OBITUARIES
Edward Mervin Ledbetter


Edward Mervin Ledbetter
December 20, 1939 – September 17, 2019
BOWIE – Edward Mervin Ledbetter, 79, passed away Sept. 17, 2019 in Bowie, TX.
A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 20 at The White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at The White Family Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Osborne officiating.
Ed was born on Dec. 20, 1939 in Gorman, TX to Thomas and Lois (Robertson) Ledbetter. He graduated from Albany High School in the Class of 1960. Ed married Carolyne McCart on Nov. 10, 1984 at Baptist Chapel in Plano, TX.
Ed served in the National Guard in the 60s and was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis for jungle training in South Louisiana swamp lands. Ed was an avid outdoors man, and loved to hunt, fish and play golf.
In high school Ed participated in FFA for two years, he was on the 2A State Football Championship Team in Albany in 1958. At only 165 lbs. he played both first string offensive and defensive tackle for four years, as he was extremely quick and fast. In 1957 and 1958 Ed won Tennis By-State and was awarded a college scholarship. Sadly he was unable to accept his scholarship due to his father’s untimely death.
Ed was the oldest son and took over his father’s Conoco Service Station to support the family. In 1958 he worked on the Coody Ranch in Caddo, TX. Following, Ed worked for Texas Instruments in California and Dallas. Ed’s greatest career achievement was Ledbetter Foundation, his hugely successful construction company in the Dallas Fort Worth area for 20-plus years. In his later years Ed worked at WalMart in Bowie for 20 years. Ed cherished his family and always took pride in the upkeep of his ranch.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Thomas Franklin Ledbetter and Carl Gene Ledbetter.
Ed is survived by his wife, Carolyne Ledbetter, Bowie; daughter, Michelle Albanese, Austin; son, Paul McPherson and daughter-in-law, Shannon, Austin; grandchildren, Jeff, Austin and Krystalynn; brothers, Floyd Ledbetter and wife Martha Jane, Sunset, and Carroll Dean Ledbetter and wife Rebecca, Abilene; sister, Verna Brister and husband Z.L., Abilene; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Wade Shelton

November 24, 1929 – April 28, 2025
NOCONA – Wade Shelton, 95, died on April 28, 2025 in Bowie.
A visitation was at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at the gazebo at Molsbee Chapel Cemetery on May 5 officiated by Pastor Phillip Weitner.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1929 in Nocona to Walter Shelton and Mildred Kidwell Shelton. He was a hard-worker most of his life working mostly as an industrial machine mechanic and also managing the drive-in movie theater in Nocona. He was a member, deacon and sometimes ministered at Molsbee Chapel Church of the Brethren. He married Thelma Wright on Nov. 24, 1956 in Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Weldon Shelton and Paul Shelton; and sisters, Oleta and Bonnie Baggett.
He is survived by his children, Serina Thomas, Bowie, John Shelton, Sunset and Steve Holcomb, Nocona; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
OBITUARIES
Fern Hollaway Caswell

July 7, 1925 – April 28, 2025
BOWIE – Fern Hollaway Caswell passed on April 28, 2025 at the age of exactly 99 years, nine months and three weeks.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset with Doyle Wade officiating.
Fern was born at her parents’ home just outside of Sunset on July 7, 1925, she was the youngest child and only daughter of J. A. (Jim) Hollaway and Arah Sigler Hollaway. Growing up with three older brothers, she learned quite early on how to hold her own when faced with difficulties. She graduated from Sunset High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1941. While in school, she was a talented and celebrated volleyball player on winning teams coached by J. I. (Speck) Caswell, the man who would eventually become her husband of 48 years.
Before her marriage, Fern worked at what is now known as the North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls Campus, first on the wards and eventually in the business office. After her marriage, the birth of the couple’s children, and the family’s move to Alvord in 1954, she devoted herself to rearing her daughters and working alongside her husband on the family ranch.
After the girls left home, she worked for the Lorch Company, managing their outlet stores in Decatur and Gainesville until the company closed. After her husband’s death, she began a long and varied career at DFW International Airport, driving carts and working in customs and security, all jobs which clearly suited her love of people watching. After getting up at 2 a.m. and driving to the airport three days a week for many years, she eventually retired at 89. Regardless of when and where she was working, she was always Granny and always available to the grandsons and great grandchildren she adored.
An excellent seamstress, Fern had a strong work ethic and a keen fashion sense, both of which she imparted to her daughters. An avid reader of biographies, she was also a lover of all animals, particularly Siamese cats. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord, she also served as the District President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Texas.
Fern was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers, Berniece, Clay and Harold Hollaway; niece, Deanna Hollaway Hooper and great-niece, Tonya Davis Wallum.
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lana Caswell-Garcia and H.S. (Bert) Garcia, Sherman and Karen Caswell Fowler and Donald Fowler, Chico; grandsons, Wes Fowler, and Kase Fowler and his wife Leslie Bain Fowler, all of Alvord; and great grandchildren, Rachae Fowler Richey and her husband Senior Airman Hunter Richey, Colorado Springs and Keegan Fowler, Alvord; nephews, Billy Dean Hollaway and his wife Sheri, North Little Rock, AR, Bernis Hollaway, Carr, CO and Bruce Hollaway, Buena Vista, AR; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Gary Leo Fergueson

November 11, 1944 – April 19, 2025
BELLEVUE – Gary Leo Fergueson, 80, died on April 19, 2025.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Vashti Cemetery with Michael Brannon and Jeff Brannon officiating.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944 to Vera (Chappell) and Lewis Fergueson. He worked in the food and grocery industry at multiple store chains beginning in Fort Worth and ending in Bowie. He also worked as a rancher at his family farm in Vashti. Fergueson proudly served his country in the United States Army, he completed his basic training in San Fransico and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Alta Fergueson Brannon.
He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Brannon; niece, Krista Brannon Blackrock; brother-in-law Michael Brannon and a very special friend of 60 years, Helen Ulbig.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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