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27 new cases of COVID-19; Death count climbs to six
Twenty-seven new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by the Clarendon Family Medical Center in the first five days of December, and Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, says at least six local residents have now died from the disease.
Howard says adding known local cases that tested in Childress would raise total new positives the first week of December to 32. The hospitalization rate in December, however, has fallen to one in 30, compared to one in ten in November.
As of Sunday, total tests at the local clinic number 800 with 236 of those being positive since the COVID-19 virus was first detected here in March. Adding the known tests on local residents conducted at other facilities raises that total number of positive cases to 279.
The clinic is reporting 20 active cases under its care this week.
Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon reports they handled 35 deaths during the month of November in the six area communities they serve. While not all of those deaths are COVID-related, the funeral home’s average for November is usually 15 deaths.
Howard also noted that a third FEMA mobile morgue has been delivered to Amarillo to handle the deaths occurring in the metro area, and hospital beds are also in short supply for COVID patients.
“They don’t have room in the hospitals in Amarillo, and they are turning away people they would probably ordinarily admit,” Howard said.
To help alleviate sending people to the hospital, Howard said the local clinic is doing more than normal to get COVID patients hydrated and get them on oxygen.
“Dehydration is a problem with this disease,” Howard said.
Howard also said vaccines for COVID-19 will be coming out soon and the state is developing plans for distributing those.
The Pfizer vaccine will come out first, Howard said, but must be stored at -90°F and then can be kept in a refrigerator for up to five days. Medical facilities are finding it very difficult to get the refrigeration equipment needed to store the Pfizer vaccine, and the minimum order for it is currently 975 doses.
The vaccine from Moderna will likely be the first available in our area and the first doses will be for those professionals with direct patient contact, clinic staff, nursing home residents and staff, EMS, and school nurses. The second round of the vaccine will be for other first responders.
Howard said obstacles still have to be overcome in terms of distributing the vaccine. The Moderna vaccine will have a minimum order of 100 doses, but locations like Donley County doesn’t need that many in the first round so there are still questions to be answered.
James E. “Jim” Robinson
James E. “Jim” Robinson ‘66, 76, of Clarendon died Monday, November 30, 2020, in Clarendon.
Memorial services will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
James E. “Jim” Robinson ‘66 was born February 21, 1944, in Dallas, Texas to Joe and Vernelle Orr Robinson. Jim was the oldest of 4 children. Jim and his family lived in Tahoka, Texas, before moving to Clarendon when Jim was a freshman in high school. His dad, Joe, had leased a large part of the JA ranch and moved to Clarendon to start a new life.
After high school, Jim followed in the footsteps of his dad ‘42 and his granddad ‘08 and went to Texas A&M, and graduated in 1966, with a degree in Agriculture.
After graduating from Texas A&M, he came home to ranch with his dad and married Connie Jean Grady. They had two children, Tish and D’Liss.
There were two things you knew for sure about Jim, you did not tell him Aggie jokes and he did bleed deep maroon. At Texas A&M he was in the infamous dorm, company D-1, Corp of Cadets, “Spider D”, where he met a group of men, who he shared a life-long friendship.
In July of 1985, Jim married Tessie Howell, and they have two children, Felicia and Zack. In 2010, Jim wrote and published a book, “Memoirs of a Texas Cowboy”, containing cowboy stories of his life. Jim did advertising for several companies, Levi Strauss, United Supermarkets, Ford Motor Company and had a story written about him in Parade Magazine in the Sunday paper.
Jim loved God, Family, Country, and the Texas A&M Aggie Corp of Cadets.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Vernelle Orr Robinson and father, Joe Frank Robinson.
Jim is survived by his wife Tessie; three daughters, Tish Gossett and husband, Mike of Denton, Texas, D’Liss Quisenberry and husband, Coby of Grandview, Texas, Felicia Powell and husband, Jeremy of Clarendon; one son, Zack Robinson and wife, Jennifer; step-mother, Ruth Robinson, of Clarendon; siblings, Jack Robinson and wife, Susan of Amarillo, Janny Longan and husband, Ronnie of Howardwick, Joe Robinson, Jr.; step-sister, Libby Talley and husband Billy, of Amarillo; and step-brother Bill Word of Clarendon. He is also survived by grandchildren, Byrklin Quisenberry, ’19, of Grandview; Cason Quisenberry, ’24, of College Station; Emeri and Kreed Robinson of Clarendon; D’nyelle Williams of Missouri; Dalton Gossett of Rhode Island; Dylan, Skyler, and Jade Gossett of Denton; cousin, Gene Treadgill; brothers-in-law, James F. Howell, III and wife LeAnna of Clarendon, Timothy H. Howell and wife Teresa of Wildorado, Joseph B. Howell and wife Rhonda of Clarendon, Peter G. Howell, Sr. and wife Vonna of Amarillo; and Jim has many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; Texas A&M, Spider D, Class of 1966.
Jim’s special care takers, Sis Bond of Clarendon and Peggy Devereaux of Shamrock, Texas and all the special people at the McLean Care Center.
June Topper
June Topper, 87, of Clarendon died Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Clarendon.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 10, 2020, in Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Rob Seale, officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 PM in Wheeler Cemetery in Wheeler.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
June was born March 16, 1933, in Oklahoma to John Raymond and Dorothy Adams Robinson. She was married to John Earnest Topper. She had been a resident of Clarendon since 1966 and worked for many years at Clifford Grocery Store and as a CNA at the nursing home prior to her retirement. She loved playing cards, Bingo, and Yahtzee. She loved her family and watching her grandkids sporting events. June was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on November 3, 1978; and her brothers, Raymond and George Robinson.
Survivors include her sons, Mark Topper and wife Shirlene of Pampa, Keith Topper and wife Teresa of Plainview, and Jeff Topper and wife Lana of Clarendon; her daughter, Cindy Pohnert and husband Dudley of White Deer; three sisters, Lucille, Florence, and Joleen; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer Reed, Keely Downs and husband Jeremiah, Jason Bowles, Jared Bowles, Tyler Topper and wife Beth, Trey Topper, Lane Pohnert, Adam Topper and wife Raven, Savannah Sanders and husband Coby, and Jordan McAnally and husband Cuyler; 9 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be sent to the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon, Wheeler Cemetery Association, or Donley County Senior Citizens.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Sharon Renee Lowrie
Sharon Renee Lowrie, 59, of Clarendon died December 4, 2020.
Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 12, 2020, at First United Methodist Church, 420 S. Jefferson St, Clarendon. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home 4100 S. Georgia St.
Sharon was born May 23, 1961, in Alamagordo, New Mexico, to Walter and Billie Spurlin. She married Jason Lowrie on November 22, 1991, and together they were longtime members of First United Methodist Church in Clarendon. Sharon was kind-hearted and had a gentle soul. She never knew a stranger and was always there when anyone needed anything. Her faith in the Lord was unwavering. Sharon loved to read and was often found studying God’s word. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend to all. She had an infectious smile, which is usually the first thing people think about when thinking of her. Sharon will truly be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jason Lowrie; daughter, Jessica Riggs and husband, Justin of Clarendon; sister, Kathy Spurlin; brother, Steve Spurlin and wife, Kay all of Amarillo; a granddaughter, Kensleigh Riggs of Clarendon; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews
Online condolences may be shared at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.
Terry F. Allen
Terry F. Allen, 71, of Clarendon passed away on December 5, 2020, after a brief battle with COVID.
Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Born in Wichita, KS, on November 29, 1949, Terry graduated from Anthony High School in 1967. He was a graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education.
As a lifelong advocate for children and learning, Terry taught in USD 361 at Anthony Elementary and Junior High Schools for thirty-two years. In addition to teaching K-8 physical education, he coached football, basketball, and track for over two decades. Terry was active in the Harper County NEA during his tenure as a professional educator.
During summer holidays, Terry worked for the City of Anthony (KS) summer recreation department and also owned a tree spraying business. Terry loved watching college and pro sporting events, and also owned numerous thoroughbred horses. He enjoyed serving his community on the Anthony Downs Race Board and the Forest Park Cemetery Board.
Terry was most known for being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Carol (Hoel) Allen, son Jeff (Jennifer), daughter Stephanie Halsey (Matt), and grandchildren Avery, Kennedy, and Cotton.
In lieu of funeral services, memorial donations may be made to the Anthony Recreation Commission, 124 S. Bluff, Anthony, KS, 67003, or the First Baptist Youth of Clarendon, 300 Bugbee Avenue, Clarendon, TX, 79226.
Terry will be cremated and his ashes interred at Forest Park Cemetery on a later date.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Donna Amanda Lea Dorsett Davis
Donna Amanda Lea Dorsett Davis passed away at the age of 85 on Friday, November 13, 2020. The Ole Broadcaster – Princess Running Quail – Ma Donna was a resident and had lived in Memphis the past 34 years before her death.
Originally born in Ringling, Oklahoma, on May 19, 1935, to Lee Jefferson and Lillian Elizabeth Dorsett and attended grade school in Duncan, Oklahoma, and graduated high school in 1953 in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
Donna moved to Dallas, Texas in 1955 and started a career in broadcasting with WFAA-TV, then on to KABL Radio in San Francisco, California – KFWB in Hollywood and on to Hawaii at KORL in Honolulu. Donna returned to the states with Harold James Davis in tow to KROP-FM in El Paso, TX, KHOW – Denver, Colorado. And then moved back to Texas in August of 1971 to operate the Doubleday Broadcasting Company from San Antonio at KITE/KEXL.
Until the families move to East Texas and more radio in Lufkin at KIPR AM/FM. Donna, husband Hal and the kids, Joe Keith and Brandi Paige moved to Memphis on July 15th 1986 to purchase and operate 105 FM KLSR
Donna and Hal’s motto throughout the years at every radio venture was “Bloom Where You’re Planted”. This motto has guided Hal and Donna to do something (lots of things) in and for every community those airwaves reached from saving the symphony in Seattle to the Hospital in Memphis, Donna and Hal spearheaded the cause, the event and the purpose for all to enjoy, survive and preserver.
Donna joins her husband Hal and daughter Brandi, along with lots of wonderful friends, family and pets. Left behind is her son Joe Davis of Memphis, Mike Davis of San Antonio, grandson James of New Braunsfeld, daughter Sandi King of Fayetteville, North Carolina and grandkids Carrie, Amber and JD, sister Jo Kemmer 92 of Memphis, grandson Warner Tatum and wife Gabriel and two great grandkids Jagger 4 and Maverick almost 2 in Amarillo. Nephew Brad Cavnar and niece Angele and Kevin Banning of Boise, Idaho. Steve Davis and sister Linda of Washington State, along with quite a few special friends.
I want to thank those other special people who helped with my mother’s final days from Hall County EMS to the doctors and nurses of the Childress Regional Medical Center, where she took her last breath.
Enjoy this special gift of life we’ve been given and “Bloom Where You’re Planted”. It’s the best way to live and give back!
This is where the Ole Broadcaster retired and signed off, and thanks for listening!!!
Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Sherrie Christine Martindale
Sherrie Christine Martindale, formerly of McLean died Saturday, November 28, 2020, in Wellington.
Memorial services will be private. Inurnment will be in Dozier Cemetery in Dozier.
Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Sherrie was born December 22, 1936, in Abra, Collingsworth County, to Hugh and Stella Miller Grogan. She married James Coy Martindale on June 26, 1955. She lived in Abra until 1985 when she then moved to Howardwick. She had worked as a cashier at the truck stop at Pakan Road for several years and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Young Matrons Club and loved raising registered paint horses. She was devoted to serving others, put other people before herself, always willing to help anyone, and never met a stranger. She did mission work and helped build churches in Mexico, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana. She was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on February 25, 2003; and a son, Gib Martindale on September 28, 2010.
She is survived by her sons, Kim Martindale and wife Melinda and Scot Martindale and wife Lucinda all of Wellington; her daughter, Leitha Watson and husband Audie of
Clarendon; 12 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to Dozier Cemetery Association.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
COVID cases and death toll rises
The number of COVID-19 cases continues to mount in Donley County, and four people have now died after contracting the disease, according to County Judge John Howard, MD.
“There have been a total of four deaths – three in the month of November, and there may be others,” Howard said, noting that it took state officials more than a month to report the county’s first COVID-related death in July.
Clarendon Family Medical Center said Tuesday morning that it has now conducted 736 tests on local residents, up from 666 one week ago. While 519 of those tests were negative for the COVID-19 virus, 217 have been confirmed cases. That’s an increase of 24 positive cases in seven days.
The clinic also reported 29 active cases Tuesday under its care compared to 44 one week ago. Again, the local active number does not reflect patients who might have tested at Childress or elsewhere.
Combined with known positive test results on local residents at facilities outside the county, the total confirmed cases are now 255, an increase of 31 from a week ago.
Howard says the local clinic had 122 positive cases for the month of November, and 14 people have been hospitalized.
“With tests conducted at other facilities, we believe the total number of positives for Donley County is close to 140 for November,” Howard said. “That’s still one in ten people who have to be hospitalized.”
Howard said he knows of two people from Donley County currently on ventilators.
The judge and doctor also expressed concern that some people doubt the accuracy of the tests being conducted at the local clinic.
“Our test is 97 percent sensitive and 98.5 percent specific,” he said. “If this test says you’ve got it, you’ve got it. It is possible that if you’re not shedding enough virus, you could be negative today and positive tomorrow. At some point you just have to trust that we know what we’re doing.”
Howard also reminds everyone that there is a mask order in Donley County, and in fact all counties, from Gov. Greg Abbott.
“A lot of people are ignoring the order,” he said. “We have 38 percent of the patients in Amarillo hospitals are COVID patients. It is wide spread in the Panhandle. People are just not doing the right thing, but I am seeing more do the right thing.”
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