OBITUARIES
Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell
June 5, 1924 – June 27, 2026
BOWIE – Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell, 102 went to be with the Lord, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, service, hard work and love for her family and community.
The service was at Turrentine Jackson Morrow (Meador) Funeral Home in Whitesboro. A visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on June 30 and the services was at 2 p.m. on July 1 officiated by Ricky Patterson. A graveside service followed by at Oakwood Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her husband.
Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell was born to Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley on June 5, 1924 in Lancaster. She attended Lancaster schools and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She was the only daughter among eight children and was raised on the family’s cotton farm, where she developed the strong work ethic, determination and compassion that defined her remarkable life.
Following her marriage to the love of her life, John B. Bell and in making their home with their four children in Sherman, she began her career with International Business Machines. They later moved to Boulder, CO where she advanced in her profession and served as lead personnel analyst until her retirement in 1980.
Following her retirement from IBM, Ann and her husband moved back to Texas and became owners and operators of Bell Hardware & Feed in Collinsville. After selling the business, she worked for many years at the Gainesville Livestock Market. Later in life, she devoted her time to service as a volunteer and ultimately volunteer director of Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank in Whitesboro.
During her career with IBM, Ann was recognized for her leadership and accomplishments, including her 1965 nomination as the second female president of the IBM Club. Following her retirement, her volunteer work and dedication at Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank earned her the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce.
She later moved to a senior living facility in McKinney, where she lived for nine years and continued her volunteer service before moving to Bowie to be near her daughter.
Ann will be remembered for her extraordinary work ethic, sharp intellect, generous heart and unwavering commitment to helping others. She believed every opportunity to serve was a blessing.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Bell; parents, Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley and seven brothers.
She is survived by her four children, James ‘Jim’ Bell, John A. Bell and wife Robin, Jeryl ‘Jerry’ Bell, and Janis Crawley and her husband, Joe; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; loving nieces and nephews, dear friends and many others whose lives were touched by her kindness, wisdom and example.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowie Mission Food Bank in Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Steven Douglas Drury
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.
OBITUARIES
John Wayne Shelton
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.
OBITUARIES
Weldon Ray Duff
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.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS4 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 agoSheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News








