OBITUARIES
Billy James “Jimmy” Avery
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
July 15, 1958 – October 30, 2026
BOWIE – Russell Kelvin Reed, 68, passed away on Oct. 30, 2026 surrounded by his children.
A memorial service will take place on at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie.
Russell was born July 15, 1958 in Bowie to Leon and Doris Reed. Throughout his life, he worked in the oilfield and as an ironworker, taking pride in hard work and a job well done. Russell carried a gentle, hippie soul through everything he did. He believed in peace, lived with a free spirit, and brought warmth, humor and a genuine love for people wherever he went.
Deep in his heart, he loved the Lord and found joy in serving Jesus Christ and sharing His grace with others. Above all, he cherished the time he spent surrounded by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Martin; and best friends, Kevin Matlock and Steve Henry.
Russell is survived by his children, Jesse Reed, Brittney Simpson and husband Dale, Shane Everitt, and Aimee Goodwyn and husband Danell; a treasury of precious grandchildren who brought so much light to his life; Cindy Reed, the mother of his children; siblings, Steve Reed and wife Jane, Tommy Reed and wife Cathy, Debbie Del Rio and husband Jose, and Scott Reed and wife Ann; and an extended circle of family and friends who loved him dearly.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
July 10, 1996 – October 30, 2026
NOCONA – Nelson Taylor Haynes, 30, died on Oct. 30, 2026.
A visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
The graveside service will be held on November 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He was born on July 10, 1996 to James and Amanda Haynes in Nocona.
He was the son of James and Amanda Haynes; brother to Sidney and Courtney Haynes; stepbrother to Cassidy and Connor Cartridge; nephew to aunts and uncles; and a cousin and an uncle.
March 15, 1938 – November 1, 2026
NOCONA – Norma Jean Oldham, 88, died on Nov. 1, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
She was born March 15, 1938 in Lewisville to Roland and Alice Heath.
She was the beloved wife of James Oldham and they were married 44 years.
Oldham worked for more than 25 years at Nocona Belt Company.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Royce and Ernest Heath.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Moore, Saint Jo; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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