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Obituaries

June 2, 2022

Gregory Kenneth Bell

Gregory Kenneth Bell, age 68, passed away on May 16, 2022, at Gerald Champion Hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was born in Clovis, New Mexico on May 31, 1953, to Durward and Fern (Cooper) Bell, and grew up in Bovina, Texas. Greg graduated from Bovina High School in 1971 where he was a football player and band member. He attended Arkansas University before moving back to take over the family farm in 1973.

For 30 years, Greg ran the Bell family farm where he grew corn, cotton, wheat, milo, pumpkins and raised cattle. During that time, he developed a passion for growing pumpkins, which he donated to Bovina Elementary School. Greg was a member of the Jaycees and United Methodist Men's group and enjoyed preparing their annual breakfast.

Greg loved fly fishing, camping in Colorado, and watching old western movies. He enjoyed going to Shirley Anderson Grain Elevator in Bovina for coffee, popcorn and good conversation with friends. He loved watching the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns. In retirement, Greg moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico where he lived the rest of his days enjoying good company at coffee shops and his continued passion for fishing. He had a keen wit and a kind heart. He was proud of his children and loved watching them grow.

Greg is survived by Karen Grissom, the mother of his children Pamela (Bell) Moore, his daughter Kasey Bell, son William and wife Beth Bell and grandson Ethan Bell.

There will be a small memorial for immediate family members only. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donation be sent to the American Diabetes Association.

The Bell family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel. To sign the online register book, please visit https://www.scenicchapel.com/.

Sarah Barber Nelson

"I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my pain, and I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord."

On May 17, 2022 Sarah Barber Nelson traded the earthly life she had known for her eternal life in the joy and presence of the Lord. Sarah Gladys Gentry was born on March 26, 1929 in Gulfport, Mississippi and where she grew up to Alvin and Teresa Gentry. She attended Gulfport High School where her primary interest was music. She was a soprano in the choir and had her focus on opera. In 1948, she met Flake Barber while he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. They married and moved back to Texas where they raised their children in Friona and Hereford. They were married 31 years before Flake passed in 1979. In 1987, she met James Marion Nelson. They were married on June 16, 1988, resided in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Belize City, Belize, and then later retired in Clarendon, Texas. They enjoyed all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and shared 21 years of love and companionship before James' passing in 2009.

Sarah personified "joie de vivre" or an "exuberant enjoyment of life". She loved making every person feel special, and loved. She enjoyed family gatherings, entertaining, spending individual time with her grandchildren and many of her great-grandchildren.

Sarah leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, kindness, generosity, talent and creativity.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Flake, her husband James, a son, Cary Thomas Barber, daughters Michelle Barber, Nicki Douglas, Beth Jennings, and Cheryl Robinson, and also a granddaughter, Ashli Chantel Barber Frock, and a grandson, Steven Jennings.

Survivors include daughter Kelly Barber Beavers and husband David of Amarillo, son Charles Flake Barber and wife Samara of Friendswood, daughter Tracy Barber of Clarendon, daughter-in-law Denise Bouvier of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and son-in-law Joey Douglas also of Denham Springs. Her 15 grandchildren include Leslie Wagner of Amarillo, Amy Wagner Flores and husband Philip of Amarillo, Aaron Wagner and wife Melissa of Sahaurita, Arizona, Daniel Beavers of Amarillo, Matthew Coker of Clarendon, Anna Coker Lara of Amarillo, Paul Coker and wife Tiffany of Huntsville Texas, Thomas Carroll of Clarendon Texas, Anthony Barber and wife Jennifer, and Ryan Barber and wife Barb, both of Friendswood, Blake Jennings and wife Kelly, Dusty Davison all of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Samantha Sartor and husband Kevin, and Megan Douglas all of New Orleans, and Natlie Ohrenberger of Little Rock, 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

A service of celebration is scheduled to be held in her honor at Arena of Life Cowboy Church on Saturday June 25, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. in Clarendon, Texas. Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in her memory may do so to Samaritan's Purse, Salvation Army, or High Plains Food Bank in Amarillo.