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OBITUARIES

Thomas Jefferson Craft

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Thomas Jefferson Craft
December 13, 1929 – September 22, 2018
CORPUS CHRISTI- Thomas Jefferson Craft, 88, passed away on Sept. 22, 2018.
A visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Terral Funeral Home in Terral, OK.
A graveside funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Sept. 28 at the Terral cemetery in Terral.
He was born Dec.13, 1929 in Fleetwood, OK. We have lost one of the wisest and kindest people that we’ve ever known. He had quite a sense of humor, and was never above pulling someone’s leg to get them to smile and laugh.
Tom graduated from Terral High School and went on to serve in the military as a sergeant in the Korean War. After the war, he returned to his beloved Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1957 with a degree in agriculture.
Tom met his wife, Iris while attending Oklahoma State and from there the adventures began. In their early years, they lived in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Pennsylvania.
Later, they settled in Arizona and stayed there until retirement. While in Arizona, Tom worked for the Bureau of Land Management and mapped almost the entire state for the government.
He loved to garden, and could make anything grow, even with the most challenging of soil. His jalapeno peppers were always something to contend with, not to mention the beautiful tomatoes that he would grow year round. They finally moved to Bowie where they spent many happy years together in retirement.
Tom loved to golf in later years, and could out shoot his daughters and son on the course, which always gave them a big laugh. He spent his spare time making jelly and jam out of the many fruits that were grown in his backyard. His peach and strawberry jam was something everyone looked forward to. He was a third degree Mason with the Bowie Mason Lodge and active in the Methodist Church.
Tom was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, brothers and his beloved wife, Iris.
He is survived by his three children, daughters, Susan (John) Giesing, Amy Craft and son, Jeff Craft all of Corpus Christi; sister, Helen Gunter, Terral OK; five grandchildren, Felicia Lasso, Alexandra Lasso, Jeremy Lasso, Declan Craft and Augustin Craft; two great grandchildren, Bentley Lasso and Arisa Lasso; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Condolences may be sent to [email protected].
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Terral Funeral Home
109 E. Apache St, Terral, OK 73569 | 580-437-2203

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OBITUARIES

William Donald Cleveland

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October 4, 1948 – November 20, 2024
BOWIE – William Donald Cleveland was born Oct. 4, 1948 in Bowie to Donald Dean and Betty Isabella Cleveland. He died Nov. 20, 2024 at age 76 at his home in Bowie.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 23 at First Baptist Church of Alvord with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Alvord Cemetery.
One of his treasures in life was growing up in Post Oak with his sister, Marsha, having the advantage of their Papaw Cleveland living with them and sharing his love, wisdom and love for the Lord. His mentor and pastor Tom Urrey, “Tinker” held a special place in his heart and life as well.
He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1967. He then went to Howard Payne on a track scholarship, graduated from Midwestern University with a bachelor of arts in English, attended Southwestern Theological Seminary and later worked toward a masters degree in psychology at Midwestern University.
He began his career while attending Howard Payne as youth minister at First Baptist Llano, TX. He then became youth minister at Southwest Baptist Church in Jacksboro,while attending Seminary. Next, he was youth minister at Sunnyside Baptist in Wichita Falls, then on to First Baptist Childress as music and youth minister. He then established Cleveland Electric in Bowie while serving several churches part time.
In 1994, he began his ministry at First Baptist Alvord and served as pastor for 28 years. He was instrumental in overseeing the building of a new sanctuary in 2009 along with many members who did most of the work themselves. His one request was that the building have a cornerstone that had the name “Jesus” inscribed and built into the building. His wish was that no man take the glory except God. God used Bill to lead many people to Christ through his preaching, counseling, hospital visits, vacation bible schools, bible studies, youth mission trips and ski trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Betty Cleveland, Sara Bayard and Andrea Wood.
Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Paula; his “little” sister and “big” brother Marsha and Mike Robinson, Jacksboro; children, Shawn Cleveland and wife Stephanie, Plano; Shanna Cleveland, Boston, MA; grandchildren, Claire, Christopher and Cole Cleveland. Also, Barry and Rhonda Clark, Kent and Pam Wood; grandchildren, Melissa and Zeke Dorr, Macie and Cody Rollins, Kregg and Jordan Wood, Kyle and Lorraine Wood and great-grandchildren, Clark and Nicholas Dorr, Callie and Sadie Rollins, Hallie and Cooper Wood and Grayson Wood.
Memorial contributions should be made to the First Baptist Church Alvord building fund.
His request was to have the word Tetelestai on his headstone, meaning, “It is finished.”
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Gloria Kay Bell

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October 23, 1946 – November 15, 2024
Little River-Academy, TX – Gloria Kay Bell, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 15, 2024.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Bowie with the Rev. Lavern Janssen and the Rev. Mark DeYoung officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Stoneburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gloria was born on Oct. 23, 1946 in Bowie to Russell and Linda (Roth) Johnson. She married the love of her life, Ronnie Bell on July 5, 1969 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, where she also was baptized and confirmed. Ronnie and Gloria shared 55 happy years together.
Gloria loved little children and her family. She loved to sing, participating in school choirs and also church choirs where she attended worship. She also loved to paint, selling several paintings and having her artwork displayed in galleries. People from all over are still enjoying her talent.
She retired from First Financial Bank of Abilene where she worked in several different departments which kept her on her toes, but she loved her job and working with the public.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Ronnie Bell, Little River-Academy, TX; son, Brian Bell and wife Shanna, Wagoner, OK; daughter, Lori Johnson and husband Brandon, Winchester, KY; brother, Steven Johnson and wife Joslon, Nocona; sister, Doria Counts and husband James, Graham; grandchildren, Hailey Bell and Hayden Bell and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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Rhonda Duncan Ford

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August 15, 1951 – November 15, 2024
NOCONA – Rhonda Duncan Ford, 73, died Nov. 15, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service will be at noon Nov. 21 at the Joy Cemetery, 8830 Old Joy Shannon Rd, Henrietta, TX 76365, with Bro. Rex Cobb officiating
She was born on Aug. 15, 1951, to J.M. and June Duncan in Amarillo. She attended Vernon Regional Junior College obtaining her nursing license as a licensed vocational nurse. She worked for many years at nursing homes around Bowie. In the 90’s she went to work for Dr. Len Dingler in Nocona and the Nocona General Hospital for a while. She married Bobby Ford on Aug. 10, 1979.
She is preceded in death by her parents, J.M Duncan and June Duncan; her husband of 41 years, Bobby Lee Ford; sister, Gail Schenk; daughter, Teresa Quillen nd newborn son, Floyd Alan Ford.
She is survived by children, Kenneth Ford, David Ford, Clarissa Fletcher and Amie Mankhambira; one son-in-law; 14 grandchildren; sisters, Jamie Baack, Mica Duncan Thomas and Sharla Gallion; one sister-in-law and many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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