Betty Joyce Freeman, 74, of Vancouver, Washington passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at her home.
Funeral services will be 11:30 AM Saturday, October 30, 2004 at Northside Baptist Church in Vancouver.
Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 2, 2004 in the Andrews Old Cemetery in Andrews, Texas. Rodney Compton will officiate.
Mrs. Freeman was born July 27, 1930 in Lockney, Texas. She married Harold Freeman on December 22, 1947. He passed away February 28, 1995.
She was a homemaker and a member of Northside Baptist Church in Vancouver. She enjoyed traveling and especially spending time with her friends and family. She also loved animals, ducks, turtles, and birds.
She is survived by: Son-Harold Freeman of Beaverton, Oregon; Daughter-Becky Martin of Boring, Oregon; Brother-A.C. Benton of Channel View, Texas and Her Mother- Laura Benton of Andrews, Texas and 4 Grandchildren.

Submitted by: Lola Thomason

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BETTY GROSS
August 26th, 2004

Funeral services for Betty Gross, 73, of Andrews will be 2:00 PM Sunday, August 29, 2004 at Second Baptist Church in Andrews with Rev. Ivy Shelton, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Andrews West Cemetery.
She died Thursday, August 26, 2004 at her residence in Andrews.
She was born October 28, 1930 in Sherman, Texas to James Walter Turner and Bessie Etteen Grey Turner. She graduated from Andrews High School in 1948. She married Bill Gross on January 24, 1955 in Lovington, New Mexico. She has lived in Andrews for most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Second Baptist Church in Andrews.
She is survived by her 4 daughters: Claudia Helms and Geraldine "Gerri" Helms of Odessa, Wanda Edmiston of Eldorado, and Diana Gross of San Angelo; 2 sons: James W. Jones of Andrews and Marvin Jones of Henderson; 1 brother: Roy Lee Turner of Pflugerville; 17 grandchildren; and 35 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Home Hospice, 516 North Texas, Odessa, Texas 79761.

Submitted by: Lola Thomason

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OPHIA LEE "SUSIE" GROSS
October 11th, 2004

 Funeral services for Ophia Lee "Susie" Gross, 96, of Andrews will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at Second Baptist Church in Andrews with Rev. Ivy Shelton, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Andrews Old Cemetery.
She died Monday, October 11, 2004 at Stanton Care Center in Stanton.
She was born May 11, 1908 in Trent, Texas. She moved to Andrews in 1952 from Midland. She married J.O. "Shorty" Bass, and he preceded her in death in 1981. She married Henry "Scotty" Gross, and he preceded her in death in 1981. She was a homemaker and a member of the Second Baptist Church.
She was also preceded in death by her 2 sisters: Jessie Fredrick and Joye Ragle; and 1 brother: J.D. Flood.
She is survived by her 5 sons: Jessie Bass of San Diego, California, Otis Bass of Amarillo, Troy Bass, Claude Bass, and Jerry Bass, all of Midland; 1 daughter: Betty Jean Armstrong of Cisco; 1 step daughter: Mickie Berry of Redding, California; 5 sisters: Roxie Owens of Ada, Oklahoma, Jonnie Johnson of Midland; Josie Van Ness of Fort Worth; Dorothy Jogupolus of Pittsburg, California, and Connie Roe of Llano; 2 brothers: Thomas Flood of Odessa and Foye Flood of Abilene; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren.

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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Erma Wright
ANDREWS — Erma Wright, 96, a longtime resident of Andrews and locally well known landscape artist and art teacher, passed away peacefully in Houston.
She had lived in Houston since 2003. Born in Trent, Texas, on Jan. 26, 1908, she and her husband E.P. moved to Andrews in 1944 to be near her mother and to be involved in the Permian Basin wartime oil production effort.
After E.P. died in 1961, Erma remained in Andrews and was active in local business affairs (women’s clothing and beauty outlets). When she was 60, she enrolled in an adult evening art class in Andrews High School and became enthralled with the art of oil painting, which became the focus of the rest of her life.
She was preceded in death by E.P.; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Sue and Carl Bullock; and a brother, Henry Scott Gross.
Her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Jean Haws of Houston; a sister, Martha McNair of Midland, Texas; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren survive her.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004, in McNett Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Ramsey Humphries of Odessa.
Burial will follow in the Andrews Old Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home.

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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DONNA BARNES
December 22, 2004

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 24, 2004 at the Andrews Presbyterian Church with Rev. Rod Peacock and Rev. Bob Zap officiating. Burial will follow in the Andrews West Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Home Hospice House, 903 North Sam Houston, Odessa, Texas 79761.
Donna Jean (Collins) Barnes entered this life on November 11, 1932 received by her parents, Jack and Pauline Collins. Donna was an intelligent and active young lady giving her parents and sister, Jackee, many fun memories in Odessa. As a child, Donna loved to be with her mom so much that she ran away from school frequently to return home. Sadly, at age nine, Donna lost her mom to a fast spreading infection. After a few years, her dad remarried Pear Scott, who willingly accepted the “ready-made family” and fulfilled the role as mother and wife. During her years at Odessa High School, Donna participated in A Cappella Choir 1949-1950; Drill Squad Secretary 1948; Halloween Queen 1948; Runner-up for school beauty queen 1948-1950; and Shakespeare Club 1949. The Collins family grew to include other siblings, whose names are Bobby Jack, Nancy, and William (Tracy) Collins. The family unit was always important to Donna and she started her own, when she married Louis D. Barnes in January of 1956. They settled in Andrews to raise two children, Cynthia Jean and Joe Dan. Donna was a first-class mother, wife, businesswoman, neighbor, friend, and dog lover (Dolly being the most recent loyal companion). Living in Andrews has meant participating in her church, truck business, 4H Club, Sheriff’s Posse, school events, banking operations, and having many gatherings in the home. Her husband preceded her in death on October 30, 1993. She put her greatest effort into her family and home because she bore the most unconditional love available to mankind. After her children were raised, Donna became a grandmother to seven grandchildren, who all know her as “Munner”. These grandchildren, Daniel, Chrissie, Amanda, Joe Jerren, Ben, Jalee, and John Tyler will always remember the “special way” that their “Munner” treated them. Donna loved the Savior Jesus Christ and had committed her life to His honor through her attribute of charity. She had many friends young and old and will be sorely missed by all. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh not evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth...” (1 Cor. 13: 4-8 KJV)

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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Dortha Morrow
ANDREWS — Dortha Morrow, 71, of Midland, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2004, at Hospice House in Midland.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Street Church of Christi with Brian Briley officiating. Burial will follow at the Andrews Cemetery. Arrangements are by Andrews Funeral Home.
She was born in Comanche.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Richard Morrow of Midland; daughters, Donna Estrada of Midland and Pamela Illinik of Ohio; son, Leroy Morrow of Midland; and three grandchildren.

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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LOLA HARDIN NIX
November 1st, 2004

Funeral services for Lola Hardin Nix, 87, formerly of Andrews, will be 2:00 PM Friday, November 5, 2004 at the First Baptist Chapel in Andrews with Dr. H.A. Hanks of Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in the Andrews Old Cemetery.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, November 4, 2004 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at McNett Funeral Home in Andrews.
She died Monday, November 1, 2004 at Mariner Healthcare of Cypress Wood in Houston.
She was born September 9, 1917 in Mitchell County, Texas to Harley Dallas Mearse and Maude Richardson Mearse. She married Odis Hardin on July 9, 1937 in Loraine and he preceded her in death on November 23, 1962. She moved to Andrews in 1943 from Loraine. She married Dennis Nix on November 11, 1964 in Andrews, and he preceded her in death on July 11, 1989. She moved to Wichita Falls in 1998. While in Andrews, she had served on the Andrews Senior Citizen Center Board and had managed several restaurants in Andrews. She was a member at First Baptist Church in Andrews, where she was very active in the church and in the Victory Singers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter: Janette Johnson on October 4, 2004.
She is survived by her daughter: Sandi Whitworth of Houston; sister: Gwindola Roberts of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 2 step-daughters: Coza Nix Bostick of Lehigh Acres, Florida and Millie McDonald of Wimberley; step-son: Drexell Nix of Lehigh Acres, Florida; 14 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; and 11 great great grandchildren.

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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O.E. "SHORTY" NICHOLS
October 20th, 2004

O.E. "Shorty" Nichols, Sr. 78, of Andrews passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at his residence.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, at the Church of God in Andrews. Rev. Jason Connor will officiate. Burial will be in the Andrews Old Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home.
Shorty was Born December 7, 1925 in Brownwood, Texas. He moved to Andrews in 1942 from Alvin, Texas. He served in the US Army during World War II.
He married Billie Jean Tannahill January 17, 1961 in Andrews. He was a Roughneck for many years working for Holliday Drilling of Midland, and Carl B. King of Andrews.
He was prededed in death by his wife Billie Jean, June 4, 1998.
He is survived by: One Son - Osker E. Nichols, Jr. of Andrews; Three Daughters - Nancy Stokes of Sea Drift, Texas and Betty Bellow of Stephenville, Texas; Sharon Rose Sharp of Placiaos, Texas 10 Grandchildren and 10 Great-Grandchildren.

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George Ellison 'Sonny' Tom
Oct 12, 2004
Funeral services for George Ellison “Sonny” Tom Jr., 79, of Andrews are set for 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at the Andrews Church of Christ with Mark Wilson, John Snider, Moody Conner and Dr. Ervin Huddleston officiating. Burial followed in the Andrews West Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home in Andrews.
He died Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at Methodist Hospital in Houston.
He was born June 20, 1925, in Midland to George Ellison Tom Sr. and Mattie Zimmerman Tom, a pioneer ranching family of Andrews County. He graduated from Andrews High School in 1943 and from Texas A&M University in 1946 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He married Billie Lou Wilhite on Feb. 1, 1947, in Monahans. He owned and operated the Tom Ranch in Andrews County. He had other ranching interests in Gaines and Upton counties. He was a past member of the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, and served as past president of the Andrews County Historical Committee. He had served on the board of the Ranching Heritage Association. He had served on the Board of Trustees of the Andrews Independent School District for 12 years serving as president and secretary. He was a committeeman for 17 years on the Agriculture and Stabilization Committee, and has been a director for the past 27 years on the Andrews Soil and Water Conservation Board. He was a former director of Commercial State Bank and Andrews Savings and Loan Association. He was a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He formerly owned Andrews Lumber Company. He was a member of the Andrews Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, George Ellison “Snuffy” Tom III on March 15, 1991.
He is survived by his wife: Billie Wilhite Tom of Andrews; A son, William E. “Bill” Tom and wife Wilma of Andrews; two sisters, Barbara Jowell and Rosenelle Cherry of Midland; a brother, James Robert Tom of Midland; and four grandchildren, Grant Ellison Tom, Erin Leigh Tom, Courtney Lana Tom and Christopher George Tom.
Memorials may be sent to the Andrews Educational Foundation, Pam Fisher, 405 NW 3rd Street, Andrews, Texas 79714.
Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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Lucille Pryor
ANDREWS — Lucille Pryor, 83, of Andrews, a retiree of Permian General Hospital and the Nursing Home in Andrews, died Thursday, July 15, 2004.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at McNett Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Donnell officiating. Burial will be at Andrews West Cemetery. Arrangements by McNett Funeral Home.
She was born in Loxsburg, Ark. She was a Baptist.
SURVIVORS: Son, Don Pryor of Andrews; daughters, Winnita Stalling of Pittsburg, Kan., Sue Cortney of Denver City, Peggy Pryor and Melodye Pryor, both of Andrews and Penny McCullough of Eunice, N.M.; sisters, Winnie Langford of Lubbock, Edith Carruth of Marble Falls and Juanita Clem of Sweetwater; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandson.

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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Gene Irwin

Services for Gene Irwin, 83, of Andrews were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2004, in Means Memorial United Methodist Church. Dr. Brian Gordon officiated. Burial followed in the Andrews Old Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home of Andrews.
Mr. Irwin died in Andrews on Saturday, July 17, 2004. He was born on June 21, 1921, in Midland. His parents, Knox Hunter Irwin Sr. and Anna Lee Pinnell Irwin, were Andrews County pioneers. He married Hedy Price in Lovington, N.M., on April 8, 1993. Gene was involved in ranching with his father after being discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945.
Mr. Irwin served as commissioner of Precinct Two in Andrews County for 24 years. During this time, Andrews had a tremendous growth. During his terms, the county parks were developed, and the Little League and other ballparks were built. The Community Building, the Andrews County Youth Center and Scout facilities, the County Golf Course, improvements to the courthouse, rodeo grounds and airport facilities were a few of the many projects completed. He was honored by the Chamber of Commerce as Man of the Year in 1968. During the time of rearing his children, he and his children received many awards and recognition for their efforts and interest in 4-H and other Extension work. After leaving office as a commissioner in 1974, he expanded his ranching and farming interest. He served on the ASCS Committee and was still an active director (serving for 28 years) on the Andrews Soil and Water Conservation District No. 246.
He was a member of the Means Memorial United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife Hedy of Andrews; a son Doug and wife Terry Irwin of Andrews; two daughters, Susan Irwin Watts of Kerrville and Lee Ann and husband Pete Ballew of Andrews; six grandchildren, Derrick Watts, Max Watts, Coy Irwin, Tanner Ballew, Kacee Ballew and Bailey Ballew Morgan; two great-grandchildren, Conner Watts and Peyton Watts; step-children Bill Price, Karla Morris, Kay Wood and Claude Price, all of Andrews; 10 step-grandchildren and 22 step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Lee Brown Irwin, on Nov. 2, 1987. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Chris Irwin, on Nov. 21, 2003; a brother, Knox Hunter Irwin Jr. in 1991; and a sister, Billie Irwin Edmiston in 1988.
The family request memorials to Andrews Soil and Water Conservation District No. 246, c/o Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 611, Andrews, Texas 79714.

Submitted by:Lola Thomason

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Wesley M. Gross

Monday, August 09, 2004

Funeral services for Wesley M. Gross, 76, of Andrews were at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Second Baptist Church in Andrews with Leslie Gross Jr. officiating. Burial followed in Andrews Old Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral Home.

Mr. Gross passed away Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, at Hospice House in Odessa.

He was born may 16, 1928, in Holliday. He married Geneva C. Mills on March 8, 1947, in Seagraves and they moved to Andrews that year.

He was a backhoe operator for Coats Construction for many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Gross, in 1998; a son, Wesley A. Gross in 1950; and two grandsons, Randal Williford Jr. and Joshua Johnson.

He is survived by three daughters, Marquita Johnson of San Angelo, Linda Talasky of Chico and Debbie Dockery of Comanche; two brothers, J.B. Gross and Lonnie Gross, both of Andrews; one sister, Evalyn Bonham of Kermit; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Andrews County News

Submitted by: Lola Thomason

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