Obituary

Norene Elam of Kress went to be with her Lord Jan. 13, 2008, in Amarillo. She was born in the Whitfield community on Oct. 14, 1915, to Jessie Hogge "Jake" Hamilton and Mary Leona Walling Hamilton. She attended school in Swisher County and graduated from Kress High School. She married Charlie B. Elam on Dec. 3, 1937. They were sweethearts and best friends for 65 years. They farmed southeast of Plainview for 60 years before moving to Kress in 2000. He preceded her in death in 2002. Norene was an exceptional cook and homemaker. She worked next to Charlie in the field and kept a home and family together with much love and tender care. She will be truly missed by her family and all who knew her. Charlie and Norene attended Aiken Baptist Church for many years and were charter members of Grace Fellowship Church in Lockney. Over the years, she taught Sunday school and played the piano. At her death she was a member of First Baptist Church in Kress. Norene is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Betty and Bob Bryan of Tulia, Carolyn Holder of Dripping Springs and Rhogene and Dan Easley of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Belinda Agan and husband, Bobby, of Parker, Colo., Berry Brush and wife, Angie, of Plainview, Gary Easley and wife, Toni, of Amarillo and Alicia Pepper and husband, Ronnie, of Amarillo; eight great-grandchildren, Jeffery, James, Jeremy and Jayde Brush, all of Plainview, Miles, Devon and Noah Agan of Parker, Colo., and Jake Pepper of Amarillo. Norene also is survived by two sisters, Blanche Goodwin of Houston and Sally Cole of Plainview, and her special friends and caregivers, Betty and Joe Barreras of Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother, Jesse Beaver Hamilton; and a sister, Wenonah Henry. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at First Methodist Church in Kress. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 16 at Lemons Funeral Home. The family wishes to express special gratitude to Betty and Joe Barreras at Heavenly Angels for the comfort, love and laughter they brought to her life. We would ask that any memorial be sent to Betty Barreras at Heavenly Angels, 1908 Rogers St., Amarillo, TX 79106, or your favorite charity.