OBITUARIES

Virginia Ella Crumpler

Published

4 months ago

01/05/2024

Virginia Ella Crumpler
June 15, 1926 – December 22, 2023
BOWIE – Virginia Crumpler, 97, passed through to her heavenly home, reunited with all loved ones she’d been waiting to see for many years, including her beloved son, Dr. Paul Hulen Crumpler on Dec. 22, 2023.
A visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Jan. 27. The celebration of life honoring Virginia will follow at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Bryan.
Virginia, daughter of Horace and Margaret Hatcher, was born June 15, 1926, in Cherryvale, KS, youngest of nine children. The family moved to Rogers, AR, when she was six, and two years later to Monett, MO, where she graduated from high school in 1944. She moved to Houston, to live with an older sister. Virginia then went to business school and found employment with a newly established oil company. While in Houston, she joined Beta Sigma Phi Business Sorority, representing the Eta Phi Chapter. In 1947 Virginia was named “Sweetheart of Beta Sigma Phi.”
In 1949 she met and married Dr. Hulen Crumpler, a family practitioner in Bowie, who along with his brother, surgeon Dr. Prentice Crumpler, and gynecologist, Dr. E. P. Harris, owned and operated the Bowie Clinic and Hospital.
Virginia loved bowling and was regularly on a team in Bowie until they closed down the bowling alley. Then her team traveled to Wichita Falls every week to bowl. While there, Virginia’s skills were honored with an appearance on TV when the amateur once achieved the highest score in the tournament (277/300), earning a bonus check.
In the Bowie community, Virginia championed youth activities through the Bowie Independent School District Booster Club, Bowie ISD Band Parents, Hospital Auxiliary and Boy Scouts. She helped raise money for scouting cots and tents by having a spaghetti supper at church—she cooked all the food, including pies for dessert. Virginia was awarded the distinction of “Woman of the Year” in 1971 by the Bowie Chamber of Commerce.
The Bowie Hospital Auxiliary recognized her for more than 1,000 hours of service, as she helped organize the Junior Auxiliary, training high school students for work at the hospital during the summer months. Her gifts of time and unselfish devotion fed souls and children alike. For the booster club, Virginia was responsible for the football and all-sports banquets—from selling tickets to providing home-cooked meals. Whether she cooked 50 pounds of her famous chili to fill bowls or top hot dogs, it was natural for her to serve 350–400 people at the banquets and she made it look easy.
Her Christian church work in the Baptist faith started in Bowie, where she began by enrolling babies into the church. From there, she became director of the nursery, working with toddlers, beginners and pre-school ages. Virginia worked in bible school every year and was active in her Sunday school class.
In Bowie, Virginia kept a beautiful home; her yard was perfectly manicured. She took pride in taking care of the yard, from planting trees and shrubs, to pruning, spraying and fertilizing.
Virginia made Bryan her home in October 1984. She began working at Texas Agricultural Extension Service as a receptionist in 1985 and retired in 1998. Her main interest in life, though, was her children. She attended every function they had and lovingly took care of their every need throughout her lifetime.
She joined First Baptist Church of Bryan in December 1984 and enjoyed 40 years of faithful friendships in her Sunday school class. Later, Virginia became active in “KITS” (Keeping In Touch), a group especially for 55+ members, who liked to play 42 and other games. She loved to attend church each Wednesday night for fellowship and worship. She was presented the Outstanding Senior Adult Volunteer award for 2010–2011, for “her unselfish time and effort aiding in the success of the Adult 55+ Ministry.”
Maintaining a vital, active lifestyle, Virginia loved to eat out with different friends several times a week and her friends gathered regularly in her home in more recent years as her journeys outside home became more restricted. There were never any needs she had that her children didn’t meet for her as she had always been there for them as they were growing up.
Virginia is survived by son, James Robert and daughter-in-law, Kristel Crumpler, Bowie; daughter, Jeannie Michelle (Crumpler) Mansill and son-in-law, Owen Mansill, Bryan; grandchildren, Jason Goss (Jennifer), Justin Goss (Bridget) and Calli Goss Halbrook (Brandon), Jameson (Michaela) and Jordan Crumpler, Sarah (Dan), Jason Crumpler, and Jenna Crumpler, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Virginia’s memory to Project Unity, the community family nonprofit created and founded by her daughter, Jeannie, in 1995. Donations may be sent to Project Unity, P.O. Box 2812, Bryan, TX 77805. Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Billy James “Jimmy” Avery

Published

2 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

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.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Karen Kilcrease Dow

Published

2 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

October 16, 1947 – April 28, 2024
BOWIE – Karen Kilcrease Dow, 76, loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to many, left this life on April 28, 2024. 
A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 1 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on May 2 at Elmwood Cemetary in Bowie with Kristi Roland Hand officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Godwin, Taylor Hall, Mike Mayfield, Todd Airington, Brad Reese and Cody Romine, posthumously.   
Karen was born Oct. 16, 1947 in Henrietta to C.A. and Erma Ruth (Lowrie) Kilcrease. She graduated from Nocona High School in 1966 and later received her bachelor of arts degree from Sam Houston State University. After college she married her high school sweetheart, Dale Dow, on Dec. 19, 1969.
Karen and Dale moved to Bowie in 1970 where they, along with Dale’s brother, owned and operated Widlake Brothers Auto Supply. In the late 70s they ventured into the oil and gas business and started D&J Resources, Inc which they owned and operated until her death. She was an avid reader, football fan and enjoyed gardening and planting beautiful flowers each and every spring, as well as watching each of her five grandchildren play their favorite sport.   
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 41 years, Dale Dow; son-in-law, Cody Romine and her beloved dog, Luke.  
Karen will be sorely missed by her daughters, Brooke Dow and Courtney Riddle; five precious grandchildren, Zoe Romine and partner Isacc Barcenas, Baley Romine, Ava Romine, Parker Riddle and Finn Riddle; great-grandchild, Rowen Barcenas; brother, Kyle Kilcrease and wife Betty; sister, Kody Kilcrease and husband Bill Mullan; several nieces, nephews, cousins and two aunts.   
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Lois Undean McLinsky

Published

2 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

November 5, 1926 – April 20, 2024
BOWIE – Lois Undean McLinsky, 97, died on April 20, 2024.
A funeral service was at 9:30 a.m. on April 30 at Sunset Church with David Hall as the officiant. Burial followed at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Denison.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1926 to Arthur Trainer Caldwell and Seletha Van Hooser-Caldwell in Bonham, TX and married the love of her life, Frank Joseph McLinsky, on July 28, 1944 sharing 42 years together.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank McLinsky; son, Ray Frank McLinsky; daughter, Lynell Kay Shaw; brothers, Ray Neal, Ralph and Truman Caldwell and sister, Blanche Rowland.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Harry Shaw; brothers, Newman and Arthur Caldwell; six grandchildren; great and great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.