OBITUARIES

Samuel Eugene Underwood

Published

4 years ago

05/05/2020

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

Michael Dale Leonard

Published

17 hours ago

04/26/2024

bowienews

October 6, 1958 – April 23, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Dale Leonard, 65, died on April 23, 2024 in Dallas.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 26 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on April 27 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Ben Weiss, chaplain of Southlake Fire Department, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakhill Cemetery in Stoneburg.
He was born on Oct. 6, 1958 in Pampa and grew up in Moore, OK until moving to Nocona where he graduated in 1977. On Aug. 26, 1978 he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Bratcher in Bowie.
He worked several years in the oilfield before he found his calling as a firefighter/paramedic. He began his career in Bowie and in 1997 he found his second home as a Southlake fireman until his retirement in January 2021. He also was an entrepreneur. He built multiple businesses throughout his lifetime, including Mike & Mom’s Grocery Store in Nocona and later ML Construction. He built his first log cabin in 1998 and continued building log cabins throughout North Central Texas for more than 15 years.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Betty Pope Leonard and his mother- and father-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Debbie Leonard, Bowie; sons, Kris Leonard, Bowie and Brandon Leonard, Ponder; two grandsons; father, Bill Leonard; sister, Elecia Chancellor; brothers, Gary Leonard and Mark Leonard; one brother-in-law; many extended family members and numerous friends.
Memorials can be made at Jacksboro National Bank to the Mike “Pappy” Leonard First Responder Scholarship account or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Shirley Lajuana Beggs

Published

17 hours ago

04/26/2024

bowienews

December 10, 1943 – April 20, 2024
NOCONA – Shirley Lajuana Beggs, 80, died on April 20, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at the First Baptist Church of Montague with Pastor Mickey Mills officiating.
She was born Dec. 10, 1943 in Graham to James Haskel Rushin and Mildred Pauline (Thomas) Rushin. She graduated from Graham High School then started a career in the title business and served for 35 years. She married Ted Beggs on Feb. 14, 1970 in Fort Worth. Together they owned and operated the Corner Store in Montague for several years, and in 1999 they opened Mine & Yours Feed Store in Bowie. She also kept herself busy operating Shirley Beggs Pet Grooming for many years as well as Linda Ross Book Keeping.
She is preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter.
She is survived by her husband, Ted Beggs; children, Amanda Reeves, Nocona, Darrel Beggs, Hillsboro and Dale Beggs of Henrietta; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Minnie Mae Duchaine

Published

4 days ago

04/23/2024

bowienews

November 8, 1932 – April 18, 2024
BOWIE – Minnie Mae Duchaine, 91, passed away on April 18, 2024 after a brief illness.
A graveside service took place at 10 a.m. on April 23 at the Montague Cemetery with Chaplin Phillip Weitner officiating.
Minnie was born on Nov. 8, 1932 to Johnie and Ethel (Hise) Dalton in Montague County. She lived the majority of her life in Bowie. On Dec. 17, 1949 Minnie married Joseph G. Duchaine. The couple went on to have three children, Connie J. (Molly), Norma J. (Nunn) and David R. Duchaine. She had five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Connie; two brothers, Hershel and Johnny and her sister, Colleen LaMascus.
Please make a donation to St. Judes or Shriners Hospital in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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