OBITUARIES
Joe Emerson Probst
February 8, 1931 – April 21, 2026
FUQUAY-VARINA – Joe Emerson Probst, 95, passed away peacefully at home in Fuquay-Varina, NC on April 21, 2026.
Joe was born in George West on Feb. 8, 1931 to Arthur and Corinne Probst. Joe received a banking degree from the University of Texas in 1952. His 60-year banking career began as a national bank examiner for the U.S. Treasury. He worked at several banks after that, but the highlight of his career was at Legend Bank in Bowie, where he was president for 22 years. He loved his work at the bank and continued to serve on the board of directors for eight years after retirement.
Joe lived his life, both personally and professionally, with honesty and integrity. He was active in the First United Methodist Church in Bowie and a long-time member of the Bowie Chamber of Commerce and Bowie Rotary Club.
He enjoyed gardening and was known to produce a bumper crop of tomatoes every summer. He also enjoyed all kinds of puzzles and you could always find him reading one of the three newspapers he subscribed to.
Joe was a generous man who loved spending time with his children and their families, who happened to live in four different states across the country. He believed in the importance of regular family gatherings and started a tradition of bringing his children and grandchildren to Lake Gaston, NC every summer – a tradition that continued for many years.
Joe was preceded in death by Laurice, his wife of 54 years and older brother, Eugene Probst.
He is survived by a sister, Elaine Bennett, George West; four children, Trish Powell, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Paula Allen, South Fork, CO, Laura Probst, Seattle, WA and Joe E. Probst, Jr., Citrus Springs, FL; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren – all who will miss him dearly.
In remembrance of Joe’s life, the family asks that charitable donations be sent to Wake County Meals on Wheels, www.wakemow.org/, where Joe was a volunteer.
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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