OBITUARIES
Barbara Gail Covey Hutson
WEATHERFORD – Barbara Gail Covey Hutson, 85, passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2024 at her home in Weatherford, surrounded by her loved ones.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Newport Cemetery in Newport, TX.
Gail was born in Goree, TX in 1939 to parents Houston E. and Berniece Covey. Gail lived most of her younger years in Fort Worth until her family moved to Bowie when she was in the eighth grade. Although shy by nature she always said the move to Bowie afforded her new experiences she wouldn’t have had in Fort Worth such as being a part of the nationally acclaimed Bowie High School band and the Bowie Rodeo Club, which allowed her to enjoy her love of horses. Upon graduating from Bowie High School in 1957 she attended Sul Ross University in Alpine, TX majoring in English.
Gail was a creative person who loved the arts, whether it was literature, theatre, movies or art. She wrote poetry and as an avid reader, her home was filled with books. Fine art was one of her passions and she worked with various mediums. Although her work was never sold in galleries, several pieces received top honors in art shows. Her sketch of the Parker County Courthouse is used for pamphlets, posters and other signage for the Parker County Historical Commission. Her artwork, now treasured heirlooms, will be enjoyed by her family and descendants for years to come.
Additionally, she had a passion for music which was a part of her life until the day she died. Considered a child prodigy on the piano, she performed on the “Young Americans” program at the age of 10 on WBAP-TV in Fort Worth. She took pleasure in passing on the love of piano by teaching her granddaughter, Blair, to play since her biggest passion of all was her family. Considering it her finest achievement, she raised two children with her husband, Red, creating a loving family bond that will continue to grow and blossom with each new generation.
Gail was a member of the Weatherford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution National Society, one of the oldest chapters in Texas. Gail’s sixth great grandfather, Samuel Covey, was one of the 900 Patriots who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina in 1780. The Battle of Kings Mountain was one of the most decisive engagements in the American War of Independence.
Gail was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Dairel Hutson and is survived by her daughter, Janna Gail Blumentritt and husband Bruce; son, Jason Covey Hutson and wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Blair Willmott and husband Justin, Marlowe Streck and husband Joe and grandson, Layne Hutson; nephews, Greg Hutson, Spencer Freidl, Peter and Mark Covey; nieces, Ann Covey Smith and Laura Covey Danforth and her aunt, Charlotte Lloyd, as well as great grandchildren, Skylar and Houston Willmott.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association or Give Kids The Arts, an organization that helps provide art, music, dance and theater supplies to children.
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June 24, 1962 – May 18, 2025
BOWIE – Dean Allen Shaffer, 62, was escorted to the gates of heaven May 18, 2025 at 12:34 a.m. in the arms of his loving wife Christal Shaffer after complications of pneumonia
A celebration of life for Dean was held at 11 a.m. on May 31 at the First Baptist Church in Alvord followed by a meal for the family.
Dean was born June 24, 1962, in Lander, WY. While quiet and soft spoken, he had a mighty love for the Lord, his wife of 38 years and his family. Dean was an incredibly hard worker, but all who knew Dean also knew how generous he was. He enjoyed cooking outside, hosting get-togethers at their home, having a drink and listening to good music as well as spending time with his bees.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, “Memom” Linda Stevens and loving sister-in-law, Terri Shaffer and sister-in-law, Linda Shaffer.
Dean is survived by his wife, Christal Shaffer; children, Justin Shaffer and wife Kayla, Miles Shaffer, and Ainsley Hernandez and husband Josue; his children in Christ, Chris Lovell, and Andrew Stevens and wife Sutton; grandchildren, Kayden Shaffer and fiancé Nathan Mac, Colton Shaffer and wife Payton, Jaid, Remi, Briggs, Watts, Hutch, Justice and Maverick; great-grandchild, Colter; his parents, James Oliver Shaffer and Alice Bethine; siblings, Randy Shaffer, Cheryl Shaffer and partner Mike Hoffman, Mike Shaffer and wife Kim, Cathey Tewes and husband Andy; numerous other nieces, nephews and family members.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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April 3, 1929 – May 20, 2025
BOWIE – Betty Sue Bynum, 96, passed away on May 20, 2025 in Nocona, TX.
Betty was born on April 3, 1929 in Thornton to Thomas Everett and Eva May Stiff Hardaway. She attended elementary school in Van Alstyne and attended high school in Calvert. She graduated from Teachers College High School and continued on to North Texas State Teacher’s College graduating with a bachelor of arts, library science degree at age 20. In 1977, she continued her education obtaining a master of education degree at University of North Texas.
While attending college, Betty met her future husband, Floyd Arthur Bynum. Betty wanted to work and live on her own for a year before getting married, so they had a long distance courtship while she taught school for a year in Canyon, Texas. They decided they were meant for each other and married on Aug. 5, 1950 in McKinney.
After starting their family in 1951, Betty and Floyd moved to Bowie where Floyd was industrial arts teacher at Bowie High School. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for few years. In 1960, she restarted her teaching career, teaching sixth grade for many years, eventually moving to high school where she was librarian until her retirement in 1988. She was a lifetime member of TSTA and a member of TLA.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alma Lou Perkins and husband, Floyd A. Bynum.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Headley, (Douglas), Jean Richards (John) and Patricia Johnson (Craig), grandchildren, Heather Morse, Alicia Hutchison, Jennifer Holloman, Justin Richards, Steven Johnson and Brian Johnson; seven great grandchildren and two nieces, Suzanne Scott and Dianne Herr.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
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May 19, 1976 – May 11, 2025
NOCONA – Pedro Leon Olvera, 48, died on May 11, 2025.
There was a rosary at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at noon on May 19 at St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church in Nocona.
He was born on May 19, 1976 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato to Juan Olvera and Felixa Leon. Olvera was a part of a big family and hard-worker all of his life. He worked mostly in agriculture as a rancher. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially with his son. He married Blanca Torres in 1995 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosa and Juana Gomez; and nephew, Juan Gomez Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Blanca Olvera; Nocona; son, Pedro Jr. Olvera, Nocona; daughter, Mariana Hampton, Gainesville; sisters, Yolanda, Nocona and Margarita, Mexico; brothers, Juan, Luis, Santiago and Francisco, all of Mexico; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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