OBITUARIES
Marita Wilson Nichols
April 21, 1950 – January 20, 2021
FLINT, TX – Marita Wilson Nichols went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 30 surrounded by loved ones.
A private funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Feb. 3 at Cathedral in the Pines in Tyler with Eric Barton of Bethel Bible Downtown, officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Lowrance, Andy Thomason, Billy Lee, Gary Adams, Lee Adams, Bobby Ford, Glenn Ford, James Ford, Jay Coker, Danny Joe Nichols and Thomas Nichols.
Marita was born April 21, 1950 in Henrietta to Raymond L. and Marie Wilson. She grew up in Bowie where she attended Bowie schools and First Baptist Church as a child. She enjoyed school and loved all of the activities she participated in during high school, especially cheerleading with her best friends.
On May 30, 1970 Marita married her high school sweetheart Dean O Nichols (Don). They lived in Denton and moved to Rome, Georgia after Don graduated from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Law enforcement academy in Bethesda, MD. His occupation led them to many towns throughout the years; forever friends were made in Savannah, Georgia; Beaumont, San Antonio, DFW and Birmingham (Pelham) Alabama, before they retired in Flint.
While living in Alabama, Marita worked for Allen-Bradley as an administrative associate for more than 15 years where her multi-tasking skills came in handy as she worked with many engineers. She will be remembered by co-workers as “the office mom.”
When she and Don moved back to Texas to enjoy retirement, she found her new church family as a member of Green Acres Baptist Church for 15 years. She loved going to church and she loved church music.
Marita was mom to two daughters, Lisa Lowrance and Lori Thomason but she was also a beloved “mom” to their friends. Everyone was always welcome in the “Nichols” home where snacks were handy, and laughter was abundant.
Marita will be remembered for her smile and laughter as well as her easy-going nature. She was an amazing cook, decorated the most creative birthday cakes, and sewed special costumes and outfits for her kiddos.
She was always present and welcoming. She had a special bond with her two sisters and whenever they visited, there was a lot of laughter. Most of all, Marita will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family and friends.
Marita Nichols was preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Marie Wilson, Bowie; mother-in-law, Sophia Nichols, Bowie and sister, Beverly Ford, Corsicana.
She is survived by her husband, Don; daughter, Lisa Lowrance and husband, Michael; daughter, Lori Thomason and husband, Andy; granddaughter, Sophie Rose Morros; grandson, Adam Thomason; sister, Gloria Hamilton; brother-in-law, Bobby Ford; brother-in-law, Danny Joe Nichols; brother-in-law, Thomas Nichols and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful staff at Meadow Lake Senior Living; you have become family over these last three years. Your kindness and caregiving have been such a blessing. We appreciate the care provided by Solaris Hospice in taking such great care of our loved one. We would also like to thank Luanne Harms of the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County for her guidance and direction over the years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Tyler, Solaris Hospice or the charity of your choice.
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Tyler, Texas
903-581-2008
April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.
Paid publication
August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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