A heart of gold stopped beating when Panfilo “Pete” Soto, age 73, passed from this life on November 5, 2009 at Medical Center Hospital.  He was born in Pryor, TX on March 3, 1936 to Victor and Eufemia (Almendares) Soto.  He married Lydia Lopez in Odessa on April 10, 1958; they enjoyed over 51 happy years together.  He was employed by Mayflower for many years, in addition to being self-employed doing concrete in construction. 

Pete was a funny character and a wonderful grandpa.  He and Lydia were “Big Bear” and “Little Bull” to sixteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandkids.  He was artistic, a singer and guitar picker, who enjoyed drawing horses.  He loved to tell stories of the “old days”. 

His parents:  Victor and Eufemia Soto, four brothers:  Vincent, Maximino, Francisco, and Paul Soto and three sisters:  Estella Toreblanca, Minerva Gutierrez, and Asiana Perez precede him in death. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife:  Lydia Soto of Odessa; four sons:  Henry Soto, Richard Soto, Eddie Soto, and Robert Soto, all of Odessa; two daughters:  Yolanda Hidalgo of Odessa and Gloria Soto of Houston; one sister: Seferina Sanchez of San Angelo; numerous nieces and nephews; sixteen beloved grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.  He will be dearly missed. 

Barbara L. Blevins, age 58, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Medical Center Hospital.  She was born in Amarillo, TX to Burnice Hale Watson and Elsee Irene (Hight) Watson on November 24, 1950.  She was a manager for 7-11 Convenience Stores.

She is survived by two daughters:  Christal Hass and Becky Blake, both of Odessa; her son:  John Blake of Odessa; one brother:  Barney Watson of Odessa; three sisters:  Peggy Burt of Conroe, TX, Pat Owensby of Odessa, and Linda Harmonson of Palmdale, CA; and five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters:  Lucille Reese and Carol Watson.

Memorial services will be 2:00 pm Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Grace Fellowship Church, officiated by Pastor Robert Lamb.  Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel.

Our precious mother, Iris Kathleen Thompson, went to be with her Savior Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at her home in Odessa, Texas.  She was born 92 years ago on September 5, 1917 in Cass County, Texas and is preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, E. J. Thompson; one daughter, Bonnie Jean; her parents, Marcus Pomeroy Waddil and Fanny Pearl Olive Waddill; four brothers and three sisters.  She was a member of First Baptist Church of Odessa, where she played piano for many years and loved the pastors with whom she served. 

She is survived by six children whom she adored:  Beth Castleberry, Joel Thompson, Kathleen Chatham, Lawrence Thompson and wife Tina, Edwana Drinkard and husband Mike, and Marcus Paul Thompson and wife Sheila; fifteen grandchildren:  Doug, Carrie, Michelle, Rocki, Bryan, Connie, Wayland, Rachel, Landry, Todd, Randy, Stephen, Lori, Michael, and John Paul; thirty-six great-grandchildren; one sister:  Maggie Ruth Myrick; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

She will be remembered for her devotion to her Lord and Savior first, her husband and family, and her church.  She was a church pianist for 74 years and taught Sunday school for many years, touching countless lives.  Her legacy is the love of music, the joy of laughter and a Christian love that binds family together.  

Services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, November 13, 2009 at Antioch Baptist Church in Cass County, Rev. Mike Drinkard officiating, with interment at Antioch Cemetery.  Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the mission offering or music department of First Baptist Church of Odessa, Home Hospice of Odessa, or the Hospice House of Odessa.  The family wants to thank Home Hospice and the Hospice House for being so sweet and kind to our precious mom.  And a special love and thanks to our precious Joycee Faye. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel of Odessa. 

Majorie (Marge) Bruton King, 78, of Odessa left this earth on Thursday, November 12, 2009 to meet her Heavenly Father. Marge loved the Lord and was a wonderful blessing to her family and friends. She was a member of Grace Fellowship Christian Church. Marge loved the outdoors, fishing and camping with her sons. Marge was an active member of Eagles Lodge of the Broncho Auxiliary # 2914 in Odessa for many years until her health prevented her participation. Marge was born in Albany, Texas on September 1, 1931 and moved to Abilene, Texas at an early age. She graduated from Abilene High School and shortly thereafter married Joe W. Bruton. She and Joe spent 43 wonderful years together until his passing.

Marge was blessed to meet and marry Thomas (Tommy) King of Odessa on October 17, 1998. They loved “Trucking” together in Tommy’s 18 wheeler across the country. The family is so thankful for Tommy’s love and kindness he gave to Marge during her years of illness. Marge is preceded in death by husband: Joe W. Bruton; son: Larry Wayne Bruton, brother: Bob Martin; and sister: Nelda Adams. Marge is survived by her husband: Tommy King of Odessa, son: Martin Bruton and wife Lee Ann of Bandera, TX; son: Timothy Bruton of Fort Worth, TX;  brother: Harvey Martin of Abilene, TX; grandchildren: Joey Bruton and wife Jessie of Farmington, NM, Missy Bruton of Odessa, Laura Bruton of Kerrville, Craig Bruton of Michigan and Loren of Bandera. She had 6 wonderful great-grandchildren. Marge is survived by her special niece: Linda Leggett-Womack of Arlington and her adopted daughter Candace McKee of Odessa. She had 3 stepdaughters: Rita, Nita and Valerie. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Candace McKee for spending time with Marge and lovingly caring for her. A special thanks to Brother Lamb and the members of Grace Fellowship for their prayers and support during her illness.

The family would like to thank the nurses of Home Hospice and the Hospice House for their loving care and kindness. The family would also like to thank Nurses Unlimited Services for all they did.

Maria Lugarda Rodriguez Tapia, age 67, of Odessa went to be with the Lord Saturday, November 14, 2009 at University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.  She was born in Madera, Chihuahua, Mexico on November 6, 1942 to Pedro Tapia Cruz and Maria Quezada Parra Tapia.  She was a homemaker, beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

Maria was a strong, but funny woman with a great sense of humor.  She loved children.  Even before having children of her own, she took care of her nieces and nephews.  She spoiled her kids and grandbabies and adored all twelve of her beloved grandchildren, but always pushed them to do well in school and get a good education.  She was a great cook and a nature lover. She loved to travel and enjoyed the outdoors; rivers and mountains.

Those left to cherish her love and memory include her husband Salvador Rodriguez Valenzuela of Odessa; two sons:  Jose A. Rodriguez and Salvador Rodriguez Tapia both of Odessa; three daughters:  Maria Lorena Mendoza and husband Rogelio of Odessa, Marisela Arredondo and husband Gilbert of Midland, and Claudia Granados and husband Rafael of Odessa; sister:  Esperanza Tapia Quezada of Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico; twelve grandchildren:  Crystal & Jose II Rodriguez, Rogelio Jr., Sergio, & Giovannie Mendoza, Giselle and Isabell Arredondo, Salvador Rodriguez III and Angel Rodriguez, Isela Anahi, Elizabeth, & Fabian Granados; and three great-grandchildren:  Heavan, Navaeh, and Zyra Rodriguez.

Her parents and two brothers:  Porfirio Tapia Quezada and Jose Arturo Tapia Quezada precede her in death.    

Rosary will be said 7:00 pm Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the funeral home.  Funeral Mass will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Fr. Gilberto Rodriguez officiating.  Interment will be at Los Angeles Garden of Ector County Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel.  Online condolences can be sent at acreswestfuneral.com.

Georgia Lena Harmonson, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, left this world and entered her Heavenly home on November 23, 2009 at the age of 74.  Her Thanksgiving gift was the relief of all of her pain and the joy of meeting with her Savior and her parents.  She was born in Hamilton, TX on February 22, 1935 to Bill and Betty Johnke, moving to Big Spring as a young child.  There, she met her devoted husband of 56 years, Bob Harmonson and they married September 3, 1953. 

Georgia helped Bob with his meat packing business.    She loved to fish and to travel.  She was a caretaker to others and a prayer warrior who ministered to many.  She loved God, her family, and her church family deeply.

Those she leaves behind to complete their tasks on earth include her husband, Bob K. Harmonson of Odessa; daughter:  Beverly Ann Harmonson of Lubbock; son:  Kirk Allen Harmonson of Ft. Worth; one grandchild:  Brittney (Harmonson) Musser of Arlington; two brothers:  Alvin Johnke and Wayne Johnke, both of Big Spring; two sisters:  Verlene Atkinson of Big Spring and Charlene Hinson of Venus, LA; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services to celebrate Georgia’s life will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at Westview Church of God in Odessa, officiated by Rev. Tony Conger.  Burial will be 3:00 pm Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Breckinridge Cemetery in Breckinridge, TX.  Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel

Altha May Peterson, age 72, died Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at her Odessa residence.  She was born in Farmington, NM on August 1, 1937 to Otto and Hazel (Borders) Abney.   

She is survived by two sons:  Donald Ray Thrasher and wife Kathleen of Milwaukee, WI and Carl Gene Peterson and wife Marie of Odessa; one daughter:  Paula Mae Lowe and husband Jason of Odessa; a twin brother:  Archie Abney of Midland; seven grandchildren:  Dominique Thrasher, Justin Boen, Ricky Peterson, Brittney Pardue, Briana Pardue, Rusty Pardue, and Kloe Lowe and four great-grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Acres West Funeral Chapel.  Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel. 

Samuel “Ray” McClain, husband, dad, uncle, Papa and friend, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. He was born on June 16, 1934 to Sam and Viola (Sturgeon) McClain. He grew up in Oklahoma. He was a proud US Marine Veteran.

He moved to Texas in 1956 and was an electrician for a short time. In 1963, he went to work for Campbell Testing Co., designing and building test trucks. After 35 years of making a living in the West Texas oilfield, he retired in 2000.  He loved and took care of his best friends Rascal and Casper. In his younger years, he bowled with the pros and beat them.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jane, and his beloved wife Charlotte.

He is survived by his children Pam Wharton and husband Jerry of Las Vegas, NV, Danny McClain and wife Dana of Odessa, JoAnna McClain of Odessa, Jeff and wife PJ of Odessa, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his brother William McClain of Oklahoma.

Our dad: the guy who hid our Easter eggs, took us on family vacations, could always find his way back to camp without a map, the guy who could fix anything, our dad, we will miss you.

The family would like to thank Dr. Naidu and Dr. Madhu for many years of taking care of our dad.

Family visitation with military honors will be held from 6-8 pm, Monday, November 30, 2009 at Acres West Funeral Chapel. Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel.