OBITUARIES

Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf

Published

5 years ago

12/28/2018

Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf
January 18, 1933 – December 10, 2018
FARMERS BRANCH – Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf, 85, passed away unexpectedly and went to her eternal home with the Lord on Dec. 10, 2018.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Jan. 4 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Decatur, followed by a time of remembrance and sharing at Hawkins Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.
Additionally, there will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch, with a reception to follow.
Stella was born on Jan. 18, 1933 in Decatur. She was the third child of the late Archie and Birdie Morris and was blessed with two older siblings, Raymond (Bubba) and Mary. She was much loved and adored, and often mentioned how lucky she was to have had such a wonderful childhood. She fondly remembered her school years, especially being a member of the Decatur High School Drum Majorettes and the fun times shared at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion. After high school, Stella attended Decatur Baptist College.
Stella married Frank Massey in 1955 in Decatur. They made their home in Bowie and had three sons, Lee Ray, David and Steven. Stella adored being a mom and loved spending her time supporting her boys in all of their activities.
She worked at Bowie Savings and Loan and for Bowie Independent School District as a substitute teacher. In 1975, Stella opened a Hallmark Store in Bowie called The Birdies’ Nest, named after her mother. Later, she took a traveling position with Merle Norman Cosmetics; a job she excelled in and loved so much that it led her to help other startup cosmetic companies, such as Lady Love.
Stella married Robert Helf, in April of 1989. They resided in Farmers Branch where they both shared a passion for their yard and entertaining family and friends in their home. Stella welcomed Bob’s children, Steve, Todd, Michael Ann, Linda and their families with open arms as if they were her own. Bob and Stella were a part of a loving neighborhood community full of lifetime friends that surrounded her with so much love when Bob unexpectedly passed away.
Even more than being a Mom, Stella loved being a Grandma to her beloved ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She devoted her life to being the “best grandma ever” by giving of her time, her wisdom, her memories and her sacrificial love.
Stella was a long-time member of Schreiber United Methodist Church where she attended and served in a number of roles throughout the years. Her Sunday School class developed into a strong family of friends for Stella. They served together and did life together until the very end. Stella truly loved her friends and felt very blessed to have them in her life. In addition to her service at the church, Stella enjoyed volunteering through Meal on Wheels delivering food to the homebound. She also served as a FEMA volunteer.
Stella spent her last years with a long-time cherished friend Gerald Strange, whom quickly became a part of our family, and we all love dearly.
The highlight each year for Stella was “the camp” at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion in Decatur. “The camp” holds a lifetime of Stella’s best memories with family and friends. It was Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July all wrapped into one week of celebrations of life with family and lifetime friends. A favorite tradition every year, she treasured the time she got to spend with her children, grandchildren, and passing along the memories of her time spent there as a child.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Archie and Birdie Morris; her brother, Raymond (Bubba) Morris; her sister, Mary Morris Bruce; her niece, Renee Bruce; her first husband, Frank Massey, and her second husband, Robert Helf.
Stella is survived by her three sons, Lee Ray (Kristine), David (Jackie), and Steven (Dawn); her stepchildren, Steve (Nelda), Michael Ann (Charlie), Todd (Connie), and Linda; and her grandchildren, Erik (Bridget), Blaine, Landon (Delaney), Carson, Nathan, Neal (Cyndi), Mark, Brian, Bill and Kendyll; along with six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Stella and her family would be honored for you to donate to one of her favorite charities, Meals on Wheels. You can make a donation at vnatexas.org/give, call 214-689-2601, or send a check to 1600 Viceroy Drive, Set. 400, Dallas, TX 75235.
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Hawkins Funeral Home
405 East Main St | Decatur, TX | 940-627-5959

OBITUARIES

James Brock Lyons Jr.

Published

6 hours ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

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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OBITUARIES

Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins

Published

6 hours ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

Billy James “Jimmy” Avery

Published

3 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

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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