Search Archived Marriage Records
Marvin Elmer Crafton
Marvin Elmer Crafton, age 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 15, 2005. He was born on December
16, 1916, near Blair, Oklahoma and lived most of his life in Altus.
On April 4, 1936 Marvin married the love of his life, Ruby Kyser. He owned and operated Crafton Sheet Metal in Altus
for many years. Marvin and Ruby enjoyed spending their spare time fishing.
Survivors include 2 daughters: Barbara Batchelor and husband George of Frost, Texas and Elaine Fletcher and
husband Durwin of Lawton, Oklahoma: 1 son, Marvin Lee Crafton and his wife Carol of Cleburne, Texas; 7
grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife Ruby, 2 infant sons, a great-granddaughter and a great-great granddaughter, 4
brothers and a sister.
Graveside Services will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 2:30 pm at the Altus Cemetery with Brother Ray
Fletcher officiating. Under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family will greet guests Monday, January 17, 2005 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Anna Elizabeth Crawford
Anna Elizabeth Crawford, age 95, passed away Thursday, February 27,2003 in Altus, Oklahoma where she has lived for the later
portion of her life.
She was born in Rockwall on December 19,1907, the daughter of George S. Holt and Adella Davis of
Omaha, Nebraska. Her father owned a grocery business in this city for many years. Anna was
educated in Rockwall and Kerrville Schools. She became a member of the First Baptist Church of
Rockwall as a young girl.
On January 17,1925, she married Paul D. Crawford,son of John and Jenny Crawford. Those older
residents will remember her as a faithful partner to her husband,Paul, in his many business endeavors.
During the WWII years when available help was away at war or employed in the defense work, she
helped run the grocery business. Her favorite hobby was gardening and raising beautiful flowers.
Anna’s children will remember her as a loving and supportive Mother, her grandchildren as an adoring
and generous grandparent.
She was preceded in death by an infant son, her husband, Paul, one brother, J.D. Holt, four half brothers,
three half-sisters.
Her surviving family includes two children, Paul D. Crawford II and his wife Barbara of Altus, Oklahoma,
Bettye Jo Brown and her husband,George, of Centennial, Colorado., three grandsons, Dale Brown of
Denver, Colorado,Mark Crawford of Dallas, Texas, David Crawford of Atlanta, Georgia, two
granddaughters, Marilyn Brown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.,Ginger Powell of Broken Bow, Oklahoma,
and two great-grandchildren, Marshall and Marianna Dixon of New Mexico.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Tuesday, March 3,2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the Resthaven Funeral
Home Chapel, in Rockwall, Texas with Aubrey Patterson officiating. Interment
will follow in the Rockwall
Cemetery. Local arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
CRELIA DENNIS & PAT
Dennis Crelia, age 66 and Pat Crelia age 63 of Tucson, Arizona passed away at separate Arizona hospitals on
Tuesday, October 4, 2005 after both having long illnesses.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Vernon M. Crelia in 1962. He is survived by his two daughters,
Michele Belton and LeeAnn Crelia; two granddaughters, Chelsea Belton and Jordyn Crelia; one grandson, Justin
Lee Crelia all of Tucson, Arizona; his mother, Lucy Crelia of Altus; two brothers, Laboyd Crelia and wife Mary of
Graham, Texas and Hub Crelia of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one sister, Sarah Winkler and husband John of Altus
and many nephews, nieces, other family members and a host of friends.
Pat was preceded in death by her mother and father, Dale and Ima Wheeler. She is survived by her two
daughters, Michele Belton and LeeAnn Crelia; two granddaughters, Chelsea Belton and Jordyn Crelia; and one
grandson, Justin Lee Crelia all of Tucson, Arizona; two sisters, Rosemary Culbreath and husband Dick of Ohio
and Linda Rose and husband Mike of Paris, Texas. Pat also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, other family
members and a host of friends.
Dennis and Pat were married March 16, 1963 in Altus and enjoyed forty-two wonderful years together. Dennis
was a longtime employee of NASA where he worked with the Space Shuttle Program and assisted with the
launching of the first Space Shuttle. Later he worked with Hopeman Brother’s Marine Interiors of Waynesboro,
Virginia in designing interiors for U.S. Navy ships.
Retiring in 1990, Dennis and Pat moved to Tucson where they enjoyed the company of their daughters and
grandchildren and other family members who came to visit from time to time. Tucson also provided the
opportunity to further Dennis’ hobby of playing golf and following professional golfers who came that way. Pat was
a lifelong companion and helpmeet who supported Dennis in everyway possible and was very proud of his
accomplishments. Being a fulltime mother and grandmother was her greatest joy.
Funeral services for Dennis and Pat Crelia will be Sunday, October 9, 2005 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel
with Rev. David Player and Rev. Margie Van Oostrum officiating. Interment will be Monday, October 10, 2005 at
10 a.m. at Restlawn Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Jessie Jimmy Cruz Jr.
Jessie Jimmy Cruz Jr., Infant son of Jessie Cruz Sr. and Joann Hernandez, passed away March 30, 2004, at
Jackson County Memorial Hospital.
Jessie was born March 30, 2004, to Jessie Cruz Sr. and Joann Hernandez.
Jessie is loving survived by: his father Jessie Cruz Sr. and mother Joann Hernandez, two sister, Angelica and
Jessica Cruz, Grandparents Juan and Cathy Cruz and Angelita Soliz, both of Altus, Oklahoma.
Graveside Service is Saturday, 10:00am, April 3, 2004 at the Altus City Cemetery, with Father Joe Arledge
officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Margaret Mae Colden
Margaret Mae Colden, age 82, of Elmer, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday January 10, 2004 in Altus Oklahoma.
She was born June 26, 1921 in Marchall, Wisconsin.
She lived a very full life and enjoyed traveling and the great outdoors, you would find her with a fishing pole in her
hand. She attended the Elmer Methodist Church.
She is survived by one brother Richard and Chris Morrison of Waupac, WI., and ten children; Harry Kiesow of
Altus, OK. Larry Kiesow of Denver, CO., Dodie Smith of Oakdale, WI., Mary Fowler of Rockford, IL., Judy
Hawthrone of Elmer, OK., Janet Smith of Phoenix, AZ., Lucy Navaro of Rockford, IL., Jackie Drone of Elmer, OK.,
John Colden of Joes, CO., Jim Colden of Arvada, CO., and a host of grand children, great-grand children and
great-great grand children, and many friend and fishing buddies.
Margaret donated her body to Science; there will be no Funeral Service.
Local arrangement by Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
COLLINS
Velma Delilah Collins, age 97, long time resident of Altus died Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at the Jackson County
Memorial Hospital. The funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church officiated
by Rev. Jeff Moore. Graveside services will follow at 4:00 p.m. that same day at the Greenwood Memorial Park in
Fort Worth, Texas with Rev. Ollin Collins officiating.
Velma was born September 8, 1906 at Vernon, Texas. She was the daughter of John Quincy Adams and his wife
Bettie Deshazo Miller Adams. She attended grade school in Abilene and Graham, Texas where she graduated
from High School. She attended Texas State College for Women at Denton, Texas Christian University, and
Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth where she studied violin under Dean Carl Venth. She later taught violin at
Weatherford College and also took private students, one of which, Mary Martin, later became a famous actress.
She received her degree in Education from Oklahoma University.
On June 21, 1928 she was married to Orville Grimmett Collins at Fort Worth. While Mr. Collins served in the
United States Air Force during World War II she taught school at Hico, Texas where she lived at that time. At the
end of the war they moved to Fort Worth where she continued teaching.
In 1946 the Collins moved to Altus where they had bought an auto parts store. For several years Mrs. Collins
worked in the store, but she loved teaching and returned to the classroom at Roosevelt School in 1967 and
continued there until her retirement in 1985. She served on various Education Committees and was a member of
the O.E.A. and Classroom Teachers.
She was a Baptist and an active church member. At First Baptist Church of Altus she was a choir member for 20
years and did violin specials. She taught classes in the Children’s Divisions including Fifth grade, 16 Year Olds,
as well as the Mary Bible Study Class for Women as well as a Children’s Class for new members. She served on
various committees, and was Chairman of the Church Memorial Committee.
She was a member and past President of McDowell and Erolethian Clubs as well as the Retired Teachers and
L`Aigulle.
Survivors include: Fritz Groene of California. Una B. Phillips of Fort Worth, TX. Betty Jean Wyman of Carrollton,
TX. Dorothy Jane Schmid of Maryland. Ernest William Babb of Midland, TX and Betty Davenport of Richardson,
TX.
Lavada Marie Wilson Culberson
Lavada Marie Culberson was born Nov. 7, 1906 to the late James William and Laura Jane (Garrett) Wilson, in
Paris, Texas.
She died Aug. 23, 2004 at the Mangum City Hospital.
She married Wiley R. Culberson, Oct. 4, 1924 in Hugo, Okla. Wiley preceded her in death in 1985.
Lavada was a long time resident of Blair and Jackson County, having resided here since 1927. She was a
member of the Blair Home Extension Club and a member of the Blair Quilters.
She was a homemaker and a good mother. She loved her children and grandchildren and liked having them near
her. She felt that children less than five years of age needed to be with their Mothers instead of in a preschool as
is a trend now. She loved to garden and always had a big vegetable garden each year until she was no longer
able to. Lavada loved to grow flowers and had a ‘Green thumb’ and especially loved roses.
She is survived by 3 children
Laura M Birmingham Blair
Darlene Jones and Devere (Casey) Blair
Gayle Eugene Culberson and Idell Karval, Colo.
4 Grandchildren: Donita Beers and Jenee Armstrong of Blair, Keith Birmingham of Altus, and Gayla Higgins of
Perkins
12 Great grandchildren and 18 Great great grandchildren
By one sister Nella Vee Farmer, of Bakersfirld California and by many Nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 Sisters and 4 Brothers
Services for Lavada Marie Culberson are scheduled for 2 PM Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 at the Blair Baptist
Church with Rev, Randy Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at the Blair Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-
Tims funeral Home.
Laura Elizabeth Cunningham
Laura Elizabeth Cunningham, of Tipton, passed away Tuesday, December 16, at Marlow Manor in
Marlow, Oklahoma, at the age of 88.
Laura was born May 7, 1915, in Greer County, Oklahoma, to J.B. and Maggie (Watson) Foster. She
married Clayton Cunningham November 21, 1983, in Vernon, Texas. She was a beautician and raised
two of her children in Mangum and two of them in Tipton by having her business in her home for many
years. She loved to sew and was well-known for her beautiful clothes. Laura loved to go to the Altus
VFW to dance every Saturday night which she said kept her young. She always wore a button that read
“I am the last of the Red Hot Mamas.” Laura was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tipton for over
43 years.
She is survived by her four children, daughter Betty Culver and husband Harold of Marlow, Oklahoma,
son William Rosebure and wife Katherine of Shawnee, Oklahoma, daughter Brenda Spelhaug of
Lawton, Oklahoma, and son Gary Rosebure and wife Debbie of Wilburton, Oklahoma. She is also
survived by eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clayton, and all of her ten brothers and sisters.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD 11:00 AM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, AT THE FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH IN TIPTON WITH REVEREND HAROLD GACHES OFFICIATING. INTERMENT WILL
FOLLOW AT THE TIPTON CEMETERY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LOWELL-TIMS FUNERAL
HOME IN ALTUS.
