OBITUARIES
Billie Fern Zahn Rolls
March 16, 1928 – March 8, 2022
BOWIE – Billie Fern Zahn Rolls, 93, former resident of Bowie, passed away on March 8, 2022 surrounded by her family.
A funeral service will take place on March 15, in the chapel of the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Burial will follow at Tage Cemetery in Bowie.
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon on March 15, prior to the service at the funeral home.
Billie was born March 16, 1928 to Lonnie Roy “Jack” Zahn and Alice Odessa Cagle Zahn, both of Montague County. She is the granddaughter of Carl and Nettie Zahn, longtime residents of Montague County.
On May 18, 1945, Billie married L.C. Rolls in Waurika, OK and the couple lived together in Duncan, OK and then Bowie for 61 years until L.C.’s passing.
Billie loved to cook. Tell her you were coming to visit and she would make enough to feed an army. She was known for making a delicious German chocolate cake. She loved to play cards and marble games with her family; she especially loved to win. After her husband retired, they spent many summers in Bowie in their camper visiting with family, fishing, and taking care of the grandkids. They moved to Bowie after a few years to be closer to family. She loved to tell stories of family vacations and her time growing up.
She is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Clyde (L.C.) Rolls, her parents, and her brothers Paul Raymond Zahn and Wayne Zahn.
Billie is survived by her two daughters, Shelia Sanders, Westminster, CO and Sherry Hall and her husband Bob, San Antonio. She was called Nana by her four grandchildren, Kari Zike, Indianapolis, IN, Todd Sanders and his wife Fran, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Kristen Coulter and her husband, Rob, Waxhaw, NC, and Traci Hall of San Antonio. She was called Sweet Nana by her four great-granddaughters, Lauren, Madison, Brooke and Ashley; a great-grandson, Austin; three great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law Louise Zahn, Pasadena and, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her niece Alisha Pounds and family took care of her in her final years.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
Bowie, Texas
(940)-872-9993
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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