OBITUARIES

Mary Jo Watson Oliver

Published

9 years ago

03/15/2016

Mary Jo Watson Oliver OBIT Jo Oliver
August 30, 1921 – March 12, 2016
GRAHAM – Mary Jo Watson Oliver, 94, went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 12, 2016.
A service will be at 2 p.m. March 17 at Eastside Church of Christ in Graham. A visitation reception will follow in the church foyer.
Jo Oliver was born on Aug. 30, 1921, in Bowie to parents, Mary Pauline Vickery Watson and Benjamin Ewing Watson. Jo was blessed with a wonderful youth, growing up in Bowie, the youngest of six children. Throughout her life she enjoyed the gifts of singing, playing the piano, theater and painting.
After high school, Jo attended Abilene Christian College. In 1943 she graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor of music.
While attending UT, she met the love of her life, pharmacy student Walter Wood Oliver. The couple married in 1943 at the Riverside Church in New York City. After Walter left for service in the Navy during World War II, Jo taught music in the public schools. After Walter returned from the service, the couple moved to Graham and founded Oliver Drug, downtown on the square.
Jo and Walter loved building a business in Graham as well as participating in many civic efforts to benefit the city. Jo’s unique interest was in the Medicare aspect of their business which led to an expansion of the business to Oliver Drug and Medical Supply.
Of great enjoyment to Jo and Walter was their house and recreation on Possum Kingdom Lake. PK was a cherished place of relaxation and an opportunity to entertain friends and family.
One of the highlights of Jo’s life was to be involved with the development of Shawnee Springs Park in 1988. The transformation of the area into a beautiful park won the “Take Pride in America: Thousand Points of Light” award from the President George H.W. Bush Administration in 1989. Jo and Walter were delighted to travel to the White House to accept this prestigious award on behalf of all those who worked to achieve the project.
In addition, Jo will be remembered for her love of beauty, daffodils and daylilies. She was a founder of Graham’s Christmas Stroll and the Daffodil Festival. In addition, Jo was a long time member of the Graham Garden Club, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club and her church home, the Eastside Church of Christ where she especially enjoyed Ladies’ Bible Class.
Later in life, Jo enjoyed the artistic abilities of her grandchildren which included singing, theater and music. She actually felt somewhat responsible for their talents.
Other civic involvement included chair of the Young County Historical Commission, the board of the Bowie Educational Fund, and president of the Resident’s Council, The Plaza at Edgemere, 2015-2016, Dallas, Texas.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 1991. She is survived by her children, Gail Turner and husband Gerald Turner, and Walter Oliver III and wife Mackie Oliver. Grandchildren include Angela Turner Wilson, Jessica Turner Waugh and Eric Oliver. Great grandchildren include Luke and Wyatt Wilson and Abby, Lexie and Charlotte Waugh. Also included are many cherished nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Eastside Church of Christ in memory of Mary Jo Oliver or City of Graham, Shawnee Springs Project c/o of City Manager, 429 4th St. Graham, TX 76450.
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OBITUARIES

Brenda Sue Durham Jones

Published

5 days ago

06/18/2025

bowienews

August 29, 1963 – June 5, 2025
NOCONA – Brenda Sue Durham Jones, 61, died on June 5, 2025 in Nocona, TX with her sisters and niece by her side.
A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on June 29 at Terral First Baptist Church in Terral, OK with Pastor Mark Kunkel officiating.
She was born on Aug. 29, 1963 in Bowie to Curtis Don Durham and Emma Nell Reynolds.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Nell Durham; grandparents, Earl and Ruby Reynolds; and brother, Jerry Durham.
She is survived by her husband, Allan Gann, Nocona; children, Misty Torres, New Mexico, Lisa Jones, Gordonville, Chris Jones, Whitney and Tony Jones, Bowie; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sisters, Beverly Jones, Bowie, Barbara Foster, Bowie, Betty Patton,Waco, Becky McCullar, Stoneburg and Bobbie Barnett, Stoneburg; brother, Curtis Durham Jr., Bowie and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

OBITUARIES

Kenneth Wayne Monroe

Published

5 days ago

06/18/2025

bowienews

June 16, 1937- June 13, 2025
BOWIE – Kenneth Wayne Monroe, 87, died peacefully on June 13, 2025, at his home in Bowie, TX.
Family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on June 19 at the White Family Funeral home.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on June 20 at the White Family Funeral Home with Rex Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
Friends and family are welcome at 1000 Central Ave. for food and drink and further visitation after the service.
Kenneth was born June 16, 1937, in Park Springs, TX. He was the youngest of eight children in a farming family, eventually taking over the farm at a young age after his siblings had moved away. He graduated from Alvord High School in 1955 and played basketball.
In 1959 he married the love of his life Joyce Ann Thompson. They had two sons, Steve and Larry. Kenneth worked in the oil field in various areas from roustabout to production foreman. Later he started his own oil field construction business with his sons. He finished his career at Lockheed prior to retirement in 2003. He enjoyed watching his family grow, raising Boer goats, watching sports and classic westerns.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Ann Thompson Monroe in 2011, and son, Larry Monroe in 2024.
Kenneth is survived by son, Steve Monroe and wife Randi, Bowie; grandsons, Tanner Monroe and wife Sarah, Royse City, Brian Monroe, Bowie and Kyler Monroe and wife Whitney, Forestburg; and great-grandchildren, Dallie, Kash, Anika and Emory.
Kenneth was a hard worker, loyal friend, husband, father and uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed. Special thanks go to his friend and caregiver Melody Hamilton. The family also wants to thank Angels Care Home Health and Hospice, and Right at Home caregivers who loved and cared for him in his final chapter of a very full life and we are forever grateful.
Arrangements are entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Mary Lou (Tanner) Fenoglio

Published

5 days ago

06/18/2025

bowienews

March 3, 1930 – June 10, 2025
RINGGOLD – Mary Lou (Tanner) Fenoglio, 95, died June 10, 2025 in Cherry Street Village in Nocona.
A visitation was at 6 p.m. on June 13 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
The funeral service was at 10:30 a.m. on June 14 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Craig Rolen. Pallbearers were Bob Henry, Joe A. Staley, Johnny Reynolds, Scott Hinton, Mike Weatherly and Rusty Weatherly. Interment followed in Ringgold Cemetery.
Fenoglio was born in Fleetwood, OK on March 3, 1930 to Zabud Lucas Tanner and Norma Saunders Tanner. She was one of 13 children.
She and Sonny lived in Stanfield and Ringgold all of their married life, where they farmed and raised cattle. Besides being a homemaker, she served Ringgold and Muenster post offices. She served as election judge in Ringgold for several decades. She was very active throughout her life, playing softball into her 40’s and learning to swim in her 50’s.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Fenix Tony (Sonny) Fenoglio; granddaughter, Lane and son, Larry.
She is survived by daughter Diane Conrady, Windthorst; one daughter-in-law; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Bettye Williams, Terral; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Lane Fenoglio Memorial Scholarship, Ringgold Cemetery Association, or Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department. Memorials may be mailed to Janna Fenoglio, 375 Fite Road, Ringgold, TX 76261.