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
OBITUARIES
Steven Douglas Drury
February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
John Wayne Shelton
December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
OBITUARIES
Weldon Ray Duff
March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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