OBITUARIES
Janie Gayle Maples Thomas
May 25, 1946 – July 27, 2022
SAINT JO – Janie Gayle Maples Thomas, 76, died on July 27, 2022.
Visitation was from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 2. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3, at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Saint Jo. Burial will follow at Dye Mound Cemetery.
Thomas was born on May 25, 1946 to Marshall Americus “M.A.” and Minnie Louanna Huddleston Maples. She married Lloyd Henley ‘TomCat’ Thomas on May 5, 1962. She worked as a nurse at Saint Jo Hospital before going to work at nursing home in Nocona. She then went to work at Russell Newman for several years.
After leaving Russell Newman, she went to work at the Saint Jo Dairy Queen where she enjoyed the coffee drinkers’ crowd. She loved playing bingo, watching crime shows and cooking for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, M.A. and Minnie Maples.
She is survived by her husband, Lloyd “TomCat” Thomas, Saint Jo; sons, Marshall Thomas, Montague and Scott Thomas, Saint Jo; daughter, Cindy Shurbet, Thackerville; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo.
February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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