Lillie Mae Graham, 97, passed away Friday, October 4, 2002 at Odessa Regional Hospital.  Services were 10 a. m. Monday at Odessa Tabernacle with Rev. Doug Herget officiating. Burial followed at 4 p. m. in Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo, Texas.  Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa was in charge of arrangements.

She was born September 22, 1905 to Charles and Minnie Stephenson in Comanche County, Texas.  She was employed as a waitress for many years, earning several certificates of recognition.  She was a member of Odessa Tabernacle in Odessa, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Minnie Stephenson, two sons, three daughters, three sisters and three brothers.  Survivors include two sisters, Juanita Sumpter of Euless and Francis Chapin of Sweetwater; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six nieces; and four nephews.

EASTLAND:  Bob Hayes, 49, of Eastland, (former minister at Valera) passed away Sunday afternoon at a local hospital.  Services were 10:30 a. m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Eastland with Dr. Shawn Brewer officiating, assisted by Rev. Gerald Burns and Rev. Jeff Jackson.  Burial was in the Eastland City Cemetery directed by Edwards Funeral Home of Eastland.

Mr. Hayes was born on March 18, 1953 in Big Spring to S. F. and Naomi (Oaks) Hayes.  He grew up in West Texas and graduated from Big Spring High School.  He served in the Army as a medic in Vietnam and with the 1st Calvary Horse Platoon at Fort Hood, Texas and represented the Army in rodeo events and was a rodeo clown.  When Bob was discharged from the military he went to Ranger to attend college and helped start the Rodeo Team of Ranger College in 1975.  He surrendered to the ministry in Westbrook, Texas serving with youth before moving to Brownwood to attend Howard Payne University. Bob had been a pastor in Comanche and Valera in Coleman County.  He moved to Eastland in January of 1997 to pastor the Lake Leon Baptist Church until 2001.  Since April 2001, Bob had been Mission Director of the Cisco Baptist Association.  As part of this position he was the start up pastor of the New Leon River Cowboy Church in May of this year.  He was a member of the Texas Association of Sports Officials, traveling to different cities officiating at high school and college NCAA sporting events.  He was a member of the American Softball Association.

Survivors include his wife, Selissa Hayes of Eastland; seven children, Pepper Barrett of Weatherford, Jim Bob Hayes of Brenham, Christa, Angela, Marie, Kim and Amber all of the home; his mother, Naomi Williamson of Westbrook; a brother, Tommy Hayes of Lubbock; two sisters, Peggy Hill of Westbrook and Debi Smith of Big Spring; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Mary Kathryn Fenton Wheeler, age 71 of Coleman died Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at an Abilene hospital.  Graveside funeral service will be held 10:00 a. m. Friday at Santa Anna Cemetery with Joe Hailey officiating.  Services are under direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wheeler was born October 27, 1930 in Gouldbusk, Texas and was a daughter of Lige and Tince Spillars Fenton.  She grew up and attended school in Gouldbusk.  November 8, 1947 she married Ralph “Pug” Wheeler in Gouldbusk and he preceded her in death October 16, 1984.  She had lived in Coleman for many years and had recently moved to Abilene.  She was a nurses’ aide and member of Elm Street Church of Christ.

Survivors include two daughters, Gwendlyn Washburn of Abilene and Tamela Ka Rosales (and husband, Joe) of Coleman; three sisters, Maedell Motsinger of Abilene, Billie Davis of San Angelo and Rebecca Ewing of Abilene; five grandchildren, Shannon Ridner (and wife, Melinda) of Coleman, Jeremy Wortman of Abilene, James Rosales, Jacob Rosales and Jeffery Rosales all of Coleman.  She was preceded in death by a great- granddaughter, Chelsey A. Dawn Jackson in 1994.

Family visitation will be tonight (Thursday) from 7:00 until 9:00 p. m. at Stevens Funeral Home.

Faye Daniel, 84, died Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at an Abilene medical center.  Services were 2 p. m. Saturday at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Rev. Stan Allcorn officiating.  Burial was in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home of Abilene.

Mrs. Daniel was born May 8, 1918 in Glen Cove, Texas, the youngest of 13 children of Henry and Margaret (Andrews) Davis.  She married D. D. “Buzz” Daniel on April 8,1939.  Faye had been secretary at West Central Drilling Company, working in the oil business for 44 years before retiring in 1986.  She was a member of Pioneer Dr. Baptist Church, an avid bridge player, member of Rose Park Senior Center, and Abilene Woman’s Club.

Survivors include one sister, Hazel Smith of Ballinger; five nieces and 10 nephews.

Memorials may be made to Pioneer Dr. Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Dr., Abilene, Texas 79605 or the charity of your choice.

Irene Aguirre Cabrera, 89, of Abilene, died Thursday, October 10, 2002, at an Abilene hospital.  Mass was 10 a. m. Saturday at St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Nib officiating.  Burial followed in the Masonic Cemetery under the direction of North’s Funeral Home of Abilene.

A native of Alpine, Texas, Mrs. Cabrera was reared in Coleman, Texas.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Francis Catholic Church.  She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter.

Survivors include four sons, Benjamin, Raymond and Juan Aguirre, all of Abilene, Texas and Leon Aguirre of San Jose, California; three daughters, Irene Aguirre and Toni Herrera, both of Abilene, Texas, and Cecilia Germain of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan; three sisters, Kelly Rocha of San Antonio, Texas, Petra A. Gonzales of San Angelo, Texas and Chole Gillespie of McMinnville, Tennessee; 27 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Jonathan Aguirre, Luis Herrera, Jr., Art Gonzales, Matthew Murdock, Nathaniel Murdock, and Garrett Pope.  The family requests memorials be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, Texas 79601.

Mrs. Wanda Jean Pruitt Barton, age 78, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2002 at Harris Methodist in Stephenville, Texas.  Graveside funeral services will be held today (Tuesday) at 2:00 p. m. at the Coleman City Cemetery with Mrs. Barton’s brother, Mickey Casey officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Walker Funeral Home of Coleman.

Born April 6, 1924 in Webb City, Oklahoma she is the daughter of the late Martin Aston Pruitt and Martha Sue Casey.  She married the late J. T. Barton who preceded her in death in 1970.  Mrs. Barton lived in Brown County most of her life.  A graduate of Coleman High School, she was retired and a member of the Baptist Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Melinda Blair of Ft. Worth, Belinda Levens of Brownwood and Kaye Colcleasure of Stephenville; two sisters, Mrs. Frances Miller and Mrs. B.J. Slate both of Arlington; and one brother, Mickey Casey also of Arlington.  Also surviving are six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

H.D. “Cookie” Connally, age 92, of Moran died Sunday, October 13, 2002 in an Abilene hospital.  Funeral services were 2:00 p. m. Wednesday at the Moran Community Center with Rev. John Stanislaw officiating.  Burial followed in the Moran Cemetery, under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home of Breckenridge.

He was born November 15, 1909 in Coleman County, Texas.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Moran and was a Shackelford County Commissioner.  Mr. Connally was a long time Moran resident.  He married Jane Martin on July 21, 1966 in Albany.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Connally of Moran; a daughter, Bobbie Lea McCoy of Lake Brownwood; two sons, Danny Connally of Lake Brownwood and Houston Connally of Quitman; six grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his son, Roger Connally.

Ralph Burton Gregg, 81 of Kerrville, died October 14, 2002 in Kerrville.  A memorial funeral service and interment were 11 a. m. Thursday, October 17 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, with Rev. David Fisher of First Christian Church, Kerrville, officiating.

He was born in Santa Anna, Texas on August 26,1921, reared in Santa Anna.  He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Gregg, longtime Santa Anna residents.  He graduated from Santa Anna High School in 1939 and attended Howard Payne College before joining the Navy and serving with the 14th U.S. Construction Seabees Battalion during World War II.  He landed early at Guadalcanal and served two tours of duty in the Pacific theater, receiving numerous awards and commendations.  A resident of San Antonio for many years, Burton had a long and distinguished career in government service, retiring from Kelly Air Force Base as chief of logistics.  He served on several important projects, including the Atlas Missile program and development of the B-58 and XB-70.  He remained active in their reunion organization, at one time serving as president.  Following his retirement from government service, he became active in real estate and business.  He served as president at various times of both Highland Lakes Board of Realtors and Chamber of Commerce.  He had been an active member of the congregations of Highland Hills, Woodlawn and Western Hills Christian Churches, all of San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters; his first wife, Marjorie Gregg; his daughter, Helen L. Gregg; and a son, Roger Gregg.  He is survived by his wife, Helen Cunningham Gregg of Ingram; a son, Joseph Gregg of Houston; and a stepson, Larry Thomas and wife, Lida, of Ayer, Massachusetts.  Other survivors include his sisters, Ens Muennink of Bishop and Mary Jo Teel of Rush Springs, OkIahoma; brother-in-law, James Roberts and wife, Joann, of San Antonio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions can be made to New Horizons, P.O. Box 549, Goldthwaite, Texas 76844-0549.  Online tributes in memory of Mr. Gregg can be sent to <www.kerrvillefuneralhome.com>.  Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Kerrville Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lola Mae Kirkpatrick, age 60, of Coleman passed away October 15, 2002 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Funeral services will be graveside 2 p. m. Friday at the Talpa Cemetery. Interment to follow under the direction of Walker Funeral Home of Coleman.

Born June 28, 1942 in Anadarko, Oklahoma to the late Daniel Kirk and Augusta Lillian Kirk.  She married Paul Kirkpatrick in Odessa on June 22, 1957.  Mrs. Kirkpatrick, a resident of Coleman County since 1976, was a housewife and a member of the Baptist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Tate and Debbie Lucas, both of Coleman; two sons, Clifford Kirkpatrick of Mineral Wells and Jerry Kirkpatrick of Valera; three sisters, Helen Musick of Brownwood, Dorothy Henderson of Springerville, Arizona and Annette Knight of Euless; four brothers, Steve and Arthur Kirk of Odessa, George Kirk of Stark City, Missouri and Bryant Kirk of San Antonio.  Also surviving are 11 grand and 14 great-grandchildren.  Mrs. Kirkpatrick was preceded in death by her husband Paul and two sons, Frank and Jackie Kirkpatrick.

Mary Wilmoth Mead Bunting, 89, died at her home in San Antonio, Texas on October 17, 2002 following a lengthy illness.  A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Coleman on October 30th at 1:00 p. m.  

The eldest daughter of Jim and Julia Mead of Coleman, Mary Wilmoth was born in Valera, Texas on September 14, 1913.  A graduate of Coleman High School, she attended Texas Woman’s University, graduating in 1937.  During WWII, while working in the eye clinic at Camp Bowie in Brownwood, she met and married David W. Bunting of Tacoma, Washington, while he was stationed there for training before leaving for the war in Europe.  After the war, she and her husband moved to the west coast, eventually settling in Auburn, Washington where she taught high school English and Spanish.  After her husband’s death, Mary Wilmoth returned to Coleman for several years before moving to San Antonio, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Coleman.

She was preceded in death by her husband David Bunting, her parents Jim and Julia Mead, and her sisters Erile and Bettie.  She is survived by her only child Connie Bunting Hartell, and grandchildren Julie and Nathan Hartell of Dallas, Oregon.

Contributions in her memory to Texas Woman’s University are encouraged in lieu of flowers.

Wallace P. Woodruff, Sr., age 79, of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away Saturday, October 19, 2002 at Spohn Shoreline Hospital.  Graveside services were Sunday at 1:00 p. m. at the Santa Anna Cemetery under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home of Santa Anna, Texas.

Wallace was born July 3,1923 in Lamesa, Texas to the late Judge Pierre and Nona Wallace Woodruff.  He was reared in Santa Anna and graduated from Santa Anna High School.  He continued his education at North Texas Agriculture College and graduated in 1949 from Denver School of Law.  Wallace was a veteran of World War II, a Presbyterian and had been a resident of Corpus Christi since 1957.  He was a retired attorney in private practice and was also assistant district attorney and city attorney for Corpus Christi.

Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Serota of Austin, Texas and Melanie Woodruff of Durango, Colorado; a son, Wallace P. Woodruff, Jr. of Indonesia; granddaughter, Chelsea Bowen of Durango, Colorado; a brother, Dr. Don F. and wife Donna Woodruff of Corpus Christi, Texas; niece, Donna Jean and husband Mathew Starling of Austin, Texas; and two nephews - Gary Woodruff of Austin, Texas and Don F. Woodruff Jr. of Junction, Texas.

C. Seldon Tomlinson, 90 years of age, passed away in the Coleman County Medical Center in Coleman, October 20, 2002.  Services will be Wednesday 2:00 p. m. at Walker Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Dean Coultas of the First United Methodist Church of Coleman officiating. Interment will follow in the Gunsight Cemetery under Walker Funeral Home’s direction.

The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John E. and Martha Tomlinson, he was born December 17, 1911 in Stevens County, Texas.  He grew up in and went to school in Cisco, Texas.  He married Viola Meglasson November 17,1933 and she preceded him in death in August 2001.  He was a rancher and farmer until moving to Coleman when they put in the Poly Clean and owned and operated it from 1947 to 1967.

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Virginia and Frank Orr of North Richland Hills, Texas, Tonie and Joe Burrage of Coleman and Sandara and Ted McKeehan of Cross Plains, Texas; one brother, Kenneth Tomlinson of Tucson, Arizona; eight-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren Van Burrage, Shawn McKeehan, Allan Orr, Gary Orr, Michael Orr, Tracy Ball, Scott Bland, Robert Brewer. Honorary - Chariot Brewer, Tersa Ball and Becky Bland.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Coleman, Texas.  Visitation will be this evening (Tuesday) from 6 to 7 p. m.

Glenda Joyce Sullivan, 58, of Buffalo Gap (former resident of Coleman) died Monday, October 21, 2002 in a local hospital.  Graveside services will be 11 a. m. this morning (Thursday) in Buffalo Gap Cemetery, with a memorial service at 2 p. m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Abilene.  Arrangements are by Community Memorial Funeral Home.

Survivors include her husband, James C. Sullivan of Buffalo Gap; son, James Sullivan of Buffalo Gap; daughter, Becky Keas of Watauga; brother, Randy Thomas of Sulphur Springs; and sister, Myra Strain of Grape Creek.

Robert Gutierrez, age 54, of Coleman died Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at his residence.  Services will be held on Friday under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

He was born August 18, 1948 in Houston, Texas and was a son of Santos Gutierrez and Elvira Gallegos Gutierrez.  He grew up in Houston where he attended school and moved to Coleman in 1974.  He attended New Testament Holiness Church in Bangs.

Survivors include six sisters, Connie Garza of Houston, Hortense Oliver of Coleman, Lilly DeLeon of Houston, Virginia Salinas of Bangs, Belia Gonzales and Sylvia Molina, both of Houston; two brothers, Santos Gutierrez, Jr. and Reuben Gutierrez, both of Houston; numerous nieces and nephews.

Bettie was born in Brown County to the late Hillory and Mary Gaines Cox.  She was reared in Byrd’s Community in Brown County and graduated from Williams High School.  Bettie married James Felton Martin on August 29, 1947 in Brownwood, Texas and they had celebrated 55 years of marriage.  She had been a resident of Trickham since 1947 where she was a member of the Trickham Union Church.  Bettie was a member of the Delta Omicron Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha and the Wednesday Night Bridge Club.  She was retired from Howard Payne University where she was an accountant.

Survivors include her husband, Felton Martin of Trickham; two daughters, Ann Nelson of Houston and Janice and husband Delbert Snow of Trickham; two sons, Bill and wife Becky Martin of Santa Anna and Paul and wife Gay Martin of Santa Anna; her mother, Mary Crawford of Brownwood; two sisters, Maxine Tongate of Cross Plains and Ellen Dietz of Lovington, New Mexico; a brother Francis Cox of Roswell, New Mexico; eight grandchildren - Brandi Martin, Buffy Martin, Tiffany Snow, Ryan Snow, Taylor Snow, Jhett Nelson, Sabrina Martin and Colt Martin; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Roberta Cruthis in 2000.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Marshall Storey McCrea, Jr., 68, passed away peacefully at his home in Llano on Saturday, October 26, 2002.  A service to celebrate Mac’s abundant life here, and eternal life now with Jesus Christ, will be held at Horseshoe Bay, Texas at the Church at Horseshoe Bay, 600 Hi Ridge Rd, on October 30, 2002 at 10:30 a. a. m.  A brief burial service will then be held in Coleman, Texas at 3:30 p. m. at the Coleman City Cemetery.

Mac was born in Abilene, Texas on December 18, 1933 to Marshall S. McCrea and Elizabeth Jones McCrea.  He married Dianne Campbell of Temple on August 25, 1956.  Mac graduated from Coleman High School; received a B.B.A. and J.D. at S.M.U. and then served in the United States Air Force.  Mac and Dianne spent twenty years in West Texas (Midland/ Odessa) and then twenty years at Horseshoe Bay.  Mac’s accomplishments and achievements are innumerable, but none compare to the fact that when he died he left a family that always knew his unqualified love and absolute devotion.  Mac’s life was lived not for himself, but for others. Jesus said:  “ … You shall love your neighbor as yourself …”  Mac heard this and obeyed.

Mac is survived by his wife, Dianne Campbell McCrea; a daughter, Melissa and her husband Greg Nunley of Dallas; a son, Mackie McCrea and his wife Denise of Dallas; and a son, Michael McCrea and his wife Tracy of Fredericksburg.  Also surviving is his beloved brother, George of San Angelo and his cherished aunt, Ellen Townsend of Coleman.  Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Emily and Marshall Nunley and Courtney, Caleb, Campbell, Annie and Grace McCrea.

In lieu of flowers, Mac would prefer a contribution to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995.

Bobby Dale Parks, age 35, of Coleman died Saturday, October 26, 2002.  Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p. m. Friday at Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion with Louise Strength officiating.  Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Bobby was born April 8, 1967 in Littlefield, Texas and was a son of Bennie and Donna Parks.  He moved to Coleman as a small child and graduated from Coleman High School in 1985, where he played football.  He was employed as a welder and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include one daughter, Taylor Marie Parks of Red River, New Mexico; his mother, Donna Parks of Minco, Oklahoma; three sisters, Peggy Johnson, Bonnie Lanham and Rosie Watts, all of Coleman; three brothers, Donald Parks, Billy Parks and Terry Parks, all of Coleman; numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Bennie Parks; and one brother, Larry Parks.

Family visitation will be Wednesday, October 30, from 6:00 p. m. until 8:00 p. m. at the funeral home.

Leslie Howard Griffith, age 61, of San Angelo and former Gouldbusk resident, died Sunday, October 27, 2002 at Park Plaza Nursing Center in San Angelo.  Graveside funeral services were held at 10:30 a. m. Monday at Gouldbusk Cemetery with Rev. Paul Smith officiating. Services were under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Leslie Griffith was born February 7, 1941 in Gouldbusk and was a son of Ernest Griffith, Jr. and Mildred Smith Griffith Minatra.  He grew up and attended school in Gouldbusk.  He served in the United States Air Force.  He was a member of Community Baptist Church in Coleman and had lived in San Angelo for the last five years.

Survivors include two daughters; one brother, Don Griffith of Las Vegas, Nevada; uncle, Rev. Paul Smith of Coleman; and several cousins.

Memorials may be made to Community Baptist Church, 218 Lackland, Coleman, Texas 76834.

Dora Henson, 71, died Sunday, October 27, 2002 at her residence in Abilene.  Funeral services will be 2:00 p. m. today (Thursday) at Wylie Baptist Church with Rev. Lee Fuller and Rev. Roland Williams officiating.  Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory, Abilene.

Dora was born to Clarence Abram and Ruby Cate West on August 1, 1931, in Gouldbusk, Texas.  She began working in the Texas State Bank of Odessa shortly after graduation from Odessa High School in 1948.  She married Loren Henson on February 11, 1950, in Odessa. In 1958, the couple moved to Lubbock where he attended Texas Tech University and she worked at Lubbock National Bank.  After living in various Texas cities, they moved to Abilene in 1977 where she worked at the First State Bank of Abilene until 1982 when she decided to return to college, graduating in December, 1985. After graduation, she began working at Abtex Beverage where she was the corporate accountant, retiring after ten years with the company.  Mrs. Henson was a member of Wylie Baptist Church.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Raymond West.

Survivors include her husband, Loren of Abilene; her sons, Larry Henson and his wife, Dee, and David Henson and his wife, Becca, all of Fort Worth; two brothers, Ralph West and his wife, Lou, of Granbury and Robert West and his wife, Darlene of Abilene; two sisters, Yoma Fowler of Odessa and Evelyn Singleterry and her husband, Henry of Andrews; a sister-in-law, Margaret West of Odessa; her stepmother, Ruby Murphy West of Odessa; two stepbrothers, James Murphy and John Murphy and his wife, Karen, all of Odessa; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605; American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 41, Abilene, Texas 79604; or Wylie Baptist Church Building Fund, 6097
Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas 79606.

WATERVLIET, NEW YORK:  Mary A. Samson Michon, 88 (mother of Santa Anna resident Arthur Michon) died Monday, October 28, 2002 in Clifton Park New York.  A memorial service was held at 9 a. m Friday in the Assembly of God Church, Brady Highway, Santa Anna, Texas.  Burial was in St. Aghnes Cemetery, Cohoes, New York.

Born October 27, 1914 in Manchester, New Hampshire she was one of 17 children of the late Honore and Alphonsine LaRoche Samson. Mrs. Michon resided in Lansingburgh, New York, for many years, relocating in Watervliet, New York, in 1980.  She had been employed in the clothing manufacturing industry for a number of years, retiring in 1978.  She was a Roman Catholic and a member of the Watervliet Senior Citizens.

Mrs. Michon was the widow of the late Frank H. Michon who died in 1980.  She was the mother of Joan A. Fitzpatrick and her husband, Leo, of Troy; the late Oswald A. Pare, whose wife, Priscilla Pare survives; Annette Hopson and her husband Warren of Latham and Arthur Michon and his wife, Judy, of Santa Anna, Texas; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Schuyler Ridge/Presence Group in care of the pastoral Care Department of Schuyler Ridge Health Care, 1 Abele Blvd., Clifton Park, New York 12065.

Ed M. Graves, age 77, of Silver Valley, died Wednesday October 30, 2002 at a Ballinger hospital. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a. m. Saturday at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow in Silver Valley Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Ed M. Graves was born February 1, 1925 in Coleman County, Texas and was a son of Marion and Alto Schueller Graves.  He grew up in Coleman County and attended school in Silver Valley.  During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.  On November 23, 1963 he married Patsy Morris and she preceded him in death on December 23, 1988.  He married Martha Wilson in Fort Worth on October 10, 1989.  He was a rancher and a member of the National Cutting Horse Association, Cattleman’s Association, Coleman County Rodeo Association and the American Quarter Horse Association.  He was a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Graves of Silver Valley; one son, Russell Johnson and wife Donna of Silver Valley; two step-sons, John Fuller and family of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Paul Fuller and family of Springfield, Missouri; one granddaughter, Sherri Merrill and husband John of Coleman; one great-grandson, Jansen Merrill of Coleman; nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605.  Family visitation will be held Friday from 6:00 p. m. until 8:00 p. m. at the funeral home.

Ruby OzeIl Howard, 85, of Winters, died Wednesday, October 30, 2002 in a local nursing home.  Services were 2 p. m. Friday in the Winters Funeral Home Chapel with Mark Edge officiating.  Burial was in the Shep Cemetery, directed by Winters Funeral Home.

She was born February 3, 1917 in Hylton and was reared there.  She married Jack Beakly Howard in September 1933 in Shep and they lived in the Odessa area for many years, moving to Winters in the early 1970’s.  He preceded her in death on September 28, 1974.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by two daughters, Patsy Gayle Musick of Talpa and Jackie Ripley of Winters; one brother, Wayland Cate of Colorado; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.  Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Joyce Barton.

Will (Bill) Davis, age 90, of Midland, Texas passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 7:30 a. m. at the Midland Memorial Hospital.  Graveside services will be at 11:00 a. m. Friday at the Coleman City Cemetery with Larry Davis officiating.  Interment will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery, directed by Henderson Funeral Home of Coleman.  Family visitation will be Friday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 a. m. at the funeral home.

Bill was born December 30, 1911 in Waxahachie, Texas to the late Robert Walter Davis and Virginia Gaines.  He was reared in Coleman County where he attended the Echo schools.  Bill married EuIa Beatrice on January 21, 1932 and they celebrated 68 years of marriage.  He had been a resident of Midland since 1995, formerly of Ozona and Coleman.  Bill was a member of the Baptist church and a retired truck driver.

Survivors include three sons, Billy Wayne Davis of Abilene, Douglas Eugene Davis of Midland and Kenneth Junior Davis of Odessa; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a daughter, Frankie Marie Davis in 1982 and a son, Grady Allen Davis in 1982.

Manuelita “Nellie” Ramirez Zendejas, age 79, of Abilene died Thursday, October 31, 2002 in an Abilene hospital.  Services were 10:00 a. m. Monday at North’s Memorial Chapel in Abilene with Rev. David Garza officiating.  Burial followed in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery.  Arrangements were under the direction of North’s Funeral Home, Abilene.

Mrs. Zendejas was born in Coleman, Texas.  She married Phillip F. Zendejas on November 14,1944 in Coleman.  She moved to Abilene in 1951, and was a homemaker.  She was an active member of the First Mexican Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Phillip F. Zendejas of Abilene; two sons, Phillip R. and wife, Nelly, Zendejas of Austin and Robert Sr. and wife, Bonnie, Zendejas of Houston; one daughter, Rita Ann and husband, Marcario, Gonzalez of Abilene; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Daniel Sr. and wife, Jose, Ramirez of Abilene and David Sr. and wife Lenor, Ramirez of Fort Worth; sisters, Rachel Ramirez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Vicky Ramirez and Mary Cardenas of Midland; and numerous nieces and nephews.