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Avalyn Pogue Whitmire
ODESSA — Avalyn Pogue Whitmire, 88, died Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at a care facility in San Antonio, Texas.
Mrs. Whitmire was born in Commerce, Texas, on Jan. 10, 1914, to the late Joseph A. and Lillis Leona Elliott Pogue. She moved to Midland in 1927 and remained in West Texas either in life or spirit until her death. Of her initial trip to Midland from Oklahoma, she wrote about the three-day trip in a “Ford touring car with isinglass curtains.”
She graduated from Midland High in 1931 and completed registered nurses’ training at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, in 1936. She lived in Ector County for 59 years where she started the ECISD school nursing program in 1947 and remained the head school nurse until her retirement in 1974. During those years, she touched the lives of many children in the Ector County public schools.
She loved the summers she spent as camp nurse at Camp La Junta for Boys and Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls on the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas.
In retirement she was active in the Modern Gardeners Garden Club and Ector County Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed working in her yard, and won numerous horticulture prizes at the Permian Basin Fair.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Harwell C. Whitmire; a son, John P. Whitmire; her parents; and two brothers, J.C. Pogue and Bill Pogue.
Survivors include a son, Jack Whitmire and wife Nelda of Victoria, Texas; daughters, Betty Sumner and husband Bill of Midland and Mary Fish and husband Steve of Tempe, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at the First United Methodist Church of Odessa with the Rev. Steve Trout, senior pastor, officiating.
Services are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home of Midland.
The family suggests that memorials be directed to First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee Ave., Odessa, Texas, 79761 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Joyce Epperson Brackeen
ODESSA — Joyce Epperson Brackeen, 67, of Odessa, went to be with our Lord on Sept. 6, 2002. She passed away at Medical Center Hospital.
She was born December 21, 1934, in Tyler, Texas, to Clarence and Ruby Epperson. She married
Alvis L. Brackeen Feb. 10, 1978, in Odessa.
She was a retired cook and waitress. She was also a Christian and a Baptist.
She is preceeded in death by her husband, Alvis L. Brackeen; parents, Clarence and Ruby Epperson; and a brother, Donald W. Epperson.
She is survived by her six sons, James Huse and wife Linda, Mike Huse and wife Marilyn and Steve Huse and wife Judy, all of Odessa, Tim Parish of Midland, Gary Brackeen and wife Ellie of Devine and J.D. Brackeen and wife Colinda of Azle, Texas; eight brothers, Billy Jo Epperson of Loraine, Charles Epperson of Schartz, Roy Epperson of Ballinger, Jerry Epperson of Burnet, George Epperson of Midlothian, Gerold Epperson of Colorado City and Micky Epperson of Odessa; 19 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, 10:00 a.m. at Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Shelton officiating. Burial to follow at Rose Hill cemetery.
Services by Odessa Funeral Home.
Arthur Connell
ODESSA — Arthur L. “Dugan” Connell, 83, of Odessa, owner of Dugan Body Shop, died Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Temple Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Thomason officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
He was born in Gatesville. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Jimmy Wayne Connell of Midland and Richard A. Connell of Odessa; brothers, Charles Connell of Tucson, Ariz., and Allen Connell Jr. of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Mickey Gonzales Jr.
ODESSA — Mickey Gonzales Jr., 47, of Odessa, an oil industry fisherman, died Friday, May 31, 2002, in Runaway Bay.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Odessa Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel.
He was born in Snyder. He was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Linda Gonzales of Odessa; son, Jack Ragan of Odessa; daughter, Jennifer Kinman of Odessa; father, Gregorio Gonzales of Snyder; brothers, Ruben Gonzales of Phoenix, Ariz., and Abe Gonzales of Odessa; sister, Vera Ubando of Snyder; and three grandchildren.
Ruby Goodson
ODESSA — Ruby Louise Goodson, 60, of Odessa, a homemaker, died Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Hospice House.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gale Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
She was born in Lincoln County, N.M. She was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Earl W. Goodson of Midland; sons, Phillip Scott Smith of Houston, Tim Goodson of Kerrville and Craig Goodson of Odessa; daughters, Melinda Fields of Blooming Grove and Laniece Yzaguirre of Odessa; brothers, Gary Randall and Steve Randall, both of Fort Worth; and sisters, Mary Lou Elder of Goldsmith, Linda Dodson, Patsy Daniels and Barbara Daniels, all of Odessa, Janet Randall and Ardith Nichols, both of Fort Worth.
Bill Burkhalter
FORT STOCKTON — “Bill” Burkhalter, 85, of Fort Stockton, a bookkeeper, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Fort Stockton.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Church of Christ in Fort Stockton with the Rev. Harold Durham officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. at East Hill cemetery.
Arrangements by Fort Stockton Funeral Home.
She was born in Ranger and had been a resident of Fort Stockton since 1964.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Troy E. Burkhalter of Garland and Joe D. Burkhalter of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Minnie Coleman
ANDREWS — Minnie B. Coleman, 78, of Andrews, a restaurant co-owner, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, in Odessa.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Grace Baptist Church in Andrews with the Rev. Ted Short officiating. Burial will be at Andrews Old cemetery. Arrangements by McNett Funeral Home.
She was born in New Boston. She was Christian.
SURVIVORS: Husband, C.A. “Buddy” Coleman of Andrews; and daughters, Jucy C. Ellis of Lovington, N.M., and Jan Davis of Salt Flat.
Steve Cruz
MARFA — Steve Cruz, 75, of Marfa, a City of Marfa employee, died Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, in an Odessa hospital.
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa. Military graveside honors will follow at Merced cemetery. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Arrangements by Memorial Funeral Home in Van Horn.
He was born in Marfa. He was an Army veteran of World War II.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Paz Romero Cruz of Marfa; sons, Henry Munoz of New Mexico, Edmundo Escarcega of Lubbock and Ernest Cruz of Idaho; daughters, Eva Rivas of California, Dora Bab of Utah, Grace Ramos of Lubbock and Yolanda Cruz of Marfa; brother, Mike Cruz of Georgia; and sister, Mary Cordero of Marfa.
James Hays
ANDREWS — James Al Hays, 79, of Lubbock, a retired life insurance underwriter, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, in Lubbock.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Sunset Church of Christ with the Revs. Ken Jones and Moody Conner officiating. Arrangements by Sanders Funeral Home in Lubbock.
He was born in Clyde. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
SURVIVORS: Son, Steve Hays of College Station; daughter, Dana Reeger of Lubbock; stepsons, Alvin Sneed of Lubbock, Dennis Sneed of Austin and Alan Sneed of Keller; stepdaughters, Jana Tolleson of McKinney and Lori Hutchinson, both of San Antonio; and 18 grandchildren.
Jose Iniguez
ODESSA — Jose Refugio Iniguez, 98, of Odessa, a retired railroad laborer, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Chapa Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roman Iniguez officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Memorial Services.
He was born in Teocaltiche Jalisc, Mexico and moved to Odessa from El Paso in 2000. He was Catholic.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Teodora Iniguez of Odessa; son, Roman Iniguez of Odessa; daughters, Lilia Iniguez of Los Angeles, Calif., and Ernestina Iniguez of El Paso; 32 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Horacio Puertas
SAN PEDRO, Mexico — Horacio Nieto Puertas, 72, of Odessa died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at his residence.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Iglesia de San Pedro in San Pedro, Mexico. Burial will be at the Panteon de San Pedro.
He was born in San Pedro.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Raquel S. Puertas of Odessa; sons, Jesus Puertas of San Pedro, Pablo Puertas, Gregorio Puertas, Jerge Puertas, Esteban Puertas, and Horacio Puertas, all of Odessa, and Manuel Puertas of Pecos; daughters, Andrea Puertas Tarin of Odessa, Angelica Puertas Hermosillo of Lawton, Okla., Bacilia Puertas Quiones of San Pedro and Maria Elena Puertas Morales of Cuchillo Prado, Mexico; brother, Ector Puertas of Midland; sisters, Eloisa Puertas Morales of Midland and Maria Puertas Marquez of Aldama, Mexico; 24 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Basil Ellis
ODESSA — Basil Ellis, 66, of Odessa died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, at Medical Center Hospital.
Services are pending with Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
Helen Pruitt
ODESSA — Helen Pruitt, 63, of Odessa died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at her residence.
Services are pending with Martinez Funeral Home.
Rita Carrasco
PECOS — Rita R. Carrasco, 79, of Pecos, a homemaker, died Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2002, at INS Nursing Home in Lubbock.
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at Santa Rosa Catholic Church with the Rev. Miguel Angel Sanchez officiating. Burial will be at Santa Rosa cemetery. Arrangements by Pecos Funeral Home.
She was born in Pecos. She was Catholic.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Roy Salas of Lafayette, La., Richard Rayos of Anchorage, Alaska, and Orlando Rayos of Odessa; daughters, Maria Rivas of Lubbock, Becky Wynn of Pine River, Minn., and Sonya R. Gonzales of Odessa; brothers, Esteban Rayos of Pecos and Angel “Canelo” Rayos of Pecos; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Wyvonne Cornelius
ANDREWS — Wyvonne Cornelius, 68, of Andrews, a retired Permian General Hospital admission clerk and collection officer, died Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2002, in Andrews.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Second Baptist Church with the Rev. Ivy Shelton officiating. Arrangements by McNett Funeral Home.
She was born in Brownwood and moved to Andrews in 1982 from Crane. She was Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Son, Clarence “Butch” Cornelius of Andrews; daughters, Cassandra Smith Savell of Andrews and Molly Hier of Overbrook, Kan.; sister, Kathrin Davidson of Crane; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
