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John Thomas Wilkerson
Odessa - John Thomas Wilkerson, age 62, passed away Friday, October 27, 2006, at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.
He was born June 25, 1944, to Bernice and Neva (Brown) Wilkerson in Hodgenville, KY. He served in the U. S. Navy.
He married
Carolyn Bennett on January 7, 1972, in Lovington, NM. He was an active member in his church, Eisenhower Church of Christ, and loved being with his grandchildren. He was a former truck driver.
His parents, and his brother, Mike Wilkerson, all preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Wilkerson of Odessa; son, Clay Wilkerson of Burnet, TX; daughters, Reda Sowell and husband, Richard of Midland, TX; Gina Schippers and husband Joe, and Johna Straw and husband, Scot, all of Odessa; brothers, Bobby Wilkerson of Upton, KY, and Charlie Wilkerson of Tompkinsville, KY, and sisters, Janet Wilkerson of Magnolia, KY, Carolyn Metcalf of Hodgenville, KY, and Lori Wells of Canden, KY, and ten grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 29, 2006, at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel, with Burt Groves of Eisenhower Church of Christ officiating.
Memorials can be donated to the Eisenhower Church of Christ Youth Fund.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Mittie M. Akin
Kermit - Mittie M. Akin, age 75, long time resident of Kermit, went to be with her Lord Wednesday, July 12, 2006. She entered this life Thursday, February 26, 1931, in Hugo, Oklahoma. She was born to the late Lewis W. and Corinne (Fields) Pursell. She was a member of the Eastside Church of Christ.
Mittie married
Jack David Akin on January 22, 1949. He preceded her in death in September of 2004. She was a homemaker, who loved to sew, quilt, and read. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha.
She leaves behind three daughters: Cheryl Bandel and husband Mike of Schertz, TX, Cathy Kapka and husband Jim of Flagstaff, AZ, and Janice Johnson and husband Eddie of Odessa; one brother: Glen Pursell of Lafayette, LA; one sister: Jean Daniel of Moore, OK; ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Her parents: Lewis W. and Corinne Pursell, her son: Rusty Akin, three brothers: Melvin, Alvin and Travis Pursell; and one sister: Ollie Enox preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, July 14, 2006 at Eastside Church of Christ with Brothers Monty Huffman and Clydel Chapman officiating. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Akin’s grandsons and Charles Ainsworth. Interment will follow at Kermit cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
The American Cancer Society
PO Box 102454
Atlanta, Georgia 30368-2454
or you may call 800-ACS-2345
Or The National Kidney Foundation of West Texas
306 W. Wall St.
Midland, Texas 79701
Arrangements were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.
Betty Geske
Kermit - Betty Geske, age 80, longtime resident of Kermit, passed away at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa on Wednesday, July 12, 2006. She was born in Putnam, Callahan County, TX on Sunday, October 4, 1925 to the late James Albert and Addie (Pryor) Sharp.
Betty married
her late husband, Roy Geske August 4, 1942 in Breckenridge, TX. They moved from Pecos to live in Kermit in 1953. She owned her own business, running a beauty shop out of her home for about 35 years. She had been a Pink Lady since 1983. She was a member of Grace Temple Baptist Church. Betty was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Betty is survived by two sons: Roy Geske and wife Brenda of Bakersfield, CA, and Ronnie Geske and wife Debra of Sonora, TX ; five grandchildren: John Geske, Beverly Baxley, Eric Geske, Jason Geske, and Kim Boggs; and seven great-grandchildren.
Preceding Betty in death are her husband: Roy Geske; two brothers: Herbert and James Sharp; and one sister: Winifred Elmore.
Graveside services will be held 2:00 pm Sunday, July 16, 2006 at Kermit cemetery, with The Reverend Henry Freund officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.
Emmett Elton ‘Al’ Tamplin
Monahans - Emmett Elton “Al” Tamplin of Monahans passed away July 8, 2006 in his home. Al was born September 5, 1920 in Ranger, Texas to Richard Emmett Tamplin and Ruby Griffice Tamplin. He married
Ora Lee Abel in Coahoma, Texas in 1941. He is survived by his wife, Ora Lee; one son, Gordon Tamplin and wife, Carol, of Monahans; one daughter, Judith Lowe of Helena, Montana; four grandsons, Todd Tamplin of Texline, Texas, Jeff Tamplin and wife, Jenny, of Midland, Texas, Tyler Tamplin and wife, Anne, of Richardson, Texas, and Daren Tamplin and wife Alison of Wamego, Kansas; three granddaughters, Jennifer Lowe of Seattle, Washington, Jessica Lowe-Brennan and husband Sean of San Francisco, California, and Paige Beckanovic and husband Smajo of Houston, Texas; nine great-grandchildren and two sisters, Nell Walker of Snyder, Texas and Evelene Davis of Midland, Texas. Al was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and eight sisters.
In January 1946 after being discharged from the Army Air Corp, Al moved his family to Monahans to go to work for Frost Bakery. When Frost moved from Monahans, Al began his long career in the oil field, becoming owner of J & C Well Service and retired in 1988. Patience was one of Al’s greatest blessings, assisting him in all aspects of his life. He had a lifelong love of horses and enjoyed many hours with his grandchildren and neighboring children riding and caring for his horses in Wickett. After retiring he was able to devote much time to his love of fishing and camping.
The funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2006 at the First Baptist Church in Monahans with Reverend Clydel Chapman officiating. Interment followed at the Monahans Memorial cemetery, under the direction of Harkey Family Funeral Services. His four grandsons and two grandsons-in-law served as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Monahans or to Odyssey Healthcare, Inc., 2651 JBS Parkway, Odessa, TX 79761.
Margie Caroline Hardin Atkins
Arkadelphia, Ark. - Margie Caroline Hardin Atkins, age 86 of Arkadelphia died Tuesday, July 11, 2006 in Odessa, TX. She was born Dec. 26, 1919 in Bismarck, AR, the daughter of the late Elmer Lee and Tessie Ethel Thornton Hardin. She was a housewife and a member of the Northside Baptist Church. Her husband, George Atkins preceded her in death in 2005.
Survivors include two sons, Boyd Atkins of Odessa and Michael Atkins of Greer, SC; one daughter, Relda Margaret Wright of Pigeon Forge, TN; two brothers, Floy Hardin of Naples, TX and Coy Hardin of Arkadelphia, AR; two sisters, Blanche Sterne, El Paso, TX and Betty Reagen of Odessa, TX; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 15, 2006 in Mt. Zion cemetery with Rev. Rusty Jones officiating. Arrangements are by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers are Home Hospice and Hospice House of Odessa, Texas. To sign online guest register visit www.ruggleswilcox.com
Patricia Ann Thomas
Odessa - Ann Thomas was born in Ector County, Odessa, Texas on May 22, 1949. She was reared in Post, Texas and was a graduate of Post High School in 1968. She lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico for approximately 8 years. She moved to Dallas, Texas and joined Muse Air and Tran Star Airlines and eventually moved to Houston, Texas and worked in reservations for Southwest Airlines. In 1997 she moved to Cedar Hills, Texas and built and lived in her dream home. Due to medical problems she moved to Odessa in 2001 to be near her family members for support. She lived life with grace, gusto, and to make every day count. She was generous, kind, giving and loved everyone unconditionally.
Ann died July 12, 2006, Wednesday morning at Medical Center Hospital at 12:20 AM, from a stroke and medical complications. We love her and miss her greatly. Ann is preceded in death by her sister Marilyn Lou Ussery on October 31, 1984.
She is survived by her parents Silas and Dorothy Ussery; her sister, Sue Speiker; brothers, Jake Ussery and Jon Ussery and sisters, Elisabeth Beall and Michelle Gandy. Her nieces and nephews Jamie Speiker, Logan Beall, Lacy Beall, Ty Gandy, Hunter Gandy, Catlyn Ussery, and Keely Ussery.
Memorial services for Patricia Ann Thomas of Odessa are scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 3:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home. On line condolences can be made at www.mem.com.
Mildred Golden
Hughes - Springs - Funeral services for Mildred “Granny” Golden, 91, of Hughes Springs will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15 at Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church near Hughes Springs with the Revs. Dan McGuire and James Knight officiating. Burial will follow at Dennis cemetery under direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home, Inc. in Hughes Springs.
Mrs. Golden will lie in state Friday, and the family will receive friends after 4 p.m.
Mrs. Golden died Wednesday, July 12 at a Longview hospital. She was born February 1, 1915 in Cass County.
She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law Glenn and B.J. Golden of Odessa, Ronny and Ann Golden, Richard and Betty Golden and Steve and Barbie Golden, all of Hughes Springs; seven daughters and five sons-in-law Jean and Willard Duffey of Ore City, Reba Perkins of Gurdon, AR, Kathleen and Kenneth Steed of Daingerfield; Joyce and Richard Black, Johnnie Chunn, Sue and Doug McDaniel and Tresa and Charlie Bradley all of Hughes Springs; one sister Valera Bennett of Fort Worth; 40 grandchildren; 86 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Golden was preceded in death by her husband Taft, two sons Wes and Yogi Golden; two sons-in-law Allen Chunn and Pat Perkins; her parents Tierce and Georgie Stiles Lumpkin; four brothers, and one grandchild.
Florence Howell
PECOS — Florence Lena Emma Howell, 76, of Pecos, a retired employee of Bryan’s Nursery in Pecos, died Monday, Nov. 5, 2001, at Pine Arbor Healthcare Center in Silsbee.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Pecos Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael Fickenscher officiating. Burial will be at Mount Evergreen cemetery. Arrangements by Pecos Funeral Home.
She was born in San Antonio and was a lifelong resident of Pecos. She was Lutheran.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Jim Howell of Silsbee and John Howell of Hico; brothers, Wilburn Laubach of Austin and Charles Laubach of Friendswood; sisters, Ester Wilcox of Everman, Pat Smith of Florence and Adline Waiser of Thorndale; and four grandchildren.
Richard Turnbough
BALMORHEA — Richard “Rip” Turnbough, 80, of Balmorhea, a retired farmer, died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001, at his residence.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Balmorhea Church of Christ with Eli Borden officiating. Burial will be at Mount Evergreen cemetery in Pecos. Arrangements by Pecos Funeral Home.
He was born in Quanah and was a lifelong resident of Balmorhea. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Gussie Turnbough of Balmorhea; daughters, Karen Smith of Tucumcari, N.M., Cynthia Winters of Austin, Debbie Vickers of Brady and Melanie Reed of Morgan; sons, Dennis Turnbough of Humble and Larry Turnbough of Balmorhea; brothers, Wade Turnbough of Meadow and David Turnbough of Denver City; 18 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Tomasa Vasquez
GRANDFALLS — Tomasa Vasquez, 75, of Grandfalls, a homemaker, died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001, at her residence.
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church with the Rev. John Lucido officiating. Rosary will be said at 8 p.m. today at today at the church. Burial will be at Tamarisk cemetery. Arrangements by Harkey Funeral Home.
She was born in Terlingua and was a resident of Grandfalls since 1943. She was Catholic.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Pascual Vasquez of Grandfalls; sons, Roberto Vasquez and Roy Vasquez, both of Grandfalls, and Rueben Vasquez of Odessa; daughters, Susie Holguin of Forsan, Linda Abila, Sylvia Luna and Mary Rodriguez, all of Grandfalls, and Celia Vasquez of Lovington, N.M.; brother, Maracio Cadena of Midland; sisters, Tina Acosta of Grandfalls, Rosa Williams of Graham, Eliz Salmon of Pecos, Francisca Dominguez and Mary Cavazos, both of Crane, and Lucy Prieto of Lubbock; 21 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Billingsley
Odessa - Dorothy Billingsley, born June 3, 1912, was a native of Boston, Mass. Dorothy was a child prodigy at the age of three as they discovered she could play on the piano from what she heard from a radio or recording. Performing from the age of five, she became a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with a diploma in piano pedagogy and a diploma in piano performance. She studied with Laura Huxtable Porter at the New England Conservatory Pre-college Preparatory School before entering the Conservatory at college level. Her professional debut in 1928 was at Jordan Hall, Boston, and was followed by Town Hall Debut, in New York City. Her performances include Mason & Hamlin Piano Hour and Chickering Young Artist Series on radio, tours with Community Symphony Orchestras throughout New England States and New York State, Boston Symphony “Pops” Orchestra under Arthur Fiedler. She was a special student at Julliard in New York with Ernst Hutcheson and Olga Samaroff. Mrs. Billingsley maintained a studio in Odessa from 1946 to 1983 and was a certified teacher of National Music Teachers Association, the oldest living member of the Texas Music Teachers Association and Charter Member of Odessa Music Teachers Association and a Hall of Fame member of National Guild of Piano Teachers. She also widely traveled as a national guild judge. In 1928 at the age of 15, she selected a very special seven-foot Steinert grand piano, which she paid with her own earnings. She went to the Steinert piano warehouse where she literally played almost a hundred pianos before selecting her special Steinert. She was the church organist from the age of 12 and helped organize the first choir for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Odessa. In addition to her musical talents, Dorothy was an avid golfer, bowler and a junior Olympic diver. Her uncle Mossie worked as public relations manager for Gillette and was a big pal of Babe Ruth. Dorothy loved attending games at Fenway Park, especially watching the 1918 World Series games when the Boston Red Sox won the pennant with Babe Ruth, who taught Dorothy to tie her shoes. In her young adult life, Dorothy had a pilot’s license and was a member of the Fairy Fleet to carry mail when all other pilots were used in the war effort. Dorothy met Lee on Halloween in 1942, love at first sight, and married
him in January 1943 before Lee shipped overseas with the 36th Infantry Division to fight in North Africa and Italy.
Dorothy moved to Monahans, Texas in 1945 and opened her piano studio before moving to Odessa in 1949, preparing numerous students for collegiate study and professional performance. She had six wonderful children and still contributed to society by being a charter member of the Midland-Odessa Symphony, charter president of the Odessa Pilot Club (a women’s leadership group), was the Post and Department President of the American Legion Auxiliary, charter member of the Odessa Music Teachers Association, member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Odessa Garden Club, and the St. Mary’s Altar Society.
Dorothy also was selected in 1976 as one of one hundred people in the U.S. to represent America as a Goodwill Ambassador on a People-to-People tour of Europe and Russia for her musical talents. At the age of 72, she went on a Windjammer cruise as a sailor and also traveled extensively with Elder Hostel. She developed Keyboard Consultants in 1977 and offered her expertise in piano pedagogy through the 1980s. Dorothy loved to go hot air ballooning as well.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lee Roy Billingsley, a daughter Beverly Billingsley and grand-daughter Arielle Englert. She is survived by five children, Richard Billingsley of Odessa, Diane Adams of Broomfield, Colorado, Laura Stewart of Fort Worth, Robert Billingsley of Houston and Terri Tinsley of West Point, Mississippi. She has eleven grandchildren Matthew Tweedy of Prescott, Arizona, Brusse James of Odessa, and Bevin Persson of Oklahoma City; Bud, Jay, and Emily Adams of Las Vegas, Nevada; Chris Englert of Odessa; Andrew Billingsley of Houston; and Brooks, Megan and Sara Tinsley of West Point, Mississippi. She has five great-grandchildren.
Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2007, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Jacquelyn Kay Stokes Woodward Howard
Crane - Kay Howard peacefully joined our Lord Tuesday morning surrounded by family and friends. Kay Howard was born in McCamey, Texas on February 20, 1944. She lived all her life in Crane, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her father, John L. Stokes and her mother, Leora Jones. Kay is survived by two sisters from Odessa, Shorty Stokes and Pam Rogers; a daughter, Kristi Woodward of Crane; and a son and daughter-in-law, Don and Michelle Woodward of Midland; as well as three grandchildren, Zac Woodward, Megan Ivie and Max Ivie, all of Midland.
Kay attended the Crane Independent School District and graduated in 1962 as the second of six generations of alumni. She enjoyed dancing, arts and crafts, woodworking, ceramics, the ocean, and her friends and family. Kay worked all over Crane from the Dairy Mart, Fox’s Grocery, ARCO Block 31, to finally a dispatcher with the Crane Police Department. In October of 2006, Kay was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. In November Kay began residence at Parks Methodist Retirement Village. Under the caring hands of Odyssey Hospice, Kay made the gentle transition to be with our Lord.
Kay had a great sense of humor all the way to the end. She took in all of her children’s friends and treated them as her own. She was highly involved with her sister’s events and kid’s activities. She loved Elvis Presley, Gone With the Wind, Pepsi-cola and a good piece of chocolate cake.
Kay will be greatly missed. Every person she met, she touched in some way. Some she called her friend, others a sister, to us she was and is our mom.
Viewing is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Crane followed by a fellowship of stories honoring our extraordinary mom.
Donations can be made to Odyssey Hospice or to Parks Methodist Retirement Village in Kay Howard’s name.
