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.

Frank Cox, 87, of Christoval, Texas, passed away September 3, 2016 at his home. He was born in Brownwood, Texas on April 5, 1929. Frank graduated from Bangs High School and received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force. He was married to Hazel Jean Cox on December 30, 1953. Frank owned and operated Frank and Jean's Fruit Markets in Plainview, Odessa, Ruidoso, and San Angelo, TX. He was a Free and Accepted Mason. Frank is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Cox; grandchildren, Cole and Kiffany Ingram and Casey and Carly Heflin; brother, Dave and Liz Cox; and great grandchildren, Cayden and Willow Ingram and Canyon Raymond. Frank is preceded in death by his loving wife Hazel Jean Cox and his son Rocky Cox. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2016 in the chapel of Johnson's Funeral Home with burial to follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens

Martin Luther (M.L.) Woodul, Jr., passed from this life to his Heavenly resting place on Thursday, September 1, 2016. M.L. was a born again Christian who dearly loved the Lord. He was born in San Angelo, Texas to Martin Luther, Sr. and Anna Woodul on April 3, 1932.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served his country during the Korean War. Our father was very proud of his military service. Upon his return from service he met and married the love of his life, Mildred Lavern Robinson, on August 6, 1955. They shared 61 wonderful years together.
M.L. attended the University of Texas pursuing an Engineering Degree until the untimely, impending arrival of their first child. To support his family he abandoned his education and went to work for Galbraith Steel & Supply in San Angelo. He worked for Galbraith Steel for 33 years as a purchasing agent and assistant manager upon his retirement. He was also a 60 year member of the Masonic Lodge and the Suez Shrine Temple.
Dad loved everything "outdoors", hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He was an accomplished water skier who was proud to tell you he was able to slalom at the age of 74. His true passion was golf where he could be found on the links three times a week until illness forced him to quit.
M.L. was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Chester and Cullen.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred; his sons, Marty Woodul and his wife Candy of San Angelo, and Clay Woodul and his wife Melinda of Cedar Park, Texas; and his two daughters, Kathleen Edwards of San Angelo, and Karen Woodul and Joe of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, September 5, 2016, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tommy Richardson officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery.

Felix Santillán, Jr, age 58, entered peacefully into rest early Friday morning, September 2, 2016, in San Angelo, Texas surrounded by family as he fought his final fight against cancer. Felix was born on September 19, 1957 in Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico to Felix and Virtudes Santillán. He was a son, father, brother, grandfather and uncle who brought smiles to everyone's faces with his stories, jokes and joyful singing. As a man of wit and warmth, he courageously battled colon cancer for a year and a half alongside supporting family and friends. Felix is survived by his wife, Adriana Santillán; two children, Abelardo Santillán and Adriana Santillán; two grandchildren Felix Santillán and Jared Santillán; four brothers, Oscar Santillán, José Luis Santillán, Hector Santillán and Enrique Santillán; five sisters, María del Rosario Maldonado, Ernestina Fuentes, Elva Urías, Aydé Santillán and Julieta Valdéz. He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Virtudes Santillán. Pallbearers will be Abelardo Santillán, Felix Santillán, José Luis Santillán, Jr. Noe Valdéz, Jr., Armando Urías and Fernando Santillán. Viewing will be held Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Johnson's Funeral Home, 435 W. Beauregard Ave., San Angelo, Texas. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Joseph Church, 301 W. 17th St., San Angelo, Texas. Burial to follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, 4989 FM Highway 1223, San Angelo, Texas. The Santillán family would like to thank all who contributed to Felix's cancer fund and supported other fundraising efforts.
"Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials ..." 
- 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.

Mary Ellen “Lena” Zapata, was called home to be with our Lord on Monday, September 5, 2016. 

Mary Ellen will always be remembered by the big heart of love she shared with her family and friends.  Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all of her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart.  Each one of them carries a story of how this woman of love touched their lives, even if it was through a bold harsh scolding, they knew it was all in the name of love.  For those that knew her well, knew that behind her tough outer shell, was a soft heart that was so full of love.  Her love was expressed through service, whether it be a hearty meal she cooked, a plate of food she prepared and delivered, clothes she provided and a home that welcomed and cared for any child with open arms.  If you ever entered her home, you were sure to see children running throughout the house…grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and even family friends.  It was a joy, even hilarious, to see how she interacted with each one of these children.  Mary Ellen also served as a Sunday School teacher in her local church.   This was a service that brought so much joy to her life as she shared the Word of God with her class.  Her family will remember her natural wit and her boldness to speak her mind, many times leaving us speechless!  Anyone who knew Mary Ellen was sure to have a joyful conversation with laughter always included.  We will miss her beautiful smile, a smile that was guaranteed to have the right colored lipstick for the day. We will miss her loving embrace, an embrace that always said “I love you”. 

We will especially miss her faithful message that she would continually impress upon her family: “live for God”! 

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Clemente and Librada Camarillo, a sister, Nancy Ynojosa, brother-in-law, Manuel Ynojosa, and an infant son.  Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 38 years, Manuel Zapata; sons Philip De La Cruz and wife Patricia, and David De La Cruz; brothers and their spouses, Daniel and Margie Camarillo , Clemente Camarillo, Jr., David and Mary Camarillo, William and Dolores Camarillo, Ramon and Alma Camarillo, and two sisters, Sandra Craig and husband, Brian; and Joann Camarillo.

Our Mom, Epifania L. Valdez, 86, of San Angelo, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior after a lengthy illness on Tuesday August 30, 2016 with her loving husband of 27 years by her side.

Mom was very devoted to her job as Director of Recreation for City of San Angelo and loved her seniors. Her other passions included gardening, in which she tilled her own soil, music and dancing.

She was born on January 19, 1930 to Sam and Cleotilide (Pinon) Lara in Fierro, NM. Epifania worked On April 15, 1989, she married Elizandro Valdez in San Angelo.

Epifania is survived by her loving spouse Elizandro, four daughters, Emma Jean Lawdermilk of San Angelo, Norma Trujillo of Harlingen, Yolanda Trujillo of Houston, Gloria (Lee) Benson of Yakutat, AK; 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brother, Claro Lara of Glendale, AZ; two sisters, Barbara Jaramillo of Silver City, NM, Polly (Raul) Payan of Parker, CO. and a brother, Joe Lara of Bayard, NM.

She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers and one sister.

Rosary will be 7:00pm Wednesday August 31, 2016 at Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00am Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Ryan Rojo, officiating. Burial will take place in the Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.