OBITUARIES
Haley “Maxine” Orr Vowell
April 29, 1943 – April 28, 2022
SUNSET – Haley “Maxine” Orr Vowell, 78, died on April 28, 2022.
The family recieved friends at the First Baptist Church in Sunset from 1 – 3 p.m. on May 2, with a funeral service followed. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on May 4, in Cotton Valley, LA.
Vowell was born April 29, 1943 in Vardaman, MS to Max Orr and Haley Monette Parker Orr. In Cotton Valley, LA, she was a cheerleader and an all state basketball player who didn’t miss a free throw her entire senior year.
Her father was old school and in his younger days didn’t think women should seek higher education, but despite this, Vowell went to business school and had a career, leaving her Cotton Valley home to work for an insurance agent, traveling throughout northern Louisiana and Arkansas.
In her early teens she met the love of her life, Kenneth Larry Vowell and they got married on April 25, 1964. Together they had two daughters. When her husband left the airforce, they settled in Texas and the couple became world travelers.
Vowell served her community and church in addition to caring for her family. The couple later moved to “The Ranch” in Sunset to enjoy their grandsons and large social circle of friends.
Vowell is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Perry and Bennie Orr.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years; daughters, Karen Vowell Sales and Pam Vowell Lawrence; grandsons, Aaron Lawrence and Alec Lawrence; sister, Charlotte Stanley; one aunt; eight nieces and nephews; numerous grand–nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
Donations in Vowell’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS4 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death