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MARTINEZ
Ruth Lucille Martinez, age 91, of Altus passed away early Saturday morning, December 29, 2007, at Jackson
County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Martinez was born on December 17, 1916, in West Plains, Missouri to Payson and Bertha (Lawson)
Howard. Her father died when she was six months old and she lived with her grandparents for the next five years.
Her mother remarried and they made their home in Tulsa where she went to school. She married Leo Smith and
from this marriage she had two sons, Kenneth Smith and Jack Smith. She attended the Temple Church in Tulsa
where she was baptized and loved going to the young married people’s classes. Moving to Altus in 1959, she met
Felix Martinez. They were married on April 29, 1959, and spent twenty-five wonderful years together before his
death in 1984. Ruth loved children and helped Felix raise their three children and many foster children. Being a
homemaker and wife, she loved rearranging her furniture, music, dancing and working in her yard. Mrs. Martinez
worked for the Salvation Army for many years and enjoyed going to church there. She always had to make
chocolate pies for their potluck dinners.
Preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, three sons, Jack Smith, Kenneth Smith and Felix Martinez, Jr., she
is survived by one daughter, Mary Helen (Martinez) Davis and husband Cullen of Durango, Colorado; one son,
Alfonso Martinez of Miami, Florida; one daughter-in-law, Lorene Smith of Altus; eleven grandchildren, Connie Jo
Morris and husband Ken of Tampa, Florida, Annette Harper and husband Lloyd of Altus, Lucille Smith of
Aberdeen, South Dakota, Jeremy Owen of Chelsea, Oklahoma, David Cody Owen and wife Tonya of Durango,
Colorado, Allen Owen of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alisa Gay Martinez of Oklahoma City, Sammie Lynn Martinez of
Colorado, Robin Martinez of Oklahoma City, Kelly Martinez of Oklahoma City and Jennifer Martinez of Miami,
Florida; eighteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and all the residents at English Village Nursing
Home that adopted her for their grandma.
Graveside services
for Ruth Lucille Martinez will be at 11 a.m., Monday, December 31, 2007, at the Altus City
Cemetery with Major Ken Morris of the Salvation Army Church and Lloyd Harper officiating.
Meadie Folley Mason
Meadie Folley Mason, 91, of Vernon, Texas, passed peacefully from this life Friday, August 15, 2008, at
the Vernon Care Center.
Meadie was born March 15, 1917, in the Fargo Community, north of Vernon, Texas, to E.H. “Bud” and Esther
(Haynes) Thomas, longtime residents of Wilbarger County. She was the third of five children and is the third to
complete her journey of life on this earth.
Meadie was taught the fundamentals of music by her late father, who had been an instructor at North Texas
Normal School in Denton at the turn of the 19th and 20th century, and was also taught by “Aunt” Jenny Lovelace.
She became an accomplished pianist at a very early age. After overcoming a severe illness in her young life, she
managed to be in the first graduating class of Northside High School (1937) and ranked as Salutatorian. She was
pianist for the Fargo Methodist Church, which her father and two brothers helped build, and in which Irl Holt still
ministers and Carla Thomas Clayton performs accompaniments. While playing the piano for school and church
functions, she was noticed, introduced, and married to Charles Folley. After a whirlwind courtship, they were
married on November 13, 1937, in Frederick, Oklahoma, and moved to Davidson, Oklahoma, shortly thereafter
where they resided until 1962. While in Davidson, she performed accompaniments at the Methodist Church
alongside another talented musician, Ruby Reeser Jameson. She also played for large gospel “singing conventions”
which were held over the entire region of southern Oklahoma and north Texas that were very popular in the fifties.
She also accompanied the “Stamps Ozark Quartet” and other various well known singing groups of the time period.
She gave her last recital at Merrill Gardens at the age of 88.
As a wife and mother in the Davidson community, she participated in many social functions such as “room
mother”, Sunday school teacher, bible school teacher, and Women's Missionary Society. She tutored her daughter
to play the piano and sing. Eventually, a group developed into a trio called the “Tunettes” consisting of Vivian
(Hamm) Thompson, the late Patsy Lane, and Meadie's daughter, Mary Esther. The three pretty girls who could sing
with a style like the McGuire Sisters, accompanied by an accomplished piano player, wowed many groups around
the southern Oklahoma and north Texas area for several years before they all went their separate ways. Meadie
retreated to the farm, became employed by the Vernon Manufacturing Company, and attempted to complete the
training of her red- neck boy child. Considering what she had to work with, she did a pretty good job. She and
Charles moved to Vernon in 1962. Since she had made many new friends in Vernon, she quickly became a
member of what is now known as the Faith United Methodist Church. As usual in that setting, she began to
accompany the singing, and eventually met all the individuals who were to become her dearly beloved church family.
She performed in that capacity until December 2004 and then, and only then, reluctantly stepped aside because of
physical and mental limitations.
Meadie is survived by her daughter and family, namely: Randall and Mary Christopher Collins of Vernon, Texas;
grandson Chris and Cindy Christopher, and great grandson, Joshua and Zachary, of Quanah, Texas; grandson
David and Karen Christopher and great grandchildren, Richard, Charla, Kimmi Kay, and Levi, of Phoenix, Arizona;
her son and his family, namely: Glen Allen and Nancy Folley of Spring, Texas; grandson Gregory Allen Folley of
Mesa, Arizona; grandson Roger Allen and Jodi Folley, and great grandsons, Reese Allen, Travis Allen, and Wyatt
Allen, also of Mesa, Arizona; her two younger sisters, Mrs. Beryle Luedtke Cannafax of Wichita Falls, Texas, and
Ms. Alice Scott Reese of Vernon, Texas. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many Thomas
cousins residing in the areas of Murfresboro, Tennessee, Denton, Texas, Vernon, Texas, and Mountainair, New
Mexico, who are direct issue of her father's 22 brothers and sisters.
Meadie was preceded in death by her parents, “Bud” Thomas (1871-1962), and Esther Thomas (1890 – 1974),
her husband of 56 years, Charles A. Folley (1917 – 1994), her second husband of six months, Herbert Mason, and
her two older brothers, Richard Thomas (1913 – 1992) of Dallas and Wiley H. Thomas, Sr. (1915 – 2005) of the
Fargo Community.
It is very acceptable to send flowers; however, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith United Methodist
Church, 2420 High School Drive, Vernon, Texas 76384 (940-553-1643), Alzheimer's Research Foundations, or
any charity of choice.
May the Lord richly bless, and continue to do so, all the staff members of The Sterling House (aka Merrill Gardens),
Vernon Care Center, Dr. Robert Borchhardt, Dr. Randall Schaffner, Pastor Tom Carter, Dr. John Wade, current
pastor of Faith United Methodist Church, and all the wonderful members of Faith United Methodist Church,
especially Aunt Alice Reese.
Thanks to Tims Funeral Home (currently Lowell-Tims Funeral Home) of Altus, Oklahoma, for meeting our need in
the time of crisis just as they have for other members of the Folley family over the past 50 years.
Mrs. Mason will Lie in State Sunday and Monday at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus. She will Lie in State on
Tuesday, August 19, at the Faith United Methodist Church in Vernon from 10:00 am until 12:30 pm.
Funeral Services for Meadie Folley Mason will be held 1:00 pm., Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at the Faith United
Methodist Church in Vernon, Texas, with Dr. John Wade officiating. Interment will follow at Eastview Cemetery in
Vernon under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus.
James H. Maxwell
James H. Maxwell, formerly of Altus, passed away on April 28, 2007, in Richmond, Texas.
Jim, as he was known, was born in Wheat, Tennessee on July 31, 1909. He served in the U. S. Navy in World War
II assigned to the U. S. embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Jim married Dorothy Estes of Altus on December 22, 1945, in Berwyn, Maryland. Dorothy and Jim lived in Altus from
1946 to July 2004. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation as well as Altus Air Force Base until his retirement in
1981.
Survivors include wife, Dorothy, of Sugar Land, Texas; son, Van Maxwell, and his wife Louise of Richmond, Texas;
daughter, Phyllis Howell, and her husband Arthur of Atascocita, Texas. Jim is also survived by granddaughters, Kelly
Agnew and her husband, Chad, of Kingwood, Texas, and Katy Howell of Austin, Texas; and grandsons, Jared
Maxwell, of Matagorda, Texas, and Brian Howell of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by great-granddaughters,
Lily Katherine Belle Agnew and Ella Rose Agnew of Kingwood, Texas.
Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at the Altus Cemetery with Jerry Don
Henry officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Alzheimer’s disease charities.
VADA IRENE WINBERRY MAYFIELD
Vada Irene (Winberry) Mayfield, 91, passed away on October 28, 2003 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after a long
illness. Services are set for 11:00 AM, Friday, October 31, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church in Altus with
Reverend John Welch officiating. Interment will follow at Altus City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction
of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home. A Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6:00- 7:30PM at Lowell-Tims for
family and friends.
Vada was born November 8, 1911, in Linn, Oklahoma, Marshall County, to Edna Pearl and George Winberry. Her
older brother, Rupert Winberry, was born February 21, 1901, and died in 1983. Her daddy, George, died from
leukemia when Vada was 6 months old. Vada’s mother married Tillman Francis Thornton in 1916 and together they
had her younger brother, Tillman Francis Thornton, longtime resident of Elk City, who died in 1984.
Vada graduated from Tishomingo High School in 1929. She then attended college at Mary Washington College in
Fredericksburg, VA., Oklahoma A&M (now OSU), and completed her teaching degree at Weatherford Teachers
College (now Southwestern Oklahoma State University). Vada met Leroy Mayfield, a banker in Blair, Oklahoma,
while she was teaching there, and they married in 1938. Later they moved to Altus where Leroy worked at First
National Bank for many years and Vada worked at the Altus Times Democrat as a copy assistant to Callaway
Buckley. Vada and Leroy had one son, Stewart Mayfield, and Vada resumed her teaching career in 1959 at Falcon
Elementary School (now Rivers Elementary). Vada retired in 1979, having served as a public school teacher for 25
years. Her beloved Leroy then passed away in 1986.
She was active in UMW for over 25 years and assisted with activities at the First United Methodist Church, where
she was a member for over 50 years. She also was active in Clionian, was a supporter of the Altus Library and
Women’s Guild, and she volunteered some of her post retirement time at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital.
Vada and Leroy enjoyed each others company and loved to go to OU football and basketball games. They also
enjoyed spending time with Stewart at OU fraternity functions and with friends in Norman. Vada for many years had
a special coffee group that gathered most afternoons except for Sundays. It included Vada, Jeanette Schmedt, Polly
Dial, Dorothy Garvin, Grace Littlejohn, Glee Garnett, and Lucy Williams, some of whom preceded her in death.
Saturdays were reserved for hamburgers.
Vada was a special gift from God; a strong believer, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She believed, as did
Leroy, “if you cannot say something good about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” She was a lady and woman
of God. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many of us who knew her. She loved her
grandchildren and was able to enjoy Spencer and Gabrielle.
Vada is survived by her son, Stewart, and his wife, Sandie, of Norman, OK; their children, Spencer Alexander
Thornton, 6, and Gabrielle Elizabeth, 3. Vada has two nieces; Wynema Schermoly of Arkansas, and her husband,
Joe. And Pat Berdano and her husband, Aldo, of Houston; great nephews, Gary Chesnutt and his wife, Kerry,of
Charlottesville, Virginia, and Tommy Chesnutt and his wife, Sharon, of Austin, Texas; great niece, Dena Degraff and
her husband, Doug of Houston, Texas, and several other relatives who she loved and enjoyed.
Gifts in Vada’s memory may be made to the McFarlin United Methodist Church’s Alzheimer’s Support Group
(Norman, OK), the American Cancer Society, National Alzheimer’s Foundation or any charitable group.
For all of you who were and are friends of Vada’s, thank you. She loved us all.
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
Betty Jo Mayrhofen
Betty Jo Mayrhofen, age 74, passed away Sunday, October 10, 2004 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital.
She was born April 13, 1930 in McClain,Texas to Euell and Mary Burgett.
Betty married Joe Mayrhofen on October 4, 1947 in Vernon, Texas.
Betty had several hobbies she enjoyed especially cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
Betty is survived by her husband Joe Mayrhofen of Altus, Oklahoma, one daughter; Donna Cain and husband Wayne of
Headrick, Oklahoma, one brother; Fred “Buster” Burgett of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Travis Cain
and wife Patricia, Kevin Cain, Amber Newman and husband Scott, all of Headrick, Oklahoma, and three great
grandchildren, Christopher Cain, Haley and Riley Newman all of Headrick, Oklahoma.
She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister; Madine Clark and one Eddie J Mayrhofen.
Graveside Service is scheduled for Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at 11:00 am at the Altus City Cemetery, with Pastor
Tyler McDowell officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Joe Mayrhofen
Joseph “Joe” Houston Mayrhofen, age 82, a lifelong resident of Altus, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2008 with his
family at his side.
Joe was born in Altus on January 1, 1926 to Theodore “Bud” and Gennie (Choate) Mayrhofen. On October 4,
1947 he married Betty Jo Burgett in Vernon, Texas and they were married for over 57 years before she passed
away in 2004. He served his country in the United States Army during WWII from 1944 to 1946 and was in the
85th Regiment 10th Mountain Division and received a Purple Heart after being injured in Northern Italy. Joe
worked for Steffans Dairy from 1946 to 1956 then he went on to work for the civil service from 1956 to 1976.
After retiring from civil service, he worked at the Altus Cotton Compress from 1976 to 1992 and retired in 1992.
He was a member of the Altus DAV and was known by many people in Altus as a morning coffee drinker at
McDonald’s. When his health started to fail, Joe moved to Headrick to live with his daughter and son-in-law. Joe
was a great man that cared about his family and many other people and he will be missed very much.
Preceding Joe in death was his wife, Betty Jo; parents, Bud and Gennie Mayrhofen; one son, Eddie Joe
Mayrhofen; two brothers, Dan Mayrhofen; Charlie Mayrhofen; two sisters, Ozella Mayrhofen Wilson; and Gertruid
Tinney.
Joe is survived by one daughter, Donna Cain and her husband Wayne of Headrick; three grandchildren, Travis
Cain and his wife Trish of Headrick; Kevin Cain of Headrick; Amber Becker and her husband Bill of Headrick; five
great grandchildren, Christopher Cain; Ashley Cain; Emily Cain; Haley Newman; Riley Newman; special niece,
Wilma Barber of Santa Barbara, California; and numerous other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services for Joseph “Joe” Houston Mayrhofen will be at 9:00 am, Saturday, July 12, 2008 at Altus City
Cemetery with Reverend Ken Lyles officiating. Under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Lt. Colonel Paul Grady Meacham
Retired Lt. Colonel Paul Grady Meacham, 82, died Monday, February 20, 2006, at Jackson County Memorial
Hospital. Paul was born May 31, 1923, in Moody, TX, to John and Mae Meacham.
He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1942 to 1967. During his military career, Paul flew
numerous aircraft including the B-17, B-47, C-46, and B-52. He was stationed at Altus AFB in 1960 and retired in
Altus. Upon retirement, Paul opened and ran a successful real estate practice and remained active in the community.
Paul served in numerous leadership capacities for the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Lions Club
for nearly 40 years and received the Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Services from the Lions Club
International Foundation in 2001.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and six sisters.
Paul is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Jean Meacham, of Altus. He is also survived by his four children and
their spouses: Terry & Vicki Meacham of Broken Arrow, Tom & Jean Meacham of Altus, Paula & Larry York of El
Reno, and Mark & Kirsta Meacham of Overland Park, KS. Paul leaves seven grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 23, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Altus.
Committal will be held at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin at 1:00 p.m. with full military honors. Funeral
arrangements are being provided by Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus. Memorials in honor of Paul may be made
to the First Presbyterian Church in Altus or the charity of your choice. Friends are welcome to attend a visitation with
the family that will be held Wednesday, February 22, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Lowell-Tims.
