Michael James Caraway went to be with the Lord on January 22, 2018, following a long illness. Visitation for Mike will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home and Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Southland Baptist Church with his friend, Dr. Matt Walton, presiding. A private family interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Mike was born on March 10, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas, to Wilma and Frank Caraway. He spent his early years in San Antonio and Tyler, before moving to San Angelo in 1952. After graduating from Central High School, he attended Angelo State University, there receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 1974. Mike married the love of his life, Claudia Hollen Caraway, on February 16, 1974.

He served in the U.S. army from 1970 to 1972 and, while stationed at Fort Hood, was honored as Outstanding Soldier – First Cavalry Division and Outstanding Soldier – III Corp.

Mike taught in Weslaco and at San Angelo Central High School before retiring in 1982 to work for his father’s oilfield business. He was active in Caraway Operating Company from 1982 until his retirement in November 2015.

His legacy is one of service and faithfulness - to his family and friends, to his church, and to the charities he held dear. He served as both a board member and Chairman of the San Angelo Board, and on the executive committee, of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center in San Angelo and Abilene. He was honored with the WTRC’s Billy Mac Award in 2012. He also served on the executive committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. A long-time member of Southland Baptist Church, Mike delighted in serving as a church deacon, an usher for Sunday services, and chairman of Southland’s pastoral search committee. One of his proudest accomplishments was teaching Sunday school each week for over 30 years.

He loved the outdoors and some of his favorite memories were from his many elk hunting trips with his family and friends at the Taylor Ranch in Colorado. He was a fearless scholar, took great joy in learning and was a life-long student of history and civil liberty. He loved writing notes to friends and family, often accompanied by a cartoon or a news story he thought would be of interest. He loved time spent with family and friends.

Mike was a loving husband, devoted father, and cherished brother and friend. Alzheimer’s disease took Mike incrementally from those who loved him, and we are grateful he is now healed and at peace. His family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Baptist Retirement Center’s Tally House for the care provided to Mike during his last months and for the kindness and support they have shown to his family.

Mike is survived by his wife, Claudia, and daughters, Arlene Caraway Matthews of Lubbock and Kimberly Caraway of Alexandria, Virginia. He is also survived by his sister, Debbie Williams, and her husband Ron, of Lubbock and his brother, Mills Caraway and his wife, Cherri, of San Angelo. He is further survived by nieces and nephew, a host of in-laws, and many cherished friends. Mike was much loved and his abiding faith which was a beacon to all who knew him will be deeply missed.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center or Southland Baptist Church.

Rev. Floyd L. Crider, 68, of San Angelo was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 15, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas after a lengthy illness. Floyd was born September 9, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to Joseph and Gloria Bond. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University. He served his country honorably in the United States Army receiving numerous decorations for his service. He moved to San Angelo, Texas and continued with his education at Angelo StateUniversity, earning a second baccalaureate and a Master’s of Education degree in counseling. He married Cheryl D. Jones on July 29, 1995 in San Angelo, Texas and they have shared 22 amazing years together. He was ordained a minister in 2006, and began his ministry. Floyd was also a loving husband, father and grandfather who devoted his life to God, his country, his family and his community. He embodied the spirit of being a walking epistle read of men. His affiliations in and around the community are far too numerous to list, however, no one affiliation was greater or more important than another. Those that knew Floyd, knew that the ones nearest and dearest to his heart were education, the Homeless Coalition, Galilee Community Development Corporation, assisting his fellow veterans and founding the graduate chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in San Angelo. Floyd was intrinsically woven into the San Angelo community and sat on various boards and committees for many years. His passion for helping others and making a difference in the community he lived in was only surpassed by his passion for God in his ministry and his family and the youth of his city. Many that encountered Rev. Crider knew that he always wanted to know “What’s your plan?” This man of great faith, generosity, peace and love will dearly be missed by his family and the community he greatly impacted. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Jones Crider, of San Angelo; his sons, Christopher Crider, of Oklahoma City, Ok, Anthony Crider, of Norman, Ok, Robert Scott, of Marietta, Ga., and William Anthony Ewing, of Lakewood, Ca; his daughters, Cheryl Horton, of Alamogordo, N.M., and Felisha Ewing, of San Angelo; 10 Grandchildren; his brothers, Norman Crider, of Marietta, Ga., and David Crider, of Brandon, FL; his Sister, Helema Naseer, of Houston, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and many, many friends. The family will receive friends from 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in San Angelo, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Pallbearers for the service will be Anthony Crider, Christopher Crider, Robert Scott, Muqaddim Naseer, Damian Toms, and TJ Dennis.

Mary Opal Fine Bearden, 90 is rejoicing in Heaven today.
Mary was born to Bert and Ida Walker Fine on March 30, 1927 in Bexar County, Texas
She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Jeff Cody Bearden.
Survivors include her daughter Mittie Funderburk and husband Bob, two sons Milton Dwight Bearden, Nathan Quinton Bearden and wife Michele, grandchildren Stephanie Jennings, Steven Mask, Becky Klepper, Quinton Bearden, and Parker Bearden. Six great grandchildren. Step daughters, Linda, Sandra, Sharon, and Debbie, and her “Angel” Esther Rodriguez plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary was an employee in the dry-cleaning industry for many years. In later years she was a senior companion to many patients. Mary walked everywhere she went and never met a stranger.
She is greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held Monday, January 22, 2018 at 6:00 PM at Church of Pentecost.

Marie Denise Valdez, 54, of San Angelo went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 17, 2017 in San Angelo. Denise was born August 2, 1963 in San Angelo, Texas to Willie R. and Ramona Davila Valdez. She grew up in San Angelo and graduated from Central High School. Denise received her Pharmacy Technician Certification and worked at Shannon Pharmacy for many years. Denise doted on her dogs, Baby and Puggy, and loved the Dallas Cowboys and Boston Celtics. She loved to have fun, had a great sense of humor, and an infectious laugh. Denise was a kind and loving sister, daughter and friend, who devoted her life to her family. Her bright and sunny disposition will carry on in our hearts forever. She will dearly be missed by all who knew and loved her. Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Ramona. She is survived by her brothers, Daniel Valdez of San Angelo; Thomas Valdez and his wife Karla, of McDade, TX; her sister, Laura Ann Valdez and her husband Dale Patton, of Cedar Creek, TX; her beloved niece Kimberly Valdez and grandniece Priscilla Valdez; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of her life will be 4:00 P.M., Monday, January 22, 2018 at Harper Funeral Home.
 

Gene Clayton Sellars passed away peacefully due to complications of pneumonia on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at the age of 90. He was the only child of Van “Rip” and Claribel DeArman Sellars, born in Breckenridge, Texas on September 6, 1927. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., Friday, January 19, 2018 at Harper Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at First Baptist Church with Dr. James Hassell presiding. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers for the service will be Robert Dillard, Bob Rowland, John Hancock, Taylor Norman, Ron Powers and Charlie Bonds.

Gene graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1945. He served in the U. S. Army and was a paratrooper in Japan. Gene graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. He remained a proud Aggie throughout his life.

He married Virgie Harrison on August 12, 1950. They celebrated 67 years of marriage last summer. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather & great-grandfather.

Gene practiced architecture in San Angelo for fifty years, closing his office in 2003. Some of his firm’s major clients included General Telephone Co., Angelo State University, and Sul Ross University. He was a Deacon and Sunday School director at First Baptist Church for many years. He had a strong faith and assurance in the Lord, and taught Christian values to his children. He was a man of integrity.

Gene is survived by his wife, Virgie, son, Van Alan Sellars, daughter, Rebecca Ann Louder and her husband, Gene. His grandchildren are Katie Sellars, Tullie Louder and wife, Jayna, Carly Barnes and husband, Tyler, and Sarah Chaney and husband, James. Great grandchildren are Caleb Gene Louder and Addison Brooke Chaney. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Joe Clayton Sellars.

The family asks that you remember Gene by making a memorial donation to the charity of your choice.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at
www.harper-funeralhome.com