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OBITUARIES

Margaret Kate Reed

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September 12, 1932 – April 2021
STRATFORD – Margaret Kate VanVacter, 89, passed away on April 18, 2021.
Interment will be at 10 a.m. on April 22 at the Stratford Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Rinne officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 21 at the funeral home.
Margaret Kate VanVacter was born in Magnum, OK on Sept. 12, 1932 to Leon and Eugenia VanVacter. They moved to Bowie when she was two years old.
Margaret attended school in the little town of Stoneburg where she was co-valedictorian of the eighth grade. She changed schools to Bowie at the beginning of her junior year and was the valedictorian of her high school class. During these high school years, she was introduced to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs-Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs by her mother who attended the maids and matrons club of Bowie. She was active in volleyball and debating which both won district her senior year—this was as far as they went at this time. Margaret was a member of Alpha Chi, National Honor Society and Los Caballeros Riding Club. She attended Texas Women’s University one year and transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton the following year. She graduated from UNT in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in education. During her college years, she was Rodeo Queen of the Bowie Pioneer Days Celebration.
She taught school for 11 years. She met Bill, her husband while teaching her first year in Spearman. She taught the next two years at Dumas and then moved to Stratford after she and Bill married. She taught the remainder of her 11 years at Stratford.
William Glenn “Bill” Reed Jr. and Margaret Kate VanVacter were married in Clayton, NM on May 19, 1956. They had two sons William R. “Ricky” Reed and Donal L. “Don” Reed. They formed a partnership together named Bill Reed and Sons on Dec. 1, 1982. Bill Reed and Sons was awarded several awards such as Farmer of the Year from Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2002, and Farmer of the Year 2013 KGNC and Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. They also formed Reed Inc., and Butte Lake Ranch. She kept records and accounts for the multiple farm and ranch enterprises that the family owns and operates. She even raised baby bottle calves in the backyard. She felt that a life in agriculture is a great legacy to pass down through the generations. Margaret enjoyed hosting the family holiday gatherings for her children and grandchildren. Where her infamous ice cream cake was often requested. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their sporting events, rodeos and stock shows. She enjoyed going to Texas Tech University football and basketball games.
Margaret served her community in various roles. Throughout her life she was a member of several boards, clubs and councils. She was a member of the Stratford Independent School District school board for five terms and was the first woman elected to be a member of that board. She was a member of the Sherman County Hospital District where she served as Board President. She was a member of the Education Endowment Board from origination until 2010. Margaret was a member of The Stratford Area Foundation Board. She was a member of the Top of Texas Girlstown Endowment Board at the time Girlstown became part of Boys Ranch. She served as the President of the Sherman County Library Board. She was also a member of the board that started Lollipop Day Care in Stratford. Margaret was also a Cub Scout leader for six years. She was a SCOT Board member and taught the Pricilla Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church of Stratford.
Margaret was a Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Life Member, a member of TFWC Historical Foundation for 10 years and helped restore the financial stability of the 30,000 square foot TFWC Clubhouse in Austin, TX. Margaret was to be receiving her 50th-year membership pin for TFWC. She was awarded the Outstanding Club Woman of the Top of Texas District where she also served two terms as President. She was a member of the Prospectus Study Club for 53 years. The Sherman County history book titled God Grass and Grit Volume one was published by Prospectus Study Club while Margaret was President.
She won several awards during her lifetime. Margaret was the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority girl of the year for two years. She was awarded the Sherman County Conservation Homemaker in 2004, the Region I Conservation Homemaker in 2005 and the 2000 Distinguished Service Award from the Women’s Forum of Amarillo. She was one of the seven panhandle women to receive the 2000 Distinguished Service Award.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Eugenia VanVacter; husband, Bill Reed; brother, Leighton VanVacter and son Ricky Reed.
She is survived by her son, Don and wife, ViAnn, Stratford; daughter-in-law, D’Lynn, Stratford; grandsons, Adam, Stratford, Brad and wife, Rachael, Sunray, Brent and wife, Alexa, Stratford; granddaughter, Katelyn Salcido and husband, Cesar, Stratford; great-grandchildren, Brayson, Aubrey, Brexlann, Raegan, Brynlee, Kollin and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Lollipop Junction, PO Box 411, Stratford, TX 79084 or Sherman County Area Foundation, PO Box 48, Stratford, TX 79084 or Sherman County Library, 1719 Main Street, Stratford, TX 79084.
Arrangements are entrusted to Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.
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BEESON ~ MORRISON
Funeral Directors

1015 S Dumas Ave| Dumas, TX | 806-935-4646

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OBITUARIES

Amanda Ellisa Horton

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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.

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OBITUARIES

Sherman Clay Edwards

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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.

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OBITUARIES

Nelda Virginia Howard

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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.

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