BILLINGTON

Verna Marie Billington, age 88 of Mangum, passed away late Tuesday evening, November 1, 2005 at Jackson
County Memorial Hospital.

Verna was born on August 2, 1917 in Newburg, Arkansas to Robert and Malinda (Shelton) Elliott.  She married
Otis William Billington on July 28, 1938 in Mangum, Oklahoma.  A member of the Church of Christ, Verna was a
home health care worker for elderly patients for many years.  A very creative lady, Verna built a playhouse for
her children during their younger years and at one time completely remodeled her home by wallpapering and
paneling the complete house.  During her retirement years, she enjoyed playing forty-two at the Senior Citizen
Center in Mangum.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Janice Billington, twin daughters,
Karen Billington and Sharon Billington; four brothers, Joe Elliott, John Elliott, Vernon Elliott and Bill Elliott and
two sisters, Opal Davis and Gertie Yoder.  She is survived by one daughter, Carolyn Jean Illies and husband
Jerome of Ocala, Florida; one granddaughter, Gina Micheletti of Cedar Park, Texas; three grandsons, Darren
Pratt of Altus, Oklahoma, Brian Pratt of Antioch, Tennessee and Allen Pratt of Alamogordo, New Mexico, eight
great-grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and many, many other relatives and a host of loving
friends.

Memorial services for Verna Marie Billington will be held at Rock Cemetery, West of Granite, on Friday,
November 4, 2005 at 2 p.m. with Todd McRay officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Greer
Funeral Home of Mangum.

Online tributes may be made to the family of Verna Marie Billington at www.greerfuneral.com.                             
     

Karen Billington,

Karen Billington, age 60 of Mangum, passed away at Jackson County Memorial Hospital on Tuesday,
September 6, 2005.

Karen was born to Otis William and Verna Marie (Elliott) Billington on July 1, 1945 in Granite.  Karen was a
member of the Mangum Church of Christ and was also a loyal employee to the citizens of Oklahoma serving
with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for many years and was currently employed by the
Oklahoma Department of Corrections at the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite with the Medical Unit.

A very strong willed person, Karen was very independent, spunky, had a sense of humor and was a very
giving and caring person.  After work she loved to spend time with her “Sammy Cat”, her beloved Siamese,
as they sat in their chairs and watched TV.  She loved to spend weekends with her childhood-friend,
Shirley, as they ate out and went to movies.  Spending time with her daughter, Gina, and her three
grandchildren, who were all the light of her life, was her favorite thing to do.

Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father, Otis, a twin sister, Sharon Lea Billington and
her sister Janice Billington.

She is survived by her mother, Verna Billington of Mangum; one daughter, Gina Micheletti of Round Rock,
Texas; three grandchildren, Cindy Rizley, Shane Rizley and Ryan Micheletti all of Round Rock, Texas; one
sister, Carolyn Jean Illies and husband Jerome of Ocala, Florida; three nephews and a host of many friends.

A memorial service for Karen Billington will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2005 at 2 p.m. at the
Mangum Church of Christ with Todd McRay and Danny Atchley officiating.  Memorial services are under the
direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.  
BLAIN-SIZEMORE

Jeffery Todd “Blain” Sizemore, age 36 of Dangerfield, Texas, passed away on December 12, 2005 at his
home.

Jeff was born on January 5, 1969, to Claude Carter and Linda (Berryman) Sizemore in Hollis.  He was an
avid sportsman, loving any water sports, his favorites being skiing and fishing.  Jeff also loved trucking and
working on cars.  One of his favorite pastimes was spending time wielding and doing mechanic work that he
learned from his grandfather, Bill.  Jeff was also a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served
his country for eight years.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandmother, Lydia Mae Blain and two uncles; Elvie Sizemore and
Gary Berryman.  He is survived by his son, Stephen Blain of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his mother, Linda
Griffin and husband Steve of Sayre, two brothers; James McDaris and Joel McDaris of Sayre along with
many other relatives and many, many friends.  

Funeral services for Jeffery Todd “Blain” Sizemore will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2005 at the
First Baptist Church in Granite with Rev. Ben VanVacter officiating.  Interment will follow at Granite City
Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Granite.

Online tributes may be made to the family of Jeffery Todd “Blain” Sizemore at www.GreerFuneral.com.  
Doris Bratton

Doris Bratton, age 89, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2006, at Mangum Community Hospital.
She was born January 14, 1917, in Culman, Alabama, to James P. and Inus (Blake) Hughes.  She married
Golden D. Bratton in Hobart, Oklahoma, and he preceded her in death in 1961.
Doris was involved with the Business and Professional Women’s Club, United Methodist Women, American
Legion Auxiliary, and the Mangum Short Grass Art League. She enjoyed amateur art painting and traveling
the world. Doris sang in a choir for over 60 years. She attended Draughn’s Business College in Oklahoma
City and moved to Mangum 1948.  She and her husband owned and operated Bratton Drug in Mangum for
a number of years and she continued to operate the business after her husband’s death. Doris was a
member of the First United Methodist Church in Mangum.   
Doris is survived by her sons, Bob Bratton and wife Patty and Blake Bratton and wife Charlotte, all of
Mangum, Oklahoma; three granddaughters, Alexandra Bratton and Juliana Bratton, both of Oklahoma City,
and Angela Bratton of Weatherford, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Golden D. Bratton, one brother, Roy Hughes, and
one sister, Ruth Shockley.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 26, 2006, at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church in
Mangum with Rev. Elbert Shumaker and Rev. Don Tabberer officiating. Interment will follow at the Riverside
Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral Home.

Family will greet friends Sunday, June 25, 2006, from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Greer Funeral Home.

On line tributes can be made to the family of Doris Bratton at www.greerfuneral.com
BRIGHAM

Cleyzell “Cowboy” Brigham, age 71 of Oklahoma City and formerly of Mangum, Oklahoma, passed away on
Sunday, March 5, 2006 at Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Cleyzell was born on August 11, 1934 to Bell and Ruby (Reed) Brigham in Mangum.  He later moved to Tyler,
Texas.  With a love for riding horses and motorcycles, Cleyzell also loved kids and enjoyed playing baseball
when he was younger.  

He was preceded in death by brothers, John Tom “JT”, Hubert “Cecil”, Willie Eugene “ Bug”, Eddie Wardell “
Pap” and Willard Bell “WB” Brigham; and sisters, Alice Williams, and Etta Mae Callins.

He is survived by one daughter and a son in law, Dudley and Paula Goss; four grandchildren and one
granddaughter in law; Dudley II and Tamara Goss, Victoria She’layne, Apryll Danyell and Con’ya Lynn Goss;
nine great-grandchildren, Ruby Lewis, Keshandrea Johnson, Charles Harrell, of San Antonio, Jazza Monique
Goss, Kei’Isaac TDD Goss- Simmons, Dudley F. Goss III, Berrious Goss, Zei’Myiahne BD Goss- Fuller, and
Star’la Fayth Goss- Avery, all of Tyler; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Jimmie Lee and Mary Kate
Roberson, and Charles Etta Davis all of Tyler.  From his first marriage to the late Mattie L Young, he had two-
step sons and one daughter-in-law, Vernon I and Kimberly George of Zion, Illinois and William A. George of
Tyler and with a special friend Bernadie Laster of Oklahoma City. Cowboy shared four stepchildren, LaDon, of
Denver Colorado, and Bernard, Debora, and Glen Laster of Oklahoma City; nine grandchildren and a special
grandson Mosi “Bossy” Williams of Oklahoma City; a very loving cousin, Earnesten “Sten” Ray of Mangum,
Oklahoma and a host of nieces, nephews, step grand’s, step great grand’s, cousins, and many other loved
ones.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

The family will receive family and friends Saturday, March 11, 2006 at the home of Dudley and Paula Goss,
1414 Mockingbird Lane, Tyler, Texas, 75701.  Local funeral arrangements are with Greer Funeral Home of
Mangum.
Brignon

Bobby Joe Brignon JR. ( Infant )  of Mangum, passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at The Oklahoma
University School Of Medicine Oklahoma City Oklahoma.

Bobby Joe Jr.  born on October 26 , 2005 to Bobby Joe Brignon and Maria Irma Flores in Oklahoma City
,Oklahoma.  

.  He Is  survived by his Parents Bobby Joe Brignon  and Maria Irma Flores, His Grand Parents, Mary Brignon ,
Amelia and Jesus Flores , Joe Brignon  and Brothers Colton Bryce Fletcher , Layton John Ketchum a sister
Destiny Paige Allmon and other  relatives .

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Greer Funeral Home Chapel in Mangum with
Reverend John Corbin.  Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Mangum with services under the
direction of Greer Funeral Home.

Online tributes can be made to the family of Bobby Joe Brignon JR. at www.greerfuneral.com.
BROOKS

Edith Elizabeth (Edie) Brooks, 91 passed away Saturday, September 24, 2005 at Grace Living Center after
a long illness.  Edie was born February 25, 1914 in Mead, Oklahoma, the daughter of Edgar Norton and
Elizabeth Tooms Norton.  She lived all her adult life in the Mangum and Granite area.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ.  She loved her children, grandchildren and great-
grandchildren.  She loved to travel.  She also loved music, crafts, painting, sewing and making home made
bread for her friends and family.

Edie was married to Thermon Walter Brooks in Granite on November 9, 1931.  They had three children,
Glendon, Bobby and Peggy.  They moved to Mangum in 1953 where she was a self-employed beautician
and hairdresser and operated the Vanity Beauty Salon in Mangum for 20 years.  She was involved in many
civic affairs and was president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Her parents, her husband, three brothers, Orville Norton, Hubert Norton, Arlie Norton, one sister, Opal
Capps and a granddaughter Glenda Zuniga preceded her in death.  Survivors include her son Glendon
Brooks and wife Dora of Yukon, Oklahoma, Bob Brooks and wife Rosa of El Reno, Oklahoma and Peggy
Roach and husband George of Mangum, Oklahoma.  She is also survived by eight grand children, Carol
Swingle, Elizabeth Griffith, David Brooks, Bobby Brooks, Jr., Edie Ryan, Michael Roach, Jeffery Roach and
Georganna Lively, twenty great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Edie Brooks will be Monday, September 26, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mangum Church
of Christ with Eddie Beard and Todd McRay officiating.  Interment will be at the Granite City Cemetery
under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.
BURNAM

Gregg Allen Burnam, age 42 of Mangum, passed away suddenly on Monday afternoon, April 10, 2006, at his
farm west of Mangum.  

Gregg was born on August 3, 1963, in Amarillo, Texas to Shirley McElroy  Burnam and Leb Burnam.  He
graduated from Mangum High School, later earning his Associates Degree from Western Oklahoma State
College and then continued his education at Cameron University by taking computer science courses.  On
August 6, 1983, he married Cheryl Laughlin in Mangum at the United Pentecostal Church and they spent
twenty-two wonderful years together.

A faithful member of the United Pentecostal Church in Mangum, he loved his church and teaching Sunday
School Classes. Gregg was also a school board member for Mangum Schools and a volunteer firefighter with
the Mangum Fire Department.  A person who loved life and the simple things of this world, Gregg enjoyed
working with his cattle and farming.  As a person who was loved by his family and the community he served,
Gregg’s passion in life was caring for and loving his family, especially his wife and two sons whom he adored.  

Preceded in death by his grandfather, Veachel McElroy, in 1992, he is survived by his wife, Cheryl; two sons,
Brandon Burnam and Derrick of the home in Mangum; one brother, David Johnston of Laughman, Florida;
grandmothers, Bea McElroy and Sadie Laughlin of Mangum; his parents, Leb Burnam and wife, Wanda of
Laughman, Florida and Shirley Vaughn and husband, Wayne of Mangum along with a host of nieces, nephews
and many friends.

Funeral services for Gregg Burnam will be on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 10 a.m. at the Mangum High School
Gymnasium with Bro. David Weber, Bro. Brian Bryant and Bro. Don McDuff officiating.  Internment will follow at
Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

Online tributes may be made to the family of Gregg Burnam at www.GreerFuneral.com         
BYROM

Wahlelu S. Byrom, age 89 of Mangum, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2006 at Mangum City Hospital.

Wahlelu was born on June 25, 1916 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to Wade and Maude (Chenault) Shumate and
was an only child. Her family lived in Sallisaw, Durant and Mangum where Wahlelu graduated from high school
in 1933.  Later, she received her teaching certificate and taught at many locations in Oklahoma including
Hobart and Thomas and later in Hobbs, New Mexico.  While teaching at Thomas she enjoyed teaching Thomas
Stafford who later became a United States Astronaut.  She remembered him walking her home after school
during her time at Thomas.

Wahlelu later earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and worked at Ft. Reno, Oklahoma
shortly after WWII where she taught English to the Philippinos.   With a master’s degree from the University of
Oklahoma, Wahlelu later taught in Hobbs, New Mexico.  A member of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, Wahlelu was also a member of the _Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at the University of Oklahoma_.   
On November 11, 1949 she married Harold Raymond “Pete” Byrom in Mangum and they had thirty-two
wonderful years together before his death in 1982.  

Wahlelu was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Pete.  She is survived by two sons, Harold Ray
Byrom, Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada and Robert Wade Byrom of Mangum; one daughter, Elizabeth Byrom of
Mangum; two step-daughters, Kay Werhen and husband Cliff of Oklahoma and Ann Dolle and husband Stan
of Texas; two grandchildren, Traci Grindle of Reno, Nevada and Erica Byrom of Las Vegas, Nevada and one
great grandson, Zachary Ray Byrom of Reno, Nevada; and a cousin, Kenneth Chenault of Virginia.

Graveside services for Wahlelu Byrom will be Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Brinkman
Cemetery with Rev. John Corbin officiating.  Services are under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of
Mangum.

Online tributes may be made to the family of Wahlelu Byrom at www.greerfuneral.com.
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