Today's Obituaries (Nov. 20, 1998)

Lenora Grimes Cedillo

Lenora Cedillo, 58, died Wednesday at her home.

The body will be cremated. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in North's Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange, with the Rev. Fred Nawarskas officiating.

Ms. Cedillo was born in Chillicothe, where she grew up, and moved to Abilene in 1962. She graduated from McMurry and Hardin-Simmons universities and was employed as a certified public accountant with Hoyt Smith Accounting Firm for more than 10 years. She also was employed by the Postal Encoding Center. She worked and taught classes at H&R Block until her death. She was an agent of the Internal Revenue Service and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Survivors include two sons, Tony Love of Dallas and David Cedillo III of Abilene; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ottis Grimes of Vernon; and one grandchild.

Jeff Alan Wheeler

Jeff Alan Wheeler, 76, died Wednesday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal with the Rev. Scott Mayer officiating. Burial will be in Iberis Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mr. Wheeler was born in Funston in Jones County and graduated from Anson High School. He attended Texas Tech and Texas A&M universities. He was a fighter pilot with the U.S. Marines and had two tours of duty in the South Pacific. He was a Marine captain and received a Distinguished Flying Cross. He married Blanche "B" Duncan in 1947 in Abilene. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone and as a district meterman for West Texas Utilities for a total of 37 years until retiring in 1984. He also farmed in Jones County. He was a member and past master of Hobah Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Parkinson's Group and WTU Retirees Club. He taught Church school at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; one son, Alan D. Wheeler of Abilene; one sister, Joan Arwood of Wichita Falls; two grandchildren; two nephews and one niece; and many cousins.

Memorials may be sent to Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene 79602; or a favorite charity.

Dorris June Conley

Dorris June Conley, 82, formerly of the Abilene area, died Tuesday in a San Antonio hospital.

A memorial service will be today in San Antonio. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Potosi Cemetery with Philip Slate officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mrs. Conley was born in Potosi and attended Abilene High School. She was a homemaker and moved to San Antonio in 1980 from Denver. She was a member of Queen Esther Chapter 833, Ladies of Medina and MacArthur Park Church of Christ in San Antonio, and was the widow of Houston Conley, whom she married in 1932 in Abilene.

Survivors include one sister, Margaret Parsons of Dallas; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Medina Children's Home, HCR 16, Box 75, Medina 78055-9615.

Martha Lyndall Hancock

LUBBOCK - Martha Lyndall Hancock, 77, formerly of Abilene, died Nov. 8 in a local hospital.

Graveside services were Nov. 10 in Resthaven Memorial Park with the Rev. Charles Hankston officiating, directed by Sanders Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hancock was born in Ashland, Ala., and graduated from Ranger Junior College. She was a homemaker and moved to Lubbock in 1945. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Baptist and was the widow of Kenneth Douglas Hancock Jr., whom she married in 1939 in Abilene.

Survivors include two daughters, Shannon Daughtry of Lubbock and Becky Wigley of Fullerton, Calif.; one brother, Clifton Stringfellow of Abilene; two sisters, Maxine Coleman of Abilene and Leliagay Wiley of Arlington; and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to American Kidney Foundation.

Ethel Bethene Carlisle Barbee

JAYTON - Ethel Bethene Carlisle Barbee, 81, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Spur Cemetery with the Rev. James Brigham officiating, directed by Kinney Funeral Home of Stamford.

Mrs. Barbee was born in Dickens County and formerly lived in Stamford, where she worked at a clothes factory and The Wash Pot. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include eight children, Charles L. Barbee of Abilene, Robert E. Barbee of Ira, Wanda Bethene Wade of Stamford, Othal G. Collins and Mary E. Moore, both of Leander, Shelia L. Tutt and Joyce C. Cozart, both of Clyde, and Doris G. Barbee of Hawley; one brother, Charles W. Carlisle of Abilene; one sister, Fern Hatfield of Henrietta; four stepsisters, Lillian Dunnagan of Girard, Vernia Hunter of El Paso, Johnie May Pennic of Houston and Imogene Straw of San Antonio; 22 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to American Heart Association.

Linda Jean Williams

MERKEL - Linda Jean Williams, 53, died Wednesday in an Arlington hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Merkel First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Jimmy Griffith and Charles L. Holler officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, directed by Starbuck Funeral Home.

Mrs. Williams was born in Big Spring and graduated from Merkel High School and Draughon's Business College. She married Pat Williams in 1967 in Merkel. She worked as an area manager of the Rural Taylor County Nutritional Program for Senior Citizens and also was a homemaker. She was a charter member of the Merkel Christmas Club and was a director of the Merkel Chamber of Commerce and Merkel Food Bank. She was a member of Merkel Economic Development Corp.

Survivors include her husband, of Merkel; one son, Billy Williams of Merkel; one daughter, Debbie Ingram of Clyde; her mother, Dorothy Joiner Holler of San Angelo; one brother, Charles "Buzz" Holler of Water Valley; two sisters, Kay Gaston and Ann Millard, both of Sterling City; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Merkel Christmas Club, P.O. Box 536, Merkel 79536.

Sam Robinson

BROWNWOOD - Sam B. Robinson, 87, died Thursday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Early with Dr. William Wallace Roark officiating. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Robinson was born in Snyder and married Sena Garrett in 1934 in Ranger. He worked for TU Electric for 36 years until retiring. He was a 32nd degree Mason.

Survivors include his wife, of Brownwood; two daughters, Barbara Morris of Brownwood and Lela Coffee of Katy; one sister, Annie Mae Herring of Eastland; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Mildred DeAlva Jackson King

COLEMAN - Mildred DeAlva Jackson King, 79, died Thursday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles Sheffield officiating. Burial will be in Lovington Cemetery in Lovington, N.M.

Mrs. King was born in Brownwood, where she graduated from high school. She lived in New Mexico for many years and worked as a postmistress at Maljamar. She moved to Coleman in 1983. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and was the widow of Franklin King, whom she married in 1937.

Survivors include one daughter, Mildred Moran of Adrian, Ore.; one sister-in-law, Florence Jackson of Coleman; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society or a favorite charity.

Don Jordan Sr.

BROWNWOOD - Don Jordan Sr., 91, died Wednesday at his home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Union Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bud Stephens officiating. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Park, directed by Davis-Morris Funeral Home.

Mr. Jordan was born in Missouri and moved in 1945 to Brownwood, where he was president of Walker Smith Wholesale Grocery Co. He moved to Fort Worth in 1946 and was vice president and general manager of Kimbell Grocery Co. He returned to Brownwood in 1948 and was a partner and general manager of Texas Brick Co. He also owned Jordan Tractor Co. and Don Jordan Real Estate Co. He was a director of Kimbell Art Foundation and was a past president of the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce. He was a Rotarian. He was an elder at Union Presbyterian Church for many years and was the widower of Mary Louise Kelly Jordan, whom he married in 1929 in Tulsa, Okla.

Survivors include one son, Don Jordan Jr. of Brownwood; one sister, Margo Kirberger of Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Union Presbyterian Church Organ Fund.

Altie Mae Rial Little

STAMFORD - Altie Mae Rial Little, 81, of Richardson and formerly of Stamford, died Wednesday in a Richardson nursing home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. John's United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Erwin officiating. Burial will be in Spring Creek Cemetery in Avoca, directed by Tankersley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Little was born in Avoca and owned and operated Little Art Gallery in Stamford from 1974 until retiring in 1987. She was secretary-treasurer of the residents council at Heritage Village Nursing Home in Richardson. She was a member of the Texas Cowboy Reunion's Art Foundation and Order of the Eastern Star in Stamford for many years. She also was a member of the Women's Society of Christian Service and Mary Martha Sunday School Class, both at St. John's United Methodist Church, and was the widow of W.H. "Bill" Little, whom she married in 1937 in Stamford.

Survivors include one daughter, Patsy Hammack of Richardson; two sisters, Ima Ehrhardt of Lindale and Mattie Rogers of Fort Worth; one grandchild; and several other relatives.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Martha Jane Doyle

EARLY - Martha Jane Doyle, 99, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with Drs. Dan Chapman and A.L. Creel officiating. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Doyle was born in Arkansas and married S.D. Doyle in 1915 in Wichita Falls. She and her husband helped organize the Pentecostal Church of God in Texas in 1932 and were superintendents of the West Texas District from 1943-55. She was a homemaker and moved to Early in 1958. She was president of the Pentecostal Ladies Association for many years and was a member of Trinity Chapel.

Survivors include one daughter, Ruth Looney of Houston; two brothers, Lester V. Hill of Angleton and Luther Hill of Sulphur Springs; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one nephew and two nieces.

Sarai Hefner

BRECKENRIDGE - Sarai Hefner, 34, of Pontiac, Mich., and formerly of Breckenridge, died Monday at her home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Morehart Mortuary Chapel with Matthew Reagles officiating. Burial will be in Breckenridge Cemetery.

Mrs. Hefner was born in Manhattan, N.Y., and married John Hefner in 1986 in New York. She was a housekeeper and officer worker for John Cook in Breckenridge from 1987-98. She was a Jehovah's Witness.

Survivors include her husband, of Pontiac, Mich.; her father and stepmother, Manuel and Tomasa Aponte of Puerto Rico; her mother, Dora Acevedo of Breckenridge; two brothers, her twin, Miguel Aponte of Puerto Rico, and David Perez of Breckenridge; two half-brothers, Ariel Aponte of Puerto Rico and Oscar Aponte of Florida; four sisters, Odette Acevedo of Breckenridge, Maite Maldonado of West New York, N.J., and Jasmin Perez and Malisa Aponte, both of Puerto Rico; one half-sister, Kendra Aponte of Puerto Rico; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and left at the funeral home.

Ramond Stanley Purcell

MAY - Ramond Stanley Purcell, 90, lifelong Brown County resident, died Thursday in a Brownwood hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Early with the Rev. Bill Ferguson officiating. Burial will be in May Cemetery.

Mr. Purcell was born in Grosvenor and attended school in Kidpeak Mountain. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He moved to May in 1958 and was a farmer. He was a Baptist and was the widower of Lorene Caldwell Purcell, whom he married in 1955 in Brownwood.

Survivors include three sons, Randy Purcell of May, Ed Simpson of Owens and James "Chick" Simpson of Brownwood; three daughters, Judy Kiser of San Angelo, Peggy Waddle of Early and Betty Chambers of May; 29 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren.

Efrain Lara

SWEETWATER - Efrain Lara, 41, died Thursday at his home. Services are pending with McCoy Funeral Home.

Russell Atchley

NOVICE - Russell Atchley, 70, died Thursday at his home. Services are pending with Stevens Funeral Home of Coleman.

Opal Bennett

EASTLAND - Opal Bennett, 89, of Garland and formerly of Eastland County, died Tuesday in Garland. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Gorman Cemetery, directed by Edwards Funeral Home.

Claribel Sellars

BRECKENRIDGE - Claribel Sellars, 101, died Wednesday in a San Angelo hospital. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Melton Funeral Home Chapel.

Jimmie Reasoner Chestnut

STEPHENVILLE - Jimmie Reasoner Chestnut, 75, died Wednesday in a local hospital. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Hannibal Cemetery, directed by Stephenville Funeral Home.

Jennie Cox Teele

BIG SPRING - Jennie Cox Teele, 103, died Thursday at her home. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel.

Thelma Vaughan

STEPHENVILLE - Thelma Vaughan, 93, of Hurst and formerly of Stephenville, died Thursday in a Hurst nursing home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lacy Funeral Home Chapel.

Frank Oltrogge

GOLDTHWAITE - Frank Oltrogge died Tuesday in a Brownwood hospital. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel.

Jeannie Bilberry Wilkinson

SNYDER - Jeannie Bilberry Wilkinson, 45, formerly of Post, died Tuesday at her home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Terrace Cemetery in Post, directed by Wright Colonial Funeral Home.

Margaret Schunke

GOLDTHWAITE - Margaret Schunke died Wednesday in a Temple hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel.

Ruby Del Henry

RANGER - Ruby Del Henry, 87, died Tuesday in a local nursing home. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.