OBITUARIES

Frank Massey

Published

6 years ago

05/11/2018

Frank Massey

September 5, 1934 – May 6, 2018
RINGGOLD – Frank Massey, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 6, 2018.
A celebration of his life will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 19 at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 West University and Denton. A private interment will be in the future.
Frank was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Johnson County to Edgar and Leota (Stephens) Massey. He was raised in Burleson along with his brothers, Clymoth, Billy and Charles, and a sister, Helen.
Frank graduated from Burleson High School in 1951. He was proud to be his senior class president, as well as being an accomplished basketball player. He received basketball scholarships to Decatur Baptist College, and later to Texas Wesleyan College, where he graduated in 1956.
Frank began his career at Humble Oil. Soon after, he began his teaching and coaching career at Gold-Burg High School. He loved coaching boys and girls’ basketball, track and baseball. He took the girls basketball team to the state championship tournament in 1965.
In 1967, Frank was approached about becoming the first State Farm representative in Bowie. He was an immediate success, and in 1977 was appointed to agency manager. He continued working for State Farm until his retirement in 1995.
He received many honors and awards, including being an 11 time millionaire qualifier, and seven-time Legion of Honor qualifier. Frank always said he was most proud of the fine people he brought into the agency with State Farm.
In 1955, Frank married Stella Morris in Decatur. They were blessed with three sons, Lee Ray, David and Steven. Frank and Stella raised their family in Bowie. Frank often spoke about how thankful he was that his boys graduated from Bowie High School.
He was especially grateful for their mother, and the many great teachers and coaches at BHS that kept them on track. He was very proud of the boys academic and athletic successes while at BHS and he treasured his memories of those years.
Frank was also blessed with four grandsons, Blaine, Landon, Carson and Nathan, and he loved them all dearly. He cherished his time with them and was so proud of the fine men they have become.
Frank later moved to Denton after marrying his second wife, Kathy. He was an active member of Trinity Methodist Church and loved to play golf at Denton Country Club. Frank was also blessed to be a part of Kathy’s children’s lives, Ward, Chuck, Wes and Chris, and their families.
Frank moved to Ringgold in 2005, where he spent his last years with his special partner and companion, Kathy Frank. His family is forever grateful for all of the love and care taking Kathy provided Frank.
In his spare time, Frank enjoyed golfing, and was very proud of having scored three holes-in-one. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially those his grandsons were playing, and spending time outdoors with his special dogs, Biscuit and Molly. He also enjoyed the periodic trip to Winstar Casino.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Leota Massey; brothers, Billy Massey and Charles Massey; sister, Helen Wilson and a dearly loved niece, Renee Bruce.
He is survived by his three sons, Lee Ray (Kristine), David (Jackie) and Steven (Dawn); his four grandsons, Blaine, Landon (Delaney), Carson and Nathan; his brother, Clymoth (Jeannie) Massey; Stella Massey Helf; Kathy Massey; Kathy Frank; and several nieces and nephews.
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DeBerry Funeral Directors
2025 W University Dr, Denton, TX 76201
940-383-4200 | www.deberryfuneraldirectors.com

OBITUARIES

James Brock Lyons Jr.

Published

2 days ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

April 22, 1948 – April 30, 2024
MANSFIELD, AR – James B. Lyons Jr. (Jim), 76, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Martin Funeral and Cremation. A private graveside service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Honorary pallbearers will include David Morgan, Mike Robles, Westin Corbin, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Chris Little and Michael Winters.
Jim was born on April 22, 1948 in Bowie to James “Brock” Lyons and Patsy Ruth West Lyons. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the United States Air Force.
Jim will be greatly missed by all of his family. We will always remember his constant teasing, his great love for the Texas Longhorns (even though we are all Razorback fans) and his passion for spinning the wheel at the casino.
He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Lyons Sr.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly Boatright Lyons; his five children, Stephanie (David) Morgan, April (Mike) Robles, Brock Lyons, Mansfield, AR, Kiemeche (Westin) Corbin, Charleston, AR and Dakotha Lyons, Fort Smith, AR; seven grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Winters, Cheyene (Chris) Little, Michael Robles, Cody Robles, Addison Robles, Mansfield, AR, Ellie Lyons, Fort Smith, AR and Connor Corbin, Charleston, AR and five great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Easton Winters, Leena and Ledger Little and soon to arrive, Letty Little, all of Mansfield, AR. Jim also is survived by his mother, Patsy Lyons and his sister, Karen Self of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins

Published

2 days ago

05/03/2024

bowienews

August 9, 1954 – May 1, 2024
BOWIE – Michael Frank “Mike” Hankins, 69, died on May 1, 2024.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1954. He graduated from Bowie High School, then attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he worked for years at opening and closing the church. He also worked for Walmart in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Fairy Hankins and his brother, Sonny Hankins.
He is survived by his brother, Gene Hankins, Victoria, TX; one niece; two nephews and many cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

OBITUARIES

Billy James “Jimmy” Avery

Published

5 days ago

04/30/2024

bowienews

March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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