OBITUARIES
Jerry Weldon Cantwell
May 24, 1942 – November 27, 2021
BELLEVUE – Jerry Weldon Cantwell, 79, Bellevue, TX, passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 24, 2021.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Vashti Cemetery with Pastor Mike Henson officiating.
Jerry was born on May 24, 1942 in Bowie to Robert Ivy “Beetle” and Zona Berniece (Joplin) Cantwell. He grew up on his family’s ranch, where he was taught by his father and brother an incredible work ethic, how to be independent, how to persevere through tough times and how to adapt in any environment. His loving mother led both of her children and her husband to Christ, which produced a domino effect in the Cantwell family where parents teach their children about God’s love through His son Jesus Christ.
He graduated from Bowie High School in 1960, where he was active in football, basketball, baseball, track and the Future Farmer’s of America. He received a scholarship to Texas Tech University to play football, and graduated with a degree in Ag-Business.
Jerry married Carolyn Gay Allen on June 24, 1961, she was the love of his life, best friend and partner in raising a family, as well as, their business interest. They were together for 60 years. Jerry and Carolyn own and operate a branch of Circled Bar Ranch in Bellevue, where they taught their children and grandchildren the values of work, love for each other and salvation through Jesus Christ. They also were owners of Cantwell Oil Company in Bowie, until they sold the business.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bowie, where he was baptized on Aug. 30, 1953 and he enthusiastically served the Lord in many areas, including deacon, choir member, several committees and Sunday School teacher in the youth department, where he mentored many of Bowie’s youth over a substantial period of time.
Jerry lived his life as a servant leader not only to his family and church but also as a board member of Wise Electric Cooperative and trustee on the Bowie Independent School District Board. His passions in life were to love and serve God, to love and sacrifice for his family and friends, and to love and mentor young people.
He is preceded in death by his parents, “Beetle” and Berniece Cantwell and his beloved grandson, Calvin York.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Cantwell, Bellevue; children, Rowdy Cantwell, Bellevue, Jodie York and husband, John, Muenster and Rayce Cantwell and wife, Shelly, Bowie; granddaughter, Jaycie York, Dallas; brother, James Cantwell and wife, Joan, Bowie; sisters-in-law, Patsy Choate, Bowie, Paula Brooks, Bowie and Darlene Oberhofer and husband, Jim, Stevensville, MT; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bowie’s Building Fund or Youth Department.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
(940) 872-9993 www.thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News