OBITUARIES
Jerry Dale Coley
Jerry Dale Coley
December 18, 1932 – January 18, 2018
BOWIE – Jerry Dale Coley, 85, affectionately known as “Pop,” passed away peacefully the morning of Jan. 17, 2018.
It is no surprise Pop left specific instructions for his girls. “There will be no pomp and circumstance when I die, but whatever you girls want to do is fine with me.” Thus, the pomp and circumstance celebration of his life is planned for 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at the First United Methodist Church of Bowie.
Jerry was born in Bryson on Dec. 18, 1932 to Robert and Senie (Rankin) Coley. He graduated from Pampa High School in 1950 and attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1954 during the Korean War as Quartermaster Seaman aboard the USS Sicily. He retired first from Cities Service Oil and Gas after 30 years, then finally from EDS in 2010.
Pop dearly loved his family and friends, and was fiercely loyal to his country. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served in several capacities for the organization. He had a servant’s heart and many fondly recall the impact he had on their lives. In his earlier years, he was an avid bowler, loved to play golf, and was a champion trap and skeet shooter.
He met his lifelong love, Joyce Ray Denny, in Pampa. They married in 1956 and had two daughters. Joyce preceded him in death in 2009.
He will be sadly missed by his sister, Nancy Wilson of Canadian; daughters, Jeri Ann and husband Marlon Wells of Tulsa, OK, and Judy Broker, Bowie; grandchildren, Derek and wife Kelly Wells, Darci and husband Don Frost, Matthew and wife Rebecca Broker, and Logan Broker; great grandchildren, Nealee, Gavyn, Griffin, Rhett, Colbie, Delaney, Dylan, Theodore and Arthur; and many extended family members and friends.
Memorial donations are requested to VFW Post 8789 or First United Methodist Church, both of Bowie, TX.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News