OBITUARIES
Verna Mae Brashear
March 29, 1935 – January 8, 2022
BOWIE – Verna Mae Brashear, 86, passed away, Jan. 8, 2022, in Fort Worth, TX.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Bowie. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 13, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Verna was born on March 29, 1935, to Albert Sidney Johnson and Cora Mae (Pillow) Johnson in Mount Vernon, TX. She always said she was lucky number seven of 10 children growing up in a big family with ties to history in Fort Worth and raised in Henrietta.
She graduated from Henrietta High School in 1953 where she later met Bobbie Brashear, Sr. at a rodeo dance, and they married 3 months later in Henrietta on Sept. 4, 1954. They moved to Houston while Bob attended Rice University where they begin their lives and 62-year history. They lived in Bowie for the rest of their lives raising three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Verna Mae spent many years as a rancher’s wife raising her kids acting as a leader in parent teacher association, Cub Scouts and Camp Fire girls, as well as participating as a field census enumerator. Verna Mae was then inspired to go to college and became an educator. She graduated from Midwestern State University receiving a bachelor degree in education in 1972.
She had a lifelong passion both for teaching and learning and taught in the Bowie Independent School District for 28 years. She started her career teaching at South Ward spending most of her time in third grade and finishing as a sixth-grade math teacher. She always said both grades were so impressionable and loved both the creativity and working with numbers. She always advocated for furthering your education. Texas history was her favorite subject to teach.
She had many creative passions including quilting, crocheting, collecting and dealing in western art and cooking for her family. She also spent many years feeding the Brashear Brother ranch hands and crisscrossing the state as a basketball coach’s wife.
Verna Mae was involved in several quilting guilds. She had quilting blocks selected as part of fundraising efforts for 9/11 families as well as a block in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s “Common Threads of Texas” exhibition at the 1997 State Fair.
She was well known for making her signature chocolate chip cookies for coaches, teachers, athletes and students. She also had an annual tradition of crocheting custom ornaments for her students, grandkids and great-grandkid’s classes and storytime kids at the library.
The family was her life. Verna Mae’s pride in her family was extraordinary. She was very proud and loved watching her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids over the years participating in all their endeavors such as sports, band, rodeo, one-act play, and most importantly their academics.
She was very civic-minded and loved her community and giving back. An avid supporter of the Bowie education system and the community as a whole, she contributed to “The Bowie Knife Project” along with her husband, Bob as well as the Bowie Education Foundation and the Bowie Mission. Contributions to Rice University’s higher education scholarship program were also an important priority.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobbie Brashear, Sr.; parents, Albert Sidney and Cora Mae (Pillow) Johnson; and siblings, Calvin, Hollis, Bobby, Buddy, Victor, and Bill Johnson, Joann Bachman, Katherine Nunez; and grandson, Matthew Brashear.
Verna Mae Johnson is survived by her children Bobbie Brashear, Jr., Jan Browning and husband Kevin, and Lance Brashear, all of Bowie; grandchildren, Jennifer Glover and husband Lyal Glover, Northlake; Tiffany and Clay Egenbacher, Vashti; Brandon and Jana Brashear, Snyder; Casey and Chelsea Brashear, Burleson; Chance Browning, Washington D.C.; Julia Hilker, Wichita Falls; Mikaela Neubauer, Arlington; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Stryker, Maverick and Marli Brashear, Cy and Tess Egenbacher, Stormy Brashear, and Claire and Ava Frederiksen and brother, Sidney Johnson, Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.
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November 26, 1940 – January 28, 2026
BOWIE – Sylvia Jackson Stone, 85, died on Jan. 28, 2026 after a short illness.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Pastor Mike Henson officiating.
She was born in Corsicana on Nov. 26. 1940 to Mildred and L.R. (Willie) Jackson. She was the oldest of four Jackson siblings. She graduated from Doniphan High School in Doniphan, MO in 1957 and became a registered nurse upon her graduation from the Baylor School of Nursing in 1962. She worked as a nurse and homemaker for many years before retiring to Bowie.
She was a Christian woman who attended many Baptist churches throughout her life ending with First Baptist Church of Bowie. She was also a member of Bowie’s Knit Together Sisterhood.
She is preceded in death by her parents; three siblings; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her husband, Tony C. Stone; two sons; one daughter-in-law; six grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to charities of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
September 12, 1957 – January 25, 2026
BOWIE – Dr. Ronald Wayne Westbrook, D.C., 68, passed away on Jan. 25, 2026.
The family received friends on Feb. 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service was at 1 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie with Dr. Tony Rogers officiating. Burial followed with military honors at Terral Cemetery in Terral, OK.
Ron was born on Sept. 12, 1957 to Jerry Philip Westbrook and Louise Marie Tettelton. He grew up in Nocona and graduated from Nocona High School in 1976. While in school, Ron excelled in UIL, One Act Play, track and football. He started all four years on the varsity football team, playing on both sides of the ball, earning All-State honors. After graduation, Ron joined the United States Air Force.
In 1977, he married Sharon Duke from Terral, OK.
Ron was known by many names: devoted husband, father, grandfather (Nonnie), son, brother, doc, Dr. Ron and true friend. He had a passion for helping people. This passion is what led him to his career in chiropractic medicine. Dr. Westbrook graduated from Parker University in 1994 and taught chiropractic technique to all under classes at the college. He opened his business, Health Innovations, in 1994 in Decatur. His love and compassion for his patients made him stand alone as the best chiropractor in this area. They will miss him greatly.
Throughout his life, his work ethic was undeniable. Whether it was carpentry, working two to three jobs to support his family, putting himself through college, or just lending a helping hand to any friend or family that needed it, you could always count on Ron to be there, no matter what.
Along with his many other accomplishments, Ron was a published author. In 2012, he wrote the book, “Choices.”
Ron enjoyed dancing, trying new foods and restaurants, going to the movies, trying to be funny, sports, spending time with family and most of all being “Team Payton.” He will always be remembered for his love and devotion to his friends, family and patients. Our hearts are comforted knowing he is now in his eternal home wrapped in the arms of Jesus, his dad, mom, brothers and daughter, Megan.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers, James Westbrook, Alan Robinson and Mark Robinson; and daughter, “gorgeous genius,” Megan Westbrook Holt.
Ron is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sharon Westbrook, Bowie; granddaughter, Payton Holt, Bowie; brother, Eddy Robinson, Bowie; sister, Rebecca Compton, Hurst along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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April 21, 1941 – January 28, 2026
BOWIE – Billy Joe James, 84, passed away on Jan. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
A visitation was on Feb. 4 at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home. A funeral service was on Feb. 5 and burial followed at Jones Cemetery in Kendalia, TX.
Billy was born on April 21, 1941 in Lockett. He was the youngest of nine children of Alfred L. and Ethel James. Billy spent portions of his life living in Denton, Shoreacres and Kendalia, TX. A U.S. Army veteran and Second Lieutenant in the National Guard, Billy served as mayor of Shoreacres and was active in civic activities where he lived. He excelled in multiple fields including business, ranching and civic service. He founded Bee Jay Molding, a successful injection-molding business in the Houston and Boerne communities.
Preceded in death by his parents, siblings and a grandson.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jane; three children; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Billy is remembered as a dedicated family man, leader, mentor and friend.
Memorial donations may be made to Kendalia Volunteer Fire Department, Comfort Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Services entrusted to Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com.
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