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Walter Briscoe Monahan
Walter Briscoe Monahan, 50, of Odessa, passed away Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born August 7, 1953, in Big Spring. He married
Jamie Wortham Dec. 24, 1987, in Odessa. He was an oilfield salesman and a Baptist.
Walt touched many lives in so many ways during his life. His smile, infectious laugh, his unique personality and his willingness to help others brought so many people to his side. His real love was for his family and watching his son grow into a young man. He loved fishing, hunting and watching sports. The many friends that he had always knew that Walt would be right there to give a helping hand. Walt was known for his generous ways. He left this world a better place by giving back a part of himself so that others could have a better quality of life through him.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie Monahan of Odessa; son, Byron Monahan of Odessa; brother, Rod Monahan of Ft. Worth; and sister, Marcia Kay Monahan Darby of Taos, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Vonceil Monahan; sister, Karen Diane Monahan Bruton; and brothers, William Kent Monahan and Carter Hudson Monahan.
Services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2004, at Belmont Baptist Church with the Rev. Bryan Saffle officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your favorite charity.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Ida Bell Moten
ODESSA — In every life there is a time for planting and a time for harvest. On July 4, 1913, the Lord blessed Smith Dixon and Florence Dixon with a baby girl named Ida Bell Dixon. Her baby sister, Willie Ann Jackson, lovingly called her “Shoat.” This name remained with her the 91 years and 9 months that the Lord graced her spirit on this earth. Saturday morning, May 29, 2004, before the dawn of a new day, the Lord called her to receive her final everlasting reward of peace from her labor.
“Aunt Shoat” grew up in Thomasville, Ala., and professed a faith in Christ at an early age at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. After high school, she met and married
A. J. Moten on March 12, 1932, in Darlove, Miss. To this union, one daughter, Mollie Louise Moten, was born and died as a three-month old infant. Mr. Moten’s employment with Ford, Bacon and Davis Construction Company transferred him to Clarksdale, Miss., then on to Knoxville, Tenn. Finally, in 1945, he was transferred to Odessa where they remained. They opened a neighborhood grocery store on E. Pearl Street serving the community for twenty-two years. Mr. Moten died in 1965 and Mrs. Moten sold the grocery store to Rev. T. C. Jones.
Mrs. Moten was employed with Ector County Sheriff’s office in 1959 and worked there for 20 years, serving three different sheriffs — namely, they are Earnest Broughton, Slim Gabriel and Elwood Hill — and retired in 1979. The last two years she served in the Elderly Nutrition Office making contacts with are senior citizens through the outreach program. During that time, a decision was made to open a senior center on the Southside, and Mrs. Moten was named the first director to get the center under way.
The center was very small in comparison to its size today, but she said “The warmth and fellowship got better every day.” It was a special joy for Mrs. Moten to see the Southside Senior Center continue to grow even more.
She held a membership in the NAACP for forty years. Upon her arrival in Odessa in 1945, she united with the St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Williams. She served in many ministries, until the failing of her health.
Mrs. Moten is survived by one sister, Willie Ann Jackson of Greenville, Miss.; and her eight children, Florence Cooper (the principal at-home care giver) of Odessa, TX., Robert McKinney and his wife, Winnie, Charles Jackson, Gladys Williams, Earnestine Jackson and her husband, Jerry, Shirley Bolden and Frank and Rochelle Jackson.
Mrs. Moten’s descendants also include six children of her late brother Jimmy Dixon and his wife, Eddie Lee; they are Lillie Dixon, Kathy Dixon and husband, Butch, Dorothy Dixon, Natchez Dixon and Florence Dixon, Winston Dixon and Steve Dixon. Also, four children of her late sister Beatrice Commacel, Dorothy King, Minnie Mae King, Leroy King and Leon King. Also, one granddaughter of her late sister, Beatrice “Bea” Booker. Also, Shirley Crowder and her husband, James, and their children and a host of great nieces, nephews and their spouses and children.
Also, left behind to remember “Moten” as they affectionately called her, are these ladies of her age with long-standing friendship. They are Mrs. Jerry Baker, Lee Esther Bracy, Mrs. Jessie Choice, Mrs. Gladys Penny, Mrs. Bivian Morrison, Mrs. Marjorie Wallace and Mrs. Sarah Williams.
She developed a treasured friendship with the former Ector County Sheriff and Mrs. Slim Gabriel.
You may visit with Ida from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Martinez Funeral Home. Family hour will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. today.
Services will be held at 11 am. Saturday, June 5, 2004, at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, where the Reverend R. T. McNeil will officiate. Burial will follow at the Ector County cemetery.
Judith L. Couser Wargo
FLOWER MOUND — Judith L. Couser Wargo, of Laceyville, Pa., passed away May 30, 2004, as a result of a car accident. Born January 15, 1945, in Altos, Okla., she was preceded in death by parents Carl Jackson Couser and Josephine Couser Fulton. She graduated from Odessa High School and attended Odessa College. Judi worked for many years as a legal secretary and, most recently, as part owner of a business in Laceyville, Pa.
With a kind, nurturing, loving spirit, she was always willing to lend support to family and friends. She had a deep appreciation and love of nature and the outdoors. We will miss her beautiful singing voice and playful laugh.
Judi is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Chris Strong of Flower Mound, TX; two granddaughters, Madison and Camryn Strong; brothers Charles Couser and wife, Irene, of Mineola, TX., Carl Couser and wife, Gail, of San Antonio, TX., and Roger Couser of Odessa, TX; sisters, Mary Cotton of Haslet, TX, Pam Frazier and husband, Donald, of Pueblo, Colo., and Elizabeth Harris and husband, Jim, of Odessa, TX; as well as nieces, Allison Alvarado, Marion Couser-Keita, Jennifer Stiver and Emily Chovan and nephew, Bradley Frazier.
A Celebration of Life, in her honor, will take place on Sunday, June 6th in Flower Mound, TX. The family requests memorials be made to the local SPCA or Humane Society in lieu of flowers.
Loretta Ann Walker
ODESSA — Loretta Ann Walker, born Feb. 9, 1947, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2004, at her residence.
She is survived by her daughter, Charity Walker of Odessa; son, Shaughn Walker of Waco; and four grandchildren. Also surviving her are her mother, Louetta Hill of Odessa; brothers, Lonnie Crow and his wife, Peggy, of Odessa, John Hill and his wife, Sam, of Abilene; sisters, Connie English of Odessa, Lynn Dougherty of Fla,; father, Robert Dougherty of Fla.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Oma Clark; brother, Russell Hill; great-nephew, Jacob North; and baby daughter, Raven Walker.
She was starting a new life. A marriage to Clay Carlin was pending. We will all miss her greatly.
She donated her body to Texas Tech University School of Medicine.
Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. today at Odessa Funeral Home with Pastor Braswell officiating.
Charlie Brown
KERMIT — Charles Richard Brown, 65, of Kermit, went to be with his Lord on Monday, June 7, 2004. Charlie was born March 6, 1939, in Paris, Ark. He was the son of the late Sammie Brown and Martha Redding Brown. Charlie proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He married
Judy McAllister on September 14, 1979, in Lauren, South Carolina. They were residents of Kermit since 1985 and members of the First Assembly of God Church in Monahans, where Charlie served on the deacon board. He was employed as a pumper for Chaparral Energy. He was a work-aholic, but somehow always found time for his family and a little fishing.
Charles is survived by his wife, Judy Brown of Kermit; four sons, Michael Brown and Cody Brown of Petaluma, Calif., Richard Frady of Russellville, Ark., and Jeffrey Frady of Newberry, S.C.; and three daughters, Kelly King of Fort Worth, TX., Rebekah Rideout of Odessa, TX., and Sherry O’Quinn of Newberry, S.C. Survivors also include his brothers, Jerry Brown of Spiro, Okla., and Larry Brown of Odessa, TX; his sisters, Barbara Nichols of Carthage, Mo., and Elizabeth DeCoster of Las Vegas, Nev; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His parents and one sister, Dorothy Gentry, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2004, at Family Services Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Woody officiating. Pallbearers will be Demetrio Lujan, Bobby Lentz, David Natividad, Jim Garret, Byron Cody and Anson Luna. Charlie will be laid to rest with military honors at the Kermit cemetery following the funeral services.
Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Assembly of God, Youth Fund, PO Box 1492 Monahans, TX 79756.
Norma Jean Morrow Dudley
AUSTIN — Norma Jean Morrow Dudley, 74, of Austin, passed away Sunday, June 6, 2004.
She was born to Nell and Bert Morrow on February 11, 1930, in Corsicana, Texas.
Jean married
Earl Eugene Dudley on July 3, 1947, in Monahans, Texas. They had four children, Sherry Nell Dudley-Shelton, Susan Dudley Brown, Donald Morrow Dudley and Dale Eugene Dudley.
Jean had many talents including flower arranging, crocheting, sewing and gardening. She also enjoyed a good book and none more than her Bible.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Earl Eugene Dudley; her son, Donald; and her parents.
She is survived by her other children; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Dudley; her grandchildren, Chad Stephen Shelton, Brad Stephen Shelton, Nathan David Brown, Richard David Brown, Trey David Brown Diana Louise Dudley, Dillon Matthew Dudley and Dustin Earl Dudley. She had one great-grandchild, Tyler Donald Shelton. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Dinky.
Mrs. Dudley will lie in state after 12 o’clock noon Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home for those wishing to give their respects.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Dudley’s honor to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 6248, Austin, Texas 78762.
Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752, (512) 454-5611.
Robert E. Durrett
ODESSA — Long time Odessa resident, Robert Ellis Durrett Jr., passed away Sunday night after participation in the Odessa community for more than half a century.
Born in Fort Worth to Robert E. Durrett Sr, and Kathleen Vance Durrett in 1929, Bob Durrett grew up in Odessa and graduated from Odessa High School before attending Texas Christian University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1949 and masters degree in the theatrical department of Fine Arts in 1957.
He and Bobbye Gertrude Russell were married
June 6, 1956, after the two met and began courting during a theatre production at TCU. The couple raised two children in Odessa. Bobbye, who taught English for many years, preceded him in death in 1996.
Mr. Durrett began his career with the Ector County Independent School District in 1949, teaching Speech/Theatre at Crockett Junior High and later taught Speech/Drama at Odessa and Ector High Schools and Bowie Junior High. He left the classroom to become Supervisor of the Audio/Visual Department, He later was made director of the department and was instrumental in developing the instructional television programs for ECISD. He retired as Director of Secondary Education in 1989, but always considered himself a school teacher.
His efforts for the community extended beyond the classroom. He worked for the establishment and nurturing of such enduring institutions as the Permian Playhouse, through service on the board of directors and many acting and directing contributions in early Playhouse productions.
Long-time residents might remember his performances, including Emile de Becque in the Playhouse’s opening production “South Pacific” in 1966 and also Don Quixote in “The Man of La Mancha” in 1972. He was founding President of the Odessa Cultural Council in 1977, and a Board Member of the First Ector County Fair and Exposition in 1976.
A talented base vocalist, Bob was a Board Member of the Civic Music Association and sang at community events for the Lions Club, Kiwanis and other civic organizations, whenever asked. Robert Durrett also sang often in church and was a devoted member of Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Mr. Durrett is survived by two children, Robert E. Durrett, III of Wichita, Kan., and Louisa Durrett Marx of Pittsburgh, Pa., and three grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church with Father David Mossbarger officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Permian Play House and St Barnabas Episcopal Church,
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Elvira ‘Vera’ Mancha Lucero
ODESSA — Elvira “Vera” Mancha Lucero, 89, a long time resident of Odessa passed away Monday, June 7, 2004, at her residence. She was born May 17, 1915, in Sierra Blanca. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Lucero; and daughters, Susie Lucero and Alma Olivas.
She is survived by her sons, Tony Lucero of Odessa, Manuel Lucero of Houston and Pete Lucero and Daniel Lucero, both of Odessa; daughter, Elida Duncan of Beaumont; brother, Ben Mancha of Odessa; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.
A rosary was said at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel.
A funeral mass will be held at 12 o’clock noon Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with Father Frank Chavez officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill cemetery.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
