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OBITUARIES

L.C. Smith & Mildred Ruth Taylor Smith

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June 7, 1928 – October 22, 2020
December 22, 1931 – October 29, 2020
BOWIE – L.C. Smith, 92, went to the home to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, 2020. Just five days short of their 71st wedding anniversary, his loving wife, Ruth joined him in heaven just one week later. Mildred Ruth Taylor Smith, 84, passed away on Oct. 29, 2020.
A funeral service will take place on Nov. 4 in the chapel of the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, TX. The burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
L.C. was born on June 7, 1928, in Atoka, OK to Lon Earl and Jewel Durham Smith. Ruth was born on Dec. 22, 1931 in Nocona to William and Annie Murphy Taylor.
L.C. was a World War II veteran serving in the Army from 1945 to 1950. Part of that time, he served as an artillery gunner in the Philippine Islands. He came home on a two-week furlough to visit his cousin in Nocona.
He went to church with his cousin who introduced him to his wife’s sister, Ruth. It was truly meant to be because they were married a few short months later on Oct. 27, 1949.
Just three days after their wedding he shipped out to Fort Lewis, Washington until he was discharged from military service while Ruth stayed in Nocona and completed her senior year of high school.
Saved in 1952, L.C. was called into pastoral ministry soon afterward. Ruth answered the call with him and lovingly helped him as a pastor’s wife. They served 60 years together with 15 of those years being at Lighthouse Assembly of God in Bowie. L.C. loved to preach and even after he retired from pulpit ministry, he continued to be willing to preach to anyone who would listen.
While L.C. loved a good game of dominoes, hunting was his favorite hobby. He loved to hunt deer, quail, dove and whatever else could be hunted. He went on countless hunting trips with kids, grandkids, friends, church members and anyone else who liked to hunt.
Ruth joined him on the hunts with their kids and grandkids but her favorite hobby was hand stitching and quilting. She won many awards for her quilting skills and made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as many friends. Her love language was cooking. She baked thousands of cookies for her grandkids and made gallons of three bear soup.
They were known as “mother and daddy” to daughters Lana and Dian, but their favorite names were “DeDad and MeMom” not only to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren but to most people in the community.
The legacy they left their daughters was that building a firm foundation on Jesus Christ is what will mark your life. Because of this foundation, the world saw faithfulness, purpose, love and integrity in every season of MeMom and DeDad’s lives.
L. C. was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Opal Creggar, Bess Gaut, Eula Wilson, Beulah Higbee and son-in-law, Sonny Ritter. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Wilbert Molsbee, Plyna Joy Linn and Barbara Sue Taylor, brothers, Dewey Taylor, J.L.Taylor, Kenneth Taylor and Wesley Taylor and son-in-law Sonny Ritter.
They are survived by daughters, Lana Ritter and Dian Webb and husband, Darwin; Ruth’s sisters, Rada Russell and Retha Larison; grandson, James Ritter and wife, Tracy; granddaughters, Summer Eudey and husband, Graham, Heidi Fox and husband, Chad, Harmoni Brooks and husband, Scott and Mallory Alderete and husband, Dale; great-grandchildren, Alisha, Drew, Addison, Season, Kynleigh, Grayson, Matt, Medlee, Lyrik, Zack, Jewel, Andy, Jazzlyn, Rhythm, Anni, Gideon and Zeke and great-great-grandson, Kaedynn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be sent to the Bowie Senior Citizens or a veteran organization of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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1418 Highway 59 N,
Bowie, TX
(940) 872-9993
thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com
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OBITUARIES

Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell

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June 5, 1924 – June 27, 2026
BOWIE – Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell, 102 went to be with the Lord, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, service, hard work and love for her family and community.
The service was at Turrentine Jackson Morrow (Meador) Funeral Home in Whitesboro. A visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on June 30 and the services was at 2 p.m. on July 1 officiated by Ricky Patterson. A graveside service followed by at Oakwood Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her husband.
Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell was born to Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley on June 5, 1924 in Lancaster. She attended Lancaster schools and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She was the only daughter among eight children and was raised on the family’s cotton farm, where she developed the strong work ethic, determination and compassion that defined her remarkable life.
Following her marriage to the love of her life, John B. Bell and in making their home with their four children in Sherman, she began her career with International Business Machines. They later moved to Boulder, CO where she advanced in her profession and served as lead personnel analyst until her retirement in 1980.
Following her retirement from IBM, Ann and her husband moved back to Texas and became owners and operators of Bell Hardware & Feed in Collinsville. After selling the business, she worked for many years at the Gainesville Livestock Market. Later in life, she devoted her time to service as a volunteer and ultimately volunteer director of Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank in Whitesboro.
During her career with IBM, Ann was recognized for her leadership and accomplishments, including her 1965 nomination as the second female president of the IBM Club. Following her retirement, her volunteer work and dedication at Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank earned her the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce.
She later moved to a senior living facility in McKinney, where she lived for nine years and continued her volunteer service before moving to Bowie to be near her daughter.
Ann will be remembered for her extraordinary work ethic, sharp intellect, generous heart and unwavering commitment to helping others. She believed every opportunity to serve was a blessing.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Bell; parents, Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley and seven brothers.
She is survived by her four children, James ‘Jim’ Bell, John A. Bell and wife Robin, Jeryl ‘Jerry’ Bell, and Janis Crawley and her husband, Joe; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; loving nieces and nephews, dear friends and many others whose lives were touched by her kindness, wisdom and example.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowie Mission Food Bank in Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Billy Charles Akins

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April 14, 1952 – June 27, 2026
BOWIE – Billy Charles Akins, 74, died on June 27, 2026.
At a later time, there will be a memorial ride in his honor with the United Brothers of Wise County chapter.
He was born on April 14, 1952, in California to Charles and Eleanor Akins.
He was a proud retired member of the United Brothers and valued the friendships and fellowship he found there throughout his life.
He is lovingly survived by his daughters, Brandy Karr and Moriah Hal; three grandsons; sister, Karen Akins; one niece; one nephew; brother, Michael Akins; an aunt; one cousin and their son; and two close friends.
In lieu of flowers send donations to Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Tommy Morgan

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September 17, 1940 – June 20, 2026
NEW BRAUNFELS – Tommy Morgan, 85, died on June 20, 2026.
A visitation was from 6-7:30 p.m. on June 25 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel.
A funeral service followed at 11 a.m. on June 26 at First Baptist Church in Nocona officiated by pastor Dave Woodbury. Interment followed at Center Point Cemetery.
He was born on Sept. 17, 1940 in Powell, OK to S.G. and Dolly Avery Morgan. On Feb. 4, 1967 he married Wanda Gayle Ice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Center Point Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 401, Saint Jo, TX 76265.

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