OBITUARIES
Claudia Fay Sanford
December 1, 1927 – May 12, 2024
WHITESBORO – Claudia Fay Sanford, 96, went home to be with the Lord on May 12, 2024.
A graveside service will take place 11 a.m. on May 18 at Sunset Cemetery in Sunset.
Claudia was born Dec. 1, 1927 in Gunter, TX to Jessie and Birdie (Walker) Fletcher. As a young girl she was raised in the Sherman and Denison areas. Claudia was a cook in the school cafeteria and drove a school bus. Later she worked in housekeeping at the Bowie Memorial Hospital. She retired and moved to Kingston, OK. Claudia was very music minded and always enjoyed picking and grinning. In her free time she enjoyed sewing. She loved her family dearly and will be remembered for being a devoted mother and grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Billy “Red” Sanford; son, Rodney Hancock; granddaughter, Alicia Adams; grandson, Joseph Hodge; four sisters and two brothers.
Claudia is survived by her daughters, Ann Cantrell and husband Bill, Kingston, OK and Anita Caplinger and husband Kevin, Whitesboro; son, Willie Hodge and wife Shannon, Tolar, TX; grandchildren, Debbie Keatts and husband Bruce, Bud Bridgeman, Amy Davis and husband Rodd, Josh Cantrell and wife Tanya, Adam Cantrell and wife Angie, Sarah Burnett and husband Wes, Aaron Adams and wife Shannon, Dustin Adams and wife Janice, Josh Lott and wife Tiffany, Kris Whitmire and husband Derrick, Brandie Caplinger, Cody Fowler and wife Chelsea, Candiauce Klein, Randy Hodge and wife Stephanie, Jada Browder, Kristie Lancaster and husband Bubba, Devon Turner and Alysha Browder; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-granchildren.
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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