OBITUARIES
Emma Nell Durham-Dever
September 12, 1942 – April 15, 2023
BELLEVUE – Emma Nell Durham-Dever, 80, was called home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2023.
Friends and family were welcome to pay their respects throughout the day on April 17, until noon April 18 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service was at 2 p.m. on April 18 at Bellevue Cemetery with Pastor Robert Slayton as the officiant.
Emma Nell was born in Terral, OK on Sept. 12, 1942 to Earl Reynolds and Ruby Larison. She graduated from Terral High School in 1960 as valedictorian of her senior class. On June 33, 1960, Emma Nell married Curtis Durham, and together they raised eight children.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her late husband; son, Jerry Durham; sister, Gladys Mae; brother, Jr. Reynolds and brothers-in-law, Wilton Underwood, Johnny Wilson, Bill Woods and Mike Haney.
Emma Nell is survived by her children, Curtis Durham Jr., Bellevue, Bobbie Kay Barnett and partner Bill Prater, Bellevue, Becky McCullar and husband Red, Bellevue, Betty Jo Patton and husband Mac, Malone, TX, Barbara Foster and husband Darrell, Bowie, Brenda Jones, Bowie and Beverly Jones, Bowie; 21 grandkids; 42 great-grandkids; two great-great-grandkids; sisters, Alpha Underwood, Nocona, Opal Wilson, Duncan, OK, Karen Reynolds, Whitewright, Sandy Scully and husband Danny, Arlington and Barbara Haney, Bedford; brothers, Bill Reynolds, Saint Jo, Johnny Reynolds and wife Malinda, Ringgold and Charlie Reynolds and wife Laurie, Terral, OK; sisters-in-law, Jo-Ann Reynolds, California and Doris Durham, Henrietta; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a very large, loving church family.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
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.
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