OBITUARIES

Virgil Hugh Phemister

Published

4 years ago

04/15/2022

March 23, 1932 – April 10, 2022
NOCONA – Virgil Hugh Phemister, 90, passed from this life on April 10, 2022.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on April 14, at the Nocona Church of Christ with Austin Wright officiating, under the direction of Scott-Morris Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. at the church. After the funeral, a burial will follow at Montague Perpetual Care Cemetery.
Hugh was born March 23, 1932 in Haskell, TX to Virgil and Ida Phemister and was one of nine children. From 1953-1954, Hugh proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was deployed to the demilitarized zone, where he served as a tanker. In civilian life Hugh worked in the oil and gas industry, mostly as a pipeline operator for Lone Star Gas Co. He worked for Lone Star for 31 years until his retirement, then he enjoyed retirement for 31 years.
Hugh met Norma Lou Clapp and fell in love. They married June 1, 1974. They shared a deep, devoted love and from that day on, they were nearly inseparable. If Hugh wasn’t at work, he and Norma were almost always doing something together. Norma preceded Hugh in death on February 23, 2012.
Hugh loved to travel. He was proud to be able to say he had been to all of the world fairs and that he had set foot in all 50 states. He and Norma drove all over the country on vacations, including multiple trips to Branson, MO. As a thanks for his military service, Hugh was blessed to enjoy an Honor Flight, which included traveling to Washington D.C. to visit the Korean War memorial and various other sites.
Hugh loved his family. His siblings all had children and over the generations they grew to have a very large extended family. There were plenty of family members to love and Hugh loved them all. One of the greatest joys in Hugh’s life were the great family reunions they shared.
In his later years, Hugh moved in to Cherry Street village in Nocona. His friends there became a second family. Hugh was a faithful Christian all his life. He was very active member of the Nocona Church of Christ for several decades. Always the servant, Hugh was glad to serve his church wherever he was needed. He loved to sing and he led singing at church for many years. Over his lifetime Hugh served in every capacity, “except preaching, being an elder or a deacon.”
Hugh always arrived at precisely 9 a.m. Even when he did not have a specific role he was serving, he was committed to welcoming everyone who came in the door and making sure to shake every person’s hand. His friends at Cherry Street noted how every Sunday morning Hugh moved with purpose as he headed to church.
Anyone who know Hugh knows that he was a faithful, devoted Christian man. His life truly reflected the love of Jesus day-in and day-out. While Hugh will be greatly missed, he has gone to be with the Lord he loved all his life and to be reunited with his beloved Norma. Hugh lived out Philippians 1:21: To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Hugh was preceded in death by his beloved wife; parents; brothers, Carlos, Marvin and Roy and sisters, Alma, Helen, Edith, Retith and Jenell.
He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great great-nieces and great great-nephews.
For those who wish to make a donation in Hugh’s memory, please consider Cherokee Home for Children, which held a special place in Hugh’s heart, as well as the Nocona Church of Christ youth fund, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.
Paid publication

212 E. Oak St. Nocona, TX 76255
940-825-3338 • www.scottmorrisfh.com

OBITUARIES

Joy Dean Duncan

Published

31 minutes ago

07/22/2026

bowienews

November 4, 1950 – July 17, 2026
NEW BRAUNFELS – Joy Dean Duncan, 75, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on July 17, 2026.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on July 22 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A private graveside service will take place for immediate family.
Joy was born Nov. 4, 1950 in Nocona to Newell and Flora (Ice) Dean of Saint Jo. She graduated from Saint Jo High School in 1968 and went to East Texas State University in Commerce. Joy graduated with a degree in education and later received a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Texas Eastern University in Tyler in 1975.
For more than 40 years, Joy devoted her life to education, touching the lives of countless children as a dedicated and compassionate teacher. She believed every child deserved the opportunity to succeed. The impact she made extended far beyond academics, as she inspired generations of children to believe in themselves.
As much as Joy loved teaching, her greatest pride was being a mother. She shared an incredibly close and cherished bond with her only child, Julie. One built on unwavering love, friendship and countless treasured memories. Whether they were taking mother-daughter trips, enjoying brunches, shopping adventures or simply spending time surrounded by family, those moments brought her immense happiness. She was her daughter’s biggest supporter, fiercest protector and most trusted confidante.
Being “Mimi” to her only granddaughter, Karli, was also one of Joy’s greatest blessings. The bond between them was something special. Saturday nights were reserved for movie nights filled with laughter and making memories. They shared a special relationship and Karli could always get a good laugh out of her Mimi.
The love she poured into her family and friends will remain one of her beautiful legacies, forever living in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her daughter, Julie Kirkland and husband Ryan and granddaughter, Karli, New Braunfels.
In lieu of flowers, please support Hope Hospice of New Braunfels or your local hospice organization. The family extends their deepest gratitude to Hope Hospice for their kindness, compassion and exceptional care over the past year, providing comfort and support to Joy and her loved ones over the past year.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Peggy Tucker

Published

35 minutes ago

07/22/2026

bowienews

May 15, 1938 – June 30, 2026
BOWIE – Peggy Tucker died on June 30, 2026.
A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on July 24 at Hopewell Cemetery in Stoneburg.
She was born May 15, 1938 in Ryan Oklahoma to Letha Graham and Reese Harrison.
She worked at Russell Newmans for many years in Saint Jo and she also worked at Hager Slacks Company in Bowie.
She was married to Harold Tucker of Bowie.
She is preceded in death by first husband, Winford Woods; second husband, Harold Tucker; son, Ronnie Woods; daughter, Becky Sanders; a stepson and sisters, Betty Tucker and Jean Green.
She is survived by survived by daughters, Sherry Sims and Penny Shoefstall, both of Bowie; sons, Wayne Woods, Nocona and Eugene Woods, Bowie; four stepchildren; brother, Doug; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Jimmie Charles Robertson

Published

36 minutes ago

07/22/2026

bowienews

October 1, 1941 – July 16, 2026
FORESTBURG – Jimmie Charles Robertson, 84, died on July 16, 2026 in Nocona.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on July 28 at the Montague County Cowboy Church with Pastor Joe Caballero officiating.
He was born Oct. 1, 1941 in Nocona to Walter Lee and Syble Bernice (Hanson) Robertson. He graduated from Birdville High School in North Richland Hills. On June 18, 1960 he married Edna “Louise” Helms in Haltom City.
He had a lifelong career and an assembler with General Motors until his retirement. He was a member of the Montague County Cowboy Church, the Forestburg Masonic Lodge #523 and a long-time Shriner.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Louise Robertson; sister, Patricia Gayle Robertson; brother, Ronnie Lee Robertson and two grandsons.
He is survived by his children, Connie Cozby, Rhome, Eddie Robertson, Forestburg and Carmen Warner, Bowie; six grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.