OBITUARIES

Lessie “Norene” Dowd

Published

3 years ago

06/02/2023

August 18, 1922 – May 25, 2023
SAINT JO – Lessie “Norene” (Williams) Dowd, 100, died on May 25, 2023 in Bowie.
The family received friends from 6 to 7 p.m. on May 30 at Scott Funeral Home in Saint Jo. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 31 at the First United Methodist Church in Saint Jo. Montague County Cowboy Church Senior Pastor Joe Caballero and Youth Pastor Rowdy Hopson will officiate. Interment will follow at Illinois Bend Cemetery. Pallbearers are Evan Brewer, Guy Green, Lane Hopson, Rowdy Hopson, Jeffrey Padgett and Kyle Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are Johnny Mac Dowd and Max Ham.
She was born Aug. 18, 1922 in Illinois Bend, TX to Artie and Lessie Williams. She attended school at Illinois Bend and graduated from high school in Gainesville, also graduating from Junior College there and attending North Texas State in Denton. On Dec. 3, 1941 she married W.D. “Dub” Dowd in Wichita Falls. They purchased land on the Red River where they raised two girls, making cattle raising their lifetime career. Later they built a house in Saint Jo. She started working at The First National Bank all while still operating the 100-year-old ranch, for which they received the Family Land Heritage Honor in 1989 from the Texas Department of Agriculture.
She was a dedicated member of the Illinois Bend Community Club as well as the Illinois Bend Cemetery Association where she served many years. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Saint Jo.
She is preceded in death by her husband, W.D. “Dub” Dowd; daughter, Linda Lou; her parents, Artie and Lessie Williams and her infant brothers, Marshal, Marion and Arnold.
She is survived by her daughter, Arlene Brewer, Bowie; five grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the Montague County Cowboy Church Youth Building or Illinois Bend Cemetery Association.

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

7 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

John Wayne Shelton

Published

7 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

Weldon Ray Duff

Published

7 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.