Obituaries

Shirley Bellier passed away peacefully at home on December 22. Shirley Ann Bellier was born in Wichita Falls on September 1, 1944, to Albert Kelley and Ruby Davis. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Kelley, mother, Ruby Mae Davis, and son-in-law Mark Cole.

Elidia Gallego Leyva, 89, of Alpine, passed away on December 18 at her residence. Elidia was born on July 19, 1934, to Ben and Amelia Gallego in Alpine. She attended Centennial School. She was married to Abelardo Leyva and was the mother Elidia was an avid baseball fan and attended the Alpine Cowboys games. She loved to cook and entertain. She was an Alpine Bucks fan and loved her scratch-offs.

Jimmy was 91 on October 17 and passed away on December 20, in Alpine. He was born in Houston in 1932 to James Branch & Cosette Maud Taylor, both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sons James Garfield Taylor and Spencer Alba Taylor, and siblings Weldon Burns Taylor and Gwendolyn Taylor Gammill.

Patricia Ann Renfroe Miller passed away peacefully, one month after her 91st birthday, surrounded by her children on December 9, in Houston, Texas. Patricia was born on November 9, 1932, in Corpus Christi to Lela (Gist) and Grover Cleveland Renfroe. The youngest of four girls, Patricia grew up in “the Valley” and graduated from Pearsall High School, where she was the drum major of her high school band and was voted “May Queen.”

On November 27 our beloved mother, Joyce Marie Davis Miller, jumped into the arms of Christ and went home. Soon afterward, she turned and kissed her husband, of almost 62 years, Bob, once again. Mom was given the name Joyce by God’s sovereignty and providence because she was full of joy. The Bible says to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances. As we will miss her earthly presence, we rejoice with her homegoing and reunion with Daddy, her parents, and her brother. Mother was always filled with joy, even while raising three boys. We never saw her upset or say any unkind words. Mom was a devout Christian, Godly woman, loving mother, devoted wife to her family, her husband, and more importantly, her Lord and Savior.

Keith Ray Johnson, 72, passed on December 1, in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Anna Johnson, and brother, Jimmy Johnson all of Alpine. Survivors include sons; Kade Johnson and wife Kara Johnson, Shank Davis and Kaitlyn Gaston, brother George Johnson and wife Sally, and sister, Joan Johnson of Alpine. He is also survived by his grandchildren Koy Johnson, Koeker Johnson, Kallahan Johnson, Kreed Davis, and Graeson Davis plus numerous nephews and nieces including Jami and Cody Carpenter of Driftwood, James and Reagan Johnson of Brady, Marti and Anthony Luparello of Waco, Jessi Johnson and Michael Calderon of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan plus numerous great nieces and nephews.

Olivia Ramos, 107, of Alpine passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 8. She was preceded in death by her husband, Salomon Ramos, Jr., daughter Rosemary, and the following sisters: Augustina Gonzales, Susana Galindo, Angelita Valenzuela; and the following brothers: Eusebio, Manuel, Daniel, Gorgonio, and Guadalupe Ramirez.

Vivian Frances Williams Santry aged 91, of Alpine, passed away peacefully at home on December 5. Born in Hondale, New Mexico on November 14, 1932, she was the only child of George Williams and Ophelia Gardner Salyer. Vivian grew up in Deming, New Mexico. After graduating in 1952 from Deming High School she moved to El Paso to study nursing at Hotel Dieu where she received her RN and began her nursing career. While working at Hotel Dieu she met Thomas Santry. They were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on February 7, 1959. They were married for a wonderful 55 years.

Florencio Saenz Uranga, 87, of Marathon and Alpine, passed away on December 4 in Ft. Stockton. Florencio was born in La Boquilla de San Isidro, Chihuahua, Mexico. He settled in Marathon and later moved to Alpine. During this time, he worked for the Brewster County Road & Bridge department from which he retired. He was married to Rosa Uranga, and was father to Elda Fuentez (Salvador), Rosie Aguilar (Sixto, Jr.), Maribel Ruiz, and Jesus Uranga (Amy.) He was preceded in death by his parents Norberto and Petra Uranga as well as his siblings Pedro, Tomas, Isabel, Leonor, Catarino Uranga, and sister Macaria Lujan. He is survived by one brother, Andres Uranga. Florencio leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Florencio was an allaround outdoorsman. He was a beekeeper, an avid gardener, and a carpenter/ masonry handyman.