Clergy Family

Verlyn Snell

Memorial service for Rev. Dr. Verlyn R. Snell will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 14 at Nardin UMC. Rev. Snell, 75, of Overland Park, Kan., died June 18, 2010.

He was born Nov. 10, 1934. Verlyn and Sammie Snell married on Aug. 17, 1960. He received his doctorate degree in 1976 from Phillips Theological Seminary, Enid.

His ministry career began in 1957. He pastored churches in the Free Methodist denomination for 20 years before his Oklahoma Conference service began, in 1985.

He was pastor at Nardin, Madill, Miami, Cushing, and OKC-Nichols Hills United Methodist Churches. He also served on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry; he cherished opportunities to commend and mentor persons in the candidacy process.

After retiring in 2004, the Snells began attending Valley View UMC, at Overland Park, and he was active in choir, United Methodist Men, and the outreach committee.

Survivors include his wife, Sammie; three daughters, Anne Heinrich of Aurora, Ill., Alathea Voss of Lenexa, Kan., and Ardeth Arman of Overland Park; and 10 grandchildren.

Al Scifres

Rev. Alfred Kent Scifres, 51, of Ardmore died June 22, 2010.

Al was born Dec. 18, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif. He married Margaret Irene Mobley on Oct. 7, 1978. He served in the Navy for 16 years. He also was a volunteer firefighter.

From 2005 through 2009, he was pastor at Calvin, Erick, Reydon, Forgan, and Gate churches.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret; two daughters and a son, P.J. Scifres of Ardmore, Carrie Scifres-Harvey, and Billy Harvey; and a grandson.

Memorial service was June 26 at Ardmore-First UMC. Arrangements were by Corbett Funeral and Cremation Service, Oklahoma City.

David Bates

Rev. Matthew David Bates, 73, of Oklahoma City died June 29, 2010. A retired elder, he had pastored for more than 40 years.

David was born Oct. 13, 1936, in Tulsa. David and Elaine Bates were married for 52 years.

His ministry began in 1957 at Avant. He also served at: Mannford, Keystone, Bokchito, Bennington, Oilton, Cleo Springs, Oakdale, Carmen, Guymon-Christ, Owasso, Tulsa-Hale Heights, Coweta, Porter, Jones, Ardmore-Asbury, Lawton-Heights, Henryetta, Dustin, OKC-Asbury, Jenks, Broken Bow, Eagletown, Prague, Arlington, and Red Rock. He is credited with building projects at four churches. He officially retired in 1998.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine; four sons, Matt Bates of Richmond, Va., Phil Bates of Alpharetta, Ga., Steve Bates of Garland, Texas, and Tom Bates of Oklahoma City; and nine grandchildren.

Service was July 3 at OKC-Putnam City UMC, with arrangements by Bill Merritt Funeral Services, Bethany.

Charles Wells

Rev. Dr. Charles Edgar Wells, 85, of Oklahoma City died June 14, 2010. He was a retired elder.

Charles was born Feb. 10, 1925, in Oklahoma City. While working as a youth pastor at OKC-First, he met Royleen Kizziar, and they married in 1946.

His ministry began in 1946. He was the pastor at Capitol Hill, May Avenue, and Asbury churches in Oklahoma City; and at Miami, Pauls Valley, Tulsa-Christ, and Stillwater-First. He was director of the Oklahoma Conference Council on Ministries for 10 years. He served as South Oklahoma City District superintendent from 1988 until his retirement in 1993.

Rev. Dr. Wells worked to establish a comprehensive United Methodist senior care program in Oklahoma City. His vision led to the founding and building of Epworth Villa and Strawberry Fields.

Also an advocate for the protection of children, he was honored in 1988 as Oklahoma Child Care Worker of the Year.

Survivors include his wife, Royleen; son, Chuck; daughters, Barbara and Mary; and six grandchildren.

Memorial service was June 18 at OKC-May Avenue UMC. Arrangements were by Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City.

Sabrina Trujillo

Sabrina Bennett Trujillo, 51, of Fort Cobb died June 17, 2010, in Dallas. She was the wife of Rev. Tim Trujillo Sr., who is the pastor of Fort Cobb and Highland churches.

She was born Aug. 5, 1958, in Oklahoma City. She married Rev. Trujillo on May 7, 1988.

With degrees in music, she had led the D.C. Youth Orchestra, played in the Irving and Mesquite (Texas) symphonies, and participated in the music ministries of Tyler Street UMC, Dallas.

Mrs. Trujillo was employed by Fujitsu Corp.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Trujillo; son, Timothy Jr.; daughter, Eryn; and a grandchild.

Service was June 19 at Tyler Street UMC, with arrangements by Jeter & Son, Dallas.

Lamar Tillery

Lamar Tillery, 71, of Columbia, Tenn., died June 17, 2010. Survivors include his son, Rev. Brantley Tillery, pastor at Tulsa-St. Luke’s Redemption Ministry, and daughter-in-law, Rev. Cydni Tillery, pastor at Locust Grove UMC.

Birth

Charlotte Elizabeth Smith was born May 18, 2010. She is the daughter of Allyson and Rev. Trevor Smith, pastor at Sallisaw.

Appointment

Donald Jones to Nardin UMC (Enid District) from Minnesota Annual Conference, effective July 1.

Sara Bodenstein to leave of absence from Chapel Hill UMC (North OKC), effective July 1.