January 12, 1964 – May 20, 2024
BOWIE – Sheila Inez (Durbin) McKinley, 60, went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2024. She was a vivacious, fearless soul who loved life and all of those she met in it.
A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 28 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on May 29 at the Central Baptist Church, 710 W. Wise St. Bowie, with Pastor Gregg Shaw officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie with Dylan Dixon, Bowdie Dixon, Levi Kixmiller, Bryce Baumstark, Brantley Milan and Aiden McKinley serving as pallbearers.
Sheila was born Jan. 12, 1964 in Lawton, OK to Walt and Linda Durbin. Her family traveled for most of her childhood while Walt served in the Army. Sheila would find herself in Wilburton, OK, where she graduated high school and then went on to college at the Eastern Oklahoma College. She received an associates degree; however Sheila put her educational plans on hold to raise her family. Her son Kevin was born in 1982, and in 1985 her daughter Destiny. Sheila adored her children and her role as being their mother. She loved to spend her days at the lake with her “water babies” or dancing. Even after Sheila’s stroke her son would hold her up so they could two step.
After Sheila’s children were older she would go on to teach as a substitute teacher for several years. Her students would describe her as caring and compassionate. Her enthusiastic love for life kept her students excited and eager to learn.
In 1999 Sheila was given one of favorite titles, “Nana.” Her grandbabies were her world. She loved taking them on rides with her convertible top down, music blaring. 1999 was a big year, that’s also when she met the love of her life, Darwin McKinley. She fell deeply in love and married him in July of 2000. Sheila and Darwin made their home in Bowie. The two traveled the United States with Darwin’s work. Sheila would spend her time shopping or at the pool making new friends. She had a knack for gab and never met a stranger.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Walt and Linda Durbin; grandson, Eli Sorensen and nephew, Allen Durbin Jr.
Sheila is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Darwin, Bowie; son, Kevin Dixon and wife Brandy, Lone Grove, OK; daughter, Destiny Owens and husband J.W., Ardmore, OK; stepdaughter, Constance Sorensen and husband Jason, College Station; stepson, Lee McKinley, College Station; 12 grandchildren, Callie, Dylan, Ashlynn, Liberty, Bowdie, Levi, Bryce, Brantley, Lainey, Aiden, Kinley and Jude; four great-grandbabies, Stetson, Whitlee, Jackson and Holly; sister, Julina Vandiver and husband Rick, Bowie and two brothers, Allen Durbin and wife Heather, Healdton, OK and Freddie Durbin, Broken Bow, OK.
The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will. That’s exactly what Sheila did. She will forever live in our hearts and in our memories.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

February 19, 1923 – May 20, 2024
BOWIE – Vera Belle Lawson, 101, died on May 20, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 23 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral services was at 10 a.m. on May 24 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie with Pastor Glenn Neff, Michael Hanson and Mark Hanson. Burial followed Vashti Cemetery.
She was born Feb. 19, 1923 to Ed and Maude (Griffin) Winters in New Liberty, TX. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1940 and married Louis A. Lawson on Feb. 14, 1942. The couple had four children and started their homestead in Vashti. They later built a house in Bowie where she lived until her passing.
Lawson taught Sunday school and volunteered at the Bowie Hospital, nursing homes, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and other organizations. She also volunteered at God’s Table. She was a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Bowie for 65 years as well as the Pleasant Mound Freewill Baptist (Rock Church) in Buffalo Springs.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis; daughter, Karen and two grandsons.
She is survived by her daughters, Jenyne Fenoglio, Bellevue, Janis Gary, Bowie and Belinda Seale, Vernon; seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and 21 great-great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to God’s Table, 505 Strong Street, Bowie, Texas or another charitable organization.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

July 15, 1961 – May 21, 2024
BOWIE – Verdie “Joe” Thrailkill Jr., 62, died May 21, 2024 in Bowie.
A visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 22 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service was at 11 a.m. on May 23 at Salona Cemetery in Bowie, with Pastor Bill Calabretta as the officiant.
He was born to Verdie and Billie Thrailkill on July 15, 1961 in Shawnee, OK. He attended Central Independent School in Polok, TX, then Angelina College. Later he worked for various companies as a contractor. He then found a career working for the City of Dallas Water Treatment Plant where he retired.
He married Jennifer Duncan Thrailkill in Lewisville on Oct. 31, 2010. They retired to their home in Bowie where he became a devoted member of East Side Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his father, Verdie Joe Thrailkill; mother, Billie Alice Thrailkill and sister, Doris Jones.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Thrailkill, Bowie; sisters, Billie Morgan, Mayo, FL and Rose Hall, Mayo, FL; daughter, Amber Thrailkill, Portland, OR; one step-daughter; three grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.