Today's Obituaries (July 6, 1998)

Vera Opal Taggart

Vera Opal Taggart, 85, formerly of Abilene, died Saturday in DeSoto.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Elmwood Memorial Park with the Rev. Larry Hooper officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Taggart was born in Coleman and attended school in Rotan. She moved to Abilene from Aspermont in 1950 and was a Baptist. She was employed by Lankford's for eight years and for U.S. Timex for four years before retiring. She married Chesley Elton Taggart in 1929 in Roby; he preceded her in death.

Survivors include one brother, William Troy Priddy of Hurst; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene 79604.

James Griggs

James H. Griggs, 62, died Saturday at a local hospital.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy. 277 South, with Danny Huyck officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.

Mr. Griggs was born in Gilmer and moved to Abilene from Dallas in 1982. He retired after 21 years with the U.S. Army and was a retired independent carrier contractor for the Abilene Reporter-News. He was a member of American Legion Post 664 and a Protestant. He married Peggy Bonner in 1956 in Gilmer.

Survivors include his wife of Abilene; three sons, Michael H. Griggs of Tye, Robert A. Griggs and James E. Griggs, both of Abilene; three brothers, Herman Griggs of Waelder, Troy Griggs of Ore City and Morris Griggs of Jefferson; one sister, Geneva Caputo of Center Moriches, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren.

Kodi Lynn Gates Hinson

WATAUGA - Kodi Lynn Gates Hinson, 36, died Friday at a San Antonio hospital.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Hinson was born in Abilene and was a homemaker. She was active with the deaf community in Watauga and the Birdville Independent School District.

Survivors include her husband, S. Grant Hinson of Watauga; two daughters, Shelbi McNew and Haley Hinson, both of Watauga; one son, Devon McNew of Watauga; one stepdaughter, Patti Hinson of Watauga; one stepson, Travis Hinson of Watauga; her parents, Barbara Rains of Lubbock and Bobby and Juanita Rains of Weatherford; two brothers, Scott Gates of Weatherford and Todd Rains of Fort Campbell, Ky.; two sisters, Kelli Breshear of Lubbock and Tracy Tully of San Antonio; several aunts and uncles from Abilene and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Nadene Sansom

BROWNWOOD - Nadene Sansom, 79, died Saturday at a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Jenkins Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Lyn Turbow officiating, directed by Heartland Funeral Home.

Mrs. Sansom was the widow of Max Turney, Roy Weidner and Harmon Sansom.

Survivors include two sisters, Joy Nell Underwood of Burleson and Jennette Reich of Blanket; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Juanita Ortega

BIG SPRING - Juanita Ortega, 62, formerly of Rotan, died Saturday in Midland.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with the Rev. Johnrose Hayden officiating, directed by Weathersbee Funeral Home of Rotan.

Mrs. Ortega was born in Rotan and was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Mary Flores and Lucy Miramontez, both of Midland, and Yolanda Zapata of Big Spring; three sons, Joe Flores of Midland, Javier Zapata of Big Spring and Martin Vina of Rotan; three sisters, seven brothers, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Lois Bullard

BROWNWOOD - Lois Bullard, 86, died Saturday at a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Greenleaf Cemetery with the Rev. Ruben Packer officiating, directed by Heartland Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bullard was born in Ardmore, Okla., and lived in Brownwood all her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Nazarene church. She married Andy Bullard in 1939 in Brownwood; he preceded her in death.

Survivors include one daughter, Deannie Morris of Brownwood; five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Martell 'Bud' Lewis

BIG SPRING - Martell "Bud" Lewis, 81, died Saturday at a local nursing home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel. Burial will be in Trinity Memorial Park.

Mr. Lewis was born in Hillsboro and graduated from Overton High School and Kilgore Junior College. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was a member of Overton Masonic Lodge. He moved to Big Spring in 1957 from Overton and was a founding member of the Big Spring Gem and Mineral Society. He worked for Gulf Oil Company for 49 years, retiring in 1981 as an LPG field coordinator. He was a member of East Fourth Baptist Church. He married Letha Villyard in 1938 in Overton.

Survivors include his wife of Big Spring; one son, Jerry Floyd Lewis of Killeen; two daughters, Linda Cundiff of Lubbock and Peggy Jeanne Smith of Tucson, Ariz.; four sisters, Jean Suber of Henderson, Mildred McLane of Levertts Chapel, JoAnn Kirkland of White Oak and Nancy Roberts of Pasadena; one brother, C.E. Lewis of Liberty City; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to High School Bible Fund, c/o Howard County Ministers Fellowship, 1008 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring 79720.

Johnie Allen Stracener

Johnie Allen Stracener, 66, of Meridian died Sunday at a local hospital. Services are pending with Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Alan Jay Oden

ALBANY - Alan Jay Oden, 17, died Sunday at his home. Services are pending with Godfrey-Neese Funeral Home.

Dixie Lee Glass

SNYDER - Dixie Lee Glass, 89, died Saturday at a local hospital after a lengthy illness. Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Eastside Church of Christ, directed by Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

Larry Glen Miles

SWEETWATER - Larry Glen Miles, 56, died Sunday in Odessa. Services are pending with McCoy Funeral Home.

Moree Holt Dixon

SWEETWATER - Moree Holt Dixon, 93, died Sunday at a local hospital. Services are pending with McCoy Funeral Home.

H.P. 'Pete' Thornton

GORDON - H.P. "Pete" Thornton, 89, died Sunday. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hannibal United Methodist Church in Hannibal, directed by Edwards Funeral Home of Strawn.

LaWanta Livingston

EASTLAND - LaWanta Livingston, 74, died Saturday at her home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.