OBITUARIES
Iris “Denna” Lynch


Iris “Denna” Lynch
January 24, 1940 – July 21, 2019
FORESTBURG – Iris “Denna” Lynch, 79, went home to be with the Lord on July 21, 2019 in Bowie, TX.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 22 at The White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service was at 2 p.m. on July 23 at Forestburg Baptist Church with Pastors Tim Neely and Micah Caswell officiating.
Burial followed at New Harp Cemetery in New Harp.
Iris Dean (Better known as Denna) Cowley Lynch was born on Jan. 24, 1940 in Newport. She is the daughter of Richard and Birdie Cowley and she had one older sister, Virgie Neeld. Denna married John Carver in 1959 in Bowie. They had two daughters, Kellie Carver Alker and Kerri Carver Hudson.
Denna received her beauty license and worked in a beauty shop in the early stages of her marriage. They move to Bowie in 1970 where they owned the Bowie Cleaners and then became partners in Hudson’s Restaurant. John and Denna divorced in 1976.
Denna married Gordy Lynch in Forestburg on July 15, 1978. Denna gained two new daughters on that day, Melody Lynch Hamilton and Keela Lynch.
Denna worked at the Bowie Clinic from 1977 to 1987. Gordy and Denna then owned and operated Denna’s Restaurant from 1987 to 1997. Denna also worked at the Forestburg Post Office before she retired to become Gordy’s “Right Hand Man.”
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Virgie Neeld and great granddaughter, Evany Barragan.
Denna is survived by her husband, Gordy Lynch, Forestburg; daughters, Kellie Tyree Carver Alker and husband Jeff, Kerri Deon Carver Hudson and husband Kenny, Melody LaShale Lynch Hamilton and Keela Kazan Lynch; grandchildren, Jordan Alker, Jansen Alker, Skyler Fluitt, Kyler Fluitt, Shayde Fluitt, Jesi Ramsey, Sami Moore, Robert Hudson, Hanna Hudson, Felecia Pigg and Frankie Pigg; and nine great grandchildren.
Should friends desire, memorials can be made in honor of Denna to the Forestburg Volunteer Fire Department at 261 Gainesville St. Forestburg, TX 76239.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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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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