OBITUARIES
Beverly Ann Durham
February 19, 1948 – October 5, 2025
NOCONA – Beverly Ann Durham, 77, died on Oct. 5, 2025 in Nocona, TX.
A visitation from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
A celebration of life and funeral was at 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 at First United Methodist Church, Nocona. Interment followed in the Union Cemetery near Cap’s Corner. Ministers are the Rev. Charles Reed, Dr. Larry Martin, the Rev. Jill Barker, the Rev. Justin Durham and the Rev. Collin Durham. Pallbearers were: James Barrett, Travis Shaefer, Jeff Peden, Arnold Walker, Royce Beck and Randy Dyer.
She was born Feb. 19,1948, in Sulphur, OK to B. T. (Pete) Peden and Betty Jo (Eason) Peden. She was married on July 27, 1968 in Electra to the Rev. Calvin M. Durham, a young minister from Nocona and they served 57 years of active ministry. She attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Midwestern University, East Texas State University, and graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with highest honors.
In her senior Electra High School annual, she stated her goal in life was to “study theology,” and on the day of her high school baccalaureate service, she would meet Calvin as he was the guest speaker in her home church, First Assembly of God in Electra. Within a few months they would start dating.
She is preceded in death by her mother and father, B. T. (Pete) and Betty Eason Peden; son, John Calvin Durham; and daughter-in-law, Laura Elaine Durham.
She is survived by her husband, Calvin Durham, Nocona; brother, Gary Peden, Michigan; sister, Sylvia Schaefer, Temple; two daughters, Melody Sheree Durham, Nocona and Candus Barrett, Justin; a daughter-in-law; four grandchildren and two great grandsons.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following research project for Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease centered in the University of Indiana. Make checks payable to: “Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology” and in the Memo line please place this information: “I. U. Foundation, Account #038009961 – A. D. Research in Pathology.” Mail to: Dr. Bernadino Ghetti, 635 Barnhill Drive, Medical Science Building, Room A138, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202.
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.
-
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