OBITUARIES
Doris June “DJ” Rater
June 27, 1937 – March 27, 2024
SUNSET – Doris June “DJ” Rater, 86, died March 27, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 28 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on March 29 at the Old Country Church in Bowie. Burial followed at Smyrna Cemetery.
DJ was born June 27, 1937 in Post Oak to Eva Corine Hufhines and D.L. Rater. He was a graduate of Bowie High School in 1955. He went on to Tarleton State College for one year before going into the Army in 1956 and serving two years in Germany.
In 1958, he returned home and married Lona Faye Wade. Three years later, their daughter Donna Lynn was born. DJ graduated from North Texas State University in 1962 while working in the Fort Worth Stockyards. He began teaching at Gainesville State Training School before moving to Forestburg and teaching fifth and sixth grade. After retiring from education, he began a successful fertilizer business. He also was a long-time farmer and rancher.
He is preceded in death by his parents, D.L. and Eva Rater and two infant daughters, Laurie Gayle Rater and Vickie Dale Rater.
DJ is survived by his wife, Lona Rater; daughter, Donna Singletary and husband Mark; grandsons, Brian Rater and wife Christi, Shane Hunt and wife Erica, and Joe Singletary and wife Laura; brother, Lon Rater; great-grandchildren, Slaton, Kellen, Cora, Josie, Hattie, Niesca, Carlos, Layla and Joe’L; brother in-law, Gorden Wade and wife Genell; sister in-law, Dee Vieth and husband Frank; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a lifetime’s worth of close friends.
Every day spent with family and friends was the best day ever as DJ would say.
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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