Today's Obituaries (July 28, 1998)

Elder Robert Taylor

Elder Robert Taylor, 81, died Sunday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Bethel Church of God in Christ with Elder W.G. Christy officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. Burial will be in Richmond, Calif.

Born in Lexington, Miss., Mr. Taylor was retired from the Army. He worked at a custodian for the Richmond Unified School District in Richmond for several years and moved to Abilene nine years ago. He married Julia Stevenson in Abilene in 1983 and was a member of Bethel Church of God in Christ.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; five sons, Robert G. Taylor of Antioch, Calif., James A. Taylor of San Leandro, Calif., and Cecil A. Taylor, Cedric A. Taylor and Timothy R. Taylor, all of California; five stepsons, Shane T. Stevenson of California, Sam Stevenson of Florida, and Howard Stevenson, Billy Stevenson and Bobby Stevenson, all of Abilene; two daughters, Irene Taylor and Iola Taylor, both of California; four stepdaughters, Mary Stevenson of Arlington, Zetta Lise of Fort Worth, Sandra Scruggs of New York and Cynthia Washington of Arizona; three brothers, Wilbert Taylor and James Taylor, both of Memphis, Tenn., and Joe Taylor of Los Angeles, Calif.; four sisters, Rebecca Taylor, Mary Taylor, Margaret Taylor and Lilly Taylor, all of Chicago, Ill.; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joseph Brown

Joseph L. Brown, 83, died Sunday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Fairmont United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael O'Connor officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Born in Emporia, Kan., Mr. Brown graduated from high school in Newton, Kan. He attended Bethel College in Newton and graduated from the University of Tulsa. He moved to Abilene from Mineral Wells in 1950. He was a self-employed geologist for 60 years and operated Joseph L. Brown Energy and Mineral Exploration.

He married Arlene Schanbacher in 1940 in Newton. He was a longtime member of Fairmont United Methodist, and he served the church in various capacities for 46 years. He was a member of the board of trustees and the administrative board, a lay leader and a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of Abilene Geological Society and the Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; two daughters, Patricia Looney of Shreveport, La., and Pamela Caton of Southlake; one sister, Pansey Hays of Fresno, Calif.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to The Salvation Army, 1726 Butternut, Abilene 79602; West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene 79605; and Meals on Wheels Plus, P.O. Box 903, Abilene 79604.

Victor Galvan

Victor Galvan, 50, died Sunday at home.

Services will be at 10 p.m. Wednesday in Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South, with the Rev. Charles Maciel officiating. Military graveside services will be in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Born in Brownfield, Mr. Galvan graduated from Loraine High School before attending Texas State Technical College and Hardin-Simmons University. He married Theresa Molina in Abilene in 1969. He retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after a 20-year career and later worked as a custodian for Abilene Independent School District. He was a member and deacon of Ambler Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; one son, David J. Galvan of Oakland, Calif.; one daughter, Gennie Galvan of Abilene; seven brothers, Carlos Galvan of Goose Creek, S.C., Manuel Galvan of Wichita Falls, Henry Galvan of Glendale, Ariz., Peter Galvan of Arkansas, David Galvan and Felix Galvan, both of Arlington, and Tino Galvan of Midland; three sisters, Margaret Quintela and Rita Hernandez, both of Midland, and Edna Galvan of Anchorage, Alaska.

Jesus Lopez

Jesus V. Lopez, 87, died Monday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with the Rev. David Garza Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

A farmer, Mr. Lopez was born in Tom Green County and attended public schools in Hobbs. He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 36th Infantry in Rome-Arno, Naples-Foggia and southern France campaigns. He was awarded the Purple Heart, EAME Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the American Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

He married Elvira Barboza in Mexico in 1947. He was a member of First Mexican Baptist Church and Disabled American Veteran, Taylor County 36th chapter. He was active as a volunteer in local nursing homes.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; one son, Jesse Lopez Jr. of Eula; two daughters, Minerva Cortez of Lubbock and Evangelina Darden of San Antonio; one sister, Ramona Ramon of Del Rio; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Diabled American Veteran, Taylor County 36th chapter, 2555 Grape, Abilene 79601.

Carl McFaul

AMARILLO - Carl C. McFaul, 69, formerly of Abilene, died July 13 in Abilene.

Services were July 16 in Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with the Rev. John Elser officiating.

Born in Sweet Home, Mr. McFaul married Teresa Kuss in Hermleigh in 1952. He moved from Abilene to Amarillo in 1971 and was a supervisor for AT&T. He was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Survivors include three sons, Daniel C. McFaul and Tim C. McFaul, both of Amarillo, and Jim D. McFaul of Brownwood; one daughter, Diana Hartmann of Abilene; three sisters; 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to a favorite charity.

Gerald Akins

WICHITA, Kans. - Gerald H. Akins, 73, formerly of Abilene, died Sunday at home.

Services will be Wednesday in Metropolitan Baptist Church with burial in White Chapel Cemetery.

A retired major and chaplain in the Air Force, Maj. Akins spent his formative years in Abilene. He was born in O'Donnell, attended Travis Elementary School in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1943. He served in the military from 1943-46 and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1949. He earned a master's degree in theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954 and resumed his military service in 1955 before retiring to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita in 1974.

Survivors include his wife Tanya, of Wichita; one son, Terry Akins of Wichita; four daughters, Jo Ann Briner, Joy Haig, Jaime Akins and Clarissa Akins, all of Wichita; one sister, LaVerne Alderman of Abilene; four brothers, Wesley Akins of San Antonio, Don Akins of Hampton, Va., and Cozy Akins and Neal Akins, both of Fort Worth; and eight grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Wichita, 313 S. Market, Wichita 67202, or Metropolitan Baptist, 525 W. Douglas, Wichita 67213.

William Thomas 'Bill' Kelley

CLYDE - William Thomas "Bill" Kelley, 82, died Monday in an Abilene hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Rick Cunningham and Jim Hall officiating. Burial will be in Clyde Cemetery.

Born in Lawn, Mr. Kelley married Bracie Sharp in Abilene in 1940. The couple moved to Clyde after his return from the Phillippines, where he served in the Army during World War II. He was a truck driver and a farmer, and retired from East Texas Motor Freight after 28 years. He owned and operated Kelley Gardens for many years.

Survivors include his wife, of Clyde; four daughters, Peggy Nunnally of Abilene, Linda Jones of Sweetwater, Betty Allison of Arlington and Connie Kelley of Austin; one brother, Jack Kelley of Tuscola; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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

Maria Mendoza

HAMLIN - Maria Mendoza, 72, died Monday in Abilene.

Rosary services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Foster-Adams Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Oscar Del Rio officiating. Burial will be in Hamlin Memorial Cemetery.

Born in Colorado City, Maria grew up in Hamlin. She married Ismael Mendoza in 1945 in Anson. She moved to Diboll in 1972 and to Rotan in 1997. She was a homemaker and a Catholic.

Survivors include one son, Ismael Mendoza Jr. of Abilene; three daughters, Olivia Olivares and Rosemary Rodriguez, both of Diboll, and Emma Soliz of Rotan; two brothers, Juan Lujan of Midland and Eulogio Lujan of Abilene; one sister, Bidala Flores of Hamlin; 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Mary Jackson

HOUSTON - Mary I. Jackson, 82, died Friday in Houston.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

Born in rural Mississippi, Mrs. Jackson marrried in 1934 and moved with her husband to Abilene. She traveled with her husband during the war, but their marriage did not survive. She trained in Memphis to become a beautician, and then returned to Abilene in 1944 where she worked at Montgomery Ward as a retail clerk and in the credit department. She moved to Houston in 1957, where she continued to work for Montgomery Ward. She became Houston central credit manager in 1961, and in 1971 she transferred to the Memorial City store, where she retired. She moved to Spring Branch in 1972.

Survivors include her son, Travis Glenn Jackson of Houston; two brothers, Arnold Stanford and Chester Stanford of Oxford, Miss.; two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Myrtle Simpson Everett

WICHITA FALLS - Myrtle Simpson Everett, 103, formerly of Throckmorton, died Saturday in a Wichita Falls hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in West Side Baptist Church with the Rev. Wade Hood officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Iowa Park, directed by Owens & Brumley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Everett was born in Erath County near Selden. She traveled by wagon to Black Tower, N.M., in 1906, where she and her family lived in a dugout on a land grant.

She married W.H. Everett of Throckmorton in 1939. The couple lived in Throckmorton until his death in 1967. That year, Mrs. Everett moved to Wichita Falls, where she was a member of West Side Baptist.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews, including Doy Terry, who lived with her in Wichita Falls.

Ernest Wayne Couch

GUSTINE - Ernest Wayne Couch, 67, died Monday in a Waco hospital.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Hall & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Harvey officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. Couch was born in Gustine and married Dorothy Davis in Comanche in 1953. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was a roundhouse foreman for Southern Pacific Railroad for 30 years before he retired. He moved to Gustine from Sanderson 15 years ago and was a member and deacon of Gustine First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Gustine; one daughter, Glenna Sandhoff of Riesel; two sons, Steve Couch of Fort Worth and Johnnie Couch of Bracketville; one brother, T.J. Couch of Gustine; one sister, Ione Denson of San Antonio; and eight grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Joe Welch

LAKE LEON - Joe E. Welch, 78, died Saturday in an Eastland hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Higginbotham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Clarence Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Born in Ranger, Mr. Welch married Claudie Wright in Breckenridge in 1939. He was an oilfield driller for many years and a member of the Pentecostal Church.

Survivors include three sons, Joel Ray Welch of Balch Springs, Jerry Welch of Houston and Lester Rich of Grand Junction, Colo.; one daughter, Troy Scitern of Gorman; two half-brothers, Finis Welch of Bryan and Elvon Welch of Phoenix, Ariz.; one half-sister, Nina Skelan of Houston; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bobby Carol Stockton

KNOX CITY - Bobby Carol Stockton, 54, of Dallas, formerly of Knox City, died Sunday at home.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Rochester Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Trice officiating, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Knox City.

Born in Knox City, Mr. Stockton worked in maintenance in Dallas. He was a Baptist.

Survivors include his mother, Leola Stockton of Knox City; two sisters, Cathy Ann Penman of Haskell and Pamela K. Nichols of Arlington; three daughters, Tamme LaNae Trentham of Olney, Terri Ann Collins of Farmer and Tonya Lee Brooks of Fort Worth; and four grandchildren.

Lawrence Badley

ALBANY - Lawrence L. Badley, 88, died Saturday in an Abilene hospital.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Albany Cemetery with the Rev. John Tunnell officiating, directed by Godfrey-Neese Funeral Home.

A farmer, Mr. Badley was born in Albany and married Laura Ruth Green in Breckenridge in 1938. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a member of First Christian Church, where he was baptized in 1935.

Survivors include one son, Ron Badley of Omaha, Neb.; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pauline Terry

HASKELL - Pauline Terry, 78, died Sunday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Robert Slayton and Shane Brue officiating. Burial will be in Willow Cemetery, directed by Holden-McCauley Funeral Directors.

Ms. Terry was born in Upshire County. She had lived in Haskell for 17 years and was a member of First United.

Survivors include five sisters, Lena Mae Patterson of Soul's Chapel; Winnie Faye Cox of Tyler, Louise Cerliano of Longview, Nathelee Caddell of Haskell and Laura Bell Thompson of Loveland, Colo.; one brother, Billy Joe Swinney of Haskell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to a favorite charity.

W.D. 'Durward' Daws

THROCKMORTON - W.D. "Durward" Daws, 98, died Monday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Merriman-Archer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Luther Holowell officiating. Burial will be in Throckmorton Cemetery.

A lifelong resident of Throckmorton, Mr. Daws was born in Young County. He was a rancher and a Presbyterian. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1920.

Survivors include one sister-in-law, Nan Daws of Wichita Falls, and several cousins.

Leta Noel Ferguson

BANGS - Leta Noel Ferguson, 72, of Brenham, formerly of Bangs, died Saturday in a Houston hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church in Brenham with the Rev. Harry Vein officiating. Burial will be in Chappell Hill Masonic Cemetery, directed by Memorial Oaks Chapel of Brenham.

Born in Sweetwater, Mrs. Ferguson attended Sweetwater schools and graduated from Bangs High School. She married E. Glynn Ferguson in Bangs in 1943. The couple moved to Brenham in 1986 when he became pastor of First United.

An active member of various United Methodist women's groups, Mrs. Ferguson helped to organize a group at Chappell Hill United Methodist Church, where her husband is currently pastor. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include her husband, of Brenham; one son, Robert Earl Ferguson of Dallas; one daughter, Tena Darlene Hernandez of Brenham; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Edwin and Dorothy Ferguson of Brownwood; and one grandson.

Memorials may be sent to the building fund of Chappell Hill United, P.O. Box 285, Chappell Hill 77426.

Bennie Parks

COLEMAN - Bennie L. Parks, 68, died Monday in a Coleman hospital. Services are pending with Stevens Funeral Home.

Clara Weaver Biard

HASKELL - Clara Weaver Biard, 85, died Monday at home. Services are pending with Holden-McCauley Funeral Directors.

Clayton Thomas Franklin

BIG SPRING - Clayton Thomas Franklin, 31, of Temple, formerly of Big Spring, died Sunday in Temple. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel.

Wilma Frances 'Fran' Prater

STRAWN - Wilma Frances "Fran" Prater, 62, died Sunday in Temple. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church, directed by Edwards Funeral Home.

George Sartwelle Barrows

SAN ANTONIO - George Sartwelle Barrows, 77, died Saturday in a San Antonio nursing home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in St. Matthew Episcopal Church, directed by Comanche Funeral Home of Comanche.

Josephine Amaro

DUBLIN - Josephine B. Amaro, 73, died Monday in a Dublin nursing home. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Harrell Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.

Inis Sparks

STEPHENVILLE - Inis M. Sparks, 81, died Monday in a Stephenville nursing home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in East Memorial Cemetery, directed by Stephenville Funeral Home.

Karen Joy Abbott

BIG SPRING - Karen Joy Abbott, 48, died Monday in a Lubbock hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church, directed by Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.