OBITUARIES

Charles H. Blanton “Sonny”

Published

9 months ago

04/02/2024

November 7, 1933 – March 29, 2024
BURKBURNETT – Charles H. Blanton “Sonny”, 90, met Jesus in Wichita Falls on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on April 3 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Joe Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Charles was born on Nov. 7, 1933 in Caddo, TX (Stephens County) and grew up in Newcastle. He played football and was known around the area for his talent. After graduating high school, he and his best friend took off for Texas A&M. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize he wasn’t an Aggie and he and the friend left in the middle of the night. They ended up at Ranger Junior College where he played football and met his wife, Peggy Lee Russell. They were married on June 5, 1954 and would have been married 70 years this June.
Charles and Peggy moved to Lubbock where Charles again played football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and could finally claim life-long loyalty. After earning his degree in education, the Blantons found themselves in San Antonio where Charles served in the Army during peace time. Recently someone asked his rank, and his son answered ‘Half-Back’ as that is where they really needed him… on the football team. Outside of football he worked in the dermatology department.
He moved to Levelland, TX after his service in the Army where Charles got a football coaching job. Their daughter Kim was born in 1959. In 1963 they moved to Bowie where they would spend the next 50 years. Their son Rusty was born there in 1967.
Charles was an educator, football Coach and high school Principal in the Bowie school system for more than 30 years. He was a beloved part of the school and was known for his ‘hugs’. To this day, people still mention his good hugs when remembering him. He was also a ‘quarter dispenser’ as the students knew they could get some spare change if they needed it.
During his time in Bowie, Charles was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for many years as well as heading numerous committees. He was a long time member of the Bowie Kiwanis Club and spent many hours at their playground mowing and trying to repair that old equipment, and probably kept many of Bowie’s children from getting life threatening injuries. After retirement, he worked as an interim superintendent of schools in and around North Texas. But his real love was working with students. He much preferred that over the business of running schools and dealing with parents.
Charles loved working with his cattle and fishing. He caught and fried many a catfish for family and friends, and made hundreds of freezers of homemade ‘Big Red’ ice cream.
In 2013, Charles and Peggy decided to move to Burkburnett, to be close to their son and his family. Their grandson was young and into all sports, and Charles was burning up the road between Bowie and Burkburnett to keep up. There, not only did they enjoy being close to Rusty’s family, but also met many new friends at the First Baptist Church of Burkburnett.
Charles was an avid sports fan but particularly enjoyed the Red Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and in later years the Kansas City Chiefs because… well Mahomes was a Red Raider too. That gave him a lot of enjoyment. We know he is looking forward to visiting with his old coaching buddies so they might finally be able to put their heads together and figure out what is wrong with his beloved Cowboys.
Charles life long faith tells his family exactly where he is kneeling today and because of his example they know they will be seeing him again someday in Glory.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Maranna Blanton.
Charles is survived by his wife of 70 years, Peggy Russell Blanton, Burkburnett; daughter, Kim Ferguson and husband Mike, Dallas; son, Rusty Blanton and wife Jamie, Burkburnett and grandchildren, Ashlee Carlson and husband Jeffrey, Dallas, Camille Blanton, Austin and Cayden Charles Blanton, Burkburnett. He is also survived by his sister, Bettye Pinkerton, Winters, TX; brother, Dan Blanton and wife Trini, Mansfield and multiple nieces and nephews who all loved ‘uncle Sonny.’
Should friends desire, memorials can be made in honor of Charles to Hospice of Wichita Falls or the Bowie Educational Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Connie Stevens Hollowell

Published

3 days ago

12/23/2024

bowienews

August 11, 1945 – December 21, 2024
BOWIE – Connie Stevens Hollowell, 79, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 21, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 26 at the White Family Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Dec. 27 at the First Baptist Church in Bellevue with Pastors Robert Slayton and Ethan Hollowell officiating. Burial will follow at Briar Creek Cemetery in Bowie.
Connie was born on Aug. 11, 1945 in San Diego, CA to Pal and Evelyn Stevens. Connie accepted Christ at a young age. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1964 where she was selected as Band Sweetheart.
She married Bill Hollowell in Bellevue on Aug. 25, 2012. She worked many years in education as a paraprofessional in both Bowie Independent School District and Bellevue ISD. Her greatest loves were her family and spending time in the mountains.
Connie is preceded in death by her parents, Pal and Evelyn Stevens.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Hollowell, Bowie; daughter, Michelle Vassar Cassetty and husband Bryon, Bellevue; daughter, Jody Vassar Carter and husband Chris, Haslet; daughter, Karen Coffman and husband Toby, Ravia, OK; daughter, Toni Corbin and husband David, Tishomingo, OK; son, Steven Hollowell and wife Dana, Kingston, OK; sister, Debbie Ashley and husband Mark, Stoneburg; brother, Pal Stevens, Jr. and wife Darlene, Bear Lake, PA; grandchildren, Christopher Tate, Jasmyne Tate, Brandt Cassetty, Devon Cassetty, Chace Corbin and wife Megan, Jarret Corbin, Dani Corbin, Quinten Corbin, Kristen Franks and husband Shane, Ethan Hollowell and wife Kortni, Shelby Hollowell and Faith Hollowell; great-grandchildren, Aniyah Bonner, Ember Bonner, Zayvien Garrett, Shae Franks and Reagan Franks and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be made to Wise Regional Health System Dialysis Center in Decatur or First Baptist Church of Bellevue.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Barbara Louise (David) Gill

Published

6 days ago

12/20/2024

bowienews

November 4, 1937 – December 12, 2024
KINGWOOD, TX – Barbara Louise (David) Gill, 87, died Dec. 12, 2024, in Houston.
A graveside service took place at noon on Dec. 20 at Vashti Cemetery with Kenneth Liggett as the officiant.
She was born on Nov. 4, 1937 as the only child of Keith and Otha Mae David. She graduated from Duncanville High School. She married William S. Gill on Dec. 23, 1955. Together they had three children and moved from Texas to New Jersey to California with her husband’s career. She later returned to college and majored in special education, teaching for Humble Independent School District.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, William Gill; children, Keith Gill, David Gill and Mona Bostwick; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Joan Winn

Published

1 week ago

12/17/2024

bowienews

November 10, 1934 – December 12, 2024
BOWIE – Joan Winn, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 12, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie, with Dr. Tony Rogers as the officiant. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Joan was born on Nov. 10, 1934 in Bonita, TX, the youngest child of Robert L. and Euderah May (Sanders) Pierce, cherished as the baby sister in a family of six. She went to Nocona High School and, on Dec. 31, 1951, married the love of her life, Bobby Winn. Their marriage exemplified enduring love and partnership.
Joan worked as a teller and officer at First National Bank of Bowie for more than 30 years, where her kindness and love greatly impacted her colleagues and customers. In her free time, Joan flourished in her creativity. She enjoyed crafting, sewing and painting, gifting her creations to the ones she loved.
A follower of Christ, Joan was a Southside Baptist Church charter member, where she lived her belief in service to others. She loved people unconditionally and was intentional in all she did, embodying reliability and love. Joan’s life was a shining example of selflessness, compassion and steadfast dedication to her family, friends and community.
Joan Winn’s love for people and passion for serving others will forever be remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her. Her intentionality, creativity and unwavering presence made her a cornerstone of her family and community. She will be dearly missed but lovingly celebrated as a woman who truly lived a life of faith, love and purpose.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Euderah Pierce; husband, Bobby Winn; son, Ricky Winn; brothers, Clark and Wallace Pierce and her sisters, Bonnie Bruce, Nancy Robbins and Patricia Cross.
Joan is survived by her loving children, Becky Winn and David Winn and wife Kim; her adoring grandchildren, Miranda Tate and husband Josh and Derek Winn and wife Nichole and her treasured great-grandchildren, Bryce Tate, Corben Wolsey, Kaygan Winn, Ramzey, Brooks, Oaklee Tate, Boone and Dasher Winn. Joan’s legacy lives on through her family and all the lives she touched.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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