A San Angelo native, Russell Layton Seitz was born on October 3, 1932, the elder son of Mida Layton and Russell Travis Seitz. Following a long illness, Russell passed away peacefully on February 9, 2015 at a local nursing home with his family at his side.

Russell attended San Angelo schools, graduating from San Angelo High School in 1951. He attended the University of Texas, College of Pharmacy, in Austin, graduating with honors in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Russell and Charlotte Anne Shelbv were married on July 18, 1953 at the First United Methodist Church in San Angelo and celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2014. The couple has three children: Laura Anne, Michael Rodney and Russell Steven.

Russell began his long career in pharmacy by joining his father, also a pharmacist, UT graduate, and owner of Weeks Drug Store in downtown San Angelo where, in addition to pharmacist, he also became manager and co-owner. Russell was the kind of pharmacist who always had great concern for his customers, often going back to the store after hours or on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day to fill prescriptions for those in need. In 1986, a storm hit San Angelo and damaged the Weeks building beyond repair. The store relocated downtown, but two years later the family chose to sell to a local grocery chain. Russell's father having opened the local store in 1929 in the Cactus Hotel, the pharmacy had been in business for 56 years. Russell then continued his profession as a staff pharmacist at Shannon Medical Center, retiring in 1993.

Russell was involved with a number of civic activities and organizations. Beginning in 1966, he received four consecutive three year appointments made by the Chancellor of the University of Texas to the Pharmaceutical Foundation of UT's College of Pharmacy. He was also a member of local, state, and national pharmaceutical associations. Locally, he was a member of Jaycees and the Downtown Rotary Club. He served on the Board of Directors of West Texas Therapy Center (now Rehab), the Salvation Army Board, the Fort Concho segment of Fiesta del Concho, and was a long time member of the YMCA. Recreationally, Russell was both a handball and golf enthusiastic and avid dove and deer hunter. The couple played golf at San Angelo Country Club and Alto Country Club, NM.

After retirement in 1994, Russell and Charlotte fulfilled their longtime plan to retire to Ruidoso, NM. Russell was deeply involved in volunteer work at the Ruidoso Senior Center, Village Parks and Recreation Department, Meals on Wheels, and Spencer Theatre for Performing Arts in Alto, NM. Also a licensed pharmacist in New Mexico, he occasionally worked part-time. The couple moved back to San Angelo in 2003.

Preceded in death were Russell’s parents, Mida (Layton) and Russell Travis Seitz, daughter-in-law Mrs. Michael (Betty) Seitz, and brother-in-law Herschel V. Shelby, Jr.


He is survived by his wife, Charlotte and children: Laura Seitz Rahija and husband Michael of Germantown, TN; Michael Rodney Seitz of Sweetwater, TX; and Russell Steven Seitz and wife Connie of Austin, TX. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kellie Rahija Anne Morris and husband Michael of Niceville, FL; Michael Austin Rahija and wife Lucia of Rome, Italy, Charlotte Mckenzie Seitz of Austin, and Drew Elliott and wife, Jessica of Weatherford, TX. He is also survived by a brother, Rodney Dale Seitz and wife Mazie of San Angelo, and sister-in-law Joyce Shelby of San Angelo, and nieces and cousins.

The family wishes to thank the loving, outstanding nurses and caregivers of Meadow Creek Nursing Home and Gentiva Hospice of San Angelo.

Family Visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Fairmount Cemetery with Rev. JT Tucker officiating under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to West Texas Rehab, 3001 S. Jackson St., San Angelo, TX 76904, Gentiva Hospice of San Angelo, 112 W Concho Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903 or a favorite charity.

Rosa B. Picaso, 75, of Sanderson, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015 in a local care center. Rosaries will be 7 P.M. Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel and 7 P.M. Thursday, February 12, 2015 at St. James Catholic Church in Sanderson. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 A.M. Friday, February 13, 2015 at St. James Catholic Church with Father Serafin Avenido officiating, and burial to follow in Santa Rita Cemetery.

She was born on April 10, 1939 to Protacio and Andrea Benavidez in Sanderson. On August 15, 1964, she married Serapio Picaso in Sanderson. Rosa was a homemaker and cherished every moment taking care of her family. She was a very active member of Guadalupanas, her community, and her church.

Rosa is survived by husband of fifty years, Serapio Picaso Sr. of Sanderson, daughter Della Fuentes and husband Pancho of Sanderson, son Serapio "Poe" Picasso Jr. and wife Monica of San Angelo, sister Mary Lou Doggett and husband Bill of Bartlesville, OK, brother John Benavidez and wife Alice of Austin, grandchildren Rosemary Fuentes, Stevie Fuentes and wife Barrie Lynn, Larry Picasso and wife Lawson, and Shelly Picasso, and five great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Ruben Ortega, Ruben Abrego, Joe David Saenz, Gary Flores, Steven Marquez Sr., Sonny Falcon, Ronnie Ibarra, and Mark Alvarez

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Alicia Benavidez, and son Ruben Picaso.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Gentiva Hospice, Regency House, and Shannon Medical Center for their care during Rosa's illness

Odessa Marie Joplin McDonnell, 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 8, 2015. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Plains, TX. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Plains, TX. Graveside services will be held at 2:30p.m.in Meadow Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.
Odessa was born on July 22, 1921 in Whiterock, TX to U.N. Edward Freeman and Ethel Mae Cryer Freeman. She married the love of her life Robert Albert Joplin on October 2, 1937 at the age of sixteen in Rockwall, TX and he preceded her in death on July 12, 1978. She then married Melton McDonnell on July 19, 1980 who preceded her on September 24, 1994.

Odessa worked as a nurse at Seagraves Hospital for eighteen years, where she cared for many of her friends. She loved to dance and was a member of a Square Dance group for several years. She was also an excellent seamstress who could make anything she needed on her Singer. She loved her puppies over the years and we still have “Terry Ann”.

She and her husband Albert Joplin were Charter members of First Baptist Church of Springlake, TX. She was also an active member and supreme supporter of the First Baptist Church in Plains for many years.
Odessa was a loving wife and devoted mother as well as an exceptional “Momma” and “Granny”. Her grandchildren were her second family and she considered all of them her own. Although she didn’t know the first thing about high school football, she attended all of her grandson’s games to make sure they were ok when the games were over, however she loved the basketball games.

She is also preceded in death by her sons, Lynn Freeman Joplin and Jimmy Dave Joplin; daughter, Norma Gayle Joplin; great grandsons, Jacob, Michael and Justin; brother, AC Freeman.
Odessa is survived by her daughter, Helen Joplin Pope of San Angelo; grandchildren, Danny and Kathy Bell of Plains, Vicki and Murrell Brady of Ransom Canyon, Alan and Teresa Bell of Plains, Suzan and Eddie Henry of San Angelo, Cory and Lynn Bell of San Angelo, Carmaleta and Bobby Easterly of Carlsbad; seventeen great grandchildren; thirty great-great grandchildren; sister, Helen Compton and husband W.A. of Irving; as well as many nephews and nieces who loved their “Momma” and “Aunt Dessa”.

Hazel L. Hayes, 83, died Saturday, February 7, 2015. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Shaffer Funeral Home.
She is survived by her sons, John Hayes and wife Connie of Robert Lee and Prentice Hayes of Virginia; sister, Ida Daniel of Sweetwater.