Today's Obituaries (Aug. 15, 1998)

Marie Thomas and Ida Hurd

BROWNWOOD -- Marie Thomas, 88, and Ida Hurd, 79, sisters who had lived in Brownwood for 78 years, died three days apart. Mrs. Thomas died Monday in a local nursing home and Mrs. Hurd died Thursday in a Brownwood hospital.

A single funeral service for the two will be at 11 a.m. today in Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Thomas will be buried in Greenleaf Cemetery and Mrs. Hurd in Eastlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Thomas, a homemaker, was born in LaGrange. She was the widow of Bennie Thomas and a member of West Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Mrs. Hurd, also born in LaGrange, was the widow of Vernon Hurd. She was a homemaker and a member of Church of God in Christ. Both sisters had lived in Brownwood for 78 years.

Mrs. Thomas' survivors include two sisters, Mary Reed of Greenville and Nell Jones of Fort Worth; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many other family members.

Mrs. Hurd's survivors include her two sisters, a number of nieces and nephews and other family members.

Carrie Browning Nollner

Carrie Browning Nollner, 98, died Friday in an Abilene nursing home.

Services will be next week in First United Methodist Church in Carthage, Tenn. Burial will be in Hartsville Cemetery in Hartsville, Tenn., with local arrangements by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Nollner was born in Macon County, Tenn., and attended school in Hartsville, where she married James Nollner in 1925. She was a homemaker, a self-employed piano teacher, and the church organist of First United Methodist for 40 years. She moved to Abilene from Carthage, Tenn., in 1986.

Survivors include one daughter, Faith Morley of Abilene; three granddaughters; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Sears Methodist Center, Benevolent Care Fund, 3233 S. Willis, Abilene 79605.

Rafaela de la Cruz Charo

Rafaela de la Cruz Charo, 88, died Thursday in a local hospital.

Mass will be at 10 a.m. today in St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. David Matz officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Born in Castroville, Mrs. Charo married Trinidad Cruz Charo Jr. in Pleasanton in 1930. The couple moved to Abilene in 1950. Mrs. Charo was a homemaker and a member of St. Francis Catholic Church.

Survivors include one son, Alfredo Solis Charo of Abilene; two daughters, Mary C. Aranda and Natividad Lopez, both of Abilene; 25 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert Smith

Robert Smith, 85, died Thursday in an Abilene hospital.

Graveside services will be today in Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring with the Rev. Mike Patterson officiating, directed by Eliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South.

Born in Howard County, Mr. Smith farmed in Martin County until World War II, when he served in the Army Air Force. After the war, he came to Big Spring, where he was a civilian pilot and instructor. He later became a machinist for Cosden Refinery, and he retired in 1977 after a 25-year career. After having lived in Big Spring for 42 years, he moved to Abilene in 1986.

In 1934, he married Audie Mae Currie in Stanton. He was a member of Wylie Baptist Church in Abilene.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; two brothers, Harmon Smith of Victoria and Howard Smith of Evergreen, Colo.; two sisters, Marjorie Grissam and Neva Phillips, both of Big Spring; and one granddaughter.

Memorials may be sent to a donor's favorite charity.

Margaret Helen Snell

MEDWAY, Mass. -- Margaret Helen Snell, 85, formerly of Natick, Mass., died July 21 in a Milford, Mass., hospital.

Services were held in Christ Episcopal Church in Medway with the Rev. Robert Ginn of Templeton, Mass., officiating.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1912, Mrs. Snell graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. She was retired from the accounting firm of William Mahaney in Natick and the widow of Donald E. Snell Sr. She had lived in Wareham, Mass., for many years before moving to Medway. She was a longtime member of Rebbeca Lodge in Medway and the Altar Guild of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Wareham, and was also a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church in Natick for many years.

Survivors include one daughter, Donna Bowser of Medway; one son, Donald E. Snell Jr. of Abilene; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Memorials may be sent to Tri-Valley Elder Services, 251 Main St., Webster, Mass., 01570, or to Christ Episcopal Church in Medway.

Ben Creek

COLEMAN -- Ben Creek, 86, died Thursday at home.

Services will be at 4 p.m. today in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Paul Smith officiating and Mike Brady assisting. Burial will be in Leaday Cemetery, directed by Stevens Funeral Home.

Born in Van Dyke in Comanche County, Mr. Creek attended schools in Coleman County. He married Bessie Kennedy in Leaday in 1932 and farmed and ranched in the Leaday area for many years. He began working for Coleman County Schools in 1933 at Mozelle School, where he worked for 20 years. Afterward he worked at Jim Ned School in Tuscola for 10 years. In 1969, he and Mrs. Creek moved to Pyote. He worked for the West Texas Children's Home there until 1976, when the couple retired to Coleman. After his wife died in 1993, he married Lucille Bludworth Gould in 1994. He was a member of Central Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Coleman; two daughters, Bennie Faye Powell of Lomita, Calif., and Delores Tucker of Desdemona; two stepdaughters, Linda Brady and Glenda Calloway, both of Burkett; one stepson, Russell Gould of Abilene; two brothers, J.R. Creek of Coleman and Wayne Creek of Dallas; one sister, Emma Mae Stanfield of Abilene; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Big Country, 3113 Oldham, Abilene 79602.

Marlene Goodgame

HAMLIN -- Marlene Goodgame, 64, of Abilene, formerly of Hamlin, died Thursday in an Abilene hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Hendrick Medical Center Chapel. Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Friday in Hamlin Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. James Brigham officiating, directed by Foster-Adams Funeral Home.

Born in Hamlin, Mrs. Goodgame graduated from Hamlin High School in 1951. She attended Hendrick School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse in Hendrick Medical Center for over 36 years.

Survivors include one son, Brett Kenyon of Abilene, and one brother, Robert Goodgame Jr. of Hamlin.

Charles Grisham

BROWNWOOD -- Charles Grisham, 67, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday in Davis-Morris Funeral Home with the Rev. R.J. Elkins officiating. His body was cremated, and burial will be in Vincent Cemetery.

Born in Big Spring, Charles Grisham graduated from Colorado City High School. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was a Baptist and a retired office manager for American Express. He moved to Brownwood in 1998 after living in California for 38 years

Survivors include his mother, Opal Gartman of Brownwood, formerly of Colorado City; one sister, Jo Ann Shackelford of Brookesmith; one brother, Carl Grisham of Sandia; and several nieces and nephews.

William David Gamble

MERKEL -- William David Gamble, 81, longtime Merkel pharmacist and civic leader, died Friday in a Merkel nursing home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, directed by Starbuck Funeral Home.

Born in Merkel, Mr. Gamble graduated from Merkel High School in 1934 and from the University of Texas in 1938 with a pharmaceutical degree. He owned and operated Merkel Drug Company for 65 years and was also a rancher. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He married Bessie Ryals Gamble in Merkel, and in 1957 the Texas Pharmaceutical Association named him pharmacist of the year. He was Merkel's outstanding citizen in 1972 and "Mr. Ex" at his 50th high school reunion.

Mr. Gamble was a member of First Baptist Church, the school board, Merkel Cemetery Association, the Confederate Air Force, the Merkel Livestock Association board, city tax equalization board and the Merkel hospital commission. He was president of the Merkel Lions Club and Merkel Golden Cavalcade, the first president of Merkel Chamber of Commerce, Merkel Junior Chamber of Commerce and Merkel Brushstompers Riding Club. He was director of Merkel Veterans of Foreign Wars and Merkel Swimming Pool Corporation. He was also chairman of Merkel Public Housing Authority and Merkel Community Girl Scouts.

Survivors include two daughters, Bronwyn Leamon of El Paso and Karlen Hardy of Merkel; and four grandchildren.

Tence Blair

COLEMAN -- Tence Blair, 97, died Friday in a Brownwood hospital.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Sheffield officiating. Burial will be in Leaday Cemetery.

A lifelong resident of Coleman County, Mr. Blair was born in Coleman County and grew up there. He was a farmer and a Baptist.

Survivors include one brother, Travis Blair of Brownwood; two nephews and several nieces.

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

Frank Cook

SYLVESTER -- Frank Cook, 45, died Friday in Sylvester.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Sylvester Baptist Church with the Rev. Bruce Hess officiating. Burial will be in Neuman Cemetery, directed by Foster-Adams Funeral Home of Hamlin.

Born in Pasadena, Mr. Cook graduated from from McCaulley High School in 1973. He lived in Sylvester most of his life, and was a farm laborer and a Baptist.

Survivors include his parents, A.J. and Joyce Cook of Sylvester; two brothers, Mack Cook of Austin and Alan Cook of Las Vegas, Nev.; one sister, Suzanne Vera Cruz of Big Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

Pearl Brinson Smith

DUBLIN -- Pearl Brinson Smith, 99, of Richland Hills, died Wednesday in a Hurst nursing home.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Harrell Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Kyle Davis officiating. Burial will be in Proctor Cemetery in Proctor.

Mrs. Smith was born in Comanche County and married Ponnie Edward Smith in Proctor in 1919. She was a homemaker and a member of Proctor Baptist Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Eunice Harbin of North Richland Hills, Juanita Erwin of Stephenville and Pauline Hunter of Mount Pleasant, Pa.; two sons, J.C. Smith of Dublin and Edward Smith of Muskogee, Okla.; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Proctor Baptist Church.

Glen 'Champ' Champion

CROSS PLAINS -- Glen 'Champ' Champion died Friday in an Odessa hospital. Services are pending with Higginbotham Funeral Home.

H.E. (Tina Opal) Nicholas

EARLY -- H.E. (Tina Opal) Nicholas, 89, died Friday in a Brownwood hospital. Services are pending with Parker Funeral Home in Baird.

Jamie Burns Bennett

BIG SPRING -- Jamie Burns Bennett, 85, died Thursday in Houston. Services are pending with Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Janice Pearce

BROWNWOOD -- Janice Pearce, 54, of Fort Worth, died Thursday in Dallas. Services are pending with Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Lola Faye Anthony

BRECKENRIDGE -- Lola Faye Anthony, 77, died Thursday in an Eastland hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Morehart Mortuary funeral chapel.

Elmer Jones

HAMLIN -- Elmer Jones, 84, died in a Seymour nursing home. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. today in Hamlin Memorial Cemetery, directed Foster-Adams Funeral Home.

Ada Hollaway

EASTLAND -- Ada U. Hollaway, 84, of Lewisville, formerly of Eastland, died Thursday in Lewisville. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Eastland Cemetery, directed by Bakker Funeral Home.

Anna Ruth Price

BIG SPRING -- Anna Ruth Price, 96, died Friday in a local nursing home. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Trinity Memorial Park, directed by Myers & Smith Funeral Home.