Today's Obituaries (May 28, 1998)

Corinne Rhodes

Corinne Louise Rhodes, 81, the first female dispatcher for the Abilene Police Department, died Tuesday in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Laverne Jansen officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Rhodes was a lifelong Abilene resident and worked for the Abilene Police Department for 18 years. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and was the widow of B.F. Rhodes Jr., whom she married in Abilene.

Survivors include two sons, Van Rhodes of Oklahoma City and Jerry Rhodes of Mesquite; and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene 79605; or Abilene Police Department, 450 Pecan, Abilene 79602.

Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Irene Prew

Irene D. Prew, 90, died Wednesday in a local hospital.

Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in North's Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Bush officiating. Burial will be in Clyde Catholic Cemetery.

Mrs. Prew was born in Taylor County and grew up in Hamby and Abilene. She attended St. Joseph Academy in Abilene and married Louis E. Prew in 1940 in Clyde. She returned to Abilene in 1958. She was one of the first volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews; and several great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces and great great nephews.

Mary Anna Scalley

Mary Anna Scalley, 85, of Harrison, N.J., died Wednesday at her son's home in Abilene.

Mass will be celebrated Saturday in Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harrison, N.J. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, N.J. Local arrangements were made by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Scalley was born in New York City and was a retired bookbinder. She was active in Girl Scouts of America for 60 years. She was a member of Byrum Bay Community Club in Hopatcong, N.J., and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harrison, N.J., and was the widow of John James Scalley.

Survivors include two sons, Frank Scalley of Hopatcong, N.J., and John Scalley of Abilene; one daughter, Anne Newman of Hopatcong, N.J.; one sister, Anne Peterson of North Arlington, N.J.; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Girl Scouts of America, 3125 Oldham Lane, Abilene 79602; or Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene 79604.

Lula Graham

ALBANY -- Lula Graham, 97, died Tuesday in an Abilene nursing home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Albany Church of Christ with Dale Scott and Brian Cope officiating. Burial will be in Lueders Clear Fork Cemetery, directed by Godfrey-Neese Funeral Home.

Mrs. Graham was born in Hood County and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Church of Christ and was the widow of Virgil Izah Graham, whom she married in 1920 in Glen Rose.

Survivors include two sons, Hirse Graham of Wichita Falls and Doyle Graham of Irving; three daughters, Armentha Martin of Albany, and Levona Macon and Mildred Morris, both of Abilene; one brother, Loyd Powell of Stephenville; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Fretta Gayle Edwards Wright

ROCHESTER -- Fretta Gayle Edwards Wright, 66, died Tuesday in an Abilene hospital after a long illness.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Rochester First Baptist Church with the Revs. Truett Kuenstler and Ed Buerkley officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Weinert, directed by Smith Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wright was born in Weinert, where she graduated from high school, and married Coleman Wright in 1950 in Haskell. She was a member of the last graduating class at Mary Meek School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse for 29 years and was employed by Stamford Memorial Hospital, Haskell and Knox County hospitals, Dr. W.F. Thompson & Associates Clinic, Mental Health-Mental Retardation and Skyview Living Center until retiring. She was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of Rochester; one son, Robert Doyle Wright of Abilene; one daughter, Lizette Camille Hastey of Breckenridge; one sister, Estalyn Liles of Haskell; three grandchildren; one aunt; and one nephew.

Mary Agnes Burson

WINTERS -- Mary Agnes Burson, 84, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Southside Baptist Church with the Rev. Gayland Broadstreet officiating. Burial will be in Crews Cemetery, directed by Winters Funeral Home.

Mrs. Burson was born in Cartersville, Ga., and moved to Crews as a child. She married Delbert Burson in 1946 in Abilene and worked as a seamstress. She was a Baptist.

Survivors include one son, Dan P. Brown of Orient; two daughters, Frances Gray and Betsy Ortega, both of Winters; one sister, Sally Mae Gerhart of Winters; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Helen Stephens

KNOX CITY -- Helen Stephens, 83, of Carrizozo, N.M., and formerly of Knox City, died Monday at her home after a long illness.

Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Knox City First Baptist Church with the Revs. Jack Maddox and Johnny Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Knox City Cemetery, directed by Smith Funeral Home.

Mrs. Stephens was born in Bells and was a homemaker. She worked at the Texas Tech University bookstore for several years until retiring and moved to New Mexico in 1997 from Lubbock. She was a member of Lubbock First Baptist Church and was the widow of Jim Stephens.

Survivors include two daughters, Jimmie Lu Gieb of Carrizozo, N.M., and Ada Ann McGowan of Dexter, Mo.; one sister, Mary Stephens of Lubbock; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen Alvey

COLEMAN -- Helen Alvey, 78, lifelong local resident, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Concho Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Sheffield and the Rev. James Posey officiating. Burial will be in Coleman Cemetery, directed by Stevens Funeral Home.

Mrs. Alvey was born in Mason County and married Curtis William Alvey in 1936 in Coleman County. She was a homemaker and also worked as a grocery store clerk and guitar teacher. She was a gospel singer at area churches and a songwriter. She was a member of Concho Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of Coleman; three sons, Curtis Leon Alvey of San Angelo, Eugene Alvey of San Antonio and Ronald Alvey of Hurst; one daughter, Dianah Herrera of Angel Fire, N.M.; one brother, Royce Gentry of Jeffersonville, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Big Country, 3113 Oldham Lane, Abilene 79602; or Coleman Senior Center, 310 S. Pecos, Coleman 76834.

James Claudie Allen

SWEETWATER -- James Claudie Allen, 85, died Tuesday in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Mount Zion Cemetery between Rotan and Hamlin with the Revs. Keith Clifton, Orvel Brantley and John Shugart officiating. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. in Lamar Street Baptist Church, directed by Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Mr. Allen was born in Double Mountain River Area in Throckmorton County and graduated from Hamlin High School in 1930. He served in the South Pacific during World War II and married Helen Smith in 1945. He worked for Helmerich and Payne Oil Co. for 34 years until retiring in 1978. He also lived in Iraan for 34 years until moving to Sweetwater in 1979 and was a former member of Iraan First Baptist Church. He was a deacon and Sunday school leader at Lamar Street Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of Sweetwater; two children, Buddy Allen and Beverly Allen Armstrong; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Edna Gladney Home in Fort Worth, Hendrick Hospice Care, Abilene, or Christmas Fund at Lamar Street Baptist Church.

Willis Raymond Ray

COLEMAN -- Willis Raymond Ray, 88, died Tuesday in a Brownwood care facility.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Walker Funeral Home Chapel with James Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Coleman City Cemetery.

Mr. Ray was born in Silver Valley and married Alma Loy Amick in 1934. He was a retired groceryman and was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Loyce Brown of Purmela; two sons, Jack Ray of Cisco and Willis Eugene Ray of Cuba, Mo.; one sister, Rosa Evelyn Cordell of Coleman; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Ronald Owens

BRECKENRIDGE -- Ronald Owens, 40, died Tuesday in Fort Worth.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Melton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Stewart officiating. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. in Masonic Cemetery in Abilene.

Mr. Owens was born in Graham and worked as a carpenter. He was a Baptist.

Survivors include one daughter, Michaela Owens of Clyde; one son, Benny Lynn Owens of Clyde; one sister, Gwen Atkinson of Breckenridge; and one brother, Curtis Owens of Woodson.

W.B. 'Buck' Williams

CLYDE -- W.B. "Buck" Williams, 90, died Wednesday in an Abilene hospital. Services are pending with Bailey Funeral Home.

Bill Lee Walker

BRECKENRIDGE -- Bill Lee Walker, 85, of Wichita Falls died Tuesday at his home. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Breckenridge Cemetery, directed by Morehart Mortuary.

Wesley Collins

WOODSON -- Wesley Collins, 44, died Friday in a Dallas hospital. The body was cremated. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Woodson First Baptist Church, directed by Merriman-Archer Funeral Home of Throckmorton.

Carlos DeLeon Jr.

BIG SPRING -- Carlos DeLeon Jr., 52, died Tuesday in a local hospital after a long illness. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Myers & Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Edmond Corrigan Jr.

STAMFORD -- Edmond J. Corrigan Jr., 91, died Tuesday in a local hospital. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Highland Memorial Cemetery, directed by Tankersley Funeral Home.

Wiley Leverett Henry

GOLDTHWAITE -- Wiley Leverett Henry, 94, died Tuesday in a local nursing home. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel.

James 'Jimmy' Thompson

SNYDER -- James A. "Jimmy" Thompson, 80, died Tuesday in a local hospital after a lengthy illness. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Presbyterian Church, directed by Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.