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Ennis Shedwin Jr.
ODESSA — On April 18, 1934, the 9th child of 11 children was born to the Rev. and Mrs. Ennis Shedwin in Lufkin, TX. They named him Ennis, Jr. Later, the Shedwin family lived in Trinity and Galveston, TX.
Ennis Jr. gave his life to Christ at an early age. He was active in sports; he was the quarterback of his team and he graduated valedictorian of the Trinity Colored High School Class of 1951.
Believing that Negro children could and should flee from the sawmill mentality of the Piney Woods of East Texas and the sharecropper’s economy of the agrarian South, Ennis Jr. opted for the battlefields of Japan and Korea, with faith that he would return home and enroll in college on the GI Bill for upward mobility. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1955. He enrolled at Texas Southern University in 1958 and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in biology and physical education in 1962.
On Aug. 27, 1958, he was united in Holy matrimony with Willie Mae Perry in Galveston, Texas. That union was blessed with two children, Rolanda and Kathy.
After having taught at Central High School in Galveston, he came to Odessa in 1964 and continued his teaching and coaching career in the Ector County ISD at Blackshear High School under the principalship of Mr. Edward K. Downing and later under the principalship of Mr. Virgil Hendley. He also taught at Nimitz. He retired after having taught 29 years in the Odessa public school system.
On Oct. 24, 1969, in Houston, Texas, he was united in Holy matrimony with Jo Berne Brown, a native of Tennessee Colony, Texas, and a second year history teacher at Permian High School. To their union, one son, Ennis III, was born.
He united with St. Matthew Baptist Church in 1971 under the pastorage of the Rev. Rufus McClain. He was a National Science Foundation Fellow in geology at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas in Austin during the summers of 1969 through 1975. He earned his Master of Education degree from Sul Ross University and his mid-management certification from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
He was affiliated with the Iota Rho Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the American Legion Post No. 80. He served as a commander of VFW Post No. 6717 and he was a Worshipful Master of Mount Rose Lodge No. 194.
During his failing health, he waited with humility and enthusiasm for Pastor A.C. Slack’s home visitation ministry of prayer and fellowship on Monday mornings. Likewise, he experienced moving moments from the Bible study, prayers, and offerings of the St. Matthew Baptist Church Brotherhood home visitation ministry. Floral and frequent monetary gifts to him from the St. Matthew Church family always brought tears of appreciation.
He was preceded in death by this brother, Ernest Shedwin (1920-1958); his father, the Rev. Ennis Shedwin Sr. (1898-1960); his brother, Ivory Shedwin (1916-1964); his mother, Mrs. Alice Medlock-Shedwin (1898-1982); his sister, Margaret Martin (1936-1996); his brother, Jim Henry Smith (1915-1999); his sister, Venneta Cooper (1917-2001); and his sister, Claireaster Shedwin (1918-2002).
Those who survive to cherish his memory include his wife of 33 years, Jo Berne Shedwin; his five adult children (who are listed according to birth order): Clarence Shedwin and his wife, Dorothy; Janice Smith; Rolander and her husband, Jacques Tanner; Kathy Shedwin and Ennis Shedwin III.
His descendants also include five grandchildren (listed according to birth order): Keisha Shaw, Lorenzo Shaw, Jr., Kevorick Shedwin, Walter Tyler Shedwin, and Christian Bryce Shedwin. His third generation survivors include two great grandchildren: Tyrieck Shaw and Kameron Shaw. His surviving siblings are one brother, Eddie Frank Shedwin and his wife, Faye, Bremeton, Wash.; Juanita Felder, Houston, Texas; Albertine Shedwin and Mary Ann Hobbs, Trinity, Texas. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Others who cherish his memory are his brothers-in-law; Harold Brown and his wife, Sharon; and Benny Brown and his wife, Pamela.
Mr. Shedwin passed away Sept. 20, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital. Family visitation is scheduled for tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at the Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, 1516 E. Murphy, with Pastor A.C. Slack officiating. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
Donnie J. Brown
ODESSA — We lost Donnie J. Brown on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002, after a long illness.
He was born June 8, 1956, in Odessa, Texas, to Tom and Jean Brown. He married
Pat Chaney on Aug. 17, 1984, in Odessa.
Donnie was a lifelong resident of Odessa. He graduated from Odessa High School. He owned and operated Qualitex Ind. X-Ray Inc. His greatest joys were bowling and baseball. He spent many hours building baseball fields at North Ector Little League and had served on the board of the Odessa Youth Boys’ Association. He loved spending time with his three boys whatever sport they were involved in.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas R. Brown; and a sister, Neva Gail Watkins.
He is survived by his wife Pat Brown of Odessa; three sons, Justin York and wife Alison of Midland, Dustin York and Brandon Brown, both of Odessa; mother, Jean Brown of Odessa; and brothers, Tommy Brown, Steve Brown and Dave Brown, all of Odessa.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at the Frank W. Wilson Chapel with the Rev. Randy Unruh officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice House of Odessa.
Marlin "Edge" Edgington
YANCEY — Marlin “Edge” Edgington, 62, a retired truck driver met the angels, Sept. 12, 2002, after battling cancer.
He was born Aug. 1, 1940, in Manhattan, Kan. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, having lost his right leg above the knee in 1961. The wonderful thing about Edge was that he never considered himself handicapped. Among his accomplishments, He drove over one million miles in his 1984 two-toned green Peterbilt with no loss of cargo or an accident. His handle was DOUBLE EDGE.
He also danced, swam, rode horses and drove his tractor on his ranch. He is survived by his wife, Pearlann Pae Edgington; brother, John Edgington of Champaign, Ill.; sisters, Sharon Diffenderfer of Anthony, N.M., and Vanessa Williams of Fenton, Mich; parents, Owen and Dorothy Edgington of Flat Rock, Ill.; sons, Leslie Robert Edgington of Leakey, Texas, and Sean Bingham of Olathe, Colo.; daughters, Lynn Bingham, of Camp Wood, Bonita Arriola, of Falfurrias and Julie Domgard of Odessa, Texas; grandchildren, Shane Bingham, Daniel Bingham, Tanya Bingham, Jonathon Edgington, Dalene Edgington, Jenny Chavez, Valerie Chavez, Maria Arriola, Cristina Arriola, Dakota Bingham and Taylor Bingham; and great-grandson, Gentry Bingham. He will also be missed by his constant companion, “Boney.”
A memorial service will be held at the ranch in Yancey for friends and family at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002.
Arrangements entrusted to Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels, 2910 Ave. E, Hondo, Texas, 78204.
Vinia Jean Bledsoe
ODESSA — Mrs. Vinia Jean Swoopes Bledsoe passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
She was born June 18, 1934 in Lott, Texas, to Mr. Mack Swoopes Sr. and Mrs. Inez Truesdale Swoopes. She began school in Kansas City, Mo. She was one of seven children, two of whom have preceded her in death.
The family moved to Odessa in 1941, and she resumed her education in Ector County Independent schools; first at Douglas Elementary School and later at Blackshear Jr./Sr. High School. She was very active in basketball and track and field, as she lettered in both.
She later attended Odessa College and Wilson’s Beauty College from which she graduated. Immediately after graduation, she became an operator at Bivian’s Beauty Salon where she worked for many years before she retired. And later was employed at Texas Electric Service Company for 17 years before retirement.
Mrs. Bledsoe was married
to Mr. Lawrence Bledsoe Sept. 4, 1955, by the late Rev. W.R. Ockletree, pastor of St. James Baptist Church, where she was a member.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. Roscoe S. Sutton officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill cemetery. Visitation will be held at Martinez Funeral Home on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, a brother and a sister.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Bledsoe of Odessa; brother, Mack Swoopes Jr. of Odessa; sisters, Willie Ruth Houston of Harrisburg, Penn., Billy Swoopes and Jackie L. Hammond and her husband Lee R. Hammond, all of Odessa; two uncles, William Swoopes of Kansas City, Mo., and James Truesdale of Lott; two aunts, Addie Ruth Butcher of Oakland, Calif. and Freddie B. Taylor of Dallas; three nieces; twelve nephews; and a host of other relatives.
Lloyd Harold Curlee
ODESSA — Lloyd Harold Curlee passed away Sept. 2, 2002, after a lengthy illness.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, September 6 at Sunset Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dick Brown officiating.
Mr. Curlee was born in Itasca, Texas, on Nov. 6, 1923, to Thomas Gwen Curlee and Phema Williams Curlee. He began his education in Itasca, and graduated from Itasca High School. He was very active in sports and won second place at State finals in Austin in the 100-yard dash. He was also drum major in the school band.
He entered the United States Army on Oct. 24, 1943, and served in the Anti-Aircraft Coast Artillery. He was in the Invasion of Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. Mr. Curlee was a rifle marksman. During his enlistment, he advanced to the rank of Private First Class. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, service ribbons, and one Silver Service Star. Mr. Curlee received his Honorable Discharge on Feb. 24, 1945.
In 1946, Mr. Curlee began his pursuit in higher education at North Texas University in Denton. He completed his BA degree in 1949 and began his first teaching assignment in Midland. In 1950, he taught at Austin Elementary under the supervision of A. G. McDonald in Odessa.
During the years of 1950 to 1953, Mr. Curlee graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education and the years that followed he completed 30 hours beyond his Master’s. From 1950 until his retirement in 1983, he completed 34 years teaching children and made a great contribution in meeting the need of his students.
Mr. Curlee had many friends and cherished these relationships. Along with his love for people, he also enjoyed raising and training dogs for shows throughout Texas. His first dog, a Basenji named “King, ” was given to him by A. G. and Bess McDonald in 1958. This particular dog won many state recongnitions along with several other dogs he had trained.
Mr. Curlee was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing with others the books he had read.
Lloyd Curlee will be missed by his friends and associates and will long be remembered by the students and lives he has touched.
He is survived by two brothers, Jack Curlee of Waxahachie and Sterling Curlee of Pasadena; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John Makoviny, Jr.
MIDLAND — John Makoviny, Jr., 83, of Midland and Pecos, died Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at his residence in Midland, Texas. He was born on Jan. 21, 1919, to John and Mary Makoviny in Connecticut.
John served in the United States Navy during World War II as a seaman second class on the U.S.S. Solace and received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the war. He attended New Mexico Highlands University and received a Master’s degree in education. He then taught special education in Carlsbad, N.M. until his retirement. While teaching he met Winnie Davis Rhulen and married
her in 1950. She was his loving wife until her death in 1993. He attended St. Catherine’s Church in Pecos and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his very dear friend, Doris Lloyd of Midland; his grandchildren, Maureen Berry and husband James, Colleen Votry and husband Frank, Eileen Bahama and husband Mike and John Gallagher and his fiancée J.J. Straight, all of Las Vegas, Nev.; and great-grandchildren, Amber Votry, Kenneth and Stephanie Langille, James Paul Berry Jr. and Eddie and Mario Dominguez.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, at Ellis Funeral Home between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m.
Funeral services in Midland have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Hopkins officiating. Services in Pecos have been scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Interment will be in Stratford, Conn. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Hwy. Midland, Texas.
Dennie Bailey
MENARD — Dennie Ray Bailey, 42, of Odessa, an oilfield driller, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Resthaven cemetery in Menard. Arrangements by Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
He was born in Junction.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Joyce Bailey of Odessa; stepson, Christopher Simmons of Odessa; daughters, Christy Bailey and Kami Bailey, both of Eden; stepdaughters, Samantha and Alyssa Simmons, both of Odessa; mother, Nell Bailey Murr of Menard; brothers, Delton Bailey of Paint Rock and Billy D. Bailey of Menard.
Estella Curiel deParedes
CRANE — Estela Curiel deParedes, 65, of Crane, a homemaker, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002, at Crane Memorial Hospital.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home Chapel with Chris Vore officiating. Burial will be at Crane County cemetery. Arrangements by Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.
She was born in Chihuahua, Mexico.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Francisco Paredas of Crane; sons, Adrian Paredes of Odessa, Omar Paredes, Carlos Paredes and Ramon Paredes, all of California, Alberto Paredes, Miguel Paredes and Gabriel Paredes, all of Crane; daughters, Guadalupe P. de Garcia and Blanca P. de Contreras, both of Crane, Lourdes P. Coffman of El Paso, Rosa P. de Grajeda of Puerto Rico, and Orquididia P. de Duarte of Juarez, Mexico; sisters, Velia Curiel of Chihuahua, Mexico, Amparo Curiel of Mexico and Celia Curiel of Odessa; brothers, Mario Curiel and Genaro Curiel, both of Amarillo; and 33 grandchildren.
Maxie E. Rich
ODESSA — Maxie E. Rich, 46, of Odessa, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
Graveside services will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Odessa cemetery with the Rev. David Pistone officiating. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home.
He was born in Austin.
SURVIVORS: Son, Edward C. Rich of Odessa; sister, Brenda Richardson of Midland; and five grandchildren.
Doris Rowson
ODESSA — Doris June Rowson, 59, of Fort Worth, a cable company service representative, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at her residence.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church. Burial will be at Rose Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors of Fort Worth.
She was born in Clovis, N.M. She was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Sons, David M. Rowson of Washington D.C., and Sheldon R. Rowson of Arlington; daughter, Kristen Michelle Rowson-Richardson of Arlington; sisters, Lois King of Odessa, Katherine Mitchell of Arizona, Elaine Banks and Lynn Williams, both of Clovis, N.M., and Pamela Williams of Germany; and brothers, Dennis Williams, of Seattle, Ronald Williams of Colorado and Augusta Williams Jr. of Washington.
Autumn Vasquez
SEMINOLE — Autumn LeAnn Vasquez, infant daughter of Jose and Rosemary Vasquez of Seminole, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Gaines County cemetery with the Rev. Reynaldo Reyes officiating. Arrangements by Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole.
SURVIVORS: Parents, Jose Luis and Rosemary Vasquez of Seminole; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Maria Casarez of Seminole; paternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary Bell Vasquez of Lubbock; maternal great-grandmother, Virginia Casarez of Seminole and maternal great-grandfather, Mr. Cavarello of Mexico; and maternal great-great-grandmothers, Josephine Vasquez of Waco and Aparicia Bolanos of Seminole.
Elena Melendez
ODESSA — Elena Melendez, 89, of Odessa, died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
Services are pending with Martinez Funeral Home.
