OBITUARIES
Charlene Coffield
October 5, 1955 – July 25, 2023
SOUTHLAKE – Martha “Charlene” Coffield, 67, passed away after a long battle with leukemia on July 25, 2023.
There will be a celebration of Charlene’s life from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2023 at Calabrese’s restaurant, 1281 E. State Hwy. 114, Southlake, TX 76092. All are welcome to attend. A private graveside service in Bowie will take place later this fall.
Charlene was born on Oct. 5, 1955 in Bowie. Named for both her mother, Martha, and her father, Charles, she was known as Charlene throughout her life, except when her Dad used the affectionate moniker, “Chili Bean.” A lifelong Texan, Charlene graduated with honors in 1974 from Bowie High School and following in her older sister’s footsteps, began her collegiate years at Baylor University, majoring in accounting. She completed her degree at Texas Christian University.
She began her professional career at a big eight accounting firm in Dallas but spent most of her accounting career employed by Lafarge Cement, a large multi-national. After leaving Lafarge, Charlene and her middle sister, Cathy Koebernick, co-founded, “A Tale of Two Sisters,” and became well known in the book collecting world for first edition fiction. Later, Charlene took the business solo and was particularly proud of her personal collection of Graham Greene books.
She married Richard Schneider from Cleveland, OH in May 1986 at her parents’ home and eventually the two settled in Southlake, at the time still a mostly undeveloped area. Charlene loved nature and created a cutting garden at her home, and later became a serious backyard bird watcher, maintaining more than 20 bird feeders daily. Charlene never met a cat she didn’t love, and through the years she and Richard shared their home with numerous house cats and dogs and a parrot named Eli she inherited when her parents passed away. Feral cats spread the word and it was a rare night when trays of food weren’t set outside for them too.
Gifted with a bright mind, Charlene was seldom bored and dug in with gusto to new endeavors, becoming an expert when others might simply choose to learn the basics. Among those, a late life interest in mixology. A feminist and fashionista, Charlene retained her maiden name and even with waning strength, enjoyed a good discussion about the state of country and its leadership, or simply getting things exactly right. Whether it was a dispute over the authenticity of a Scrabble game word or the exact mileage between two places, she would wear down her opponents.
Charlene is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Cathy Koebernick.
Charlene is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Richard Schneider; sister, Caroline Vetterling; nephew, Tom Vetterling; grand-niece, Kate Vetterling; grand-nephew, Sam Vetterling; Coffield cousins, Linda Stallcup, Kay Dobbs, Whit Coffield and Marilyn Dial; Raborn cousins, Polly Conner and Mary Gomez; as well as her dear childhood friends, Tricia Barnett Monfrey and Keith Deaver and a feral cat turned pet named Becca.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Charlene’s memory to the Leukemia Society of America or a charity of your choice. When you see a kitten, smell a flower or hear a bird sing, we hope you’ll think of Charlene. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
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April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.
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August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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