OBITUARIES

Samuel Eugene Underwood

Published

5 years ago

05/05/2020

1952 – 2020
CARROLLTON – Samuel Eugene Underwood, 68, died on April 24, 2020 in Carrollton, TX.
A small family service took place on April 27. A celebration of his life will take place at 10 a.m. on June 13 at First Baptist Church, Farmers Branch in the sanctuary.
Following a long struggle with cancer, Sam was briefly under the care of hospice. Sam was born in San Angelo to Homer Garth and Jessie Simonton Underwood.
After attending San Angelo public schools and graduating from San Angelo Central High School in 1970, he and a treasured group of friends from First Baptist Church, San Angelo, went down to Austin to attend the University of Texas together – friendships that remain to this day. Licensed to the ministry in 1972, Sam graduated with a BA in Psychology, UT in 1974. He completed his M. Div at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1978; he completed his M. Biblical Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ in 1980. Sam did doctoral work at the University of Dallas concerning the early church and early church fathers.
Sam married Ellen Evans of Bowie in 1986 after they met at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, TX. Sam was ordained to the ministry that same year by Carter Lake Baptist Church, Bowie and served as their pastor until January 1991 when he was called to pastor First Baptist Church, Farmers Branch, where he served until his death.
Sam may have lost his battle with cancer, but he won the final victory with Jesus. He was proud to have survived “well past” his “expiration date” so that he saw all three of his children graduate from college, two of them marry, and one have a child. He loved his family dearly and served his congregation at FBC-FB well for more than 29 years. Sam was known for his ability to teach and preach the Bible, his kind heart, his wonderful stories, his wise counsel, his encyclopedic biblical knowledge, his thoughtful weddings and funerals, his unbelievable work ethic, his beautiful writing, his delightful sense of humor, his eclectic musical taste, his love of barbecue, his dapper bow ties, and for being a loyal Longhorn fan through thick and thin. He will be sorely missed.
Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Felix.
Sam is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Ellen; son, Will Underwood and his wife Veronica, Orlando, FL; daughter Pamela Underwood, Seattle, WA; daughter Molly Mitchell and her husband Elijah, Waxahachie; daughter Esther, Sam’s first grandchild, who was born on April 17. Sam was thrilled to meet little Esther and was looking forward to the arrival of Will and Veronica’s baby girl, Adalyn, in Sept. He is also survived by his brother Doug and his wife Nancy; brother Jesse and his wife Earma; and his beloved only sister Pam and her husband Jim; many dear “in-laws and outlaws,” nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Sam donated his body to the willed body program at UT Southwestern Medical School. He managed to live for more than five years with a cancer that few survive for one. Since he has a new body in heaven, he chose to share his old one with some folks who could use it. His hope was that he could help someone else. This choice was not a surprise to anyone who knew Sam.
Those who wish to make donations honoring Sam may make them to Brother Bill’s Helping Hand at bbhh.org/donate or to Metrocrest Services at metrocrestservices.org/idonate.php.
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OBITUARIES

Dean Allen Shaffer

Published

2 weeks ago

05/28/2025

bowienews

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.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Betty Sue Bynum

Published

2 weeks ago

05/28/2025

bowienews

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.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Pedro Leon Olvera

Published

3 weeks ago

05/22/2025

bowienews

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.