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Rev. A.L. Barry
The Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry, who had served since 1992 as president of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, died Friday, March 23, 2001, in an Orlando, Fla., hospital. Barry was the church body’s 11th president and the first to die in office. President Barry’s funeral will be held Friday, March 30, at the Chapel of Saints Timothy and Titus on the campus of Concordia Seminary, Clayton, Mo. While on vacation, Barry, 69, had entered the Orlando Regional Medical Center Feb. 25 for treatment of pneumonia. During his hospitalization, he contracted an antibiotic-resistant staph infection that required specialized treatment. His condition worsened March 20, when he experienced kidney dysfunction. He died in the hospital, with family members at his side, of complications arising from kidney and liver failure. Barry was born Aug. 4, 1931, in Woodbine, Iowa. He attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn., and Concordia Theological Seminary, then located in Springfield, Ill. He was ordained in 1956 after finishing his pastoral training through the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Thiensville, Wis. In 1960, he requested a transfer of pastoral membership to The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Barry held a master of theology degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. In 1986 he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. Barry, who succeeded Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann as Synod president in 1992, was re-elected twice - in 1995 and 1998. In October 1999, he had told Synod executives that, if he were re-elected to a fourth term, he would be willing to serve. Barry was sidelined for several weeks in August and September 1995 when he was diagnosed and treated for a form of leukemia. He returned to work part time in late September and resumed working full time in February 1996, when he received a clean bill of health. Barry enjoyed a high profile during his nearly nine-year tenure as Missouri Synod president, often releasing to the media statements relating the Synod’s position on societal trends and the activities of other church bodies. In recent months he had commented publicly on the Vatican’s Dominus Iesus declaration, rejecting its claim that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true Christian Church, and had written to the National Institutes of Health, urging the organization to withdraw its draft guidelines for funding research on stem cells obtained from human embryos. More recently, he had issued statements on human cloning, reality-based TV shows, the popular Left Behind books and movie, and the FDA’s approval of the so-called abortion pill, RU-486. Barry’s office also produced a number of resource materials, including 29 “What About” pamphlets that address religious and societal topics from a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod perspective. The four newest pamphlets, available in April, discuss going to church, lodges, gambling, and suicide. Barry may be most remembered for “Tell the Good News About Jesus, ” a bold, 13-year evangelism emphasis that he introduced. The emphasis, adopted by the church body in 1998, urges Missouri Synod Lutherans to become more active in witnessing their faith one-on-one to others. Prior to his election as Synod president, Barry had served 10 years as president of the Iowa District East, one of the church body’s 35 districts. Barry is survived by three children: Kristin (Mrs. Richard) Blakeflee of Merritt Island, Fla.; Beth (Mrs. Kenneth) Miko of Cleveland; and Keith Barry of Johnston, R.I.; two grandchildren, Brad and Kelsey; and a brother, Kenneth Barry of Branford, Conn. Barry and his late wife, Jean, were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo. Mrs. Barry died Oct. 15, 1996, after a long struggle with cancer.
Jo Benfer
Graveside services for Jo Benfer, 59, of Clifton, were held on Sunday, March 25, 2001, at Norse cemetery, with the Rev. Beverly Blackman officiating. Felva Joe Benfer was born Dec. 31, 1941, in Clifton, the daughter of Sam Joe Benfer and Florence Dunn Benfer. She died in her home on March 23, 2001. On April 27, 1972, she married
Jerry Benfer. The couple had three children. She has always lived in Bosque County. She was a housewife and a member of the Baptist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies’ Auxiliary. She was known for her beautiful needlework and gourmet cooking. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Survivors include her husband Jerry Benfer; sons, Danny Wolff and wife, Cindy, of Whitney, and Randy Benfer and wife, Donna, of Frisco; daughter, Sherry Worley of Whitney; daughter-in-law, Susan Benfer of Clifton; step-daughter Tammy Harris of BeBe, Ark.; stepson Ricky Benfer of Clifton; one sister, Nell Carter Gann and husband, Leonard, of Azle; one brother, Hollis Benfer of Whitney; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. One stepson preceded her in death. Interment
was in Norse cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Jordan Nichole Kelley
Funeral services are being held this week for Jordan Nichole Kelley, four months, the daughter of Brent and Stephanie Kelley of Rapid City, S.D., formerly of the Lake Whitney area. Survivors include her parents, Brent and Stephanie Kelley; a sister, Meghan Louise Kelley; grandparents, Joy Kelley and the late Rick Kelley of Lakeside Village, Wendy Clark and the late George Clark of Whitney, and David and Darcy Guenat, Jr., of Riesel; four aunts, Monika Raffaele and husband, Tony, of Mineral Wells, Michelle Jackson and husband, Ronnie, of Otto, Melissa Isham and family of Hoffman, Ill., and Renee Adam and family of Richmond, Va.; three cousins, Ian Jennings and Regan Raffaele of Mineral Wells and Colton Jackson of Otto. Pallbearers were Brent Kelley, David Guenat, Brian Robert, Jerry Robert, Ronnie Jackson, and Melvin King. Persons wishing to assist the young Air Force family with expenses may contribute a memorial donation to the Jordan Nichole Kelley Fund at the Bosque County Bank in Meridian. Interment
was in Whitney cemetery under the direction of Marshall and Marshall Funeral Home in Whitney.
Jennie Anz
A memorial service for Jennie Anz, 76, of Burnet, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2001, at First Christian Church of Burnet, the Rev. George Perrine officiating. Anz died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at Oaks Nursing Home in Burnet. She was born Aug. 17, 1924, in Llano, the daughter of Thomas N. Harned and Anna D. Patton. She was a homemaker and a licensed vocational nurse. She resided in Burnet for many years, and worked for Dr. Ozier at the Allen Clinic, later working at the Oaks Nursing Home. Anz attended First Christian Church in Burnet, and was a member of the Burnet Order of the Eastern Star. She was a dedicated and devoted caregiver who was loved by all who came to know her. She is survived by three children, Thomas E. Anz of Granbury, Larry R. Anz of Burnet, and Glenda Anz of Burnet; her children’s father, Raymond Anz; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Nelson Harned. Memorial contributions in the name of Jennie Anz may be made to the Burnet Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star or to a favorite charity. Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, Burnet, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert I. Sechrist
Funeral services were held for Robert I. Sechrist, 80, on Saturday, March 17, 2001, at Our Lady of the Lake Episcopal Church in Laguna Park, with Father Steve Hart officiating. Sechrist was born on April 15, 1920, in Elkhart, Indiana, the son of Foda C. Sechrist and Thelma Bishop Sechrist. He died on March 14, 2001, at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton. On April 17, 1938, he married
Lucille Wine Sechrist (deceased). They had four children. He had lived in Laguna Park since 1963. Prior to that he had also lived in Indiana and Dallas. Sechrist was a Purple Heart recipient during World War II. He was a Mason and a Shriner. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and golf. He will be remembered as a wonderful father and a very giving person. Pallbearers were his grandsons. Survivors include two daughters, Jerry Ann Zachary and husband, Tom, of Mesquite, and Dixie Sechrist Haddox and husband, Bill, of Waco; two sons, Terry Robert Sechrist of Garland, and Randy Curtis Sechrist of Aurora, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Interment
was in Smith Bend-Coon Creek cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
James Raymond Townsend
Funeral services were held for James Raymond Townsend, 77, of Fort Worth, on Saturday, March 3, 2001, at the Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel in Fort Worth, with the Rev. Eric Schlze of Calvary Lutheran Church officiating. Townsend was born to Jewel Raymond and Katherine Francis Cooper Townsend on April 19, 1923, in Clifton. He died on Feb. 28, 2001, at his home in Fort Worth. He attended Clifton schools from first grade through graduation in 1940, and then attended Clifton Junior College where he graduated in 1942. What was amazing was that he had eight classmates who were enrolled for this same time span, including, Elmo Dansby, Vernon Lambert, Lauris Huse, J.C. Oswald, Willie Krueger, Eugene Simmons, Helen Landgraf Lund, and Lena Mae Windham Leigon. During World War II, Townsend served in the Army with a hitch in the Burma area. After his discharge, he earned a degree from Texas Christian University. He was a cost accountant for Hobbs Trailers in Fort Worth. He was a voracious reader and amassed a sizeable library of great books covering many subjects of serious reading. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, James Raymond Townsend, II, on July 23, 1995, and by his wife, Patsy Marie Watkins Townsend on Sept. 9, 1996. Survivors include a son, Ronald Eugene Townsend and his wife, Pamela Jean, of West Fork, Ark.; a daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Wright and husband, Ernest David Wright, of North Richland Hills; and three grandchildren, Isaac Christopher Townsend, Shelly Denise Wright, and Cristy Nicole Wright. Interment
was in Mount Olivet cemetery under the direction of Rufe Snow Funeral Home.
Mildred Burreson
Funeral services were held for Mildred Burreson, 83, of Muleshoe, on Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Muleshoe, with the Rev. Randy Tucker of Richland Hills Baptist Church officiating. She was born on April 4, 1917, in Hamilton. She died on March 11, 2001, at her residence in Muleshoe. On March 15, 1936, she married
Robert Bruce Burreson in Farwell. She was a member of the Richland Hills Baptist Church in Muleshoe. Prior to retiring at the age of 70, she had worked as a cook for the West Plains Hospital in Muleshoe for 26 years. While in high school, she played basketball with a team that went to the State Championships. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce, on July 2, 1992, and a daughter, Joyce Lure Burreson, in 1946. Survivors include two sons, Michael Leon Burreson of Hereford, and Stanley Ray Burreson and wife, Nita, of Browfield; one daughter, Kay Taylor and husband, Don, of Muleshoe; two sisters, Marie Harbert of Clifton and Leva Bankston of Dallas; eight grandchildren, Shrrie Michols, Barabara Meyer, and Jason, Jeri Lynne, Tim, Jarrod, Stephanie, and Michael Burreson; and six great-grandchildren.
Allen Grimland
Funeral services were held for Allen Grimland, 76, of Clifton on Monday, March, 12, 2001, at 2 p.m., at the Church of Christ in Laguna Park. Allen Grimland was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Norse, to Oscar and Annie Grimland. He passed away on March 10, 2001, at his home in the Norse Community after a long illness. He grew up in the Norse area and went to one-room schools in Norse, Boggy, and Turkey Creek. These school consolidated and that is when he entered Clifton High School. This was quite an adjustment after the one-room school houses, but it didn’t take Grimland long to fit right in. In fact, one day the high school football coach came up to him and put his hand on his shoulder, saying, “Allen, you are such a big, strong country boy, why don’t you come out for football?” Grimland looked at him and said, “Why coach, I don’t even know how to put the suit on.” The coach answered by saying, “Allen, don’t you sorry about it, I will help you with that.” So Grimland did, and he made quite a football star, making All-District two years in a row playing offensive guard. After high school it was during World War II and Grimland joined the Merchant Marines, which took him to 23 foreign countries. On one mission he was on a ship called the Duncan L. Clinch in the Atlantic Ocean when it hit a mine and sunk; but all survived. After his tour with the Marines, he returned to Clifton. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the Army. This took him to Korea. He finished up his military service as a First Sergeant. In early 1947, Grimland went to Nashville, Tenn., to attend a school there. This where he met Janelle. They dated and married
on Nov. 25, 1947. Their wedding took place in the Church of Christ right across the street from the Ryman Auditorium, the home of the Grand Ole Opry. On Dec. 3, 1947, they arrived in Clifton, where they have lived for 53 years. Only July 26, 1949, their son Larry was born. Allen and Janelle Grimland owned and operated the “Cedar Grove Grocery” for 10 years. In 1960, they bought their ranch that would later be known as the “White Tail Deer Ranch, ” where they raise trophy deer. Some of Allen’s happiest years were spent working on his ranch with his family. Allen and Larry were baptized on the same day in August, 1962. What Allen missed most during his long illness was not being able to attend church with his fellow Christians. During the illness, he never lost his faith, and never complained or was bitter. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, J.C. Grimland. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Janelle, of Clifton; one son, Larry and wife, Jessica, of Dallas; one granddaughter Alexa, “the light of his life;” two brothers, Irvin and Milton Grimland of Clifton; one aunt, Inga Anderson of Flint; four nephews; three nieces; and a number of cousins and host of friends. Interment
was in Norse cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Garry M. Fields
Funeral services were held for Garry M. Fields, 55, of Anacoca, La., at the Hixson Funeral Home Chapel in Leesville, La., with the Rev. Ted Cabra and the Rev. D.R. Davis officiating. Fields was born in Meridian, on Nov. 18, 1945, to Reuben and Vestia Lee Fields. He died on Feb. 21, 2001, at St. Frances Cabrina Hospital in Alexandria, La. He was the eldest of four children. He was raised and educated in Cranfills Gap. After his high school graduation in 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving his enlistment time, he married
Carolyn Claspie in Hornbeck, La., on March 15, 1968. To this union were born three children. He lived most of his life in the Hornbeck and Anacoca area. He worked as an insurance salesman, a carpenter, and during the last six years, he was a department manager for Lowe’s. He will be greatly missed by all he leaves behind, but we are assured we will all meet again at Jesus’s feet. Pallbearers included his fellow Lowe’s employees. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Fields of Anacoa, La.; two sons, Garry Fields and wife, Angie, of Hornbeck, La., and Bryan Fields of Anacoca; one daughter, Rhonda Leo and husband, Kerry, of Marylando, La.; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Fields and Zachary and Brittany Leo; one brother, Danny Gene and wife, Connie, of Jewett; and two sisters, Norma Callahan and husband, Charles, of Morgan, and Millie Ann Spurgeon of Teague; along with several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Interment
was in Prewitt’s Chapel cemetery in Hornbeck, La., under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home.
