OBITUARIES

Megan Marie Westbrook-Holt

Published

5 years ago

07/07/2020

July 9, 1984 – March 27, 2020
On July 9, 1984 God sent an angel to Sharon and Ron Westbrook: Megan Marie Westbrook-Holt.
She was known by her parents as their gorgeous genius. Megan was an incredibly happy baby and carried that happiness throughout her life even has the genetic disorder, known as Cystic Fibrosis a condition she was born with, took its toll on her body.
If you knew Megan, then you knew where you stood with her. For some they may have not have liked her and for others, they may have been indifferent with her. What ever relationship it was, it was usually dynamic. She was hard-headed, stubborn with an opinion. She was a powerful individual with a sense of herself.
One of Megan’s biggest strengths was a solid deep seated knowledge that it did not matter where she was, she knew without any doubt that she had hundreds of family and friends to call on. Her friends were as much family to her as her biological family and it gave her strength even in the worst of times when her Cystic Fibrosis lead to a double lung transplant.
Megan loved baseball, sports, fishing, being on the lake and until her lungs reached a point of no return, she was active in all things she loved. She had a weakness: animals. She hated to see animals mistreated and could not watch the PETA commercials about animal needs it simply tore her up.
Megan had many loves; she often stated was her total love of her extended family. Everyone meant something to her. Her cousin Melissa Weatherly they were thick as fleas, Alonso, Jodie, Ashley, Klowey, Lacey, Heidi, Kevin, Mandy, Holly, Michelle, Chad, Brett, Nicole, the whole class from Nocona 2003, Brittney, Scott, Mrs. Janet Stone Garbarz, Shea and all the thousand and more people who reached out to us when she passed. They shared their personal stories of their relationship with Megan and what she meant to them. Most people shared a connection saying she was ‘my sister,’ ‘she is one of my closest friends and ‘she’s family.’
On Oct. 12, 2007, the joy of her life Payton Faith Holt was born. Until her passing Payton was her focus, her joy and her life. She left many hopes, desires and dreams unfulfilled. She was not afraid to go home to heaven, yet she was not ready. Her hopes and dreams followed many paths, with many people with whom they will never be fulfilled.
Her extended family and friends is vast, and to anyone not mentioned that knew Megan, just know that you were loved. Megan leaves her daughter, Payton Faith Holt; her mom, Sharon Westbrook; aunts, Sissy Weatherly, Gina Robinson, Melissa Robinson, Becky Compton, Angie Robinson, Michelle Duke and Tina Duke; uncles, Darrel Weatherly, David, Ricky, Ronnie Duke, James Westbrook, Allen Robinson, Mark Robinson and Eddy Robinson; her partners in crime, Melissa Weatherly/Besidas, Truman and Susie Duke, and her dad, Ron Westbrook. She followed her grandmothers, grandfathers and friends home to be with our Lord. Megan is missed every day. Her nightly ritual was to tell her mom, dad and daughter good night, so until we are gathered again at the gates of Heaven.
Good night, sweet dreams. We love you Megan Marie Westbrook-Holt.
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OBITUARIES

Dean Allen Shaffer

Published

3 days ago

05/28/2025

bowienews

June 24, 1962 – May 18, 2025
BOWIE – Dean Allen Shaffer, 62, was escorted to the gates of heaven May 18, 2025 at 12:34 a.m. in the arms of his loving wife Christal Shaffer after complications of pneumonia
A celebration of life for Dean was held at 11 a.m. on May 31 at the First Baptist Church in Alvord followed by a meal for the family.
Dean was born June 24, 1962, in Lander, WY. While quiet and soft spoken, he had a mighty love for the Lord, his wife of 38 years and his family. Dean was an incredibly hard worker, but all who knew Dean also knew how generous he was. He enjoyed cooking outside, hosting get-togethers at their home, having a drink and listening to good music as well as spending time with his bees.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, “Memom” Linda Stevens and loving sister-in-law, Terri Shaffer and sister-in-law, Linda Shaffer.
Dean is survived by his wife, Christal Shaffer; children, Justin Shaffer and wife Kayla, Miles Shaffer, and Ainsley Hernandez and husband Josue; his children in Christ, Chris Lovell, and Andrew Stevens and wife Sutton; grandchildren, Kayden Shaffer and fiancé Nathan Mac, Colton Shaffer and wife Payton, Jaid, Remi, Briggs, Watts, Hutch, Justice and Maverick; great-grandchild, Colter; his parents, James Oliver Shaffer and Alice Bethine; siblings, Randy Shaffer, Cheryl Shaffer and partner Mike Hoffman, Mike Shaffer and wife Kim, Cathey Tewes and husband Andy; numerous other nieces, nephews and family members.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES

Betty Sue Bynum

Published

3 days ago

05/28/2025

bowienews

April 3, 1929 – May 20, 2025
BOWIE – Betty Sue Bynum, 96, passed away on May 20, 2025 in Nocona, TX.
Betty was born on April 3, 1929 in Thornton to Thomas Everett and Eva May Stiff Hardaway. She attended elementary school in Van Alstyne and attended high school in Calvert. She graduated from Teachers College High School and continued on to North Texas State Teacher’s College graduating with a bachelor of arts, library science degree at age 20. In 1977, she continued her education obtaining a master of education degree at University of North Texas.
While attending college, Betty met her future husband, Floyd Arthur Bynum. Betty wanted to work and live on her own for a year before getting married, so they had a long distance courtship while she taught school for a year in Canyon, Texas. They decided they were meant for each other and married on Aug. 5, 1950 in McKinney.
After starting their family in 1951, Betty and Floyd moved to Bowie where Floyd was industrial arts teacher at Bowie High School. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for few years. In 1960, she restarted her teaching career, teaching sixth grade for many years, eventually moving to high school where she was librarian until her retirement in 1988. She was a lifetime member of TSTA and a member of TLA.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alma Lou Perkins and husband, Floyd A. Bynum.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Headley, (Douglas), Jean Richards (John) and Patricia Johnson (Craig), grandchildren, Heather Morse, Alicia Hutchison, Jennifer Holloman, Justin Richards, Steven Johnson and Brian Johnson; seven great grandchildren and two nieces, Suzanne Scott and Dianne Herr.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
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OBITUARIES

Pedro Leon Olvera

Published

1 week ago

05/22/2025

bowienews

May 19, 1976 – May 11, 2025
NOCONA – Pedro Leon Olvera, 48, died on May 11, 2025.
There was a rosary at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at noon on May 19 at St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church in Nocona.
He was born on May 19, 1976 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato to Juan Olvera and Felixa Leon. Olvera was a part of a big family and hard-worker all of his life. He worked mostly in agriculture as a rancher. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially with his son. He married Blanca Torres in 1995 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosa and Juana Gomez; and nephew, Juan Gomez Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Blanca Olvera; Nocona; son, Pedro Jr. Olvera, Nocona; daughter, Mariana Hampton, Gainesville; sisters, Yolanda, Nocona and Margarita, Mexico; brothers, Juan, Luis, Santiago and Francisco, all of Mexico; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.