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Joe Ruth ‘Mama Joe’ Rittiman
ODESSA — Joe Ruth “Mama Joe” Rittiman, 75, of Odessa passed away Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, in Odessa.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Watkins officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel.
She was born May 17, 1926, in Del Rio and was a resident of Odessa for 40 years. She was a retired foodservice worker. She was Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her father, Johnny J. Whistler; mother, Guida V. Whistler; son, John Wesley Barbee; husband, Jack Barbee; husband, William Riggins; and grandson, DeWayne Barbee.
She is survived by her sons, Terry Barbee of Odessa, Bobby Riggins of Midland and Michael Riggins of Odessa; daughters, Jackie Smith (Ed) of Hyde Park, N.Y., Theresa Barbee (Joe Vaughn) of Augusta, Ga., Rita Owen (Paul) of Odessa and Barbara Burns (Charles Scott) of Odessa; sister, Margaret Barbee of Lubbock; brothers, Mike Whistler of Del Rio and Butch Smith of Lubbock; 20 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Martinez Funeral Home.
Opal ‘Eileen’ Melton
ODESSA — On Thursday, June 14, 2001, Eileen Melton went home to be with her Lord.
She was born July 17, 1920, in Healdton, Okla., to Vernon and Ella Brandon. She married
George Melton Sept. 21, 1940, and was proud to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this past year. Eileen and George put down roots in Odessa in 1960. She was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word and a very talented seamstress who created beautiful works with her hands. She was a self-taught painter and crafter who loved to share her gift with others.
Eileen was a charter member of Central Baptist Church where she served in many capacities through the years. She loved her church and the many friends she worshipped together with.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, beloved stepmother and brother.
Eileen is survived by her loving husband, George; daughter, Beverly Ford and son Donnie Melton, both of Odessa; her brother, Jess Brandon of Moore, Okla.; and sister, Nita Lindley of Mexia. Three grandchildren, Scarlet Melton, Brandon and Stacy Ford also survive her.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today, June 16, 2001, at Central Baptist Church, 1401 N. Texas Ave., with the Rev. David Johnson and Dr. Ernest Easley officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
If desired, memorials can be made to the Television Ministry at First Baptist Church.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Gene Ferguson
KERMIT — Gene Ferguson, 77, of Kermit, a retired bookkeeper for Dunlap’s Department Store, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today at the Kermit cemetery with the Rev. Bill Campbell officiating. Arrangements by Cooper Funeral Chapel.
She was born in Benett and was a resident of Kermit for 58 years. She was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Bobby Dunham and Gary Ferguson, both of Kermit; daughters, Barbara Wright of Coleman and Sherry Slaughter of Bedford; brother, Floyd Geer of Abilene; sisters, Bessie Crow and Jan Mitchell, both of Kermit, Evadean Baker of Wink and Belva Jo Fowler of Burleson; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
J.W. Kennedy
LEVELLAND — J.W. Kennedy, 84, of Krum, a retired employee of Santa Fe Drilling Co. in Odessa, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, at Care Inn in Sanger.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Levelland City cemetery. Arrangements by Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home.
He was born in Comanche County and had been a resident of Odessa. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church.
SURVIVORS: Daughter, Shirley Connelly of Odessa; sons, W.W. Kennedy of Adams, N.D., Jerry Kennedy and Donald Kennedy, both of Odessa, Homer Kennedy of Tyler and John Kennedy of Krum; three sisters; 23 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
James Lewis
FORT DAVIS — James Wooten Lewis, 93, of Fort Davis, a retired electrical engineer, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, at an Alpine nursing home.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Fort Davis Methodist Church with the Rev. Ernie Vineyard officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest cemetery. Arrangements by Geeslin Funeral Home.
He was born in Bronson.
SURVIVORS: Daughter, Muriel Damron of Crane; son, Kevin A. Lewis of Pacific Grove, Calif.; sister, Ruth Marsh of Texas; brother, Robert Lewis of Winter Park, Fla.; and two grandchildren.
Lana Osborn
TOYAH — Lana Beth Osborn, 54, of Pecos, a homemaker, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, in San Antonio.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Toyah cemetery with the Rev. Les Woodard officiating. Arrangements by Pecos Funeral Home.
She was born in San Angelo and was a lifelong resident of Pecos. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Joe Osborn of Pecos; son, Billy Don Guthrie of Brownwood; daughters, Lana Renee Scandurra of Austin, Anita McNelly of Moore, Okla., and Kathy Tolle of Euless, N.M.; brother, Richard Arlen Miller of San Antonio; sister, Sandra Ellen Doody of San Antonio; and 12 grandchildren.
Edgar Price
ROTAN — Edgar Price, 94, of Rotan, a retired farmer, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, at his residence.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church with Werth Mayes and Dutch Parks officiating. Burial will follow at Belvieu cemetery. Arrangements by Weathersbee Funeral Home.
He was born in Indian Creek. He was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Daughters, Mary Francis Fulcher of Odessa, Annie Lou Goodwin of Sweetwater and Lavada Jones of Rotan; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Ana Rivas
ODESSA — Ana Maria Portillo Rivas, 75, of Odessa, a homemaker, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at her residence.
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Gilbert Rodriguez officiating. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Rose Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel.
She was born in Los Nogales Balleza, Mexico. She was Catholic.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Jose Rivas of Odessa; sons, Javier Rivas and Mario Rivas, both of Odessa; daughters, Irma Meraz and Luz Elena Rivas Arroyo, both of Odessa; brothers, Guillermo Portillo and Liborio Portillo, both of Balleza, Mexico, Tomas Portillo and Martin Portillo, both of Lowland, Colo.; sisters, Guadalupe Portillo of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Juana Portillo, Inez Portillo and Placida Portillo, all of Balleza, Cira Portillo of Greeley, Colo., and Maria Luisa Portillo of Lowland; 21 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Helen Weemes
ANDREWS — Helen Weemes, 93, of Andrews, a homemaker, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at Andrews Healthcare Center.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at McNett Funeral Home Chapel with Jeff Askins officiating. Burial will be at the Andrews Old cemetery. Arrangements by McNett Funeral Home.
She was born in Stroud, Okla., and moved to Andrews in 1945. She was a member of the Church of God.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Merle Willey of Brownwood and Bob Willey of Midland; sister, Ruby Reagan of Indianapolis; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Marie Crabtree
ANDREWS — Marie Crabtree, 82, of Andrews died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, in Andrews.
Services are pending with McNett Funeral Home.
Ben Ellis Jr.
ODESSA — Ben Joe Ellis Jr., 54, of Odessa died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, at his residence.
Services are pending with Martinez Funeral Home.
Maxine Bruce
ODESSA — Maxine Fay Bruce, 69, of Odessa, a telephone operator, died Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Desert View Manor in Crane.
Services will be at 10 a.m. at the Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jack Watkins officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel.
She was born in Casper, Wyo. She was Pentecostal.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Don L. Bruce of Odessa; son, Michael Bruce of Odessa; daughter, Melinda McDavid of Scottbluff, Neb.; mother, Carrie Creager of Wyoming; and sisters Lavone Harch of Scottbluff and Bonnie Henderson of Sheridan, Wyo.
