Obituaries
Ernest L. Brown
Ernest L. Brown, 88, a longtime Hereford resident, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017 in Amarillo. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 20, 2017 at First Baptist Church with Jeff Messer Chaplain of Bivins Pointe, and Bob Crass Chaplain of Hospice of the South West, officiating. Interment followed in West Park Cemetery. Services were under the personal supervision of Parkside Chapel Funeral Home.
Ernest L. Brown was born September 26, 1928 to Noble and Elzora Potts Brown in Hollene, New Mexico. The family moved to the Friona area in 1941 from Hollene. He attended Friona High School and graduated in 1947.
Ernest met and fell in love with Loyce Pulliam they were married on July 9, 1950 in Broadview, New Mexico.
Mr. Brown served on the WTRT Board of Directors for 18 years, was a member of the Walcott School Board and served on the Texas Forrest Service Advisory Board since 1993.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Loyce Brown; a brother Floyd Brown; a great-nephew, Justin Brown; and friend, Bonny Duke.
He is survived by one daughter, Barbara Hoffman and husband Johnny of Amarillo; two sons, David Brown & wife Gayla and Dennis Brown & wife Pam both of Bootleg; one brother, Eldred Brown of Bootleg; seven grandchildren, Colby Hoffman & wife Corrina, Chad Hoffman & wife Lauren, Brian Brown, Tisha Stovall & husband Dustin, Kevin Brown & wife Jennifer, Brandon Brown, and Brent Brown & wife Michelle; nine great-grandchildren: a special friend, Linda Anderson of Amarillo, and close friends Pete Curtis and Natalie Barkley;
The family suggests Memorials in Mr. Brown’s name be made to First Baptist Church, 500 North Main Street, Hereford, TX 79045; Bootleg Volunteer Fire Department, 1009 FM 1058 Friona, TX 79035; or the Hereford Senior Citizens Association, 426 Ranger St, Hereford, TX 79045.
Cleo Gauna
Cleo Gauna, 82, of Friona, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Friona. Celebration of Life services were held Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Friona with Pastor Bobby Broughton of Calvary Baptist Church of Friona and Rev. Brett Hoyle, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial followed in the Friona Cemetery by Blackwell-Mullins Funeral Home of Friona.
Cleo was born September 19, 1934 in Yeso, N.M. to Marion and Nora Martinez. She married Enrique “Henry” Gauna September 27, 1952 in Ft. Sumner, N.M. They moved to Friona where they made their home for over 65 years. Cleo owned and operated Cleo’s Cleaners for 17 years.
She was a long time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Friona. She was a hard working, dedicated person all of her life. She made many caring friends, and loved to cook for everyone who visited her, but her family was most precious to her. After battling cancer for over 4 years, she could no longer fight the disease and God called her home. Her work on Earth was accomplished. She will be greatly missed.
Cleo is preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Gloria Wallace; and one brother, Henry Martinez.
She is survived by one son, Eddie Lee Gauna of Friona; one daughter, Nora Rose and husband Linvell of Friona; one brother, Marty Martinez of Wichita, Kansas; one sister, Eva Ancira of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
You may send memorials to the Parmer County Cancer Coalition, 906 Euclid Street, Friona, Texas 79035 or Calvary Baptist Church, 1500 Cleveland, Friona, Texas 79035.
You may sign the online register book at www.blackwellmullins.com
Billy Joe "Slow" Shephard
Billy Joe “Slow” Shephard, 71, of Friona, died May 18, 2017 in Friona. Celebration of Life services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Friona with Rev. Brett Hoyle, pastor, and Minister Wilford Ransom of Amarillo, officiating. Burial following in the Bovina Cemetery in Bovina by Blackwell-Mullins Funeral Home of Friona.
Billy Joe was born April 30, 1946 in Caddo Mills, Texas to Benny and Florence Young Shepherd. He attended public schools in Caddo Mills before moving to West Texas to begin farming.
He married Alberta Ransom January 19, 1992 in Friona where he worked for Cargill Meat solutions for 28 years.
Billy loved to play pool, dominoes, softball and driving stock cars.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one son, William Marcell Cooper; three brothers, Cornelius Mack, Billy Lewis Shepherd and A.J. Shepherd; and one sister, Martha Wallace.
Survivors include his wife, Alberta of Friona; three sons, Quince E. Shephard Hollings of Clovis, Ulysses A Cooper of Clovis and Cecil D. Cooper of Friona; two brothers, James H. Shepherd of Amarillo and Nathaniel Shepherd and wife Dorothy of Bovina; one sister, Quinnie Marie Atkins and husband Felton of Nevada, Texas; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
You may sign the online register book at www.blackwellmullins.com.
