OBITUARIES
Robbie Lou Graham Bennett
March 8, 1934 – January 25, 2022
DECATUR – Robbie Lou Graham Bennett, 87, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, ascended into Heaven on Jan. 25, 2022.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Jan. 28 at the First Baptist Church of Alvord with graveside internment following. Lunch was served at the church afterward.
Robbie was born on March 8, 1934, in Decatur to Kathleen and Vernon Graham.
As an esteemed real estate agent, a high-energy professional and active member of her community, Robbie made it her life’s work to ensure that no person went without. Her ‘open door’ policy made her home a gathering place for friends and family alike, usually with multiple generations together at one time. Robbie had a special love for children and animals, both of which she fiercely advocated for through her philanthropic work.
A voracious reader and student of the world, She had an insatiable desire to learn that followed her through life. Adept at the art of landscaping, Robbie expressed her talents in the form of elaborate gardens and lush lawns, in which she enthusiastically worked whenever possible.
Robbie was a steadfast friend and treasured time spent with her loved ones listening to good music, playing card games and telling jokes and stories. Her smile and kindness were illuminating, leaving an impact on anyone who crossed her path. The most endearing quality of Robbie was her enduring love of her family, especially her children, Tod and Rhonda and her grandchildren, Lindsay, David, and Bennett.
Robbie was a faithful and dedicated child of God. She delighted in both the Word of the Lord and the hymns that exalt Him. She ensured that the foundational constitution of her family was rooted in Christian beliefs and service.
She is preceded in death by her late husband, John E. Bennett, the love of her life.
She is survived by her children, Tod R. DeArman and Rhonda DeArman Kendall; grandchildren, Lindsay DeArman Knepprath, David Tod DeArman and Robert Bennett Kendall and sister, Eva Jo Wiley and husband, Bill.
Robbie lived a virtuous and impactful life and will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.
Gifts in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the First Baptist Church of Alvord.
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OBITUARIES
Norma Jeanne Fulcher
February 2, 1927 – November 21, 2025
CALIFORNIA – Norma Jeanne Fulcher, 98, passed away in November 2025, in Sherman Oaks, CA. She had been a resident of Los Angeles for 67 years.
Her final resting place will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Norma was born on Feb. 2, 1927 in Post Oak, TX, where her family owned a cattle ranch. After graduating from high school at 16, Norma attended Texas State College for Women in Denton where she was an honor student in journalism.
Advertising would be her career path, and it all began at Joske’s department store in San Antonio. From there she moved to Dallas where she worked as an advertising copywriter for Neiman Marcus. Her next step was Jantzen swimwear in Portland, OR and eventually to Los Angeles to work at Carson/Roberts, the largest advertising agency on the west coast at the time. Among her accounts were Max Factor and Mattel, and she wrote one of the first ads for the Barbie doll. Later in her career, she freelanced and worked at Art Center in Pasadena.
Norma liked to cook and host dinner parties for friends. She enjoyed art exhibits and attending musical performances in LA. After retirement, she was a docent for 25 years at the Huntington Library, art museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino.
Norma is survived by her four nieces.
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OBITUARIES
Izella Gray Boyd
August 4, 1944 – January 1, 2026
BOWIE – Izella Gray Boyd, 105, passed away Jan. 1, 2026.
A graveside service was at 11 a.m. Jan 5 in Oakwood Cemetery, Jacksboro.
Izella was born March 9, 1920 to Janie (Hensley) and John Elbert Gray in Jack County, TX. The sixth daughter of 12 children, Izella was the last surviving child of the Gray union. She married Oscar L. (Dutch) Boyd on Aug. 4, 1944.
Dutch and Izella raised their family in Bridgeport, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. Relocating to Bowie in the mid-90s, she became a member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie.
Izella was fiercely competitive and independent, and kept the 42 games at the Bowie Senior Citizens Center going strong for many years. Later years were spent at Independence Hall, where bingo was a staple.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Mike Boyd; son-in-law, Donald Morton and 11 siblings.
She is survived by daughter, Mary Jo Morton; two grandchildren Cindy (Ross) Hamilton and Rhonda (T.M.) Bigley; six great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.
The family of Izella would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Independence Hall and Solaris Hospice for the compassionate and excellent care provided to her.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
“Patsy” Ruth West Lyons
April 5, 1927 – December 28, 2025
BOWIE – “Patsy” Ruth West Lyons, 98, passed away Dec. 28, 2025 in Bowie.
The family received friends from 9 to 11 a.m., prior to the service on Jan. 2 at the White Family Funeral Home.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Jan. 2 in the chapel of the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie. Burial followed at Hopewell Cemetery.
Patsy was born April 5, 1927, in Vernon to David Hamilton West and Lucille McGinty West. She married James Brock Lyons on Jan. 4, 1947 in Fort Worth. They celebrated 70 wonderful years together before his death in 2017.
She was a 1945 graduate and recently honored as the oldest living graduate of Bowie High School. Patsy was a 53-year member of Bowie Chapter #16 Order of The Eastern Star. She worked at G. C. Murphy Company in Fort Worth before retiring to Bowie where she worked for Fry Funeral Home for many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, David and Lucille West; three brothers; one sister; husband, James Brock Lyons; son, James Brock Lyons Jr., and daughter -in-law, Beverly Lyons.
Patsy is survived by her daughter, Karen Self and husband Leroy, Bowie; 11 grandchildren, Lynette Fultz and husband Robert of Decatur, James Self and wife Brittany, Bowie, Stephanie Morgan and husband David, Mansfield, AR, April Robles and husband Mikey, Mansfield, AR, Brock Lyons III, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche Corbin and husband Westin, Charleston, AR, Dakotha Lyons, Van Buren, AR, Lannie Self, Dallas, Terry Self and wife Vonda, Coppell, Cheri Brittain and husband Dusty, Mineola and Troy Self, Newark; 14 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren and one soon to arrive.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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