OBITUARIES
Frances Loraine Senn Chokas Cantrell Reaves


February 11, 1935 – October 10, 2020
BOWIE – Frances Loraine Reaves, 85, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of her loving Heavenly Father on Oct. 10, 2020 at her home in Bowie, TX.
A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Pastor Mike Henson officiating. The burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. Her grandsons and grandson-in-law will be serving as pallbearers with honorary pallbearers. They are Bert Harvill, Stephen Deweber, Robert Dyer, Jerry Clement, Darrell Bell, Lynn Gray and Mike Holbrook. The visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the funeral home.
Frances was born Feb. 11, 1935 in Wichita Falls to John Wesley Senn, Sr. and Alpha Mae (Kerns) Senn. They moved to Bowie and the Lone Star community while she was in the first grade. Frances graduated fourth in her class at Bowie High School in 1952 and soon after graduation married Cecil Leon “Greek” Chokas of the Salona Community. Their marriage resulted in the births of their three children. During the 1950s and 1960s, she spent her time as a homemaker and used her sewing talents as a seamstress for the public. In 1971 she took a position as a nurse’s aide at the old Bellmire Convalescent Home and loved her job there.
In 1973 Frances married Foy B. Cantrell, Sr. and devoted her time to volunteering with many service organizations including the Bowie Lions Club, Bowie Lioness Club, Bowie Chamber of Commerce, Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Chamber of Commerce, Jim Bowie Days Association, community bake sales, varied concession stands and church functions. She was honored as Bowie’s Woman of the Year in 1982 for her tireless efforts to make the Bowie Centennial Celebration a huge success as she served as the headquarters representative for the festival; she served to bring the city charter to Bowie as a member of the Bowie Charter Commission; and volunteered for almost 50 years in every area of the Montague County elections process. In the 80s and 90s, she loved her work at The Montague County Shopper and Texas Pride Insurance; both places brought her much joy and many friends (many of her closest friends knew her as Frankie).
In 2000 she married Herbert Reaves and the two continued their volunteer efforts and added new interests by participating in the Buffalo Springs and Vashti Music Jamborees. She was an accomplished cook and avid reader until both gifts began to diminish as Alzheimer’s claimed her. She loved to read and study her Bible, she had a deep desire to serve others and her family was of utmost importance to her.
She was saved in 1951, was baptized in 1985 at Bible Baptist Church of Bowie and was a current member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, J.W. Senn, Jr., sisters, Evelyn Boucher and Mildred Meyers, their husbands Leon Chokas and Foy B. Cantrell, Sr. and granddaughter, Dyvnn Chokas.
Surviving family members left to cherish her memory are her husband, Herbert Reaves; daughters, Janet Griswold and husband, Gary, Christi St.John and husband, Randell; sons, Gerald Chokas and Don Reaves; sisters-in-law, Mae Large and Louise Reaves; brothers-in-law, Bill and George Reaves; grandsons, Wade and Andrea Brown, Jases and Stacey Brown, Tony and Saundra Griswold, Mark and Leigha St.John, Chad St.John and Brice Reaves; granddaughters, Krystal and Larry Marshall, Mallory Grahl and Monica Henry; great-grandchildren, Alex, Megan, Noah, Dixie, Willie Brown, Mason Marshall, Marleigh, Cora, unborn baby, St.John, Finn Santiago, Kaila Griswold, Kaleb Bunch, Abby and Colt Reaves; nephews, Jim Senn, Eddie Meyers and Carl Boucher and one niece, Shelley Mills.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the First Baptist Church of Bowie Building Fund, Solaris Hospice for their excellent care, or the Alzheimer’s Association for research.
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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