OBITUARIES

Melva “Jean” Bridgwater

Published

2 years ago

10/25/2022

February 11, 1936 – October 23, 2022
BOWIE – Melva “Jean” Bridgwater, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 23, 2022 in Wichita Falls.
The family will receive friends from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Oct. 29, at the First Baptist Church in Bowie with Mike Henson and Darrell Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Salona Cemetery.
Jean was born in Terral, OK on Feb. 11, 1936. She was the daughter of Harvey and Auda Richardson, who moved to Bowie shortly after her birth. With two brothers and three sisters, the Richardson household was a busy place. Jean always loved the outdoors; she preferred milking cows to housework. As Jean entered high school, it was apparent that she had an aptitude for sports. She loved playing basketball at Bowie High School.
During high school, she met a boy that she would later describe as the “number one” love of her life. That boy, Jake Bridgwater, would ask her to marry him in December 1954. They both believed that God had brought them together. Jake and Jean married on Sept. 21, 1956. Everyone who knew them understood that there was a special connection between them. Jean accelerated her college at North Texas so that they could graduate at the same time. They then moved back to Bowie where they would make their home for the next 55 years.
Jean joined Jake in teaching and coaching at Bowie High School. She taught physical education and health while coaching girls basketball and sponsoring the pep squad and cheerleaders. Jean was one of those special teachers and coaches that supported, loved and counseled students throughout all her 33 years in education. In 1962, she coached the Bowie girls until she had to stop teaching because she was pregnant with her first child, Tammy. That team went on to play in the state finals. Just two years later, Julie, their second daughter, was born. Jean loved to spend the summers with her husband and daughters and take trips to the mountains and camp. Jean continued to coach and work with the basketball team through all the Title IX changes. She was affectionately called “Coach B” until her retirement from coaching in 1983. She spent 11 more years teaching.
Jean was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Bowie. She served on numerous committees, going on mission trips and teaching her beloved Hope Sunday School Class. She and her family had countless years of perfect attendance. When her daughters had chicken pox, she even hosted a Sunday school for chicken pox kids so no one had to miss Sunday school. The family was at the church every time the doors were open. Her dedication was first and foremost to the Lord.
Her grandchildren called her “Nana.” She adored each one of her five grandchildren. She loved keeping them, nursing them when they were sick and playing anything they wanted to play. She sometimes let them win, but mostly she pushed them to be better and taught them invaluable life lessons. She loved to fix breakfast for her grandkids even if they all wanted something different. Her grandsons preferred their bacon by the pound. They truly were the light and twinkle in her eye. She also loved and treasured each one of her great-grandkids.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jake Bridgwater; parents, Harvey and Auda Richardson; brothers, H.A. and Doyle Richardson and sister, JoAnn Stone.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Tammy Brown and husband Darrell, Colleyville; daughter, Julie Henderson and husband Steve, Wichita Falls; five grandchildren, Bethany Smith and husband Paul, Jace Brown and wife Kendall, Bryce Henderson and wife Whitney, Chase Henderson and wife McKenzie and Maddie Hendricks and husband Adam; great-grandchildren, Parker, Blakely, Jake, Mason and Andrew; sisters, Joyce May and Patsy Plaxco and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorial donations be made in Jean Bridgwater’s name to the First Baptist Church of Bowie or Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Hubert James Gray

Published

4 days ago

05/07/2024

bowienews

July 24, 1943 – May 3, 2024
BELLEVUE – Hubert James Gray, 80, laid down his working tools on May 3, 2024 in Bellevue.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 8 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A service to celebrate Hubert’s life will be at 1 p.m. on May 9 at the Methodist Church in Bellevue. Interment will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.
Hubert was born on July 24, 1943 in Fort Worth to Earnest and Hazel Gray. Hubert grew up in Roanoke where he met his former wife Sandra Savage, and together they raised three daughters in Justin.
Hubert went on to meet and fall in love with Elizabeth Orton in Bellevue, who he wedded on March 11, 1994 in Bowie. Together the two built a joyful life full of grandchildren, adventure, travel and sweet humor.
Hubert worked as a carpenter for several decades and was an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses, having a positive impact on countless peoples life’s.
Hubert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, later becoming a member of the Methodist Church of Bellevue. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge #668 in Roanoke, where he was initiated as an Enter Apprentice on March 28, 1972, passing to the degree as a Fellowcraft on May 2, 1972. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 15, 1972.
Hubert was a kind and gentle man who always put his family first. He was a jokester who’s contagious laughter and warm smile lit up every room he entered.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Hazel Gray; daughter, Sherri Fitzgerald; son, Robert Orton; grandsons, Michael Orton, Christopher Orton and James Huber and sons-in-law, Dennis McLaughlin and Chuck Sword.
Hubert’s legacy continues through his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Trinda Mulkey and husband Scott, Justin and Juli Seale and husband Rick, Blue Mound; sons, Billy Orton and wife Misty, Bellevue, Harry Orton and wife Sunie, Colorado Springs, CO and Eddie Orton and wife Evelin, Bellevue; daughter-in-law, Martha Tompkins, Van Buren, AK; brothers, Milborn Gray and wife Clay, Roanoke, Earl Gray and wife Linda, Justin and Dearl Gray and wife Joyce, Justin; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Betty J. Fuller Flinn

Published

4 days ago

05/07/2024

bowienews

August 28, 1931 – May 5, 2024
BUFFALO SPRINGS – Betty J. Fuller Flinn departed this life and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 5, 2024.
A visitation will be from 6 – 7 p.m. on May 10 at Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 11 at Buffalo Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Waller officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
Betty was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Pleasant Valley to Charlie and Bill Evans Fuller of Buffalo Springs. She graduated high school in Bellevue and resided most of her life in Buffalo Springs. She attended some of her school days at Midway School and also served as a teacher’s aide at Midway for several years.
Betty had deep roots in Clay County. Betty was a Clay County Pioneer Association Duchess and always enjoyed the Pioneer Reunion festivities. She received the honor, along with her husband Harry, as being the oldest married couple for three years. She also was recognized as the Oldest Native Daughter in 2023. Betty actively served her community in many ways. She was president of the Buffalo Springs Cemetery Association for a number of years. She also was a member of Buffalo Springs Rock Church and loved attending services there.
Betty was a loyal and dedicated wife and mother. She was extremely dedicated to her children and she spent her life making their needs a priority. Betty also was a talented seamstress and actively sewed all her adult life making clothes, especially western shirts, for her friends and family. Betty was known for her acts of service, her love of family, her deeds of kindness and her generous spirit. Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Betty married Harry Joseph Flinn of Bellevue on Dec. 26, 1949. He preceded her in death on Aug. 4, 2021.
They had four children: Charles Ray Flinn (deceased) and wife Sheron Clemmons Flinn, Gilmer, TX, Pamela Kay Flinn, Buffalo Springs, Roger Thomas Flinn and wife Melba Akin Flinn, Bluegrove and Clarence Lawton Flinn and wife Angel Cooper Flinn, Wills Point. Betty also is survived by her brother, Gerald Fuller and wife Patsy Davis Fuller, Wichita Falls and Pat Dunn, Bowie; nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Home of Henrietta.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

James Wilson Atkinson

Published

4 days ago

05/07/2024

bowienews

October 11, 1944 – May 6, 2024
NOCONA – James Wilson Atkinson, 79, died on May 6, 2024.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on May 10 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
He was born in Seminole, OK on Oct. 11, 1944 to John and Georgiana Atkinson. He attended 19 schools and graduated early from Altus, OK high school. His first job was in a grocery store and he quickly worked up to manager. This experience was the basis for his bookkeeping knowledge that served him well as an entrepreneur. Throughout his career he owned a barber shop, a cafe, a gunshop and a grocery store, among many other things. He was the mayor of Healton, OK, got his pilot’s license and developed Nocona Hills.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Georgiana Atkinson and wife, Margie.
He’s survived by his brother, Martin Atkinson; two nieces and one nephew.
In lieu of flowers, send contributions in his honor to Nocona Hills Owners Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.