Clara Hamlin, 93, of San Angelo, passed away in San Angelo on Friday, September 9, 2016. She was born to the late, Alex A. and Lora Moore Phinney on October 28, 1922 in Mereta, Texas. She married Bill Hamlin on September 29, 1962 in San Angelo. Clara worked for Hemphill Wells for over 10 years and for the San Angelo State School where she was the Recreational Director for over 15 years. After retiring, she continued to serve her clients, volunteering countless hours at the State School, where they called her "Momma Clara". She was a member of the Johnson Street Church of Christ as well as many organizations such as the Order of the Eastern Star Post 826, Community Education, Texas Association for Family, National Home Garden Club and the AARP, to name a few. Clara was a giving, hardworking and loyal lady that will be missed greatly by many. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughters, Linda E. Wilson and Kay Nichols; granddaughter, Lisa; and siblings, Lillie Averitt, Charlie Phinney, and Ace Phinney. 
Survivors include her daughter, Brenda J. Spruce; grandchildren, Connie, Debbie, Dewayne, Randy, Brandy, Stephen, Pete and David; 16 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Billie Phinney; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 
A time of visitation will be held at Johnson's Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00PM on Thursday, September 15, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Johnson's Funeral Home with interment to follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Sandra Faz Meza, 56 of San Angelo, TX, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 . Sandra graduated from Fredericksburg High School and received her Associates of Science in Nursing from Angelo State University. She was married to Mr. Jerry Meza on May 19, 2007 . Sandra enjoyed taking care of her household, gardening, and cooking for those she deeply loved. She also enjoyed wood working and sports, especially watching her beloved Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs. She was an active member of Solid Rock Assembly of God. She was avid supporter of the United States Military, especially the services branches of her husband Jerry; the Marines and Texas Army National Guard. She is survived by her loving husband Jerry Meza; a daughter Araceli (Aaron) Gutierrez of San Antonio, TX; a son Osiel Hernandez II of Plano, TX; a step-son Andrew Meza of Oxnard, California. Sandra adored the lights of her life her precious grandsons, Aiden and Ben. She also leaves to cherish her memories her parents, Rosario Zavala and Rigoberto V. Faz and in laws Jessie and Amelia Meza. Her siblings and their respective spouses will always hold a special place in her heart and will always hold dear the many memories in which they shared during her lifetime. She leaves a host of numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 6-8 P.M. at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements will be held at 11:00A.M., Saturday, September 10, 2016 at San Angelo First Assembly of God. Rev. Jehu Hernandez officiating with graveside services immediately following.

Juanita Garza Valadez was born November 25, 1933 in San Angelo to Rito and Carmen Garza. She married Albert Valadez on Oct. 1, 1955 and shared 60 wonderful years together. “My God and my family has always come first in my life.” 

Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Joey Faylona officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmount cemetery under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Juanita is survived by her husband Albert; her children Jessica Ramirez and husband Zeke, Albert Valadez and wife Lulu, and Marty Valadez and wife Alice; and eight grandchildren; Jennifer Ramirez, Adrian Valadez, Victoria Valadez, Mara Valadez, Christiana Valadez, Diego Valadez, Carlo Valadez and Victor Valadez. She is also survived by sister Lena Chavarria, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and loved ones.

Juanita would like to thank all her caregivers: Dr. Granaghan and staff, Dr. Ray Cheruku Jr., Dr. Dennis J. Rousseau, Dr. Michael Piesman from San Antonio, Dr. James Studt, and all who added to her comfort.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, cards, visits, flowers, and food; and to all her friends whom she loves so much. 

“A beautiful life that came to an end, 
she dies as she lived, everyone’s friend.
In our hearts a memory,
will always be kept, of one we
loved and will never forget.” 

May God bless each and every one. Love you.

Sophia Arredondo Martinez, 82, of San Angelo, went to be with the Lord on Monday September 5, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. 

She was born on January 1, 1934 to Manuel and Tiodora (Perez) Arredondo in Karnes City, TX. Sophia was a homemaker. She loved to spend time at the Sunday get together's with her family. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. 

Sophia is survived by her son, Carlos (Cuca) Martinez of Kissimmee, FL; four daughters, Lilly (Tony) Andros, Gloria (David) Juarez, Janie Rojas and Mary Liz Martinez, special granddaughter; Stephanie (Will) McLane all of San Angelo; two sisters, Janie Hinojosa of Austin, Olivia (Cesar) De La Rosa of San Angelo; two brothers, Marino (Ester) Arredondo, Benny Arredondo both of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Pedro Martinez, sisters, Flora Arredondo and Anita Hinojosa, brothers, Pablo and Jinio Arredondo.

Viewing will be 10:00am on Thursday September 8, 2016 with funeral services held at 7:00pm at the Robert Massie Riverside Chapel, with Dr. Timothy Davenport-Herbst, pastor of St. Paul Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Special thanks to Hospice of San Angelo, TLC in home care for the love shown to Sophia and our family and to her many good friends at Rio Concho Manor.

Richard Earl Black, 87, of San Angelo, Texas, died Friday, September 2, 2016, at Senior Care of Meadow Creek. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 411 Main St., Sudan, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, with Pastor Larry Springer officiating. Burial will follow in the Sudan Cemetery under the direction of Harper Funeral Home.

Richard was born June 6, 1929, in rural Bailey County, Texas, to Earl William Black and Margaret Routh (Malone) Black. He attended Circle Back Elementary, Sudan High School, and Eastern New Mexico University. On February 12, 1950, he married Anna Lee Holtkamp of Lamb County in Littlefield, Texas. They were married 66 years until Richard’s death. Richard, Anna, and family were members of St. Martin Lutheran Church in Littlefield and later First United Methodist Church of Sudan. He served as Sunday school teacher and on several committees in the church.

Richard was a farmer, also working as a mechanic during the drought years of the 1950s. In later years, he became a water dowser, successfully locating water wells throughout the South Plains and New Mexico.

Richard was a director for the Five Area Telephone Cooperative and also served a term on the Lamb County Appraisal Board and the Sudan School Board.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters, Ellen Sullivan and Margaret Zedlitz. He is survived by his wife Anna; sons Richard Lee (Janell Elliott) of Austin and James Anthony (Beth Ann Riggs) of Coppell; daughters Susan Elizabeth (Don Gervin Ball) of San Angelo and Sheryl Lynn (Nathan Lee Ray) of Katy; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Kenneth Black and wife Nan of Odessa, and Houston Black of Sudan; and sister Nancy Ashford of Bellevue, Washington.

Pallbearers will be Brian Ball, Jacob Ray, Caleb Ray, Alan Black, David Harper, and Don Harper.

Memorial Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Sudan, Texas.
 

Heaven gained a beautiful soul when Johnnie Kathryn White Smith died Friday, September 2, 2016 at Baptist Retirement Community at the age of 99.
Kathryn was born April 30, 1917 in a farmhouse near Vernon, Texas, to Johnnie Richard White and Sarah Kathryn White. She graduated from Vernon High School and attended Business School. She met T.M. Smith when they were both working at Victory Field in Vernon, and they married May 30, 1947, in the parsonage of Baptist minister, Dr. E.S. James in Vernon. She and T.M. had their children Linda and David before moving to San Angelo in 1962, where she was a stay-at-home mother for several years before working at Wells Pharmacy. She was secretary at the Tom Green County Agents Office for sixteen years before retiring in 1981.
Kathryn loved her children and grandchildren. She loved being a homemaker. She had the gift of giving. Christmases were special times because she loved to cook and loved giving gifts. She enjoyed sewing and she was always fashionably dressed for the occasion. She loved beautiful things – she loved to garden and loved to have beautiful flowers in the yard. She loved laughter and had a very contagious laugh. Her great strength and love for her family will always live on in our hearts. She and her husband were active, faithful members of Park Heights Baptist Church. 
After T.M. died in 1996, she moved to a duplex at Baptist Retirement Community. There she was an active member of Baptist Auxiliary and volunteered in the Thrift Shop. She also enjoyed visiting and welcoming new residents to BRC. She joined First Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member and loved her Sunday School class. As her health declined, Kathryn was lovingly cared for at Baptist Retirement Community. 
She is survived by daughter Linda Bratcher and husband Laylan of San Angelo; son David Smith and wife Sue of Georgetown: grandchildren Scott Bratcher and wife Sara of Lubbock, Stephanie Wright and husband Jody of Arlington, Corissa Rossow and husband Todd of Victoria, and Ashley Harry and husband Tim of Odessa; great-grandchildren Joshua and Hayden Wright of Arlington, Trent Bratcher of Lubbock, Kellen Rossow of Victoria, and Seth, Levi and Micah Harry of Odessa. 
She is also survived by brother Perry White and wife Marguerite of Dallas and by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband T.M. Smith; brothers Elbert White, Owen White, and Richard White; sisters Viola Railsback, Mary Ann Sherman, and Frances Allen. 
Visitation will be from 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Monday, September 5, 2016 at Harper Funeral Home, 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo. A celebration service will be 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, San Angelo, TX. Interment will be at Lawnhaven Memorials Garden with arrangements by Harper Funeral Home.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff at Sagecrest Alzheimer’s Facility, Baptist Retirement Community, for their loving care. Memorials may be made to Sagecrest Alzheimer’s Facility at Baptist Retirement Community, PO Box 5661, San Angelo, TX 76902 or to the charity of their choice.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7

James Thomas Kessler, 73, of Cope Ranch near Big Lake, passed away September 5, 2016. He was born in Midland, Texas on October 10, 1942 to Billie and Fred Kessler. He married Cathryn Cope Kessler on September 21, 1970.
James had a career as a polo player working for Russell Firestone until 1970 when he became a rancher. He had a passion for working crossword puzzles.
James was preceded in death by his mother Billie Kessler, his father Fred Kessler, brother Joe Kessler, and a grandson, Cody Wayne Browne. He is survived by his wife Cathryn Cope Kessler; daughter Cynthia Kessler Browne; son Cope Kessler; and granddaughters: Cady Browne Kendrick and Hunter Kessler.
Graveside service is at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016 in Mertzon Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Johnson's Funeral Home.