Mary McBride, 91, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday at North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street. Burial will follow at Oplin Cemetery.

Mrs. McBride was born July 13, 1918 in Burley, Idaho to Perry Sr. and Bertha Trout. She graduated from Burley High School in 1936 and from Albion State Normal School in 1938.

In 1942, she met Sam McBride at the USO in Pocatello, Idaho. They were married on July 29, 1944 at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. When Sam was discharged from the Army Air Corp, they returned to Abilene to make their home.

In the fall of 1945, Mary began teaching in the Abilene Independent School System on a temporary teaching certificate because of a teacher shortage. She taught while working on a degree at McMurry College. In the summer of 1949, Mary completed requirements for a degree and a teaching certificate. She taught fourth grade at Central Elementary until February 1952, when she stopped to raise a family. In 1965 when she returned to work, she began as a teacher's aide, working under Title 1 at Central Elementary School. She became a teacher under Title 1 at Fannin Elementary in 1970 and retired from there in 1979.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Sam, in 2003; her parents; and a brother, Sylvester Trout.

She is survived by a brother, Perry Trout, Jr. and wife Virginia of Rochester, NY; two sons, Ken McBride and wife Lynn of Abilene and Kevin McBride and wife Diane of Midland, Texas; a daughter, Carolyn Griffin and husband Melvin of Schaumburg, Illinois; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Myrna Hale Oliver, 83, passed away Friday, June 25, 2010 in Midland, Texas. Visitation will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street, Abilene. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday at North's Memorial Chapel with Reverend Harris Worcester officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of North's Funeral Home.

Born Myrna Lee Davis on November 18, 1926 in Taylor County, Texas to Oliver and Sadie Davis, she attended Abilene ISD and later Secretarial Business College in Odessa.

She married James Hale on June 17, 1944 and they moved to Midland in 1953. They were married until his death on May1, 1969. Myrna returned to Abilene in 1972 and later married Harold Oliver who died on May 1, 1976. In 2003, she came back to Midland.

She worked in retail for many years, primarily at Montgomery Wards and Dillard’s in Abilene. She retired from Dillard’s in 1990.

Her family wrote: “She loved to dance and she loved to spend time with all of her family. She will be missed greatly by everyone who knew her.”

Myrna is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Sadie Davis, both husbands, James Hale and Harold Oliver, an infant son, Jimmy Don Hale, five sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her daughter Shirley Ray and husband Ronnie, her son Mike Hale and wife Diane; grandchildren Christi Callicoatte and husband Vince, Misti Tytanic and husband Phil, Megan Hale, Sean Hale and wife Mary; great-grandchildren Taylor Callicoatte, Cole Callicoatte and Ayden Tytanic.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Tommie Gean Hunt, 87, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at her residence. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at North's Memorial Chapel, with Richard Adkisson and Mike Stacy officiating, under the direction of North's Funeral Home. Burial will be 2:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco, Texas. Pallbearers will be Mark Oates, Brian Hunt, Michael Newman, Patrick Shannon, Bobby Brown and Lonnie Burgess

Tommie Gean was born September 5, 1922 in Carbon, Texas to James and Belle Brown. She married Jack Hunt on August 28, 1939 in Cisco. They were married for over 50 years and had seven children. She was a homemaker and caregiver for many years. She was a loving mother and "granny" who will be greatly missed. She was a member of Oak Street Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents; one sister; and three brothers.

She is survived by five daughters: Jackie Oates and husband James, Darlene Luttrell and husband Keith, Patsy Newman, all of Abilene, Teri Hunt and Steve Jensche of Kerrville, and Carla Brown and husband Scott of Florida; two sons: Bill Hunt and wife Beverly of North Richland Hills, and Freddy Hunt and wife Linda of Merkel; one sister, JoAnn Burgess of Grand Prairie; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, Texas 79604.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Louise Woosley James, 88, passed away Sunday, June 13, 2010 at Rockwall Nursing Center in Rockwall, Texas. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street, with Forrest McCann and Derrick Bam officiating. Burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of North's Funeral Home.

She was born on March 4, 1922 in Brazoria, Texas. She graduated from High School at El Campo, Texas. Louise came to Abilene in 1939 where she graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1942. She met fellow student Robert James, and they married upon graduation.

Mrs. James worked as a Civilian Secretary at Lubbock Army Air Field from 1942 to 1945. She and her husband were active in the café business in Abilene for 13 years, after which she became a homemaker.

She was a long time member of University Church of Christ. She was for many years active in the Abilene Garden Club, and Women for ACU.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Larry Vance James and Laura and their children, Christina Louise and Alissa Ann, of Burbank, California, as well as another son, Robert Louis James of Garland, and a brother, Harold Woosley of Royce City.

Memorials can be made to Christian Service Center, 901 Mesquite, Abilene, TX 79601.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Elizabeth Jo Ann Myrick, 70, went to God and Christ on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:30 at North’s Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street.

Elizabeth Jo Ann was born Feb. 12, 1940, in Abilene, Texas to J.C. and Doris Harber. She moved to Ft. Worth in 1962 and lived her life there. Jo Ann will be remembered by many people who loved her as a sweet, generous person who enjoyed living life.

She was preceded in death by her niece Dee Ann Harber.

She is survived by her brothers Lacy and Ernie Harber; her sister Gloria Stinson; her daughter Jo Dean Carroll and son-in-law Charles Carroll. She is also survived by her grandchildren Catherine Grace Carroll and Elizabeth Joy Carroll who called her Grammie; and other family members who loved her and whom she loved: nieces Kay Martin, Shannon Harber, Amber Kunec, nephews Kevin “Kelvin” Crawford, and Terry Harber She is also survived by her “favorite brother-in-law” Norman Stinson, and additional loved ones, George Martin, Betty Harber and Dorothy Harber. There are many people who loved what Jo Ann had to offer and will miss her but yet know she is now with those whom loved her here and are excited to have her with them in Heaven.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Virginia Ann White, a passionate promoter of Taylor County history and long time teacher in Abilene Public Schools, died Tuesday, May 18th in a local hospital at the age of 83. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 p.m. Sunday at North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the St. Paul United Methodist Church Chapel with Reverend Pamela Rowley and Reverend Andrew Penns officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Memorial Park, under the direction of North's Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be nephews, Terry Bell of Houston and Stewart Bell of Lawrence, Kansas; grandsons, David Yearwood and Chris White; and Steve Butman. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Taylor County Historical Commission.

Ms. White was born September 6, 1926 in Rogers, Bell County, Texas to the Reverend J.A. Bell and Anna Mae Stirling Bell, who was a native of New Jersey.

She was one girl among four brothers in the Bell family, a group that moved many times during her early years due to her father's ministry in the Methodist Church in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. She graduated from the Vinton, Louisiana high school in 1946 and received her bachelor's degree in education from McMurry University in 1959.

During World War II she worked in a ship yard around Orange, Texas. She taught drama and speech at Madison Middle School for more than 26 years and was one of the first recipients of the Maxine Perini Award, sponsored by Taylor County Historical Commission, for excellence in promoting historical endeavors in the county.

Her students in speech and drama won many awards under her tutelage at Madison, and one of her outstanding historical projects in Abilene schools was with the ALPS program. Working with the ALPS director Kathy Aldridge, the fifth grade students researched and wrote five historical marker applications and helped erect five Texas historical markers in Taylor County.

She brought the memories of Thornton's Department Story alive when she and
the Taylor County Historical Commission placed a historical marker on South 4th and Oak Street, site of the present Law Enforcement Center. Thornton's attracted much attention at Christmas time with their unusual and wonderful window decorations.

Since childhood, she was interested in poetry, literature and speaking, and often entertained children's groups by reading and performing for them. She grew up with a close relationship to the church and later taught Sunday school classes and sang in church choirs, including First Methodist Church of Abilene. She was a longtime member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and was active in its Sunday school classes.

Ann was extremely close to the Grace Museum and worked there as a docent for years after it was restored. She received many awards and honors for her work there.

She was also a longtime member of the Taylor County Historical Commission and helped establish the county historical archives, which are housed in the old Taylor County courthouse building on Oak Street.

She was very close to her son David's academic and athletic activities during his youth. David died in 2005 in Monroe, Louisiana.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; four brothers: John A. Bell, Gordon Bell, Jimmy Bell, and Stirling Bell. She lost another brother in infancy while the family lived in Colorado.

She is survived by her brother Doug Bell and wife Wanda of Canyon Lake, Texas; her sister-in-law Genevieve Bell of Houston; sister-in-law Ester Bell of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter-in-law Regina White of Monroe; two grandsons, Chris White and wife Jamie of Monroe and David Yearwood and his wife Parks of Portland, Maine; two great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Luther "Luke" S. Cammack, Jr. (Col. Retired USAF) died at home, surrounded by his family, on the morning of May 16, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. His funeral will be at Minter Lane Church of Christ on Wednesday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation at North’s Funeral Home between 6:00 and 7:30 on May 18. He will be buried at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Friday, May 21, alongside his father, Luther Cammack, a World War I veteran, and his brother, James Cammack, an Air Force instructor pilot. Donations to Sears Hospice Care in Abilene or flowers will be appreciated.

Luke Cammack was born June 13, 1928 in Smackover, Arkansas. The backdrop of the Great Depression instilled in him the values of hard work and resiliency that remained a bedrock of his character. His first job at age thirteen was as night watchman in an icehouse, which he took over from his father who had become too ill from his experiences in World War I to continue. When he was eighteen he joined the Air Force and for many years sent his entire paycheck back home to support his family.

He had the distinction of being one of few men who came up through the enlisted ranks, attended Officer Candidate School, finally achieving the rank of full colonel, all without the benefit of a college education. He always said that he was as proud of the promotion to staff sergeant as he was his promotion to full colonel.

In the summer of 1955 he enrolled in flying school in Greenville, Mississippi, where he met his future bride, Frances Bethany. They were married in 1956. Luke spent most of his career in the Air Defense Command flying T-33s, T-39s, F85s and F89Js. He spent four years in Tucson in a fighter squadron, four years in Europe during the Cold War flying high altitude RV-57s over the Soviet border, seven years in Colorado Springs at the Air Defense Command, and a year in Vietnam where he served with distinction flying the OV-10 over enemy territory engaging in psychological warfare and forward air control. He served four years at the Pentagon as Division Chief of Support Services in Manpower and Organization, and then served a second tour in Germany as head of Manpower for all of Europe at Headquarters USAF. But flying always remained a love of his life.

His decorations included Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Longevity Service Ribbon with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and at the end of his 34 years of service he received the Legion of Merit.

Luke and Fran had a life of travel and adventure, eventually having four children. They adopted their grandson, Devin, in 1986, who became the joy of their later years. Retiring to Abilene, Texas in 1980, Luke and Fran continued to have very active and service-oriented lives as both small business owners and volunteers. They were embraced by the Minter Lane Church of Christ where they served on the Mission Committee. Luke also was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, The Literacy Council, the Republican Party, and was active in several military organizations at Dyess AFB.

Luke Cammack will leave a hole in many lives, but most especially those of his family: his mother, Virginia Cammack, a noted artist in Arkansas; his sister, Ayleen Bequette, and her family; his cherished wife, Frances; his adoring children, Luke III, Tom, Bethany, Tamara and Devin; his seven beloved grandchildren, and his nephews, nieces and cousins. He will be deeply missed by us all.

Online condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Dawson, 58, departed this life on Saturday,
May 8, 2010, at a local medical center. The family will receive friends at North’s Funeral Home, 242 Orange on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 542 Stafford, on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 1:00 pm with the Rev. F. Al Cason officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, under the direction of North's Funeral Home.

Jackie was born on September 30, 1951, in Abilene Texas to the
late Sidney E. and Elouise Stones Green. She united with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Abilene at an early age and was a lifelong member. She married John L. Dawson on April 8, 1972. To this union one daughter, Elizabeth Nicole, was born.

She was a 1969 graduate of Sweetwater High School. She received a B.S. Degree from McMurry University and a M.S. Degree from Abilene Christian University.

She was employed by the Day Nursery of Abilene, Inc.; Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc., Abilene Regional MHMR, and the Noah Project. She recently retired from the Abilene Independent School District where she served at Crockett Early Head Start and as a Master Family Advocate.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elouise and Sidney E. Green, Sr.; her brother Sidney E. Green, Jr.; and her grandparents, Louise and Thomas Stones.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, John; her daughter, Elizabeth Nicole; her grandson, Jonathan “JJ”; aunts and uncles including her devoted Aunt Margaret Suggs; nieces and nephews; her life-long friend Audria Hammond; her special friend Anita Jones-Stevenson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com

Leandro Velez Garcia 82, of Abilene, passed away Friday, May 7, 2010. A funeral service will be held 11:10 a.m. Saturday at North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street, with Father Bush officiating.

Mr. Velez was born May 31, 1927 in Villa Frontera, Coahuila Mexico to Leandro and Manuela Velez. He worked for National Railroad for thirty-eight years in Mexico, before retiring and moving to Abilene. He married Graciela Lopez on May 31, 1947. They were married for Fifty-nine years before her demise in 2007.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one sister.

He is survived by his children; Roberto and Olivia Velez of Abilene, Alfonso and Graciela Gonzales of Sabinas, Mexico, Leandro and Patricia Velez of Moclova, Mexico, Raul and Patricia Velez of Mexico City, Jesus and Juanita Velez of Abilene, Maria Elena Velez and Adriana Torres of Abilene and Guillermo and Margarita Velez of Abilene. Two brothers; Luis Velez and Mario Velez of Frontera, Coah Mexico. Seventeen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com

James Nathaniel Odom, 88, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2010. The family will receive friends from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at North's Memorial Chapel with Benny Whitehead officiating. Burial to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.

Mr. Odom was born October 17, 1921 in Ellis County, Texas to James William and Mary Alice Odom. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Meta Lucille Haggard on September 17, 1945. He retired from Morrison Supply Company after 40 years of service. He was a member of Oldham Lane Church of Christ and enjoyed visiting with the sick and elderly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one grandson.

He is survived by a son, James C. Odom of Abilene; a daughter, Meta Puckett and husband Rudy of Boulder City, Nevada; five grandchildren: Clifton Odom and wife Bobbie Sue of Everman, Texas, Bryan Odom and wife Serena of North Richard Hills, Texas, Tiffany Densmore and husband Neil of Hurst, Texas, Tara Lewis of Keller, Texas, and Robby Puckett and wife Brenna of Henderson, Nevada; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com