OBITUARIES
Bettye Joe Harris
Bettye Joe Harris
March 27, 1927 – July 2, 2015
BOWIE – Bettye Joe Harris, 88, passed away July 2, 2015 in Bowie, TX.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. July 6 at The White Family Funeral Home.
Funeral service was at 10 a.m. July 7 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie. Burial followed at Bellevue Cemetery.
Bettye was born March 27, 1927 in Deer Creek, TX to Wilson and Audra (Windle) Watson. She graduated from Joy High School. Bettye married H.B. Harris Sr. on April 10, 1944.
She worked for Haggar Slack Co. for 20 years, First National Bank for 13 years and Heards Hardware Store for five years. Bettye loved working in her flower beds and sewing. She played cards every Monday for the last 17 years including the Monday before she passed.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Audra Watson; husband, H.B. Harris Sr.; son, Henry Harris Jr.; grandson, Dain Harris; brothers, John Watson and Ed Watson; and sisters, Ruth Kellye and Billy McKee.
Bettye is survived by her children, Sharon Billings and husband David, Denton, Joe Harris and wife Wendy, Dallas, Darlene Whetsell, Grapevine, Janna Fajardo and husband George, Greenville, SC, and Tammie Turano and husband Nick, Houston; 14 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Jane Perryman, Wichita Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church Building Fund at 307 Lindsey Street, Bowie, TX 76230 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Jimmie Dale Johnson
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
LaDonna Mae Howell
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Bobby (Jerry) Orrell
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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