OBITUARIES
Leatrice LaVerne Allen-Barker

Leatrice LaVerne Allen-Barker
April 2, 1930 – April 9, 2016
MIDLAND – Leatrice LaVerne Allen-Barker, 85, passed away on April 9, 2016.
A funeral service was at 10 am April 12 at Crestview Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Daniel officiating.
LaVerne was born on April 2, 1930 in Ringgold to James William Vannoy and Octa Edweauna Wharton-Vannoy.
She was a wonderful and caring mother who also loved her Senior Sunday School and XYZ friends at Crestview Baptist Church. She was a talented seamstress who shared her skills with the Midland Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary in the 1950s and 60s. She was a co-founder of Allen Orthotics and Prosthetics in 1954 and enjoyed her retirement in 2011.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, James and Edweauna Vannoy; brother, James Ponton Vannoy; her loving husband of 46 years, AJ Allen and grandson, Christopher Bearden.
She is survived by her husband Ralph Barker; daughters, Pamela Ausmus and husband Larry, and Belinda Newton and husband Mike; son, Michael Allen and wife Kim; five grandchildren, Christine Beebe and husband Richard, Suzanne McClanahan and husband John, Jessica Burton and husband Phil, Aaron Allen and wife Amber and Joshua Newton and wife Kristen; eight great-grandchildren, Michael Breeding, Kelsey Breeding, Nicole Breeding, Noah Vincent, Evalyn Beebe, Dylan Beebe, Maple Burton and Atley Allen; two great-great grandchildren, Bentlee and Harlee Breeding, and by Sally Allen.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be donated to the National Fibromyalgia Association, American Chronic Pain Association or an organization of their choice.
The family extends their sincere appreciation to Dr. Matthews, Dr. Vogel, Dr. Copeland, Dr. Miller and Dr. D’Agostino and the caring and dedicated staff of Midland Memorial Hospital and Hospice Midland. She was truly blessed by their care and compassion.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
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Nalley-Pickle & Welch
906 Gregg St. | P.O. Box 2511 | Big Spring, TX 79721
(800) 284-2141 • (432) 267-6331
OBITUARIES
Dean Allen Shaffer

June 24, 1962 – May 18, 2025
BOWIE – Dean Allen Shaffer, 62, was escorted to the gates of heaven May 18, 2025 at 12:34 a.m. in the arms of his loving wife Christal Shaffer after complications of pneumonia
A celebration of life for Dean was held at 11 a.m. on May 31 at the First Baptist Church in Alvord followed by a meal for the family.
Dean was born June 24, 1962, in Lander, WY. While quiet and soft spoken, he had a mighty love for the Lord, his wife of 38 years and his family. Dean was an incredibly hard worker, but all who knew Dean also knew how generous he was. He enjoyed cooking outside, hosting get-togethers at their home, having a drink and listening to good music as well as spending time with his bees.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, “Memom” Linda Stevens and loving sister-in-law, Terri Shaffer and sister-in-law, Linda Shaffer.
Dean is survived by his wife, Christal Shaffer; children, Justin Shaffer and wife Kayla, Miles Shaffer, and Ainsley Hernandez and husband Josue; his children in Christ, Chris Lovell, and Andrew Stevens and wife Sutton; grandchildren, Kayden Shaffer and fiancé Nathan Mac, Colton Shaffer and wife Payton, Jaid, Remi, Briggs, Watts, Hutch, Justice and Maverick; great-grandchild, Colter; his parents, James Oliver Shaffer and Alice Bethine; siblings, Randy Shaffer, Cheryl Shaffer and partner Mike Hoffman, Mike Shaffer and wife Kim, Cathey Tewes and husband Andy; numerous other nieces, nephews and family members.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Betty Sue Bynum

April 3, 1929 – May 20, 2025
BOWIE – Betty Sue Bynum, 96, passed away on May 20, 2025 in Nocona, TX.
Betty was born on April 3, 1929 in Thornton to Thomas Everett and Eva May Stiff Hardaway. She attended elementary school in Van Alstyne and attended high school in Calvert. She graduated from Teachers College High School and continued on to North Texas State Teacher’s College graduating with a bachelor of arts, library science degree at age 20. In 1977, she continued her education obtaining a master of education degree at University of North Texas.
While attending college, Betty met her future husband, Floyd Arthur Bynum. Betty wanted to work and live on her own for a year before getting married, so they had a long distance courtship while she taught school for a year in Canyon, Texas. They decided they were meant for each other and married on Aug. 5, 1950 in McKinney.
After starting their family in 1951, Betty and Floyd moved to Bowie where Floyd was industrial arts teacher at Bowie High School. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for few years. In 1960, she restarted her teaching career, teaching sixth grade for many years, eventually moving to high school where she was librarian until her retirement in 1988. She was a lifetime member of TSTA and a member of TLA.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alma Lou Perkins and husband, Floyd A. Bynum.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Headley, (Douglas), Jean Richards (John) and Patricia Johnson (Craig), grandchildren, Heather Morse, Alicia Hutchison, Jennifer Holloman, Justin Richards, Steven Johnson and Brian Johnson; seven great grandchildren and two nieces, Suzanne Scott and Dianne Herr.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
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OBITUARIES
Pedro Leon Olvera

May 19, 1976 – May 11, 2025
NOCONA – Pedro Leon Olvera, 48, died on May 11, 2025.
There was a rosary at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at noon on May 19 at St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church in Nocona.
He was born on May 19, 1976 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato to Juan Olvera and Felixa Leon. Olvera was a part of a big family and hard-worker all of his life. He worked mostly in agriculture as a rancher. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially with his son. He married Blanca Torres in 1995 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosa and Juana Gomez; and nephew, Juan Gomez Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Blanca Olvera; Nocona; son, Pedro Jr. Olvera, Nocona; daughter, Mariana Hampton, Gainesville; sisters, Yolanda, Nocona and Margarita, Mexico; brothers, Juan, Luis, Santiago and Francisco, all of Mexico; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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