OBITUARIES
William Donald Cleveland
October 4, 1948 – November 20, 2024
BOWIE – William Donald Cleveland was born Oct. 4, 1948 in Bowie to Donald Dean and Betty Isabella Cleveland. He died Nov. 20, 2024 at age 76 at his home in Bowie.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 23 at First Baptist Church of Alvord with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Alvord Cemetery.
One of his treasures in life was growing up in Post Oak with his sister, Marsha, having the advantage of their Papaw Cleveland living with them and sharing his love, wisdom and love for the Lord. His mentor and pastor Tom Urrey, “Tinker” held a special place in his heart and life as well.
He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1967. He then went to Howard Payne on a track scholarship, graduated from Midwestern University with a bachelor of arts in English, attended Southwestern Theological Seminary and later worked toward a masters degree in psychology at Midwestern University.
He began his career while attending Howard Payne as youth minister at First Baptist Llano, TX. He then became youth minister at Southwest Baptist Church in Jacksboro,while attending Seminary. Next, he was youth minister at Sunnyside Baptist in Wichita Falls, then on to First Baptist Childress as music and youth minister. He then established Cleveland Electric in Bowie while serving several churches part time.
In 1994, he began his ministry at First Baptist Alvord and served as pastor for 28 years. He was instrumental in overseeing the building of a new sanctuary in 2009 along with many members who did most of the work themselves. His one request was that the building have a cornerstone that had the name “Jesus” inscribed and built into the building. His wish was that no man take the glory except God. God used Bill to lead many people to Christ through his preaching, counseling, hospital visits, vacation bible schools, bible studies, youth mission trips and ski trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Betty Cleveland, Sara Bayard and Andrea Wood.
Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Paula; his “little” sister and “big” brother Marsha and Mike Robinson, Jacksboro; children, Shawn Cleveland and wife Stephanie, Plano; Shanna Cleveland, Boston, MA; grandchildren, Claire, Christopher and Cole Cleveland. Also, Barry and Rhonda Clark, Kent and Pam Wood; grandchildren, Melissa and Zeke Dorr, Macie and Cody Rollins, Kregg and Jordan Wood, Kyle and Lorraine Wood and great-grandchildren, Clark and Nicholas Dorr, Callie and Sadie Rollins, Hallie and Cooper Wood and Grayson Wood.
Memorial contributions should be made to the First Baptist Church Alvord building fund.
His request was to have the word Tetelestai on his headstone, meaning, “It is finished.”
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Cindy Orton Vaughn
May 4, 1942 – December 2, 2024
BELLEVUE – Cindy Orton Vaughn, 82, died Dec. 2, 2024 in Fort Worth.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7 at the Bellevue Methodist Church, with Pastor Greg Parr officiating. Burial will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.
She was born on May 4, 1942 in Bowie to Ed and Irene Orton. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1960. She married Gary Vaughn on June 27, 1986.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Vaughn; parents, Ed and Irene Orton; brother, Bill Orton; sisters, Sue Orton Weaver and Jane Orton Shoemaker and one grandson.
She is survived by Dana Williams, Burleson; Ronnie Erwin, Bellevue; Joe Erwin, Mineral Wells; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Lena “Sue” (Chilton) Murray
NEWPORT – Lena “Sue” (Chilton) Murray, age 95, left this earth for her Heavenly home on Nov. 28, 2024 in Bowie.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the First Baptist Church of Newport, with Pastor Tommy John Mayo officiating. Burial will follow at Newport Cemetery in Newport.
Sue was born Nov. 22, 1929 to John Hubert “Hub” and Lena Aetha (Little) Chilton in Lamesa, TX. She graduated from Lamesa High School and earned a full scholarship in music to Sam Houston State University. She later transferred to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where she earned an associate’s degree.
Sue then married Glenn Murray, and the couple enjoyed 62 years together until his passing. She was a devoted Christian, wife and mother and enjoyed being a Sunday School teacher for several churches throughout many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert Holland Murray; husband, Glenn Murray; sister, Betty Jo Johnson and brother, “Son” Chilton.
Sue is survived by her son, Ben Murray and wife Cindi, Newport; daughter, Ann Beardslee and husband Bill, Rockwall; brother-in-law, John Murray, Lake Whitney, TX; step grandchildren, Canda and Steve Henry; step great-grandchildren, Garrett Morris and Samantha Henry; step great-great-grandchildren, Rylan and Lilly Morris and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Kay Lynn Dawson
September 24, 1953 – November 27, 2024
BOWIE – Kay Lynn Dawson, 71, died Nov. 27, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Lighthouse Assembly of God in Bowie, with Pastor Justin Harris and Kenny Bingham as the officiants. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born Sept. 24, 1953 in Bowie to Hollis and Dorothy Franklin. She graduated from Permian High School in Odessa in 1973 and went on to attend Baylor University. Soon after she met and married Alex “Butch” Dawson on July 14,1978. She was a seamstress and worked at a bridal shop in Odessa, making wedding dresses for many years. She also worked as executive director at Servants for the Poor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex “Butch” Dawson; parents, Hollis and Dorothy Franklin; two nephews; one aunt and one cousin.
She is survived by her sons, Monty Dawson and Jason Dawson; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; sisters, Norma Smith, Martha Wood and Cathy Potter; brother, Carl Franklin and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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