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OBITUARIES

Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf

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Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf
January 18, 1933 – December 10, 2018
FARMERS BRANCH – Stella Bess (Morris) Massey Helf, 85, passed away unexpectedly and went to her eternal home with the Lord on Dec. 10, 2018.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Jan. 4 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Decatur, followed by a time of remembrance and sharing at Hawkins Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.
Additionally, there will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch, with a reception to follow.
Stella was born on Jan. 18, 1933 in Decatur. She was the third child of the late Archie and Birdie Morris and was blessed with two older siblings, Raymond (Bubba) and Mary. She was much loved and adored, and often mentioned how lucky she was to have had such a wonderful childhood. She fondly remembered her school years, especially being a member of the Decatur High School Drum Majorettes and the fun times shared at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion. After high school, Stella attended Decatur Baptist College.
Stella married Frank Massey in 1955 in Decatur. They made their home in Bowie and had three sons, Lee Ray, David and Steven. Stella adored being a mom and loved spending her time supporting her boys in all of their activities.
She worked at Bowie Savings and Loan and for Bowie Independent School District as a substitute teacher. In 1975, Stella opened a Hallmark Store in Bowie called The Birdies’ Nest, named after her mother. Later, she took a traveling position with Merle Norman Cosmetics; a job she excelled in and loved so much that it led her to help other startup cosmetic companies, such as Lady Love.
Stella married Robert Helf, in April of 1989. They resided in Farmers Branch where they both shared a passion for their yard and entertaining family and friends in their home. Stella welcomed Bob’s children, Steve, Todd, Michael Ann, Linda and their families with open arms as if they were her own. Bob and Stella were a part of a loving neighborhood community full of lifetime friends that surrounded her with so much love when Bob unexpectedly passed away.
Even more than being a Mom, Stella loved being a Grandma to her beloved ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She devoted her life to being the “best grandma ever” by giving of her time, her wisdom, her memories and her sacrificial love.
Stella was a long-time member of Schreiber United Methodist Church where she attended and served in a number of roles throughout the years. Her Sunday School class developed into a strong family of friends for Stella. They served together and did life together until the very end. Stella truly loved her friends and felt very blessed to have them in her life. In addition to her service at the church, Stella enjoyed volunteering through Meal on Wheels delivering food to the homebound. She also served as a FEMA volunteer.
Stella spent her last years with a long-time cherished friend Gerald Strange, whom quickly became a part of our family, and we all love dearly.
The highlight each year for Stella was “the camp” at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion in Decatur. “The camp” holds a lifetime of Stella’s best memories with family and friends. It was Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July all wrapped into one week of celebrations of life with family and lifetime friends. A favorite tradition every year, she treasured the time she got to spend with her children, grandchildren, and passing along the memories of her time spent there as a child.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Archie and Birdie Morris; her brother, Raymond (Bubba) Morris; her sister, Mary Morris Bruce; her niece, Renee Bruce; her first husband, Frank Massey, and her second husband, Robert Helf.
Stella is survived by her three sons, Lee Ray (Kristine), David (Jackie), and Steven (Dawn); her stepchildren, Steve (Nelda), Michael Ann (Charlie), Todd (Connie), and Linda; and her grandchildren, Erik (Bridget), Blaine, Landon (Delaney), Carson, Nathan, Neal (Cyndi), Mark, Brian, Bill and Kendyll; along with six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Stella and her family would be honored for you to donate to one of her favorite charities, Meals on Wheels. You can make a donation at vnatexas.org/give, call 214-689-2601, or send a check to 1600 Viceroy Drive, Set. 400, Dallas, TX 75235.
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Hawkins Funeral Home
405 East Main St | Decatur, TX | 940-627-5959

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OBITUARIES

Wanda Pauline Mayfield

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August 21, 1940 – July 16, 2024
BOWIE – Wanda Pauline Mayfield, 83, went home to be with the Lord on July 16, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 18 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 10:30 a.m. on July 19 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie with her son, Joe Mayfield Jr. officiating.
Wanda was born Aug. 21, 1940 in Waurika, OK to Paul and Irene Echols. She graduated from Bowie High School. She married the love her life, Joe Mayfield, on Sept. 26, 1959 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie, in which they only spent five days apart during their time together here on earth.
She was proud to say she was in the first Licensed Vocational Nurse class of Cooke County College Bowie Campus. She spent most of her nursing career at Bellmire in Bowie.
Wanda’s greatest joy was spending time with family, especially getting to watch many grandkids and great-grandkids.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe Mayfield and brother, James Echols.
Wanda is survived by her children, Joe Mayfield (Angie), Bobby Mayfield (Jan), Mike Mayfield (Courtney) and Jim Mayfield (Lana); 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Debbie Boaz (Terry), Carolyn Godwin (Andy) and Sue McLendon (David) and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to God’s Table at Free Will Baptist Church.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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John Riley Russell

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May 27, 1948 – July 14, 2024
MONTAGUE – John Riley Russell, 76, died July 14, 2024 following several battles with cancer.
At John’s request, there will be no formal service. There will be a casual family visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. John desired to be cremated, his ashes joined with Gerry’s in time and to be spread over his home place in Montague.
John was born in West Columbia, TX to Carl and Pauline Teague Russell on May 27, 1948. He was welcomed to the family by his big sister, Lynda.
The family moved to Bowie so that Carl could start Russell’s Department Store in 1951. John graduated from Bowie High School in 1966; he excelled in basketball under Coach Gayno Shelton’s guidance. John continued his education at Midwestern University where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
After marrying Gerry Galloway in 1968, John worked for General Dynamics, which later became Lockheed Martin. At that company he became a world traveler. He loved traveling, but his favorite place was at home with his wife and his beautiful daughter, Brandy Michelle, who was born in 1970.
After retiring in 2004, John and Gerry moved to Montague to live out their lives. They were blessed with two fantastic grandsons, Jax Riley Williams and Kaz Russell Williams. John took great pride in that both boys were named after him.
John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gerry Russell; his daughter, Brandy and her wonderful husband, Paul Williams and two grandsons, Jax and Kaz Williams. He also leaves behind his loving sister, Lynda Neeld and her daughters, Holly Bullock and Shawna Tomlin.
Expressions of sympathy to John’s family are appreciated, but please do not bother with flowers or memorials; instead, do something nice for a family member, friend or stranger; pet a pooch and think of John. Also, he would stress to all young people to stay away from tobacco products.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Raymond “Salty” Hudson Sr.

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May 27, 1941 – May 27, 1941
NOCONA – Raymond “Salty” Hudson Sr., 83, died on July 10, 2024.
A visitation was from 7 to 8 p.m. on July 12 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on July 13 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Donald Cheshier officiating. Interment will follow at Eagle Point Cemetery.
He was born on May 27, 1941 in Sentinel, OK to Henry and Eula McLaughlin Hudson. They later moved to Lubbock where he grew up. He married Doris May Partridge on Aug. 16, 1960 in Montague and together they had three children.
He worked for Justin Leathergoods for 23 years then Nocona Belt Company for more than 25 years until he retired with Bell Supply. He coached little league baseball where he started the teams for Justin Leathergoods. He also was involved in the Nocona Indians Booster Club for a number of years. Hudson also worked for R.B. Stout Furniture store where he did odd jobs, delivered and did repairs on appliances. He was a lifetime member of Shady Grove Community Church for more than 60 years where he served as treasurer and deacon.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Doris; sons, Ray and Kenny; daughter, Carmella; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild and eight step-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers make donations to Eagle Point Cemetery Association or Shady Grove Church, c/o Doris Hudson, 108 Jackson, Nocona, TX 76255.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home Nocona.

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