OBITUARIES
Alta ‘Nanny Rie’ Marie (Medley) Ellis
February 20, 1943 – January 17, 2022
BOWIE – Alta ‘Nanny Rie’ Marie (Medley) Ellis, 78, Bowie, TX, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 10:55 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2022. After a brief illness of COVID and pneumonia, she went to her final rest at home with her children and grandchildren in attendance.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Jan. 24 at Freedom Life Church in Bowie with the Rev. Tommy Medley officiating. The burial will follow at Post Oak Cemetery in Post Oak. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Marie was born on Feb. 20, 1943 in Newport to James and Alta Medley. She spent her childhood moving from town to town, as her father was an Assembly of God pastor. In 1960, after a whirlwind romance, Marie married George McCarley in Mexico, and they had two children together, Rachelle and Burk McCarley. Eight years later, Marie and her two young children relocated to Bowie.
She later met and married Jack Ellis in 1972, and together they had a son, Jason Ellis. She worked at Haggar Slacks before later becoming a licensed practical nurse. Marie never met a stranger, and she was known to “talk your ear off” from time to time. Some called her mom, some called her Marie, but to all the kids and most everyone else, she was simply and lovingly called Nanny Rie.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James Harvey Medley and Alta Mae (Bowman) Medley; husband, Jack Curtis Ellis; fourth and final child baby boy lost at birth, Ellis; brothers, Major Sterling Medley and Bobbie Lavern Medley, sister, Marguiette Louise Wickham and grandson, Michael Paul.
Marie is survived by her daughters, Georgina Rachelle Healer and husband, David and Gwendolyn Yvette Griggs and husband, Steve; sons, Edward Burk McCarley and wife, Christy and Jason Cole Ellis and wife, Renee; grandchildren, Christie Walker and husband, Robin, Brandi Sparks and husband, Cecil, Monica Garcia and husband, Adam, Kristen McCarley, James McCarley, Kara Watts and husband, John, Justin Ellis and Leland Sims; great-grandchildren, Katelynn Price and husband, Tyler, Ali Walker; Hunter, Madeline, Eli, Ben, J.J., Julia and Jolene Garcia, R.J. Walker and Jesse Wynn and great-great-grandchild, Nolan Price.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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