OBITUARIES

Joyce Faye Cox Bennett

Published

2 years ago

03/05/2024

May 9, 1946 – March 3, 2024
DECATUR – Joyce Faye Cox Bennett, 77, passed away March 3, 2024 in Plano.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. March 6 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. A service will be at 10 a.m. March 7 at First Baptist Church in Alvord with Bro. Bill Cleveland officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Pallbearers are Hayden Bennett, Caleb Bennett, Slate Souther, Austin Souther, Tee Weeks, Rex Hoskins, Randy Hamilton, Kenny Batchelor and Charles Steadham. Honorary pallbearers are Ken Dodson, Dan Harvey and Don Singleton.
Joyce was born May 9, 1946 in Bowie to Hubert Jackson and Odessa (Cornelison) Cox. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1964. She married James Leroy Bennett on March 19, 1966 in Bowie. Together they raised their only child, Jackson Deroy Bennett, who was born May 4, 1970. James, a Decatur police officer, preceded Joyce in death on April 3, 1980, when he was killed in the line of duty.
Joyce was a police dispatcher for many years and then became a hairstylist, working the last 28 years at Patti’s Hair Parlor in Decatur. Joyce enjoyed going to the casino, karaoke and attending every event that her grandsons were involved in.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Bennett; brother, Raymond Cox and brother-in-law, James Parker.
Survivors include her spouse, David Souther, Decatur; son, Deroy Bennett and wife Kristi, Decatur; grandsons, Hayden Bennett, New Castle, OK and Caleb Bennett and fiancée Gracie Isham, Decatur; David’s children, Tommy Souther and wife Angie, Keller and Danny Souther and wife Kellye, Alvord and grandchildren, Sloane Morman and husband Ethan, Haslet, Slate Souther, Denver, CO, Austin Souther, Alvord and Shay Souther, Keller; brother, Gary Cox and wife Nancy, Alvord; sister, Phyllis Simmons and husband Cary, Alvord and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials can be made to Jenny’s Hope, c/o Wise County Christian Counseling Center, 1650 FM 51 South, Ste. 400, Decatur, TX 76234.

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OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

John Wayne Shelton

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

OBITUARIES

Weldon Ray Duff

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.