OBITUARIES
Joseph “Joe” Burt Dial
April 27, 1936 – December 18, 2024
SAINT JO – Joseph “Joe” Burt Dial, 88, passed away on Dec. 18, 2024.
Joe was born in Kilgore on April 27, 1936 to parents, William Andrew Dial and Grace (Spaudling) Dial. Joe graduated high school from Texas Military Institute in San Antonio. He went on to the University of Texas in Austin, later getting his degree from the University of Maryland.
In his younger years he was a rancher in South Texas and was involoved in raising and promoting the Brahman breed in the United States and in other countries. Agriculture was a way of life for him in many ways.
In 1991 George H.W. Bush appointed Joe a commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He was confirmed by the Senate. Joe chose a cornfield in South Texas to be the place where he was officially sworn into office. On April 17, 1993 Joe married Marilyn Scoptt Smith in Alexandria, VA.
When Joe’s term at C.F.T.C. ended, he accepted a fellowship at Harvard University at the Institute of Politics, Kennedy School of Government. Joe and Marilyn moved to Cambridge, MA for the spring semester.
In 2000, after completing his fellowship, Joe and Marilyn moved to Dallas. Joe became active in the former Texas ranger Association in honor of his father who was a Texas Ranger. In 2004, Joe and Marilyn moved to Saint Jo. Joe served well as around the county. He was a founding member of Leadership Montague County. After returning to Texas, Joe also began consulting work with other countries, assisting them in creating or upgrading regulatory agencies for commodity markets. Joe was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. Heas the epitome of a “good and faithful servant.”
Joe is survived by his wife, Marilyn Dial and Walter Smith, Saint Jo; four children from a previous marriage, Joseph A. Dial, Catherine Dial Easly, Emily Dial Heard and Peggy Dial; five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Memorials may be made to Easy Street Animal Shelter in Saint Jo or Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch in Amarillo.
Paid publication
June 9, 1945 – April 29, 2026
BOWIE – Barbara Jean Latham, 80, beloved mother, passed away on April 29, 2026 when her battle with cancer ended.
Barbara was laid to rest at Bomarton Cemetery, next to her husband.
Barbara was born on June 9, 1945, in Portland, OR. She was a long-time resident of Sweetwater. She spent the last part of her life living in Bowie. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She also loved her ladies (chickens) and garage sales.
Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Young Latham and her mother, Adeline Mae Ballenger.
Barbara is survived by her son Harold Betts; daughters, Jamie Latham Shaw and Jenisu Latham; siblings Buddy Covington, Thomas Covington, Ronnie Covington, Sharon Covington Posey, Joe Covington, Melissa Evans and Judy Johson; and numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
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.
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