OBITUARIES
Kenneth Wayne Monroe
June 16, 1937- June 13, 2025
BOWIE – Kenneth Wayne Monroe, 87, died peacefully on June 13, 2025, at his home in Bowie, TX.
Family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on June 19 at the White Family Funeral home.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on June 20 at the White Family Funeral Home with Rex Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
Friends and family are welcome at 1000 Central Ave. for food and drink and further visitation after the service.
Kenneth was born June 16, 1937, in Park Springs, TX. He was the youngest of eight children in a farming family, eventually taking over the farm at a young age after his siblings had moved away. He graduated from Alvord High School in 1955 and played basketball.
In 1959 he married the love of his life Joyce Ann Thompson. They had two sons, Steve and Larry. Kenneth worked in the oil field in various areas from roustabout to production foreman. Later he started his own oil field construction business with his sons. He finished his career at Lockheed prior to retirement in 2003. He enjoyed watching his family grow, raising Boer goats, watching sports and classic westerns.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Ann Thompson Monroe in 2011, and son, Larry Monroe in 2024.
Kenneth is survived by son, Steve Monroe and wife Randi, Bowie; grandsons, Tanner Monroe and wife Sarah, Royse City, Brian Monroe, Bowie and Kyler Monroe and wife Whitney, Forestburg; and great-grandchildren, Dallie, Kash, Anika and Emory.
Kenneth was a hard worker, loyal friend, husband, father and uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed. Special thanks go to his friend and caregiver Melody Hamilton. The family also wants to thank Angels Care Home Health and Hospice, and Right at Home caregivers who loved and cared for him in his final chapter of a very full life and we are forever grateful.
Arrangements are entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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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