OBITUARIES
James Roy Suson
March 19, 1934 – February 2, 2022
RHOME – James Roy Suson, 87, Rhome, TX, storyteller, jokester, jack of all trades, an accomplished mechanic, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2022. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the White Family Funeral Home. The burial will follow at Chico Cemetery in Chico. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the funeral home. James was born on March 19, 1934. He was a strong man, both emotionally and physically. He was known for being willing to help anyone, in any way he could. He spent countless hours at Whataburger in Decatur and Dairy Queen in Bowie sharing his stories and jokes. He loved to talk and never met a stranger. Although he did not have a teaching degree, he had a gift of being able to teach in a caring way. He taught his children and grandchildren life lessons without them even realizing they were being taught a lesson. He took great pride in his hard work in the oilfield, driving a truck, hauling hay and 32 years at General Motors until he retired. However, retirement did not slow him down. He worked at Walmart for a couple of years and then did security for TriCorps until 2015. He never really quit working altogether, as he always had some project he was working on or a garden he was raising. He cherished his family more than anything and always put them first. James was loved by everyone who met him and will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. James was preceded in death by his parents, Eula Mae Urlacher Suson and John Tillman Aroma Suson; sons, Jackie and Jeffery Suson; siblings, John Suson, Mary Shurbert, Robert Suson, Walter Suson, Ferrel Suson, Anne Belle Workman, Ethel Poncey and William Suson. James is survived by his children, James Roy Suson Jr. and wife, Sandra, Darlene Pritchard and husband, Butch, Melody Conforth and husband, Randy, LaNisha Carnes and husband, Jimmy, Denise Ware and husband, Dallas; 14 grandchildren, including Kayla and Kaden Stagg, who he resided with and 17 great-grandchildren. Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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(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.
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