OBITUARIES
Lena Jo (Scruggs) Boydston
October 19, 1935 – January 18, 2024
PLANO – Lena Jo (Scruggs) Boydston, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 18, 2024 with her family by her side.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, TX. A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 21 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie with Dr. Tony Rogers officiating. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie with Shane Boydston, Billy Jack Boydston, Jordan Lindsey, Casey Bowman, Fischer Blagg, Ethan Poorman and Gavin Boydston serving as pallbearers.
Lena was born on Oct. 19, 1935 in Hardeman County to J.P. and Jewell (Rogers) Scruggs. On Aug. 15, 1954 Lena married Jack Boydston at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie. Lena worked both inside and outside the home over the course of her career. She worked at Haggar in Bowie, Briarcroft Savings & Loan in Lubbock and the Dallas County Appraisal District in Garland.
Lena was a master seamstress and quilter in her spare time. She loved making beautiful clothes and quilts for her children and grandchildren. Lena enjoyed spending time in the mountains of Colorado with her husband Jack every chance they had, and their retirement summers were filled with rounding up as many grandkids that she could get to head off for camping adventures. Lena was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother that will be missed by so many.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Boydston; her parents, JP and Jewell Scruggs; brothers, J.W. Scruggs, J.H. Scruggs, Monroe Scruggs and Phillip Scruggs; son-in-law, Jay Lindsey and grandson, Brandon Smith.
Lena is survived by her two sons, Mike Boydston and wife Sandy, and Ricky Boydston and wife Terri; four daughters, Janet Lindsey, Carole Kildiff, Denise Coward and husband Skip, and Kristi Blagg; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brother, James Scruggs and wife Joan; sister, Louise (Scruggs) Jones and husband LeeWayne; and numerous nieces and nephews.
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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