OBITUARIES
Dr. Calvin Charles Carmen
November 8, 1939 – April 19, 2025
BOWIE – Dr. Calvin Charles Carmen, 85, died on April 19, 2025 in Bowie, TX
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on April 26 at the Bowie First Methodist Church. Interment will be at the DFW Military Cemetery.
Dr. Carmen was born Nov. 8, 1939 in Niagara Falls, Ont. to Florence Delia and Charles Carmen. Dr. Carmen attended New York schools until 1957 when he dropped out to join the Navy at just 17 years old. While in the Navy, he completed high school and was selected for officer candidate school. He graduated with the rank of second lieutenant and served as a communications officer aboard the naval battleship USS Hailey for four years. He later served as a naval reserve chaplain.
Dr. Carmen received his bachelor and master degrees from Central Bible College, and his Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO. He then earned his PhD in clinical psychology from Union Graduate School. As a clinical psychology intern at the Tufts University Behavioral Health Unit in Boston, MA, he received a commendation for outstanding service to his patients. He completed his postgraduate studies at Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Dr. Carmen served as pastor of South Park United Methodist Church in Buffalo, NY for nine years, and was pastor at Plymouth Bay Assembly of God in Pembroke, MA for an additional nine years.
Dr. Carmen then accepted the position of clinical director at Houston Medical Center. From there, he established Dr. Carmen and Associates, a practice serving the greater Houston area. He was then called to initiate a graduate counseling and psychology program at Nelson University (formerly Southwestern) in Waxahachie. There, he authored textbooks on counseling, psychology and the Christian faith.
Nelson University awarded Dr. Carmen both the distinguished professor award and professor emeritus award. He was a member of The American Association for Counseling and Development, the Christian Counselors of Texas, the American Psychological Association, and Psi Chi, National Honor Society. Dr. Carmen served several years as a member of the Texas state board of certification for licensed professional counselors. At his passing, he was the associate pastor of Bowie First Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Carmen.
He is survived by his wife, Annette (née Gruppo) Carmen; daughter, Noelle Carmen; son, Benjamin Carmen and nine grandchildren.
Donations will be gratefully accepted to Nelson University on behalf of the Dr. Calvin C. Carmen Counseling and Psychology Scholarship Fund online at: nelson.edu/give.
Arrangements through the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
June 3, 1950 – February 19, 2026
VAN ALSTYNE – Donna Ruth Wilson (Copley), 72, passed away on Feb. 19, 2026.
In accordance with Donna’s wishes, there will be no public funeral or burial. A family memorial service will be announced at a later date
She was born on June 3, 1950, as a twin in Fort Sill, OK to James Frederick Copley and Hazel Agnes Roper. Donna graduated from Saint Jo High School in 1968 and went on to attend Southwestern Assembly of God College in Waxahachie.
Donna enjoyed spending time outdoors and cherished the companionship of her beloved pets. She worked in the insurance industry until her retirement, where she formed many friendships and appreciated the opportunities for travel that her career provided. On May 7, 1988 she married Ivan Wilson, her partner in mischief.
She will be remembered fondly by her friends, neighbors, and coworkers for her kindness and willingness to help others.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, James and Hazel Copley, Saint Jo; husband, Ivan Wilson, Jefferson City, TN; twin brother, Donald Ray Copley, Saint Jo; and sister, Patricia Ann Copley, Saint Jo.
Donna is survived by her brother, Johnny L. Copley Sr. and wife Pat, Frisco; nephews, Chris Gann and wife Kristi, and Johnny L. Copley Jr. and wife Kim; nieces, Angel Moore and husband Jim, and Shirley Copley; as well as numerous cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna’s honor to cancer research at engage.utsouthwestern.edu/donate-now. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her. Paid publication
All Texas Cremation – Plano
101 E. Park Blvd, Plano, Texas
March 9, 1937 – February 18, 2026
DECATUR – Shirley Ann St. John Blake, 88, went home to be with her Lord Feb.18, 2026 in Decatur, TX.
A graveside service was at 2 p.m. on March 2 and a visitation was at 1:30 p.m. at the Chico cemetery.
She was born March 9, 1937 in Sunset to J.W. and Annie (Rich) St. John.
Shirley married Joe Blake in Sunset in 1954 and together they had two sons. She worked hard all of her life working at several different sewing factories including Howard Wolf and Marlins then moving into home health in her later years where her kindness and compassion really shined.
She absolutely adored her family and her many grandchildren. You could usually find her at a grandkid’s ballgame or just piddling. She was always busy, but give her a set of dominoes for 42, a new puzzle to put together, or a puzzle book to work through and she was a happy lady.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Blake; parents, J.W. and Annie St. John; son, James Blake; sisters; Mary Jo Hukill and Wanda Maxwell; and brothers, Bobby St. John, Alvin St. John and Raymond St. John.
She is survived by her son, Stephen Blake and Trish; daughter-in-law, Nolinda Blake; grandson, Josh Blake and Loyce; granddaughters, Jo Weatherly and husband Bart, and Jamie Phillips and husband Nathan; 15 great grandkids; 10 great-great grandkids; brothers, Dan St. John and wife Carolyn, Ruben St. John and wife Janice, Jerry Don St. John, and James St. John and wife Lana; sisters, Linda Trahern, Ethlene Perry, Helen Johnson and Lois Story; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Paid publication
February 22, 1936 – March 1, 2026
NOCONA – Kennie Bates, 90, died on March 1, 2026 in Nocona, TX.
A visitation was from 6-7:30 p.m. on March 4 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel.
A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. on March 5 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Cody Bates. There will be a reception following the funeral at the Veranda Event Center in Nocona.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1936 in Canton to Leila Corlley and Herbert Bates. He was a union iron worker; he laid out and erected structural curtainwall on high rise buildings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nawona Caldwell and brother Jack Bates.
He is survived by his sons, Kennie Rathmell Bates and Stephen Bates; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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