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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November 4, 1950 – July 17, 2026
NEW BRAUNFELS – Joy Dean Duncan, 75, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on July 17, 2026.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on July 22 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A private graveside service will take place for immediate family.
Joy was born Nov. 4, 1950 in Nocona to Newell and Flora (Ice) Dean of Saint Jo. She graduated from Saint Jo High School in 1968 and went to East Texas State University in Commerce. Joy graduated with a degree in education and later received a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Texas Eastern University in Tyler in 1975.
For more than 40 years, Joy devoted her life to education, touching the lives of countless children as a dedicated and compassionate teacher. She believed every child deserved the opportunity to succeed. The impact she made extended far beyond academics, as she inspired generations of children to believe in themselves.
As much as Joy loved teaching, her greatest pride was being a mother. She shared an incredibly close and cherished bond with her only child, Julie. One built on unwavering love, friendship and countless treasured memories. Whether they were taking mother-daughter trips, enjoying brunches, shopping adventures or simply spending time surrounded by family, those moments brought her immense happiness. She was her daughter’s biggest supporter, fiercest protector and most trusted confidante.
Being “Mimi” to her only granddaughter, Karli, was also one of Joy’s greatest blessings. The bond between them was something special. Saturday nights were reserved for movie nights filled with laughter and making memories. They shared a special relationship and Karli could always get a good laugh out of her Mimi.
The love she poured into her family and friends will remain one of her beautiful legacies, forever living in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her daughter, Julie Kirkland and husband Ryan and granddaughter, Karli, New Braunfels.
In lieu of flowers, please support Hope Hospice of New Braunfels or your local hospice organization. The family extends their deepest gratitude to Hope Hospice for their kindness, compassion and exceptional care over the past year, providing comfort and support to Joy and her loved ones over the past year.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
May 15, 1938 – June 30, 2026
BOWIE – Peggy Tucker died on June 30, 2026.
A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on July 24 at Hopewell Cemetery in Stoneburg.
She was born May 15, 1938 in Ryan Oklahoma to Letha Graham and Reese Harrison.
She worked at Russell Newmans for many years in Saint Jo and she also worked at Hager Slacks Company in Bowie.
She was married to Harold Tucker of Bowie.
She is preceded in death by first husband, Winford Woods; second husband, Harold Tucker; son, Ronnie Woods; daughter, Becky Sanders; a stepson and sisters, Betty Tucker and Jean Green.
She is survived by survived by daughters, Sherry Sims and Penny Shoefstall, both of Bowie; sons, Wayne Woods, Nocona and Eugene Woods, Bowie; four stepchildren; brother, Doug; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
October 1, 1941 – July 16, 2026
FORESTBURG – Jimmie Charles Robertson, 84, died on July 16, 2026 in Nocona.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on July 28 at the Montague County Cowboy Church with Pastor Joe Caballero officiating.
He was born Oct. 1, 1941 in Nocona to Walter Lee and Syble Bernice (Hanson) Robertson. He graduated from Birdville High School in North Richland Hills. On June 18, 1960 he married Edna “Louise” Helms in Haltom City.
He had a lifelong career and an assembler with General Motors until his retirement. He was a member of the Montague County Cowboy Church, the Forestburg Masonic Lodge #523 and a long-time Shriner.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Louise Robertson; sister, Patricia Gayle Robertson; brother, Ronnie Lee Robertson and two grandsons.
He is survived by his children, Connie Cozby, Rhome, Eddie Robertson, Forestburg and Carmen Warner, Bowie; six grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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