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AURORA ZAPATA
Robert Massie Funeral Home
Aurora Zapata, 86, of San Angelo passed away Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at her residence. Mass of Christian services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Terry Brenon officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Aurora was born Aug. 15, 1916, in Floresville, Texas, to Florencio and Josefa Talamantez. Aurora was a blessing to her family and to the people of the “barrio” in which she lived. She was known, affectionately as “Comadre” to many. Food and needs were her forte. Every visitor to her house was offered food or drink. She gave meals freely to those in need. Her love and affection will be missed by her family and her “barrio”. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luis Zapata; parents, Florencio and Josefa Talamantez; sisters, Rosa Fernandez and Marta Torres; brothers, Dario and Celestino Talamantez, daughters, Constantina Zapata and Carmen Varela; and son, Willie Zapata. Survivors include five daughters, Lillie Zapata, Beulah Rodriguez, Juanita Zapata, Mary Lou Reyes and husband, Mario and Gloria Gregg and husband, Peter, all of San Angelo; three brothers, David Talamantez of Stafford, Texas, Paul Talamantez and Manuel Perez, both of Houston; four sisters, Macaria Galvan and Lupe Ramirez of Houston, Ofilia Martinez and Olga Ramirez, both of Stafford; fifteen grandchildren, Louis and Criselda Zapata, Guillermo and Honesty Zapata, Albert and Marisela Zapata, Alfonso and Stacy Zapata, Margie and Eddie Nunez, Daniel Rodriguez Jr., John Henry and Amanda Rodriguez, Jessica and Martin Medrano, Michael and Norma Zapata, Gina Reyes, James Reyes, Jenna Ramos, Roseanne Gregg, all of San Angelo, Debbie Noriega of New York and Amanda Gregg of Waco. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Louis Zapata, Daniel Rodriguez, Jr., James Reyes, Jenna Ramos, Amanda Gregg and Jeremiah Max Rodriguez. The family would like to thank Dr. Hunt, his staff and Lee Francis, RN from Vista Care. God watched as you suffered And knew you had your share. He gently closed your weary eyes And took you in HIS care. God has you in HIS keeping, We have you in our hearts. Your memory is our keepsake, And with that we’ll never part. God saw you were getting tired And a cure was not to be So, HE put his arms around you And whispered, “Come with ME”. With tearful eyes we watched You surrender And saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay A golden heart stopped beating, Hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove HE only takes the BEST.
THELMA UNSELL WILEY
Rains-Seale Funeral Home
BALLINGER — Thelma Unsell Wiley, 96, formerly of Ballinger, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at her residence in San Angelo. Thelma was born Aug. 16, 1906, in Delta County, Texas, to John and Ida Moxley Unsell and was brought to West Texas as a child, settling in Winters, Texas. Thelma and her brother, Byron, graduated from Winters High School in 1923. She later became a telephone operator in Winters for several years. Thelma married Donnell Macune on Aug. 30, 1930, and moved to Ballinger. They later moved to Odessa, where they divorced. She moved to Dallas and worked in sales and married John H. Pappas. They moved back to Ballinger when John was diagnosed with cancer. He died on Oct. 7, 1972. While in Ballinger, she worked for Allen Davis Funeral Home until she retired. She married Lenard L. Wiley on Nov. 27, 1975. He preceded her in death on Nov. 12, 1991. Being unable to care for their home because of health conditions, she sold their home and moved to a retirement home in San Angelo. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Avenue B Church of Christ in Ballinger with Mike Riley and Charles Young officiating. Burial will follow in Old Runnels Cemetery. Thelma is survived by a sister, Marguerite Jones of Jacksonville, Ill.; brother, Edwin Elmo Unsell of Dilley, Texas; five nephews; and one niece, Doris Carpenter, who has been her loving and faithful helper since her move to San Angelo.
MARY HELEN THIGPEN
Johnson’s Funeral Home
Mary Helen Thigpen, 83, longtime resident of San Angelo passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, in Missouri City, Texas. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Brian Ross officiating. Mrs. Thigpen was born June 23, 1919, in Blanket, Texas, to E.L. and Emma Wilkinson. She married Earl David Thigpen in February of 1950 in San Angelo. She worked as a bookkeeper for Merchant Freight Lines for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Tennison Baptist Church. Survivors include a sister, Earline Leigh of Ennis, Texas; two nieces, Ann Jungmeyer of Houston and Sandie Childress of Robertsdale, Ala.; and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers.
GILBERT ALFRED SCHMIDT
Beckman Funeral Home
FREDERICKSBURG — Gilbert Alfred Schmidt, 90, passed away Oct. 1, in Fredericksburg. Mr. Schmidt is survived by his wife, Laura Pfiester Schmidt of Johnson City; a sister, Erna Schneider of Fredericksburg; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in Beckman Funeral Home in Fredericksburg with the Rev. John Auer officiating. Interment will follow in Der Stadt Friedhof. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in Beckman Funeral Home. Mr. Schmidt was a rancher will known for his goats. He was a former director and honorary lifetime director of both Texas Angora Goat Raiser’s Association and American Angora Goat Raiser’s Association. He was also a former director of Blanco County Fair Association and Blanco County Farm Bureau as well as Councilman for Trinity Lutheran Church. He was an Army veteran and former prisoner of war of World War II. Memorials for Mr. Schmidt may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonewall or to the charity of one’s choice.
NANCY R. JOHNSON
Edgar Funeral Home
MARBLE FALLS — Nancy R. Johnson, age 71, of Marble Falls, Texas, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, in Marble Falls. She was born Sept. 1, 1931, in Fermindina, Fla., to Marvin Everett and Ineze Motes Royster. Nancy taught school in Sonora and Odessa for many years and owned Johnson Fleet in San Angelo. A member of the Highland Lakes United Methodist Church in Kingsland, she also was active with the Buchanan and Marble Falls Art Guilds where she served as president. Surviving her are a daughter, Derry Lynn Summer of Kingwood; sons, Marvin Foster Shurley and his wife, Wanda, of Sonora, Mason David Shurley of Sonora, Raymond Neill Johnson III and his wife, Cindy, of Odessa and Clark Harris Johnson and his wife, Betty, of Saginaw, Texas; and mother, Ineze Royster of Laurens, S.C. She also is survived by her granddaughter, Jennifer Leigh Summer of Kingwood; and grandsons, Chris Johnson of Amarillo, Neil Johnson IV of Brownwood, Wes Johnson of Saginaw, Greg Johnson of Saginaw, Collier Shurley of El Dorado, Joshua Shurley of Austin and Nick Shurley of Sonora. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond N. (Neill) Johnson Jr. Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Highland Lakes United Methodist Church in Kingsland. The Rev. L.C. Johnston will officiate.
CLIFFORD L. HITT
Johnson’s Funeral Home
Clifford L. Hitt, 71, of San Angelo, Texas, died at 8:10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, in a local hospital. He was born Jan. 8, 1931, in Jane Lew, W.Va. Clifford was a veteran of the Korean War and was a banker. He married Charlene Burke on June 2, 1952, in San Angelo, Texas, and he was a member of First Baptist Church in Denver City, Texas. Survivors include his wife, Charlene Hitt of San Angelo; one daughter, Sherrie Hitt of Fort Worth; one son, Bruce Hitt of San Angelo; one sister, Mary Lou Hitt of Miami, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Marjorie George and Shirley Bolen, both of San Angelo, and Billie and Kirk Stokes of Fort Worth; brother-in-law, Richard and Suzie Burke of Amarillo; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and Bubba. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Johnson’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Elliott officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be nephews. Special thanks to Dr. Harrington and his staff and the staff of the West Texas Renal Center.
ELSIE HOLIMAN HARPER
Elsie Holiman Harper was born in Henderson County, Texas, on Dec. 19, 1913, to Joe Holiman and Emma Venable Holiman. At an early age Elsie, along with her family moved to the Arden Community. There she grew up went to school, met and fell in love with a basketball-playing cowboy named, Jay Harper. They were blessed with two sons, Joe Allen Harper and Harold Grey Harper. All three preceded Elsie in death. Jay’s work in construction took them to, many towns and states. Elsie worked in sales, children’s and women wear. Elsie loved taking care of her home, doing hand crafts, gardening and baking bread. One of her greatest joys was being nanny to many small children. She often said that they taught her so much. Elsie also was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by one brother, Odis M. Holiman of Midkiff, Texas; daughter-in-law, Symanthia of Houston; grandsons, Paul Harper of Dallas, and Rodney Harper and Jay Harper, both of Houston; several nieces, nephews and cousins; one great grandson, Nicolas Harper of Houston; and a very special friend, Carter Neill of San Angelo, Texas. Elsie also leaves her card-playing friends. She loved to eat with the Prime Timers. Elsie was a charter member of Southland Baptist Church and Oh, how she loved that Joy Sunday school class. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, in Fairmount Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Sheill officiating.
EDWARD RAY FOSTER
Johnson’s Funeral Home
Edward Ray Foster, 79, of Ozona died Monday, Sep. 30, 2002, in Shannon Medical Center. Service will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in Houston National Cemetery Chapel. Edward was born July 28, 1923, in Stark, La., to Edward Sylvester and Letha Foster. He retired from the trucking business. He was honorably discharged after serving 5 years in the United States Navy during World War II on the USS Nevada in the Atlantic and Pacific. Edward was married to Lois C. Thornton on Aug. 13, 1949, in Glenmore, La. Survivors include his wife, Lois C. Foster of the home; three children, E.R. Foster Jr. of Plant City, Fla., Kenneth Foster of Galveston and Cynthia Foster of Austin; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; three sisters, Inez Riley of Houston, Ivalee Crabtree of Gainsboro, Tenn. and Ineta Fruge of Orlando, Fla.; and one aunt, Elsie Clark of Orange, Texas In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to a favorite charity.
LIBRADO D. FLORES
Robert Massie Funeral Home
Librado D. Flores, 86, of San Angelo passed away Sunday Sept. 29, 2002, in an area hospital. A Mass of Christian service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Terry Brenon officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Librado was born Oct. 5, 1915, in Sonora, Texas, to Jesus and Jesusa Flores. Librado was a hard working man. Although there were rough times, he made sure that his family met their needs. All his family and friends will miss him, but knowing he is in God’s Graces and reunited with his loved ones, softens our pain. Preceded in death by his wife, Christina Flores; parents, Jesus and Jesusa Flores; one daughter, Adela Flores; one son, Oscar Flores; one brother, Epilito Flores; three sisters, Romana Hernandez, Josepha Estrada and Juanita DeLos Santos; and grandson, Brian Flores. Survivors include six daughters, Maria Torres and husband, Eduardo, Manuela Rico and husband, Juan and Margaret Diaz and husband, Balentin, all of Hereford, Texas, Elania “Helen” Flores, Linda Valles and husband, Alex and Hope Flores, all of San Angelo; five sons, Israel Flores and wife, Seferina, of Hereford, Ismael Flores, Robert Flores and wife, Dinah, Isaias Flores and wife, Olga, Adam Flores and wife, Sally and Randy Flores, all of San Angelo; 46 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Chang and Dr. Bragg.
GEORGIA MAE CLARK
Croley Funeral Home
GILMER — Georgia Mae Clark, 97, of Gilmer was born March 28, 1905, in Scurry County, Texas. She died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. Graveside service for Georgia will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 in Fairview Cemetery in Bronte, Texas, with the Rev. R.W. Blackman and Sam Clark officiating. She is survived by one son, Bobby Joe Clark of Blackwell, Texas; one daughter, Bess Tucker of Gilmer; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
WARREN BURNETT
LEAGUE CITY — Texas lawyer, Warren Burnett, 75, designated by the Texas Bar Association as a “living legend” two years ago, died of a heart attack Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, while he and his wife, Kay, were visiting in Fort Davis, Texas. The Burnett home is in League City in the Houston area. He was stricken while drinking an afternoon beer with his wife and a friend in the garden patio at a Fort Davis bed-and-breakfast inn. Volunteer medics from Jeff Davis County rendered emergency treatment but Burnett had been ill with congestive heart failure for some time. Burnett was known for his eloquent use of the English language in the courtroom, “pure poetry” according to a colleague and his superb strategy. Beginning in 1951, Burnett distinguished himself as a 23-year-old district attorney for Odessa and Midland in the 70th Judicial District. After two terms, he opened his own practice as a trial lawyer. He tried jury cases all over Texas and New Mexico an in other states, flying his own plane from trial to trial. His law practice out of Odessa spanned 40 years. Burnett became a controversial figure in the 1960s and 1970s for his pro bono work for Hispanic political activists in the Texas Valley and for participating in demonstrations in support of Caesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers and against nuclear waste dumps. He organized memorial marches for Dr. Martin Luther King in Odessa. West Texas conservatives abhorred his liberal politics, yet hired him to win difficult cases, such as the selection of Odessa over Midland for the site of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Outside of the limelight and largely unknown to the public was Burnett’s generosity. He gave millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations. He financed the education of many young people and helped them get established in law and other professions. He established a Chair at Texas Tech and scholarship funds for minorities at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin. He provide the seed money for a multi-media arts center founded by his wife, Kay, and together they created a charitable foundation named for his mother, Gladys B. He had the unusual policy of not charging a client if he didn’t win their case and sharing his legal fees with his entire staff. He was born to a lead and zinc miner, Jim and wife, Gladys Burnett, in Austinville, Va., on May 4, 1927. Warren was the star pitcher of the high school baseball team and was voted “most likely to succeed.” He laughed and agreed with the exclamation by an Austinville contemporary who became a barber in the House Barbershop in Congress. “I never was so surprised to see somebody do as good as Warren had did. He never was nothin’ special in Austinville. About all he done was lay around and read books.” Burnett attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now known as Virginia Tech, but dropped out to join the Marines. He served in the China-Burma Theater near the end of World War II. After the war, Burnett hitchhiked to Texas and attended Lamar College in Beaumont on the suggestion of his friend, Frank Vollart. An English major with dreams of being a writer, he chose to enter Baylor Law School because he “could get in at midterm.” Burnett says over the years, “I was tired of being poor and I realized a chimpanzee could be a lawyer and make money at it.” After passing the Texas Bar exams, he thumbed rides to San Antonio for his first job in the district attorney’s office. Soon he applied and was hired as a trial lawyer in the Odessa office of John Watts. In 1962, LIFE magazine named Warren Burnett one of the “Red-Hot Hundred,” a gallery of young leaders in the United States who met the criteria of: “1) tough, self-imposed standards of individual excellence, 2) a zest for hard work, 3) a dedication to something larger than themselves, 4) the courage to act against old problems, 5) the boldness to try out new ideas, and 6) a hard-bitten hopefulness about man.” He was featured in Harper’s magazine in 1969 and was the subject of numerous articles in Texas newspapers and magazines. Contemporaries called Warren Burnett a “lawyer’s lawyer” and an “outstanding orator.” “When Burnett would try a case, lawyers would come from around the country to hear him,” longtime friend and syndicated columnist, Molly Ivins said. “It was considered one of the legal thrills of a lifetime.” Moving to Galveston in his late 50s, Burnett opened a small branch office. He told friends, “I keep this small office and the Odessa office open only to help young lawyers and the investigators and secretaries who work there. He rarely practiced law after that, letting young lawyers who worked on the cases take over the files. He occasionally returned to West Texas for a trial but spent more time with old buddies and various ladies. He eventually gave his law practice to his oldest son, Abner in the mid-1990s. Warren Burnett is survived by Kay Taylor Burnett, his wife and constant companion of the last 15 years; daughters, Melissa Burnett and husband, Wayne Warren, of Midland and Emily Burnett of San Antonio; stepdaughter, Stacie Pauls and husband, Allan Leggé, of League City; sons, Abner Burnett and wife, Susan, of Mexico, and Paul Burnett of Houston; stepsons, Britt Pauls and wife, Lou Wunch, of Galveston and Taylor Pauls and wife, Priscilla Rios, of League City; grandchildren, Hunter and Blake Leggé and Kayte Pauls; and also Burnett’s cat, Nasdaq and the family dog, Dow Jones. A memorial celebration of Warren Burnett’s life will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, in the Arts Alliance Center in Clear Lake. It is for friend and foe alike. Memorials may be sent to the Warren Burnett Fund at the Arts Alliance Center, 2000 NASA Road 1, Nassau Bay, TX, 77058, or to the Post Hospital Restoration, Friends of Fort Davis National Historic Site, P.O. Box 1023, Fort Davis, TX 79734.
JEANNE S BOX
Johnson’s Funeral Home
Jeanne S. Box, 72, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away Oct. 3, 2002. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Ben Hubert of First Christian Church will officiate. Jeanne was born to J.W. and Elsie Smith on Nov. 20, 1929, in Lamesa, Texas. She graduated from Lamesa High School and attended TCU and San Angelo College. On Aug. 23, 1952, Jeanne married the love of her life, Max Box. They lived in San Angelo almost all of their lives. Jeanne devoted herself to the profession of teaching until her retirement from Central High School in 1987. She touched the lives of her students because of her incredible gifts of caring and giving to others. She made a difference in their lives by simply being the special lady that she was. “Goggie” or “Grandma,” as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren, had a zest for life that she graciously shared with everyone she met. Her positive attitude and immeasurable love for her family were only a few of her many gifts. Her husband, children and grandchildren were truly the “light of her life.” She always will hold such a special place in their hearts. They will cherish forever the memories of her love, laughter, quick wit and constancy in their lives. Survivors include her husband, Max Box; and her daughter, Kathy Koehn and husband, J.D., and her son, Kyle Box and wife, Pam. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Courtney Koehn, Lindsay Box and Patrick Box. Other survivors include her brother, Jimmy Smith of Lubbock, Texas; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mona and Bill Rogers of San Angelo, Texas; and several special nieces and nephews. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; and her special sister-in-law, Mary Lou Smith. Pallbearers will be Chris Barber, Tom Bright, Eric Petterson, Alex Rios, Randy Rogers and Toot Tomerlin. Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Coppic, Ken Williamson, Howard Gill, George Graham, Bill Armstrong and Bill McWilliams. The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to Dr. Johnny B. French and the staff at Regency House for their outstanding care and compassion. “Mom, if we could give you one gift, we would give you the ability to see yourself as others see you. Then, you would realize what a truly special person you are.”
RUBY NELL FARRIS
Kerbow Funeral Home
ELDORADO — Ruby Nell Farris of Eldorado passed away Oct. 4, 2002, in the Schleicher County Nursing Home. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in Eldorado Cemetery with the Rev. Andy Anderson officiating. Ruby Nell was born in the Bailey Ranch Community to Mark B. and Bertha Spencer Holland on Dec. 28, 1922. She married Alvin D. Farris on March 22, 1941, at which time they moved to Eldorado. She has resided in the same house since that time. Alvin joined the Seabees after the start of World War II and was sent to California where Ruby joined him until he was sent overseas. She then returned to Eldorado to wait for his return. For a time, she worked at the Eldorado Woolen Mill. Ruby Nell had many, many friends. She had a love for all people and enjoyed the company of all she met, never meeting a stranger. She was loved in return for her many acts of kindness. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her father, Mark Holland in 1962; her sister, Juanita Gray in 1986; her mother, Bertha Holland in 1998; as well as her husband, Alvin Farris in the fall of 1988. Survivors include her son, Timothy R. Farris and wife, Laurie, and their children, Lindi and Gage of Mesquite; her daughter, Barbara R. Farris and her daughter, Angel, of Colorado, Lindi, Gage and Angel being the love of Ruby’s life; two brothers, Jack Holland and wife, Mary, of Christoval and Weldon Holland and wife, Hattie, of Tolar; and also very special friends, Norma Lynn Mund and Eloise Day. She had numerous friends throughout Eldorado and the surrounding community whom she dearly loved. Rest in peace Mom and Grandma. We will truly miss you and your love we will carry with us always.
ROBBIE R. HULSE
Graveside services for Robbie R. Hulse, 87, of Lubbock were held Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 in Brownfield Cemetery with Rev. Randy Land officiating. The services were under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home. Mrs. Hulse died Sunday, Jan. 29, in Lubbock.
FRANCES LAURA YOUNG KIRBY
Services for Frances Laura Young Kirby, 88, of Brownfield were held Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006 in Terry County Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Ken Horn officiating. Burial was in Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home. Mrs. Kirby died Saturday, Jan. 28, in Brownfield.
VELMA IVA TAYLOR
Services for Velma Iva Taylor, 90, of Brownfield were held Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 in Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Carter officiating. Burial was in Clarendon Cemetery in Clarendon. Mrs. Taylor died Saturday, Jan. 28, in Lubbock.
