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OBITUARIES

Robbie Gene Whitecotton

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February 2, 1932 – June 1, 2023
MONTAGUE – Robbie Gene Whitecotton passed away on June 1, 2023 in Montague at the age of 91.
The family will receive friends at 12:30 p.m. on June 8 with a funeral to follow at 1 p.m. in the Scott-Morris Funeral Home chapel.
Robbie was born in Fletcher, OK to Lloyd and Capitola Whitecotton on Feb. 2, 1932. He attended Stoneburg High School, where he graduated in 1950. He had the distinction of being the last person to walk across the stage of Stoneburg High School. He met his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Mae (McMillion), and they became lifelong sweethearts. They married Jan. 9, 1952 and remained so for 70 years until she passed away in May 2022.
Robbie proudly served in the United States Army from 1952-1954. Robbie worked in agriculture all his life. They had an orchard with apple and peach trees, and ran a fruit stand in Henrietta in the 1970s. People would often come from as far as Muenster to buy his apples.
The dynamic duo of Robbie and Dorothy ran Whitecotton Greenhouse, beginning with vegetables only in the 1970s. In the 1980s, they transitioned away from the fruit stand and focused full-time on the greenhouse, which now also offers beautiful blooms. They partnered with their son and daughter-in-law, David and Helen in 1988.
Mr. Whitecotton was a very dependable person. Customers and employees alike could attest to his honest, fair, focused, business mind. Robbie took joy in knowing so many people enjoyed his products, whether his apples or the things he grew in the nursery. He greatly enjoyed the natural creation, and growing plants from the earth was a spiritual experience.
Robbie’s love for creation took him on many trips to visit national parks, especially in the western United States. Robbie also loved dogs. He ran a dog kennel in his youth. He really loved his own dachshunds. In his later life, Robbie found joy in getting a new pickup every other year.
Robbie is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Whitecotton; daughter, Janet Whitecotton; brother, Jerald Whitecotton and sister, Ophilia Simpson.
Robbie is survived by his son, Robert Whitecotton and Diana Smith; son, David Whitecotton and wife Helen; seven grandchildren, Lorinda Faye Timms, Thomas James Whitecotton, Sarah Anne Morrow, Michael Gene Whitecotton, Mark Christopher Whitecotton, Fayde Hunter Smith and Timothy James Whitecotton; his sister, Jackie Stillwell; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Donations may be made in Robbie’s name to Montague Volunteer Fire Department, 1000 Grand St. Montague, TX 76251.
An Online Guestbook is available at scottmorrisfh.com.

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212 E. Oak St. Nocona, TX 76255 | 940-825-3338
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OBITUARIES

Wade Shelton

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November 24, 1929 – April 28, 2025
NOCONA – Wade Shelton, 95, died on April 28, 2025 in Bowie.
A visitation was at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at the gazebo at Molsbee Chapel Cemetery on May 5 officiated by Pastor Phillip Weitner.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1929 in Nocona to Walter Shelton and Mildred Kidwell Shelton. He was a hard-worker most of his life working mostly as an industrial machine mechanic and also managing the drive-in movie theater in Nocona. He was a member, deacon and sometimes ministered at Molsbee Chapel Church of the Brethren. He married Thelma Wright on Nov. 24, 1956 in Lubbock. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Weldon Shelton and Paul Shelton; and sisters, Oleta and Bonnie Baggett.
He is survived by his children, Serina Thomas, Bowie, John Shelton, Sunset and Steve Holcomb, Nocona; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

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OBITUARIES

Fern Hollaway Caswell

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July 7, 1925 – April 28, 2025
BOWIE – Fern Hollaway Caswell passed on April 28, 2025 at the age of exactly 99 years, nine months and three weeks.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on May 1 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset with Doyle Wade officiating.
Fern was born at her parents’ home just outside of Sunset on July 7, 1925, she was the youngest child and only daughter of J. A. (Jim) Hollaway and Arah Sigler Hollaway. Growing up with three older brothers, she learned quite early on how to hold her own when faced with difficulties. She graduated from Sunset High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1941. While in school, she was a talented and celebrated volleyball player on winning teams coached by J. I. (Speck) Caswell, the man who would eventually become her husband of 48 years.
Before her marriage, Fern worked at what is now known as the North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls Campus, first on the wards and eventually in the business office. After her marriage, the birth of the couple’s children, and the family’s move to Alvord in 1954, she devoted herself to rearing her daughters and working alongside her husband on the family ranch.
After the girls left home, she worked for the Lorch Company, managing their outlet stores in Decatur and Gainesville until the company closed. After her husband’s death, she began a long and varied career at DFW International Airport, driving carts and working in customs and security, all jobs which clearly suited her love of people watching. After getting up at 2 a.m. and driving to the airport three days a week for many years, she eventually retired at 89. Regardless of when and where she was working, she was always Granny and always available to the grandsons and great grandchildren she adored.
An excellent seamstress, Fern had a strong work ethic and a keen fashion sense, both of which she imparted to her daughters. An avid reader of biographies, she was also a lover of all animals, particularly Siamese cats. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord, she also served as the District President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Texas.
Fern was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers, Berniece, Clay and Harold Hollaway; niece, Deanna Hollaway Hooper and great-niece, Tonya Davis Wallum.
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lana Caswell-Garcia and H.S. (Bert) Garcia, Sherman and Karen Caswell Fowler and Donald Fowler, Chico; grandsons, Wes Fowler, and Kase Fowler and his wife Leslie Bain Fowler, all of Alvord; and great grandchildren, Rachae Fowler Richey and her husband Senior Airman Hunter Richey, Colorado Springs and Keegan Fowler, Alvord; nephews, Billy Dean Hollaway and his wife Sheri, North Little Rock, AR, Bernis Hollaway, Carr, CO and Bruce Hollaway, Buena Vista, AR; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES

Gary Leo Fergueson

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November 11, 1944 – April 19, 2025
BELLEVUE – Gary Leo Fergueson, 80, died on April 19, 2025.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 24 at Vashti Cemetery with Michael Brannon and Jeff Brannon officiating.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1944 to Vera (Chappell) and Lewis Fergueson. He worked in the food and grocery industry at multiple store chains beginning in Fort Worth and ending in Bowie. He also worked as a rancher at his family farm in Vashti. Fergueson proudly served his country in the United States Army, he completed his basic training in San Fransico and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Alta Fergueson Brannon.
He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Brannon; niece, Krista Brannon Blackrock; brother-in-law Michael Brannon and a very special friend of 60 years, Helen Ulbig.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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