Betty Low of Mertzon passed away on Saturday, April 25th, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Odessa after a brief illness. She was 89 years old.
Betty was the daughter of James and Jean Parrish. She came from pioneer Ballinger people, which was a great source of pride for her. Her maternal grandparents were Asa Deveraux and Beatrice Grant Cordill and her paternal grandparents were Thomas James and Myrtle Jones Parrish.
Born in Ballinger on July 16, 1930, Betty’s father was called to service when she was 10 years old. She and her brother enjoyed many adventures in the different Army bases and towns throughout the South before returning to Ballinger where she graduated at the age of 16. She attended North Texas State Teacher’s College in Denton.
She married Riley Low on June 18, 1954, and a few years later they moved their family to Mertzon. They loved their small town life and the deep connection to community that comes with that. They made lifelong friendships that blessed them both to the end.
Betty was pure fun, and to know her was to be her friend. She was the rock that will continue to be treasured by all.
Betty is survived by her sons, Bobby Low of Lubbock, David Low and wife Claudia of Wall, daughter Laura Cunningham and husband Pat of Odessa; grandchildren Nick Cunningham of Cleveland, Danielle Walts and husband Matt of Wall, Max Cunningham and fiancé Madison Shoftner of Houston, Hunter Cunningham and fiancé Brittany Forrest of South Royalton, VT, Sydney Low of Houston and Jake Low of Lubbock; great-grandchildren Blake and Bowen Walts of Wall; brother Jim Parrish and wife Deanie of Indian Wells, CA; brothers-in-law Everett Low of Dallas and Charlie Low and wife Maxene of San Angelo; nephews Mark Low and wife Debbie, and Matt Low all of Dallas, and Doug Parrish and wife Susan of Atlanta; nieces Sheri Parrish of Cathedral City, CA, Sarilyn Lucas and husband Mitch of Ft. Worth and Marilyn Foster and husband Ted of Normal IL. She is also survived by her best friend Ann Whitley and the infamous “Birthday Club” girls.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Riley and sisters-in-law Bunny Low and Billie Low.
A private family graveside service was held at the Mertzon Cemetery on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, officiated by longtime family friend Loye Tankersley. The family would have loved nothing more than to have had a community wide celebration of Betty’s life, however this was not possible due to the COVID-19 mandates. Her treasured friendships were a gift to us as well.
Donations can be made to the Friends of the Irion County Library, P.O. Box 654, Mertzon, TX., 76941.

Dornell Willie Mitchell,72,of San Angelo, Texas went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 1,2020 in San Angelo, TX. The family will receive friends for visitation from 2pm-5pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Dornell was born September 13,1947 in San Angelo, Texas to Willie and Louise Gentry Mitchell. He grew up in San Angelo, TX and went to Central High School. He was a loving Son,Brother and Uncle. Dornell met Sandra Wilson on June 15, 2014 on Father’s day in San Angelo, TX where they instantly fell in love, he was the love of her life. He loved taking care of her and they loved doing things together all the time. He loved his Dallas Cowboys, playing Dominoes and loved to show off his good ole’ Potato Salad and homemade Salsa. He loved going to church at San Angelo Greater I.M.E where he was a Deacon there. He loved helping with one of the members of his church fix up rent houses. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Dornell was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Louise and his brothers Roger, Steve, Jerry, Herbert and Carl Mitchell. He is survived by his sister Annie Mae Mitchell of Dallas,TX, his 2 brothers Clifton Mitchell of San Angelo, TX and Jimmy Mitchell of Dallas,TX, Osie Thomas and Raymond, his nieces Carla Limuel-Mitchell, Dorothy Mitchell,nephews P.J. Mitchell and Charles Mitchell.He was also survived by the love of his life of almost 6 years, Sandra Wilson and her kids and sister, he treated as his own La’shawna Wilson, Byrd Wilson, DeeDee Dawson and numerous other nieces,nephews, other family members and close friends. He will always thank Rev. Joseph Suiters through all the support he has given to the family.

James Harlan “Hollywood” McWilliams, 89, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 2, 2020. He was born in Menard to Mack and Iris McWilliams on April 19, 1931. He was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church, loved woodworking, building things in his shop and square dancing with the love of his life, Hazel Ruth McWilliams. He was All-District while playing football for Menard High, and also played as a freshman for TCU. He worked for over 40 years in various agricultural and manufacturing jobs, before retiring in 1996.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents; Hazel, his wife of 63 years; and two daughters, Theresa Gail McWilliams and Dana Lois Highsmith. He leaves behind two sons, Stephen Kyle McWilliams and Jeffrey Keith McWilliams; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Burrell; son-in-law Bobby Highsmith; and daughter-in-law Janice Hammond; grandchildren Christopher, Benjamin, Caitlin, Melanie, Heather, Jason, Amber, and Angela; and great grandchildren; along with many extended family and friends.
There will be a viewing for Harlan from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Harper Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Harper Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at 2:00 P.M., at Rest Haven Cemetery in Menard, Texas.
Consistent with the actions taken by many churches, congregations, and places of worship across the state, employees, volunteers, and attendees MUST wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). When seating please skip a row, members in the same family may sit together, and then every separate family should sit 6 feet apart.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.

MAY 5

Viewing

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

10:00AM - 5:00PM

Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904

MAY 6

Service

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

10:00AM

Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904

Mary Lee Butts, 94, a remarkable woman and life-long resident of Tom Green County, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Friday, May 1, 2020 at her home in San Angelo. She was born December 14, 1925 in San Angelo to Lee Thomas Lock and Sarah Pauline Lock and lived most of her life on the family ranch 40 miles southeast of San Angelo on Toenail Trail. She married Voy Lee Butts November 30, 1947 and moved to Rio Concho West following his death in 2005. Throughout her 94 years, she maintained a quiet inner strength and confidence and truly lived life to the fullest.
Mary Lee was well-known for her dry sense of humor, keen observations, and quick one-line comebacks. She began her education via horseback in the one-room school on an adjacent ranch, was homeschooled by her mother several years, and graduated from high school in 1942. She attended Tarleton and Angelo State College. She and Voy Lee began ranching in 1948 and successfully ranched together through good times and bad… droughts and floods. After his death, she continued to supervise ranch operations. Both were part of the Greatest Generation with a can-do spirit and a love of family, friends, and the land.
She was involved with PTA, graduate reunions and historical groups, home extension clubs, and was named Soil Conservation Homemaker of the Year in 2000 & 2001. Over the last 80 years, Mary Lee was an active member of Park Heights Baptist Church, Christoval Baptist Church and Southland Baptist Church. She served as the church pianist in Christoval for several years and played for the Adult Day Care Center frequently. She was an avid bridge player – both with local groups and online - and loved to bid with questionable hands that she somehow managed to make winnable. She would always say that she played by the “Toenail” rules, which confused most of her partners and others that did not know her sense of humor.
She enjoyed traveling and organizing trips with family and friends. She was also an adventuresome cook who continued to try new recipes even when it meant someone else would be cooking them. Always a night owl, her bedtime rituals included phone calls to Sara, Clark and her friends and watching television until midnight – usually Gunsmoke and The Golden Girls. She shared a special relationship with each grandchild and great-grandchild – always remembering special occasions and being interested in their lives. Voy Lee and Mary Lee were part of a great friends “42 Club” comprised of people from Big Lake, Veribest, Christoval and San Angelo. They played, laughed and enjoyed each other’s company for over 30 years. One memory the family will never forget is Mary Lee teaching the great grand kids how to play 42 during the 2019 Thanksgiving holidays. Great grandson Will said privately “Wow, she sure knows how to play!”
Mary Lee is survived by her son, R. Clark Butts and wife Shirley of Midland, and daughter Sara Butts Moldenhauer and husband Johnny of Boerne. Grandchildren include Melinda Butts Hall and husband Gregory of Midland, Reagan Lee Butts and wife Kathryn of Tyler, Craig Matthew Moldenhauer and wife D’Ann of Midland, and Russell Keith Moldenhauer of Boerne. Great grandchildren include Hayden Gregory Hall, Harper Charles Hall, William David Butts, Eleanor Grace Butts, Tyler Brock McCormick, Avery Grace Moldenhauer and Blair Jordyn Moldenhauer. Other family members include her sisters-in-law, Diane Lock of Granbury and Helen Stasey, brothers-in-law Don Butts and Bill Butts and wife Mary all of San Angelo as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of treasured friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Voy Lee Butts, her parents, and brothers, Oscar Harold Lock and Howard Monroe Lock.
Mary Lee will be available for viewing from 10:00 A.M., - 5:00 P.M., Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Harper Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at Southland Baptist Church with Bill Butts, Reagan Butts and Chris Curran officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons. Burial will follow at the Christoval Cemetery.
The family expresses our heartfelt thanks to Rose Sauers, Stefanie Dye, Lucia Guajardo, Olga Valero and Rosa Jaques who cared for Mary Lee as if she were their own mother and to Kindred Heathcare and Hospice for their assistance during these difficult days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Southland Baptist Church, 4300 Meadow Creek Trail, San Angelo, Texas 76904 or charity of your choice.
Consistent with the actions taken by many churches, congregations, and places of worship across the state, employees, volunteers, and attendees MUST wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). When seating please skip a row, members in the same family may sit together, and then every separate family should sit 6 feet apart.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com

Events

MAY 7

Viewing

Thursday, May 07, 2020

10:00AM - 5:00PM

Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904

MAY 8

Service

Friday, May 08, 2020

11:00AM

Southland Baptist Church
4300 Meadow Creek Trl.
San Angelo, TX 76904

Byron Dixon Cleere left us on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Dixon was born on December 13, 1992 and placed in his parent’s arms, Kirk and Patsy Cleere, on December 20, 1992. This precious gift came into this world with spirit, laughter, and a passion for life like no other. His world was filled with a love of butterflies, bugs, lizards, snakes and anything else that could make his mother scream.

Dixon’s daredevil passion started early with skateboards, and bike ramps often ending with less than great results. His love of life included his passion for the outdoors- skiing, hiking, fishing, hunting on his beloved ranch and watching car races (including participating in few of his own). He loved music, friends, and fast cars, but more than all these he loved his family and they loved him. All are forever grateful for their all too short time with him.

His untimely death was a tragic result of addiction. Addiction took his life, but it did not define him. This man lit up a room when he arrived. He loved everyone and like his father enjoyed meeting and greeting new people. Sadly, Dixon’s introduction to drugs and alcohol in middle school led him down a path that despite his family’s love and his own attempts at recovery, he never succeeded at conquering all of his demons.

Dixon will always be remembered for his smile, his quick wit, his love of family and friends, his passion for cars – especially fast ones, and his desire to be successful. His regular calls always starting with “Hey Mom, Hey Pops – what’s up” will forever be a cherished memory,

Byron Dixon Cleere is survived by his parents, Kirk and Patsy Cleere, sisters Jewel and Jabyn Cleere, grandparents Sonny and Claudia Cleere, very special aunt and uncle Ann and Frank Stringer, many beloved cousins, and his friend Tom Vendetti who was always by his side supporting his recovery.

Memorial service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2020, at First United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m.

Consistent with the actions taken by many churches, congregations, and places of worship across the state, employees, volunteers, and attendees MUST wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). When seating please skip a row, members in the same family may sit together, and then every separate family should sit 6 feet apart.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to West Texas Rehab Center, 3001 S. Jackson, San Angelo, TX 76904, Gladney Center for Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76132, or a charity of your choice.

Samuel Tony "Bubba" Luna, Sr., 57, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in San Angelo.

Memorial services will be at a later date. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mr. Luna was born May 16, 1962, in San Angelo where he was a lifelong resident. He married Cari Faull on July 16, 1992, in San Angelo. Bubba enjoyed working in the yard. He loved being with his family and playing with his dog, Apollo.

Survivors include his wife; Cari of the home; two daughters, Deborah Luna of San Angelo and Elizabeth Luna of the home; two sons, Catario Luna of San Angelo, and Samuel Luna, Jr. of the home; Many aunts, uncles and cousins.