This Week

Thomas Clark Carson, 67, of Hedley, Texas died Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Hedley.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Hedley Methodist Church with Dr. Stan Cosby, officiating. Burial will be private in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

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

Thomas Clark Carson was born June 4, 1956, in Borger, the only son of Bill and Juanell Carson and the only brother of his older sister Susan.

Even though a cradle-roll Methodist from the beginning, there is no doubt that the Lord quickly saw the need to break the mold on this one; Tom is truly an original and there is not another like him on earth or now, in heaven.

Tom grew up in two places: Borger during the week and Hedley, at the farm, on weekends. He graduated from Borger High School in 1974. Tried college for a year and then entered the working world as a skilled cabinet and flooring professional. And he was good at it, as many will testify, one the best in Borger and the Texas Panhandle.

But it was in his avocations, the things he loved most, where he really excelled. When he was younger he was really good at golf, but ALL his life he was a superb hunter and woodsman.

His dad said, even as a kid, he was the fastest shot on a covey break he ever saw, bringing down more birds than anybody in the hunting party with his single-shot 20 gauge. Later, it was turkey and deer. He was the BUCK MASTER for sure as all my kids learned to call him at an early age.

Tom had many friends and buddies. He had a Texas-sized heart and would give you the shirt of his back. He was a great brother-in-law though he would refuse to call me brother-IN-LAW. We were BROTHERS, he would always say. And even repeated, the other day, the last time we saw him.

He is survived by his two children, Zack Carson and Brooklyn Carson of Amarillo; Step-children, Michelle Harbaugh and Jeramiah Dykes of Arkansas; Sister, Susan Cosby and husband Stan of Hedley; Girlfriend, Lauren Carter of Meade, Oklahoma; Nine grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

Melinda Jane McAnear, 75, of Clarendon, TX, passed away on April 20, 2024 at her home.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Tamplen officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Melinda Jane Moore McAnear was born in Amarillo, TX, on April 21, 1948 to James Ray and Margaret Jane (Whicker) Moore. She was a graduate of Clarendon High School. Melinda married Ronnie Charles McAnear on January 25, 1968 in Clarendon, and they had three children together, Todd, Jennifer, and Elizabeth.

Melinda was a life long member of the First United Methodist church where she enjoyed serving her time doing various church activities and planning meals. Her favorite place to be was cooking in her kitchen, canning vegetables and making jellies and jams. In her spare time, she enjoyed needlepointing, gardening, shelling black-eyed peas, traveling, playing bunco with friends and cheering on the Texas Longhorns. She also served 20 years on the Donley County Hospital Board and enjoyed participating in the meetings and spending time with the board where she developed special friendships.

She is preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Richard “Rip” Gilkey; and brother, Jim Moore.

Melinda is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ronnie McAnear of Clarendon; son, Todd McAnear of Clarendon; two daughters, Jennifer Lindsey and husband, Tony, of Memphis, and Elizabeth Cowan and husband, Deon, of Lubbock; brother, John Moore and wife, Cathy, of Fort Worth; sister, Tina Putnam and husband, David, of Austin; seven grandchildren, Samantha Hatley and husband, Bryce, Jami Lee Lindsey, Will Overstreet and wife, Amber, Drew Overstreet, Trevor Cowan, Aaron Cowan and wife, Emily, and their son Noah, Stormie Gonzales and husband, Keagan; and her first great-grandson is expected in May, Jay Wesley Hatley.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clarendon Associated Ambulance Authority, PO Box 1240, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Jani Beth Blackerby Walker passed away on April 15, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. Beth was born December 18, 1937, in Anson, Texas to Lester and Clytis Blackerby.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Clarendon on Friday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. A private burial service will be at Clarendon Citizen’s Cemetery.

Beth attended 13 different schools in 12 years of public school. Despite that, she graduated top of her class from Snyder, Oklahoma, in 1956. Lester had moved the family there to pastor the small rural church at Pleasant Valley. This move brought Jefferson Lonzo Walker, Jr. into Beth’s orbit, and they began a long-distance dating relationship. After high school, Beth attended Jacksonville Baptist College as well as Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, and West Texas State University. On April 25, 1959, Jeff and Beth were married in Jacksonville, Texas. The couple moved to Clarendon in 1964 where they remained until 2020. They had three children, Sherilyn Jan Walker Robinson, Kristen Leigh Walker Musser, and Douglas Jeff Walker. Later, Dee Ann Cook Wilson became a part of Jeff and Beth’s family.

Beth spent most of her career in the legal field. She worked for Lowe, Courtney, and Shelton, Attorneys at Law for years as a legal secretary and subsequently, as a legal assistant. In her later career, she became deeply involved in the Texas Association of Legal Secretaries and then the National Association of Legal Secretaries serving in various positions and offices. In 1976, she was awarded Texas Legal Secretary of the Year. Beth was frequently sought out as a speaker across the nation and loved the opportunity to train the younger generation of legal professionals.

Beth enjoyed her many years of volunteering in the music ministry at First Baptist Church, Clarendon. She was a children’s choir director, youth choir director and often subbed as the adult choir director when needed. Worship was a strong passion in her life, and even in her declining health, she loved singing to Jesus. Beth also taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church for many years and enjoyed spending time with her class members as they explored God’s word together.

Beth was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Blackerby and her parents.

She is survived by her husband Jeff of Amarillo, daughter Sherilyn and husband Clay of Clarendon, daughter Kristen and husband Jim of Rolla, Missouri, son Doug and wife D’Ann of Amarillo, and daughter Dee Ann of Canyon, Texas. Beth was also blessed with 16 grandchildren, their spouses, and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Jo Ann Selvidge of Amarillo, Jimmy Blackerby of Amarillo and Jackie Ricks and husband Thomas of Mineola, Texas, sister-in-laws Wanda Kellet of Lawton, Oklahoma, Loveta Sue Camp of Arlington, Texas, Arleta Jones of Snyder, Oklahoma and Arlena Thompson and husband Jerry of Rockford, Illinois as well as beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Casket bearers are her beloved grandchildren.

The family is grateful to Legacy at Town Square and Enhabit Hospice for their excellent care of Beth. The family suggests memorials to be given to First Baptist Church of Clarendon, Texas.