Connect with us

OBITUARIES

Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf

Published

on

Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf
January 18, 1933 – December 10, 2018
FARMERS BRANCH – Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf, 85, passed away unexpectedly and went to her eternal home with the Lord on Dec. 10, 2018.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Jan. 4 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Decatur, followed by a time of remembrance and sharing at Hawkins Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.
Additionally, there will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch, with a reception to follow.
Stella was born on Jan. 18, 1933 in Decatur. She was the third child of the late Archie and Birdie Morris and was blessed with two older siblings, Raymond (Bubba) and Mary. She was much loved and adored, and often mentioned how lucky she was to have had such a wonderful childhood. She fondly remembered her school years, especially being a member of the Decatur High School Drum Majorettes and the fun times shared at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion. After high school, Stella attended Decatur Baptist College.
Stella married Frank Massey in 1955 in Decatur. They made their home in Bowie and had three sons, Lee Ray, David and Steven. Stella adored being a mom and loved spending her time supporting her boys in all of their activities.
She worked at Bowie Savings and Loan and for Bowie Independent School District as a substitute teacher. In 1975, Stella opened a Hallmark Store in Bowie called The Birdies’ Nest, named after her mother. Later, she took a traveling position with Merle Norman Cosmetics; a job she excelled in and loved so much that it led her to help other startup cosmetic companies, such as Lady Love.
Stella married Robert Helf, in April of 1989. They resided in Farmers Branch where they both shared a passion for their yard and entertaining family and friends in their home. Stella welcomed Bob’s children, Steve, Todd, Michael Ann, Linda and their families with open arms as if they were her own. Bob and Stella were a part of a loving neighborhood community full of lifetime friends that surrounded her with so much love when Bob unexpectedly passed away.
Even more than being a Mom, Stella loved being a Grandma to her beloved ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She devoted her life to being the “best grandma ever” by giving of her time, her wisdom, her memories and her sacrificial love.
Stella was a long-time member of Schreiber United Methodist Church where she attended and served in a number of roles throughout the years. Her Sunday School class developed into a strong family of friends for Stella. They served together and did life together until the very end. Stella truly loved her friends and felt very blessed to have them in her life. In addition to her service at the church, Stella enjoyed volunteering through Meal on Wheels delivering food to the homebound. She also served as a FEMA volunteer.
Stella spent her last years with a long-time cherished friend Gerald Strange, whom quickly became a part of our family, and we all love dearly.
The highlight each year for Stella was “the camp” at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion in Decatur. “The camp” holds a lifetime of Stella’s best memories with family and friends. It was Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July all wrapped into one week of celebrations of life with family and lifetime friends. A favorite tradition every year, she treasured the time she got to spend with her children, grandchildren, and passing along the memories of her time spent there as a child.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Archie and Birdie Morris; her brother, Raymond (Bubba) Morris; her sister, Mary Morris Bruce; her niece, Renee Bruce; her first husband, Frank Massey, and her second husband, Robert Helf.
Stella is survived by her three sons, Lee Ray (Kristine), David (Jackie), and Steven (Dawn); her stepchildren, Steve (Nelda), Michael Ann (Charlie), Todd (Connie), and Linda; and her grandchildren, Erik (Bridget), Blaine, Landon (Delaney), Carson, Nathan, Neal (Cyndi), Mark, Brian, Bill and Kendyll; along with six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Stella and her family would be honored for you to donate to one of her favorite charities, Meals on Wheels. You can make a donation at vnatexas.org/give, call 214-689-2601, or send a check to 1600 Viceroy Drive, Set. 400, Dallas, TX 75235.
Paid publication

Hawkins Funeral Home
405 East Main St | Decatur, TX | 940-627-5959

Continue Reading

OBITUARIES

Amanda Ellisa Horton

Published

on

August 7, 1992 – March 20, 2024
NOCONA – Amanda Ellisa Horton, 31, died March 20, 2024 in Wichita Falls, TX.
A visitation was from 2 – 4 p.m. on March 23 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at 2 p.m. on March 24 at The Veranda Inn officiated by Karen McCord. Interment followed in Nocona Cemetery.
She was born to David Wade and Brandy Horton on Aug. 7, 1992 in Gainesville.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather.
She is survived by her parents, Brandy Horton, Nocona and David Wade, Moore, OK; her grandmother; children, Devon Killen and Brielle Hernandez, both of Nocona and sister, Cally Wade, Denton.
Memorial donations may be made to strayevol.org/donate or Lucky Paws Animal Shelter, 653 Airport Rd., Nocona, TX 76255.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

Continue Reading

OBITUARIES

Sherman Clay Edwards

Published

on

December 12, 1951 – March 13, 2024
BOWIE – Sherman Clay Edwards, 72, died March 13, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 20, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on March 21 at the White Family Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Briar Creek Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born Dec. 12, 1951, in Shamrock, TX to Cecil and Mary Edwards. A 1970 graduate of Boswell High School in Saginaw, he also served in the United States Air Force.
He married Marilyn Apala on May 30, 1980 and they were together close to 44 years. He dedicated his working years to the family-owned E&S floor company in Saginaw, alongside his parents and brother. In his retirement he was a bus driver for Bowie Independent School District.
He is preceded in death by his son, Jaime Edwards; parents, Cecil Edwards and Mary Edwards and his brother, William Edwards.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Edwards; sons, Casey Edwards and Cody Edwards; daughter, Kimberly Wagner; his brother and sister-in-law; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Continue Reading

OBITUARIES

Nelda Virginia Howard

Published

on

August 28, 1949 – March 14, 2024
NOCONA – Nelda Virginia Howard, 74, died March 14, 2024.
Visitation was from 5 -7 p.m. on March 17 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at 2 p.m. on March 18 at Valley View Baptist Church in Spanish Fort, officiated by Pastor Cameron Whitley. Interment followed at Liberty Chapel Cemetery in Montague County.
She was born Aug. 28, 1949 in Hondo, TX to Bill and Bernice Brown, and lived in Devine, TX for the duration of her childhood. She graduated from Devine High School in 1967. Pursuing career opportunities, she moved to San Antonio, where in 1969 she met Steven Thad Howard, and the two married on April 14, 1970. They then moved to Fort Leonard Wood, MO and in early 1972, they returned to Spanish Fort.
While living in Spanish Fort, she was an active Valley View Baptist Church leader and Sunday school teacher. She also was president of the Prairie Valley 4-H and a Texas Foster Care and Adoptive Services certified foster parent. She returned to Devine from 1990-1992, where she received treatment for and overcame stage four ovarian cancer. After returning from Devine in 1992, her family has since called Nocona home.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bill Brown, Mike Brown, Roy Brown, Dusty Brown and Bob Brown.
She is survived by her husband, Steve Howard, Nocona; children, Heath Howard, Krum, Heather Porter, Elk City, OK, Hank Howard, Nocona and Hannah Whitley, Humble, TX; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and siblings, Milton Brown, Karen Kohlleppel, Dana Palmquist, Mark Brown and Gaye Matthews.
Memorial donations may be made to Valley View Baptist Church, 6159 Hwy 103, Nocona, TX 76255.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

Continue Reading
Ad
Ad
Ad
Ad
Ad

Trending