February 2 Obituaries

Wendell J Kimbrough Sr.

1943-2024

Wendell J Kimbrough Sr., 80, of Odessa passed away on January 29.

Wendell was born February 5, 1943, in Snyder to Carlos and Mattie (Layne) Kimbrough. He attended Snyder High School, until going to work in the Oil & Gas Industry. Wendell married Earline Rhodes in 1963. They had two children, Kathy LeAnn and Wendell J. Jr. Wendell’s work in the Oil & Gas Industry took the family all over the world, including Singapore and Homa, LA. The couple moved to Odessa in 1976, and have considered it home ever since. 

Wendell loved to read, especially Westerns by Louis L’Amour, woodworking, fishing, watching Westerns, WWE, women’s softball and the Little League World Series. He gave special nicknames to those closest to him and had a great sense of humor. Wendell’s pride and joy was his family, with his grandchildren clearly being his favorites. He had a special relationship with each person and will be missed by all. 

 He is preceded in death by his parents, son, and brother Carlos Terry Kimbrough.

Wendell is survived by his wife of over 60 years; daughter, K. LeAnn (Danny) Lummus; grandchildren, Timothy Lummus, Joshua Lummus, Christine Marin; great-grandchildren, Troy, Jaelynn, and Hudson; along with many other family and friends. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to Nicole Marquez and Tammy Row for the care they have given him over the last few years.  Additional thank you to Two- Hearts & Star Hospice for the angels that have cared for both Wendell and the family. 

 A visitation for Wendell was be held February 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m.

Margaret Halpain Watkins

1928-2024

Mrs. Margaret Halpain Watkins, 95, of Snyder passed away on January 29 at Brookdale Monterey in Lubbock.

Mrs. Watkins was born on May 8, 1928, in Wirt, OK, to John B. and Lelia (Danner) Halpain. She married LaRue Watkins on December 31, 1947, in Woodlawn, Illinois. He preceded her in death on November 22, 2018. They were married 70 years. She held a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma and a Masters degree from Texas Tech. Teaching for 20 years in Snyder ISD as a Master Teacher, her love for educating children and desire to help students be successful went beyond the classroom. She had a heart for children, especially her own grandchildren. Lovingly known as “Nani,” she enjoyed individual time with each grandchild and very possibly had the book, “Are You My Mother?” memorized. After retirement, she and LaRue enjoyed traveling. Margaret would read and research locations with care, sure to hit all of the popular sites in the US and Canada.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lelia Halpain; Husband, LaRue Watkins; and son, Paul Watkins.

She is survived by her Daughter, Marla Sterling and husband Robbie of Eagle Nest, NM; Grandchildren, Cody Sterling and wife Crystal of Sweetwater, Tyson Sterling and wife Carlie of Sweetwater and Paige Homen and husband Dylan of Lubbock; Great Grandchildren, Hagen and Myah Sterling, Leighton, Harper and Camden Homen; and Special Family Friends, Ila Ruth Newton of Snyder and Barbara Sojourner of Snyder.

Visitation will be held February 2 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

Services for Mrs. Watkins will be held on February 2 at Bell Cypert Seale Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m., with Mr. Tommy Gressett officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Gardens. Services are under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

Online Condolences may be posted at www.bellcypertseale.com

Larry Harold Sears

1949-2024

Larry Harold Sears passed away January 29 in Llano at the age of 73. He was born September 6, 1949 in Levelland to Harold and Mary Sears.

Larry graduated in 1967 in Haskell where he lettered in football. His hobbies included everything from hunting, fishing to wood-working. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from April 30, 1968 to April 29, 1974. He received the National Defense Service Medal. Larry started working for Amoco Pipeline in 1981 and had a long-lasting career within the company, and eventually retired from Centurion Pipeline, LP as a tech gauger.

Larry was a very strong, creative, and hard-working man. He was very talented when it came to wood-working, he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family. Larry loved a good conversation and was an avid outdoors man. He loved his children and was very devoted to his family. Larry was very dependable; he would be there for any of his friends or family in a heartbeat.

Larry is preceded by his father, Harold Sears; and daughter, Lynette (Sears) Tate.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Sears; sons, Scott Sears and wife Heather of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jeff Sears and wife, Nora of Myersville, Maryland; sister, Deborah Overstreet and husband, John of Llano; grandchildren, Kolbi Tate, Hunter Sears, Kyla Sears, Benjamin Sears, Mason Sears, and Adessa Sears; nieces, Danielle Hawthorne, and Dena Hawthorne; nephews, David Hawthorne, Jr. and Dustin Hawthorne; great niece, Kinsey Hawthorne; and great - great nephew Layton Hawthorne.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Llano City Cemetery at 11 a.m. with Allen Reed officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Rodney Leon Farmer

1965-2024

Mr. Rodney Leon Farmer, 58, of Fairland, OK, passed away on January 29 in Hermleigh. Services are pending under Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home. Online Condolences may be posted at www.bellcypertseale.com