Obituaries

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.

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.