Today's Obituaries (Aug. 8, 1998)

Onis Crawford

MERKEL -- Onis Millard Crawford, 81, first manager of the Merkel Chamber of Commerce, died Thursday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Merkel First Baptist Church with the Revs. Marion Fonville and Jimmy Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, directed by Starbuck Funeral Home.

Mr. Crawford was born in Stamford and served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He co-owned Crawford's Department Store in Merkel. He was a former chamber of commerce manager and also a past director of the XIT Rodeo and Reunion, both in Dalhart. He was a member of the Lions Club and Golden Saints. He was a deacon and longtime treasurer at First Baptist Church and was the widower of Latina Morris Crawford, whom he married in 1941 in Hamlin.

Survivors include two sons, Jim Crawford of Odessa and Robert Crawford of Andrews; one daughter, Mignon Brown of New Home; two brothers, Earl Crawford of Riverside, Calif., and Ralph Crawford of Fort Worth; and six grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 399, Merkel 79536.

Dora Ely Allen

COLEMAN -- Dora Ely Allen, 86, died Thursday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 4 p.m. today in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Britt Farmer officiating. Burial will be in Coleman Cemetery.

Mrs. Allen was born in Coleman and graduated from Coleman High School, and Central Texas Hospital Training School in Brownwood in 1933. She worked as a registered nurse at Overall-Morris Hospital in Coleman, Shannon Hospital and, for many years, the hospital in Bronte. She also was employed by Kenedy Clinic and Hospital. She taught vocational classes for nurses in Kenedy, Bronte and Coleman. She lived in Talpa, Bronte, Andrews, Denver City, Karnes City and Evant before returning to Coleman in 1965. She was a member of Elm Street Church of Christ and was the widow of Dean Martin; and James Allen, whom she married in 1940.

Survivors include one daughter, Camille Martin Sandusky of Hondo; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Alzheimer's Association of West Central Texas, P.O. Box 3344, Abilene 79604; or Hospice of the Big Country, 3113 Oldham Lane, Abilene 79602.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-noon today in the funeral home.

Laura Tucker

HAMLIN -- Laura Tucker, 92, lifelong local resident, died Friday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Foster-Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. James Brigham and Randy Larpenteur officiating. Burial will be in Hamlin Memorial Cemetery.

Mrs. Tucker was born in Moody and attended school in Hamlin. She formerly worked as a operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone and also was an Avon representative. She was named Hamlin's Coming Home Queen in 1972. She was a member of the Church of Christ and was the widow of Frank Tucker, whom she married in 1938 in Anson.

Survivors include one stepson, F.A. Tucker; one sister, Madge Woodson of Stamford; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Herman Kopp Sr.

PRIDDY -- Herman Kopp Sr., 93, died Friday in a Hamilton hospital. Services are pending with Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home of Goldthwaite.

Ray Oliphant

HASKELL -- Ray Oliphant, 95, died Friday in a local hospital. Services are pending with Holden-McCauley Funeral Directors.

Cindy Brown Russell

BRECKENRIDGE -- Cindy Brown Russell, 43, died Friday in a local hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Morehart Mortuary Chapel.

Earnest Lee Kelsey

RISING STAR -- Earnest Lee Kelsey, 60, of Marion, Ark., died Wednesday in Arkansas. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Stag Creek Cemetery, directed by Higginbotham Funeral Home.

Annie Laurie Douglass Webb

BIG SPRING -- Annie Laurie Douglass Webb, 53, died Friday in a Lubbock hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel.