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David N. Smiley, M.D.
David N. Smiley, M.D. was born on December 6, 1930, the second of identical twins, to James Neil and Imogene Perrin Smiley at West Texas Hospital in Lubbock. He attended public school there, participating in band and club activities in junior high and high school. He and his brother were Lubbock Avalanche-Journal paper boys for about ten years, doing inserting and bicycle door-to-door delivery. The twins worked an irrigated cotton and hay farm with their father through their college years. David graduated from Lubbock High School in 1948 and received his B.S. in Chemistry at Texas Tech University in 1952, both with honors. In college, he belonged to 13 scholastic and departmental clubs and was president of several of these.
He met his future wife of 56 years, Evelyn Joy King, while at Tech. They were married
on January 30, 1953 in Houston. He graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston in 1956 in the upper third of his class. He did a rotating internship the following year at John Sealy Hospital at UTMB. He elected to do his surgical residency in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), providing medical care for the U.S. Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the U.S. Indian Reservations. He served one year in the USPHS Outpatient Surgery Clinic in Washington D.C., then transferred to the Presidio in San Francisco, Calif. to complete a four year residency in general surgery from 1958 to 1962. After his residency, he and his young family moved back home to West Texas for a private practice of general surgery and medicine with his wife, Dr. Evelyn Smiley, at the Medical Arts Clinic in Lamesa, Texas. He served the Medical Arts Hospital from 1962 until 1990, including time as Chief of Staff. He was a Diplomat of The American Board of Surgery (recertified), Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the AMA and TMA.
He served his community in a variety of ways, including teaching at the Lamesa High School (Physics '62 - '63), holding leadership roles at the Lamesa Boys Club and Chamber of Commerce, the Five County Medical Society and the Lamesa ISD School Board. For those who knew him, he modeled a strong commitment to community improvement and education his entire public life. He testified in federal court in Lubbock in the mid-sixties for the desegregation of the Lamesa public schools, resulting in the V.Z. Rodgers school building becoming the entire fourth grade and Blacksheer school becoming the bus barn and bus maintenance facility. While on the school board, he worked with then Governor Preston Smith to secure funds for a new vocational school at Lamesa High School.
His faith was an important part of his life and the life of his family. He attended the Lamesa Churches of Christ and faithfully served and supported their works. He had an excellent baritone voice and loved the old hymns. He also served on the advisory board for the African Christian Hospital in Nigeria (a Christian ministry effort in war-torn Nigeria) for several years.
He had nimble fingers, supernormal eyesight and a knack for mechanical creativity that combined to make him a gifted surgeon. He had a "green thumb", cultivating grapes and a yearly vegetable garden at his residence. He grew and cross-bred varieties of decorative cacti and tinkered with mechanical projects in "the green house."
From 1992 to 1995, he served as prison physician at the Preston Smith unit of T.D.C.J. in Lamesa. He had promised to do this for one year in order to encourage the location of the prison to Dawson County as his last public gesture of support for the community he had dedicated his life to nurture.
He died in Austin, Texas on July 30, 2009 from traumatic injury from a fall. He is to be buried with a graveside service in Lubbock City cemetery in Lubbock, Texas at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2009. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:45 to 8 p.m. this evening.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Sandra; his grandson, Sheldon Smiley; and his identical twin brother, James Donald Smiley, M.D. He is survived by his sister, Betty Margaret McMillin; wife, Evelyn; four children, Samuel Neil Smiley, Susan Emma Smiley, Sarah Imogene Smiley Donnelly and Stephen Ted Smiley; and seven grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to UTMB Hurricane Ike Recovery Fund at https://www.utmb.edu/recoveryfund/contribute/gift.asp.
Billie Louise Wilson Sonnamaker
Billie Louise Wilson Sonnamaker, 86, died September 6, 2009 in Bedford after suffering a stroke.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Campbell Funeral home Chapel with Eric Swenson officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Spur Memorial cemetery in Spur.
Billie was born January 18, 1923 in Sherman, the oldest child of Omar and Myrtle Wilson. Named for her maternal grandfather, William Marion Crews, she grew up and attended schools in Bells.
During the Korean War, she was employed by the munitions manufacturer, Hardwick-Etter. Thereafter, she worked for Roberts Sanford and Taylor Wholesale Company, both in Sherman. On July 21, 1962, Billie married
Roger Sonnamaker and moved to Spur where she lived until his death.
She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Spur.
Her husband and her brothers, Harold and Douglas Wilson; and great-grandson, Tommy Pope, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Reid and husband Mike of Bedford; Jeannette Brown and husband J.T. Hill of Fort Worth; three grandchildren, Michele Gardner of Paradise, Bart Reid of Imperial, Clay Reid of Saginaw; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.
Stella Jane Hyatt
Memorial services for Stella Jane Hyatt, 75, of Lubbock will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Sanders Memorial Chapel with Dr. Keith Wiseman officiating. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m.
Jane was born on August 7, 1934 in Athens, Texas. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She married
W.J. "Dub" Hyatt on July 25, 1952.
Jane is survived by her husband, W.J. "Dub" Hyatt; three sons, Dale, David and Barry Hyatt; brother, Herbert E. Brink; and sister, Viola Steelman. She had four grandchildren, Tricia and Christopher, children of Barry and Karen Hyatt, and Rachael and Johnathan, children of David and Linda Hyatt. Jane is preceded in death by a brother, Charlie Brink; and sister, Nancy Hyatt.
Jane was a member of the First Methodist Church of Lubbock and of the Hi-Robinson Sunday school class. She was also a member of Lubbock Area Square & Round Dance Federation.
Jane received her BSN from West Texas State and worked as the manager of the Pediatric clinic at Health Science Center until her retirement. She was an avid reader and story writer.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Everlasting Trust of First Methodist Church of Lubbock.
Everett P. Neill
Everett P. Neill, 73, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 4, 2009 after battling esophageal cancer at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. He is survived by his wife, Lois Neill of Lubbock; son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Cyndy Neill of Auckland, New Zealand; daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ann and Stevie Mick of Zelienople, Pa.; son and daughter-in-law, Theodore and Linda Neill of Harmony, Pa.; brothers, Lewis and Ralph of Vermont; and nine grandchildren. Everett was preceded in death by his son, Ross; and his sister, Mytle Smedy.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2009 at Sunset Church of Christ. Memorial donations instead of flowers may be sent to Sunset International Bible Institute, 3723 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410.
Isaiah ''Bo'' Shelby
Isaiah "Bo" Shelby, 64, of Lubbock, went to be with his Lord and Savior as he slept early Tuesday Morning, September 1, 2009 at his residence. He was born December 11, 1946 to the late Cecil and Bessie Shelby. Bo grew up in Cone, Floydada, and Ralls. The family later moved to Lubbock, where he resided until he departed this life. Bo was a wonderful person and had a big heart. He is survived by four brothers, Robert Shelby and Pat Shelby and family of Lubbock, Curly Shelby and family of Okmulgee, Okla., and Edward Shelby and family of Midland, and Godmother, Myria Dade of Floydada.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at New Hope Baptist Church in Lubbock. Interment will follow at the Ralls cemetery in Ralls under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. The family will be greeting friends from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at Griffin Mortuary.
Dwight Denzil ''Ghost'' Simer
Dwight Denzil "Ghost" Simer, 86, of Lubbock passed away on Friday, September 4, 2009, in Lubbock.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2009 in Resthaven's Abbey Chapel with Dr. Ken Horn officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Wednesday during the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please join us in celebrating Dwight's life by visiting his memorial at www.mem.com
Dwight was born on January 18, 1923, in Oswalt, Okla. to the late Herbert and Katherine Jewel (Victory) Simer. He married
Jung Sook WOO on May 10, 1958, in Seoul, Korea. He served in the Marines and Army. He was a Baptist.
Survivors include his wife, Sue, of Lubbock; and a son, Jimmy, of Lubbock. He was preceded in death by a brother.
Herschel Blankenship
Herschel Blankenship, 91, of Plainview, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2009 in Plainview. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at First United Methodist Church in Plainview with Rev. Jerry Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Plainview Memorial Park under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. A visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the funeral home.
Mr. Blankenship was born on September 25, 1917 in Paul's Valley, Okla. to Bernie and Essie Faye Blankenship. Herschel graduated from Plainview High School and attended Texas Tech. He returned to Plainview to farm and married
Lorene Devers. He loved to farm and began farming full time when he was 18 years old and retired from farming 68 years later. He married
Dorris Greer in June of 1970 in Lockney. Herschel and Dorris enjoyed traveling and playing Bridge together. He was a member of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class the First United Methodist Church of Plainview, the 57 Supper Club, and the Plainview Country Club.
Mr. Blankenship is survived by his wife, Dorris Blankenship of Plainview; two daughters, JoAnn Carpenter of Escondido, Calif., and Debra Atchison and husband Al of Houston; three sons, Gary Blankenship and wife Cindy of Colleyville, Royce Blankenship and wife Donna of Plainview, and Tim Greer of Santa Fe, N.M.; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lorene Devers; and a son, Joe Greer.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund or to a favorite charity.
Thomas Jefferson Norris
Thomas J. Norris, 56, of Lubbock passed away on July 8, 2009 at his home. He was born on September 8, 1952 in Lubbock to Joe and Imogene Norris. Thomas served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1976 until his honorable discharge in 1980. He married
Brenda Trivitt in Lubbock on June 13, 1987. Thomas worked at the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years and was a member of College Heights Baptist Church for 16 years.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and father-in-law, Ray Trivitt.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Norris; son, Joseph Norris and wife Chelsea; granddaughter, Syriana K. Norris; grandbaby on the way, Baby Norris; brother, Jerry Norris and wife Jackie; sister, Katie Avalar; mother-in-law, Linda Trivitt; sister-in-law, Kathy and husband Felies Hernandez; and four nieces and four nephews, all of Lubbock.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2009 at Sanders Memorial Chapel with Dr. Rickey Honea officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the City of Lubbock cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 6 until 8 p.m.
Lorene ''Grammie” McElrath
Our beloved sister, mother, “Grammie” and friend, Lorene McElrath, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Lake Ridge Chapel will host a gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life of 91 years from 1 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2009 at the funeral home.
Lorene was born in Ida, Texas to Toliver E. and Jenny Lee Dodson Thornton on August 17, 1917. She was the fourth child of nine children. Lorene went to school at Ida and attended Junior College in Sherman, Texas. She married
Morris McElrath on June 8, 1939 in Ida. Lorene was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1948. She taught the four and five year olds Sunday school class and was a member of the Fellowship Class. Lorene enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, making candy and playing Bridge. Her family enjoyed her weekly batch of chocolate chip cookies.
Survivors include her daughter, Jan Cox, and husband Don of Lubbock; daughter-in-law, Cynthia McElrath of Fort Worth; three granddaughters, Michelle Johnson and husband Billy of Ralls, Jennifer West and husband Pat of Ft. Worth and Mary Helen Cornelius and husband Brian of Ft. Worth; four great-grandchildren, Matthew Johnson, Max Palko, Charlotte "Cricket" West and Caroline Cornelius; three step great-grandchildren, Justin Johnson and wife Melissa, Toni Longoria and spouse Steven, and Caroline West; three step great-great grandchildren, Malorie and Preston Johnson, and Aaron Longoria; and sister, Lucy Key of Arlington.
She was preceded in death by her spouse in 1986, and son, Mike McElrath, in May of 2003.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rosie Harper for the wonderful care during the past two years.
In honor of Grammie, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 3411 73rd St, Lubbock, TX 79423.
