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Paul Pedersen, 67
Died: Thursday, December 22, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Paul Pedersen, 67, of Abilene died Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Abilene Regional Medical Center.
Born in Albany, California on September 30, 1944, Paul was the son of the late Geneva (Barnes) and Al Pedersen. He received a Bachelor of Science degree, and in Abilene on April 14, 1967 married Violet Mae West.
Paul served in the U. S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of MSGT. After his military retirement, he was a self-employed contractor and was the owner and operator of Pedersen Construction.
In 1976, he moved from Plattsburg, New York to Abilene. Paul was a Lutheran and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Paul is survived by his wife, Vi Pedersen of Abilene; son, Paul E. Pedersen of Abilene; daughter, Marie Spaulding and husband Chester of Havre, Montana; and one grandson, Chaz "Pooper" Spaulding. Survivors also include three brothers and their wives, Richard Pedersen and Velda of Austin, Donnie Pedersen and Kay of Cherokee, Iowa, and Danny Pedersen and Joann of Liberty, Missouri; two sisters, Marilyn Drewes of Citrus Heights, California, and Shirley Lonning of Fort Dodge, Iowa; sister-in-law, Vickie Crowley and husband James of Hamlin, Texas; and several nieces and nephews, as well as Paul's beloved pets, Jax, Max and Mocha.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Rev. James Clawson officiating. Graveside services will be held at 12 Noon Friday, December 30, in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home
Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Butman, Zeek Kelly, David Liske, Brad Turnbow, Fred Ochs and Danny Monnig.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rescue the Animals SPCA, 4620 North 1st St., Abilene, TX 79603, or Disabled American Veterans, 2555 Grape St., Abilene, Texas 79601.
Lynon Owens, 89
Died: Sunday, November 13, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
On Sunday, November 13, 2011, Lynon Owens, age 89 of Abilene, Texas passed away to be with his Savior. Warren Lynon Owens was born on September 6, 1922 in Macon, Texas, son of Willie and Elizabeth Owens. He had two siblings, a brother, Ryle, and a sister, Flora.
His father passed away when Lynon was 15. He helped his mom take care of the farm while finishing Nolan High School as the 1940 class valedictorian. He worked three part time jobs to make it through Hardin-Simmons University, to include milking his two cows, and selling the milk up and down the street. He received a Bachelor of Science degree.
He started working for Mack Eplen's restaurants in 1941, later to become the Briarstone Group. He worked in the restaurant business for over 45 years, rising from short order cook to eventual Chairman of the Board, Briarstone Corporation. He was instrumental in Abilene culture, to include the Drivateria's square burgers and the famous pink cookies.
Lynon interrupted his career in 1943 to serve his country as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew P-39s, P-38s, P-47s and P-51s, and was selected as an advanced instructor pilot and flight leader. He survived two major crashes, including bailing out after a mid-air collision.
He married Lois Pauline Lord in 1946 after returning from active duty. Lynon was preceded in death by his wife on January 12, 1986; his parents; brother, Ryle Owens and sister, Flora Lewis.
He is survived by his one son, Ronald Lynn Owens, who completed his Naval career, and now lives with his wife, Joanne, in Fairfax, Virginia. Lynon leaves three grandchildren, Bryan Owens, Janna Peters, and Jennifer Cullen and husband David, and four great-grandchildren, David Owens, Raechel Owens, Andrea Meston and Avery Peters.
He served as the President of the Texas Restaurant Association, and was honored by Abilene with a "Lynon Owens Day" on March 30, 1976.
Lynon loved the Lord and the South Side Baptist Church. A member since the early '50s, his trust in God and fervor to be used in the lives of others shown throughout his long life. As a close friend said, "Lynon loved deeply, sincerely, freely, and faithfully. It was his defining characteristic." An Elder, a Lay Counselor, a Sunday School teacher, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he finished well. To God be the Glory.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, November 18, 2011 at South Side Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Ueckert officiating. A reception will follow the memorial service. Graveside services will be at 1:30 pm Friday at Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lynon Owens Memorial Fund for South Side Baptist Church, 1425 South 7th Street, Abilene, TX 79602. (325 677-8185)
Cleta Mae Tarver, 80
Died: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Cleta M. Tarver, 80, died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Windcrest Alzheimers Care Center in Abilene.
Born in Albany, Texas on November 17, 1930, she was the daughter of Mae (Tidwell) and Truman Perry "T.P." Weeks. She grew up and attended school in Noodle, and after graduating from high school moved to Abilene in 1951. She started working for Southwestern Bell Telephone, then worked at Paymaster as a telephone operator, and later became a realtor working with Senter Realtors and Remax in Abilene.
Cleta married M. L. "Chuck" Tarver on March 1, 1952 in Abilene. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Her parents, one brother Gerald Weeks, and two sisters, Janie Williams and Louise Carr, preceded Cleta in death.
Survivors include her husband, M.L. "Chuck" Tarver of Abilene; two sons and their wives, Jerry Tarver and Glenda of Abilene and Larry Tarver and Dalena of Clyde; brother, Daniel L. Weeks of Gulfport, Mississippi; two sisters, Brenda Lacy and husband Perry of Fort Worth, and Larue Thane of Abilene; five grandchildren, Dory Jones, Rebekah Hunt, Rachel Jobe, Jayton Tarver and Luke Tarver; three great-grandchildren, Ethan Hunt, Hannah Hunt and Hudson Jobe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Satterwhite officiating assisted by Rev. Michael Reed. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Cleta to Ben Ritchey Boys Ranch, PO Box 6839, Abilene, TX 79608.
Ryleigh Shea Howard, One Month Old
Died: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, in Fort Worth, Texas
Ryleigh Shea Howard passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at a Fort Worth hospital. She was born on September 11, 2011, in Fort Worth. Even though Ryleigh was with us a short time, she touched many lives.
Ryleigh is survived by her loving parents, Bobby and Britni Howard, and her sister, Braylee Howard, of Abilene; grandparents, Bruce and Tracie Roberson, Brian and Kayla Burleson, and Wade and Becky Howard; aunt and uncle, Stacey and Jason Thompson; three aunts, Brandi Roberson, Kelsey Daniels, and Lexi Burleson; great-grandparents; and cousins.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 15, in the Babyland Section at Elmwood Memorial Park with Rev. Steve Joiner officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Betty Lee Garrett, 87
Died: Monday, October 03, 2011, in Abilene, Texas
Betty Lee Garrett, 87, of Abilene, passed away Monday, October 3, 2011. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Rev. Bob Ford will officiate. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm in the Colorado City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Betty was born April 16, 1924 in Colorado City, Texas to Edward and Esther (Baushke) Grubbs. She graduated from Colorado City High School. Betty married Jesse C. Garrett on July 10, 1947 in Colorado City. In 1969, she moved to Abilene from Colorado City. Betty was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church where she worked from 1973 to 1992 as the church secretary.
Betty began singing with her brother and sister at an early age. Her first debut was at the age of five. She sang at special events, weddings and funerals. In 1945, Betty began keeping a journal of all of the events in which she sang. She had an astonishing number of 558 special singing events written in her journal. Whether it was church events, school events or sporting events, it brought her great joy to watch and attend all of her grandkids special occasions and events.
She was preceded in death by her father, Edward L. Grubbs; her mother, Esther Grubbs Thomas; her husband, Jesse C. Garrett; one sister, Hazel Walston; and three brothers, Johnny, Gilbert and Walter Grubbs. Betty is survived by two sons, Mike Garrett and wife Mary Lou of Abilene, Peter Garrett and wife Cindy of Minot, North Dakota; four grandchildren, Jill Garrett of Abilene; Blake Garrett and wife Catherine of Lubbock, Lana Garrett, and Michael Garrett, both of Boston, Massachusetts; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made in Betty's honor to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church Renovation Fund or Choir Fund, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX 79605.
Gaye Roberts Morris-Griffith, 72
Died: Monday, October 03, 2011, in Dallas, Texas
Our beloved Gaye Morris Griffith, 72, of Abilene, passed away Monday, October 3, after a short illness, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011 at Beltway Park Baptist Church. A.L. Teaff and Pastor Mike Hill will officiate. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Thursday at 61 Mid Pines Circle. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.
Loveta Gaye was born on August 13, 1939 along with her identical twin Loneta Kay on her granddaddy's farm outside of Post, Texas to Eldon and, the late, Eva Lee Roberts. Gaye grew up on a farm outside of Post for most of her childhood and she had many good memories on the farm. Her family moved to Abilene in 1953 where she attended, and graduated, from Abilene High School in 1957. She married Jerry Morris the following fall. Together they had three sons, Jerry Dale Morris of Abilene, Robby Allen Morris of Abilene, and David Benson Morris also of Abilene. Gaye was a devoted mother to her three boys and always made sure they knew how much she loved them.
Gaye enjoyed life to the fullest with her family and her friends. She always had a smile for everyone she met. Gaye loved to play golf and was a member of the Abilene Country Club Women's Golf Association. Gaye loved to read, travel and stay very active. She was five foot nothing and strong as can be; she had a short illness from which she did not have to suffer too long, which was a blessing from God above.
Gaye enjoyed her grandchildren and she was always willing to babysit when they were young. She was especially talented with boys; thank goodness, because she had 4 grandsons, Casey, Marshall, Travis, and Trent, and when they were little and they all got together it was crazy, but Gaye rolled with the punches and enjoyed every moment without any complaints. One of the grandson's wrote all over her walls and she never told on him, she just painted the wall. She thought the boys were lots of fun! She was very excited when her granddaughter, Charlee Ann arrived on the scene with pink and baby dolls. Everyone told Gaye that Charlee looks just like her too. She was very happy! She just attended Charlee Ann's wedding in August, she was thrilled.
To make life even better Gaye became a great-grandmother recently when Laney was born to grandson Marshall and wife Melanie. Then Gaye saw another wonderful gift from above and Marshall and Melanie produced not one, but two great-grandchildren! She was a great-grandmother to twin boys Parker and Brooks....she would babysit at every opportunity rocking and feeding them with joy. She would go to the daycare every day she could just to hold her great-grandchildren and spend time with them. She even took her own rocker because she decided they didn't have enough!
Gaye married James Griffith on June 25, 2005 in Abilene, Texas. Together they ate weekly meals on Wednesday nights at Fairway Oaks Country Club with their wonderful friends whom she loved.
Gaye has left a legacy of love for God and family and compassion for all to her sons and their families. She is survived by: son, Dale Morris, Jr. and wife Carol of Abilene; son, Robby Morris and wife Deana of Abilene, son, David Morris of Abilene; grandchildren, Casey Morris of Abilene, Marshall Morris and his wife Melanie of Abilene, Travis Morris of Abilene, Trent Morris of Lubbock, Charlee Ann Morris-Templeton and her husband Addison of College Station; her great-grandchildren: Laney Morris, and the twins, Parker Morris and Brooks Morris.
Gaye is also survived by her husband James Griffith, his daughter Jamie Griffith of Round Rock; as well as her father, Eldon Roberts of Abilene, her sister, Fern Coldewey and husband Ray Coldewey of San Antonio, and many loving aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gaye was preceded in death by her loving mother, Eva Lee Roberts of Abilene, her twin, Loneta Kay Sykora of Austin, her younger sister, Sue Clay of Abilene and Jerry Morris.
Pallbearers will be: Casey Morris, Marshall Morris, Travis Morris, Trent Morris, Rick Taff, Jim Leonard, and Josh Strey.
Memorial donations may be sent to the donor's favorite charity.
