Elma C. Kittley, age 45, of Midland lost her battle with cancer on May 3, 2010.  She was born on November 9, 1964 in Kermit, TX to Rafael and Enriquetta (Castro) Carrasco.

Elma was a member of the Catholic Church.  Her greatest love in life was being a mother and grandmother.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband:  Michael Kittley of Midland; two sons: Brandon Carrasco and Michael Kittley Jr. and wife Yesenia all of Midland, TX; one daughter:  Brandi Kittley of Midland; two brothers:  Rafael Carrasco Jr. of Midland, TX and Lionel Carrasco of Kermit; and one grandchild: Haedynn Kittley of Midland,TX.

Rosary will be 7:00 pm, Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Family Services Funeral Chapel in Kermit.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am, Thursday, May 6, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Kermit.

Alene Joyce Hammer, age 81, of Alpine, passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 in Odessa, TX. Alene was born on March 2, 1929 in Electra, TX, to Leonard Smith and Stella Mae (Hester) Bogart.

Alene married the love of her life, Martin Hammer, on February 29, 1948 in Wink, TX. They enjoyed 62 wonderful years together. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Alpine. She enjoyed collecting paperweights and researching genealogy. Arlene was a marvelous mother and wife.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband: Martin Hammer of Alpine, TX; son: Steven Wayne Hammer of Amarillo, TX; daughter: Marsha Ann Cary and husband John of Del Rio, TX; sister Evelyn I. Petty of Hobbs, NM; two grandchildren: April Cary and Joel Cary; five great-grandchildren: Mason, Scott, Juan, Andrea, and Anisa.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Leonard and Stella Bogart.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at Family Services Funeral Chapel in Kermit, officiated by Minister Lana Covington.

Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Odessa at 903 N Sam Houston Ave, Odessa, TX 79761 or First Christian Church, PO Box 607, Alpine, TX 79830.

Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor. 

Ramona A. Moya, age 44, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Hospice House in Odessa, TX. Ramona was born on November 9, 1965 in Kermit, TX to Gregorio D. Moya and Virginia M. Garcia.

Ramona may have lost her battle with cancer but she conquered life. She was very proactive in her treatment of the disease and was motivational and inspirational to other cancer patients going through treatment. She encouraged everyone she met to fight as hard as they could and to never give up hope and faith.

Ramona was a very kind and giving person. She truly loved being around her nephews and nieces. Since she never had children of her own, she considered them all her children. She loved all children and enjoyed their company. She was a caregiver who enjoyed the companionship of those she cared for and loved. Ramona was not happy unless she was riding around town, or talking on the phone with family and friends.

Ramona loved collecting angels. She was encouraged by them and believed in their comforting power. Her passion was woodworking and crafting of all kind. Most of her friends and family have enjoyed her talents throughout the years.

She was encouraged and inspired by the women of her support group. She hated missing the meeting because she received such a charge from them all. They gave her the willpower to fight.

She can now join the ranks of her Angels, where she will no longer know fear, suffering or heart-ache. She is back in the loving arms of her mother and father, and is now once again, enjoying the company of her brother and sisters.

Those left to cherish her memory are her seven brothers: Joe Moya and wife Imelda of Monahans, TX; Frank Moya and wife Minnie of Kermit, TX; Greg Moya Jr. and wife Nora of Eunice, NM; Gene Moya Sr. and wife Yolanda of Pampa, TX; Pat Moya and wife Kim of Bay City, TX; Moe Moya and wife Norma of Monahans; and Jesse Moya of Wink, TX; sister: Mary Ann Lopez of Wink, TX; and godmother: Elena Garcia of Wink, TX;

She was preceded in death by her parents: Gregorio and Virginia Moya; brother: Jerry Moya; and three sisters: Ramonsita Moya, Berna Briones, and Millie Sutton.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Ramona’s nurse and special friend, Nicole “Sunshine”. They would also like to thank West Texas Cancer Center of Odessa, Cancer Therapy and Research Center of San Antonio, and the staff at Hospice House of Odessa.

Rosary will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7 pm at Family Services Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, celebrant will be Father John Lucido. Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Moya, Frank Moya, Greg Moya Jr., Gene Moya Sr., Pat Moya, Moe Moya, Jesse Moya, Ruben Briones I, and Tom Sutton. Honorary pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews.

Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.  

Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Odessa, 903 N Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761 or Gifts of Hope Inc. at www.hopehousetexas.org. 

Christian Amador Rodriguez, age 7, passed from this life on Friday, May 7, 2010 in Martin County. He was born in Kirksville, MO on February 5, 2003 to Shane Stanley and Hazel M. Rodriguez.

Christian was blessed with a very funny personality. He was very independent and liked doing his own things. He was a leader, a very affectionate person, and a charmer. He could always find a way to get in trouble but always managed to talk his way out of it. He also loved animals.

He is survived by his parents: Shane Stanley and Hazel Rodriguez of Kermit; grandparents: Carlos and Irma Rodriguez of Houston, TX, Hank Sigsby and Rose Seward, both of Odessa, TX, and Cecilia Stanley of Ft. Worth, TX; great-grandmothers: Hermila Rodriguez of Houston, TX  and Nora Stanley of Midland, TX; and brothers: Baldomero Salazar, Justice Rogers, and Shane L. Stanley, all of Kermit.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather: Donald Stanley and great-grandfather: Jose Rodriguez.

Rosary will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, celebrant will be Father Waiwood. Pallbearers will be Manuel Rodriguez, Joseph Rodriguez, Carlos Rodriguez Jr., Luis Diaz, Daniel Diaz, Valentin Alanis Jr., and Randy L. Alanis. Honorary pallbearers will be Belinda S. Rodriguez, Roxanna Rodriguez, Trisha R. Rodriguez, Eva M. Garcia, and Tatiana L. Diaz. 

Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.  

Jack W. "Jacky" Brown, Jr.

Jack W. Brown Jr., age 58, of Colorado passed away at his home on May 8, 2010.  Jack was born in Henderson, TX on June 21, 1951 to Jack and Marggie Brown.

Jack was a talented artist, a gifted athlete, an avid sports fan, loved America, was committed to his family, friends and beloved by many. He loved to read and was an excellent horticulturist. Jack was also a member of the Denver Art Museum. Jack worked as a technician and a supervisor in quality control for McKinley Medical.

He is survived by his brothers: David and Richard Brown both of Colorado; his sister: Sandra Sorter and husband Joe of Colorado; and niece and nephew: Sam and Lily Sorter.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Jack and Marggie Brown.

Funeral Services will be 3:00, Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Kermit, officiated by Larry Landusky and assisted by Dudley Mullins.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Brown, Riki Brown, Vince Van Zago, Bob Abbott, Jim Abbot, and Bill Ihlanfeldt. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Sarter and Sam Sarter.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit..

Margaret Louise Howe Bowden passed from this life to her eternal home with Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 15, 2010.  She was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma on December 23, 1925 to Edith and George Oliver Howe.  Margaret grew up the youngest of 4 siblings in Shawnee. She was baptized at the First Christian Church in Borger, Texas.

Margaret started working at the young age of 15,  working at a confectionary in Oklahoma, at a picture show in Long Beach, California, as well as at AT&T Telephone Company in Oklahoma City, OK and Borger, Texas.  Introduced to by a fellow operator who had moved to Lockhart, Texas,  Margaret started  a writing relationship with a handsome young sailor named Jack H. Bowden.  Jack wrote a letter daily to Margaret while serving on his ship, the USS Hamner. They learned much about each other in those letters: their common interests in life, working hard and money management, and more importantly, their love for family. When Jack was home on leave, he married Margaret in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 1955.  Jack was honorably discharged 6 months later and their first of 4 daughters, Margaret Ann, was born on September 20, 1956, in Lockhart, Texas. With one daughter and twins on the way, Jack and Margaret pulled a trailer to Jal, New Mexico in search of a career position with El Paso Natural Gas Company. Twins Becky and Beverly were born on January 12, 1959.  Fourteen months later, the youngest daughter Jacque was born on March 9, 1960. To complement the 4 girls, Jack finally had to get a boy dog, Mister, to have another male around the house.

Hobbies that Margaret enjoyed generally centered around art.  She had art lessons in High School, and often enjoyed painting or sketching more than 4 hours a day.  Besides doing sketches of land and seascapes while on vacation, she began doing oil paintings of flowers, including irises from their yard in Jal. Her beautiful oil paintings were displayed in various shows and venues and were admired by many. Margaret also thoroughly enjoyed watching NBA basketball, particularly the Phoenix Suns, LA Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs.  After her husband Jack passed away in 2007, Margaret moved to Phoenix, Arizona to live with her daughter Becky and son-in-law.  She always looked forward to Fall when basketball season started.

Margaret leaves behind not only 50 years of friendships in Jal, NM, but also many new friends from her life in Phoenix, AZ.  She will be missed greatly by her daughters, Margaret Ann, Becky and Beverly; and sons-in-law Earl Smalts of Abernathy, NM, Wai M. (Terry) Lui of Phoenix, AZ, and Steve Bender of Los Alamos, NM.  She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, J.J., Christopher, and Brady Smalts, Michael, Melissa and John Nicolet, Daniel Bender, and Michael Rebant; and 4 great-grandchildren, James Tyler and Ashley Nicolet, Makayla Kantor and Madison Rebant.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jack Bowden, and youngest daughter, Jacque Bowden Nicolet. 

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at First United Methodist Church of Jal, NM with Reverend Daniel Kowacich officiating.  Pallbearers include Wai Lui, Earl Smalts, Steve Bender, J.J., Christopher and Brady Smalts, Michael Nicolet, Daniel Bender and Bob Bowden.  Burial will follow at the Jal Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit, Texas.

The family would like to thank the caring nurses and physicians at Banner Desert Medical Center of Mesa, AZ for their care and support during her stay at the hospital. The family also wishes to thank the friends at the First United Methodist Church of Jal, NM and the dear friends and neighbors of both Jal, NM and Phoenix, AZ, for their love and friendship through the years.

Penny Sue Chambless, age 46, of Kermit, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010 in Odessa, TX. Penny was born on December 28, 1963 in Kewanee, Illinois. 

Penny loved being a grandmother and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved the beach and the ocean. She enjoyed being outdoors fishing and camping. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband: Joe Foster of Kermit, TX; parents: David and Loretta Thompson of Kermit, TX; sons: James Griffin and wife Misty of Kermit, TX, Joseph Ables and wife Libby and Jessie Ables, all of Ennis, TX; daughters: Destiny June Chambless of Odessa, TX and Penny Sue Chambless Jr., of Corpus Christi, TX; brother: Wroy Kizer and wife Monica of Moline, Illinois; sister LaDonna Flores and husband Joe of Corpus Christi, TX; and 14 grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by two brothers: Donnie Adams and Danny Rodgers; and sister: Kendra Stout. 

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Family Services Funeral Chapel in Kermit, TX officiated by Brother Dudley Mullins. Pallbearers will be Jonny Long, Raul Marquez, Terry Foster, Mike Cohen, Toby Brooks, and George Acosta. Honorary pallbearers will be R.B. Long, Jr., and Donny Chambless.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.