OBITUARIES
Lorren Glaine Bush Smith
October 6, 1942 – March 1, 2022
BOWIE – Lorren Smith, most recently of Bowie, TX, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 1, 2022 in Decatur, TX.
The family will announce details for a celebration of Lorren’s life which will be at a later date.
A resident of Bowie, Ft. Pierre, SD and Lake Park, IA, Lorren was the daughter of Glen Bush and Lorraine Bush and was born in Lake Park, IA. Lorren was raised on the family farm near Lake Park along with her sister Jan and brother Shane. She often recounted memories of milking the family cows, working in the corn fields and participating in raising the family’s herd of Hereford cattle. She attended all school grades and graduated from Lake Park High School. Lorren’s classmates knew her by her nickname “Rennie.”
After high school, Lorren had many great experiences and made life-long friends as a young single woman. She attended dental assistant school at the University of Minnesota and also worked as a dental assistant in Sioux Falls, SD. Lorren was an independent, self-supporting single woman of the late 1960s. She was a trail blazer for mid-century working women serving as a role model for her daughters, nieces and granddaughters. She subsequently worked for the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and attended an event where she met her future husband, Don Lee Smith of Ft. Pierre, Sd.
Lorren and Don married on Aug. 8, 1970 in Lake Park, IA and settled in Pierre, near the Smith Family Ranch. In Pierre, they raised Don’s three children, Roxanne, Judy and Lee. Although not her children by birth, Lorren lovingly provided care and support for the children throughout their lives.
Lorren worked at the South Dakota State Capitol for several departments and the State Legislature for a number of years. One of her closest friends, Governor Walter Dale Miller, would walk with Lorren on some afternoons to the nearby Smith Family home so he could have a nap there. Lorren was a trusted confidante during his administration. As the wife of a cattle rancher who worked long hours, Lorren also provided vital support to Don on the home front.
Lorren and Don were deeply committed to their faith and were both founding members of the Community Bible Church of Pierre.
Lorren loved eventually living at the ranch south of Ft. Pierre and enjoyed bird watching, entertaining her grandchildren, and traveling the world with Don and close friends. She also enjoyed accompanying Don in his travels to cutting horse competitions throughout the United States. They made many life-long friends and memories along the way.
Transitioning to retirement, Lorren and Don moved to rural Bowie, where Don continued to pursue his cutting horse interests and Lorren enjoyed the peace of rural life along with occasional travel. She and Don celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August of 2020 along with their children and grandchildren.
Lorren was preceded in death by her father Glen Bush, mother Lorraine Bush and nephew Ryan Bush.
She is survived by her husband, Don Lee Smith; daughters Roxanne Harrison (Christopher), Judy Fisher (Robert) and Don Lee Smith, Jr. Additionally she is survived by her sister Jan (Jim) Wiese and Shane (Bette) Bush. Lorren was blessed with six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews she dearly cherished.
Paid publication
June 5, 1924 – June 27, 2026
BOWIE – Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell, 102 went to be with the Lord, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, service, hard work and love for her family and community.
The service was at Turrentine Jackson Morrow (Meador) Funeral Home in Whitesboro. A visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on June 30 and the services was at 2 p.m. on July 1 officiated by Ricky Patterson. A graveside service followed by at Oakwood Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her husband.
Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell was born to Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley on June 5, 1924 in Lancaster. She attended Lancaster schools and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She was the only daughter among eight children and was raised on the family’s cotton farm, where she developed the strong work ethic, determination and compassion that defined her remarkable life.
Following her marriage to the love of her life, John B. Bell and in making their home with their four children in Sherman, she began her career with International Business Machines. They later moved to Boulder, CO where she advanced in her profession and served as lead personnel analyst until her retirement in 1980.
Following her retirement from IBM, Ann and her husband moved back to Texas and became owners and operators of Bell Hardware & Feed in Collinsville. After selling the business, she worked for many years at the Gainesville Livestock Market. Later in life, she devoted her time to service as a volunteer and ultimately volunteer director of Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank in Whitesboro.
During her career with IBM, Ann was recognized for her leadership and accomplishments, including her 1965 nomination as the second female president of the IBM Club. Following her retirement, her volunteer work and dedication at Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank earned her the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce.
She later moved to a senior living facility in McKinney, where she lived for nine years and continued her volunteer service before moving to Bowie to be near her daughter.
Ann will be remembered for her extraordinary work ethic, sharp intellect, generous heart and unwavering commitment to helping others. She believed every opportunity to serve was a blessing.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Bell; parents, Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley and seven brothers.
She is survived by her four children, James ‘Jim’ Bell, John A. Bell and wife Robin, Jeryl ‘Jerry’ Bell, and Janis Crawley and her husband, Joe; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; loving nieces and nephews, dear friends and many others whose lives were touched by her kindness, wisdom and example.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowie Mission Food Bank in Bowie.
Paid publication
April 14, 1952 – June 27, 2026
BOWIE – Billy Charles Akins, 74, died on June 27, 2026.
At a later time, there will be a memorial ride in his honor with the United Brothers of Wise County chapter.
He was born on April 14, 1952, in California to Charles and Eleanor Akins.
He was a proud retired member of the United Brothers and valued the friendships and fellowship he found there throughout his life.
He is lovingly survived by his daughters, Brandy Karr and Moriah Hal; three grandsons; sister, Karen Akins; one niece; one nephew; brother, Michael Akins; an aunt; one cousin and their son; and two close friends.
In lieu of flowers send donations to Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
September 17, 1940 – June 20, 2026
NEW BRAUNFELS – Tommy Morgan, 85, died on June 20, 2026.
A visitation was from 6-7:30 p.m. on June 25 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel.
A funeral service followed at 11 a.m. on June 26 at First Baptist Church in Nocona officiated by pastor Dave Woodbury. Interment followed at Center Point Cemetery.
He was born on Sept. 17, 1940 in Powell, OK to S.G. and Dolly Avery Morgan. On Feb. 4, 1967 he married Wanda Gayle Ice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Center Point Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 401, Saint Jo, TX 76265.
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