This Week

Sybil Brown was born July 18, 1926, to Sam and Mae Black. She was the third of eight children. She went home to be with her Lord on October 16, 2024, She was 98 years and 3 months old.

She graduated from Groom High School in May of 1943 and married Bud Brown of Groom the night she graduated. They were married 43 years. They lived in the Groom area all their lives.

She is survived by two children Brenda Lee and husband Bill of Devine, Texas, and Butch Brown and wife Charlene of Ashtola. Two brothers, Herschel Black and wife Ruth and Chubby Black and wife Nita, all of Hereford.

Gramme was also able to love and spoil five grandkids, 11 great grand kids and 18 great-great grand kid of her own as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She also loved and spoiled numerous kids and adults in the community with her banana pudding, chocolate and strawberry cakes, red beans and several other dishes she shared with friends and loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Poppa and Big Momma Black, three brothers and two sisters.

She worked at several different businesses in Groom and was a mainstay at the grocery store for nearly 50 years.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 26, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Groom. Visitation will be held Friday, October 25, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia, in Amarillo.

Her body will also be available for viewing at First Baptist Church in Groom from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. the day of the service.

The family suggests memorials to be made to the Food Pantry, PO Box 94, Groom, Texas 79039.

Jason Keith Lowrie, 58, of Clarendon went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Plano.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at the Clarendon Methodist Church. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery.

Jason was born in Canyon to David D. Lowrie and Judith Kay Gaines on August 7, 1966. He was a graduate of Caprock High School. He later moved to Clarendon, where he has been a lifelong resident, after marrying his wife of 29 years, Sharon Renee Spurlin Lowrie, on November 22, 1991. Together, they had one child together, Jessica, who later gave Jason his best little friend and grandson, Waylon.

Jason was a lifelong farmer and rancher who loved all things outdoors. Hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, and shooting were some of his favorite pastimes. He was also a very talented artist and loved to draw. Jason was a longtime member and past deacon of Clarendon Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon in 2020; and his father, David Lowrie in 2013.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Lowrie of Capitan, New Mexico; mother, Judith Chandler and husband, Terry, of Amarillo; stepmother, Paula Lowrie of Clarendon; two brothers, Jeffery Lowrie of Amarillo and Nathan Lowrie and wife, Shonda, of Clarendon; his grandson, Waylon Riggs and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Craig Merritt Snell, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 3, 2024, in Los Suenos, Costa Rica.

He was born on April 30, 1952, in Friona, Texas, he was the son of Gene and Jean Snell. Craig graduated from Pampa High School. He was known for his hard work and dedication to providing for his family.

A man of great passion, generosity, and knowledge, Craig’s brother, Kim, often referred to him as “Google before Google existed”. His journey took him from the farm fields of Pampa, Texas, to becoming a successful business owner in the Texas Panhandle. Craig loved fishing, hunting, exploring new places, enjoying good food, and sharing a good-natured tease.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Brad Snell, and his parents, Gene and Jean Snell.

He is survived by his wife, Kim; two sons, Eric Snell and wife Michelle, and Kyle Snell and wife Cristin; a daughter, Sheridan Frazier; and seven grandchildren: Madison Mason and husband Cole, Merritt Snell, Gavin Snell, Perry Frazier, Carder Snell, Sloan Frazier, and Callen Snell. He is also survived by his brother, Kim Snell and wife Jamie; two sisters, Jen Snell and Becky Harris; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

An informal celebration of Craig’s life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the River Falls Venue, 13851 Wild Horse Trail in Amarillo, at 2:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity.

Mary Joan Wood was born on January 17, 1938, in Hardeman County, Texas to George and Elizabeth Myers. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Lockney, and that is where she grew up and graduated high school in 1956.

Mary went to college at West Texas State University in Canyon where she excelled in bowling and led the team to many championships including the first ever women’s bowling traveling trophy. During her time at West Texas State, she was introduced to the love of her life, Bobby Wood, a young farmer from Groom, Texas. It was love at first sight and just four months later that farmer asked Mary for her hand in marriage. They were married on September 29, 1961 in Bushland, Texas.

Mary was no stranger to hard work, as she was Bobby’s right hand woman on the farm and ranch in Groom. There they raised registered Hereford cattle and farmed wheat, corn, and milo. Mary and Bobby traveled the country showing their cattle and gaining many life-long friends along the way. In 1963, the couple welcomed their daughter Kellye into the world, and four years later their son Kevin completed the family of four. Mary held many different clerical positions including working at banks, the Groom hospital, Groom ISD, and eventually retiring from the Pantex plant in Amarillo. Mary was a talented seamstress and enjoyed sewing beautiful garments for her daughter and granddaughters that even included matching dresses for their baby dolls. She enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to sew for the 4-H fashion shows and was an expert at patching Bobby’s work overalls. Mary was also a very talented painter and her many art pieces are cherished by her family.

Mary also had a very competitive nature and could often be found sitting in the bleachers yelling for the players and at the referees when they missed a call. She was also quite a card shark. She enjoyed playing all types of card games with friends and family, where no one was safe from her competitiveness.

The greatest legacy that Mary leaves is her love for Jesus Christ and her love for others. Mary gave her life to Jesus at an early age and served Him faithfully until her final breath on Earth. She served in countless Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible Schools, preparing meals for people, and never hesitated to open her home to those in need. We may never know the number of lives that were changed due to her servant’s heart. Mary and Bobby also shared a deep love of Southern Gospel music, and they attended numerous concerts and revivals with family and friends.

Mary entered her Heavenly Home on October 10, 2024; surrounded by family and friends at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, Texas.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband of 63 years, Bobby Wood; daughter, Kellye Jackson (Alan); son, Kevin Wood (Jennifer); and her sister, Sandra Hill. Endeared as “Nanny” to many more are four grandchildren: Kaci Bailey (Mitchel), Kolton Wood (Rebekah), Kyndal Dixon (Wade), and Kaleb Wood; and seven great-grandchildren: Micah, Karter, Andy, and Jeffrey Bailey; Knox Wood; Hank and Annie Dixon; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth Myers, and her
grandparents.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of East Texas, Home Care, and Home Place for the wonderful care they gave so graciously to Mary. There are numerous others we want to express our sincere gratitude to including her care-givers; Wanda Johnson, and dear long-time family friend Mike Watson.

Celebration of Life services were held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Landmark Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. A similar service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.