September 18, 2003 Lois Adele Bailey Respected, long-time Modoc rancher and active community volunteer Lois Adele Bailey, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, September 11, 2003. Looking forward to and preparing to compete in a weekend bowling competition in Medford, OR., Mrs. Bailey, 76, passed away at Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, CA., not long after suffering from a stroke that same morning at her home. The ever-active Mrs. Bailey, known as "granny" to her grand and great-grandchildren, in addition to the many children who called her their "adopted" mom and grandma, she always had a freezer full of homemade cookies, a pantry filled with home canned delights and was ever baking or canning and freezing the fruits of her labor from her annual garden, something she'd done for as long as she could remember. Proud of her family and happy with her life, she chose not to be idle, whether volunteering at the Modoc Senior Citizens Center to distribute USDA commodities or enjoy lunch and a game of bunco or pinochle with friends. She was proud to be a member of the "600 Club" scratch series of bowlers and was a member and past officer of the Alturas Bowling Association, team bowling since 1973. She was well known for her baking and decorating special cakes for weddings, showers and parties, with a photo album to document her creations. Born in Tidewater, Oregon to Grace (Brooks) and LeRoy Dunn on October 6, 1926, she spent most of her life in Modoc County, with the exception of a few years, when her family moved to Ukiah. Lois met Cliff Bailey on a dairy ranch in Modoc, where her mother was the ranch house cook. At age 16 and still in high school she and Cliff were married October 26, 1942 in Carson City, Nevada. Lois had the rare distinction of receiving two diplomas, one from Surprise Valley High where she had attended part of her senior year, while Cliff was working in the Valley and one from Modoc High where she graduated when they returned to Alturas. In 1944, they purchased the "old Page place" on Parker Creek, their home and the hub of their family ever since. In 1946, Lois gave birth to their eldest son, Gordon and in 1949, their youngest son Roy was born. The family moved to Marysville in the Spring of 1956 for three years, then returned to Alturas. Nothing slowed Lois down, not even her two heart surgeries in later years. She played softball on women's league teams as catcher and was "pretty good with a bat." She was a member of the Side Saddlers women's riding group, sponsored by Modoc Auction Yard, riding in numerous shows, parades, rodeos until the 1970s, for which the group won a "rack of trophies," with Cliff patiently hauling the horses. Lois and Cliff started a square dancing group in the early 1950s, first at their home, until there were too many squares to accommodate. The group often traveled to dance. In addition to their cattle and alfalfa ranch business on Parker Creek, Lois worked on the Election Board for a number of years starting in the 1960s until her precinct closed. She worked at such local businesses as Fitzpatrick's and Ebby's Stationery Store, Modoc Auction Yard, Cleo's and Woodward's Grocery stores, and her brother Gene Dunn's meat business "Dunn's Custom Meats," until he retired. For three years she worked as a custodian at Modoc High School, where her sons were enrolled. Lois had been a member of Grange 406 and continued to document and report weather statistics from her home to the Weather Service in Red Bluff. A wonderful hostess and good friend to many, Lois was always willing to help get a job done. On some Thursday mornings she could be found at the Modoc Record helping to get the advertising slicks inserted for distribution. She was a hard, honest worker and also good at delegating during the many large family gatherings at their home. A partner to her husband, Lois rode, "raked alot of hay and helped buckaroo" as needed and enjoyed traveling, recalling an exciting helicopter flight over and into the Grand Canyon, a few years ago. Lois and Cliff were honored for their 60 years of marriage in 2002 with a grand party and chosen as Modoc District Fair Grand Marshals in 1997. Lois was preceded in death by her sister Vivian Paddock and brother Gene Dunn, both of Alturas and her parents. She will be greatly missed by her family and host of long-time friends. She is survived by her husband Cliff Bailey of Alturas; sons Gordon Bailey of Alturas and Roy Bailey of Alturas; brothers Lyle and wife Mattie Dunn of Alturas; Warren and wife Lucille Dunn of Modesto, CA; aunt Ruth Brooks of Post Falls, Idaho; six grandchildren: Mindi Clendenen of Indiana, Fred Bailey of Alturas, Kenny Bailey of Redding, Brenda Masters of Hat Creek, CA; Jessica Burns and Heather McMaster of Alturas, numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra on Friday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Federated Church in Alturas. Kerr Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Because of Lois' devotion to helping the local senior citizens center, the family suggests any memorials be directed to the Modoc Senior Citizens Center, 906 West Fourth St., Alturas, CA 96101. Larry Martin Stafford Former Alturas business owner Larry Martin Stafford died unexpectedly at his home Sunday evening, September 14, 2003, from a massive heart attack. He was 47. Mr. Stafford was the owner/operator of Village Video in Alturas with his wife Colena, for a number of years. Prior to purchasing and relocating the video sales and rental business, he had worked at the business with the previous owner. Mr. Stafford added a video game arcade to the new and larger storefront, which was popular with youths and families. A well-liked person among all ages, he enjoyed bringing in the newest games for his customers to enjoy. He loved to laugh, make practical jokes and enjoyed visiting with his customers. A fan of the Miami Dolphins, he enjoyed watching football, playing chess, games and also enjoyed the great outdoors and fishing. He was a loving husband, father, son and brother and a friend to many. Always with a smile on his face, he had an easy going, outgoing nature and kind spirit and was good with people of all ages. Born April 22, 1956 in Illinois, Larry graduated from Madera High School, Madera, CA. and earned his Technician certificates in Electronics and Office Equipment Repair in Sacramento. He served in the U.S. Army as a Pvt. 1st Class from 1974 to 1976. He married Colena Ashby in Reno, NV., on his birthday, April 22 in 1981. The Staffords have made their home in Modoc County for the past 34 years, where they have reared their two daughters. Suffering from severe back problems, Larry retired at an early age and closed Village Video about a year and a half ago. He is survived by his wife Colena of Alturas; daughters Crystal Stafford, age 20 of Alturas and Wendy Stafford, age 23 of Chico; mother Barbara McNeeley of Alturas; sister Becki Ruiz of Alturas; brothers Bob Stafford of Oregon and John Stafford of Madera; sister Jennifer Rosen of Firebaugh, CA; brothers Dan and Dave Rosen of Idaho; sister Melissa Meng of Madera; mother-in-law Dee Ashby of Alturas and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father Fred Arthur Stafford in 1979. Family and close friends will gather for a memorial graveside service at the Alturas Cemetery on Friday, Sept. 19 at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at Faith Baptist Church, 810 West Carlos, Alturas. Kerr Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. The Veterans groups and Chaplain Dick Greene will conduct the memorial service. Memorials may be directed to the Larry Stafford Memorial Fund in care of Colena Stafford at Plumas Bank, 510 North Main St., Alturas, CA 96101. Barbara Scofield Former Alturas resident Barbara Scofield of Wessington Springs, South Dakota, died Sunday, September 7, 2003. She was 62. Barbara was born June 26, 1941 in Gardena, CA., to Joe and Agnes (Cvikel) Dolezal. She attended schools in the Gardena area. After graduating from high school, she married Texus V. Scofield in Gardena, CA. on February 7, 1959. They lived in various places during college and worked for the government. They arrived in Modoc County in 1965. When they retired in 1985, they relocated to Wessington Springs, SD. Texus preceded her in death on April 10, 1992. Barbara raised mini donkeys for 25 years in addition to working several different jobs. She enjoyed raising and caring for her animals, riding horses and moving cattle on the Devil's Garden and Warner Mountains, snow skiing, attended auctions and refinished antiques. She was an active outdoors woman, who was also a lifelong supporter of 4-H and FFA. An avid supporter and spectator of her children's and grandchildren's sports games, attending every game. She was a member of Legion Auxiliary of Alpena, SD, Elks, a 61-year member of Western Fraternal Life Association and a member of the American Donkey Association. She was a best friend and devoted mom and grandma. Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Curtis Scofield and friend Karen King of Alturas, CA., her daughter Dawn Luckett and husband Val of Wessington Springs, SD, three grandchildren Mace, Josh and Vance Luckett, Wessington Springs, SD; one brother Dan Dolezal and wife Mary of Big Sandy, Texas and one niece Susan Dolezal of Plano, Texas; her uncle Louie (Dorothy) Cvikel and aunt Albina Brown all of Southern California and many dear friends. She was a very active and busy person who will be missed by many. In addition to her husband, Barbara was preceded in death by her father in 1993, and her mother in 2000. A memorial service will be held in Modoc, during the latter part of December when her family will be together. Ruby Helen Goodwin Former Modoc resident Ruby Helen Goodwin, 94, passed away September 16, 2003 in Sacramento, CA Ruby was born in the Battlebend district of Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Rose (Fellers) and Percy John Killaly on March 5, 1909. As a child, Ruby and her family walked and rode by ox cart from Battlebend to the Pigeon Lake area south of Edmonton, where her family cleared and homesteaded a section of land. There she met and married her first husband Ray Telford. She had two sons, Ron and Lee, before divorcing. Ruby married lifelong Modoc resident Howard Pepperdine in Alberta, while he was working on the Alaskan/Canadian highway during WWII. Ruby moved with Howard to Modoc County, CA. in 1947, where she gave birth to her third son, Nolan Pepperdine. Howard's parents owned a ranch on Shields Creek and Howard and his father started Pepperdine Hunting Camp. Ruby helped manage the family ranch and Pepperdine Deer Camp in the Warner Mountains. After her second husband's death in 1958, Ruby continued to live in Modoc County until 1962, when she married Don Goodwin and moved to Chester, CA. There she worked at several restaurants and served as the head waitress for the Child's Meadows Resort for nearly twenty years and became a naturalized citizen of the United States. When her husband retired from Collin Pines, Ruby and Don bought a small ranch just outside Red Bluff, CA. There they tended to their many animals and gardens until Don's death in 1994. Ruby lived for a brief time in the City of Red Bluff until she moved to Sacramento. Ruby lived in Sacramento until her death this week. Ruby was well known for her sewing and baking skills. Her apple pies were specially requested by the Beach Boys singing group in the 70s. She also loved traveling from Broadway shows in New York to Disney World to the Grand Canyon, bowling, quilting and gardening. Ruby was one of the first women to climb unassisted to the Sulphur Mountain Chalet in the Alberta Rockies, 1945. She was active in Senior Gleaners, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and awarded the Tehama County Certificate of Appreciation for her volunteer services. She was preceded in death by sons Ron Telfrod and Lee Telford and stepson Carol Pepperdine. She is survived by her son Nolan Pepperdine; stepsons Milo and Philip Pepperdine; sisters Marie and Irene who reside in Canada; grandchildren Sharon Telford, Mike Telford and Ray Telford and seven great-grandchildren. Ruby will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held at the home of Nolan and Lisa Pepperdine. September 25, 2003 Dorothy Acosta Cervantes A celebration of long-time Modoc resident Dorothy Ann Acosta Cervantes' past life and rebirth of her new life will be held at Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Alturas, immediately following her graveside service on Friday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at Alturas Cemetery. The Rev. Patrick Henry of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Alturas, will conduct the services. Dorothy passed away of natural causes on September 19, 2003 at Alturas, Calif. She was 79. A resident of Modoc for the past 63 years, she was born Dorothy Ann Acosta in Anaheim, Calif. on February 6, 1924. She graduated from Modoc High School in Alturas, Calif. A hard worker all her life, when she had time, she loved to hunt and fish. Dorothy looked forward to and regularly attended the monthly Teapot Fellowship luncheon in Alturas, which she thoroughly enjoyed with her friends. During her life, she was a mill worker, a telephone operator and railroad dispatcher and worked in the housekeeping department at Warnerview Convalescent Hospital in Alturas. She is survived by her soul mate Henry Martinez of Alturas, Calif.; sisters Mary Acosta, Dunsmuir, Calif., Camilla Alverez of Klamath Falls, Ore., Margaret Ortez of Sherman, Texas; brothers Lawrence Acosta, Ione, Calif., Roy Acosta, Sacramento, Calif., Julian Acosta, Sacramento and numerous nieces and nephews. Susie Haase Murphey Long-time Surprise Valley resident Susie Haase Murphey passed away September 21, 2003 at Modoc Medical Center's Skilled Nursing Facility in Alturas, CA. Mrs. Murphey had been a resident at the center for several years and celebrated her 100th birthday there in 2000, with family and friends. Mrs. Murphey was 103. Born July 7, 1900 in Hollister, CA, she was the daughter of Gustave and Elizabeth Haase. At the age of 15, she moved with her family to "Sunrise," Nevada, a forgotten town between Duck Flat and Gerlach, Nevada. In 1918, they moved to Surprise Valley, where she met and married Ernest (Bill) Murphey on July 3, 1920. Together they homesteaded land in Little High Rock until 1925, when they moved to Eagleville, California. In 1946, they retired from the ranch and moved to Cedarville, where Mrs. Murphey lived until 1993. She is survived by her son Laurence E. Murphey of Fountain Valley, Ca.; daughter Kathleen Murphey Benner of Klamath Falls, OR. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Murphey; sister Louisa Tibbitts of Chico, Ca.; brothers William Adolph Haase of Olympia, Wash. and Fredrick Haase of Sacramento, Ca. Graveside services will be held at the Eagleville Cemetery today, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. Kerr Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Margie L. Nield Margie L. Nield died after a lengthy illness in Alturas, California on September 19, 2003, a day prior to her 82nd birthday. Born Margie Kuziak on September 20, 1921, in Canada, her family moved to Chico, California when she was an infant. She spent her childhood in Chico and resided there until her marriage to George Nield on June 23, 1940. They shared a marriage of forty years and had four children. They lived throughout Northern California, Oregon and Idaho, but returned most often to Alturas and Modoc, which Marge considered her true home. Mrs. Nield worked at a variety of occupations during her marriage, but primarily as a homemaker. George preceded her in death in 1980. Mrs. Nield is survived by her children, Georgia Templeton of Susanville, Helen McKee, Susan Bagwell, and James Nield, all of Alturas. Grandchildren, Bob McKee, Debbie Mason, Brian McKee, Dave Nield, Ken Templeton, Trudy Nield, Laura Shinn, Mike Bagwell, Jeff Nield, and several great-grandchildren also mourn her passing. One sister, Ruth Burnett of Jefferson City, Missouri survives. Her sister Louise, and brother William preceded her in death. At her request, no services are planned. Diane Marie Stomski Diane Marie Stomski of Alturas, passed away from cancer on September 13, 2003, with her family at her side at a Redding, Calif. hospital. She was 50. Born Diane Marie Delangis on October 8, 1952, in Montreal, Canada, her family moved to Hacienda Heights in Southern California, when Diane was just a year old. For over 18 years, she had lived and worked as a hairdresser in Alturas, Calif. and was the owner and operator of Modoc Hair Studio, located in her home. She is survived by her son Chuck Delangis of Henderson, Nevada; daughter Marlana Stomski, 16, of Empire Farms, Nevada; sister Francine Brissette of Baltimore, Maryland and brother Richard Delangis of West Covina, Calif. Per Diane's advance request, no services will be held. Friends are welcome to her inurnment at 10 a.m. today, September 25 at Alturas Cemetery, Alturas, Calif. Remembrances may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Redding Field Office, 3290 Bechelli Lane, Redding, CA 96002. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.