OBITUARIES
Martha Anne Orton

Martha Anne Orton
August 21, 1942 – September 13, 2014
HOUSTON – Martha Anne Orton Hacker, age 72, passed away on Sept. 13, 2014 making her peaceful transition into God’s loving care. She was released from a two-year struggle with ovarian cancer.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Anne during a celebration from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 18, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Please join us for a toast in remembrance to this smiling, loving lady.
At a later date the family will gather for a private memorial service.
Anne was born on August 21, 1942 in the Gainesville hospital, while her family was living in Nocona, TX. She grew up on the Orton Angus Cattle Ranch and Farm in Bellevue, TX with her loving family; parents, Oliver J. Orton and Martha May Johnson Orton; and three sisters, Rebecca, Nancy Elizabeth and Susan.
She attended school in Bellevue and graduated from Bowie High School in Bowie, where she met her husband James L. Hacker, later graduating from the University of Texas in Austin. She was a teacher at Westchester High School and Kingwood High School.
Anne began a new enjoyable and rewarding career in January of 1984 when she became a sales associate representing decorative accessories and home furnishing lines. In January of 1999, until she retired in August of 2008 she was self-employed as an independent manufacturers’ representative serving major furniture retailers, interior design studios, designer showrooms and contract designers. Anne enjoyed her career, the people she worked with and all the many relationships she developed and served.
Anne and Jim had a wonderful time traveling after their 2008 retirements. They are members of and enjoyed attending Unity Church of Houston.
Anne and Jim loved to reflect on the enjoyment of their children; of their growing up with new schools, new friends, church camps and camping all over Colorado and of course, the pleasure of seeing their daughter and son grow into responsible and successful adults with their own loved ones.
Anne is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver J. Orton and Martha May Johnson Orton.
She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 55 years, Jim Hacker, a retired Houston banker; her daughter, Janét Falcone and husband Gregg; and their three sons, Brett, Ross and Christopher; son, Jim A. Hacker and wife Jeanne; her sisters, Rebecca Sikes and husband Robert; Nancy Elizabeth Van Auken and husband Tom; and Susan Friedman and husband Larry; and a fun and enjoyable bunch of nephews and nieces.
Anne was a loving and caring person with a wonderful smile and attitude and will be missed by all.
We would like to thank Dr. Levenback and his team at MD Anderson for their efforts, personal care and friendship. We would also like to thank Houston Hospice for their excellent and thoughtful care. Thanks to all our friends for their prayers and support which helped us through the many challenges we have faced and now, as we feel the loss of this lovely lady.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Anne’s memory may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.
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OBITUARIES
Wade Shelton

November 24, 1929 – April 28, 2025
NOCONA – Wade Shelton, 95, died on April 28, 2025 in Bowie.
A visitation was at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at the gazebo at Molsbee Chapel Cemetery on May 5 officiated by Pastor Phillip Weitner.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1929 in Nocona to Walter Shelton and Mildred Kidwell Shelton. He was a hard-worker most of his life working mostly as an industrial machine mechanic and also managing the drive-in movie theater in Nocona. He was a member, deacon and sometimes ministered at Molsbee Chapel Church of the Brethren. He married Thelma Wright on Nov. 24, 1956 in Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Weldon Shelton and Paul Shelton; and sisters, Oleta and Bonnie Baggett.
He is survived by his children, Serina Thomas, Bowie, John Shelton, Sunset and Steve Holcomb, Nocona; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
OBITUARIES
Fern Hollaway Caswell

July 7, 1925 – April 28, 2025
BOWIE – Fern Hollaway Caswell passed on April 28, 2025 at the age of exactly 99 years, nine months and three weeks.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset with Doyle Wade officiating.
Fern was born at her parents’ home just outside of Sunset on July 7, 1925, she was the youngest child and only daughter of J. A. (Jim) Hollaway and Arah Sigler Hollaway. Growing up with three older brothers, she learned quite early on how to hold her own when faced with difficulties. She graduated from Sunset High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1941. While in school, she was a talented and celebrated volleyball player on winning teams coached by J. I. (Speck) Caswell, the man who would eventually become her husband of 48 years.
Before her marriage, Fern worked at what is now known as the North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls Campus, first on the wards and eventually in the business office. After her marriage, the birth of the couple’s children, and the family’s move to Alvord in 1954, she devoted herself to rearing her daughters and working alongside her husband on the family ranch.
After the girls left home, she worked for the Lorch Company, managing their outlet stores in Decatur and Gainesville until the company closed. After her husband’s death, she began a long and varied career at DFW International Airport, driving carts and working in customs and security, all jobs which clearly suited her love of people watching. After getting up at 2 a.m. and driving to the airport three days a week for many years, she eventually retired at 89. Regardless of when and where she was working, she was always Granny and always available to the grandsons and great grandchildren she adored.
An excellent seamstress, Fern had a strong work ethic and a keen fashion sense, both of which she imparted to her daughters. An avid reader of biographies, she was also a lover of all animals, particularly Siamese cats. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord, she also served as the District President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Texas.
Fern was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers, Berniece, Clay and Harold Hollaway; niece, Deanna Hollaway Hooper and great-niece, Tonya Davis Wallum.
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lana Caswell-Garcia and H.S. (Bert) Garcia, Sherman and Karen Caswell Fowler and Donald Fowler, Chico; grandsons, Wes Fowler, and Kase Fowler and his wife Leslie Bain Fowler, all of Alvord; and great grandchildren, Rachae Fowler Richey and her husband Senior Airman Hunter Richey, Colorado Springs and Keegan Fowler, Alvord; nephews, Billy Dean Hollaway and his wife Sheri, North Little Rock, AR, Bernis Hollaway, Carr, CO and Bruce Hollaway, Buena Vista, AR; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Gary Leo Fergueson

November 11, 1944 – April 19, 2025
BELLEVUE – Gary Leo Fergueson, 80, died on April 19, 2025.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Vashti Cemetery with Michael Brannon and Jeff Brannon officiating.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944 to Vera (Chappell) and Lewis Fergueson. He worked in the food and grocery industry at multiple store chains beginning in Fort Worth and ending in Bowie. He also worked as a rancher at his family farm in Vashti. Fergueson proudly served his country in the United States Army, he completed his basic training in San Fransico and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Alta Fergueson Brannon.
He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Brannon; niece, Krista Brannon Blackrock; brother-in-law Michael Brannon and a very special friend of 60 years, Helen Ulbig.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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