OBITUARIES
Mark Cullen Smith
October 27, 1949 – June 16 2026
NOCONA – Mark Cullen Smith died on June 16, 2026 in Nocona, TX.
A celebration of life service will take place at a later date.
He was born on Oct. 27, 1949 in Chicago, IL where his father was attending pilot training for the airline company that would eventually become Delta Airlines. As soon as possible, the family came back to Hurst, where he grew up.
He graduated high school at L.D. Bell in Euless. After graduation, he attended Tarrant County Community College and graduated with an associate degree in aeronautical technology. He received his AP license prior to graduation, and worked for Denton Piper Sales and Service, Dallas Airmotive, and then Midcoast Aviation in Saint Louis, working on both jet and prop-driven aircraft.
In 1973 he was hired by Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS as a field service engineer, providing engineering coordination and support involving maintenance and service issues for more than 200 Cessna Citation corporate jets throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mexico. He retired from Cessna in 2009, and he and his wife then moved full-time to their very small cattle ranch in Montague County.
He is preceded in death by his mother, LaVoe Taylor Smith; father, Jack Phillip Smith and daughter, Nicole Smith Derrick.
He is survived by his wife, Gale Cochran-Smith, Montague; son, Phillip Smith, Fort Worth and two grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to the Nocona General Hospital Foundation or the Nocona Carpenter Shop/Meals on Wheels program.
OBITUARIES
Jimmie Dale Johnson
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
LaDonna Mae Howell
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Bobby (Jerry) Orrell
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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