OBITUARIES
Shirley Carrol (Phillips) Porter
July 30, 1941 – September 16, 2021
BOWIE – Shirley Carrol (Phillips) Porter, 80, died on Sept. 16, 2021.
A memorial service will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Tales ‘N’ Trails meeting room.
Porter was born on July 30, 1941, in Nocona to David Scott Phillips and Jewel (Tucker) Phillips. In 1959, she graduated from Nocona High School. Porter attended North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas. She married Wayne Willis Porter on May 28, 1961 in Nocona.
She received a bachelor of arts in education in 1963 from Sam Houston State Teacher’s College, now Sam Houston State University. In 1967, she received certification for special education from Texas Woman’s University. In 1993, she received a master of education with a focus on gifted education from Texas Woman’s University. Porter taught first grade in Florida, third grade in North Carolina and special education in Bowie. She took a break from teaching in 1982 to open the Bent Tree Bookstore in downtown Bowie, which also was the first store in Bowie to provide teaching supplies in the area.
After selling the bookstore in 1984, she returned to teaching in Nocona, where she taught seventh and eighth grade English, reading, gifted education, creative writing and one-act play, before retiring in 2001. She also had a passion for writing and published in professional journals and enjoyed writing stories for children and young adults including two books, “The Red Brick House” and “Red River Dust.”
Porter is survived by her husband, Wayne; sons, Weston Wayne Porter and Bradley Wayne Porter; siblings, Sandra Elizabeth (Phillips) Reynolds and Danny Scott Phillips; two grandsons and numerous niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Arrangements entrusted by Hillier Funeral Home.
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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