OBITUARIES
Samuel Eugene Underwood


1952 – 2020
CARROLLTON – Samuel Eugene Underwood, 68, died on April 24, 2020 in Carrollton, TX.
A small family service took place on April 27. A celebration of his life will take place at 10 a.m. on June 13 at First Baptist Church, Farmers Branch in the sanctuary.
Following a long struggle with cancer, Sam was briefly under the care of hospice. Sam was born in San Angelo to Homer Garth and Jessie Simonton Underwood.
After attending San Angelo public schools and graduating from San Angelo Central High School in 1970, he and a treasured group of friends from First Baptist Church, San Angelo, went down to Austin to attend the University of Texas together – friendships that remain to this day. Licensed to the ministry in 1972, Sam graduated with a BA in Psychology, UT in 1974. He completed his M. Div at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1978; he completed his M. Biblical Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ in 1980. Sam did doctoral work at the University of Dallas concerning the early church and early church fathers.
Sam married Ellen Evans of Bowie in 1986 after they met at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, TX. Sam was ordained to the ministry that same year by Carter Lake Baptist Church, Bowie and served as their pastor until January 1991 when he was called to pastor First Baptist Church, Farmers Branch, where he served until his death.
Sam may have lost his battle with cancer, but he won the final victory with Jesus. He was proud to have survived “well past” his “expiration date” so that he saw all three of his children graduate from college, two of them marry, and one have a child. He loved his family dearly and served his congregation at FBC-FB well for more than 29 years. Sam was known for his ability to teach and preach the Bible, his kind heart, his wonderful stories, his wise counsel, his encyclopedic biblical knowledge, his thoughtful weddings and funerals, his unbelievable work ethic, his beautiful writing, his delightful sense of humor, his eclectic musical taste, his love of barbecue, his dapper bow ties, and for being a loyal Longhorn fan through thick and thin. He will be sorely missed.
Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Felix.
Sam is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Ellen; son, Will Underwood and his wife Veronica, Orlando, FL; daughter Pamela Underwood, Seattle, WA; daughter Molly Mitchell and her husband Elijah, Waxahachie; daughter Esther, Sam’s first grandchild, who was born on April 17. Sam was thrilled to meet little Esther and was looking forward to the arrival of Will and Veronica’s baby girl, Adalyn, in Sept. He is also survived by his brother Doug and his wife Nancy; brother Jesse and his wife Earma; and his beloved only sister Pam and her husband Jim; many dear “in-laws and outlaws,” nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Sam donated his body to the willed body program at UT Southwestern Medical School. He managed to live for more than five years with a cancer that few survive for one. Since he has a new body in heaven, he chose to share his old one with some folks who could use it. His hope was that he could help someone else. This choice was not a surprise to anyone who knew Sam.
Those who wish to make donations honoring Sam may make them to Brother Bill’s Helping Hand at bbhh.org/donate or to Metrocrest Services at metrocrestservices.org/idonate.php.
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OBITUARIES
Brenda Sue Durham Jones

August 29, 1963 – June 5, 2025
NOCONA – Brenda Sue Durham Jones, 61, died on June 5, 2025 in Nocona, TX with her sisters and niece by her side.
A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on June 29 at Terral First Baptist Church in Terral, OK with Pastor Mark Kunkel officiating.
She was born on Aug. 29, 1963 in Bowie to Curtis Don Durham and Emma Nell Reynolds.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Nell Durham; grandparents, Earl and Ruby Reynolds; and brother, Jerry Durham.
She is survived by her husband, Allan Gann, Nocona; children, Misty Torres, New Mexico, Lisa Jones, Gordonville, Chris Jones, Whitney and Tony Jones, Bowie; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sisters, Beverly Jones, Bowie, Barbara Foster, Bowie, Betty Patton,Waco, Becky McCullar, Stoneburg and Bobbie Barnett, Stoneburg; brother, Curtis Durham Jr., Bowie and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
OBITUARIES
Kenneth Wayne Monroe

June 16, 1937- June 13, 2025
BOWIE – Kenneth Wayne Monroe, 87, died peacefully on June 13, 2025, at his home in Bowie, TX.
Family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on June 19 at the White Family Funeral home.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on June 20 at the White Family Funeral Home with Rex Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
Friends and family are welcome at 1000 Central Ave. for food and drink and further visitation after the service.
Kenneth was born June 16, 1937, in Park Springs, TX. He was the youngest of eight children in a farming family, eventually taking over the farm at a young age after his siblings had moved away. He graduated from Alvord High School in 1955 and played basketball.
In 1959 he married the love of his life Joyce Ann Thompson. They had two sons, Steve and Larry. Kenneth worked in the oil field in various areas from roustabout to production foreman. Later he started his own oil field construction business with his sons. He finished his career at Lockheed prior to retirement in 2003. He enjoyed watching his family grow, raising Boer goats, watching sports and classic westerns.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Ann Thompson Monroe in 2011, and son, Larry Monroe in 2024.
Kenneth is survived by son, Steve Monroe and wife Randi, Bowie; grandsons, Tanner Monroe and wife Sarah, Royse City, Brian Monroe, Bowie and Kyler Monroe and wife Whitney, Forestburg; and great-grandchildren, Dallie, Kash, Anika and Emory.
Kenneth was a hard worker, loyal friend, husband, father and uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed. Special thanks go to his friend and caregiver Melody Hamilton. The family also wants to thank Angels Care Home Health and Hospice, and Right at Home caregivers who loved and cared for him in his final chapter of a very full life and we are forever grateful.
Arrangements are entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Mary Lou (Tanner) Fenoglio

March 3, 1930 – June 10, 2025
RINGGOLD – Mary Lou (Tanner) Fenoglio, 95, died June 10, 2025 in Cherry Street Village in Nocona.
A visitation was at 6 p.m. on June 13 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
The funeral service was at 10:30 a.m. on June 14 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Craig Rolen. Pallbearers were Bob Henry, Joe A. Staley, Johnny Reynolds, Scott Hinton, Mike Weatherly and Rusty Weatherly. Interment followed in Ringgold Cemetery.
Fenoglio was born in Fleetwood, OK on March 3, 1930 to Zabud Lucas Tanner and Norma Saunders Tanner. She was one of 13 children.
She and Sonny lived in Stanfield and Ringgold all of their married life, where they farmed and raised cattle. Besides being a homemaker, she served Ringgold and Muenster post offices. She served as election judge in Ringgold for several decades. She was very active throughout her life, playing softball into her 40’s and learning to swim in her 50’s.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Fenix Tony (Sonny) Fenoglio; granddaughter, Lane and son, Larry.
She is survived by daughter Diane Conrady, Windthorst; one daughter-in-law; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Bettye Williams, Terral; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Lane Fenoglio Memorial Scholarship, Ringgold Cemetery Association, or Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department. Memorials may be mailed to Janna Fenoglio, 375 Fite Road, Ringgold, TX 76261.
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