VALLEY MORNING STAR OBITUARIES C4 Thursday, February 14, 2008 Joyce Cook Armstrong Evelyn Cook was born in Rogers, Texas on September 28, 1918, daughter of John Oscar Cook and Ethel Shipp Cook. She married her high school sweetheart T.H. Armstrong on November 30, 1941. Shortly thereafter Buck enlisted in the Navy and he and Joyce traveled across the country from New York to California as he progressed through the many phases of his training program. The war ended just as Buck graduated, and after he was discharged, they moved to Brownsville where Buck joined the INS.
Joyce became an elementary teacher in the Brownsville school system, where she worked for thirty years as Buck worked his way to the top position in the Port of Brownsville, first in the Border Patrol, and then in the US Customs. She took off in 1947 to bring her beloved daughter, Dinah, into the world, and returned to her chosen profession until her retirement in 1992, when she became a full- time housewife, gardener, and animal lover. She and Buck shared the next eight wonderful years together before his untimely death in 2000. Joyce held Buck in her heart and tried to do her best without the love of her life. She belonged to the First United Methodist Church and participated in various other charitable and social organizations, but she enjoyed most of her time at home and in her yard.
As she grew older and less independent, she fiercely resisted all attempts to move her into any form of assisted living, choosing to stay with her cats and her memories in the home she loved so much. In December she suffered a stroke and was forced to abandon her Garden of Eden. The last six weeks of her life was spent trying to rally and return to her refuge, but time was against her and the damage from the stroke was more than she could overcome. She received wonderful care from Bluebonnet Personal Care until her passing on Feb. 12.
Joyce was preceded in death by her only sibling, sister June Richardson. She is survived by her daughter Dinah Hawkins and her husband Buddy, as well as various nieces, nephews and cousins. The family deeply appreciates the help of many friends who enabled Joyce to live as long as she did in her lifestyle that was so precious to her. Special heartfelt thanks are due to neighbors Larry and Billie Herrera, who assisted and befriended her in so many ways on so many occasions, and to Ismael and Sylvia Valverde, adopted children, who made her desire to live at home a reality for seven years. Many thanks also to Olga Villarreal, who helped manage her finances and was a loyal friend.
Joyce Armstrong was the embodiment of the woman our pop culture has called the She was a gracious southern lady in everyway, soft and charming when the situation allowed it, but firm and resolute when events demanded it. For her diminutive size, she could be a formidable presence to those who unwisely or unjustly challenged her. Her wit was quick and sometimes sharp, but her heart was big, and the twinkle in her eye and that seductive little smile could disarm the most determined antagonist. She has lived in spirit with her beloved Buck for 67 years. Today she joins him in their eternal place at Buena Vista Burial Park.
A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m., Rev. Wade Hood officiating. For those desiring to do so, memorial contribution may be made to the Loaves and Fishes in Harlingen. You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.buck- ashcraft.com Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral home. Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com Ramiro Ramos (Bobby) MEMPHIS, TN.
RANGERVILLE, TX. Ramiro "Bobby" Ramos, 51, of Tenn. went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 9, 2008. Bobby was born in San Benito to Sigifredo and Maria Garcia Ramos. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; Bernardo and Narcisa Ramos, maternal grandparents; Jose Amador and Teresita Garcia, a very special uncle; Rodrigo Ramos and 2 aunts; Mary Ramos Rosales and Amparito Garcia Maciel.
Bobby is survived by his parents; Sigifredo and Maria G. Ramos of Rangerville, daughters; Rosalie (Danny) Gonzalez, JoAnn Monica Ramos, Christine Nicole Ramos of San Antonio, Bobbie Jo Ramos of Memphis, Tenn. and stepdaughter; Amanda Tippy of Memphis, grandchildren; Bishop Quincey and Nevin Gonzalez, Joe Anthony Vasques and step grand daughter; Makayla Flanagan. Other survivors include his siblings; Narcisa Alicia (Steve) Stillwell of Mena, Noralinda (MSgt. Felix Flores of Rangerville, Sigifredo Jr.
(Angela) Ramos of Sikeston, Rogelio Ramos of Palestine, TX, Nelda Lee (Jason) Felkey of White Settlement, TX, nephews; Rolando and Roberto Gonzalez, Sigifredo III, Sergio Ramos and Anthony James Gutierrez, niece; Toni Dee Flores and several cousins, uncles and aunts; one very special great aunt; Herminia Lopez of San Benito and Paulita Ramos of Woodburn, OR. Bobby graduated from Harlingen High School in 1975, attended college in San Antonio and went on to own his own business, Framing in Tenn. for 20 plus years. He was known as Iron Horse for his hard work and dedication to his business. He also served the US Marines as a young man but his passion was the freedom he felt when riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles.
He will greatly be missed by family, friends and his lady friends. He will always be remembered by his hard work, ethics, and his carefree fun loving personality and his distinct laughter (carcajadas). Honored to serve, as pallbearers are Rolando Gonzalez, Roberto Gonzalez, Anthony James Gutierrez, Ricardo Gonzalez, Gilberto Ortiz and Joe Vitela Jr. The family will receive guests at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, February 14, 2008 from 12 Noon to 9 PM with a holy rosary recited at 7 PM. Funeral service will be held at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Friday, February 15, 2008, 10 AM.
He will be laid to rest in peace at Mont Meta Memorial Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 East Harrison Harlingen, Texas. Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com Brian Marcus Milland LAGUNA HEIGHTS, TX. Brian Marcus Milland, 35 of Laguna Heights, Texas passed away on February 11, 2008 at his resident. Preceded in death by his maternal grandfathers, Lindley Reyes and Jason Hurlston Paternal grandfather, Emmanuel Milland.
He is survived by his loving wife; Lucia Perez Milland; 4 Children, Zoe N. Milland, Katelynn I. Milland, Aleigha E. Milland, and Marcus Milland; Parents, Marcus Elizabeth Millad; Sister, Christine (Adam) Kenney; Maternal grandmother, Odell Heitman; Paternal Grandmother, Anna Millard; Mother in law, Juanita Johnson; and Father in law, Heriberto Perez; 2 sisters in laws; Angie (Bryan) Salazar and Lalys (Joe) Rivas; 1 brother in law, Jesus M. (Mirna) Perez; nephews and nieces, Sophie and Simon Kenney; Cynthia, Gilbert, Lizette, and David Rivas; Angelique and Declan Salazar; Daniel and Jessica Perez Visitation will be held today from 10:00 a.m.
from 9:00 p.m. with a Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S.
Longoria St. in Port Isabel. Interment will follow to Port Isabel City Cemetery in Port Isabel. the memory of past bliss is the anguish of today or the agonies, which have their own origin in the ecstasies which might have Edgar Allen Poe Words of comfort can be sent to the Milland family at www.thomaegarza.com Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas 399-1331.
Robert V. Ritten PORT ISABEL. TX. Robert V. Ritten (Bob) age 91, born June 8, 1916, went to be with the Lord on February 7, 2008.
Bob died peacefully at home with his loving wife, Shirley, at his side. Preceded in death by his parents Mary Ellen and George Anthony Ritten, sisters Margaret Davis and Geraldine Ritten, first wife Doris, and daughter Roberta. Left to cherish his memory: Shirley, his wife of 26 years; three devoted step-children, Robin Trygstad (Marc) and their 2 children, Pamela Gould (Michael) and their son, Steven Temple (Jeannie) and their 2 children; his adored toy poodle, Amy; sister, Eileen Gallagher; brother George Ritten; daughter Joan Carter; 3 grandchildren; 2 great- grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Bob retired after 35 years in sales with the Harris Corporation. He and Shirley enjoyed many years of adventure traveling in their motor home, making wonderful friends.
They settled in Port Isabel surrounded by loving neighbors. Bob was a gracious gentleman with a quick wit and sense of humor. Everyone who knew him was blessed to have been part of his life. Bob will be deeply missed by countless family and friends. Many thanks for the loving support from Pastor Bill, Dr.
Torkildsen, Tami and all our friends. Memorial services will take place on Saturday, February 16th at at Long Island Village Recreational Center. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ric Brown Family Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com W.T. Sharp RANCHO BIEJO, TX.
W. T. Sharp born on August 16, 1927 in Moorewood, OK passed away on February 12, 2008 at his home in Rancho Viejo, TX. Bill grew up in Hammon, OK and after many ventures moved to Norton, KS where he started New Age, Inc. Bill married Beth Cole and they raised 3 children- Jim, Colette, and Tom.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sue from Rancho Viejo, TX; his children, Jim and his wife Lida Sharp and Colette and her husband Mick Miller, from Norton, KS; and Tom and Maya Sharp from Southlake, TX; his stepchildren Dana Paxton, from Norton, KS and Mark Hutchens, from Beaver City, NE; 13 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren; his sister, Helen Jack from Enid, OK; and his brother, Red and his wife Pat from Kalamazoo, MI. Bill was very generous to his family, friends, and his community. He was very proud to be a 32nd degree Shriner. A memorial service celebrating life will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2008 in the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.
John Dunkel, Craig Flood, Oscar Gonzalez, Leo Maldonado, Rolando Olvera, Ted Staber, Ken Trachte, and Ted Trapp will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, family is requesting that memorial gifts in his name be made to any Shriners Hospital. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Darling- Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Brownsville, TX (956) 546-7111. Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com Guadalupe Wethington Guadalupe Wethington, 59, passed away on Monday, February 11, 2008. She was born in Harlingen, Texas on June 2, 1948 and was a graduate of Harlingen High School.
While there, she excelled in choir, accom-plishing numerous state awards receiving scholarships to the Texas University. Guadalupe worked for 30 years for the U.S. Government starting with OPM and retired from the Social Security Administration. Guadalupe was awarded the Deputy Citation and the Citation with the Social Security Admini-stration. Guadalupe also worked for the JC Penny Company for 12 years and the 2000 Census.
After retiring, she worked for MASH, Inc at the TexSan Heart Hospital for 3 years. Guadalupe was a devout Catholic and a loving mother and grandmother. She is survived by her son, Patrick L. Wethington grandson, Evan Wethington; daughter, Laurie Falcon and son-in-law, Eric Falcon; granddaughters, Amanda Fal-con, Sarah Falcon, Melanie Falcon and grandson, Eric Falcon. Guadalupe was also survived by her brothers and sisters, Herminia Jauregui, Elisa Flores, Nora Ann Rosales, Alfredo B.
Lopez Ismael Lopez, Albert Lopez, Richard Lopez and Hector Lopez. Guadalupe was preceded in death by her parents, Alfredo and Isabel Lopez and by a sister, Rosaura Guerrero. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2008 from 5pm-9pm and Friday, February 15, 2008 from 9am- 9pm Home with a rosary recited at at Rudy Garza Funeral. The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Harlingen.
The interment will follow at Restlawn Cemetery in La Feria. To leave a message for the family, please log on to www.mem.com Arrangements are with Rudy Garza Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com Pamela Ann Roberts HARLINGEN, TX. The life of Pamela Ann Roberts was celebrated on Thursday afternoon, February 7, 2008 at Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. Mrs.
Roberts, of Harlingen, died on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. Pam was born on July 26, 1952 in Harlingen to Harold Kenneth and Peggy Jean Hatcher. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 1974 with a Bachelors Degree in Telecommunications. Pam married Randy Roberts on May 25, 1974 in Gainesville, Texas. Pam and Randy lived in Lubbock for many years before moving to Harlingen in 2002.
Pam was a member of First Baptist Church, Harlingen, Those left to cherish memory are her husband, Randy of Harlingen; three children, Erin Patterson and husband Chris of Euless, Allen Roberts and wife Ashley of San Francisco, CA and Emmy Holt and husband Mickey of San Antonio; a sister, Barbie Baugh of Wylie; a brother H.K. Hatcher of Edmund, Oklahoma; and two precious grandchildren, Jayton and Emilia Patterson. The family suggests memorials to Young Life, 1220 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas 79401. To send condolences to the family, visit www.memorialdesigners.net Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com FROM C2 '') -')" 0 2' 0' ,).
