Jan. 24, 2006 Obituaries

Clarence Kirksey

Services: No services are planned.

Clarence Truman Kirksey, 95, of Odessa, Texas, died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006.

He was born on Jan. 13, 1911, in Blanket, Texas, to John Edward Kirksey and Sarah Angeline Goates. In 1927, Clarence and his brothers drove a covered wagon from Brownwood, Texas, to Portales. A resident of Odessa, Texas, since 1958, he owned and operated Globe Cleaners until retirement in 1981. He served on the Medical Center Hospital Board 21 years and was active in the Breakfast Optimist Club. He was a member of Crescent Park Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. Family members said he enjoyed bowling, woodworking and writing autobiographical short stories for publication.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby Hatch Kirksey.

Survivors include his brothers, Jack, Noble and Ed; children, Ray Deane Card, Viola Jane Kirskey, Karon Lee Kirksey and Angeline Johnston; step-daughters, Julia Gryder and Jayne Brazeal; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and wife, Jessi Mclamore Kirksey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to the church’s general fund.

Arrangements are by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors in Odessa.

Mike Thorne

Services: To be held at a later date.

Michael E. “Mike” Thorne, 71, of Clovis died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.

He was born March 17, 1934, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Robert T. and Lois Vance Lamb. He was a respiratory therapist and former member of the Eagles, Odd Fellows and Kiwanis. He married Shirlee Jean Mitchell on Sept. 14, 1957, in Cheyenne, Wyo.

He was preceded by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Thorne; daughters, Caroline Sue and Melissa Foster of Tucumcari; son, Clayton Thorne of Minnesota; brother, Roger Lamb of California; and sister, Betty DeAnn Lamb of California.

Cremation has taken place.

Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.

Brenda Vantrease

Services: Will be held at a later date.

Brenda “B. J.” Vantrease, 59, of Portales, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at her home in Portales.

She was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Betty Jane and John Thomas Vantrease. She grew up in Dora and graduated from high school in 1965. She married Andy Nichols on Oct. 29, 1965, in Portales. She and her mother ran the Dora Café for a number of years. She was also employed at Roosevelt General Hospital and later at Portales Valley Mills. In 1987, she moved to Missouri to care for her ailing father. After his death she returned to Portales to make her home.

While in Missouri she was employed as a certified nursing aide. She had been disabled for some time. Family members said she was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed Christmas. She also enjoyed reading romance and western novels and watching late-night television.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Survivors include her husband, David A. “Andy” Nichols of Portales; son, Michael Nichols (and wife, Candice) of Portales; daughters, Jenee Raiche (Steve) of Portales and Lisa Nichols (Jeff McGarvey) of Cleburne, Texas; grandchildren, Samantha Eminger, Timothy Eminger, Mellanie Nichols, Larissa Nichols, Ariel Nichols, Brittany Shae Nichols, Stephanie Brae Nichols, Jonathan Raiche and Jaden Briar Nichols; brothers, Jerry Lee Rose and Harold D. Rose, both of Portales; and sisters, Sharon Vantrease-Eagleton and Sheila Vantrease both of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.