Obituaries

Rebecca Smith “Becky” passed away on January 20 at the age of 92, after a long illness. She was a registered nurse and a Captain in the Air Force, stationed at Loring Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command in Limestone, Maine. For the last 40 years, she ranched in Alpine. She is survived by a longtime friend and partner, Cathy Fortenberry, nephews Nathan Smith and Jeff Porter, first cousin Joy Robinson, numerous extended family, and a multitude of close friends. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Marie Smith, and Clarence Smith. Her three brothers and a sister, Tommy, Robert, Mickey, and Pat, close friend, and mentor Perry Cartwright. A private memorial will be held at a later date. She will be missed by all.

Antonio Nunez, Jr., 80, “Tony or Chito” as he was known to family, beloved father, and spouse was called to his eternal resting place on January 27. He entered this world on December 26, 1943, in Ruidosa, Texas, born to Antonio and Carmen Nunez.

Chester “Chet” Wilson passed away on January 10. He was born on December 26, 1930, to Lee Arthur and Claire Wilson in Rocksprings. He grew up in Del Rio where he met and married Pherba Lee Fisher on January 27, 1950.

Tana Williams Stringfellow of Alpine went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 13. Tana was born in Marfa on April 24, 1955, to Dewey and Ginny Williams.

Jose Willie Rodriguez (80), of Alpine, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Tuesday, December 26 with his family by his side. Jose, affectionately known by many as “Pancha,” was born on February 10, 1943, in Alpine to Charles and Clara (Gallego) Rodriguez.

Jose Martinez Reyes, Jr. 77 of Alpine passed away on August 21, 2023, in Fort Stockton. Jose was born on November 18, 1945, to Jose Martinez Sr. and Leonor G. Reyes in Marathon. He married Gloria Gonzalez from Denver, Colorado, and had two children: Christina R. Jennings and Felipe Reyes, both living in Colorado. He was grandfather to seven grandkids and great-grandfather to three great-grandkids. He enjoyed cowboy movies, music, and get-togethers with family and friends. Most of all, he loved to dance. He will always be missed by his family, relatives, and many friends. If you knew him, you know he had so many nicknames given to him by family and friends with whom he had shared special memories. Jose is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Leonor Reyes, sisters Juanita Reyes, and Zoila Rivera, and brother Manuel Reyes. He is survived by brothers, Marin, Feliciano (Yolanda), Anselmo, and Adan (Karen) Reyes and sister, Emma (Eduardo) Vega, and numerous nieces and nephews. Service will be held on January 20, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church Alpine with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by mass at 10 a.m. and burial at Holy Angels Cemetery. Following, a lunch will be held at Our Lady of Peace parish hall. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www. mmoftexas.com.

Jean Longman-Flint, 92 years old, of Allen, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 17. She was residing at Victoria Gardens of Allen. Jean was born in Pecos on June 4, 1931, to Milford Sylvester Howard and Virginia Lea Howard. After graduating from high school, Jean attended Christian College in Columbus, Missouri, and graduated from Texas Tech University. Jean became an accomplished artist, first as a decoupage artist and teacher, and in the 1970s was well-known for her copper-enameled crosses treasured across Texas and the country. In 1978, Jean created the enamel inlay work for a sevenfoot cross that hangs over the altar of the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Odessa. Jean loved tap dancing and performed in several musicals. She loved line dancing in her later years and at the age of 90 participated in walker line dancing. One of Jean’s biggest loves was attending Bloys Camp Meeting, a cowboy worship revival started in 1890, in West Texas, at the foothills of the Ft. Davis mountains. She loved spending quality time out in the open, eating the camp food, and exploring the outdoors and bat caves with her children and grandchildren.

Gavin Hearon was born on September 24, 2004, and passed on January 6, 2024. Gavin came to us at the tender age of five. He was warmly welcomed by and enveloped in the loving arms of, his Granny and Peeps, many cousins, aunts and uncles, and the many friendships he developed wherever he went. He was extremely proud of his Native American heritage and to be a member of the Choctaw Nation. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting around the kitchen table discussing movies, music, the meaning of life, or just plain old gossip with Uncle and his cousins or really anyone who would listen. “Gav” was deeply loved by all of his family and friends. In his short time with us, he managed to leave us with a lifetime of love and many happy memories. Gavin is survived by Edye (Granny) and Wes (Peeps) Hearon, April, and Ric Munoz with cousins Owen, Cole, and Seth, Richard Cavness (Uncle and Gavin’s touchstone), Sam and Dara Cavness, Tomi Mc-Daniel (Pooh), Dawn Cash with cousins Katherine and Allison, Lance and Fawn Tibbits with cousins Liam, Finley, and Cashel.

With sadness, we announce the passing of David, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and teacher on December 21. David Lendell Cockrum was born in St.

Jose Martinez Reyes, Jr. 77 of Alpine passed away on August 21, in Fort Stockton.