OBITUARIES
Jean Karr North
August 28, 1933 – April 9, 2026
BOWIE – Jean Karr North, 92, passed away on April 9, 2026.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on April 18 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie with Pastor Mike Henson officiating.
The burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Jean was born on Aug. 28, 1933 to Hubert L. and Sylvia J. Karr and grew up on the family farm in Dickens County.
She graduated from Spur High School in 1950. Following high school, Jean attended and graduated from Draughons Business College in Lubbock. She was employed as a secretary with the Department of Health and Human Services in Abilene.
Jean married William North on June 4, 1954. They had two daughters, Jane and Carol, four grandsons and eight great-grandchildren. Jean loved to sew and read. She was a gentle, kind and loving person, a wonderful Christian example and was loved dearly by her family.
Jean was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie. She was a member of the Hope Sunday school class where she had many special friends.
She spent many years caring for children in the church nursery, working in vacation Bible school and providing Sunday night meals for the youth group.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband; parents; sister, Paulita Green and great-granddaughter, Kamden Grace Perkins.
Jean is survived by her twin sister, Jane Koonsman and husband John L.; daughters, Jane Spradling and husband Denny, and Carol Grant and husband John; four grandsons, William Perkins and wife Susan, Michael Perkins and wife Jenn, Andrew Grant and wife Amy and William Westin Grant; and seven great-grandchildren, Maddox Perkins, Liam Perkins, Braxton Perkins, Jemma Perkins, Benton Grant, Josey Jean Grant and Corbin Grant.
Paid publication
February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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