Today's Obituaries (Aug. 22, 1998)

Darcell Wilkins Starnes

CLYDE -- Darcell Wilkins Starnes, 70, died Thursday in an Abilene nursing home.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Jim Hall officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene.

Mrs. Starnes was born in Brown County and graduated from Hamlin High School in 1947. She was a homemaker. She lived in Perry, Ark., for many years and moved to Clyde in 1995 from Missouri. She was a member of the Church of Christ and was the widow of W.T. Starnes, whom she married in 1951 in Sweetwater.

Survivors include six sisters, Ilene Knight of El Paso, Nadine Taylor, Billie McCright and Roberta Warford, all of Clyde, Bonnie Sumners of Abilene and June Hill of Vera; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Alzheimer's Association of West Central Texas, 1926 Campus Court, Abilene 79601.

Juan Diaz Sr.

BRECKENRIDGE -- Juan C. Diaz Sr., 58, employed by Breckenridge Redi Mix for 32 years, died Thursday in an Abilene hospital.

Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday in Morehart Mortuary Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Deacon Reuben Castaneda officiating. Burial will be in Breckenridge Cemetery.

Mr. Diaz was born in Brownwood and attended school in Breckenridge. He married Mary Mendez in 1965 in Breckenridge.

Survivors include his wife, of Breckenridge; three sons, Johnny Diaz and Mark Anthony Diaz, both of Breckenridge, and Adam Diaz of Dallas; one daughter, Jessica Arrellano of Breckenridge; three brothers, B.C. Diaz and Jesse Robles, both of Breckenridge, and David Robles of Tye; four sisters, Aurelia Garnica of Breckenridge, Isabel Mendez of Stamford, Gloria Rico of Abilene and Mary Jane Pinada of Austin; and eight grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and left at the funeral home.

Bessie Lorene Wilkins

COLEMAN -- Bessie Lorene Wilkins, 78, died Friday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Sheffield officiating. Burial will be in Coleman Cemetery.

Mrs. Wilkins was born in Crockett and attended school in east Texas. She moved to Coleman in the 1930s and worked as a nurse for many years. She was a member of Concho Baptist Church and was the widow of Daniel "Jim" Wilkins, whom she married in 1937 in Coleman.

Survivors include four daughters, Goldie White and Jimmie Lee Posey, both of Coleman, and Mary Jane Steffey and Becky Jean Matthews, both of Lake Coleman; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

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

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

Donald Brooks

EASTLAND -- Donald Brooks, 63, of Briggs and formerly of Eastland County, died Friday in Briggs.

Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Mount Marion Cemetery in Strawn, directed by Edwards Funeral Home.

Mr. Brooks was born in Aspermont and grew up in Morton Valley. He was an electrical engineer in the U.S. Air Force. He later moved to Eastland and worked as a truck driver. He owned and operated an electrical business for several years in Eastland. He was an electrician in Irving, Odessa and Dallas until retiring in 1991. He then moved to Olden. He was the widower of Kay Box Briggs. He married Lillie Abney in 1993 in Eastland and moved to Briggs in 1997.

Survivors include his wife, of Briggs; two sons, Michael Brooks of Olden and Jamey Brooks of Hurst; one daughter, Donna Brooks of Gordon; two brothers, Lewis Brooks of Shepherd and Danny Brooks of Ranger; six sisters, Ann Williamson of Tyler, Rowena Lassister of Cisco, Billie Justice of Dallas, and Jessie Simmons, Cathreen Bullock and Jane Brooks, all of Eastland; and one grandchild.

Frances Daw

Frances L. Daw, 62, died Friday in a local hospital. Services are pending with Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 U.S. Hwy 277 South.

Ina Atchison

Ina M. (Mrs. Willard H.) Atchison, 87, formerly of Abilene, died Friday in Tomball. Services are pending with Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Connie Lee Aing

THROCKMORTON -- Connie Lee Aing, 89, died Friday in a local hospital. Services are pending with Merriman-Archer Funeral Home.

Victor Martinez

SWEETWATER -- Victor Martinez, 43, of Houston, died Friday in a Houston hospital. Services are pending with Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Norman Morris

BROWNWOOD -- Norman F. Morris, 66, died Wednesday in a local hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Heritage Funeral Home Chapel in Brady. Local arrangements were made by Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Modessa Bell

STAMFORD -- Modessa H. Bell, 96, died Friday in a local hospital. Services will be at noon Monday in Stamford First Baptist Church, directed by Kinney Funeral Home.

Beulah Thompson

BROWNWOOD -- Beulah Thompson, 80, of McGregor, died Friday in Waco. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Rock Church Cemetery, directed by Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Eunice Wood

SNYDER -- Eunice R. Wood, 93, of Plainview and formerly of Snyder, died Friday in a Plainview care center. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home Chapel.

Robert Boadle

BIG SPRING -- Robert Boadle, 68, died Thursday at his home. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday in Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Ora Mae Hanks

COMANCHE -- Ora Mae Hanks, 90, formerly of Goldthwaite, died Thursday in a local hospital. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery, directed by Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home of Goldthwaite.

Sarah Jane 'Sally' Clinton

BIG SPRING -- Sarah Jane "Sally" Clinton, 60, died Thursday at her home. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. today in Cottonflat Baptist Church in Midland. Local arrangements were made by Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.