

On January 27, 2016 Wanda June Ritchie, 77 of Big Lake, Texas was granted her angel wings. Services will be Saturday, January 30, 2016 at The Hope In Christ Cowboy Church in Big Lake with Byron Bitner officiating at 11:00 a.m.
She was born February 13, 1938 in Dawson County, Texas to Elmer and Beatrice Oaks. She was one of seven children and grew up in the farming community of Flower Grove in Dawson County, Texas. She became a caregiver at the young age of 11 when her mom passed away. June helped to raise 3 of her siblings, taking care of their every need while attending school and participating in sports. She later attended Howard College where she excelled in basketball.
In 1974, she married the love of her life, H.F. Ritchie in Big Lake, Texas. They continued to make their home in Big Lake where she worked as a bank teller at Security State Bank for many years until her retirement in 2008. In her free time, she loved to travel with her husband to visit different places and mostly to spend time with their precious grandchildren.
Our Ganny never met a stranger. She was an outgoing, fun-loving lady who enjoyed the company of her family and friends. Her grandkids and great grandkids were her pride and joy. Her favorite past time was sitting outside with her best little buddy Blaze, her beloved dog.
Although she was small, she lived a big life and gave us all courage and hope and reminded us of the preciousness of life. Her contagious smile brought joy to everyone’s hearts. We will forever remember our “Ganny Advice” or aka orders as we liked to say. She had words of wisdom for you whether you liked to hear them or not. We may not have always listened but we know she always meant well.
June is survived by her husband, H.F. Ritchie of Big Lake, Texas. Two Sons, Mitch Davis and wife Christine of Big Lake, Texas, Dennis Ritchie and wife Crystal of Big Lake, Texas and daughter Dyanne Farrington and husband Tarry of Stanton, Texas.
She had five grandchildren, Shawna Clark of Big Lake, Texas, Amanda Ritchie and fiancé Collin Ethridge of San Angelo, Texas, Joeli Huddleston and husband Heath of Stanton, Texas, Dylan Ritchie of San Angelo, Texas , Cooper Millsap and Carlee Millsap of Stanton, Texas. One great granddaughter, Keegan De La Rosa of Big Lake, Texas. Along with Natalie Perez and family of Big Lake, Texas.
She is also survived by four siblings, two brothers, Jerry Oaks of Celina, Texas, Rodney Oaks of Ackerly, Texas and two sisters, Naomi Williamson of Colorado City, Texas and Patsy Painter and husband Gary of Midland, Texas along with several special nieces and nephews.
June was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Dale Clayton,great grandson, Clayton De La Rosa, daughter-in-law Cindy Davis, sister-in-law June Oaks, sister-in-law Shirley Oaks and brother-in-law Keith Williamson.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to a cancer treatment facility or program of your choice in her honor.
Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Bettye Sue Low Ratliff, of Big Lake, Texas, departed this life to rejoin her husband, Lester, at the gates of heaven on January 27, 2016.
Bettye was born in Jones County on January 22, 1927, to Homa Low and Helen Myatt Low. She began school in Hamlin, attended second through fourth grades in Haskell, and spent the rest of her school years in Garden City. Bettye's first husband and the father of her son, John Ray Cox, was killed in World War II. On September 22, 1946, Bettye married Lester Ratliff, with whom she enjoyed sixty-nine years of love and devotion. They were blessed with two more sons, James William and Michael Lester.
The couple lived in Garden City until 1950 when they moved to the Texon ranch. Bettye was very busy as a mother and homemaker while her sons were growing up. She eventually went to work for Reagan County ISD as the superintendent's secretary to help with the boys' college expenses.
Bettye enjoyed socializing with friends and family. She and Lester helped host the Big Lake New Year's Eve dance for many years, usually having a pre-party at their home. She was an excellent cook and hostess, and always liked having company. Bettye was an accomplished bridge player achieving master status. She loved all card games and was delighted to teach her grandchildren how to play them. Meals at Nana's and Granddad's were quickly followed by hours of fun playing games. Bettye was a doting and supportive grandmother who took great pride in her grandchildren's accomplishments.
Bettye absolutely loved travelling, and she was always “ready to go” just about anywhere. She attended commissioner conventions and livestock conventions with Lester and helped her sister and brother-in-law with a booth at numerous orthodontist conventions. She and Lester spent many happy summer vacations in Ruidoso, New Mexico, in the company of dear friends. They took numerous cruises and agricultural tours in many parts of the world. They travelled extensively in their RV and became part of a group of lifelong friends and travelling companions. Bettye always kept a bag packed and in the car just in case a day trip might turn into an overnight one.
After many years of living on the ranch, Bettye and Lester moved into their new home in Big Lake to spend their golden years. In her community, Bettye was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Garden Club, and Trail Blazers. She enjoyed going to lunch with “the girls” and water aerobics at the fitness center.
Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lester, son, John Cox, brothers-in law, J.B. Ratliff, Jr. and Derwood Ratliff, and sister-in law and brother-in-law, Roberta and Clyde Reynolds. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lue and Dr. Larry White of Dallas, her sister-in-law, Frances Ratliff of Midland, her sister-in-law and brother-in law, Juanita and Richard Johnson of Fort Stockton, her son and daughter-in-law, James and Susan Ratliff of Campbellton, her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Marilyn Ratliff of Rankin, her daughter-in-law, Carol Cox of Carrollton, GA, her grandchildren Melissa Cox, John Cox, Jr., Regina Bowling and husband Gregory, Reagan Stotz and husband Marc, Renee Kelso and husband Keith, Clayton Ratliff, Dustin Ratliff and wife Chrissie, and Jay Tom Ratliff and wife Chelsea, 14 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside services for Bettye will be conducted on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake by the Reverend Larry Young. Arrangements are under the direction of the Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home in Crane.
The family wishes to express special thanks to all the staff of the Reagan County Care Center and Hospice of San Angelo for their excellent care, kindness, and compassion.
Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Big Lake or Hospice of San Angelo.
Roger Lamar Goertz, of San Angelo, passed away June 17, 2016 at Shannon Hospital. Roger was born to Albert Friezon Goertz and Dorothy Nell Martin on April 24, 1938 in Freer, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean Humphrey Goertz, and sisters Gigette Newbrough Gilles and Tina Hall. He is survived by sisters-in-law Jane Booth and Dana Rickett, numerous nieces and nephews and several cousins.
Roger was born severely club footed and at birth his doctor recommended amputation of both of his feet. Thankfully, his parents sought a second opinion at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. They opted to attempt to surgically correct his feet.
Roger underwent numerous operations and although he didn’t have “perfect” feet, through his will, determination and positive attitude his feet were able to take him places that many people thought were impossible!
Roger was raised in Texon and in high school he was voted Class Favorite and was the kicker for the football team. In the summers he served as a lifeguard and worked in the oilfield. He graduated from Reagan County High School in 1957. He attended San Angelo College his first year and transferred to Southwest Texas State graduating with a B.A. in History and Sociology. He later attended Sul Ross State University and received his Master’s Degree in Education and attained a Professional Counselor Certificate.
He began his teaching and coaching career in Knippa. From there he moved to Sanderson and then to Big spring, where he was able to coach under Spike Dykes. Roger said he truly learned what it meant to be a coach under coach Dykes. After seven years in Big Spring, he moved to Plainview where he worked as a Special Education Counselor. After leaving Plainview, Roger worked at the Region 15 Service Center in San Angelo where he worked to implement a pilot program that offered vocational counseling to small rural schools.Later Roger served as a vocational counselor for Concho County Schools and then returned to Big Spring toserve as vocational counselor until his retirement.
While living in San Angelo Roger met his wife Jean. Roger always said she was one of the best things that ever happened to him. They were married in 1980 and enjoyed 24 years of marriage until her death in 2004. During their marriage they traveled extensively and made many friends.
Roger was known for his love of history, especially of West Texas Forts, Texon and Reagan County Football. He was always researching information on all of these topics. He was a member of the Permian Basin Historical Society and his presentation on Texon won “Best Presentation” in 2007. Tumbleweed Smith even wrote an article about Roger’s Texon presentation.
Roger was the eternal optimist. In fact, he served as president of Big Spring’s Optimist Club for 5 years. Everyone that had met or knew Roger described him as “one of the nicest people that they have ever met”. His former classmates at San Angelo College wrote a “Resolution” to him in 2007 that expressed their love, respect and esteem for him that he treasured until his death. He also had a book bound by his friends that Roger wrote about his life and had numerous letters included by his friends. Roger was never at a loss for friends. From his childhood to his death he was surrounded by an army of devoted friends that truly thought he was the best!
Many thanks goes out to his friends, family and a special insurance agent that helped him these last few years. Gary Booth, John Webb and Jane Booth were always there for him. Roger had so many amazing friends that they were too numerous to mention, but the one that Roger always spoke of like a brother and admired so much was James Whitehead. Thank the Lord for special friends like him!