OBITUARIES
Maribeth Lyn Ellis Olberding
Maribeth Lyn Ellis Olberding
July 21, 1969 – May 28, 2014
LAS CRUCES, NM – Maribeth Lyn Ellis, 44, passed away May 28, 2014 in Las Cruces, NM after a nine month battle with breast cancer.
A memorial service was at 3 p.m. May 31 at First Christian Church in Las Cruces, NM. A second memorial service was at 2 p.m. June 3 at the First Baptist Church in Richardson, TX. She will be buried in West Plains, MO.
Maribeth was born to Jern Wayne and Virginia Foster Ellis on July 21, 1969 in Dallas.
She grew up in Dallas and graduated from Richardson High School in 1987. She attended Baylor University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and took a degree in math education in 1991. She also achieved a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Maribeth married Bruce Olberding in 1993. She and Bruce lived in Middletown, CT and Monroe, LA before moving to Las Cruces over a decade ago. In Las Cruces, Maribeth worked as a college assistant professor in the department of mathematical sciences at New Mexico State University, where she was much beloved by her students and collegues. She was also and fundamentally a joyful parent to her two daughters, Della Lyn and Lila Kay.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Michael Olberding; two daughters, Della Lyn and Lila Kay; parents, Jern Wayne and Virginia Foster Ellis, Dallas; three sisters, Paula Lea Ellis Taylor, Lewisville, Jennifer Elaine Ellis Byrd, McKinney and Stephanie Denise Ellis, Dallas; brother, Neil Scott Ellis, Dallas; eight nephews, Ben, Nick and Forrest Taylor, Andrew, Nathan, Peter and Luke Bryd, and Foster and Cooper Ellis; brother-in-law, David Lee Byrd and sister-in-law, Caroline Fogel Ellis; father and mother-in-law, Mike and Kay Prantl Olberding, West Plains, MO; many aunts and uncles including Frances Foster McCarty, Bowie, Jane Foster Brasch Jackson, Marshall, TX and Lois Foster Campbell, Hurst; and many cousins and dear friends. She will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cancer Aid Resources and Education (C.A.R.E.), 141 Roadrunner Parkway, Suite 226, Las Cruces, NM 88011, 575-680-5922.
Paid publication
June 9, 1945 – April 29, 2026
BOWIE – Barbara Jean Latham, 80, beloved mother, passed away on April 29, 2026 when her battle with cancer ended.
Barbara was laid to rest at Bomarton Cemetery, next to her husband.
Barbara was born on June 9, 1945, in Portland, OR. She was a long-time resident of Sweetwater. She spent the last part of her life living in Bowie. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She also loved her ladies (chickens) and garage sales.
Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Young Latham and her mother, Adeline Mae Ballenger.
Barbara is survived by her son Harold Betts; daughters, Jamie Latham Shaw and Jenisu Latham; siblings Buddy Covington, Thomas Covington, Ronnie Covington, Sharon Covington Posey, Joe Covington, Melissa Evans and Judy Johson; and numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Paid publication
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
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