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Ronald Gene Aaron Sr.
MIDLAND — Deputy Chief Ronald Aaron passed away Thursday, April 15, 2004.
He was born Sept. 14, 1943, to Claudie and Hazel Aaron in Whitesboro, Texas. He was raised and attended school in Big Spring, Texas. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1964.
In 1967, he married
Linda Caldwell of Big Spring, and they moved to Odessa, Texas, where they started their life together. He began his law enforcement career with the Odessa Police Department and Ector County Sheriff’s Office. After receiving his Associate’s Degree from Odessa College, he and his family moved to Abilene, Texas, where he earned his B.S. degree at Hardin Simmons University. In 1974, he and his family moved to Midland, Texas, where he was employed with the Midland Police Department for 30 years. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 1990. Ronald Aaron was truly dedicated to his work with the Midland Police Department. As a deputy chief, detective and police officer his efforts were to help make his community a safer place to work and live.
Ronald Aaron was a member of Masonic Lodge 623 of Midland, a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Ronald Aaron is preceded in death by his father, Claudie Aaron Sr.; grandmother, Audry Gibson; niece, Sheri Aaron; and father-in-law, Bill Caldwell.
Ronald Aaron is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Rhonda Bryant and husband Alan of Houston; son, Ronald Gene Aaron Jr. and wife Netha of Midland; mother, Hazel Aaron of Midland; brother, Claudie Aaron Jr. and wife Johnnie Faye Aaron; grandsons, Daniel Aaron, John Bryant and Taylor Bryant; granddaughter, Kailea Aaron; and mother-in-law Bea Caldwell. Ronald Gene also leaves behind his beloved “Bernadette.”
The family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home, between the hours of 2 p.m and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2004, at First Baptist Church of Midland. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Highway, Midland, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Larry Bledsoe, Jeff Haile, Alan Inman, Tommy Wilkins, John Urby, Manny Beltran, Bill Boyd and Ronny Watson. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Don Compton, Theresa Fine, Karen Hare, B.J. Land, Mike Reed, J.R. Smith, Johnny Thompson, Kay Thurwanger, Kenneth Moten, Ed Ward and The Investigative Services Bureau of the Midland Police Department.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486; Allison Cancer Center, 2200 W. Illinois Ave., Midland, Texas 79701; or Hospice of Midland Inc., 911 W. Texas Ave., Midland, TX 79701.
Frances Heltzel
MIDLAND — Frances Heltzel, of Midland, passed away Friday, April 16, 2004.
She was born Feb. 5, 1935, to Timothy Jackson Johnson and Barbara Ann Breckenridge Johnson in Meridian, Miss.. Frances graduated from Jones County Agricultural High School in Ellisville, Miss. On May 15, 1954, she married
John Ellsworth Heltzel in Hobbs, N.M.
Her memberships included the Permian Playhouse and Midland Community Theatre.
On stage at age 5, Frances was an accomplished singer, dancer and actress. She had done radio PSAs for charity causes, four TV commercials, numerous newspaper publicity shots for shows she was in and had written reviews of stage shows for newspapers. She was vocalist and mistress of ceremonies for USO-style show (Cherry Jones Performers, Midland, Texas) for 10 years. Some of the plays in which Frances performed are “Sound of Music,” Midland Community Theatre; “South Pacific,” Permian Playhouse, Odessa; “The Maiden’s Prayer,” Maverick Players, Midland; “The Baseball Show,” Globe Theatre, Odessa; “Oklahoma,” Permian Playhouse, Odessa; and “Annie, “Midland Community Theatre. Frances also performed in “Man of La Mancha” at the Globe Theatre with well-known actor John Raite.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1977.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Jonni Heltzel Chandler and grandchildren, Brandi and Allen-Michael, all of Monahans, Texas; son, Robert Lee Heltzel, and wife Vira and grandchildren, Nathan, Alex and Lauryn, all of Lewisville, Texas; son, Christopher Alan Heltzel and wife Dorothy of Largo, Fla.; four sisters, Audrey Wilder of Gulfport, Miss.; Wanda Kaye Shoemaker, Suzanne Karr and Molly Gail; one brother, Larry Kenneth Smith; numerous nieces and nephews; and tons of friends who will greatly miss her.
The family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2004.
Private graveside services will be held at Monahans Municipal cemetery with Mike Peek officiating. Wake services are pending.
Arrangements are under
the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Highway, Midland, Texas.
Erma Wright
ANDREWS — Erma Wright, 96, a longtime resident of Andrews and locally well known landscape artist and art teacher, passed away peacefully in Houston.
She had lived in Houston since 2003. Born in Trent, Texas, on Jan. 26, 1908, she and her husband E.P. moved to Andrews in 1944 to be near her mother and to be involved in the Permian Basin wartime oil production effort.
After E.P. died in 1961, Erma remained in Andrews and was active in local business affairs (women’s clothing and beauty outlets). When she was 60, she enrolled in an adult evening art class in Andrews High School and became enthralled with the art of oil painting, which became the focus of the rest of her life.
She was preceded in death by E.P.; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Sue and Carl Bullock; and a brother, Henry Scott Gross.
Her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Jean Haws of Houston; a sister, Martha McNair of Midland, Texas; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren survive her.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004, in McNett Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Ramsey Humphries of Odessa.
Burial will follow in the Andrews Old cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home.
Larry ‘Buckshot’ Burns
ODESSA — Larry “Buckshot” Burns, 64, of Odessa passed away Monday, April 19, 2004, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born November 12, 1939, in Ackerly, Texas. to Buck and Ima Burns. He moved to Odessa in 1984 from Snyder. He worked in the oilfield as a toolpusher and retired in 1998. He married
Linda Perdue October 17, 1958 in Cortez, Colo.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Buck and Ima Burns; grandson, Robert Burns; and sister, Linda Montgomery.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Burns of Odessa; sons, Buck and Kevin Burns of Odessa; daughters, Lyn Chaney and Teresa McDuffee, both of Snyder, and Jay Hobbs of Rockmart, Ga.; stepmother, Glenna Burns of Lubbock; sisters, Peggy Morris of Lubbock and Elizabeth Higginbotham of Victoria, Texas; stepbrothers, Ted and James Johnston, both of Lubbock; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at the Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Lyons officiating. Interment will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Hillside cemetery in Snyder.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Lavacie Cox
ODESSA — Lavacie Jones Cox, 93, a longtime resident of Odessa, passed away peacefully in Hospice care at the Sienna Care Center in Odessa. She had lived in Odessa since the 1950’s.
Born in Grapeland on April 19, 1910, she and her husband, Herbert A. Cox, moved from Sylvester, Texas, for a better opportunity and education for their children.
She was a faithfully Christian and member of the Church of Christ Carver Heights congregation even in the care of the Hospice foundation. She was an entrepreneur, seamstress and longtime Christian Echo agent and a teacher and encourager to many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert A. Cox; son, Herbert Cox Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Beatrice Cox.
Survivors include her sons, Wadell Cox of Odessa and Fadell Cox and wife, Jearline, of Dallas, Texas; four daughters, Ovatria Ann Hollins and husband, Willie, of Denver, Colo., La Verne Rand and husband, Robert B., of Denver, Colo., Bettie L. Okonkwo and husband, Paul, of Arlington, Texas, and Cleopatra Anderson and husband, Arthur Ray, of Odessa, Texas; 28 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; 43 great-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-great-grandchild; six generations living.
Visitation will be held today from 5 to 10 p.m. at Martinez Funeral Home and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Texas & Clements Church of Christ with service of celebration following at 11 a.m. with Bro. Redford Smith officiating. Burial will be at the Odessa cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Martinez Funeral Home.
Willie Ann Harvey
ODESSA — Willie Ann Harvey, 61, a homemaker, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2004, at her residence in Odessa, Texas.
She was born September 11, 1942, in Liberty Hill, to Larry and Lola Brooks Wilkerson whom both preceded her in death.
She is survived by two sons, James Ray Carson and wife, Christina, of Midland, Texas, Ra’Ia’Tae Jubar Wilkerson and wife, Casandra. of Odessa; four daughters, Janie Wilkerson, Doris Graves and husband, Jerry, of Amarillo, Texas, Marchelle Harvey and Anjanette Harvey, both of Odessa; four brothers, Jack Wilkerson of College Station, Texas, Alton Wilkerson of Wallis, Texas, Roy Wilkerson of Odessa and Horace Wilkerson of Houston, Texas; and her sister, Gertrude Carroll of Houston, Texas; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Martinez Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at Power House Church Of God In Christ, 404 Foster St., in Odessa, with Elder Charles Turner, pastor, officiating.
Interment will follow at the Ector County cemetery.
Lucretia McWilliams
BIG LAKE — Lucretia Beatrice McWilliams, 76, of Odessa passed away Sunday, April 18, 2004. She was born May 13, 1927, in Winters, Texas, to Prule Coulter Garrett and Prentiss Garrett.
She graduated from Amarillo High School and attended Cotty College in Springfield, Mo., and Amarillo College. Bea married
David Norris McWilliams on Nov. 2, 1947, in Big Lake, Texas. She was a dedicated homemaker who supported her family through ranching and petroleum industries, which took her to Tripoli, Libya. Her sense of adventure was only matched by her sense of humor. Her enjoyment came from watching and encouraging her children and grandchildren in their activities. “Me Mac” was a special Lady Lion track and basketball fan. Most recently, she has been delighted with and enjoyed her grandsons.
Bea was preceded in death by her parents, Prule and Prentiss Garrett. Bea is survived by her husband, David N. McWilliams Sr. of Odessa; daughter, Mary Kee Heason and husband, Larry, of Houma, La.; son, David N. McWilliams Jr. and wife, Tammy, of Ozona; granddaughters, Amber McWilliams of Alpine, Autumn Brown and husband, Kevin, of Denver, Colo., Laramie McWilliams of San Marcos; grandsons, Cuatro Jones and Coulter McWilliams of Ozona; and numerous cousins.
Pallbearers are Roy Pettit of Midland, Larry McWilliams of Barnhart, Henry McWilliams of San Angelo, Gary Musgrave of Abilene, David Porter and Jim White of Ozona.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at Glenrest cemetery in Big Lake with the Honorable Brock Jones officiating.
Arrangements are by Preddy Funeral Home.
Frances Marie
Butler Watson
ODESSA — Frances Marie Butler Watson of Odessa passed away Sunday, April 18, 2004, at the Hospice House. She was born to the Rev. C. Y. and Frankie Butler on January 11, 1927, in Sweetwater.
She was reared in a family of five children in several communities in West Texas and New Mexico as her father served in the pulpit in the Methodist Church. She graduated from high school in Meridian, Texas, in 1946 and attended McMurry College in Abilene, for a short time.
Mrs. Watson married
Homer Oliver Watson in Bartlett, Texas, on October 15, 1949, and was a devoted wife to him for 50 years until his death on January 8, 2000. As a couple, they followed his employment with Halliburton Services for over 40 years, serving the oil well service company in the Permian Basin in Iraan, Rankin, McCamey, Big Lake, Odessa and Andrews, as well as in Wichita, Kan., Amarillo and Oklahoma City, Okla., and retired in 1991 to Granbury, Texas. They returned to Odessa to live in 1999.
Mrs. Watson was a dedicated homemaker whose steadfast support and encouragement provided a safe, secure and loving home for her children as they followed their own paths of growing up and founding families and homes of their own. Her generosity, her sense of humor and her gentle spirit created a welcoming atmosphere in her home for family and friends alike.
She is survived by her two children, Margaret Ann Watson of Andrews and Homer O. Watson III and his wife, Barbie, of Odessa. She is also survived by three grandchildren and their spouses whom she loved dearly, Jordan Rundgren and her husband, Karl, of Toledo, Ohio, Kyle Watson and his wife, Lindsay, of Abilene and Aaron Watson of Abilene. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Watson is also survived by one brother and his wife, Dr. J. Weldon and Jeanne Butler, of Lubbock and their family, and the children of her siblings who predeceased her, Howard Butler of Odessa, Mary L. Pinson of Petaluma, Calif., and Mildred Walters of Midland; as well as sisters-in-law, Mona Haack of San Antonio and Myrtie Alice Fritcher and Elaine Quinney of Lexington and their spouses and children.
A visitation is scheduled at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation is scheduled at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Graveside services and burial will be conducted by Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home at Forest Grove cemetery south of Rockdale, Texas, at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2004, following a visitation at their location earlier that day in Rockdale.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to Hospice House of Odessa, Texas.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
