OBITUARIES
Barbara Jean (Holcomb) Miller
May 9, 1944 – November 3, 2024
ATHENS – Barbara Jean (Holcomb) Miller, 80, passed away on Nov. 3, 2024 while surrounded by loved ones at her home in Athens, TX.
A private family service will take place at a later date.
Barbara was born in Dallas on May 9, 1944. She grew up in Seagoville where she met and married her high school sweetheart Jerry. They later moved to Bowie to raise their children where she made countless loyal friends serving her church, playing golf and working for Bowie Independent School District.
After retirement, she and Jerry moved to Athens to enjoy country living and the busy life that came with it. She enjoyed spending her days outside, riding her lawn mower, driving her tractor and raising the Texas longhorns that she and Jerry loved. She and her sister Pat hosted a “Camp Grammy” week every summer in Athens where they spoiled their grandchildren with every adventure imaginable. Their motto was “whatever happens in Athens, stays in Athens.” She was the best Grammy.
She was a devout Christian who throughout her life maintained a strong and unwavering faith in God. As the family matriarch, she was a proud, caring and devoted mother who guided her family with love, understanding and grace. She also cherished her fur family: her dog Maggie who was her constant companion, sweet kitty Carl and Baby, the most doted on horse in Texas.
Her resilience was as remarkable as her humility. She possessed a particular grit reserved for those well-versed in love and loss, and chose to embrace every precious moment spent earth-side with gratitude. She will be remembered as a sweet, kind soul who had boundless optimism and energy. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, sweet Mom.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Jerry Dan Miller; parents, James Theodore Holcomb and Euna Viola (Ward) Holcomb and her brother, Danny Duncan.
She is survived by her three children, Terry Miller Raley, Toni Miller Sutton and Scott Allen Miller; son-in-law, Randy Sutton; sister, Pat Gray; brothers-in-law, Larry Miller, Steve Miller and Alvin Gray; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
Arrangements entrusted to the Carroll-Lehr funeral home in Athens.
Paid publication
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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