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Stephen Edgar Ellis passed away on April 30, 2020 in Lubbock. He was born on June 12, 1944 in Tahoka, TX to Burns and Helen Ellis. He graduated from Tahoka High School and later Texas Tech University. Steve married Glenda Kuehler on March 5, 1966 in Lubbock. He spent his early years working for the USDA and lived in Perryton, Morton, Haskell, Denver City and finally moved to Brownfield, TX in 1978. He bought a farm and started farming part time, until he retired from USDA in 1986 and began farming full time until his retirement in 2013. Steve’s hobbies included competitive trapshooting. He traveled the United States enjoying these competitions where he won numerous awards and titles. His other hobby was doting on his grandchildren at every opportunity. He seldom missed any activity that they participated in. Steve is preceded in death by his wife Glenda Ellis and his parents Burns and Helen Ellis. Steve is survived by his son, Clint Ellis and wife Joni; daughter, Stefanie Jones and husband David; grandchildren, Madison and Mallorie Ellis, Sydney Greer and husband Preston, Lauren Schneider and husband Bryan; great-grandchildren, Nolan Greer and Tatum Schneider; friend, Gina Caswell Kelly; her children Kyle Kelly and wife Carol, Kristy Garcia and husband Jesse, and grandchildren Braylon Bruno and Kenneth Martus.
Read moreGaylon Young was born in Brownfield Texas to Carrel and Francis Young. Gaylon grew up on a cotton farm in Brownfield where he attended and graduated school. Gaylon moved to Durango Colorado in 1966 And eventually met Amanda (Elaine) Sisson who he fell in love with and married February 14,1970 and they settled in Farmington New Mexico where Gaylon and Elaine had one child “Brett” who was born in November in 1972. Gaylon worked most of his life selling truck parts for many different brands of semi trucks. Gaylon enjoyed Motorcycles and owned many different brands over his lifetime. He also loved the mountains and they would often take motorcycle rides together, touring the mountains of Southern Colorado. Gaylon also enjoyed having dogs around and treated them as if they were his other kids. Gaylon’s love of a lifetime was Elaine and they did everything together up until her passing February 17,2015. Gaylon was also proceeded in death by his Mother Francis Young and his father Carrel Young of Brownfield Texas. Gaylon leaves behind 2 brothers Phil Young of Brownfield Texas and David Young of Abilene Texas Gaylon also leaves behind his son Brett Young of Farmington New Mexico. Gaylon’s care has been entrusted to Alternative Society of Farmington New Mexico where he will be cremated.
Read moreCarol Ann Mirll, 82, of Brownfield, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 18, 2020. She was born January 31, 1938, in Haskell, to Lonnie and Oma Howard. As the second of five children, Carol Ann was affectionately referred to as “Sister.” After her family moved to Terry County in 1945, she attended classes at Union and New Moore, before graduating from Welch High School. That same month, on May 27, 1956, she married the love of her life, Alvin Edward Mirll, at the First Baptist Church in Welch. It was a double-wedding ceremony with their best friends, Maurice and Robbie Sexton. The happy couple later welcomed Lonnie Alvin in 1957, and then Terry Lee in 1958. Carol Ann became a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church in 1958, and most recently attended services at the Trinity Evangelical Methodist Church, in Slaton. Her strong faith shone through her daily Bible study, hymnal duets often sung with Alvin, and glad participation in events, such as a Day of Prayer once held at the Brownfield Courthouse Square and church services that ministered to female prisoners. As a lover of children, Carol Ann helped love and care for many lucky ones through the years, such as her younger siblings, her foster daughter, Virginia Hall, and family friends, Rebecca, Jackie Leonard, Kaye and Faye Wilks. Her activities included being a proud Cub Scout Den mother, a Vacation Bible school teacher, and as a Toastmistress District Director. Working alongside Alvin, she offered her support by driving grain trucks in the family harvesting business, serving as Bookkeeper and Secretary for the family’s Kwik Kar Care and Alvin’s Sticker Station businesses, and through earning her Real Estate license from South Plains College to help run Mirll Realty. Carol Ann is survived by her husband of 64 years, Alvin Mirll; Lonnie and Sharon Mirll; Molly Mirll (daughter-in-law), Sharon Davis (sister), Randy Howard (brother), six granddaughters, and four great-grandsons. Reverend Mike Taylor will officiate a 2:00 p.m. graveside service at the Terry County Cemetery on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
Read moreCarol Ann Mirll was my mother. Her name was Carol Ann--two words. Not Carol, a half name floating in solitude; not two words bundled together as Carolyn; not even a hyphen, just: Carol. Ann. Carol Ann died April 18, 2020. It is possible that the coronavirus was the final straw, but it hardly deserves any credit. The real cause of death – was life; eighty-two years of family, 82 years of the same ups-and-downs which we all know, although complicated in Carol Ann’s last few decades by Parkinson’s. She lived the last year of her life in a nursing home. Mom was always thrilled to see me whenever I visited, but I was never certain whether she recognized me right away, or whether she was faking it. In the last few months she wouldn’t rise from bed; she would lie on her side facing the wall and sleepily ask me the same questions about family: Was I married? Did I have children? Family was always Carol Ann’s focus, as a child, as a young mother, as a fading octogenarian grandmother. Her father was Lon Howard, a Terry County cotton farmer, and my namesake; her mother was Oma Lee Brown. Carol Ann was born January 31, 1938 in Haskell, Texas. There were five Howard kids: My Uncle Glen, Carol Ann, Aunt Sherry, Aunt Janice and my Uncle Randy, who is hardly older than me. Only Sherry and Randy are still with us. Carol Ann married my father, Alvin Mirll in May, 1956. She gave birth to me (Lon), then my brother Terry who died too early two years ago. There are six Mirll granddaughters: Jennifer, Bryony and Caydance; they are mine; Jeanette, Teresa and Daphne; they are Terry’s. Carol Ann now has four great-grandsons: the twins Lennon and Harper, Gene, and recently, Peter Joseph. I recited these family facts to her many times. I would show her the pictures. I often brought the twins with me when I visited. Carol Ann was always amazed at her own life. There is a portrait of her, taken a month before her 18 th birthday. It was a Christmas present she gave to Alvin just a few months before she married him. She was beautiful. You can’t see it hidden behind her smile, but she had a fetching gap in her teeth like Lauren Hutton – or Madonna. I think of that picture often. I marvel that my elderly mother had ever been a mere 17. She was never sophisticated like Lauren Hutton. She was never worldly like Madonna. That 17 year old country girl had no idea how her life was going to turn out. And at 82, her memory was no clearer than her foresight had been at 17. But in the years between, she loved – unfailingly, even imperfectly, but without reservation. She loved my father and my brother and me; she loved her grandchildren; she loved my aunts, uncles and cousins; and she also enveloped the love of our family around other children, now as old as I, who also deserve remembrance, but whose names would pose a prohibitively long list. When she remembered nothing else, Carol Ann remembered she had loved those children. I suppose I shall have to remember her life for her. But gratefully, those children may remember with me. A memorial service is scheduled at Brownfield Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29.
Read moreJimmy Jack Martin of Lubbock passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the age of 69. He was born September 27, 1950 in Brownfield to the late Tyree Nathan, Sr. and Dorothy (Smith) Martin. He grew up in Ropes and in 1973, Jimmy moved to Lubbock where he worked in many different roles including a machinist, fabricator, commercial trailer mechanic, painter, aircraft mechanic, and ultimately working for Lockheed until his illness in ‘98. He married Melody Bennett on May 5, 1974 in Lubbock. Jimmy went to Wayland Baptist University. Due to his determination he overcame many physical issues and surprised the medical community. Boy, did he show them! The last few years have been rough and trying, but he kept his sense of humor to the end! Jimmy beat all odds. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 46 years, Melody; son, Patrick Martin and wife Sarah Martin of Lubbock; siblings, Doris Bradley and John Martin; two grandchildren, Isabella and Ann’belle. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Thomas Brown; daughter, Kelly Martin; brother, Tyree Martin, Jr. Visitation will be 2:00-4:00 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2020 at Combest Family Funeral Homes, where 10 people or less at a time will be allowed. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at Combest Family Memorial Chapel. Due to current restrictions, the family invites you to watch the livestream on the Combest Family Funeral Homes website. Graveside will follow at the Ropesville Cemetery.
Read moreGary B Nelson, passed away April 11, 2020 at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Gary was born December 26, 1950 in Foard County, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents O.B. and Shirley Nelson of Brownfield. He was survived by his son Zachary Nelson of Austin and a brother, Michael (Beth) Nelson of Richardson, and a sister, Janet (Jimmy) Goodwin of Ruidoso,NM. He also leaves behind two nieces and family and a nephew and family, and two great- nephews. He leaves behind a long term relationship as well as friends around the Lubbock and Levelland area. Gary graduated from Brownfield High in 1969 and attended Texas Tech. He had several businesses in the oil industry and later enjoyed working for Billy Sims RV/ Camping World. He took great pride meeting his customers and matching them up with the best RV for their journeys. Nelson was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to play golf and going fishing. Yet his greatest hobby was reading southwest history and historical novels. The family asked any donation be made to an animal shelter of your choice.
Read moreGary B Nelson, passed away April 11, 2020 at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Gary was born December 26, 1950 in Foard County, TX He was preceded in death by his parents O.B. and Shirley Nelson of Brownfield. He is survived by his son Zachary Nelson of Austin and a brother, Michael (Beth) Nelson of Richardson, and a sister, Janet (Jimmy) Goodwin of Ruidoso,NM. He also leaves behind two nieces and family and a nephew and family, and two great- nephews. He leaves behind a long term relationship as well as friends around the Lubbock and Levelland area. Gary graduated from Brownfield High in 1969 and attended Texas Tech. He had several businesses in the oil industry and later enjoyed working for Billy Sims RV/ Camping World. He took great pride meeting his customers and matching them up with the best RV for their journeys. Nelson was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to play golf and going fishing. Yet his greatest hobby was reading southwest history and historical novels. The family asked any donation be made to an animal shelter of your choice.
Read moreManuel R. Hernandez passed away on April 17, 2020. Visitation will be Friday April 24, 2020 from 1pm to 7pm at Grace Funeral and Cremation Care 1211 Lubbock Rd.
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