OBITUARIES
Mary Jo Watson Oliver
Mary Jo Watson Oliver
August 30, 1921 – March 12, 2016
GRAHAM – Mary Jo Watson Oliver, 94, went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 12, 2016.
A service will be at 2 p.m. March 17 at Eastside Church of Christ in Graham. A visitation reception will follow in the church foyer.
Jo Oliver was born on Aug. 30, 1921, in Bowie to parents, Mary Pauline Vickery Watson and Benjamin Ewing Watson. Jo was blessed with a wonderful youth, growing up in Bowie, the youngest of six children. Throughout her life she enjoyed the gifts of singing, playing the piano, theater and painting.
After high school, Jo attended Abilene Christian College. In 1943 she graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor of music.
While attending UT, she met the love of her life, pharmacy student Walter Wood Oliver. The couple married in 1943 at the Riverside Church in New York City. After Walter left for service in the Navy during World War II, Jo taught music in the public schools. After Walter returned from the service, the couple moved to Graham and founded Oliver Drug, downtown on the square.
Jo and Walter loved building a business in Graham as well as participating in many civic efforts to benefit the city. Jo’s unique interest was in the Medicare aspect of their business which led to an expansion of the business to Oliver Drug and Medical Supply.
Of great enjoyment to Jo and Walter was their house and recreation on Possum Kingdom Lake. PK was a cherished place of relaxation and an opportunity to entertain friends and family.
One of the highlights of Jo’s life was to be involved with the development of Shawnee Springs Park in 1988. The transformation of the area into a beautiful park won the “Take Pride in America: Thousand Points of Light” award from the President George H.W. Bush Administration in 1989. Jo and Walter were delighted to travel to the White House to accept this prestigious award on behalf of all those who worked to achieve the project.
In addition, Jo will be remembered for her love of beauty, daffodils and daylilies. She was a founder of Graham’s Christmas Stroll and the Daffodil Festival. In addition, Jo was a long time member of the Graham Garden Club, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club and her church home, the Eastside Church of Christ where she especially enjoyed Ladies’ Bible Class.
Later in life, Jo enjoyed the artistic abilities of her grandchildren which included singing, theater and music. She actually felt somewhat responsible for their talents.
Other civic involvement included chair of the Young County Historical Commission, the board of the Bowie Educational Fund, and president of the Resident’s Council, The Plaza at Edgemere, 2015-2016, Dallas, Texas.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 1991. She is survived by her children, Gail Turner and husband Gerald Turner, and Walter Oliver III and wife Mackie Oliver. Grandchildren include Angela Turner Wilson, Jessica Turner Waugh and Eric Oliver. Great grandchildren include Luke and Wyatt Wilson and Abby, Lexie and Charlotte Waugh. Also included are many cherished nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Eastside Church of Christ in memory of Mary Jo Oliver or City of Graham, Shawnee Springs Project c/o of City Manager, 429 4th St. Graham, TX 76450.
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April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.
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August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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