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Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Kathryn Atkison Gillette
ODESSA - Elizabeth “Betty” Kathryn Atkison Gillette was born near Premont, Texas, on June 14, 1920, to Howard Marion Atkison and Bessie Cook Payton Atkison.
Upon graduation from Premont High, she attended Edinburgh Junior College and then met and married
Al Martin, who preceded her in death in 1970. Also preceding her in death were her two brothers, Howard Marion Atkison, Jr. and Challen Payton Atkison, both of whom were bomber pilots during World War II.
Betty received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas, and later received her Ph.D. from East Texas State University. First teaching at Petronila, Texas, she and family moved to Big Spring in 1960, where she taught at Howard College until 1965, when the family moved to Odessa. Betty taught at Odessa College until her retirement, and in that time, she was a professor of English and eventually served as Head of the English Department and later as Dean of Human Services.
She is survived by her husband Gordon Gillette, whom she met in 1972, and married
in February of 1976. Mimi, as she was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is survived by her four children: Don and Sharon Merriman of Midland; Sandra Polk of Odessa; Glenn and Wendy Martin of Nacogdoches; and Terry and Renee Witherspoon of Wolfforth.
Grandchildren include: Bruce and Melinda Hollander of Lewisville, Kentucky; Nelson and Leanne Reynes of San Antonio; Kevin, Emi, Jonathon, and Peter Martin of Nacogdoches; Garrett and Kimberly Roush of Idaho; Josh, Jacob and Kristen Witherspoon of Wolfforth; Josh and Amy Hopkins of Midland; Gary and Jennifer Brookshire of Green wood; and Loree Merriman of Midland.
Betty is also survived by ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Betty’s great joys in life included first of all her husband Gordon, with whom she shared love and laughter; her family and her church; her active involvement with Lions Club and her sorority, Sigma Delta; her large collection of Norman Rockwell; and her newer collection of Barbie Dolls. She enjoyed humorous stories and was a much-sought speaker at state and national level meetings and conventions.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff and doctors of Medical Center Hospital and Hospice Home for their wonderful care of our Mother, our Betty, our Mimi.
Visitation will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, February 4, 2005, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church with Pastor Paul Bauernfeind officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family suggests that all memorials be sent to the Lioness’ Park for Special People in Odessa, Texas Lions Camp, or Lions Club International Foundation.
Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa.
Venita Nix Fields
Odessa - When we think of Venita, the characteristics of purity, strength and endurance, and the sparkle of her personality remind us of a diamond. Just as a diamond is “multi-faceted”, Venita had many talents and interests. She was a member of Odessa Tabernacle, a Sunday school teacher, a Kay Arthur instructor and local entrepreneur and business owner of Your I.D. Boutique. Her hobbies include crocheting and studying God’s word.
Most important to her was her family.
Everyone loved to be around Venita. She was known for her ability to give encouragement and hope to all who met her. Every day was bigger than life and she truly lived out loud. Venita was “every girl’s best friend”.
Venita will spend eternity the same way she spent her life… praising God and reflecting His light. She had a “sparkle” in her eyes that represented the hope, faith and love that came from her personal relationship with Christ.
Just as a diamond is “unique”, there will never be another “treasure” like Venita. She will be missed by friends and family, but all are comforted with the assurance of seeing her again.
“Diamonds Are Forever”…
Venita Nix “Gi Gi” Fields, 71, of Odessa, died Monday January 31, 2005, at MD Anderson hospital in Houston.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 5, 2005 at Odessa Tabernacle, 2406 Oakwood, with the Pastor Doug Herget officiating.
Venita was born in Henderson, Texas, January 14, 1934. She was preceded in death by mother, Ida Collins Nix; father, Cecil William Nix; and son Jimmy Don Bolden.
Survivors include: Daughter, Deb Lee and husband, Kenneth, of Tulsa, Okla.; granddaughter Alicia Syverson and husband, Mike, of Odessa; great-granddaughter, Kaytlin Syverson; brother, Don Nix and wife, Debra, of La Margue, TX; step-son, Steven Fields of Dallas; two step-daughters, Glynna Lewis and husband, Dan, of Terrell, TX and Marcia Cook and husband, Keith, of Jasper, TX; 10 step-grandchildren, Rebecca, Daniel, Jessica, Joshua, and Michael Lewis; Sarah and Jacob Fields; Corrine, Carrie and Carrissa Cook; two nephews, Kyle Nix of Florida and Clay Nix of Louisiana; and one niece, Charity Nelson of Louisiana.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
Virginia ‘Jean’ Innocenzi
Rancho - Palos Verdes, Calif. Virginia “Jean” Innocenzi, 79, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., passed away from this life Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, at her residence.
She married
Tom Innocenzi, former manager of Shell Refinery, April 29, 1950, and lived in Odessa from 1972 to 1974.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, at Green Hill memorial Park.
She is survived by her husband, T.E. “Tom” Innocenzi of Rancho Palos Verdes; son, Tom Innocenzi of California; daughter, Janet Smith and husband, Randy, of Odessa; grandchildren, Christina Anderson of Houston, Austin Anderson of California, and Tyler Anderson of Odessa.
In lieu of flowers, we, the family, request donation be made to the Cancer Research and Education Fund, No. 470, St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, Attention: John Wagner, 1045 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 610, Long Beach, CA. 90213.
Travis Luther Surratt
ODESSA - Travis Luther Surratt, 57, passed away at Nocona General Hospital, on January 31, 2005. His father and cousin were at his bedside. Travis was born on June 10, 1946 in Hobbs, N.M. He attended Odessa Schools until the ninth-grade. He played on the teams of Little League and Pony League baseball during that time. He graduated from Stinnett High School, and then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He moved to Dallas to begin his career. Eventually, he moved to Nocona, TX to launch a highly successful self-employed business until his untimely death.
He is survived by his parents Travis and Ruth Surratt of Odessa, his sister Laura Jeanne Joiner of Arlington, many cousins, aunts, and uncles in Texas and Minnesota.
Travis will be sadly missed by us all. Travis had a wonderful personality and made friends easily. He enjoyed watching sport events and loved his dogs.
A special memorial service will be held in Dallas honoring Travis by his many friends and colleagues there.
Graveside services are scheduled for Friday, February 4, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
Raymond Walker
Odessa - Raymond Walker, 72, of Odessa, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at the Hospice House.
Raymond was born Nov. 28, 1933, in Odessa to Leroy Walker and Mary Phillips. He attended Douglas Elementary School and later Blackshear High School. He played basketball in high school. His favorite thing to do was have one of his kids drive his car, while he jogged for miles and miles. He worked at Sands Restaurant as a dishwasher, until he retired. Raymond married
his high school sweetheart, Berthena Pegues on July 26, 1954. Raymond was liked by everyone he met; there was nothing he would not do. We all love you Daddy!
He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy walker; mother, Mary Phillips; and three sisters, Betty Jo Woods, Ruby C. Smith, and Willie Mae Beck.
He is survived by five sons, Calvin Ray Walker, Evis Donnell Walker, Raymond Walker Jr., and Webbie Lee Walker, all of Odessa, and Mickey Walker of San Angelo; one daughter, June Walker of Odessa; Four sisters, Dorothy McMarrion, Bernice Smith, both of Odessa, Jewell Haynes of Los Angle, Calif., and Imogene Sims of Pampa; 26 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces; nephews; and a lot of friends.
A special warm embrace and appreciation to the staff at Avalon Place and Hospice House for all the caring love and support given to Raymond during this time.
Memorial service for Raymond Walker will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Odessa Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers send to 2950 Pleasant Ave. no. 101, Odessa, 79763.
Helen Allen Williams
Monahans - Helen Allen Williams, age 87, the daughter of pioneer rancher, Glenn Allen and Helen Daggett Allen, died at her home in Monahans, on January 31, 2005. Helen was a descendant of Capt. Ephriamm Daggett, known as the “Father of Fort Worth”. She was raised in Ector County on the Lazy R Ranch near Prairie Home, between Penwell and Monahans, and in Odessa. She lived nearly her entire life on the Lazy R Ranch or in Monahans. In 1936, Helen married
Frederic Lee “Bud” Williams Jr. who preceded her in death in 1975.
Helen is survived by sons, Allen and wife, Charmaine, Joseph and wife, Nancy; daughters, Helen Ann McDaniel and husband, J. W, Madeline McLain and husband, James, Loretta Shumway and husband, Steve, and Mary Watt and husband Dick; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Helen was a devoted member of St. John Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church in Monahans, and was known to many through her work at the church thrift shop, St. Vincent de Paul. She was also active in the Monahans community where her recent activities included the Ward County Archives, Meals on Wheels, and the Ward County Hospital Auxiliary.
The family will receive visitors from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Family Funeral Services, 306 S. Bruce St., Monahans.
A rosary will be said at 8 p.m. today at St. John Catholic Church in Monahans. A
funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Saint John Catholic Church, 500 South Ike St., Monahans, followed by interment at the Monahans Memorial cemetery, under the direction of Family Funeral Services, Jackie Harkey, director.
Helen’s children express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Uvelia Miranca, Yvonne Contreras, Jo Carroll and Anishia Babcock for their kind assistance to their mother over the last few months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint John Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church, 500 South Ike St., Monahans, Tx., 79756 or the Monahans Sandhills State Park Box 1738, Monahans, Tx, 79756.
Mrs. Dean Young
ENNIS - Mrs. Dean Young, 77, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at her home in Ennis.
She was born Feb. 9, 1927 in Moron, Texas, the daughter of Edgar and Sybil Hitt Harris. She was reared on the family farm outside Moran and graduated from Moran High School. She then attended San Angelo College. On March 14, 1946 she was married
to George A. Young. After their marriage they lived in San Angelo where she was employed by General Telephone and later, Sears.
They moved to Odessa where she continued to work at Sears. In 1975, she began working as a real estate sales agent, having worked diligently with the Odessa Board of Realtors; holding many offices. She served as President of the Odessa Board of Realtors in 1985 and was honored as “Realtor, of the Year” in 1989. She retired from Eidson Wasson Realty in 2002. In December 2002, she moved to Ennis to be close to her son and his family.
Through 2002, she was an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Odessa having been ordained as an Elder on Jan. 8, 1995. Upon moving to Ennis, she transferred her membership to the First Presbyterian Church of Ennis.
She had a great love for her family, especially Andrea and Kristopher; cherished her friends and missed them dearly when she moved; never missed an opportunity to work in her garden and loved to travel.
She is survived by a son and his wife, Don A. and Kathryn “Kaye” Young of Ennis; a granddaughter, Andrea Lee Young of Ennis; a great-grandson, Kristopher R. Young of Ennis; a brother and his wife, Ronald and Rhonda Harris of Moran; a close friend and companion for several years, Cleo Pettit of Sweetwater; and her four-legged companion, Kaci II of Ennis.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Young, on Feb. 22, 1986 and a son, George Robert “Bobby” Young on Feb. 2, 1962.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday in the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa with Rev. Bob Sams of the Westminster Presbyterian Church under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary.
The family received friends at the funeral home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, P.O. Box 96305, Washington, D.C. 20090-6405 or Family First Hospice, 109 S.W. Main St., Ennis, TX 75119.
Services are entrusted to J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc., 408 N. Dallas St., Ennis, TX 75119; 972-875-3891
Marie Ford
Odessa - Marie Ford, a Christian, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister and a friend went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, in Tonopah, Nev., after a sudden illness.
She was born Oct. 3, 1936, in Coleman to Jess and Lonia Watkins.
She married
E.A. “Al” Ford on Oct. 15, 1954, in Monahans. He preceded her in death in 1991. Also preceding her in death were her mother and father.
Her son and daughter-in-law, Vance and Beverly Ford of Odessa; and grandchildren, Stacy Ford Doughty and husband, Brian, of Moore, Okla., and Brandon Ford of Odessa; two sisters, Juanita Dodson and Alma Hewett, both of Odessa, survive her as well as several nieces; nephews; and a large extended family of aunts; uncles; and cousins. A very special friend, Max Ladd of Duncan, Okla., also survives her.
She found great joy working alongside Dr. Dale Curry as his receptionist from 1973 until their retirement in 1990.
Her phone line would be busy for hours on end, as she loved talking with her family and friends. She enjoyed spending time watching old movies, and she always had the coffee pot on for anyone who came by.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Byron McWilliams officiating. Interment will follow at the Monahans Memorial cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Leonard Norman Wood Sr.
Midland - Leonard Norman Wood Sr., 79, of Midland, peacefully passed away Friday, February 4, 2005, after a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, February 7, 2005, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel with Ronnie Williams officiating. A burial and Masonic graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at the Tool cemetery in Tool, Texas.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home 3800 N. Big Spring St.
Leonard was born February 8, 1925, to Leonard Carl Wood and Linnie Ann Meazell Wood in the northwest Henderson County farming community of Tool, Texas, near the banks of the Trinity River. He attended schools in Mabank and Tool before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He married
his lifetime sweetheart, Chloe Jane Columbus, on January 12, 1943, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
During his naval career, his tours of duty included Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, the USS Prince William (CVE-31), and as a member of the permanent Shore Patrol, Naval Station San Diego, California, before his honorable discharge from active duty in 1946. Upon his naval discharge, he and Jane returned home to Texas and settled in West Texas. He spent the next 45 years working in the oilfield business spanning every aspect of this industry from roughneck to corporate security. He was a Texas Certified Law Enforcement Peace Officer.
In 1963, he founded The Branding Association of the United States, working with every level of law enforcement, revolutionizing the recovery of oilfield equipment thefts. He retired in 1992 as the Director of Security for Union Texas Petroleum Company of Houston, having spent several years traveling around the world in this capacity.
He was a loyal and dedicated member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Charter Member and Past Master and Past Master Pro-Tem of Acacia Lodge #1414, Midland Lodge #623, Sitting Senior Deacon of the Centennial Lodge #1448, Lubbock Scottish Rite and Midland York Rite Bodies, The Suez Midland Shrine Club, the Midland Shrine Golf Unit, Life Member of the Suez Marching Patrol, Suez Provost Guard and Director’s Staff, Ambassador to the Blue Lodge, Charter Member and Past President of the 81st Masonic District’s Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association, and served as the Editor of the MWS Newsletter and Calendar each month.
He was the beneficiary of many awards including receiving his 50-Year Service Award in December 2000 at the Grand Lodge Waco, along with the Groebl Award, Provost Marshall State of Texas, and the Golden Trowel Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Jeddy Bridgeman Wood.
Mr. Wood is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Chloe Jane Wood of Midland; two sons and their wives, Leonard Jr. and Alice Wood of Midland and Mike and Kathy Wood of Greenville; five grandchildren and their spouses, Meredith and husband Michael Anderson of McKinney, Tracie Wood of Midland, Jeffrey and wife Amy Wood of McKinney, Paul and Erika Wood of Copperas Cove and Daniel Wood of Midland; four great-grandchildren, Kelsey Wood of Midland, Caroline Anderson, Sydney Anderson and Landon Wood, all of McKinney; sister, Patsy Blair of Midland; four nephews, Mark Blair of Midland, Bobby Blair of Maine, Hugh Blair of Washington and Greg Blair of Midland.
He will be truly missed by his many lifelong friends in the law enforcement community along with his Masonic and Shrine families.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Wood, Sgt. Paul Wood, Daniel Wood, Michael Anderson, Greg Blair, Bobby Blair and Hugh Blair.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ronnie Williams, Ed Ward and members of his dialysis transportation team and all members of the Masonic Lodges.
A special word of gratitude for their loving care is given to Dr. Larry Oliver and the staff of the Permian Basin Dialysis Center, the ICU and 4th floor nurses and staff of Midland Memorial Hospital and Semper Care Hospital.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital 2222 Welborn St. Dallas, TX 75219 or to The Shriner’s Burn Center for Children, 815 Market St., Galveston, TX 77550-2725.
Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.
