OBITUARIES
Reta Taylor Rucker
Reta Taylor Rucker
February 28, 1938 – September 16, 2019
BOWIE – Reta Taylor Rucker, 81, passed away on Sept. 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family and her pastor.
A visitation will be from 5-6 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home.
A service will be at 11 a.m. on Sept. 20 at Floral Height United Methodist Church. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in Elmwood Cemetery.
She was born on Feb. 28, 1938 in Bowie to Clois and Elgin Taylor. Reta graduated from Bowie High School where she was a member of the Jackrabbit Band for all four years. She was a majorette for three years and was drum major her senior year.
While at Midwestern State University she was a majorette for the Indians Marching Band. In the summer of 1959, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Ronnie, and moved to Lubbock where he was in architectural school. While Reta was also studying at Texas Tech, their only daughter, Ronna was born in 1961. Upon graduation, they moved to Wichita Falls.
Reta became part of the Wichita Falls Community by joining the Junior League and loved her time as provisional chairman. She had a love for ballet and would teach the girls in an after school program at the Southside Girls Club. She later became the president of the Wichita Falls Ballet League.
Reta helped establish and volunteered at the Listening Ears for the Blind. She was also a member of Senior Junior Forum and was the Junior Forum Sponsor, Ronna’s junior and senior year.
She and Ronnie spent a majority of their time on the road with Ronna as she played junior tennis and later with the Wichita Falls High School tennis team. Those are memories that she always treasured. Reta loved spending summers in Crested Butte and became an avid skier during the winters with her family and many Wichita Falls friends.
When Ronna and Brad married, she got so much joy in planning their wedding, that afterwards, she began planning weddings for others. She treasured her time with all of the brides. She also became a registered interior designer. She was very creative and had impeccable taste.
Reta adored Ronnie and she knew that he adored her. Family was number one and that was when she was the happiest. Brad became the son she never had. Russell was born in 1986 and she became known as Grandmommie. They had such a special bond from the time he was born. She could tell you stories about him for hours. When Russell married Gina, she became one of her own. She was looking so forward to being a Great Grandmommie.
Reta’s laughter was contagious and will live on forever. We will never forget how much she loved us or how proud she was, because she told us all of the time. Just about daily.
Reta was proceeded in death by her granddaughter, Allie Taylor Prickett; her parents; sister , Mary Taylor Deaver and nephew, Kent Deaver.
She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Rucker; daughter, Ronna Prickett and husband Brad; grandson, Russell Prickett and wife Gina; two sisters, Treva Taylor and Kay Power; a brother, Max Taylor; nephew, Keith Deaver; and nieces, Courtney Power, Paige Gratehouse and Carrie Rambo.
Memorials can be made to Floral Heights United Methodist Church and the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank.
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August 15, 1921 – January 3, 2025
BOWIE – Jean Crowder Angove, 103, fondly remembered as a passionate advocate for the city she cherished, passed away on Jan. 3, 2025.
Jean was born on Aug.15, 1921, in Hall, TX. She was the daughter of William Lester Crowder and Edna Theodora Fowler Crowder.
Jean, as she was affectionately known, spent her later years in Bowie, where she fostered a legacy of service and goodwill that touched the hearts of many.
Throughout her life, Jean displayed an unwavering commitment to the betterment of her community, actively participating in various organizations such as the chamber of commerce, Camp Fire Girls and Montague County Board of Realtors. Her involvement was not only rooted in service, but also in celebration, exemplified by her vibrant participation in the annual Jim Bowie Days Celebration. Her contributions were recognized through awards like the Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1972 and the Frances Brite Citizen of the Year in 2009, highlighting her impactful presence.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John Angove; her brother, Glen Tress Crowder and her sister, Nan Crowder Park.
Jean is survived by her son, Ray Angove and his wife Dawn of Gordonville, along with her grandson, Tyler Angove and his wife Erin, and their children, Park and Elloree, who reside in Sumter, SC.
In lieu of a memorial service, her family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bowie Education Foundation, embodying her belief in future generations and education. Bowie Education Foundation Attn: Ruth Cordell at P.O. Box 992, Bowie, TX 76230 for the account at Jacksboro Bank – see Alan Miller. Although she has passed on, her spirit remains etched into the heart of Bowie, echoing her boundless enthusiasm and legacy of service.
Her life stands as a testament to community dedication and personal integrity, one that will continue to inspire those who knew her. Jean leaves behind a collection of cherished memories and invaluable contributions that ensure she will never be forgotten.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
Paid publication
December 20, 1936 – December 26, 2024
BOWIE – Mary “Anna” Lyon, 88, died on Dec. 26, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2025, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie with Pastor Dwyane Lamberson officiating.
She was born Dec. 20, 1936, in Levelland, to Charlie and Myrtle (New) Vinyard. She married Ervin Lyon on June 5, 1954, and spent her days as a homemaker, raising their two sons.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; five brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by her sons, Danny Lyon and Joe Lyon, both of Bowie; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Patsy Salter, Lubbock and Martha Turnbow, Gatesville and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
September 18, 1969 – December 1, 2024
SUNSET – Stacy Ray Trayler, 55, died Dec. 1, in Denton surrounded by family.
A visitation for family and friends will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.
Trayler was born on Sept. 18, 1969 in Muenster to Raymond and Joyce Trayler. He spent his life working in the oil field as a driller and driving a truck.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Trayler and Joyce Collier Trayler and brother, Jerry Trayler.
Trayler is survived by his children, Vanessa Clark, Bowie, Vincent Trayler, Oklahoma City and Val Trayler, Terral, OK; one brother, Michial Trayler, Heavener, OK; sisters, Raenell DeSoza, Sunset and Annie Ross, Bowie; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Bowie.
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