Today's Obituaries (Oct. 22, 1998)

Evelynn Elizabeth Boyd

Evelynn Elizabeth Boyd, 63, of Lake Coleman and formerly of Abilene, died Monday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 U.S. Hwy 277 South, with the Rev. David Cason officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Gap Cemetery.

Mrs. Boyd was born in Leaday and graduated from Abilene High School. She married Floyd Boyd in 1956. She worked as a probation officer and caregiver and also was a homemaker. She moved to Lake Coleman in 1986 from Abilene and was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband, of Lake Coleman; three daughters, Duwanna Kluza of Buffalo Gap, Dianna Aaron of Anson and Sandy Ingram of Potosi; one son, Duwain Boyd of Odessa; her parents, Fred Coffey of Tuscola, and Charles and Ida Belle Coffey of Abilene; one sister, Hazel Lambert of Tuscola; two brothers, Fred Coffey Jr. of San Marcos and Charles Wayne Coffey of Abilene; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Gilbert Quinones

Gilbert Quinones, 48, of Newport Richie, Fla., relative of two Abilene residents, died Monday.

A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Friday in Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 U.S. Hwy 277 South. Mass will be said at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Uecker officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Mr. Quinones was born in Puerto Rico.

Survivors include four daughters, Myra Leitner of Toledo, Ohio, Bernedette Ophsal of Las Vegas, Nev., Vanessa Quinones of Largo, Fla., and Michelle Quinones of Abilene; three brothers, Miguel A. Quinones of Abilene, Julio Quinones of Stater Island, N.Y., and Roberto Quinones of Brooklyn, N.Y.; one grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Paul Mayo

Paul R. Mayo, 72, died Wednesday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Archie Echols officiating. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. in Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas, directed by North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange.

Mr. Mayo graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas in 1943 and the University of Texas. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He worked as a roustabout for Bridwell Oil Co. in Wichita Falls from 1950-52. He then was a geologist for Consolidated Oil in Wichita Falls until 1954. He then became an independent geologist and oil operator. He moved to Abilene in 1979 from Dallas and married Robbie Foust in 1982 in Abilene. He was a member of West Texas Geological Society, Petroleum Geologists and Propheteers Class at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; one son, Randy Mayo of San Antonio; one stepdaughter, Michelle Harrison of Quinlan; two stepsons, Greg Foust of Plano and Mark Foust of Oklahoma City; his mother, Earline Mayo of Abilene; and 11 grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech, Abilene 79601.

Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Austin Beard

Austin E. Beard, 77, died Tuesday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. James United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Leyerle officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. in Dawson County Cemetery in Lamesa, directed by Girdner Funeral Home, 111 Elm.

Mr. Beard was born in Iuka, Ill., and graduated from high school in Salem, Ill. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He married Wynona Little in 1964 in Lubbock and worked for E.L. Farmer Oilfield Trucking Co. in Odessa for 35 years until retiring. He moved to Abilene in 1992 and was a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; two sons, Kenneth Eugene Beard of Atlanta, Texas, and Richard Dwain Beard of Henderson; two daughters, Janet Worley of Kansas City, Kan., and Donna Brinkley of Abilene; one sister, Ola Chapman of Salem, Ill.; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four nephews and six nieces.

Visitation will be from 7-8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Vera 'Bitty' Griffitts

Vera "Bitty" Griffitts, 89, formerly of Waco, died Tuesday in a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Waco Memorial Park with Dr. Overton Faubus officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Griffitts was born in Waurika, Okla., and graduated from high school in Ardmore, Okla. She was a homemaker and moved to Abilene in 1992 from Waco. She was a member of Columbus Avenue Church of Christ in Waco and was the widow of Rudy Allen Griffitts, whom she married in 1929 in Ardmore, Okla.

Survivors include one daughter-in-law, Billye Griffitts Wilkerson of Abilene; one brother, J.M. Little of Ardmore, Okla.; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Christian Homes of Abilene, c/o Nancy R. Miller, P.O. Box 270, Abilene 79604-9955.

William Rabon 'Bill' Tomme

TIFTON, Ga. - William Rabon "Bill" Tomme, 68, father of an Abilene resident, died Wednesday in Tifton after a lengthy illness.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Anne's Episcopal Church, directed by Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.

Mr. Tomme was born in Teague, Texas, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1951. He served with the U.S. Army's intelligence unit in Germany from 1952-54 and married Sally McClendon in 1961. He worked as an accountant and was a former Webelos leader and youth softball coach. He sang in both the Tifton Choral Society and the choir at St. Anne's Episcopal Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Tifton; three children, Curtis Rabon Tomme of Abilene, John William Tomme of Baton Rouge, La., and Alison Lee Tomme of Tallahassee, Fla.; one sister, Judith Tomme Fackler of Jacksonville, Fla.; and five grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Bill Tomme Youth Fund, P.O. Box 889, Tifton, Ga. 31793.

William David Boyd

GORMAN - William David Boyd, 62, of Garland, died Tuesday in a Dallas hospital.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Gorman Cemetery with the Revs. Don Griffin and Jim Wright officiating, directed by Higginbotham Funeral Home.

Mr. Boyd was born in Pecos and attended Hardin-Simmons University. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a radio technician for Motorola for 30 years.

Survivors include his mother, Winnie Jewel Sims Boyd of Garland; one aunt and one uncle; and several cousins.

Eva 'Ma Ma' Hyles

BROWNWOOD - Eva B. "Ma Ma" Hyles, 86, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Eastlawn Memorial Park with Paul Hayes officiating, directed by Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hyles was born in Boswell, Okla., and was a cafeteria worker in the Brownfield, Tahoka and Grapevine school districts. She moved to Brownwood in 1975. She was a member of Lake Brownwood Church of Christ and was the widow of Louis Frank Hyles, whom she married in 1933 in Meadow.

Survivors include three sons, Lowell Montgomery of Pasadena, Charles Hyles of Grand Prairie and James Hyles of Lake Brownwood; one daughter, Jeri Rose of Abilene; one brother, J.A. Pebsworth of Tahoka; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Neoma Lea Berry Barnett

STAMFORD - Neoma Lea Berry Barnett, 83, died Tuesday at her home.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Highland Memorial Cemetery, directed by Kinney Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barnett was born in Montague County and was a lifelong Texas resident. She moved to Stamford in 1948 from Athens and was the widow of Terrell William Berry Sr. She married Jay Barnett in 1960 in Seymour.

Survivors include her husband, of Stamford; three children, Terrell William "Bill" Berry of Ontario, Calif., Glen Allen Berry of Vidor and Virginia Elizabeth Green of Houston; four stepchildren, Billie Humphries of Waxahachie, Virginia Marie Bandy of Dallas, Ann Bryant of Bailey and Thomas Wayne Berry of Salina, Kan.; three sisters, Laverne Smith of Memphis, Tenn., Ruby Jean Parr of Bowie and Pat Purdy of Philadelphia, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Big Country, 3909 S. 7th, Suite W, Abilene 79605.

Jonah Paul Castillo

BROWNWOOD - Jonah Paul Castillo, infant son of Jonathan Castillo and Kari Heatherly, died Sunday in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Babyland of Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early with Ricardo Fuentes officiating, directed by Heartland Funeral Home of Early.

Other survivors include two brothers, Dillon John Heatherly and Cameron Castillo, both of Brownwood; his grandparents, Joel and Ofelia Fuentes, and Karen Behan, all of Bangs, and P.A. and Wanda Norton of Wisconsin; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jim Finch

ROTAN - Jim Finch, 60, of Atlanta and formerly of Rotan, died Sunday in an Atlanta hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Weathersbee Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Werth Mayes officiating. Burial will be in Belvieu Cemetery.

Mr. Finch was born in Fisher County and was a retired real estate salesman. He was a Baptist.

Survivors include his mother, Theda Finch of Rotan.

Edna Laurel Nicholson

BROWNWOOD - Edna Laurel Nicholson, 89, died Monday at her niece's home in Brownwood after a lengthy illness.

The body will be cremated and no services are planned. Arrangements are being made by Heartland Funeral Home of Early.

Mrs. Nicholson was born in Smithville in Williamson County and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1927. She formerly worked at a private camp in Estes Park, Colo., and formerly lived in Denver and Sydney, Australia. She was a Presbyterian and was the widow of Stanley Montford Nicholson, whom she married in 1967 in Hawaii.

Survivors include one nephew, John P. Landers of San Antonio; two nieces, including Mrs. Bob Fisher of Brownwood; and four cousins.

Memorials may be sent to Cheley Camp for Burned Children in Buffalo Gap.

Odie Lee Downey

BROWNWOOD - Odie Lee Downey, 91, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Early with Ruben Packer and James Hogan officiating. Burial will be in Greenleaf Cemetery.

Mrs. Downey was born in Kimble County and worked as a dietician. She formerly lived in Big Spring. She moved to Brownwood in 1963. She was a Baptist and was the widow of Harry Downey, whom she married in 1945 in Fredricksburg.

Survivors include one son, Dee L. Rogers of Brownwood; one daughter, Geraldine Burris of Bullard; one brother, Albert Whetstone of Waller; oen sister, Mary Dodd of Big Spring; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Medshares Hospice.

Cleatus Busby Highnote

HASKELL - Cleatus Busby Highnote, 78, died Wednesday in a local hospital. Services are pending with Holden-McCauley Funeral Directors.

John Griggs

BROWNWOOD - John B. Griggs, 80, died Wednesday in a local hospital. Services are pending with Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Agnes 'Granny Ag' Sullivent

EASTLAND - Agnes "Granny Ag" Sullivent died Wednesday in a local nursing home. Services are pending with Edwards Funeral Home.

Enrique 'Henry' Heredia

COLORADO CITY - Enrique C. "Henry" Heredia, 84, died Wednesday in a local nursing home. Services are pending with Kiker-Seale Funeral Home.

Annac Poe Daugherty

EASTLAND - Annac Poe Daugherty, 87, of Modesto, Calif., and formerly of the Eastland area, died Sunday in Modesto. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.

Dorinda Mae Freeman Long

BIG SPRING - Dorinda Mae Freeman Long, 42, died Monday in a Lubbock hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Myers & Smith Funeral Home Chapel.

Mary Horner

SANTA ANNA - Mary (Mrs. Bailey) Horner, 72, died Tuesday at her home. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Santa Anna First Baptist Church, directed by Henderson Funeral Home.

Ruby Lee Moore

BRECKENRIDGE - Ruby Lee Moore, 73, died Sunday in an Abilene hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Melton Funeral Home Chapel.

Rhonda Wadleigh

SNYDER - Rhonda Wadleigh, 37, of Keller and formerly of Snyder, died Sunday in Haltom City. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Wright Colonial Funeral Home Chapel.

Gertie Mae Oakley

WOODSON - Gertie Mae Oakley, 63, died Monday in an Albany nursing home. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today in First Christian Church, directed by Melton Funeral Home of Breckenridge.