OBITUARIES
Gloria Ethel Painter
April 22, 1932 – May 15, 2024
NOCONA – Gloria Ethel Painter, 92, died on May 15, 2024 in the Pecan Tree Manor in Gainesville after a brief illness.
A visitation will be at 1 p.m. on May 19 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jerry Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Nocona Cemetery.
She was born to Hubert and Ruby Malone Painter on April 22, 1932 in Wichita Falls. She grew up most of her childhood in Wichita Falls and moved to Nocona during middle school. She graduated from Nocona High School in May 1949 and attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood. She married Paul Bagby Smith in July 1950 and the young couple made their homes in the Kerrville area, Nocona and Bowie. The couple divorced in 1957 and she moved back to Nocona.
She went to work for the Nocona Telephone Company and married Bob Kafer in 1958. The couple made their homes in Wichita Falls, Waurika and Lubbock. During those years, she worked in a variety of office jobs. They divorced after 13 years of marriage and Painter moved back to Nocona where she went to work for the Nocona Boot Company.
She later married Bill Wade and the couple made their home in Alvord. She worked on the family farm helping run the watermelon stand and worked in a ceramic business in Alvord. She also worked many years for the Wise County Tax Office in Decatur. She finished up her major work life with the Denton State School where she worked for nearly 20 years.
After a divorce and retirement she moved back to Nocona where she helped care for elderly patients with a variety of tasks. Painter cared for many children in Bethel Baptist Church as a nursery worker and was active in the Carpenter’s Shop.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Ruby Painter; an infant brother; brother, Jerry Painter; sister, Lucia Johnson; son, Joe Bob and daughter, Jena Lesa.
She is survived by her son, Jerry Smith, Valley Mills; daughter, Jane Tettleton, Arlington; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, the Nocona Senior Citizen’s Center or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
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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