Today's Obituaries (Oct. 21, 1997)

Malcolm Cooper

Malcolm W. Cooper, 86, a former longtime resident of Abilene, died Saturday in Charleston, S.C.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Southwest Park Baptist Church with the Revs. Mike Woodard and James Cooper officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mr. Cooper was born in Farmington, N.M., and graduated from Novice High School. He was a retired service technician, working many years for Sears in Abilene. He moved from Abilene to Charleston in 1994. He was a member and former deacon of Southwest Park Baptist Church. He was the widower of Beulah Montgomery Cooper.

Survivors include one son, Alan B. Cooper of Fort Worth; two daughters, Lynda Dial of Summerville, S.C., and Edna Callaham of Sumter, S.C.; one brother, Mel Cooper of Albuquerque, N.M.; one sister, Alma Lee Scranton of Long View, Wash.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene 79604.

The family will be at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. today.

L.J. Jones

L.J. Jones, 78, of Abilene died Friday at a local hospital.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Allen-Korzenewski Funeral Home Chapel, 1443 N. Second, with the Rev. Mack Moye officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Jones was born in Rosebud and moved to Abilene in 1957. He was a member of Holiday Hill Baptist Church. He married Pervennia McBride in 1945 in Temple.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; one son, John L. Jones of Folsom, Calif.; 10 daughters, Fannie Taylor, Flora Mae Bolden, Brenda Holloway, Lovie Jones and Mary Ann Jones, all of Abilene, Linda Holloway of Arlington, Dovie Daniels and Tawana Clark, both of Columbus, Ohio, Minnie Ibbara of Austin and Kerran Woods of Hampton, Va.; two sisters, Vivian Hardman of Cameron and Virgie Mae McEnnis of Houston; 33 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Dinner will be served after the service at Emmanual Church of God in Christ, North 12th and Mesquite.

Hughie Williams

Hughie A. Williams, 82, a longtime Abilene resident, died Sunday at a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mr. Williams was born in Washington, Ind., and graduated from high school in Dexler, Mo., in 1930. He retired after working as a finisher for Abilene Casket Co. in Abilene for 33 years. He was a Methodist and an Army veteran. He married Lola Sarah Craig in 1942 in Abilene.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; five sisters, Glenda Barrett, Shirley Speth and Norma Williams, all of Indiana, Imogene Morris of Kentucky and Fay Meeker of Illinois; five brothers, John Ellis Williams of Illinois, Walter Williams, Glendon Williams and Harvey Williams, all of Indiana, and Donald Williams of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

Russell McDaniel

COMANCHE - Russell McDaniel, 82, of Sidney died Monday at a local hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Comanche Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Chuck Miller and Raymond Jones officiating. Burial will be in McDaniel Cemetery in Sidney.

Mr. McDaniel was a member of Sidney Baptist Church and a deacon for many years. He married Florence McDaniel in 1939 in Stephenville.

Survivors include his wife, of Sidney; one daughter, Lynn Crim of Sidney; one son, Fain McDaniel of Sidney; three brothers, Beal McDaniel of Abilene, Marion McDaniel of Sidney and Calvin McDaniel of Torrence, Calif.; three sisters, Ludene Michael of Brownwood, Imogene Pate of Arcadia, Calif., and Betty Davis of Kensett, Ark.; one granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Sidney Baptist Church.

Richard Stephen Gray

FREDERICKSBURG - Richard Stephen Gray, formerly of Fredericksburg and Abilene, died at his home in Austin Saturday after a sudden illness.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Beckmann Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Gray was born in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1971.

Survivors include his stepfather and mother, Robert and Jacquelyn Knapp of Fredericksburg; a grandfather, Boyd Hays of Fredericksburg; a stepsister, Margaret Mary Clarke of Lake Jackson; an aunt and numerous cousins.

Memorials may be made to Cherokee Home for Children in Cherokee.

Jack Tucker

EASTLAND - Jack H. Tucker, 71, of Abilene and formerly of Eastland, died Saturday at an Abilene hospital.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Edwards Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. Steven Parker and James Huyck officiating. Burial will be in Eastland City Cemetery.

Mr. Tucker was born in Big Lake and moved to Eastland County at an early age. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1965 after 16 years. He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church and Disabled American Veterans and was a member of Second Baptist Church in Abilene. He married Lora Steddum in 1945 in Eastland. He married Enid Middleton in Mississippi; she preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Parras Tucker of Abilene; six sons, Monte Tucker, Jack Tucker Jr., Ralph Tucker and Philip Tucker, all of Eastland, Thomas Tucker of Cisco and Kenneth Tucker of Hooks; two daughters, Glenda Carol Johnston of Elmer, Okla., and Sandra Orrell of Merkel; three brothers, Walter Tucker and Fred Tucker, both of Eastland, and Pete Tucker of Fort Worth; one sister, Bessie Mae Holiday of Walnut Springs; 32 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Ida Alice Harris

HASKELL - Ida Alice Harris, 78, died Thursday at a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Goree Cemetery in Goree with John Hall officiating, directed by Holden-McCauley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Harris was born in Elbert and had lived in Haskell for 20 years. She was a Baptist and a homemaker.

Survivors include two daughters, Rose Lyon and Debra Hawkes, both of El Cajon, Calif.; two sons, Edward Harris and Fred Harris, both of El Cajon; one brother, Ira Hargrove of Goree; four sisters, Irene Teaff of Bula, Angie Sundstrom of San Diego, Calif., Christine Phillips of Holliday and Pearl Strickland of Haskell; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Esta Speer Jennings

HURST - Esta Speer Jennings, 86, formerly of Hurst, died Thursday in Irving.

Graveside services were Saturday in Blue Bonnet Hills Cemetery in Colleyville, directed by Lucas Funeral Home.

Mrs. Jennings was born in Eastland County and retired after teaching for more than 40 years. She taught at Poe Chapel, Ovalo, Clyde, Iona, Palo Pinto, Tom Bean, Sherman and Hurst. She was a member of Hurst Baptist Church. She was the widow of Robert Hugh Jennings.

Survivors include four sons, Robert Lee Jennings of Denver, Colo., William Jerry Jennings and Jack Hugh Jennings, both of Dallas, and Jon Speer Jennings of Irving; and eight grandchildren.

Wilburn Ritter

BRECKENRIDGE - Wilburn H. Ritter, 82, died Sunday in Breckenridge.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Morehart Mortuary funeral chapel with the Rev. Larry Briley officiating. Burial will be in Breckenridge Cemetery.

Mr. Ritter was born in Mason, where he attended school and was employed as a ranch hand and truck driver. He moved to Breckenridge in 1952, where he worked as a carpenter for John Bridges. He lived in Clovis, N.M., from 1962-1969, working for McDaniel Furniture. He was employed by Vintage Homes in Breckenridge as a cabinetmaker from 1969-1977 and later was a self-employed carpenter. He attended Calvary Baptist Church. He was the widower of Katherine Ritter and married Hazel Key in 1955.

Survivors include his wife, of Breckenridge; three sons, Wilburn Wayne Ritter of Haltom City, Nolan James Ritter of Eastland and Roger Ritter of Breckenridge; two stepdaughters, Shirley Whalen of Breckenridge and Gwen Parker of Haltom City; one brother, Roscoe Ritter of Mason; and one sister, Ruby Hutchenreuter of Luling.

Memorials to Calvary Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society may be left at the funeral home.

Mrs. Gussie Wise

COLEMAN - Mrs. Gussie F. Wise, 95, died Monday at a local convalescent home.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Rockwood Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Dean and family members officiating. Burial will be in Rockwood Cemetery, directed by Walker Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wise was born in Santa Anna and lived in Coleman County most of her life. She lived in San Angelo from 1962-1980. She was a homemaker and a secretary, and for six years was secretary of Coleman County Farm Bureau. She was a member of Eastern Star Chapter 360 for more than 50 years and of First Baptist Church. She married Jake McCreary Sr. in 1919 in Coleman County; he preceded her in death. She married Denby Wise in 1927 in Coleman County; he preceded her in death.

Survivors include two daughters, Claudia Rutherford of Rockwood and Billie Eckles of Duncanville; one son, Jake McCreary Jr. of Santa Anna; eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

The family will be at the funeral home from 7-8 p.m. today.

C.C. Cole

STRAWN - C.C. Cole, 77, died Monday at an Eastland hospital.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Strawn Church of Christ with Weldon Smith officiating. Burial will be in New Gordon Cemetery, directed by Edwards Funeral Home.

Mr. Cole was born in Palo Pinto County and graduated from Strawn High School. He attended Texas Tech College and worked for Lone Star Gas in Cisco and Skelly Oil Co. in Hobbs, N.M. He retired after 42 years with Shell Oil Co. in 1982 and moved to Strawn in 1993. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of Strawn Church of Christ. He married Leola Mae Wylie in 1939 in Gordon.

Survivors include his wife of Strawn; two sons, Clifford Cole of Stephenville and Cary Cole of Angleton; one daughter, Cathy McGahey of Dayton; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Gladys Burnett

COMANCHE - Gladys E. Burnett, 82, of Scottsdale, Ariz., died Friday at a Scottsdale hospital. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Comanche Funeral Home Chapel.

Winnie Augusta Smith

BIG SPRING - Winnie Augusta Smith, 75, died Monday at a local hospital. Services are pending with Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Robert 'Bobby' Rutherford

BIG SPRING - Robert F. "Bobby" Rutherford, 66, died Sunday in Big Spring. Services will be at 4 p.m. today at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel.

Gem Wade Kelso

GOLDTHWAITE - Gem Wade Kelso, 84, died Monday at a local care center. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery, directed by Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home.

Connie Travis Knowles

GOLDTHWAITE - Connie Travis Knowles, 90, died Sunday at a local nursing home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home Chapel.

Sherman Moulton

KNOX CITY - Sherman Moulton, 74, died Monday afternoon at a local nursing home after a long illness. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Knox City Cemetery, directed by Smith Funeral Home.

W.O. Gray

HAMLIN - W.O. Gray, 83, died Monday at his farm in Jones County. Services are pending with Foster-Adams Funeral Home.

Lela Witte

BIG SPRING - Lela M. Witte, 100, died Saturday at a local nursing home after a long illness. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Myers & Smith Funeral Home Chapel.

Dorothy Diana Thames

RANGER - Dorothy Diana Thames, 55, formerly of Fort Worth, died Monday at her home south of Ranger. Services are pending with Edwards Funeral Home.