Today's Obituaries (July 19, 1998)

Libbie Grace Hill

Libbie Grace Hill, 85, died Saturday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Hill was born in Jayton and moved to Abilene in 1963 from Hamlin. She worked as a cook and also was a foster grandparent for 15 years. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church and was the widow of Glenn Lee Hill, whom she married in 1940 in Stamford.

Survivors include one son, Jimmie Hill of Albuquerque, N.M.; one daughter, Glenda Smith of Breckenridge; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be sent to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene 79605; or Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene 79604.

The family will be at 1002 S. Bowie. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Jewell Foster Morgan

Jewell Foster Morgan, 90, died Friday in a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Elmwood Memorial Park with Dr. Tim Griffin officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Morgan was born in Anson, where she graduated from high school, and attended Simmons College, now Hardin-Simmons University. She formerly lived in Lubbock and Snyder. She lived in Abilene for many years and was last employed as a cafeteria manager by the Abilene school system for 20 years and in food service by McMurry College. She was a member of Southwest Park Baptist Church and was the widow of John Austin Morgan, whom she married in 1929 in Abilene.

Survivors include one daughter, Billie Jean Boren of Snyder; four sons, James A. Morgan of Abilene, Bobby Joel Morgan of Arlington, Harry Dwayne Morgan of Austin and Larry Wayne Morgan of Normangee; one sister, Preble Lowe of Hamilton; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2901 S. 20th, Abilene 79605.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Bernard 'Barney' Blair

Bernard "Barney" Blair, 65, died Thursday in a local hospital.

Graveside services with military honors will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Elmwood Memorial Park with Chaplain Capt. Dan Zulli officiating, directed by North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange.

Mr. Blair grew up in New York and married Doris Moll in 1953 in Albuquerque, N.M. He was in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years and served in Vietnam. He was stationed at Dyess in 1959, 1966, 1970 and 1973. He retired in 1973 as a staff sergeant. He then worked in the motel industry, for Aileens and, for 14 years, Abilene State School until retiring in 1992. He was a member of American Association of Retired Persons.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; two sons, Bruce Blair and Mike Blair, both of Abilene; two sisters, Kay Hallacy of Orlando, Fla., and Doris Pecord of Titusville, Fla.; and three grandchildren.

Juanita Faye Bradshaw

Juanita Faye Bradshaw, 75, died Friday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 U.S. Hwy 277 South, with Dr. Elbert Peak officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Bradshaw was born in Callahan County and attended school in Haskell, Ovalo and Bradshaw. She moved to Abilene in 1952 from Tuscola. She was a lunchroom worker for five years at Faith Christian School and four years with the Abilene school system. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church and was the widow of Jacob Artie Bradshaw, whom she married in 1939 in Abilene.

Survivors include one son, Timothy Wayne Bradshaw of Abilene; two daughters, Jacqueline Miller of Abilene and Pamela Tamez of Waurika, Okla.; one brother, Doc W. Phariss of Abilene; one sister, Louise Davis of Abilene; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Jeff Douglas Rodgers

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jeff Douglas Rodgers, 40, grandson of two Abilene residents, died Sunday in Tampa, Fla.

Services were Friday in John S. Rhodes Funeral Home Chapel in St. Petersburg, Fla. Burial was private.

Mr. Rodgers was born in Chincoteague, Va., and moved to the Tampa Bay, Fla. area in 1997. He owned and managed a fitness club in Orlando.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Beverly and Elven Rodgers of Angleton; his father, B.J. McClure of Vero Beach, Fla.; one brother, Brad Rodgers of Kingwood; two sisters, Karen Gupton of Springfield, Mo., and Sherry Lynn Ribbing of Mesa, Ariz.; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Briley of Abilene; his fiance, Stephanie McClean of Orlando; and two nephews and three nieces.

Chris Richardson

RANDLETT, Okla. -- Chris Richardson, 9, relative of several Big Country residents, died Thursday in a Fort Worth hospital.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Abundant Life Church of God in Burkburnett with the Rev. Anthony West officiating. Burial will be in Randlett Cemetery, directed by Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Burkburnett.

Chris was born in Fort Worth and moved to the Randlett area in 1995. He was a fourth-grade student at Big Pasture Elementary School and played Little League baseball. He was a member of Randlett 4-H Club and Abundant Life Church of God in Burkburnett.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Hill of Randlett and David Richardson of Abilene; two brothers, Brandon Richardson and Josh Richardson, both of Randlett; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Collins of Hamlin, James Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Danny Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hill, and Minnie Walker, all of Stamford, Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Hardtigan of Weslaco, and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Griffin of McCaulley.

James Othel O'Kelly

TRENT -- James Othel O'Kelly, 73, local civic leader, died Saturday in an Abilene hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Trent United Methodist Church with Larry Gill, and the Revs. Tommy Beck and Brett Rowlett officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories, directed by McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater.

Mr. O'Kelly was born in Trent, where he was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Trent High School and married Patsy Cox in 1945 in Merkel. He was a farmer and rancher. He served on the steering committee for United Bank and Trust in Trent. He was a Trent school trustee, and director of Production Credit Association and S.U.N. Water Supply Corp. He also was a 50-year member of Merkel Masonic Lodge and was a 32-degree Mason. He was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher at Trent United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Trent; one son, Owen "Bubba" O'Kelly of Trent; one daughter, Melinda Simpson of Trent; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Trent United Methodist Church, Trent 79561; or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene 79601.

Lauran Haley Helms

ROTAN -- Lauran Haley Helms, 15, who was to be a sophomore at Rotan High School this fall, died Friday in an Abilene hospital.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Rotan First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Larry Holder and Werth Mayes officiating. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery, directed by Weathersbee Funeral Home.

Haley was born in Lubbock and was a high school honor student. She played basketball and volleyball and, as a freshman, qualified for the state track meet. She also was a varsity cheerleader. She served on the Student Congress and annual staff and was named a class favorite. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her parents, Clay and Gwen Helms of Rotan; one sister, Sunny Helms of Rotan; one brother, Hunter Helms of Rotan; her paternal grandmother, Betty Helms McCright of Rotan; her maternal grandparents, Johnny and Melba Fitzgerald of Plains; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mattie Belle Gist Mallow

BROWNWOOD -- Mattie Belle Gist Mallow, 91, of Lubbock and formerly of Brownwood, died Thursday in Lubbock.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Mallow was born in Rising Star and grew up in Coleman. She lived in Brownwood for many years and worked as a nurse in the Brownwood area. She was a member of First Christian Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Norma Lanie Mallow Romero of Lubbock; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society, Brownwood Public Library and Brown County Humane Society.

Mary Marie Williams

COLEMAN -- Mary Marie Williams, 78, of Pasadena and formerly of Coleman County, died Saturday in Pasadena.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Walker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Brown Ranch Cemetery.

Mrs. Williams was born in Coleman and grew up in Coleman County. She was a homemaker and was a member of Pasadena First Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Vickie Williams of Pasadena; two sons, James Baker of Baytown and Jerry Williams of Stephenville; seven sisters, Roselean Metts and Alene Cope, both of Coleman, Melba Wesson of Brownwood, Aleta Trigg of Corpus Christi, Clara Row of Midland, Joan Stanton of Silsby and Jean Groze of Fort Worth; four brothers, Jim Ballard of Coleman, Bill Ballard of Big Spring, Chester Ballard of Brownwood and Wiley Ballard of Midland; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

The body may be viewed Monday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Timothy Wayne Taylor

BROWNWOOD -- Timothy Wayne Taylor, 38, of Houston and formerly of Brownwood, died Friday in a Houston hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Grace Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Park, directed by Davis-Morris Funeral Home. A second service will be held in Houston at a later date.

Mr. Taylor was born in Brownwood and graduated from Early High School in 1978 and Angelo State University in 1986. He worked as a loan administration officer for Chase Bank of Texas in Houston and was a member of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston.

Survivors include his parents, Edna Taylor of Brownwood, and David and Brenda Taylor of Early; one sister, Melissa Taylor of Bryan; two brothers, Russell Taylor and Ronnie Taylor, both of Brownwood; five nieces and two nephews; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 789, Brownwood 76804.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Mary 'Dee' Lelek

COLORADO CITY -- Mary "Dee" Lelek, 71, employed by Mitchell County Hospital for many years until retiring, died Tuesday at her home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Calvary Baptist Church with the Revs. Sammy Elliott and Pat Savage officiating. Burial will be in Dorn Cemetery, directed by Kiker-Seale Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lelek was born in Mitchell County, where she was a lifelong resident. She was the widow of Ernie Lelek, whom she married in 1951 in Portales, N.M.

Survivors include four sons, David Lelek of Quitman, John Lelek of Nashville, Tenn., Jerry Lelek of Snyder and Tim Lelek of Colorado City; three sisters, Nellie Matlock of Loraine, and Edith Matlock and Marcilene Hubbard, both of Colorado City; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Alvena Baker

BROWNWOOD -- Alvena Baker, 79, of Lake Brownwood, died Saturday in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Rocky Creek Cemetery with the Rev. R.J. Elkins officiating, directed by Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Mrs. Baker was born in Paris, Texas, and married Lawrence Baker in New Mexico. She was a homemaker and formerly lived in Odessa. She moved to Lake Brownwood in 1996 and was a Baptist.

Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Nina Gray of Lake Brownwood; two sons, Clayton Henderson and Edgar Henderson, both of Dallas; her mother, Fannie Kent of Odessa; one sister, Frances Mason of Big Spring; two brothers, Stanton Johnson and Howard Johnson, both of Odessa; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Larry Rayford

Larry Rayford, 42, died Friday in Grand Prairie. Services are pending with Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Wanda Jordan

Wanda C. Jordan, 69, of Hawley, died Friday from injuries received in an automobile accident in El Paso. Services are pending with Allen-Korzenewski Funeral Home, 1443 N. 2nd.

Thomas Flakes

Thomas Flakes died Saturday at his home. Services are pending with Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

John William Westmoreland

John William Westmoreland, 66, died Saturday in a local hospital. Services are pending with Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 U.S. Hwy 277 South.

E.M. 'Shorty' Phillips

BROWNWOOD -- E.M. "Shorty" Phillips, 78, of Lake Brownwood, died Saturday at his home. Services are pending with Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Seth Jenkins

BANGS -- Seth Jenkins, 87, died Saturday at his home. Services are pending with Davis-Morris Funeral Home of Brownwood.

Edna Womack

BIG SPRING -- Edna Womack, 79, died Friday in Big Spring. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Big Spring First Baptist Church, directed by Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Robert 'Bob' Bell

BROWNWOOD -- Robert H. "Bob" Bell, 84, died Saturday. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel.

Laura Smith Long

BROWNWOOD -- Laura E. Smith Long, 102, of Bryan and formerly of Brownwood, died Saturday in Bryan. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel.