Kelvin “Chief” Vest

Kelvin “Chief” Vest

Kelvin “Chief” Vest, 71, of Wichita Falls, died Friday, February 5, 2010.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 in the chapel of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls with Roger Deerinwater, officiating. Interment will follow at the Archer City Cemetery under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.

A son of the late Walter David and Clara Etta (Tillman) Vest, he was born April 2, 1938 in Jacksonville, Texas. In 1959, he started Big Chief Electric Company. He was the owner of Midwest Drilling Company and Vest Electric Company. From 1959 until 1970, he played fast-pitch softball for Holt’s Sporting Goods. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Faith Masonic Lodge, No. 1158 A.F. & A.M. and a member of the Scottish Rite. On June 8, 1986, he married Pamela Pittcock in Bowie. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Tammie West, two brothers, Elvis and Vestal Vest, and his sisters, Irene Rawls and Christine Harnsberger.

Survivors include his wife, Pamela Vest of Wichita Falls, daughters, Pam Haskins and husband, Wade of Allen and Debbie Roush and husband, Scott of Denton, son, Brannon Vest and wife, Johna of Wichita Falls, sisters, Geneva Hoppe of Wichita Falls and Dovie Harnsberger of Irving, five grandchildren, Britni Haskins, Brian Haskins, Alisha Sims, Karissa Sims and Braxten Vest, sisters-in-law, Judy L. Marshall and Patricia Schenk, numerous nieces and nephews, and his extended family, Shawn, Tyler and Lacy Scrogum.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Wayne Curtis, Curtis Hickey, Guy Mayo, Jerry Wright, Joe Felder and Donnie Taylor. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be: Ray Mayo and Freddie Sturm.

The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2010 at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.

Dr. Carolyn A. Stephens

Dr. Carolyn A. Stephens

Dr. Carolyn A. Stephens, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away from cancer on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 in her home at Woodland Heights Retirement Center.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, March, 11, 1933 to the late Andy and Dorothy Anderson, Carolyn graduated summa cum laude from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Always an honor student, she went on to earn a Masters Degree in Education and Reading at Florida Atlantic University and a PhD in Education Languages at the University of Georgia.

Carolyn managed to start a family and taught English and Spanish classes at various elementary schools while she worked toward her advanced degrees. She was also a swimming instructor and medalist swimmer and among her many accomplishments in water sports. Carolyn completed the “80.K”, a 50-mile open water marathon.

For 28 years Carolyn taught English and language courses at Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, and after retirement moved to Little Rock to be near her family. She soon became involved in volunteer work at elementary schools assisting children with reading and language and in the last few years knitted caps for and rocked preemie babies in the intensive care unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Carolyn is survived by her brother, Capt. Forrest P. Anderson, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, son, Jeff Stephens, of Cabot, Arkansas, daughter, Pam Tschiemer, her husband Mike and their son Daniel, of Little Rock.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Woodland Heights, 8700 Riley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Please send donations in lieu of flowers to: Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, #1 Children’s Way, Slot 661, Little Rock, AR, 72202 and list Carolyn’s name in the memo line of your check.

Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, and you may visit our website at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com .