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.
OBITUARIES
Russell Kelvin Reed
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
OBITUARIES
Nelson Taylor Haynes
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.
OBITUARIES
Norma Jean Oldham
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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