OBITUARIES

Thomas Gordon St. John

Published

6 years ago

11/13/2020

December 7, 1940 – November 11, 2020
Thomas Gordon St. John, 79, passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Nov. 11, 2020 surrounded by his family and friends.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Pastor Tommy John Mayo and Pastor Jay Webb officiating. The burial will follow at Scrougy Cemetery in Sunset. The visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at White Family Funeral Home.
His sons-in-law and grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Tim Hamm, Rayce Cantwell, Jarred Schriber, Nick McCoola, Josh Simmons, and Daniel Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Jason Hamm, Logan Hamm, Reece Morgan, Colby Schriber and Zach Gilmore.
Thomas was born in Decatur on Dec. 7, 1940 to William Alvin and Ethel Cordie (Wood) St. John. After graduating from Alvord High School in 1959, he spent several years in the oil field in and around Wise and Montague Counties before starting St. John Backhoe Service in 1974. His dedication toward his business lasted for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2019.
For over 16 years, Thomas was a member of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department after being voted in on Aug. 4, 1980. During this time, he served as a delegate to the West Texas Fireman’s and Fire Marshall’s Association and taught at the Texas Fireman’s Training School in Wichita Falls.
In 1984, Thomas was selected by his fellow firefighters as “Fireman of the Year.” A certified Jaws of Life operator, Thomas attend the Hurst Training School in New Braunfels and also attended the Texas Fireman’s Training School at Texas A&M University.
He attended Emergency Care Attendant classes and received his certification from the Texas Department of Health as an ECA on March 29, 1985.
Thomas was initiated to the Bowie Masonic Lodge No 578 AF&AM on Dec. 19, 1978. Being raised to Master Mason on Jan. 15, 1980, Thomas continued his personal ambition to become a 33rd degree Mason. During his membership, he held the Office of Senior Deacon and Junior Steward for the Bowie Lodge.
As a member of the First Baptist Church of Newport, he served faithfully as the director of music. He was well known in the community for “making music” and loved to gather with his friends and church family to pick the guitar and sing old gospel hymns. He was devoted to his family and was happiest playing with his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Greta Jones St. John, brothers, J.W. St. John, Wilburn St. John, Olin St. John, Donavan St. John, Bill St. John and sister, Vera St. John Crim.
His family left to cherish his memory are his wife of 21 years, Jan Broxson-St. John; daughters, Jackie Hamm and husband, Tim, Shelly Cantwell and husband, Rayce, JoBeth Schriber and husband, Jared and Amy McCoola and husband, Nick; grandchildren, Jennifer Bush and husband, Daniel, Josh Simmons and wife, KayLee, Jason Hamm and wife, Mindy, Logan Hamm and wife, Kenna, Reece Morgan and wife, Kyra, Colby Schriber, Zach Gilmore, Annalise Schriber, Bryce McCoola and Henlee McCoola; great-grand-children, Kelsey Bush, Karlee Bush, Bray Simmons, Brielle Simmons, Braden Hamm, Delaney Hamm, Brynleigh Hamm and Brock Hamm along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Newport, the kitchen – Meals on Wheels Wichita Falls, or Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication

1418 Highway 59 N,
Bowie, TX
(940) 872-9993
thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com

OBITUARIES

Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell

Published

3 days ago

07/02/2026

bowienews

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.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Billy Charles Akins

Published

3 days ago

07/02/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

Tommy Morgan

Published

3 days ago

07/02/2026

bowienews

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.