Charles Thomas Sellers

Hamlin Herald, 7 Oct 2021
  Charles "Charlie" Thomas Sellers, Sr., 68, of Amarillo died September 28, 2021.
  Rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 2021 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 Coulter. Funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 4, 2021 at the church. Interment will be private in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.
  Charlie was born August 3, 1953 in Hamlin, TX to Cecil and Clara Sellers. Known for his unmistakable, booming voice and larger than-life demeanor, Charlie has lived and breathed the auction and cattle trading life since he was a young child. When Charlie was 12 years old, he began driving to the San Antonio Stockyards. "We would leave at 4:00 am from Hamlin to get there in time. My dad found a big telephone book for me to sit on, so I could drive the 286 miles it took to get there."
  In 1971, Charlie graduated Hamlin High School and enrolled in Texas Tech with the intention of returning to Hamlin to go into business with his father. The Sellers have been members of the TCFA since it started in 1967. Charlie served as TCFA President in 2005 and served on the board of the National Cattleman's Association for 12 years. Charlie, Jan and their two sons, Chas and John moved their family to Canyon in 1992.
  Charlie always had a soft spot in his heart for children's charities and conducted many live auctions for non-profits in Amarillo and across the US and Mexico. He always believed it was a blessing to be able to help so many great groups raise the money they need. Charlie was a founding member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and also served as President of the Amarillo Country Club in 2017. In 2019, Charlie donated his time as an auctioneer for 14 organizations; including the non-profit, Double Eagle Foundation in Fort Worth.
  He is preceded in death by his first wife, Jan Sellers on July 28, 2002; and son, Charles "Chas" Thomas Sellers, Jr on March 15, 2016.
  Charlie is survived by his wife, Laura Sellers of Amarillo, TX; son, John August Sellers and wife Tracy of Fort Worth, TX; daughter, Madilyn Moran of Amarillo, TX; daughter-in-law, Sunnie Sellers of Fort Worth, TX; step sons, Brett Britten and wife Britney of Groom, TX; Blaine Britten and wife Katie of San Antonio, TX; brother, Pinky Sellers of Lubbock, TX; sister, Sue Holt and husband Tom of Granbury, TX; grandchildren, Cydney Bridges, Liz Sellers, Henry Sellers, Sloan Sellers, Hattie Sellers, Charlie Sellers, Jase Sellers, Piper Britten, Mackenzie Britten, Hayden Britten and Rafe Britten.
  The family suggests memorials be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 3611 Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX 79119, Evelyn Rivers Project, 314 S. Jefferson St, Amarillo, TX 79101 or ADVO Companies, 5241 S. Washington St, Amarillo, TX 79110.

Kenneth Brooks Wigington

Hamlin Herald, 7 Oct 2021
Kenneth Brooks Wigington, 78, of Salem, Oregon passed away on September 11, 2021 at a local hospital. Kenneth was born August 22, 1943 in Brady, Texas, to Charles Oliver and Ruby Jewel Wigington. They moved to Hamlin, Texas, where he attended school. Following graduation from Hamlin High School in 1961, he enrolled in Tarleton State College completing his Bachelor of Science degree. He spent several years in Houston where he worked for the Hughes Corp. He then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to work for Norden Labs which later became Pfizer. There he was a researcher with the Animal Health Group until his retirement in 1996. He moved to Salem, Oregon, in 1999. He enjoyed traveling across the U.S. Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Charles Oliver Wigington and mother, Ruby Jewel Wigington. He is survived by his sister Gayle Pomroy and husband Dennis of Salem, Oregon, and his nephew Thomas William Pomroy of Salem, Oregon. Assisting the family is Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, Dallas, Oregon.

Hartines Elaine Donham Lakey

  Abilene - Hartines Elaine Donham Lakey, 99, passed away June 2, 2019. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019, at the Hamlin Church of Christ. Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Church of Christ. Burial will be in Hamlin Memorial Cemetery, directed by Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home.
  Hartines Elaine Donham Lakey was born January 11, 1920 in Eastland, Texas. Her parents were William David (Dave) Donham and Pauline Warren Donham. They moved extensively finding farm work from Weatherford to Fisher County. She called Royston in Fisher County her home whenever she talked about home. Her mother was often sick, but her dad was a hard worker. She had one brother L.B., who died as an infant, and two other brothers, Bill and Ben. She had two sisters, Velma and Essie Lee. All her siblings preceded her in death as did her parents.
  On July 6, 1938 she married Boyd Herbert Lakey at the preacher's home in McCaulley. They farmed land first at Neinda, then in South Texas close to San Antonio, and then came back to Jones county and farmed land adjoining one of his brothers, Perry Lakey. They purchased farmland west of Hamlin in Fisher County and stayed there until all their children were grown and gone from the home. They then purchased farmland on the Clear Fork of the Brazos river, but still in Fisher County, and that is where they resided until Boyd's death on September 10, 1991.
  Hartines continued living there for a while, but purchased a townhouse in Abilene, where she lived until she could no longer live alone. She lived with her daughter, Barbara Jean and her husband, Sam for about 3 1/2 years, and then went to live in the Merkel Nursing Home until she fell and broke her hip and developed medical problems that hastened her decline.
  They had four children: Herbert and Barbara Lakey live in Sylvester; Louise Goodgame lives in Hamlin; Barbara and Sam Hansen live in Tye; and Pauline and Mark Bunkley are from Abilene. They had 3 granddaughters and 6 grandsons. Two of the grandsons preceded her in death. She had 13 great-granddaughters and 9 great-grandsons, with one great- grandson also preceding her in death. They had 12 great, great granddaughters and 11 great-great grandsons with two more to be born this year; and they had one great, great, great granddaughter. Needless to say, they had numerous off-springs from this happy and blessed union. Most of the family remained close enough to home to be able to visit and enjoy the family for holidays and various gatherings.
  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79601.
  Posted online on June 05, 2019, Adams Ray Funeral Home of Hamlin.

Velma Mozell Essary Mercer

Weathersbee - Ray Funeral Home, Tuesday, September 11, 2007
  Velma Mozell (Essary) Mercer, 82, died Sunday, September 9, 2007 at Fisher County Hospital.
  A graveside memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at Belvieu Cemetery under the direction of Weathersbee - Ray Funeral Home.
  Born August 11, 1925 in the Plasterco Community of Fisher County, Mozell was the daughter of the late George Washington and Celia Jane (Ewing) Essary. Mozell moved to Rotan when she was fourteen.
  She married John Mercer in Rotan on June 21, 1942. John and Mozell moved to Florida for three years and upon returning they would own and operate John's Hamburgers for over fifty years.
  Aside from cooking hamburgers Mozell enjoyed quilting and sewing. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Rotan.
  She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother Ruben Essary.
  Survivors include: her husband, John Mercer; one son and daughter-in-law, Alva and Latisha Mercer of Rotan; one daughter, Norma Sue Thompson of Columbia, TN; two grandchildren, Amanda Boyd and her husband, Chris, and Matt Mercer and his wife, April; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bennett and Marceline Essary; one brother; one sister; one great-aunt, Juanita Ewing and numerous nieces and nephews; and the many long-time patrons of John's.

Submited by J. Brittain with the following note: Obit on Velma (Essary) Mercer of Rotan. Wife of John Mercer (John's Hamburgers). Any student of Rotan HS will remember John's hamburger "joint".

Larry Randall Masters

  De Soto - Larry Randall Masters 55, died Saturday, June 7, 2003, in a Dallas hospital. Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday June 10, 2003 at Weatherbee-Ray Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dutch Parks officiating. Burial was in Hobbs Cemetery directed by Weatherbee-Ray Funeral Home.
  Born March 21, 1948 in Rotan, Texas, Larry was a son of Alice (Haggard) Masters and the late Roy Lee Masters. He worked as an RN and EMT in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, later working as the Administrative Assistant for the Bishop Davis Nursing Home.
  Larry was preceded in death by his father Roy Lee Masters and a brother Richard W. Masters.
  Survivors include his mother Alice Masters; one brother and sister-in-law Le Roy and Ava Masters of Fort Worth; a special friend Ron Barr; and many nieces and nephews.

Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

Roy Lee Masters

  Rotan - Roy L. Masters, 82 of Rotan, died Monday February 13, 1995 at his home following a length illness. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday February 18, 1995 at Weatherbee Chapel in Rotan. Burial will be in the Hobbs Cemetery.
  Mr. Masters was born October 9, 1912 in the Hobbs community and has been a lifelong resident of Fisher County. He was the son of the late Edward Lee and Mary Lee (Wright) Masters. He attended Hobbs schools and by occupation was a farmer. He married Alice Haggard in January 1937 in Fisher County.
  He is survived by his wife, Alice Masters of Rotan; two sons- LeRoy Masters of Bedford and Larry Masters of De Soto; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
  He is preceded in death by a son, Richard Masters, in January 1993 and by a brother, Lonnie Masters.

Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

Richard W. Masters

  Lynn Haven - Retired USAF Master Sgt. Richard W. Masters, 53, of Lynn Haven, died January 25, 1993, in a local hospital. Funeral services were held at Smith-Southerland Funeral Home Lynn Haven Chapel. Burial was in the Forest Lawn Cemetery with full military rites.
  Master Sgt. Masters was born in Rotan, Texas, he has been a Lynn Haven resident since 1982, moving there from Kaiserslautern, Germany. Master Sgt. Masters was a 23-year veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring in 1987. He was Protestant by faith and a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2185.
  Mr. Masters is survived by: his mother and father Roy and Alive Masters of Rotan: his wife-Joan Masters of Lynn Haven; one daughter-Caprice Renee Masters of Tampa; two brothers Le Roy Masters of Bedford, Texas and Larry Masters of Dallas.
  Friends desiring may contribute to the Multiple Sclerosis Association in memory of Richard Masters.

Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

Lonnie F. Masters

Service Held For Lonnie Masters
  Funeral services for Lonnie F. Masters, 50, were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Oyster Creek Baptist Church. Rev. W. R. Reagan officiated. Military graveside rites were held at Rosewood Memorial Park. The Lakewood Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
  Masters, a 16-year resident of the area, died Wednesday at Community Hospital. He served in the army in WWII, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He was a machinist at Brazosport Machine Shop and a native of Rotan.
  Survivors include his wife, Helen Masters; two sons, Jerry Masters of Freeport and Ted Masters of Oyster Creek; one daughter, Becky Masters of Oyster Creek and a brother, Roy Lee Masters of Rotan.

Note: Died March 4, 1970. Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

A L "Lon" Masters

Lon Masters Dies at 81
  Rotan (RNS) A. L. (Lon) Masters, 81 of Rt, 2, Rotan, Texas died Monday at 2 a.m. in Callan Hospital here.
  Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Weatherbee Funeral Chapel with Scott Mitchell minister of Rotan Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in the Hobbs, Texas cemetery.
  Mr. Masters was born February 14, 1886, in Comanche County and he came to Fisher County in 1911. He married Pearl Weems May 24, 2930 in Roby. He was a retired farmer.
  He is survived by his wife of the home; two sons W. A. and Charles of Snyder; a daughter, Mrs. Lee Box of San Angelo; six grandchildren; two brothers Charlie of Weatherford and Tom of Abilene; two sisters, Mrs. Frank Aaron of Buffalo Gap and Mrs. Lee Williams of Rotan.
  Nephews will be pallbearers.
  Note: Died September 4, 1967. Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

Mary Lee Wright Masters

Mrs. Ed Masters Services Today
  Rotan (RNS) - Mrs. Ed Masters 71, longtime resident of Fisher County, died in Callan Hospital here at 9 p.m. Sunday. She had been hospitalized two weeks.
  Service will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Weatherbee Chapel with Scott Mitchell, minister of the Rotan Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in the Hobbs Cemetery under the direction of Weatherbee Funeral Home.
  Pallbearers will include John Wallace, Slim Smyre, C. G. Haggard, J. D. Page, Willie Tunnell and Raymond Cochran.
  Mrs. Masters was the former Mary Lee Wright, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Wright. She was born in Erath County June 25, 1895. She came to Fisher County from Erath County in 1900 and lived in the Hobbs community. She was married there November 5, 1911, to Ed Masters.
  Survivors, include two sons, Roy of Rotan and Lonnie of Freeport, Tex.; one brother John Wright of Truth or Consequences, N.M.; one sister, Mrs. Effie Jonas of Las Cruces, N.M.; Six grandchildren.

  Note: Died January 15, 1967. Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

Ed Masters

Ed Masters, Rotan, Dies
  Rotan (RNS) Ed Masters, 72, retired Rotan farmer, died at 1:30 a.m. Saturday in Callan Hospital here. He had been a patient since Friday and had been in ill health for three years.
  Funeral will, be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Weatherbee Chapel here, with the Rev. E. L. Redden of Roby and the Rev. Neal Shepherd pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Rotan, officiating.
  Burial will be in the Hobbs Cemetery.
  Born December 12, 1889, in Comanche County, he son of he late Mr. and Mrs. William Masters, he came to Fisher County 65 years ago from Comanche County.
  He was married to Mary Lee Wright in Fisher County November 5, 1911.
  Survivors are his wife of Rotan, two sons, Roy of Rotan and Lonnie of Freeport: two sisters, Mrs. Lee Williams of Rotan and Mrs. Frank Aaron of Buffalo Gap; three brothers, Lon of Rotan, Charlie of Weatherford and Tom of Abilene; six grandchildren.
  Pallbearers will be Buster Wright, Willie Tunnell, Billy Haggard, Carl Price, J.D. Kincaid and E. A. Petty.

Note: Died October 28, 1962. Submitted by Le Roy Masters.

Mary Louise Olney Masters

Mrs. Granny Masters, Widow Of Civil War Vet, Dies At 97
  Rotan, July 23 (RNS) Mrs. William (Granny) Masters of the Hobbs community, who would have been 98 on August 28, died at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Frank Aaron.
  Mrs. Aaron lives eight miles southwest of Rotan. Mrs. Masters had been bedridden for a number of years.
  She was born Mary Louise Olney in New Madrid, Mo. On August 28, 1856. She was reared near St. Joseph's Bayou, which empties into the Mississippi River.
  In 1872 she moved to Texas with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Olney, settling on the old Charlie Goodnight ranch in Palo Pinto County. Later they moved near Albany.
  In 1876, she was married to a Civil War veteran, William Masters, then a construction foreman for the Texas Central Railway.
  The couple moved to Comanche to farm in 1909. Later they moved to Fisher County, farming in various communities before settling in the Hobbs area.
  As a widow of a Civil War veteran, Granny's pension grew from $8 after her husband's death in 1927 to $100 she was receiving monthly at the time of her death.
  Four years ago, she was one of six surviving widows of Confederate soldiers.
  Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Rotan Church of Christ. James F Pleasants, minister of the Roby Church of Christ, is to officiate.
  Burial is to be in Hobbs Cemetery under directions of the Weatherbee Funeral Home of Rotan.
  Grandsons will be the pallbearers.
  Mrs. Masters had been a member of the Church of Christ for 55 years.
  Her survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Hattie Aaron and Mrs. Bessie Williams, both of the Hobbs community: four sons, Lon and Ed of Rotan, Charlie of Weatherford and Tom of Abilene; 21 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Note: Died July 23, 1954. Submitted by Le Roy Masters.