OBITUARIES
Joyce Faye Cox Bennett
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.
Paid publication
April 13, 1959 – September 29, 2026
BOWIE – Lee Roy Hargrove Jr., 67, died on Sept. 29, 2026.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10 at the First Free Will Baptist Church, 505 Strong St. in Bowie.
He was born on April 13, 1959.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LeeRoy Hargrove Sr. and Joyce Hargrove and brother, Charles.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Cheryl Burns, Jennifer Hargrove, and Joshua Hargove; six grandchildren; brothers, John Hargrove and George Hargrove; sisters, Linda Hargrove and Sandra Owens and many beloved cousins as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
March 27, 1938 – October 3, 2026
BOWIE – Mary Sue Walters Liggett, 88, died on Oct. 3, 2026.
A graveside service included a visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born on March 27, 1938 to Loyd Francis and Vera Lee Walters in Bells. On Feb. 3, 1971 she married the love of her life, Finnis Charles Liggett.
She graduated from Bells High School in 1957. She earned an associate degree from Cooke County College and later completed her bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She retired from McKinney Independent School District and she taught business administration for 30-plus years.
She served as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Bells and taught Girls in Action.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Betty Walters White; and brothers, Loyd Price Walters and Bennie Walters.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Liggett; five nieces; four nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and many cherished friends.
Arrangements under the direction of White Family Funeral Home.
August 5, 1973 – September 29
NOCONA – Kari Ann Reid, 53, died on Sept. 29, 2026.
A visitation was from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Oct. 2 at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Kurt Simmons officiating. Interment followed in Nocona Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tanner Reid, Tyler Reid, Jeff Skinner, Gerald Ramsey, Jerry Henry, Clint Mahin, Garrett Combs, and Randy Ritchie.
Reid was born on Aug. 5, 1973 in Nocona to Tommy and Patsy Ann Huff Skinner. She worked at Skinner Tank Trucks doing record keeping and later being a co-owner.
She married the love of her life Harry Don Reid on Sept. 5, 1992 in Nocona.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Harry Don Reid, Nocona; sons, Tanner Reid, Nocona and Tyler Reid, Nocona; and a granddaughter.
Memorial donations may be made to The Carpenter’s Shop, 400 Boston, Nocona or Lucky Paws Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 595, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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