Obituaries

Venita Ruth Childs Dempsey, a long time Marfa resident, was born on Dec. 22, 1930, in Limestone County, Texas, not far from Waco, Texas.

Walter H. Thomas, 81, of Alpine, Texas, passed away July 22, 2021, at UMC in El Paso, Texas. His ashes will be interred in the Old Runnels Cemetery in Ballinger, Texas, at a date to be determined. Walter was born the youngest of six siblings on Aug. 16, 1939, in Ballinger. His parents were the late Leon and Jewell Thomas. On July 2, 1964, he married Diana Martin in Midland, Texas. After graduation from Ballinger High School in 1957, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a heavy vehicle operator. Upon his discharge, he was employed by the Texas Department of Transportation. He later began a career in the freight business from which he retired. Walter enjoyed music and friends, bringing a smile to most people who knew him. He loved listening to the Alpine Cowboy’s games while sitting on his front porch. Walter is survived by his wife Diana Martin Thomas; his son Charles Wayne Thomas; two sisters, Dorothy Burke and Francis Shiller (Leroy); daughter-in-law Imelda Thomas; grandchildren Makenzie Bledsoe, Owen Thomas, and Mary Thomas; and great grandchild Graham Dyer, along with many nieces and nephews.

Corina Ortiz left us to be with Jesus on July 24, 2021. She was born on Jan 31, 1955, in Marfa, Texas, to Maximo Villarreal and Estella Dominguez.

Leo Lara, Sr. passed away on June 30, 2021 at Odessa Medical Center.

Diane June Masters Lacy, 72, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, June 29, 2021 after battling ovarian cancer for five years. Diane grew up in San Antonio, the daughter of Dr.

Diane Baylor, 81, passed away on July 3, 2021, in her home in Alpine, Texas. A memorial service for Diane will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Donna J. Connor was born May 20, 1948, in Rochester, N.H.

James C. Roark, Jr., 74, of Sanderson, Texas, passed away on July 10, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Joe E. Skelton of Alpine, Texas, passed away on July 10, 2021, after a long illness. He was born in Pecos, Texas, on May 15, 1943, to Raymond and Rose Ellen Skelton and raised in Alpine, Fort Davis, and Marfa, Texas.

Did you know Ruth Abel? Ruth Abel was born Ruth Knupfer in the town of Plauen in Germany on a beautiful June day in 1933. War had not yet found the country. She was her father’s favorite of the four children, trailing after him through errands in town, and through gardens on the weekend. Her life was joyful. She wanted to be a journalist. She loved school, and she was good at it.