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COUNTY NEWS

FHS Students Design Downtown Amphitheater

The Team Leadership Class at Floydada High School has taken an active role in the Floydada Chamber's beautification project. The youth have designed an outdoors amphitheater to be placed in a vacant lot east of the Floyd County Courthouse.

"This focus of this class is developing leadership and self confidence skills," said teacher Rita Kennedy. "The class came up with this idea to put their skills to work and they contacted Julie Duke with their ideas."

According to Kennedy the youth came up with the layout and plans for the amphitheater.

"We believe we will be able to get grant money to help with the project," said Duke. "This project will turn an empty lot into a work of art. We will be able to use the outdoor theatre for plays, recitals, Punkin Days, Old Settlers, the chamber's Country Market in July and any other need the community may have."

The theatre will have a concrete foundation with sitting areas and landscaping.

The beautification committee, an offshoot of the Floydada Chamber of Commerce, currently has a bank account at the First National Bank for anyone who would like to donate to the city's beautification projects.

The committee has already started work on a "Retro" theme for downtown Floydada. Signs on windows and murals on buildings are being painted to reflect the 30's, 40's, and 50's era.

The money for projects will come from grants, donations and free labor.

The Forestry Service is giving help in planting trees. People who would like to donate trees can purchase 30 trees from the Soil and Conservation Office for $50.00.

"When we first started this beautification committee we said there were great opportunities for youth to work on community service for scholarships," said Duke. "These kids from the Team Leadership Class are doing just that. They saw a need and they went right to work. I'm hoping the community will get behind them and support their endeavors."

Community Christmas Meal Help Needed

Donations of money, turkeys, and all the trimmings are needed for the community wide Christmas dinner.

The annual Yuletide feast, organized by Sudy Cochran and Fred Thayer, will serve hundreds of elderly and shut-ins on Christmas Day.

The dinner was first started by Sudy Cochran in 1990 to serve Floydada residents who were home alone on Christmas Day. The event has now expanded to serve all of Floyd County, surrounding counties, and the Ronald McDonald House in Lubbock and Amarillo.

As in years past all the work is done by volunteers and all the food is donated and cooked by those more fortunate.

Donations can be made at City Bank in the Spirit of Christmas account.

The meal will be prepared and served at the First United Methodist Church in Floydada. Lunch will be, for those who want to eat at the church, at 12:00 noon.

Volunteers who would like to donate their time to deliver food should be at the church by 10:30 a.m., Christmas Day.

Volunteers are also needed to cook and prepare the carry outs. If you would like to participate in this Christmas event please call Sudy at 983-5165, or Fred at 983-3121.

Sign-ups Continue For Elections Until January 2

Sign-ups continue for those interested in seeking public offices in Floyd County.

County Judge Bill Hardin, County Clerk Marilyn Holcomb, and District Judge Randy Hollums, have all declared their intentions to seek re-election on the Democratic ticket.

Incumbent Commissioner for Precinct 4, Jon Jones, has also filed his intentions to seek re-election on the Republican ticket.

Lindan Morris has signed up to run on the Democratic ticket for Commissioner Pct. #2.

County Treasurer Mary Shurbet will not seek re-election.

The County Attorney position is also up for election but at press time no one had filed to run.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry field for reelection to the United States House of Representatives.

It was reported in last week's paper that the position of Criminal District Attorney was open. Although this is technically correct for areas who have Criminal District Attorneys, it does not apply to Becky McPherson who is the District Attorney in the 110th Judicial District.

McPherson is not a "Criminal" District Attorney and is therefore not up for re-election this year.

The deadline for filing is January 2.

OBITUARIES

J.W. BECKER

Funeral services for J.W. Becker, age 81, of Slaton were at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 7, 2001 in Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Carl Schwinck, pastor, officiating. Interment was in Englewood Cemetery under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service.

Mr. Becker died Tuesday, December 4, 2001 in his residence.

He was born October 18, 1920 in Holland, Texas. He had moved to the Southland area in 1925 from Holland. Mr. Becker married Patricia Browne in Lubbock and she preceded him in death. He had farmed in Levelland and Floydada from 1953 until his retirement in 1980. Mr. Becker moved to Slaton in 1985 from Floydada. He married Libbie Schneider on September 20, 1968 in Slaton.

He was a veteran of WWII having served three years in the US Navy on the USS Fanning DD385 in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the Slaton VFW and a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Mr. Becker was also preceded in death by one brother, Richard Becker and two sisters, Helen Horne and Angeline Becker.

Survivors include his wife Libbie; three sons, Rob Becker of Woodrow, Kel Becker of Midland, and Sam Becker of Lubbock; one stepson, Larry Schneider of Greenville; one daughter, Barbara Becker of Lake Jackson; one stepdaughter, Joan Gindorf of Wimberly; three brothers, Charlie Becker of Slaton, A.J. Becker of Wilcox, Arizona,, and Bill Becker of Lubbock; two sisters, Dorothy Mueller of Lubbock and Margery Martin of Slaton; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, 840 W. Jean St., Slaton, TX 79364, Slaton Meals on Wheels or Senior Citizen Center, 230 West Lynn St., Slaton, TX 79364.

R.Q. BOTKIN

Memorial services for R.Q. "Doc" Botkin, 84, of Floydada were Wednesday, December 12, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at City Park Church of Christ with Gene McCarty officiating.

Burial followed in Ralls Cemetery under direction of Adams Funeral Home in Ralls.

He died Monday, December 10, 20011 at the Floydada Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born December 29, 1915 in Whitney. He was a member of the City Park Church of Christ and the Floydada Masonic Lodge where he was a 32nd degree Mason. He retired from Pioneer Natural Gas in 1979 after 29 years of service. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Carl Botkin; and one sister, Jimmie Benton.

Survivors include one son, Richard Marshall Botkin of Amarillo; one daughter, Connie Lou Johnson, South Plains; one sister, Ruth Mosley, Ralls; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

DON EARL DAVIS

Services for Don Earl Davis, 58, of Blossom were held Sunday, December 9, 2001 with the Rev. Henry Blackmon and Rev. Billy Daniels officiating. Burial followed in East Post Oak Cemetery under direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home.

He died Thursday, December 6, 2001 in Houston.

Mr. Davis was born August 5, 1943 in Floydada, the son of Hubert Earl and Ruby Smith Davis. He married Glenda Giles on September 12, 1963 in Oak Missionary Baptist Church and was a mechanic with Campbell Soup Co.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Guy Davis and wife Tonya of Henderson, Ladd Davis and wife Beverly of Cedar Park and Gary Don Davis and wife Randi of Henderson; one daughter, Glynese McNabb and husband Michael of Paris; one sister, Gwen Holladay and husband Donnie of Clarendon; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorials to East Post Oak Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, Rt. 1 Box 265, Detroit, TX 75436.

PEDRO P. GONZALES

Rosary services for Pedro P. Gonzales, 58, of Lubbock were at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2001 at White Memorial Chapel in Lubbock. Mass was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2001 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lubbock with Father Michael O'Dwyer, celebrant. Burial followed in Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park under the direction of White Funeral Home of Lubbock.

He died Sunday, December 9, 2001 in Lubbock.

He was born June 29, 1943 in Lockhart to Martin R. Gonzales and Magdalena Piseno Gonzales. He attended Idalou High School. He was a lifelong resident of Lubbock. He was employed by Eagle Picher for 31 years. He was a former member of Cursillistas and a member of St. John Newman Catholic Church in Lubbock.

Survivors include his mother, Magdalena Gonzales of Lubbock; two sons, Mark Gonzales of Lubbock and Steve Gonzales of El Paso; a daughter, Sylvia Lozoya of Lubbock; two brothers, Jim Gonzales of Ft. Lupton, CO. and Tommy Gonzales of Lubbock; six sisters, Mona Oliva, Paula Narbaez and Juana Arellano, all of Lubbock, Cleta Arellano of Roosevelt, Rose Navarro of Keller and Margie Szekely of Montdell, Co.; and five grandchildren.

ROY M. LATHEM

Services for Roy M. Lathem, 80, will be Thursday, December 13 (today), at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Pierre, SD with the Rev. Theodora Bollin officiating. Burial with full military honors will take place at the National Cemetery in Sturgis.

He died December 8, 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was born November 2, 1921 in Floyd County to Marion and Clara (Sluder) Lathem, the oldest of four children. He graduated from Floydada High School in 1940. He worked at the W.M. Massy Ranch in Floydada until Pearl Harbor, following which he joined the United States Air Force. Roy spent almost four years stationed in England, France, Belgium and Germany serving as an airplane electrical mechanic.

During his European tour of duty, he played as an offensive and defensive guard on the Air Force football team, and had the privilege of playing on the European Operations Theatre Championship team when Air Force upset General Eisenhower's Army Headquarters team.

He returned to the United States in November 1945 working for several years in ranching, logging and trucking. Roy married Loreta (Reta) Stringer July 20, 1947 in Sandhill. Following their wedding he returned to ranching and working for G.L. Taylor Cattle Co. at Stratford, and later, LaVeta Colorado.

In 1952 he returned to Olton where he worked with the Olton Butane Co. until 1956, and then moved to Stanley County, South Dakota to work at the Billy Barrick Cattle ranches.

Survivors include his wife, Reta; a daughter and son-in-law, Penny and John Porter of Yankton; three grandchildren; a brother, W.G. Lathem of Bee Branch, Arkansas; a brother-in-law Bruce Baumann of Perryton; a sister-in-law Sylba Williams of Flint; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ray Lathem, and sister, Nell Baumann.

Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 2310 East Capitol, Box 105, YMCA, 900 E. Church or Gideons International, P.O. Box 251, Pierre, SD, 57501.

 FAYE TERRELL

Services for Faye Terrell, 67, of Lubbock were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2001 at Resthaven Abbey Chapel with Stacy Bell officiating.

Burial followed in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home of Lubbock.

She died Sunday, December 9, 2001.

She was born April 21, 1934, in Farmersville and married John "J.A." Terrell on March 24, 1951 in Plainview. She was a Baptist.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Arlin and Alan, both of Lubbock; a daughter, Debra Bell of Lubbock; a sister, Pauline Beavers of Hereford; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A VIEW FROM THE LAMPLIGHTER

We went over to Hale's department store the other day and commiserated for a while with Bill Hale, the son of Walt who started the business many years ago. The Hales are in the process of closing out an institution that has been part of this community for more than half a century.

It's a sad event, one Bill clearly didn't relish. The thing that bothers him most, Bill said, is the effect their closing will have on the community. Clearly that can't be good, He (and everybody there) is cognizant of that fact. Still, what has to be, has to be. The bottom line has to be met. The Wal-Marts of this world can be resisted only so long by independent businessmen in small communities. With their tremendous corporate buying power, with their own transportation systems operating over tax supported highways, with political clout that often translates into tax breaks (it is not much talked about, but Hillary Rodham Clinton was a member of the Board of Directors for Arkansas based Wal-Mart while her husband was Governor of Arkansas), the huge retailing chains have a decided advantage over smaller, independent businesses.

So we lose another clothing retailer who, like Brown's in Lockney, offered local buyers something extra in the way of quality products.

This may not be the place, or the time, to say it, but we will say again that politicians who call the shots in the Texas Legislature ought to revisit the sales tax structure in this state. They could, if they would, help smaller communities simply by sending state-collected, local sales taxes back to the communities that pay the tax, rather than to the communities that collect the tax. The state sends back (or did, the last time we checked the facts) around $100 for every man, woman and child living in Plainview, while communities in Floyd County receive about one third that amount. And Hale Center, which is Pete Laney's hometown, gets even less. One would think Laney, from his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives, could, and would, do something to help smaller communities, but the politics of the situation say no. Most of the votes are in larger communities. Laney depends on the votes of Representatives from those larger communities for his position as Speaker, which he wants very much. He would be politically foolish to alienate House members on whose votes he depends, and Pete is not politically foolish.

Still, folks who live in smaller communities are not without weapons in the fight for survival. The personal services aspect of local businesses cannot be matched by anyone in the chain store business. And a dollar spent at home helps those communities where the dollar is spent. It helps the local government fund police and repair city streets, it helps fund, In a roundabout way, the schools, and all those other services funded by local community governments. A dollar spent at Wal-Mart in Plainview helps fund city services in Plainview. A dollar spent in Floyd County helps communities in Floyd County. It's just that simple.

For many years at this paper, we had a ritual of writing at least one column each year in which we urged support of local merchants. After one such column, our editor was approached by one reader who asked, "Why is your dad always on Wal-Mart's back?" She pointed out that she shopped at Wal-Mart "all the time." The funny thing about that story, if there is anything funny about it, is that the lady in question worked in a tax supported entity, and her entire salary came from people who paid her salary, and the bills to keep this county operational.

There are times, obviously, when it is necessary to look elsewhere for items that are not stocked locally. (And sometimes it is a matter where the potential shopper merely assumes the product is not available locally, simply because the merchant neglects to advertize his wares.

In that case the merchant is more to blame for lost sales than the customer, or the potential customer.)

We understand that in the natural order of things there are beginnings and endings. Everything, including the weather, changes. Sometimes the change is good. Sometimes it is welcome. Sometimes the change is bad, but necessary. Sometimes it is unwelcome. This is one of those times.

BY THE WAY

For those in Lockney who don't know already--it is true that Grace Fellowship Church will soon be closing its doors.

This is particularly sad for my family and I, because we were part of the founding members of that church.

We went from meeting in the home of Tim and Dee Thompson to the back of the Lockney Beacon office (which was housed in what had been the Energas office). The membership grew quickly and soon enabled us to buy the whole building.

Those growing days were exciting for us. However, over the years the same economy that is hurting the larger churches really put the crunch on this small church. Finances and fiscal responsibility have brought about the decision to close.

Obviously we don't want to close--but we know it is for the best.

The church doesn't stop, of course-we just move on to other ministries. I'm excited to see where God is going to put me and the other members.

There are moments, when I think about the closing, that I feel like I let God down. But then I remember the Baptisms, the charity work and the wide variety of people this church has ministered to over the years.

I know this church filled a need in the community of Lockney. There were many members over the years that were comfortable in Grace Fellowship Church that had never been to church before or whose past had made them feel they wouldn't be welcome anywhere.

I saw changes in lots of people. I know when they moved away from us, they became regular church goers wherever they went because they now knew Jesus welcomed them anywhere, anytime, in any shape or form.

I was ministered to by Grace Fellowship and I will never forget the people who have been a part of it.

Founders Keith Jackson and Charlie and Norene Elam will always be particular favorites of mine. Keith has gone on to his favorite place (Heaven), but the work he was a part of starting will go on in the members who "go forth" wherever God leads them.

© 2002, Floyd County Hesperian Beacon

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