OBITUARIES
Marion “Bennie” Bennett Matlock
October 31, 1948 – February 8, 2024
FORESTBURG – Marion “Bennie” Bennett Matlock, 75, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 8, 2024 while at his home in Forestburg.
The family received friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 at Voice of Triumph Assembly of God Church in Sunset with Joe Mayo as the officiant. Burial followed at New Harp Cemetery in Forestburg.
Ben was born Oct. 31, 1948 to Elvert Lee Matlock and Myrtle Marie Hadaway in Corsicana. He was one of seven children, Lee, Wayne, Dan, Gary, Eugene and Felicia. In 1967 he graduated from Northside High School. From 1968 to 1970 Ben served his country in the United States Army and was certified as a radio relay and carrier attendant. Ben was stationed in Germany and received an honorable discharge.
He valued a good education and in 1990 earned an associate of science from the Cooke County College, followed by an associate of arts at North Central Texas College in 2015, and then a bachelor of science degree from the Texas Women’s University with a major in mathematics in 2016.
He worked as a tradesman in various industries and had a passion for “junking” and spending time with family. Marion was a lifelong learner who loved to challenge those around him to expand their knowledge. His hobbies included writing and collecting coins. He encouraged everyone to pray and love the Lord. He loved his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply and often ended phone calls with “Love you, pray!”
Ben will be remembered as a loving father, Pawpaw, great-grandfather and brother. He was a witty, smart, contemplative, Jesus loving, truth seeking man who lived his life on his own terms. He was always up for a good debate or meaningful discussion. You can truly say Marion Bennett Matlock was one of a kind. He formed his own opinions and set his own trends, never conforming to the status quo. He will be so missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dale Stoner; former wife, Betty Hunt-Matlock; former wife, Cheryl Johnson and brothers, Eugene, Lee, Dan and Gary Matlock.
Ben is survived by his four daughters, Prudy Bayer and spouse Curt Bayer, Muenster, Mistey Patterson and spouse Craig Patterson, Alvord, Cheryl Purser and spouse Tommy Purser, Krum and Paige Matlock and spouse Steve Oliver, Saginaw; daughter-in-law, Sue Stoner, Krum; grandchildren, Cassidy Patterson, San Antonio, Connor Patterson and spouse Caitlynn, Alvord, Nicole Hill and spouse Michael Hill, Krum, Logan Matlock, North Carolina, Andrew Timms, Saginaw, Shelia Kennedy and spouse Mark, Christie Hendricks and spouse Tad, James Stoner, Thomas Stoner and Joshua Stoner and spouse Angela, all of Krum; multiple great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Felicia Seefeldt; brother, Johnny Wayne Matlock and spouse Glenda, Azle and countless nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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June 24, 1962 – May 18, 2025
BOWIE – Dean Allen Shaffer, 62, was escorted to the gates of heaven May 18, 2025 at 12:34 a.m. in the arms of his loving wife Christal Shaffer after complications of pneumonia
A celebration of life for Dean was held at 11 a.m. on May 31 at the First Baptist Church in Alvord followed by a meal for the family.
Dean was born June 24, 1962, in Lander, WY. While quiet and soft spoken, he had a mighty love for the Lord, his wife of 38 years and his family. Dean was an incredibly hard worker, but all who knew Dean also knew how generous he was. He enjoyed cooking outside, hosting get-togethers at their home, having a drink and listening to good music as well as spending time with his bees.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, “Memom” Linda Stevens and loving sister-in-law, Terri Shaffer and sister-in-law, Linda Shaffer.
Dean is survived by his wife, Christal Shaffer; children, Justin Shaffer and wife Kayla, Miles Shaffer, and Ainsley Hernandez and husband Josue; his children in Christ, Chris Lovell, and Andrew Stevens and wife Sutton; grandchildren, Kayden Shaffer and fiancé Nathan Mac, Colton Shaffer and wife Payton, Jaid, Remi, Briggs, Watts, Hutch, Justice and Maverick; great-grandchild, Colter; his parents, James Oliver Shaffer and Alice Bethine; siblings, Randy Shaffer, Cheryl Shaffer and partner Mike Hoffman, Mike Shaffer and wife Kim, Cathey Tewes and husband Andy; numerous other nieces, nephews and family members.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
April 3, 1929 – May 20, 2025
BOWIE – Betty Sue Bynum, 96, passed away on May 20, 2025 in Nocona, TX.
Betty was born on April 3, 1929 in Thornton to Thomas Everett and Eva May Stiff Hardaway. She attended elementary school in Van Alstyne and attended high school in Calvert. She graduated from Teachers College High School and continued on to North Texas State Teacher’s College graduating with a bachelor of arts, library science degree at age 20. In 1977, she continued her education obtaining a master of education degree at University of North Texas.
While attending college, Betty met her future husband, Floyd Arthur Bynum. Betty wanted to work and live on her own for a year before getting married, so they had a long distance courtship while she taught school for a year in Canyon, Texas. They decided they were meant for each other and married on Aug. 5, 1950 in McKinney.
After starting their family in 1951, Betty and Floyd moved to Bowie where Floyd was industrial arts teacher at Bowie High School. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for few years. In 1960, she restarted her teaching career, teaching sixth grade for many years, eventually moving to high school where she was librarian until her retirement in 1988. She was a lifetime member of TSTA and a member of TLA.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alma Lou Perkins and husband, Floyd A. Bynum.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Headley, (Douglas), Jean Richards (John) and Patricia Johnson (Craig), grandchildren, Heather Morse, Alicia Hutchison, Jennifer Holloman, Justin Richards, Steven Johnson and Brian Johnson; seven great grandchildren and two nieces, Suzanne Scott and Dianne Herr.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
Paid publication
May 19, 1976 – May 11, 2025
NOCONA – Pedro Leon Olvera, 48, died on May 11, 2025.
There was a rosary at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at noon on May 19 at St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church in Nocona.
He was born on May 19, 1976 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato to Juan Olvera and Felixa Leon. Olvera was a part of a big family and hard-worker all of his life. He worked mostly in agriculture as a rancher. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially with his son. He married Blanca Torres in 1995 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosa and Juana Gomez; and nephew, Juan Gomez Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Blanca Olvera; Nocona; son, Pedro Jr. Olvera, Nocona; daughter, Mariana Hampton, Gainesville; sisters, Yolanda, Nocona and Margarita, Mexico; brothers, Juan, Luis, Santiago and Francisco, all of Mexico; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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