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Sue Jackson Polk dies at 83
Sue Jackson Polk, 83, a gentlewoman who loved her family, her church and her garden, passed away Jan. 19, 2003 in El Paso.
Born Oct. 10, 1919, at the old Providence Hospital in El Paso, Sue was the first child of Ruth Deane and George Barnard Jackson. She grew up on Nevada Street in Sunset Heights, attended Dudley School and was a member of the second Girl Scout troop in El Paso. Sue completed El Paso High School and remembered walking Downtown or taking the trolley to see a movie. In 1940, she graduated from the Texas College of Mines (now UTEP), where she helped organize the El Paso chapter of Chi Omega. She taught school in Canutillo and worked with the Southwest Customs Patrol.
A woman of strong faith, Sue was a lifelong member of First Christian Church. While attending a church group, she met a young man named Hibbard G. Polk of Santa Anna, Texas. They married in December 1944, just before Hibbard went off to serve in World War II.
In the early 1950s, Sue and Hibbard moved into a little house in Manhattan Heights, adding on to it as their family grew. Sue’s garden grew too, planted with flowering bulbs, fruit trees and roses.
Sue was very active at First Christian, serving as Deaconess Board chair, teaching Sunday School, volunteering in Christian Women’s Fellowship and helping with the thrift shop.
She was also active in the Woman’s Club of El Paso, American Association of University Women, Sunset Heights Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Society of Magna Charta Dames.
Sue and Hibbard were married for 37 years. He passed away in 1981, after retiring as deputy superintendent of the El Paso schools.
Sue is survived by her son Ernest Barnard Polk; son Jackson Hibbard Polk and wife Wendy White Polk; and grandson Andrew Jackson Polk.
She is also survived by her sister Mary Jackson Hellums and husband Ralph; brother George Henry Jackson and wife Ann; nieces Lucile Uhlig, Ruth Lowen, Jennifer Beckham, Nancy Hoover and Cindy Golden; and nephews Walker Jackson, Gary Stuart and John Stuart.
Sue’s life was celebrated at a service at First Christian Church on Jan. 24. A private burial will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Hibbard G. Polk Memorial Scholarship Fund at First Christian Church, 901 Arizona.
When Sue was interviewed by her grandson Andrew for a school project in 1989, he asked what her motto was. She told him, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Sue Polk has left a legacy of love for her family, her neighbors and her community.
From El Paso area - 2003
George William Finger Jr. passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born March 28, 1930, he lived in Borger, Texas, until he enrolled in the University of Arizona at Tucson, where he earned his undergrauate degree. He married Dorothy Jane Bodeewes, and then attended law school at the University of Texas. He and his wife relocated to El Paso in 1954 where he joined what has become the law firm of Scott, Hulse, Marshall, Feuille, Finger & Thurmond.
Mr. Finger was active on numerous boards in the El Paso community. His family remembers his fine character, strong values, good work ethic and devotion to his marriage – and his strong Texas handshake and blue eyes. He loved his family, friends, the practice of law, tennis and visiting new places.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Bodeewes Finger; his daughter, Pamela Finger Dunn and her husband Byron, and grandchild Byron Jr. and Jennifer; daughter Debbie Finger Malloy and her husband Craig, and grandchildren William, Mary Margaret and George.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Finger’s name to either St. Francis Episcopal Church, 6280 Los Robles Drive, El Paso, Texas 79912, or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 710 W. 168th Street, New York, New York 10032.
From El Paso area - 2003
Susan Funkhouser Davenport, 55, died Dec. 3, 2002, at her home on Lookout Mountain, Tenn. Born in California and reared in El Paso, she was a graduate of El Paso High School. Mrs. Davenport was also a graduate of Randolph Macon Women’s College in Virginia.
Mrs. Davenport moved with her husband to Chattanooga in 1974 and was a former president of many social service organizations including the Junior League of Chattanooga, Inc., Family and Children’s Services and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. For 20 years, Mrs. Davenport shared the struggles of hundreds of women with breast cancer, even as she battled the disease herself. She served on the Board of Y-ME of Chattanooga.
Additionally, Mrs. Davenport was a member of the boards of the United Way, Allied Arts, University of Chattanoogo Foundation and the Berkshire School in Sheffied, MA. She was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd where she had served on the Vestry.
Mrs. Davenport is survived by her husband, Joseph Howard Davenport, III; one son, Joseph Howard Davenport, IV; one daughter, Hollis Elizabeth Davenport; her mother, Hollice Funkhouser and a brother, Douglas Funkhouser. She was preceded in death by her father, Hugh Funkhouser.
From El Paso area - 2002
Ivan M. “Merle” Marshall, 66, of Fort Walton Beachk Fla., and formerly of El Paso County, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, in Fort Walton Beach. He was a 32nd degree Mason of Sunland Lodge #1344 in El Paso, and was also a member of the Sheriff Reserves in El Paso. Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Florida in Mr. Marshall’s name.
From El Paso area - 2003
Elena G. Beltran passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28. She served in 1984 as the first female constable in the state of Texas, finishing her late husband’s term. She also taught catechism for 70 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Victor Beltran; sons, Alberto M. Beltran and Victor R. Beltran; grandsons, Gary Beltran and Ricardo Beltran; brother, Hector Garcia; and her parents, Jose and Maria L. Garcia. She is survived by her sons, Arturo Beltran and his wife, Dora Beltran, and Hector Beltran and his wife, Terry Beltran; by her daughters, Alicia B. Dominguez and her husband, Santiago Dominguez; and by 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Aurora Lopez, Rosa Mata, Esperanza Luna, Carmen Herrera, Eva Lopez, Lucy Zamora and Annie Richards; brothers, Armando Garcia, Luis Garcia and Emilio Garcia; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Burial took place at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Edith Wilson Jennings, 89, passed away Jan. 24. She was born Dec. 28, 1913, in Meridian, Miss., and was one of eight children. The family moved to Pine Bluff, Ark., where Mrs. Jennings spent her childhood and graduated from high school. She later moved to El Paso and worked for Price’s Dairy. She met and married Rex. M. Wilson, an Englishman who was co-owner of Wilson-Walz Sporting Goods Company. Mr. Wilson passed away in 1976. In 1986, she married Jack A. Jennings.
Mrs. Jennings was past-president of the El Paso Country Club Women’s Golf Association, and is one of three women in the history of the country club to receive an honorary award and recognition for her contributions to women’s golf.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Rex. M. Wilson. She is survived by her second husband, Jack A. Jennings; his daughter, Sue Chasteen of Norfolk, Va.; his son, Shannon Jennings of Prairie Village, Kan., and their families.
From El Paso area - 2003
Fred Richmond Jr. loved to sing. At his funeral to mark his passing away on Jan. 21, many shared that memory of him. Family and friends recalled how he and his wife of five years — Betty Richmond — dressed in colorful, coordinated outfits and sang spirituals before their church family at Unity Missionary Baptist Church, as well as before their many friends at the church anniversaries and pastor appreciation services that Mrs. Richmond emceed.
The Brotherhood Music Ministry at Unity Missionary Baptist Church sang some of his favorite gospel selections at his Jan. 24 funeral where Mary Kirk, wife of Unity Pastor Onnie I. Kirk Sr., read three resolutions that paid tribute to Richmond’s life’s work and faith. The resolutions from Unity, Marboro Heights Missionary Church in Killeen and the Texas-New Mexico Fellowship of Churches were to be placed in Unity’s official archives that document the church’s history.
Richmond was born Nov. 13,1934, in Lambert, Miss., where he attended school, worked on farms and grew to be a man of substance and character.
He joined the U.S. Army and served for more than 21 years. His dedication to that career was proven in the medals and commendations he earned for meritorious service. After retirement from the Army, he worked as an auto mechanic for Dick Poe Dodge until his second retirement.
He joined Unity Missionary Baptist Church in 1981 and worked faithfully in the Brotherhood vocal ensemble and served as the group’s secretary, in addition to serving the church as a Sunday school teacher, a trustee and as part of the music ministry.
In a portion of the funeral service, titled “Stand Up Section/How I Knew Him,” those in attendance were asked to stand if Richmond had been their Sunday school teacher, their secretary of the Brotherhood ensemble, a fellow choir member or had served with them in the Lovely Sunset District Association of Churches. Nearly all those in the audience were on their feet as Master of Ceremonies Minister Richard Ballou read the final line.
Pastor E.B. Ross and Deacon Jerry Warner of the Texas/New Mexico Fellowship were among those who offered remarks and memories, along with the Rev. James Larry Williams of Mount Zion Church, Unity Deacon Allen Brown, Unity Trustee Roy Murray, Minister Aaron Johnson of the Baptist Training Union and Unity Sunday School Superintendent Eades Grimes. Geretha Myers sang another Richmond favorite, “Walk Around Heaven All Day” and the brethren paid a special tribute, showing their gratitude for Richmond’s life of service by marching around the sanctuary as they sang “When We All Get Together.”
He is survived by his wife Betty; his children: Clara Tate, Gregory Richmond, Aaron Richmond and Telisa Williams; his siblings: Jimmie Griffin, Jessie Belle Thomas, Ruby Morgan and Margarite Richmond, Robert Richmond, Willie James Richmond and Arthur Richmond; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Burial took place at Fort Bliss Cemetery.
From El Paso area - 2003
Kathleen Marie Whitley (Johns), 61, of El Paso, passed away Sunday, Feb. 2, at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston. She was born July 12, 1914, in Mt. Clemens, Mich., and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1959. She received an associates degree in liberal arts from El Paso Community College.
Mrs. Whitley was a federal civil service employee, holding numerous positions throughout her career. She served most of her career with, and retired from, the United States Postal Service. She was active in the National Association of Letter Carriers and in numerous volunteer activities within the Postal Service community. She was also active in and held offices in both the VFW Post 812 and the Lions Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Whitley; her mother, Lucille Hansford; step-father, Albert Hansford; and granddaughter, Anna Marie Crozier. She is survived by her children, Richard Causey and his wife, Shari, of Houston, William Causey of Chaparral, N.M., Jeanne Crozier and her husband, Larry, of Hinesville, Ga., and James Causey and his wife, Yvone, of ElPaso. She is also survived by her sisters: Mrs. Clifford (Joan) Babbitt of Mich., Mrs. Anthony (Faith) Webb of Fla., Mrs. Richard (Janet) Bjornson of Mich., Mrs. Paul (Colleen) Montalto of Mich.; by her brother, Frederick Johns of Mich.; her father, Norman Johns of Calif.; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Interment took place in Fort Bliss National Cemetery.
From El Paso area - 2003
Richard Julian Rosen, 71, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5. He was born the day after Christmas in 1931 to Marcus and Dora Rosen of El Paso, owners and proprietors of the Texas Store in Downtown El Paso. He went to Dudley School and later attended El Paso High School for his freshman and sophomore years. He then went to New Mexico military Institute, where he graduated from high school, atte4nded the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a BBA degree and was a member of the Sammie’s fraternity. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant and traveled overseas to London during the Korean conflict.
While in London, he met his wife-to-be, Helen Durant of Tonbridge Wells, England. They married and moved to California, where he finished his time in the service, and they had their first three children: Sharon, Lorraine and Beverly. They moved back to El Paso in 1957 so that Mr. Rosen could take over his family’s business, and the Rosens had two more children: Michelle and Mark. By the time he fully took over his parents’ business, it consisted of The Texas Store, The Popular of Las Cruces and a farming and ranching operation in Fort Quitman, Texas. He added to the company, doubling the size of The Texas Store and the Popular, making the Popular the nicest department store in Las Cruces. He also added many other stores all over New Mexico and one in Ysleta under the name of Bonanza and Broadway Fashions. In its peak year – 1995 – the company had 15 stores and the farming and ranching operation employed more than 350 people.
Mr. Rosen is survived by his wife, Helene Rosen; his children: Sharon Rosen, Lorraine Sales, Beverly Rosen, Michelle Morris and Mark Rosen; his in-laws, Kirk Sales, Chase Morris and Barbara Rosen; by his grandchildren: Shannon, Sheena, Shane and Sean Sales, Nicole and Cameron Rosen and Jack, Sydney and Morgan Morris. Interment took place in Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Long-time UTEP Equipment Manager
Bob Rapanut dead at 57
From El Paso area - 2003
Bob Rapanut, 57, who served as UTEP’s equipment manager since 1981, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Providence Memorial Hospital due to a heart attack.
He received the Distinguished Achievement Award – UTEP’s highest honor bestowed upon faculty and staff members – for service to students in 2000.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Bob Rapanut’s passing,” said UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull. “He has been extremely loyal to this athletic department for a long time, and has been an invaluable asset to our program. Bob was well-liked by everyone and will be greatly missed.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to work side by side with Rap for the last three years,” said UTEP head coach Gary Nord. “I’ve never appreciated an equipment man like I appreciated him after I became the head coach here.
“People take for granted all the duties and responsibilities that lie on his shoulders, but they are very important to the success of our football program. He performed his job in an outstanding manner, and became a good friend of mine.”
“I really liked Rap,” said former UTEP men’s basketball coach Don Haskins.
“I respected him as a person, and I respected the job that he did.”
Rapanut previously was an equipment manager at the University of California-Santa Barbara (1969-77) and the University of Oregon (1977-81).
A native of Santa Barbara, Calif., Rapanut served two years of active duty in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, including 11 months in Vietnam.
Rapanut is survived by his wife, Roberta; son Randy; one brother and five sisters.
The flag on the UTEP campus was lowered Thursday and Friday, Feb. 6-7, in his honor.
From El Paso area - 2003
