OBITUARIES
Martha “Linda” Stevens
May 11, 1939 – January 23, 2024
SUNSET – Martha “Linda” Stevens, 84, Sunset, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 23, 2024 in Mansfield.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Jan. 30 at the First Baptist Church of Alvord with Andrew Stevens and Pastor Ken Hering officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery.
Linda was born May 11, 1939 in Fort Worth to Worth Douglas and Violet Alvis (Linley) Clark. On March 7, 1958, Linda married James Virgle Stevens in Gainesville. Together they raised three rowdy kids and helped raise a village of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her family, good food and gathering with family to eat and have a good time. Linda enjoyed watching beautiful things grow whether it was wild flowers or her family. In her free time she enjoyed reading, watching Gunsmoke and listening to Chuck Swindoll.
Linda will be remembered for her generosity and the love she had for her family, as well as her beautiful smile and contagious laugh.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Worth Douglas Clark and Violet Alvis Clark and her sister, Cindy Pittman
Linda is survived by her husband of 65 years, James “Virgle” Stevens; their children, Donna Lovell, Mike Stevens and wife Becky and Christal Shaffer and husband Dean; grandchildren, Chrisopher Lovell and wife Kelly, Andrew Stevens and wife Sutton, Justin Shaffer and wife Kayla, Miles Shaffer and Ainsley Hernandez and husband Josue; great-grandchildren, Kayden Shaffer, Colton Shaffer, Jaid Shaffer, Remi Shaffer, Cooper DeJarnett, Briggs Stevens, Watts Stevens, Hutch Stevens and Justice Hernandez; great-great-grandchild, Colter Shaffer; siblings, Worth Cornelius Clark and wife Gay, David Eugene Clark and Brenda Fehlbaum and husband Jean; and many 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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