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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April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.
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August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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