Obits

Jeana Marie Beasley TAVARES, FL It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jeana Marie Beasley, 63, who passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, following a brief stay at Cornerstone Hospice in Tavares, Florida. Born on August 18, 1963, in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Jeana always considered Odessa, Texas, her home, as it held the majority of her memories and life's history. She graduated from Permian High School in 1981 and went on to work for ChampionX, formerly Champion Technologies, for 23 years before health challenges forced her to step away. A longtime and active member of Second Baptist Church in Odessa, Jeana found community and connection there throughout the years. In 2017, she moved to Tavares, Florida, to be closer to her brother, nieces, and nephews. Jeana will be remembered for her quick wit, outgoing personality, and adventurous spirit. An avid athlete, she enjoyed softball, camping, hiking, and kayaking, especially when she could share those adventures with her beloved nieces and nephews. Never one to shy away from a thrill, Jeana was a bit of a daredevil and even completed multiple skydiving jumps. She also had a deep love for animals and welcomed many pets into her life over the years, though her cats always held a particularly special place in her heart. Jeana was preceded in death by her doting father, Thomas Lee Beasley, and her loving mother, Cliffa Jean (Estep) Beasley. She will be laid to rest alongside her parents in Trent, Texas. She is survived by her brother, Matthew Beasley, and his wife, Corinne, of Groveland, Florida, as well as two nieces and two nephews who reside across Florida, Texas, and Alaska. Jeana's adventurous spirit, quick wit, and love for her family will be cherished by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

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Caroline (Hall) Ater Howard ODESSA Caroline Hall Ater Howard was born in Abilene, Texas, on February 20, 1934. She passed away on November 1, 2026. Caroline was a 1952 graduate of Abilene High School and a magna cum laude graduate of Hardin - Simmons University in Abilene, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1955. On November 24, 1955, she married Gene Ater in Abilene. In 1956, they moved to Dallas where Caroline was employed by Mobil Oil Company while her husband attended law school at SMU. In 1961, Caroline and Gene moved to Odessa. She was an active member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Odessa, serving on various committees. Caroline also served on the Board of Trustees of Landsun Homes, Inc., a retirement community of the United Methodist Church. She was also an officer and board member of many civic and cultural organizations in Odessa. Caroline was past president of Americana Stud Club, The Odessa Forum, Odessa Book Club, Ector County Law Wives Club, Ector County Democratic Women's Club, and Odessa Rotary Anns. She was a former board member of the Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center, Crystal Ball Foundation, Odessa Symphony Association, and the Advisory Board of the Art Institute for the Permian Basin, now Ellen Noel Art Museum. Caroline was a member of the task force that organized the Meals on Wheels program in Odessa, serving as vice - president of the first board. She served on the steering committee of the Texans' War on Drugs, the New Town Odessa Community Development Task Force, and the task force that established the Rape Crisis Center in Odessa. She enjoyed and supported the fine arts. Caroline had been a member of the Odessa Symphony Guild, Fiesta del arte, and Odessa Cultural Council. From 1970 to 1972, she was employed as executive secretary of the Midland - Odessa Symphony & Chorale, Inc. She was employed as executive secretary of the Art Institute for the Permian Basin (Ellen Noel Art Museum) from 1983 to 1985. When Judge Ater retired in 1992 to become a Senior District Judge, they moved to Tyler and made their home on Lake Tyler East. In Tyler, Caroline was an active member of Pollard United Methodist Church, serving on a number of boards and committees. She had served as a board member and officer of several organizations in Tyler, including the Smith County Lawyers Auxiliary, Tyler Women's Forum, Newcomers Club of Tyler, and the Afternoon Literary Group. She was a driver for the Meals on Wheels program for a number of years and served as an office volunteer for the Tyler Museum of Art. After Judge Ater's death in 2002, Caroline returned to Odessa in 2004 and on June 23, 2004, she married James M. Howard, owner of Permian Claim Service of Odessa. Jim was a life - long friend of Judge Ater and was a groomsman in the Ater wedding in 1955. After her return to Odessa, Caroline was a member of First United Methodist Church. Caroline and Gene Ater participated in bass tournament fishing at lakes throughout the state as members of the Permian Bass Club. After she married Jim, she shared his love of motorcycles and rode as a passenger with him on his Harley - Davidson. Both Caroline and Jim enjoyed dancing and belonged to several dance clubs. Caroline, along with Jim, were also avid football fans of the Permian High School Panthers. Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma Young Hall and Elmon Hall, brother, Joe F. Hall, and Gene Ater, her husband of 46 years, and Jim Howard her husband of 19 years . She is survived by her daughter Sandra Petrick and son - in - law Jimmy Petrick, both of Tyler, Texas, granddaughter Taylor Wilson and grandson Hunter Petrick, sister - in - law Carole Hall, and brother - in - law Jim Ater, and several nieces and nephews. At a later date, the family will have a Celebration of Life service at the family lake home near Tyler, Texas.

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Peggy Dean (Burson) Washam ANDREWS Peggy Dean Washam September 24, 1950 - November 1, 2026 A little about Peggy, she was kindhearted and being one to give the shirt off her back and then some. She showed many people what it meant to be a good person with a heart full of love for all she encountered. Her voice was soft and her soul was sweet; her family dubs her one in a million. She was soft - spoken and did not speak ill of others. She was a warm hand to hold and a safe shoulder to cry on, who didn't judge and was an eternal optimist. Known for lifting others up, good advice when needed and not giving up on others. She is preceded in death by her parents Ruby Dean Burson and Walter Cobb (Buggs) Burson, her first life partner Sue Ashby and her great niece Saige Nessa Price. She is survived by her second life partner Deanna Lou Moore. Her children Michele Lee Spinks, Tamara Campbell, son - in - law Floyd Pigman and son Robert Moore; daughter in laws Brenna Davis Smith, Amber Shea Autrey and Jennifer Gerber and her extra kids Lucinda Hodges, Miquela Holder and William Holder. Her grandchildren Kenneth, Ira and Blake Campbell and his wife Iridian Campbell, Lora and Brian Wilson, and Audra Pigman, Malerie Hubert, Deanna Moore, Tristan Wayne Moore, Tesla Moore, Archer Moore and Tanya Mobley, LaTosha Tollous, Kayla Mobley Smith, Richard Paul Spinks, Cheyenne Mobley Nichols and her husband Lee Dylon Nichols, Amber Spinks, Taylor Spinks, Xavier Spinks and Alex Spinks. Along with 31 great grandchildren and 9 great, great grandchildren.

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David Garza Mendez ODESSA, TX David Garza Mendez, 54, joined the Lord and his late older brother Polo on October 31st 2026, surrounded by his loving family. David Mendez was born to Raul and Mary Mendez in Big Spring, Texas on November 28th, 1971 and is the little brother to Polo Mendez and Leticia Ramos. He was raised in Stanton, Texas and graduated from Stanton High School in 1990. David was a proud Stanton Buffalo and was class president. He played every sport you could think of - from tennis, to basketball, to football, and to baseball. David taught himself the sport of tennis and immediately excelled, making it to the 2A State Tennis Tournament as the runner up twice. David continued excelling and advanced unto the collegiate level, playing college tennis for Odessa College and Laredo College, before transferring to Northwest Missouri State University to play for the men's tennis team. David was inducted into the Northwest Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame and was part of the 1995 Men's Tennis Team that competed in Nationals. David graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with his bachelor's degree of kinesiology in 1997. Professionally, David served as Junior Director of Tennis at Midland Country Club from 1997 - 2003 - before transitioning to Odessa Country Club. David served Odessa Country Club for 24 years as the Director of Racquet Sports. David brought passion and hard work to everything he did, and was beloved in the West Texas Tennis community. David's upbeat spirit, contagious smile, and work ethic drew everyone around him and the impact he had on those around him is awe - inspiring. David continued excelling as an RSPA Elite Professional and a former USPTA Board Member. Most importantly, David was the devoted father to 6 children: Marena, Alex, Neena, Kristian, Niko, and George. David's children were the light of his life and his priority for everything he did. David loved deeply and family was the most important thing to him. If David wasn't on the tennis court mentoring a student or laughing while telling a story to his friends, he would be spending time with his family, rooting on the Dallas Cowboys, or sharing stories with friends on the golf course. David lived by three things: always put God first, dare to dream, and never be satisfied. David Mendez is survived by his parents; sister Leticia Ramos (Daniel) of Stanton, sons Alex Mendez, Kristian Mendez, Niko Mendez and George Mendez all of Odessa, daughters Marena Mendez and Neena Mendez both from Odessa, nephew Apolonio Robert Mendez IV (Heather) of Stanton; nephews John Ramos (Diana) of Midland; Chris Ramos (Marlowe) of San Antonio; also great nephews Joaquin Ramos and Andres Ramos of Midland, great nieces Estella Ramos and Emilia Ramos of Midland, Monserrat Ramos, Penelope Ramos and Luca Ramos of San Antonio. Visitation will take place Friday, November 6, 2026 at Stanton Memorial Funeral Home, 408 N. St. Peter Stanton, TX 79782 from 9:00am to 8:00pm. A Graveside Memorial will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026 at Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton, TX at 11:00 am in which everyone is invited to attend. A lunch will be provided to family and close friends only at Crossroads Church in Odessa,TX from 1:00 to 1:30pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Crossroads Church, 6901 E TX 191 Frontage Rd. Odessa, TX at 3:30pm. Immediately following Celebration of Life Service well progress and conclude at the Odessa Country Club, 1 Fairway Dr. Odessa, TX 79765 where everyone is invited to attend. Pallbearers will include Randy Nevarez, Steve Villa, J.D. Ramos, Derek Edmonds, Jesse Ulate and Eutiquio Zuniga Jr. The Mendez family would like to express their deepest love and gratitude to their many family and friends for their love, support, monetary donations, and most importantly their prayers during this most difficult time. Funeral services are under the care of Stanton Memorial Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at http://stantonfh.com .

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Tony P. Carnes ODESSA A true West Texas Cowboy, Tony P. Carnes 79 of Odessa, Texas passed away peacefully on November 1st surrounded by his loving family. Tony was born in Seminole Texas on November 27, 1946 and spent most of his years in the oilfield. He worked primarily in the Permian Basin, but his knowledge, hard work, and experience would occasionally lead him outside West Texas to Wyoming, Oklahoma and Louisiana. He was considered an expert in his field and throughout his career became a mentor to hundreds of his peers. He instilled hard work values and would say, "Always do better than the guys working next to you", and it worked. Tony was also a proud Army Veteran serving in the artillery branch during the Vietnam War and strongly believed in his country. When he wasn't working, he was a fisherman, bird hunter, and proud owner of too many racehorses to mention. He celebrated racetrack wins and was always on the lookout for the next prize "gem". While bird hunting, he was nicknamed "Straight James" and rarely missed. On the rare occasion he did miss, he would tell you, "I was just giving you a chance." He loved grabbing a trotline out of the water and feeling the pull of large catfish below the surface. He most enjoyed visiting, dancing to an old country classic, and having a beer with his family and friends sharing unforgettable stories and experiences along the way. He loved handing out trinkets, coins, and thumb crosses to everyone. He enjoyed a good practical joke, a challenging game of wit, and would send word jumbles to you when he thought you would be stumped. Tony was never one to sit back when something needed doing, he was always quick to lend a hand, often before anyone even thought to ask. His generosity was shown not just in words, but in his willingness to roll up his sleeves and help others. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, and memories. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. He lived life on his terms and didn't waiver, but loved others with all his heart, literally. He was our Hero. Tony is survived by his children, Chris Carnes and wife Kelly; Candy Carnes, and Michael Shawn New; his grandchildren, Rhyan Carnes and Kaylen Bickle; his brother, Mike Carnes; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and so many friends who already miss him dearly. In lieu of a ceremony or funeral, two celebrations of life will be held for the vast family and friends of Tony Carnes. Friday December 4, 7 - 11pm, at the VFW Auxiliary Post 4372, 302 E VFW Lane, in Odessa Texas. Saturday December 5, 7 - 11pm, at Jake's Lounge, 2524 W Sealy Ave, in Monahans Texas.

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Helen J. Cotten Morris MIDLAND Helen J. Cotten Morris, 96, of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2026. Helen was born on December 29, 1929, in Andrews, Texas. She graduated from Andrews High School in 1947, where she was actively involved in sports and numerous extracurricular activities. Following graduation, she attended Sul Ross State College and was married in 1948, beginning a loving family that would grow to include four children. A lifelong believer in the value of education, Helen continued her studies while raising her family. Through determination and perseverance, she earned her associate degree, bachelor's degree, and master's degree, setting an example of dedication and hard work for all who knew her. Helen devoted her professional life to education, teaching at Ross Elementary School in Odessa, Texas, for 35 years. During her distinguished career, she influenced countless students and helped shape generations of young people. Outside the classroom, Helen found her greatest joys in family, nature, and the simple rewards of hard work. She loved the outdoors and treasured traveling the country with her husband Jack in their RV, creating memories and adventures wherever the road led them. An accomplished gardener, Helen cultivated abundant gardens that provided food for her family and taught generations the value of growing their own vegetables. Family gatherings were made even more special by her cooking, especially her famous fried okra and beloved pan cookies, which became cherished traditions and lasting memories for those fortunate enough to enjoy them. Her faith in God was a guiding presence throughout her life, providing strength, comfort, and direction through every season. Helen leaves behind a legacy of love, education, and service that will continue through the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Helen is preceded in death by her son, Johnny Whitley. She is survived by sons, Douglas Whitley, Jimmy Whitley and wife Miriam, and daughter Vicki Castillejos and husband Javier, seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Visitation for Helen will be Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Nalley - Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Monday, November 9, 2026 at 10:00am at Nalley - Pickle & Welch Chapel, with a lunch reception following at the Branch at npw. Burial will follow at 2:00pm at Andrews Cemetery in Andrews. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley - Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com .

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