Zeola K. Purcell, age 94, passed from this life Sunday, October 14, 2007 at her Kermit Healthcare Center.  She was born Thursday, October 17, 1912 in Montgomery, Montgomery County, AL to the late John R. and Mary Jane (Edison) Kelley.

Zeola was a homemaker.  She married Ernest M. Purcell in Montgomery, AL in 1928.  After thirty-one happy years together, he preceded her in death 1959. She was also preceded in death by an infant brother:  Jesse Kelley; a brother:  Willie Kelley; three sisters:  Daisy Tatum, Estelle McDonald, and Edith Walker; a half sister:  Minnie Vinson; two sons:  Jeff M. Purcell and Robert W. Purcell; and two grandsons:  Randy Nichols and Michael Korach.

Those left behind to cherish the love and memory of Mrs. Purcell are two daughters:  Tina Korach of Cook Springs, AL and Mary Nichols of Birmingham, AL; one sister:  Mary A. Reid of Pensacola, FL; five grandchildren:  Paul Korach, Roger Nichols, Toni Purcell, Jeff Alan Purcell, and Steve Purcell; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Family Services Funeral Chapel officiated by The Rev. Henry Freund.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.

Jesse H. Garcia of Kermit went to be with the Lord Monday, October 15, 2007 at the age of 65.  He passed away after his struggle with a terminal illness, while under the care of his youngest daughter in San Antonio.

Jesse was born Wednesday, January 7, 1942 to Brigido and Jesusa (Hernandez) Garcia in Lamesa, TX.  He was raised in Pecos and graduated from Pecos High School in 1962.  After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and served 3 ½ years during the Vietnam War.  He was honorable discharged from the military in 1965, and returned to Kermit where he began working for the United States Postal Service.  Jesse was a postal carrier and retired after 34 years of  outstanding service. 

Jesse faithfully cheered for the Dallas Cowboys, and enjoyed fishing in his favorite spot at the Pecos River.  He also had a love for oldies music such as BB King, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry.  Jesse was a loyal friend that always provided help to those in need.  He was a traveler at heart, and enjoyed family vacations to Leakey, Vera Cruz, and Tampico.

He was a devoted father to his eight children: (sons, youngest to oldest) Enrique, Ramiro, Jose, Guillermo, and Marcos; (daughters, youngest to oldest) Ysela, Renee, and Theresa.  The mothers of his children were his two ex-wives Francis and Eriselda.  He was survived by two brothers:  Manuel and Ray; and three sisters:  Ambrosia, Juana, and Lori.  His children gave him nine grandchildren (youngest to oldest):  Natalia, Lindsay, Jesus, Guadalupe, Daimon, Justin, Joshua, Lluvia, and Ruben.  Jesse was preceded in death by his parents:  Brigido and Jesusa Garcia; two brothers:  Gonzalo and Ernesto; and a sister:  Mary.

Jesse displayed a life to be emulated.  He was a loving father, a supportive friend, and a dignified serviceman.  His mannerisms portrayed a proud, calm, and dignified man, while showing respect to all individuals.  A rosary was said 7:00 pm Friday, October 19, 2007 at Family Services Funeral Parlor.  Military honors preceded mass, which was celebrated 10:00 am Saturday, October 20, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Father Rudy Lacerna as celebrant. 

Helen Ruth Jones

Helen Jones, 84, of Kermit passed away at Winkler County Memorial Hospital on Thursday, October 25, 2007.  She was born Friday, June 15, 1923 in Cerrogordo, Sevier County, AR to Cyrus Calvin “Pete” Bayless and Bessie (Stafford) Bayless. 

Helen married Claburne E. Jones on April 20, 1941 in Wink.  They enjoyed 53 years of marriage before being separated by his death in 1994.  She worked as a beautician around Kermit for many years.  She was a strong Christian woman who worshipped with the Eastside Church of Christ.  She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who enjoyed being with her family.  In her spare time, she kept busy with crocheting, crafts, and word puzzles.  She also liked to be outdoors - to go camping or do some bird watching.

Mrs. Jones is survived by two daughters:  Wanda Howard and husband Eddie of Kermit, TX and Linda Reeves and husband Steve of Lufkin, TX; one sister:  Bernice Regnier of Horatio, AR; five grandchildren:  Alecia Robinson and husband Travis and April Howard all of Kermit, Tiffany Reeves of Lufkin, and Lacy and Andy Burns, and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband:  Claburne Jones, one son: Rickey Jones, and one sister:  Eva Louise Ray “Aunt Doodle”.

Funeral Services were held Monday, October 29, 2007 at Eastside Church of Christ with Brother Jodi Garrett officiating.   Pallbearers included:  Steve Reeves, Thomas “Eddie” Howard, Travis Robinson, Ralph “Eddie” Moore, Jimmy Regnier, and Oscar Pena.  The Elders and Deacons of Eastside were honorary pallbearers.  Interment followed at Kermit Cemetery.  Services were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.

Rosary was prayed Tuesday October 30, 2007 at Mrs. Garcia's residence, 805 Underwood St.  Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 2:00 pm, Wednesday October 31, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Rudy Lacerna officiating.  Pallbearers were Jimmy Garcia, Domingo Garcia, Jr., Bobby Garcia, Roy Garcia, Cornelio Garcia, and Ricky Garcia.  Honorary Pallbearers were Sammy Garcia, Joey Garcia, and Lonnie Garcia.  Interment followed at Kermit Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.  

Pola was born August 22, 1926 in Marathon to the late Cresencio and Martha (Lopez) Pinedo. She married Domingo Garcia December 28, 1947 in Marathon, TX. They were married 57 years when he passed away in June of 2004, now they are re-united. Together they raised 16 children, 43 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren. Pola was a loving mother to all. She will be dearly missed.

Those left to cherish her love and memory are, nine sons, Jimmy of Ft. Davis, Domingo, Jr., of Marathon, Bobby of Kermit, Roy and wife Jessica of Alpine, Cornelio and wife Elisa of Eunice, Ricky of Kermit, Sammy and wife Kari of Kermit, Lonnie and wife Griselda of Kermit, and Joel and wife Valerina of Kermit. Also surviving are seven daughters, Viola Gonzales and husband Luis of Presidio, Hilda Lara and husband Raul of Kermit, Telma Covington and husband Melvin of Kermit, Susie Bill and husband Roy of Kermit, Flora Rodriguez and husband Willie of Monahans, Melinda Garcia of Kermit, and Rozana Marrufo and husband Hector of Kermit.

Elvira Garcia Rodriguez

Georgie Alice Roberts passed away Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at her residence in Kermit.  Georgie was born January 29, 1935 to Gerhard Paul Richter and Hertha “Hattie” Elisia (Coldewey) Richter in Karnes City, TX.  She married Robert Lee Roberts, Sr. at the Lutheran Church in Hondo, TX on August 8, 1952.  She was a homemaker and together they raised two children.

Georgie was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, TX.  She was very active in her church and helped with the youth group. She was a busy lady; she loved Winkler County and was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Garden Club, Ladies Chamber of Commerce, AARP member and president, and a Medallion Home Hostess.  Georgie also volunteered with Cub Scouts and served on the Board of Directors of the Reeves County Community Council on Aging.  She was often described as a professional volunteer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Robert Lee Roberts, Sr. who passed away in 1997.

She is survived by her loving children: Robert Lee Roberts, Jr. and wife Bonnie Mae of Kermit and Kayla Georgette Roberts of Story City, IA; one brother:  Harvey Lee Richter and wife Sandra of Fowlerton, TX; seven grandchildren:  Autumn and husband Miguel Flynn, Kimberly and husband Jake Correll, Bobby Lee Roberts, Candice and Joe Montoya, Keecha and husband Jason Garduno, Laura and husband Larry Davison, and Coty Carroll; ten great-grandchildren: Cody, Ashlee, Joe, Teo, Ricky, Timothy, Tomas, Kyndall, Taylyn and Maverick; five brothers-in-law:  Cecil Floyd Roberts of Gardendale, TX, James Allen Roberts and wife Anita of Dickenson, ND, George Roberts and wife Anna Mae of Edgewood, MD, Donald Roberts and wife Sylvia of Corpus Christie, TX, and Harry Roberts and wife Annette of San Antonio, TX; and two sisters-in-law:  Sara Roberts of Kermit and Rose Mary Talkington and husband Butch of Alice, TX.

Services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, November 9, 2007 at Family Services Funeral Chapel, officiated by Reverend Dean Kelm.   Pall bearers will be Miguel Flynn, Cecil Roberts, Cody Carroll, Jake Correll, Jason Garduno, and David Roberts.  Honorary pallbearers will include:  Bob Husky, Weldon Wright, Bill Beckham, George Keely, Lee Wilson, Elton “Jr” Rogers, Jeff Lajoie, Bobby Arnold, Danny Hawkins, and Randy Neal.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219-3993.  

“Love is patient, Love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not rejoice in evils but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” I Cor 13:4-7

Freeda Mae Williams Drake passed away Monday, November 12, 2007 at Kermit Healthcare Center.  She was born Sunday, February 22, 1920 to Samuel Bruce Roberson and Eva Vista (Hudson) Roberson.

Freeda was a member of Grace Temple Baptist Church.  She loved to travel, especially to foreign places and enjoyed listening to music.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Freeda was the owner of Holder Trucking Company.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers:  Everett and Willard Roberson; one sister:  Vergie Lee Cox; and her first husband:  Carl Holder.

She is survived by her husband L.B. Drake of Kermit; her loving sons: Carl LeRoy Holder of Tucson, AZ and Burnsie Lee Holder and wife Christine of Elgin, IL; two brothers:  Curtis Roberson of Wickett, TX and Waydell Roberson of Odessa; two sisters:  Imogene Meinzer of Odessa and Nadene Hathorn of Kermit; two granddaughters:  Julie and LeeAnn; and three great-grandchildren:  Tyler, Travis, and Parker.

Services were held 2:00 pm Thursday, November 15, 2007 at Family Services Funeral Chapel, officiated by Brother Don Bennett.  Pallbearers were Curtis Roberson, Wade Roberson, Tyler Hutson, Rick Hutson, Eddie Ditto, and Joe Slaughter.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Arrangements were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

Oscar Towns, age 71, of Kermit passed away on November 20, 2007 at his residence.  Oscar was born on July 7, 1936 to Octaviano and Cruz (Morin) Towns in Eagle Pass, Texas.  He married Vicki Towns on June 29, 1957 in Liberty, Indiana and she preceded him in death on January 4, 1999.

Oscar was served as a lay minister in the Presbyterian Church before becoming member of the First United Methodist Church of Kermit.  He was also a very active member of the community, a member of the Downtown Lions Club where he was past President, Ombudsman for the Area Agency on Aging for ten years, Ombudsmen at Kermit Health Care Center, and a member of the VA in Big Spring.  Oscar was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America where he earned a PhD in Scouting, and he served on the Credit Committee at Winkler County Credit Union .

Oscar is survived by four sons:  Oscar (Mike) Towns of Kermit, Douglas Towns and wife Valerie of Beijing, China, and Michael Towns and Branden Towns both of Kermit; two daughters: Anita Grimes and husband Kevin of Covington, GA, and Joanne Berzoza and husband Roland of Kermit; eight grandchildren:  Alyssa Isom, Matthew Isom, Nathan Towns, Joshua Towns, Victor Berzoza, Andy Berzoza, Charles Towns, and Rachel Towns.

Preceding Oscar in death were his wife:  Vicki Towns; parents:  Octaviano and Cruz Towns, two brothers: Ernesto and Ernesto II; and three sisters:  Oralia Serna, Olivia Towns and Belia Towns .

Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Kermit at 10:00 am Monday, November 26, 2007 with the Rev. Scott Seymore officiating.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Pallbearers will include:  Douglas Towns, Mike Towns, Michael Towns, Branden Towns, Roland Berzoza, and Andy Berzoza.  Honorary Pallbearers will include:  Homer Towns, Gilbert Towns, Victor Re Berzoza, Matthew Isom, Charles Towns, and Ashley Paschel.  Services were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

John Wesley Hestand, age 77, of Kermit passed away Saturday, November 24, 2007 at Kermit Healthcare Center.  He was born Thursday, May 29, 1930 in Lone Wolf, Tom Green County, Texas to William Issac and Pearl Mae (Ratliff) Hestand. He moved to Kermit in 1944 and married Lois Jean Riley in Kermit June 29, 1949.  

Wes was a member of the Church of Christ and was a truly nice person.  He enjoyed gun shows and flea markets and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.  He worked for many years for the City of Kermit as Superintendent of the Water Department.  He worked for and retired from Western Concrete.  He also was the past owner and operator of Lawn Mower Works.  

He leaves behind his devoted wife:  Jean Hestand of Kermit, their daughter:  Janie Virlene Hubert and husband Dean of Mustang, OK; grandson: Wesley Dean Hubert and fiancée Kristin Barbour of Edmond, OK; granddaughter:  Tina Westmark and husband Corey of Deltona, FL; one brother:  Bill Hestand and wife Betty of Kermit; sister-in-law:  Nita Mann of Longview, TX; step-sisters:  Inez Jones of Crosby, TX and Lois Smith of Mounds, OK; sister-in-law: Bobbie Jo Bell of Llano, TX; brother-in-law:  Jerry Riley and wife Linda of Wichita Falls, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

His mother:  Pearl Clipper; father:  William Issac; step-mother Roxie Lee; baby daughter:  Leona Estell; and one brother, Bobby Gene, preceded Wes in death.  

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at Family Services Funeral Chapel with Brother Bill Gaston officiating.  Pallbearers will be Wesley Hubert, Dean Hubert, Bill Hestand, James Lee Riley, Billy Bell, and Joe Bell.  Honorary pallbearers will be Mundo Berzoza, Jerry Fullen, Bert Abbott, Gerald Beaver, Mike Brown, Leo Bell, Tooter Bell, and Johnny Riley.  Arrangements were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.  

The family requests that memorials in Wes’s name be made to the Church of Christ 309 North Alpine Ave. Wickett, TX 79756.

Charlotte Elaine Stone, age 59, of Kermit passed away Saturday, November 24, 2007 at her residence.  She was born Saturday, December 27, 1947 in Seminole, Gaines County, Texas to Lawrence Tilton Scogin and Alta Mae (Bryant) Scogin.  She was a homemaker.

Charlotte was a member of the Baptist Church and the American Legion.  She was an awesome cook.

She is survived by her long-time companion:  C.W. "Chuck" Huffman of Kermit and one sister:  Pat Wilcox and husband Jim of Carlsbad, NM.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband:  Sperlin Stone.

Services will be privately held at a later date.

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