Obituaries

Robert “Bob” Kelly, 82, of Clarendon died on Monday, November 19, 2018, in Clarendon. Memorial Services with US Air Force Honors were held November 27, 2018, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Sal Ceberna officiating.

Cremation and arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Bob was born August 8, 1936, in Troy, New York, to James A. and Mary Kelly. He married Shirley Jean Keesee on June 8, 1957, in Amarillo. He served in the US Air Force for 20 years, serving in the Korean War as an air policeman and in Vietnam, where he was the supervisor of the K-9 section and was awarded a Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star. He also worked for the Department of Energy prior to his retirement. He had been a resident of Clarendon since 1979 and was a member of the VFW. He loved fishing, golfing, traveling, and his grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; and three sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Kelly of Clarendon; a son, Robert Kelly and wife Nicky of Houston; a daughter, Kim Sciacca and husband Andrew of Durham, North Carolina; a brother, Chuck Kelly of Albany, New York; a sister, Joan Greely of New York; five grandchildren, Matt Kelly, Chantelle Ware, Savannah Kelly, Kaylee Sciacca, and Andrew “Buddy” Sciacca, Jr.; and five great grandchildren, McKaden Lax, Annie Dendy, Holland Kelly, Allie Ware, and Lindsey Ware.

The family request memorials be sent to Faith City Missions, PO Box 870, Amarillo, TX 79105.

Mary A. McAnear, 86, of Clarendon died on Thursday, October 25, 2018 in Borger.
Graveside Services were held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Chuck Robertson, officiating.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mary was born August 11, 1932, in Memphis to John and Connie Evans. She married Sam McAnear on November 23, 1957, in Memphis. She has been a resident of Clarendon since 1972 and had worked at Clifford’s Grocery, Riggs Farm & Ranch, Sanders Law Firm, Panhandle Community Services, and Donley County Senior Citizens prior to her retirement. She loved quilting, sewing, and being a homemaker. She was a charter member of the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon.
She was preceded in death by her husband Sam, on September 9, 1995; her parents; and 2 brothers, Frank and Aubrey Evans.

She is survived by her son, Stuart McAnear of Clarendon; her daughter, Connie Sparks and husband Tony of Panhandle; 3 grandchildren, Tiffany Dawn McAnear and fiancé Tommy Vail of Houston, Johnnie Ova and husband Chris and Jamee Emo and husband Danny all of Paola, Kansas; 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Citizens Cemetery Association / PO Box 983 / Clarendon, TX 79226.

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Phyllis Ann Demerson, 59, of Amarillo, died Sunday October 21, 2018.

Wake services will be held Friday, October 26, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 2301 NW 14th Ave in Amarillo. Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, 323 Oak Drive in Amarillo with Pastor Anthony B. Harris officiating and Superintendent Elijah Demerson eulogizing. Burial will follow at Llano Cemetery by Golden Gate Mortuary, 1416 N. Hughes Street in Amarillo.

Phyllis was born September 24, 1959, in Panola County to Golee and Georgia Calloway. She completed her schooling in Clarendon and resided there for many years. Phyllis was a faithful member of True Church of God in Christ and a pillar in the Clarendon community where she participated in various committees and boards. While residing in Clarendon she owned and operated a very successful restaurant which allowed her to share her love of cooking with many people. She also developed a passion for flowers and if you passed by a beautiful yard full of vibrant flowers you knew that’s where Phyllis lived!

Phyllis met the love of her life, Edmond Demerson “Honey” and they were married on April 19, 2003. Upon moving to Amarillo she united and became an active and faithful member of St. John Baptist Church. She was involved in several ministries under the leadership of the late Pastor Grover Neal and later under the leadership of current Pastor, Anthony B. Harris.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, 2 grandsons, granddaughter, and 4 brothers.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Edmond Demerson; her daughters Lashonda (Nathan) Lowrie of Clarendon, Tangelia Smith of Lubbock, and Clarissa & Stephanie Smith of Amarillo; her children through marriage Dwan (LaKisha) Moore, Shawn Demerson, Rachel Alexander, Shannon (Chris) Green, Shante (Jermaine) Boldon and Shad Demerson; 22 grandchildren, 2 great grandchild; her siblings Annie (Curtis) Smith, Jewel (Larnce) Gardner, Charles Calloway, Judy (Orsbain) Perkins, Gloria Smith, Ruby Hearn, Vanessa (Ricky) Malone, and Kenneth Calloway; a host of nieces and nephews; her St. John Baptist Church family, her Longenecker and Associates work family, many cousins, and special friends whose lives were greatly impacted by her kind, loving and giving spirit.

Tommy Daniel Bolin, 62, of Giles, Texas died Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in Childress.

Memorial services were held on October 14, 2018, in Robertson Saints’ Roost Chapel, Clarendon, with Michael Johnson officiating.

Dan was born on November 22, 1955, in McLean to Tommy and Sally Cole Bolin. He attended Hedley School, Clarendon College, and Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas. Dan loved playing and watching basketball. He was awarded All-State in high school and he also played at Clarendon College and Ambassador College.

In 1983 he married Karen Henson and together they had 2 children, Sarah and Matthew. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and playing dominoes with friends. Dan was as a masonry and worked for B&H Landscaping. He was a member of the Living Church of God where he was involved in spokesman club and played on the church basketball, volleyball, and baseball teams. He loved the Lord, his family, and his friends.

He is survived by a daughter, Sarah Holland of Memphis; son, Matthew Bolin of McLean; 2 brothers, David and Ricky; 2 sisters, Nicki and Kim; 2 step children, Chris Henson and Tamara Finnegan; a Grandson, Kaleb; and the mother of his children, Karen Bolin.

Phillip “Hunk” Hermesmeyer, 88, of Clarendon died Wednesday, October 10, 2018, in Amarillo.

Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2018, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Groom. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018, in the Church with Fr. Arokia Raj Samala, as the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Groom.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Hunk was born July 26, 1930, on a place sheltered by cedars at the edge of the caprock southeast of Jericho. The Hermesmeyer brothers moved there in 1907 and for 99 years, Hermesmeyers lived and worked there.

“They didn’t know much about Catholics in Jericho,” Hunk said of the time his family settled there. “My family either managed to go somewhere to Church or have the priest come to them.” Hunk was a faithful Catholic his whole life.

Hunk spent his working life taking care of farms and ranches and helping neighbors. He spent many years tending to the Johnson Ranch. He had fond memories of neighbors like Charlie McMurtry and John Blocker. Hunk and his brother Johnny were very active in the rodeo association in Clarendon.

Hunk retired in 2005 and moved to Clarendon. He said he could have moved anywhere, but “this is the kind of people I like.” In retirement, Hunk drove the whole Panhandle collecting an enormous amount of cans and scrap aluminum. Hunk collected pocketknives and had much respect for craftsmen of all kinds. Hunk had a bottomless well of jokes and loved to make friends, neighbors, and strangers laugh.

He was preceded in death by his sweet wife Geraldine; parents, Frank and Nell Hermesmeyer; brothers, Frank “Bud” and Johnny Bill; and sisters, Mary Pauline Kline, Nell Britten, and Bernadette.

He is survived by his sister, Joan Gulde of Amarillo; many nieces and nephews, including Cindy Foster and husband Brett of Borger and their sons, Brady and Brody; as well as Bill Hermesmeyer of Panhandle; and two step-daughters, Jeri Lynn McGowan and husband David and Patricia Ann Coffey and husband Bob.

The family requests memorials be sent to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund in Clarendon.

Jo Jan Seitz Nunley, 68, of Canyon passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018, peacefully at her home. Cremation arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. Private interment of ashes will be in Eldorado, Oklahoma.

Jo Jan was born on November 24, 1949, in Lubbock, Texas to Elbert L. and Willie Jo Gossett Seitz. In 1957, she was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Dalhart. She was a 1968 graduate of Stinnett High School. Jo Jan married Darwin Clayton Nunley on January 8, 1972, in Canyon and received her Bachelor of Business Administration from West Texas State University in May 1972.

Jo Jan was an administrative assistant at P&M Coal Mine in Raton, New Mexico and at West Texas A&M University in Canyon and wrote as a freelance writer on approximately 200 articles published in national magazines and newspapers.

She was a loving mother and grandmother. She will be fondly remembered for her passionate games of Spades and Wahoo. She enjoyed annual trips to Tall Pine Resort in Red River, New Mexico for over 50 years. She loved her small dogs, family, and friends. She will be greatly missed.

Jo Jan was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She is survived by her daughter, Scarlet Estlack and husband, Russell of Clarendon; two sons, Patrick Nunley and Spencer Nunley, both of Canyon; and three grandchildren, Maggie Nunley of Amarillo, and Nathan and Daniel Estlack, both of Clarendon.

Geneva LaFaye “Peggy” Owens Harrell, 92, of Ballinger, died at 2:00 a.m. on October 3, 2018.

God whispered in Peggy’s ear, “Come home, your work is done.”

Peggy was born on March 12, 1926, to Charlie Byron “Shorty” and Velma (Sibley) Owens in Clarendon. She attended public schools in Clarendon and married her sweetheart, Dave Harrell, in 1942 in Clarendon. Six children were born to this union. The couple resided in Clarendon and Ballinger while raising their family.

Peggy will be remembered for all the burgers she cooked at the Jumbo Burger and Dairy Crème in Ballinger. She loved working there and she took pride in what she was doing. Peggy could tell everyone what their name was and what kind of food they had. Peggy put a lot of smiles on her customer’s faces.

In later years, Peggy spent many hours watching and enjoying nature, animals, and children in the outdoors of her neighborhood while sitting on her front porch swing. She also loved to watch Molly B Polka Party on RFD and loved Red Steagall. She was his #1 fan.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Harrell; her son, Jimmy Dean Harrell; her parents, Charlie Byron “Shorty” and Velma (Sibley) Owens and a great-granddaughter, Summer Newton. She was also preceded by three brothers: Jack Owens, James Owens, Don Owens and wife, Jane Ruth Owens, and two sisters: Glenda McAlister and husband, Paul, and Annell Stokes and husband, Alvin; brother-in-laws, Eddie Reynolds and Jimmy McAnear.

Peggy is survived by her children: Freddie Harrell and wife, Sarah, of Santa Anna, Phoebie Crosby of Rowena, Dave Harrell, Tommie Harrell and wife, Patricia, Dwight Harrell and wife, Olga. She is also survived by two sisters: Charlene Reynolds of Amarillo and Patricia McAnear of Clarendon and two sister-in-laws: Bunny Owens and Jacquetta Owens of Clarendon and 13 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 9 great, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Graveside services were held on Friday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetary in Ballinger, Texas. Officiating the service was Max Pratt.

Verna Grace Teague, 85, of Amarillo (formerly of Clarendon), died Tuesday, September 25, 2018, in Amarillo.

Services were held on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Caprancia, officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery following the service.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Verna was born June 25, 1933, in Pampa to Lue and Lena Welch Smith. She married Jay Teague on August 14, 1950 in Clovis, New Mexico. She had been a resident of Amarillo most of her life until she retired from Central Freight lines and moved to Clarendon. Verna lived in Clarendon 20 plus years where she was member of the Community Fellowship Church. She enjoyed bird watching, gardening, painting landscapes, card and marble games and traveling in their RV. She was a loving mother, grandmother and sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2015; a son, Kenneth Teague; a sister, Loretta Bell, and daughter in law, Linda Teague.

She is survived by her son, Stan Teague of Amarillo; brother, Joseph Smith and wife Natasha of Amarillo; grandchildren, Daphne Sanders of Amarillo, Carrie Gimpel and husband Dallas of Amarillo, Monty Ulibarri and wife Kara of New Braunfels, Jason Teague and wife Mindy of Wisconsin, Eric Teague and wife Shauna of New Jersey and Tracie Teague; 9 great grandchildren; 3 nieces, Valarie Conrad and husband Bill, Kerry Michael and husband John, Jodie Mineart and husband Ian, and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

The family request that memorial be made to the Parkinson foundation.

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com

Charlsey Ann Whitt Scribner, 89, of Olton, died Wednesday, September 19, 2018, in Lubbock.

Funeral services were held September 21, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church in Olton with Brother Neely Landrum officiating. Graveside services were Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Mobeetie Cemetery in Mobeetie with Thacker Haynes officiating and under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors.

Charlsey was born June 13, 1929, to Walter Jackson “Jack” and Ida Jane (Long) Whitt, in Childress County. She grew up in Clarendon and graduated from Clarendon High School in 1945. Continuing her education at Clarendon College and West Texas State College, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and an all level teaching certificate in 1948. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education from West Texas State in the early 1970s. Charlsey never planned to be a teacher, but, in the fall of 1948, she began a 43-year teaching career in Gruver, Texas. She also taught school in Mobeetie, Brisco, Kellerville, and Olton, where she taught more than 35 years.

In 1950, she married Bud Carroll Scribner at the First United Methodist Church in Mobeetie. They were married until his death in 2015. She enjoyed travel and had visited every state but Hawaii and joked she could not go there because “you can’t drive to Hawaii”. Mrs. Scribner also enjoyed reading, documenting family travels, and her cats.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bud Carroll Scribner, and her sister, Lopez Hauck.

Survivors include her daughter, Carol Ann Scribner and her husband Bernie Worrell of Olton; her niece, Ann Goodman; nephews, Don Hauck and his wife Cynthia and David Lee Hauck; numerous cousins and friends; and most of all, by all the students she taught.

The family suggest memorials be made to the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association P.O. Box 1087 Olton, Texas 79064, the Mobeetie Cemetery Box 8 Mobeetie, Texas 79061, or a favorite charity.

Chandace Hanna Leigh Ritchie, 24 years of age, answered the calling of Jesus to come home on September 16, 2018. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 20, 2018, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, TX with Rev. Bill Hodges, officiating.

Visitation for friends and family were held on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Cremation and Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors Clarendon, Texas.

Chandace Ritchie was born November 23, 1993, in Amarillo to Kenneth and Charlotte Ritchie. She lived in Howardwick with her parents Chris and Charlotte Durham. Even though her life was too short she accomplished her dreams with faith, spunk, and pure determination. She carried a smile on her face and love in her heart no matter her situation. It was this attitude that will have an eternal effect on everyone she met.

She is survived by her father Kenneth Ritchie, and parents Chris and Charlotte Durham. Her siblings Chasity Ritchie and daughter Kallie Hudson from Tappahannock, Virginia, Corey Ritchie and sons Trystan and Jase Ritchie from Clarendon. Chrislyn Farris and husband Caden Farris and sons Corbin and Cohen Farris, also from Clarendon. Grandfather Gary Ferguson from Memphis. Grandparents Don and Helen Durham from Clarendon. Along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother Hannelore Ferguson, grandparents Bill and Becky Ritchie, and niece Chole Hudson.
Chandace Ritchie graduated from Clarendon High School in 2012 then proceeded to West Texas A&M to pursue a master’s degree in social work. Chandace conducted her internships at the Down Town Women’s Center. This is where Chandace’s compassionate heart and her love for others shined through.

Chandace Ritchie’s heart belonged to God, her nephews, niece, and family. She was known as “Chi” and “Aunt Andace, the best aunt in the world”. Chandace was a very loving person there was not an individual that did not get along with her. People enjoyed her pumpkin rolls as well as her mad gaming skills. When Chandace was not busy with her nephews and niece she often enjoyed friendly competition of hunting and fishing with her family. Chandace Ritchie will be dearly missed and be remembered as a person with a loving heart and bubbly personality.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Amarillo Women Center or the Kidd’s Kids organization.