OBITUARIES
Jo Ann Frances Osorio Lopez
May 4, 1973 – November 25, 2025
BOWIE – Jo Ann Frances Osorio Lopez, 52, passed away peacefully on Nov. 25, 2025 at her home.
A memorial visitation took place Nov. 27 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Jo Ann was a truly loving, caring, charismatic, ambitious, and driven person who lived her life guided by her unwavering faith and the motto: “There isn’t anything you can’t do when you put your mind to it with the Lord by your side.” She believed in pushing forward even when life knocks you down and never giving up. She never met a stranger, offering help without question and expecting nothing in return. She was a devoted mother, beloved sister, and tireless servant of her community.
Jo Ann dedicated her life to serving others in her community. Her compassionate spirit led her to volunteer extensively, including at the women’s and children’s shelter in Richland Hills, where she helped provide shelter, distribute food, clothing, shoes and school supplies. She also was a dedicated volunteer at the Bowie Mission. Jo Ann treated everyone with dignity and respect, seeing value in every person she met.
A woman of varied talents and profound independence, Jo Ann was well-educated and wore many professional hats throughout her life. She attained her GED in Garland and an Associate’s degree in Business and Management. Her diverse career included roles as a cook, hostess, waitress, and restaurant manager at local favorites, past and present, including Garcia’s, Sonic Drive-In, Dos Chilis, Jim Bowie Restaurant, Sweet Boys. and Hot Skillet in Alvord, a tax preparer for H&R Block (Bowie and Metroplex), independent tax assessor, a notary public, working the assembly line at The American Hat Factory, remodeling and construction, a guard at Lindsey Jacksboro prison, and technical work at Boeing, her final professional home was in security for Amazon, where her colleagues became family.
Jo Ann’s love for the Lord was central to her life, second only to her immense devotion to her family. She loved her children, nieces, and nephews deeply, treating them all as her own. She will be remembered for her vibrant spirit and her love of music from all eras—from 80’s Classic Rock/Pop, Rap, and Country to Tejano, Reggae, Cumbias, Mariachis, and Christian Music. She also enjoyed the simple pleasures of reading and shopping.
Jo Ann is preceded in death by her brother, Jesse (Jesus) Jr. Herrera; grandmother, Juanita Cage; grandfather, Charlie Cage; and stepfather, Glen Geron.
She is survived by her husband, Israel Lopez; daughter, Estebana Lopez; son, Jacob Cuellar; mother, Sue Geron, Alvord; siblings, Joe Cuellar, Patricia Willis (James), J.J. Cuellar, Angelo Carrillo, LaDonna Andrade (Acian) and Felix Cuellar; half-siblings, Joseph Ray, Gracia Ray, Donald Ray, Eric Monk, Sabrina Flores, Joshua Cuellar and Donovan Cuellar; and many beloved nieces and nephews whom she cared for and loved deeply.
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.
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