OBITUARIES
Anne “Nita” Venita Heavin Baird
November 10, 1926 – October 8, 2021
STONEBURG – Anne “Nita” Venita Heavin Baird, 94, Stoneburg, TX, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 8, 2021.
A funeral service took place at 1 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Bible Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastors Steve Summers and Rick Tarpley officiating. The burial followed at Ringgold Cemetery in Ringgold. The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Nita was born to Audra and Katie (Welch) Heavin on Nov. 10, 1926 in Stecker, OK. On Jan. 9, 1946 she married Tracy B. Baird in Borger. Nita was a resident of Borger for 22 years, where she worked for J.C. Penney Co. and was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, President of Women’s Missionary Union and Leader of the Girls Auxiliary. Nita was baptized at the age of 12.
Nita moved to Dallas in 1969 and resided there until she retired in 1990 from the J.C. Penney Regional Credit office as the bad debt manager after 30 years with the company. In Dallas she was a member of North Temple Baptist Church. Nita also was a member of Credit Women International, International Association of Credit Card Fraud and Business and Professional Women.
Nita moved to Stoneburg in 1991 and volunteered at Gold-Burg High School until 1996. She was an active member of the Bible Baptist Church in Bowie. Throughout the years she provided a place to live for family and friends, her door was open to everyone.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tracy B. Baird; son, Ronald B. Baird Sr. and brothers, Lester Heavin, Don Heavin and Dale Heavin.
Nita is survived by her daughters, Kathy Tarpley and husband, Rick, Stoneburg and Audra Christopher and husband, Jesse, Ringgold; daughter-in-law, Carol Baird, Baird; brothers, Chester Heavin, Chickasha, OK and Bill Heavin, Amarillo; a blended family of 11 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ringgold Cemetery Association, at 1108 Hanson Rd. Ringgold, TX 76261 or the Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department at 375 Fite Rd. Ringgold, TX 76261, or the Bible Baptist Church, at 1400 Highway 59 N. Bowie, TX 76230 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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December 27, 1965 – August 12, 2026
NOCONA – Daniel Forrest Barrett, 60, died on Aug. 12, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born Dec. 27, 1965, in Spring Branch to James Harry Barrett and Opal Laverne Henderson. He played football at Northwestern and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked mostly as a stock broker.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Barrett.
He is survived by his three children, Reagan, Dylan and Connor; two grandchildren; sister, Sherri Lynn Watson; two nieces; one nephew and siblings, Jesse, Rich and Cheryl.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
July 24, 1960 – August 12, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – David Duke, 66, died on Aug. 12, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Abundant Life Church officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment followed in Terral Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Harris, Randy Croxton, Wiley Vanover, Zak Weaver, Bradley Lawrence and Ross Atteberry. Honorary pallbearers were David Morrison and the Red River Dozer Crew.
He was born on July 24, 1960 in Bowie to Harvey and Marjorie Romine Duke. He was a dozer operator mainly for Red River Dozer. He grew up in Terral, OK where he graduated high school. He married Micheal Heathington on Nov. 26, 1994 in Spanish Fort.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Micheal Duke; children, Leslie Halt, Kendra Grottie and Kyle Duke; sisters, Delores Weatherly and Sharon Westbrook; brothers, Ricky Duke and Ronnie Duke, and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Point Cemetery Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
June 12, 1981 – August 2, 2026
DALLAS – Timothy Tompkins, 45, died on Aug. 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX.
There was a memorial service on at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Sparkman officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 12, 1981 to Sam and Paula Tompkins in Wichita Falls. He was a driver, worked the oil industry for several years, wroked as a ranch manager and carpenter. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church. He married Christy Marie Harris on Sept. 24, 2005 in Nocona.
He is survived by his wife, Christy Tompkins, Nocona; parents, Sam and Paula Tompkins, Spanish Fort; sister, Amanda York, Wichita Falls; children, Samantha Dawn Tompkins, Stephenville, Brock Wilson Tompkins, Frisco, Deagan Brodie Tompkins, Spanish Fort, Lillian Marie “Lili” Tompkins, Spanish Fort and three nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 330, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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