OBITUARIES
Ruby “Claudine” Stom Kiles
January 15, 1933 – Septemeber 2, 2025
BOWIE – Ruby “Claudine” Stom Kiles, 92, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 2, 2025 in Wichita Falls, TX.
The family received friends from 1:30-3 p.m. on Sept. 5 prior to the service at the church.
The funeral service was at 3 p.m. on Sept. 5 at First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie with Pastor Glenn Neff officiating. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Claudine was born Jan. 15, 1933, in Bowie to Claude Osborn Sr. and Ethel Cardellia (Parr) Stom.
Claudine dedicated her life to caring for others through a lifelong career in nursing at Bowie Memorial Hospital and Bellmire Health Care, with a brief period working in custodial services for Bowie Independent School District, all while lovingly raising her four children. In 1980, Claudine married Arthur “Ben” Kiles in Montague.
She was a devoted longtime member of First Free Will Baptist Church where she found joy in singing and spending time with her church family.
In her younger years, she enjoyed boating and family trips to New Mexico. Claudine, or “Granny” as she was known by most, held a deep love for her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless pride and happiness.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur “Ben” Kiles; daughter, Ruby “Carolene” Alexander; grandson, Michael McCarn; and siblings, C.O. Stom Jr., Eugene Guy Stom, George Stom, Roy Stom, Dawn Craig, Carl Stom and June Walker.
Claudine is survived by her children, Billy “Ray” White, Bowie, Teresa Spivey and husband Charles, Duncan, OK, and Elizabeth Dunn, Bowie; grandchildren, Jason Burgett and wife JoAnna, Cody Spivey and fiancé Tracey, Deanna Mendinghall and husband Jimbo, Amanda Conley, Toby Dunn, and Casey Dunn and wife Lindsey; bonus granddaughter, Brittany McPherson and husband Matthew; great-grandchildren, Kenzi Burgett, Chase Burgett, Zach, Isaiah, Charlee Mendinghall, Bryelyn Mendinghall, Tayla McCarn, Chase McCarn, Ashleigh Boatright, Aslynn Dunn, Jaden Dunn, Hank Dunn, Avaleigh, Waverlee, Emberly Papagno and Matthew McPherson Jr.; great-great-grandson, Beau Burgett; and dear friend, Lanny Hunt.
In lieu of flowers, should friends desire memorials can be made in honor of Claudine to God’s Table at 505 Strong St. Bowie, TX 76230.
Arrangements 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.
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News