OBITUARIES
Mary LaVell Mitchell
October 2, 1928 – December 23, 2021
BRIDGEPORT – The family of Mary LaVell Mitchell, 93, is deeply saddened to report her passing on Dec. 23, 2021 at her home of 48 years in Bridgeport, TX with daughters at her side.
A funeral service for Mary will be at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Cates Street Church of Christ in Bridgeport, officiated by brother Scott Strother. The burial will follow in Bridgeport’s Eastside Cemetery. The visitation also will be at 1 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the church.
Mary was born on Oct. 2, 1928, in Jack County to Archie Thomas and Ettie Reed Hicks. She attended school in Rocky Point and later at Bowie High School. On Dec. 21, 1945, just a few months after the end of World War II, she married returning veteran, Herbert Aubrey Mitchell in Montague County. He was known to friends, colleagues and co-workers as H.A. or just Mitch.
In the next few years, her husband took jobs as a bulldozer operator on-road and dam projects and the family lived in 14 different towns in Texas. During this time, her son, Thomas and daughters, Jan and Doris were born before eventually settling in Bridgeport. Nearly two decades later, her son, Joe and daughter, Dee Ann were born. In March of 1972, H.A. was killed in a fiery oil field accident, leaving Mary to raise their two small children. To make ends meet she went to work for the Bridgeport Independent School District and retired after 20 years.
All who knew her attested to the fact she was a shining example of honesty, integrity and virtue. She was an accomplished seamstress, who made countless quilts for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She once made matching shirts for her husband and children before a vacation trip so all could be easily spotted.
She also was an outstanding cook, especially cakes and pies. She was an active member of Cates Street Church of Christ and was a founding member of the Wise County Quilt Guild.
She remained alert and vivacious, even attending and actively participating in a Thanksgiving Day gathering in Bowie with her extended family. She succumbed after a brief illness.
She is preceded in death by her siblings, Elizabeth Hicks, Rotha May Hicks, Sadie Tage, Janie Ford, Florine Deweber and Archie Thomas Hicks, Jr.
She is survived by her children, Thomas Mitchell and wife, Jo, Las Vegas, Jan Graham and husband, Jim, Bridgeport, Doris Casey and husband, Dave, Copper Canyon, Joe Mitchell, Austin and Dee Ann Mitchell, Conroe; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cates Street Church of Christ, 1406 E. Cates Street, Bridgeport, TX 76426, Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, 604 N Trinity St, Decatur, TX 76234, and CASA of Wise County, 300 E. Pecan St, Decatur, TX 76234.
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December 20, 1936 – December 26, 2024
BOWIE – Mary “Anna” Lyon, 88, died on Dec. 26, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2025, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie with Pastor Dwyane Lamberson officiating.
She was born Dec. 20, 1936, in Levelland, to Charlie and Myrtle (New) Vinyard. She married Ervin Lyon on June 5, 1954, and spent her days as a homemaker, raising their two sons.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; five brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by her sons, Danny Lyon and Joe Lyon, both of Bowie; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Patsy Salter, Lubbock and Martha Turnbow, Gatesville and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
September 18, 1969 – December 1, 2024
SUNSET – Stacy Ray Trayler, 55, died Dec. 1, in Denton surrounded by family.
A visitation for family and friends will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.
Trayler was born on Sept. 18, 1969 in Muenster to Raymond and Joyce Trayler. He spent his life working in the oil field as a driller and driving a truck.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Trayler and Joyce Collier Trayler and brother, Jerry Trayler.
Trayler is survived by his children, Vanessa Clark, Bowie, Vincent Trayler, Oklahoma City and Val Trayler, Terral, OK; one brother, Michial Trayler, Heavener, OK; sisters, Raenell DeSoza, Sunset and Annie Ross, Bowie; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Bowie.
January 20, 1938 – December 21, 2024
NOCONA – Donald Ray Taylor, 86, died on Dec. 21, 2024 in Nocona.
A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Nocona Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tom Skinner, Steve Tettleton, Bob Langford, Jon Dunfee, Manuel Sanchez and Coley Frye. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Bennett, Mike Henry, Chris Tettleton and Toby Howard.
He was born to Johnny and Ozella Lewis Taylor on Jan. 20, 1938. A lifelong resident of Nocona, he never met a stranger, loving to tell stories and laugh.
Taylor married Patsy Cheshier on Aug. 25, 1965 in Nocona. They went on to raise two children. Taylor also was a proud veteran of the United States Army.
Taylor worked several years for Bowie Industries before going to work for Nocona Independent School District, where he became the supervisor of maintenance and transportation until he retired in 1999. This Nocona native enjoyed coaching his son’s little league teams, golfing with his wife and friends and all sports were a big part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patsy and son, Brad.
He is survived by his children, Jeff Taylor, Orange Grove, TX, John Taylor, Christoval, TX and Kim Taylor, Dallas; two grandchildren, two great grandchildren and his dog Buddy.
In lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to St. Jude Hospital.
Arrangements were under the direction of Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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