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Raymond Melton Mills

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February 27, 1963 – May 30, 2023
BOWIE – Raymond Melton Mills, 60, passed away suddenly on May 30, 2023.
A celebration of life will be hosted by his children from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 11 in the Chapman Building at 116 W. Wise Street in Bowie. It will be a come-and-go memorial event. His children look forward to gathering with friends and family to remember their dad.
Raymond was born Feb. 27, 1963 in Wilbarger, TX to Oza Ray Mills and Mary Elizabeth Denney. He grew up in Archer City with his five siblings. In his senior year of high school (1982), his classmates voted him to be “Mr. School Spirit” and “Friendliest.” He also was a talented football player for the Archer City High School Wildcats. As a young man Raymond was the lead singer in a Christian rock band called “Seventy Times Seven,” named for Matthew 18:22. Music became a permanent passion in his life and he frequently sang to his friends and family.
From 1990-2020 he was married to Julie Bonham Mills and was blessed with one stepdaughter and five children. Raymond will be fondly remembered by his children as a fun, loving, charismatic and spontaneous father who loved family time. They especially remember watching movies on Friday nights.
He was a hard worker in whatever endeavor he undertook, and his entrepreneurial spirit resulted in many blessings for his family. In 1992 until his passing, Raymond was the president and owner of Mills Bit Service Inc., which was a longtime, successful business related to oil exploration. He was fondly known as “Red” to his customers and even developed his own drill bit line: Life Force PDC.
His children and grandchildren brought him endless joy and happiness. Raymond loved them fiercely and was a proud “Papa.” His favorite thing was taking selfies with them, which are photos they are grateful to have. In his most recent years, he enjoyed traveling the world for business and pleasure. He journeyed to Israel, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Russia and Mexico.
Raymond loved God and was devoted to his Messianic faith. His favorite book of the scriptures was Psalms. His generous spirit resulted in many acts of kindness and he often shared his faith with others.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved son, Joel Ray Mills. This time of mourning has been extremely difficult for his family members, but they know he is rejoicing in the presence of his Heavenly Father and is comforted by being reunited with his son, Joel.
Raymond is survived by his children, Marlaina McKnight and husband Trey, Cassie Smith, Joshua Mills, Mary Beth Miller and husband Michael and Rebekah Mills; seven grandchildren, Bryson, Brylee, Branson, Laramie Sue, Clara, Adele and Olivia; siblings, David Mills, Tom Mills, Eddie Mills, Debbie Poore and husband Ray and Brenda Sentell and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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OBITUARIES

Minnie Mae Duchaine

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November 8, 1932 – April 18, 2024
BOWIE – Minnie Mae Duchaine, 91, passed away on April 18, 2024 after a brief illness.
A graveside service took place at 10 a.m. on April 23 at the Montague Cemetery with Chaplin Phillip Weitner officiating.
Minnie was born on Nov. 8, 1932 to Johnie and Ethel (Hise) Dalton in Montague County. She lived the majority of her life in Bowie. On Dec. 17, 1949 Minnie married Joseph G. Duchaine. The couple went on to have three children, Connie J. (Molly), Norma J. (Nunn) and David R. Duchaine. She had five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Connie; two brothers, Hershel and Johnny and her sister, Colleen LaMascus.
Please make a donation to St. Judes or Shriners Hospital in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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Nancy Karen Stine Stewart

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June 20, 1948 – April 21, 2024
FORT WORTH – Nancy Karen Stine Stewart, 75, died April 21, 2024.
The family will receive friends at noon on April 24 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. A private interment will follow in Ringgold.
She was born June 20, 1948 in Wichita Falls to Mary Nelle (Hawkins) and the late Ward L. Stine of Bowie. She lived in Ringgold for her childhood years and attended a one-room primary school in Stoneburg.
Her family relocated to Bowie when she was 12 years old and she was active in many forms of music throughout high school including leading and directing the Bowie Jackrabbit Marching Band as the Drum Majorette. She participated in baton twirling and classical dance and played the piano along the pageant circuit. She was awarded Miss Fort Worth, Texas First Runner-Up in 1966 and crowned the first Miss Jim Bowie in 1967 for the Jim Bowie Days Rodeo festivities.
Her alma mater was Texas Christian University where she focused on her passion for music, including piano and oboe studies. After graduation in 1970, she developed a studio of private piano students and was the organist for many years at Azle Christian Church. She was part of the Delta Gamma Sorority and later chaired several phenomenal Delta Gamma Alumnae charity fundraisers. She also hosted international piano students from every corner of the world, including Australia, Germany and England and would offer them insight to the Fort Worth cultural life.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents; her maternal grandparents; father, Ward L. Stine and her son, William Wade Stewart.
She is survived by her mother, Mary Nelle Stine, Bowie; brother, Herb H. Stine, Wichita Falls; son, H. Laine Stewart, Weatherford; daughter, Laura Kay Hughes, Newton, MA; seven grandchildren; one niece and two great nieces.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Allen Dale “Rocky” Williams

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SAINT JO – Allen Dale “Rocky” Williams, 75, died April 20, 2024.
A visitation will be at 10 a.m. on April 27 at the Saint Jo Church of Christ followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Mountain Park Cemetery.
Williams was a football coach, educator and administrator for 43 years prior to his retirement in 2014. He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of North Texas in 1971 and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M Commerce in 1974. He received numerous accolades throughout his career including multiple Teacher of the Year awards and coached two football teams to the State Championship in New Mexico.
He was preceded in death by his father, Irb Cofer Williams and mother, Minda Allen Williams.
He married his wife of 53 years, Ann Williams, in Saint Jo in 1971 and they had two children, Amber and Scott Williams, as well as seven grandchildren. He also had three brothers Pete, Jimmy and Don Williams and one sister, Bobbie, all of whom grew up in Saint Jo.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo.

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