garage sales. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She worked most of her life in the hospitality industry, but her most important job was raising six children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe Collins in 2011; one son Ronnie Braddock; one daughter Sandra Braddock; and several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include four sons Jim Braddock and wife Sharon of Clarendon, Roy Braddock of Amarillo, Paul Braddock and wife Alvina of Amarillo, and Terry Braddock and wife Suzanne of Amarillo; one daughter Ramona Byrd and husband Jerry of Florida; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at the Jan Werner Care Center for taking such amazing care of Betty.

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be sent to the Jan Werner Care Center at 3108 S. Fillmore, Amarillo, Texas 79110. Sign the guest book at RobertsonFuneral.com

Freddy “Scooter” Wayne Beal, 47, of Hedley died Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Amarillo.

Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019, at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Oliver White Officiating.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Scooter was born on August 14, 1971, in Amarillo to Freddie Wayne Sr. and Mildred Boyd Beal. He graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1993. He moved from Quail to Hedley, where he has been a resident for the past seven years. He was a part of the Choctaw Tribe. He was a member of the New Life Ministries Church in Wellington. He loved cars and collected hundreds of Hot Wheels. He enjoyed airplanes, The Beach Boys, and going to church.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother Vesta Beal; maternal grandparents Charles and Rosa Boyd; and an uncle, Cecil Boyd.

He is survived by his parents Freddie Sr. and Mildred Beal of Hedley; a brother Robert Beal of Hedley; two sisters Memorie Beal of San Antonio and Robbie Beal of Memphis; one niece; six nephews; one great-niece; five great-nephews; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many loving friends.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the New Life Ministries Church or Faith City Missions

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com

Mable Margaret Tunnell, 91, of Clarendon died Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Kirk Watson, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mable was born May 9, 1928, at her grandmother’s in Hedley to William Henry and Myrtle Overta Moore. She lived most of her life at the RO Ranch in Donley county. She married Jay Stone in 1943 and they had one son, Roger “Rod” Stone. She married Richard Tunnell on June 3, 1977, in Amarillo. They owned drug stores in Clarendon, Pampa, Dumas, and Canyon. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Sis Frazier and Nell Stanton.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Tunnell of Clarendon; a son, Roger “Rod” Stone and wife Pam of Lawrence, Nebraska; a step-son, Kelly Tunnell and wife Vicky of Clarendon; two grandchildren, Jer and Justin Johnson; two great-grandchildren Koen and Kaser Johnson; Nephews, Jimmy Riley of Amarillo and Troy Stanton of Texas.

The family request memorials be sent to Citizens Cemetery Association.

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com