OBITUARIES

Mary Jo Watson Oliver

Published

9 years ago

03/15/2016

Mary Jo Watson Oliver OBIT Jo Oliver
August 30, 1921 – March 12, 2016
GRAHAM – Mary Jo Watson Oliver, 94, went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 12, 2016.
A service will be at 2 p.m. March 17 at Eastside Church of Christ in Graham. A visitation reception will follow in the church foyer.
Jo Oliver was born on Aug. 30, 1921, in Bowie to parents, Mary Pauline Vickery Watson and Benjamin Ewing Watson. Jo was blessed with a wonderful youth, growing up in Bowie, the youngest of six children. Throughout her life she enjoyed the gifts of singing, playing the piano, theater and painting.
After high school, Jo attended Abilene Christian College. In 1943 she graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor of music.
While attending UT, she met the love of her life, pharmacy student Walter Wood Oliver. The couple married in 1943 at the Riverside Church in New York City. After Walter left for service in the Navy during World War II, Jo taught music in the public schools. After Walter returned from the service, the couple moved to Graham and founded Oliver Drug, downtown on the square.
Jo and Walter loved building a business in Graham as well as participating in many civic efforts to benefit the city. Jo’s unique interest was in the Medicare aspect of their business which led to an expansion of the business to Oliver Drug and Medical Supply.
Of great enjoyment to Jo and Walter was their house and recreation on Possum Kingdom Lake. PK was a cherished place of relaxation and an opportunity to entertain friends and family.
One of the highlights of Jo’s life was to be involved with the development of Shawnee Springs Park in 1988. The transformation of the area into a beautiful park won the “Take Pride in America: Thousand Points of Light” award from the President George H.W. Bush Administration in 1989. Jo and Walter were delighted to travel to the White House to accept this prestigious award on behalf of all those who worked to achieve the project.
In addition, Jo will be remembered for her love of beauty, daffodils and daylilies. She was a founder of Graham’s Christmas Stroll and the Daffodil Festival. In addition, Jo was a long time member of the Graham Garden Club, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club and her church home, the Eastside Church of Christ where she especially enjoyed Ladies’ Bible Class.
Later in life, Jo enjoyed the artistic abilities of her grandchildren which included singing, theater and music. She actually felt somewhat responsible for their talents.
Other civic involvement included chair of the Young County Historical Commission, the board of the Bowie Educational Fund, and president of the Resident’s Council, The Plaza at Edgemere, 2015-2016, Dallas, Texas.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 1991. She is survived by her children, Gail Turner and husband Gerald Turner, and Walter Oliver III and wife Mackie Oliver. Grandchildren include Angela Turner Wilson, Jessica Turner Waugh and Eric Oliver. Great grandchildren include Luke and Wyatt Wilson and Abby, Lexie and Charlotte Waugh. Also included are many cherished nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Eastside Church of Christ in memory of Mary Jo Oliver or City of Graham, Shawnee Springs Project c/o of City Manager, 429 4th St. Graham, TX 76450.
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OBITUARIES

Barbara Louise (David) Gill

Published

2 days ago

12/20/2024

bowienews

November 4, 1937 – December 12, 2024
KINGWOOD, TX – Barbara Louise (David) Gill, 87, died Dec. 12, 2024, in Houston.
A graveside service took place at noon on Dec. 20 at Vashti Cemetery with Kenneth Liggett as the officiant.
She was born on Nov. 4, 1937 as the only child of Keith and Otha Mae David. She graduated from Duncanville High School. She married William S. Gill on Dec. 23, 1955. Together they had three children and moved from Texas to New Jersey to California with her husband’s career. She later returned to college and majored in special education, teaching for Humble Independent School District.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, William Gill; children, Keith Gill, David Gill and Mona Bostwick; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Joan Winn

Published

5 days ago

12/17/2024

bowienews

November 10, 1934 – December 12, 2024
BOWIE – Joan Winn, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 12, 2024 in Wichita Falls.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie, with Dr. Tony Rogers as the officiant. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Joan was born on Nov. 10, 1934 in Bonita, TX, the youngest child of Robert L. and Euderah May (Sanders) Pierce, cherished as the baby sister in a family of six. She went to Nocona High School and, on Dec. 31, 1951, married the love of her life, Bobby Winn. Their marriage exemplified enduring love and partnership.
Joan worked as a teller and officer at First National Bank of Bowie for more than 30 years, where her kindness and love greatly impacted her colleagues and customers. In her free time, Joan flourished in her creativity. She enjoyed crafting, sewing and painting, gifting her creations to the ones she loved.
A follower of Christ, Joan was a Southside Baptist Church charter member, where she lived her belief in service to others. She loved people unconditionally and was intentional in all she did, embodying reliability and love. Joan’s life was a shining example of selflessness, compassion and steadfast dedication to her family, friends and community.
Joan Winn’s love for people and passion for serving others will forever be remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her. Her intentionality, creativity and unwavering presence made her a cornerstone of her family and community. She will be dearly missed but lovingly celebrated as a woman who truly lived a life of faith, love and purpose.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Euderah Pierce; husband, Bobby Winn; son, Ricky Winn; brothers, Clark and Wallace Pierce and her sisters, Bonnie Bruce, Nancy Robbins and Patricia Cross.
Joan is survived by her loving children, Becky Winn and David Winn and wife Kim; her adoring grandchildren, Miranda Tate and husband Josh and Derek Winn and wife Nichole and her treasured great-grandchildren, Bryce Tate, Corben Wolsey, Kaygan Winn, Ramzey, Brooks, Oaklee Tate, Boone and Dasher Winn. Joan’s legacy lives on through her family and all the lives she touched.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Marjorie Ann Liggett

Published

5 days ago

12/17/2024

bowienews

January 18, 1943 – December 13, 2024
KELLER – Marjorie Ann Liggett, 81, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 13, 2024.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Marjorie was born Jan. 18, 1943 in Bowie to R. H. and Ollie (Wright) Gray. She graduated as valedictorian from Bowie High School in 1961. She married Gary Liggett on July 22, 1961. She raised two children and worked at American Airlines for 15 years. She lived her life as a Christian and was a faithful follower of Christ She enjoyed traveling, sewing and oil painting.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Carolyn Lindsey.
Marjorie is survived by her husband, Gary Liggett, Sherman; children, Craig Liggett and wife Lisa, Gordonville, TX and Paige Morgan and husband Mike, Loveland, CO; five grandchildren, Jordan Hughes and husband Matt, Rhome, Corie Van Meter and husband Dustin, Tuscola, TX, Colton Liggett, Denton, Kyle Morgan, Casper, WY and Eric Morgan, Loveland, CO and great-grandchild, Levi Hughes.
Should friends desire, memorials can be made in honor of Marjorie to the Christian Relief Fund at P.O. Box 19670, Amarillo, TX 79114-1670.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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