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Submitted: 8/8/22 • Approved: 8/8/22 • Last Updated: 8/11/22 • R530452-G530451-S3
Denzil E. Pulliam
September 6, 1922- October 18, 2020
Please see military marker
Betta Eris Sheppard Pulliam
December 29, 1923-March 5, 2014
*Photo, courtesy of Mary (Coggin) Russell
*Obituary Denzil E. Pulliam
Denzil Pulliam, 98, a lifelong Hereford resident passed away Sunday, October 18, 2020 in Dimmitt. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 1:30 PM at the Central Church of Christ of Hereford with Mr. Denny Sneed, Rick Jackson and Harley Daniel officiating, burial to follow at West Park Cemetery. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. Family has requested that everyone attending the church service please wear a mask for your and their safety and health. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1:30-5:00PM at the funeral home.
Denzil was born September 6, 1922 in Bellview, New Mexico to George Edward and Mary Elizabeth (Witherspoon) Pulliam. Denzil graduated in 1940 from Bellview, New Mexico High School. He was very active in 4-H and show cattle. He enrolled in Texas Tech University in the fall of 1942, shortly thereafter he joined the Army Reserves. In April of 1943 he was sent to Gainesville, Texas for basic training. He married Betta Eris Sheppard on September 11, 1943. In 1944 he was called to active duty in Europe, where he served on General Patton’s Army as the squad leader; he was discharged on November 18, 1945 and came to Hereford where Eris, his wife and Barbara, his daughter were living. Denzil purchased a farm south of Hereford and there is where he raised his family. He was very active, an elder and deacon for many years for the Central Church of Christ. Denzil was the last member of the building committee and the oldest church member. He was a former president of Texas Farm Bureau, board member of the Child Welfare Board and on the Hereford Water Board. Denzil drove the big more modernized tractors at the age of 89.
Those left to cherish his memories are his children, Barbara Rule of Hereford, Texas; Linda Daniel and her husband Harley of Lubbock, Texas and Sharon Pulliam of Hereford, Texas; one brother Dale Pulliam and his wife LaVern of Canyon, Texas; 7 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Denzil has joined his parents, his wife Eris Pulliam, a brother Darrel Pulliam and a foster brother Claude Brumett.
Memorials can be made to High Plains Children’s Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, Texas 79114-9984 or to Samaritan Hospice, 400 Ranger Drive, Hereford, Texas 79045.
Obituary:https://www.mendezandmullins.com/obituary/denzil-pulliam
*Obituary Betta Eris Sheppard Pulliam
Betta Eris Pulliam, 90, longtime Hereford resident, died March 5, 2014, at her residence.
A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 11:00 am, March 8, 2014, at Central Church of Christ, 148 Sunset Drive, Hereford. Mr. John Henley, Minister and Mr. Harley Daniel, Son-in-Law, will officiate. Burial will follow in West Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Hereford Heritage Funeral Home, 411 E. 6th Street, Hereford.
Betta Eris Sheppard was born December 29, 1923 to Charles and Edith Sheppard in Hollene, New Mexico. She graduated from Rosedale High School in 1942.
Eris married Denzil Edward Pulliam, the love of her life and best friend, on September 11, 1943, in Kingsville, Texas. She moved to Hereford in 1944 to live with her parents while Denzil went to Europe for WWII and help them run the “Chocolate Shop” in downtown Hereford.
When Denzil came home, they moved south of Hereford where they purchased a farm in 1946 and lived for many years.
Eris was a devoted wife and mother, but most of all she was a grandmother! She was a member of Central Church of Christ where she taught Bible school for many years.
Eris was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Edith Sheppard; 2 sisters, Emmagene Calaway of Bovina and Audine Wells of Midland.
Survivors include her husband, Denzil of the home; 3 daughters, Barbara Rule and husband Andy of Hereford, Linda Daniel and husband Harley of Lubbock, Sharon Weber and husband Clyde of Hereford; 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, 1 brother-in-law and sister-in law, Dale and LaVern Pulliam of Canyon, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family suggests memorials to the High Plains Children’s Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, Texas, 79114.
Contributed on 8/8/22 by neldapat
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Record #: 530452