For the Week of August 2 - August 8, 2020
CARLOS VARGAS, JR.
Carlos Vargas, Jr., age 64 of Odessa, Texas, passed away Friday, July 31, 2020 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. A memorial service will be held at a later date. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole, Texas.
Mr. Vargas was born February 6, 1956 in Mission, Texas to Dominga (Alvarado) and Carlos Vargas. He worked in the oil field and was a great handy man. Carlos was known affectionately as “Tweety,” and never gave up on anything. In his spare time, he loved to play the lottery scratch-off games and do art; he was also an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved his family dearly and was a wonderful role model.
Carlos Vargas, Jr. is preceded in death by his mother, Dominga Vargas; one sister, Yolanda Vargas; and one nephew, Oscar Nunez, Jr. He is survived by one son, Carlos Vargas, III and wife Niami of Lee High, Florida; his father, Carlos Vargas, Sr. of Mexico; five brothers, Steve Vargas and wife Oralia of Seminole, Texas, Johnny Vargas and wife Beatrice, Joe Vargas and wife Leslie, and Israel Vargas all of Andrews, Texas, and Ebrardo Vargas and wife Carmen of Seminole, Texas; four sisters, Maria Vargas of Greeley, Colorado, Lucille Vargas of San Antonio, Texas, Oralia Vargas of Midland, Texas, and Imelda Del Rio and husband Jose of Andrews, Texas; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
WILLIAM LEE POINTER
Graveside services for William Lee Pointer, age 63 of Seminole, Texas will be held Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Prairie Haven Memorial Park Cemetery in Hobbs, New Mexico with Pastor Tony Pitcox officiating. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole.
Mr. Pointer was born December 21, 1956 in Ft. Worth, Texas to Mary Virginia (Adams) and William Albert Pointer. He was a Christian. William graduated summa cum laude from San Angelo State University and then worked in the oilfield most of his life. In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, and was a diehard Texas Longhorn fan; he was very devoted to his family and friends. He was an amazing “Pap” to his grandchildren and will be dearly missed by everyone.
William Pointer passed away at his home in Seminole on Monday, August 3, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by one son, Will Pointer and wife Rochelle of Lubbock, Texas; one sister, Pamela Olney and husband Guy of Sammamish, Washington; four grandchildren, Hagen Williams and wife Kaley of Seminole, Texas, Chloe Williams of Lubbock, Texas, Morgan Pointer of Sweetwater, Texas, and William C. Pointer of Lubbock, Texas, and two great-grandchildren.
For the Week of July 26-August 1, 2020
PETER REMPEL
JIMMIE FITZGERALD
Jimmie Durwood Fitzgerald went home to be with the Lord and his family on Sunday, July 26, 2020. He was born in Emery, Texas on September 21, 1930 to Estell (Montgomery) and Edgar Curtis Fitzgerald. Jimmie was the youngest of ten children; Eynon, Vurtis, Hobert, Curtis, Robert, Robin Lavern, Mamie, and Jimmie, also a baby boy and baby girl that died at birth.
Jimmie Fitzgerald is survived by his nieces, Wanda Faye Hansen and husband Dean of Burkburnett, Texas, and Mary Ruth Bowling and husband David of Wichita Falls, Texas; his nephews, Hobert Fitzgerald, Jr. and wife Lynn of Abilene, Texas, and Curtis Fitzgerald of Burkburnett, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his friends; Curtis and Elizabeth Brown, Amy and Eric Bradley, Gunner and Kannon Bradley, Sherry Barrientes, and numerous friends and health care workers at Seminole Memorial Healthcare Center who loved and cared for Jimmie and gave him and his brother Robert the best years of their lives.
PETER REMPEL
Funeral services for Peter Rempel, age 59 of Tarzan, Texas will be held Friday, July 31, 2020 at Old Colony Mennonite Church at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Peter Thiessen officiating. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole, Texas.
Mr. Rempel was born February 20, 1961 in Mexico to Helena (Bergen) and David Rempel. He married Justina Klassen in Mexico August 15, 1982. He was a member of Old Colony Mennonite Church and worked as a farmer. Peter Rempel was a hardworking man that was strong in his faith and loved his family dearly, his five grandchildren were his pride and joy. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family as well as fishing.
Peter Rempel passed away Monday, July 27, 2020 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his wife Justina Rempel of Tarzan, Texas; three sons, David Rempel and wife Lisa of Lamesa, Texas, Jacob Rempel and wife Lisa, and Peter Rempel both of Tarzan, Texas; one brother, Jacob Rempel and wife Maria of Seminole, Texas; one sister, Anna Froese and husband Isaak of Seminole, Texas; and 5 grandchildren; Daniel, Nelly, Joshua, Hannah and Matthew Rempel of Tarzan.
For the Week of July 19 - July 25, 2020
HELENA DYCK
Funeral services for Helena Dyck, age 27 of Seminole, Texas will be held Monday, July 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Old Colony Mennonite Church with Cornelius Fehr officiating. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery. All services under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home.
Helena was born on April 30, 1993 in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico to Judith (Guenter) and Gerhard Martens. She married Poncho Dyck on July 16, 2011 in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico.
Helena Dyck passed away July 16, 2020 at her residence. She is survived by her husband Poncho Dyck of Seminole Texas; her parents, Gerhard and Judith Martens of Seminole; two brothers, Diedrich Martens and fiancé Agatha Knelsen of Seminole, Texas and Benny Martens of Seminole, Texas; and one sister Martha Knelson and husband Diedrich of Seminole, Texas.
MARY ALICE CATO
Graveside services for Mary Alice Cato, age 88, of San Antonio and formerly of Seminole, Texas, will be held Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Gaines County Cemetery, with burial to follow. Dean Boyer will officiate, and all services are the direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole. Social distancing is requested at the cemetery.
Mary Alice Bridges Cato was born in Denton, Texas on April 2, 1932 to C.A. and Elizabeth Mae Bridges, the fourth of five girls. She received her Teacher’s Certificate from the University of North Texas and moved to Seminole in 1953 to teach first grade. In 1956 she married Jack Cato, also a teacher in Seminole, at the First Presbyterian Church. She loved teaching her first graders, but took a break in 1957 to start and raise her own family of five. She returned to teaching in 1969.
Mary and Jack moved to Copperas Cove, Texas in 1986 and both taught in nearby Killeen. Jack preceded Mary in death in 1987, but Mary continued to teach until 1997. She was a member of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Copperas Cove, which she loved, and she also sang in the choir there.
In retirement, Mary made a number of cross-country bus tours with fellow teachers; she liked to tell her family she had been to every state except Alaska. She was a big fan of ice cream, the Dallas Cowboys, and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed arts and crafts as well. She particularly loved singing birds and kept a very fine collection of porcelain birds.
Mary Alice Cato passed away July 17, 2020 at North East Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. She is survived by her children, Miles Cato of Sunnyvale, California, Brent Cato of New York, New York, Nancy Cato of San Antonio, Texas, Neill Cato of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Bruce Cato and wife Sue of Round Rock, Texas; by two grandchildren, Tim and Andrew Cato; and by one sister, Jeanne Tebbetts.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that you make a donation to your local hospital fund to support their care of COVID patients.
For the Week of July 12 - July 18, 2020
JACOB GUENTER
Funeral services for Jacob Guenter, age 74 of Seminole, Texas will be held Monday, July 13, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Reinlander Mennonite Church with Bishop Henry Reimer officiating. Burial will follow at Reinlander Cemetery. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home.
The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Mr. Guenter was born September 1, 1945 in Mexico to Helena (Friesen) and Aaron Guenter. He married Katharina Doerksen in Mexico on August 31, 1964. He was a member of Reinlander Mennonite Church and worked in retail sales.
Jacob passed away July 10, 2020 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Jacob Guenter, five brothers, three sisters, two granddaughters, and one son-in-law, David Enns. He is survived by his wife Katharina Guenter of Seminole, Texas; five sons, Heinrich Guenter and wife Susana, David Guenter and wife Eva, Johan Guenter and wife Crystal, Bernhard Guenter and wife Katharina, and Peter Guenter and wife Agatha all of Seminole, Texas; six daughters, Helena Enns, Eva Klassen and husband David, Katharina Krahn and husband Jacob, Anna Wieler and husband Peter, Mary Goertzen and husband Johan all of Seminole, Texas, and Elisabeth Friesen and husband Heinrich of Welch, Texas; one sister, Katharina Goertzen and husband Abram of Canada; one daughter-in-law, Justina Guenter of Muleshoe, Texas; 57 grandchildren, and 50 great-grandchildren.
For the Week of July 5-July 11, 2020
RAMON MATA, SR.
Funeral Mass for Ramon Mata, Sr. age 61 of Seminole, Texas will be celebrated Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church with Father Jose De Dios Gonzalez officiating. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery. Rosary will be held Friday, July 10, 2020 from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home. The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Mr. Mata was born January 7, 1959 in Mexico to Julia (Rodriguez) and Martin Mata. He married Olga Gardea on July 1, 1978 in Mexico. He worked as a maintenance supervisor for Oxy and was a member of St. James Catholic Church. Ramon was a hard working man and was an active member of the community of Seminole. He was on the Seminole Hospital Board for twenty years and a member of the Knights of Columbus for twenty years. He was a diehard Texas Tech fan and enjoyed playing golf, but his grandchildren were the light of his life. Ramon always had a smile and was married to his best friend for forty-two years.
Ramon Mata, Sr. passed away at his home in Seminole, Texas Tuesday, July 7, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Alfonso Mata in 2015. He is survived by his wife, Olga Mata of Seminole; one son, Ramon Mata, Jr. of Seminole; one daughter, Giovanna Davila and husband Gilbert of Kermit, Texas; one brother, Jesus Mata and wife Elda of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Manuela Chavez and husband Ruben of Mexico, and Petra Mata of Odessa, Texas; and four grandchildren, Noah Mata, Tristan Mata, Ethan Davila, and Gianna Davila.
For the Week of June 28 - July 4, 2020
MARGIE ORONA
Graveside services for Margie Orona, age 72 of Seminole, Texas, will be held Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Gaines County Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Tony Pitcox officiating. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home.
Ms. Orona was born October 4, 1947 in Seminole, Texas to Rosalee (Brooks) and Buster Pitcox, Sr. She was a homemaker and enjoyed being with her grandchildren and family. She was a very outspoken woman who loved to joke with people, listen to music, and loved animals.
Margie Orona passed away Friday, June 26, 2020 at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and one sister. She is survived by one son, Kirk Alan Orona; two daughters, Dawn Pitcox and husband Ronnie Atcitty, and Victoria Orona and husband Louis Ramirez, both of Seminole, Texas; one sister, Joycie Williams of Cuero, Texas; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
For the Week of June 21 - June 27, 2020
LUCILLE LUJAN
Funeral Mass for Lucille Lujan, age 89 of Red Hill, Pennsylvania and formerly of Seminole, Texas will be celebrated Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church with father Jose De Dios Gonzalez officiating. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery. Rosary will be held at the church on Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 6 to 7 p.m. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole, Texas. The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Mrs. Lujan was born September 14, 1930 in Alpine, Texas to Adelina (Garcia) and Cipriano Mata. She married Benigno Lujan in Midland, Texas in 1946. She was a homemaker and a Catholic who was very strong in her Catholic faith. She worked hard and was a great cook. Lucille enjoyed dancing, never met a stranger, and her grandchildren were the stars in her crown.
Lucille passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Pennsylvania Friday, June 19, 2020. She is preceded by her parents; her husband, Benigno Lujan in 2010; and one son, Robert Lujan in 2014. She is survived by three sons, Mingo Lujan and wife Yolanda of Las Vegas, Nevada, Henry Lujan and wife Johnnie of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Christopher Sandoval of Austin, Texas; eight daughters, Adeline Felix, Lela Garcia and husband Isauro, Corina Perea, Sandra Vega, Jennifer Lujan, Cindy Lujan, all of Las Vegas, Nevada; Linda Alvarez of Seminole, Texas, and Sylvia Lujan Harmon and husband Eric of Red Hill, Pennsylvania; one brother, Delfin Mata of Carlsbad, New Mexico; two sisters, Rosie Arnold of Midland, Texas, and Helen Mata of Carlsbad, New Mexico; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
For the Week of June 14 - June 20, 2020
RHONDA HOWELL
A memorial service for Rhonda Howell, age 55 of Seminole, Texas will be held Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. at West Side Church of Christ with Brother Skip Rodgers officiating. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Lubbock Children’s Home at 4404 Idalou Rd, Lubbock, TX 79403. The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Rhonda Howell was born January 3, 1965 in Abilene, Texas to Jennie Lea (Avery) Howell and Loving Elonzie Howell, Jr. Rhonda was a loving mother and grandmother who deeply loved her children and grandchildren. She was a very giving person with a heart of gold. She always wanted to be there for others, and all she asked in return was to be loved back. One of her dreams was to someday live in the mountains.
Rhonda adored her little sister Renee, even though when they were younger she thought Renee was a pain. The family says Rhonda remembered being made to play with Renee when she didn’t want to, yet every Friday Rhonda would go to Wacker’s Department Store in Seminole to buy Renee clothes for her Barbie dolls.
Rhonda Howell, age 55 of Seminole, Texas, passed away at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents. Rhonda is survived by four sons, Nicholas Howell, Joel Devlin, and William Devlin of Seminole, and Scott Devlin of Payette, Idaho; one brother, Randy Howell and wife Mary Lou of Lubbock, Texas; one sister, Renee McCollum and husband Rob of Canyon, Texas; and four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
For the Week of June 7 - June 13, 2020
BALDOMERO LUNA
Graveside services for Baldomero Luna, age 84 of Seminole, Texas will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at Gaines County Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. with John Roybal officiating. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home.
Mr. Luna was born February 27, 1936 in Alpine, Texas to Enriqueta (Peinado) and Raul Luna. He married Angelica Almodova in Seminole, Texas on January 15, 1955. He had worked for the City of Seminole. Baldomero loved working and playing his guitar in church, helping others, going to the gym, and his orange truck.
Baldomero Luna passed away Sunday, June 7, 2020 at Covenant Medical Center in Levelland, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Manuel Luna; one daughter, Ruth Luna Archuleta; and three brothers. He is survived by his wife Angelica Luna of Seminole; one grandson, Jackson Mark Archuleta; and one son-in-law, Mark Archuleta of Seminole.
For the Week of May 31 - June 6, 2020
GUADALUPE RODRIGUEZ, JR.
Funeral Mass for Guadalupe Rodriguez, Jr., age 82 of Seminole, Texas will be celebrated Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church with Father Jose De Dios Gonzalez officiating. Rosary will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at St. James Catholic Church from 6 to 7 p.m. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home.
The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Mr. Rodriguez was born in El Paso, Texas January 20, 1938 to Faustina (Aguilar) and Guadalupe Rodriguez. He was a Catholic and worked in agriculture. He married Eva De Los Santos in Seminole on January 13, 2000. Guadalupe enjoyed fishing, rodeos, cooking out, western movies and his horses; he loved living on the ranch. He especially loved being around his grandchildren.
Guadalupe passed away May 31, 2020 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. He is preceded in death by his wife Eva Rodriguez in 2019, one son, and two brothers. He is survived by his children’s mother, Aurora Rodriguez of Seminole; four sons, Johnny Rodriguez, Sr. and wife Juanita of Odessa, Texas, Marty Rodriguez of Seminole, Victor Rodriguez and wife Misti of Artesia, New Mexico, and Daniel Rodriguez and wife Brandy of Seminole; three daughters, Joann Villalva and husband Albert of Athens, Texas, Marisol Ramirez and husband Paul of Midland, Texas, and Monica Castaneda and husband Matthew of Seminole; 44 grandchildren, and 43 great-grandchildren.
ABRAHAM HILDEBRAND
Funeral services for Abraham Hildebrand, age 83 of Seminole, Texas will be held Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Old Colony Mennonite Church with Peter Jensen officiating and William Giesbrecht assisting. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home. The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Mr. Hildebrand was born March 23, 1937 in Mexico to Margarita (Reimer) and Jacob Hildebrand. He married Sara Fehr in Mexico on March 26, 1961. He was a member of the Old Colony Mennonite Church and worked in construction. He enjoyed telling stories about his youth, visiting with his friends, and selling watermelons.
Abraham Hildebrand passed away at his home in Seminole, on June 1, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers, three sisters, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Sarah Hildebrand of Seminole; seven sons, Jacob Hildebrand and wife Aganeta of Mexico, Benjamin Hildebrand and wife Elizabeth of Mexico, Abraham Hildebrand and wife Elizabeth of Seminole, Isack Hildebrand and wife Tina of Seminole, Juan Hildebrand and wife Sara of Brownfield, Texas, Peter Hildebrand and wife Lisa of Clayton, New Mexico, and Herman Hildebrand and wife Sahra of Seminole; six daughters, Susana Friesen and husband Klaas of Belize, Margarita Martens and husband Abram of Mexico, Sara Wiebe and husband Jacob of Plains, Texas, Katarina Peters and husband Peter of Brownfield, Texas, Maria Loewen and husband Peter of Seminole, and Anna Wieler and husband Cornelius of Plains, Texas; 80 grandchildren, and 64 great-grandchildren.
NICOLI NAVARRO
Funeral Mass for Nicoli Lucio Navarro, age 26 of Seminole, Texas will be celebrated Friday, June 5, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church with father Jose De Dios Gonzalez officiating. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery. Rosary will be held at St. James Catholic Church Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 7 to 8 p.m. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home. The church will allow a limited number of attendees inside for the funeral service, and it is suggested that a mask be worn and social distancing practiced, in keeping with CDC guidelines.
Nicoli Navarro was born June 17, 1993 in Odessa, Texas to Vicky (Alvidrez) and Lucio Navarro, Jr. He loved being with his big brother and never met a stranger. Nicoli was always happy and had a big smile.
Nicoli Navarro passed away at his home in Seminole June 2, 2020. He is preceded in death by his father, Lucio Navarro, Jr. in 2005. He is survived by his parents, Vicky and Frank Rodriguez of Seminole; one brother, Patrick Navarro and partner Amanda Balderas of Seminole; his maternal grandparents, Tomas and Juventina Alvidrez of Seminole; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
CHARLEY SHAW
A memorial service for Charley Darrell Shaw, age 75 of Seminole, Texas will be held Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at God’s Way Country Church in White Rock, with Pastor Tony Pitcox officiating. Services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home.
Charley Shaw was born in O’Donnell, Texas on May 18, 1945 to Neator (Stottes) and James Shaw. He married Brenda Willson on January 5, 1979 in Lamesa, Texas. Charley was a Christian and had lived in Seminole for 40 years. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked as a deputy sheriff and was proud to serve his community, but he was so much more than his badge. Charley retired as Chief Deputy from the Gaines County Sheriff’s Office in 2012 after serving for 20 years. He also served as a reserve deputy for the Andrews County Sheriff’s Office. Overall, he had worked as a deputy sheriff for 40 years.
Charley’s family was his number one priority, and he loved his precious wife, boys, and grandchildren. He served as a cubmaster for the Boy Scouts for many years and took a personal interest in the boys. He was a member of the Texas Chief Deputies Association, where he served as a board member and held many positions. At the time he became ill, he was only one year away from being made president of the organization. Charley loved to camp and fish, and was superb at wood and metal work.
Charley Shaw passed away peacefully on June 3, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister, and one niece. He is survived by his wife, Brenda of Seminole; two sons, David Shaw and Neal Shaw, both of Seminole; and two grandchildren, Gabby and Charley Shaw.
For the Week of May 24 - May 30, 2020
LAPHANE BURKETT
Graveside services for Laphane Burkett, 84, of Seminole will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2020, at Gaines County Cemetery with the Reverend Buck Wheat of South Seminole Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Gaines County Cemetery under the care and direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole.
Mrs. Burkett peacefully departed from this world in Rio Rancho, NM on Thursday, May 21, 2020 with her grandson by her side.
Laphane was born on October 04, 1935, in Mills County, Texas to Oneita and Raymond Wilcox. As a child growing up in Mills County, Laphane enjoyed living amongst a close-knit community of aunts, uncles, and cousins who were all descended from the early settler and pioneer families of that region of Texas. She started school at tiny Mt. Olive for only about three months before her parents moved to Purvis near Dublin in Erath County. From there Laphane moved to Tom Green County near Wall where she attended school at Eola until she finally ended up in Seminole in 1951 and started her sophomore year in August. In August 1952 Alton Parker “Salty” Burkett arrived in Seminole from Rayville, Louisiana and they were married in August of 1953, the year before she graduated from high school in 1954.
Laphane united with South Seminole Baptist Church sometime in 1951 and remained a consistent member and a beloved Sunday School teacher for over 60 years. She was an amazing cook, an excellent manager of her home, a faithful wife, a loving mother, and a very useful member of her community. During her life she was involved with the Girl Scouts, worked tirelessly with Meals on Wheels since its inception, and was an accomplished artist who was a member of the Porcelain Arts Club. However, Laphane’s eternal legacy is the unconditional love and laughter that overflowed from her heart toward everyone she encountered. She lived a life of service toward her family and friends, especially enjoying baking wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and creating large elaborate Sugar Easter Eggs for the people in her life over the years. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Aten, Bill Barron, Louis Grissom, Nicholas Groves, Bob Malone, Bobby Huckabee, Ronald Beck, and Jim Wilcox Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ross Land, David Reyes, Ross Reyes, and Donn Mathis.
Laphane Wilcox Burkett was preceded in death by her husband Alton Parker “Salty” Burkett Jr., her sister Betty Jean Kidd, and great-granddaughter Evelyn Pagan. She is survived by her beloved brother James Ross Wilcox Sr., her daughter Thelesa Mellon and husband Tim Mellon of Boise, Idaho and daughter Loree Meador and husband Ty Meador of Midland, Texas. She is survived by six grandchildren; Travis Smith, Chrissy Barbee, Michelle Beck, Jennifer Land, Erik Jurek, and Barry Jurek. She is survived by thirteen great-grandchildren; Zachary Smith, Parker Smith, Benjamin Groves, Nicholas Groves, Alexandra Pagan, Izzabell Pagan, Colton Beck, Courtney Beck, Grace Land, Michael Land, Heath Land, Charlie Land, and Ethan Land. Laphane is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a legion of friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the South Seminole Baptist Church Youth Program at 211 SW Ave E, Seminole, TX 79360.