Obituaries

Jeneda Maurice Gay, 85, of Hedley, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, in Amarillo.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Hedley with Anthony Knowles officiating. Burial will follow at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Jeneda was born May 3, 1938, in Grapeland, Texas, to Finis Bolton and Myrtle Frances Carter Woodard. She married Thomas Gay on June 11, 1955, in Hedley. She had been a resident of Hedley most of her life where she was a caregiver to many. Jeneda enjoyed sewing, cooking, taking care of her plants outside, and reupholstering furniture. She loved bowling and playing games, especially dominoes and cards. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Hedley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2012; her sons in law, David Evans and Mark Kirk; three brothers, Ray, Toby, and Jack Woodard; a sister, Ellen Dickey; a grandchild, Carl Thomas Gay; and a niece, Darlene Cook.

She is survived by her daughters, Diann Evans, Becky Kirk, Debbie Hanes, and Patty Dipprey all of Hedley; her brother, Johnny Woodard of Lefors; 13 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to Rowe Cemetery Association, PO Box 213, Hedley, Texas, 79237.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Ted Robert Sawyer, 59, of Amarillo, Texas died Saturday, August 26, 2023 in Amarillo.

Services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 29, 2023 in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Chris Downer, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Ted was a jack of all trades. He excelled in everything he touched from roping , welding, fabricating, sand and gravel business, and drawing up prints. He could recite the history of motorcycles, and Peterbilts from old to new. He had a built in calculator and was great with numbers and had a photographic memory.

He had no kids of his own, but he had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephew; Misti, Jamie, Kalli and Clay.

Ted could sit down at a table and carry on a conversation with the predominant as well as the less fortunate.

He would lend you a helping hand at any time.

Ted was the life of the party. There was never a dull moment when Ted was around, whatever the entertainment may desire.

He never met a stranger with his gift of gab. He had a fan base that reached all over the country; not many places you could go that someone didn’t know him.

He said many times that he had a lot of fun and lived life to the fullest. This is a true testament of a life celebration.

Ted and his momma, whom he loved dearly, are reunited in greener pastures, singing and dancing their favorite song, “Bobby Duby sold it to me”.

Ted was preceded in death by his father, Ed Sawyer; his mother, Mary Ann Craft; his step father, Bill Craft; and a step brother, Willie Craft.

Survivors include his brother, Dan Sawyer of Clarendon; his love, Kelly Dredin of Amarillo; a step brother, Jack Craft; his step sisters, Cathy Craft Keene and Chris Craft Matthews; his nieces and nephews, Misti Powell, Clay Sawyer, Jamie Jackson, and Kalli Hodge; several great nieces and nephews; and a host of great friends.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Doris Faye “MeMa” Salmon passed away peacefully on July 31, 2023, at the age of 88, surrounded by family.

Doris was born on June 21, 1935, to John Henry and Stella Crawford in Clarendon. She attended Clarendon High School.

In 1951, Doris met Richard Salmon and after a short romantic courtship they were married in 1952. They had 4 children, Jane born in 1952, Larry born in 1955, Morgan born in 1956, and Susie born in 1957. In 1961 they moved to Amarillo.

After the death of Richard Salmon in 1974, Doris lived at times in Dallas and Florida with her daughter, Jane. In 1993, Doris met her soul mate Billy Morg and moved to the farm in Brice, Texas until his death in 2011, after which she moved back to Amarillo.

Back in Amarillo, Doris reconnected with her life-long church, Washington Avenue Christian Church, where she deepened her Christian faith and enjoyed wonderful fellowship.

Doris was a kind, caring and loving mother to all of her children, raising all 4 of them to go on to accomplish great things. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. Family came first and was above all else to Doris, a value she instilled in all those around her. Mom was our biggest cheerleader and our constant supporter. Our mother was a source of inspiration to us all and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

Doris continued her love and dedication to family with her 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Doris was so proud of her large extended family and loved them all dearly.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, her soul mate, Billy Morg, her parents John Henry and Stella Crawford, and her brother, John Wesley Crawford.

She is survived by her 4 children, Jane (late husband Franz) Maenner, Larry (Ginger) Salmon, Morgan (Pamela) Salmon, and Susie (Mike) Wing: her 7 grandchildren, Brandon (Lindsey) Wing, Micah (Charles) Carden, Ashley (Josh) Ashley, Barrett Salmon, Meredith (Bret) Errington, Taylor (Janice) Salmon, and Logan (Tara) Salmon: her 13 great grandchildren, Walt, Wyatt & Morgan Wing; Ryah, Clara, Emry & Calem Carden; Field & Swayze – Kate Ashley; Penny Rose & Henry Salmon; and Colby & Pacey Salmon.

Our family is so grateful for the loving care our Mom received from the kind and dedicated care providers in the last year of her life.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79109.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 10:30 am, Washington Avenue Christian Church, 3800 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX 79110.

Burial will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 2:00 pm, Citizens Cemetery, Clarendon, Texas.

Richard “Rick” Glenn Benton, 66, of Clarendon, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Private family graveside services will be held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Rick was born on November 17, 1956, in Lynwood, CA, to Benjamin Carl and Jo Anne (Sibley) Benton. Rick grew up in Clarendon and briefly lived in Amarillo where he graduated from Amarillo High School. Rick was a licensed electrician and a true jack of all trades. He also did carpentry, stucco, and anything else in construction. He was always fixing or building something in his spare time.

Although Rick moved around throughout his life, Clarendon was always his home. He spent several years in Canyon while caring for his mother. Rick also loved his faithful companions, his dogs.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjiman Benton and Jo Anne (Sibley) Benton Brown; stepfather, Frank L. Brown, Jr.; and aunt, Wanda Root.

He is survived by his uncle, Harold Root of Canyon; step-brother, Timothy Frank Brown and wife Paula of Pampa; cousins, Dan Root and wife Natalie of Canyon, and Gena Richardson and husband Jerry of Canyon; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a local church of one’s choice.

Heaven found another angel. Ann Stepp went to be with the Lord at the age of 83 on July 17, 2023.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Wayne Stepp. Sister; Sue Gabbert. Daughters; Denise Pozzi (Zane). Carrie Spence (Jeff).

Grandchildren; Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi (Garrett), Travis Spence (Veronica), Brooke Pozzi-Smith (Blake). Great Grandchildren; Jaedynn, Haley, Chris, Bryce, Taylor, Aubrey Spence, Tinley Tonozzi, Sloan Smith and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandson Dillon Spence.

Funeral service were held on Monday, July 31, 2023 at Grace Memorial Chapel, 8819 US Hwy 87N, Victoria, Texas with Scott Weatherford, officiating. To leave a comforting message or to share a fond memory, please visit www.gracefuneralhome.net.

Samara Ann-Christine Johnson Best, of Comanche, Texas, died unexpectedly on July 18, 2023, due to a vehicle accident.

Samara was born on December 7, 2001, and was 21 years old. She was the most amazing wife, daughter, granddaughter, sibling, and aunt anyone could’ve been blessed to have.

Graveside services were held Wednesday July 26, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, where she was laid to rest near her beloved mother.

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

Samara was currently taking online college classes at Tarleton. She worked at Little Indians Daycare and loved her job. She attended Eastside Baptist and was strong in her faith with the Lord.

Samara spent most of her free time by Trenton’s side, whether fishing, hunting, or working on their house, they were always together. They were best friends, soulmates and loved their life together, even though it was cut short.

Everyone who knew Samara knew how stubborn, sassy, spirited, full of life and fun loving she was. She was ambitious, confident, fiercely competitive and forgiving almost to a fault. She loved her family and enjoyed spoiling her nieces and nephew.

She is survived by her husband Trenton Best; her parents, James and Julia Johnson; three brothers, Nathan Carson, Devin Lucero, and Matt Boyd; a sister Samara Duran; grandparents Mike and Cliftie Johnson, Melanie Thomas, and Sonyia Hill and many other family members and an abundance of friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother Alicia Carson, and though we rejoice that they will be reunited together in Heaven, we are devastated at the loss of her. We will miss Samara more than words can say.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Vera June Whaley Robinson passed away on July 12, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas. She was born June 9, 1939, to John William Whaley and Hazel Lois Coulter Whaley, in Stephens County, Oklahoma.

A memorial service will be held at Clarendon Church of Christ on July 21, 2023, at 10:00 am with graveside service at 2:00 pm  at Claude Cemetery in Claude, Texas. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.

June attended schools in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado, graduating from Plainview School near Griggs, Okla., in 1957. She attended Panhandle A & M College in Goodwell, OK where she met her soon-to-be husband Fred Edward Robinson. They married on June 14, 1959, in Adrian, Texas. Fred and June had three sons, Clay, Glen, and Scot Robinson. June also attended and graduated from West Texas State University in August 1970. Later at the age of 76, she graduated from Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock with an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies.

June’s careers were many and varied, representing her diverse interests. She worked in Civil Service, as an elementary school teacher, a secondary school teacher, home daycare provider, newspaper writer, librarian and author. Her hobbies included reading, crocheting, quilting and writing. She also spent time volunteering in Montezuma Creek, Utah with her brother Ray Whaley’s church.

June was preceded in death by a stillborn son, her parents, husband Fred, brothers Harry and Randell Whaley, brothers-in-law Eugene Robinson and Albert Formway, and sisters-in-law Tresa Whaley, Ellen Whaley, and Lynda Robinson.

Survivors include her sons and daughter-in-laws: Clay and Sherilyn Robinson, Glen and Renae Robinson, Scot and Sarah Robinson; grandchildren and spouses; Jesse and Jessica Robinson, Josiah Robinson, Janae and Casey Kreines, Joel Robinson and Kelsey Martin, Cody and Randi Glenn, Timothy and Courtney Robinson, Cassie and Stephen Dunn, Tressa Robinson, Logan Robinson and Sarah Grace Robinson; great-grandchildren Amos and Abigail Robinson, Ember Robinson, and Vera Kreines; as well as brothers and in-laws, Wayne Whaley and wife Karen, Ray Whaley and wife Oleta, and Larry Whaley, Shirley Robinson and Doris Formway and James Robinson. She was loved and cherished by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in numerous places. The family are eternally grateful to Rhinehart Elder Care in Clarendon for their loving, supportive care of June for the last 16 months.

The family suggests memorial gifts to be designated to the missions programs of Sunset International Bible Institute 3723 34th St. Lubbock, TX 79410 or online at https://www.sibi.cc/donate.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Joe Frank Robinson, Jr., 70, died on July 6, 2023, in Junction, Texas, where he had been a resident for several years. A service will be held at a later date, arrangements are under the direction of Kerrville Funeral Home in Kerrville, Texas.

Joe was born in Lubbock, Texas on May 5, 1953, to Joe and Vemelle Robinson. While playing in the back yard in Tahoka when he was only three years old, his clothes caught fire and he received third degree bums on both legs. After several skin grafts and months in recovery, he regained use of his legs. His family moved to Clarendon in 1959 and Joe attended schools there.

Joe was a veteran, having served two years in the U.S. Anny. He worked most of his life in sales.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother of forty-five years, Ruth Robinson, and his brother, Jim Robinson. He is survived by his sister, Janny Longan (Ed) and his brother, Jack Robinson (Susan); his stepsister, Libby Talley (Billy); and step-brother, Bill Word, and many nieces and nephews.