OBITUARIES
Cecil Dudley Sparkman
December 3, 1939 – January 8, 2021
POST OAK – Cecil Dudley Sparkman, 81, Post Oak, TX died Jan. 8, 2021.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 16, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Henrietta with the Rev. Dan Sparkman, the Rev. Keith Laude and B.D Wynn officiating. A visitation will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2021 at Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta. Cecil will be laid to rest at Post Oak Cemetery in Post Oak.
Cecil was born on Dec. 3, 1939 to D.C “Slim” and Jimmie (Chapman) Sparkman. He married the love of his life, Betty Ford on Nov. 28, 1982 at Live Oak Baptist Church, in Jacksboro, Cecil was a rancher throughout his life. He attended Joy Baptist Church in Joy where he served on several committees. Cecil was a lifetime member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
He was on the board and has served as past president of the Clay County Farm Bureau as well as having been president of the Clay County Pioneer Association in 2013. Cecil was recognized as an honorary member of the Midway FFA and had served on the Midway School Board and received the Honorary Vocational FFA Award. Cecil was a lifetime supporter of the Clay County Junior Livestock Show and Sale.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and one sister, Sandra Alexander.
Cecil is survived by his wife, Betty Sparkman, Post Oak; daughters, Tracy Spivey and husband, Jess, Joy, Colleen Miles, Henrietta and Melissa Whitaker, Post Oak; sons, Cecil Dudley Sparkman Jr. and wife, Lori, Comanche and Rodney Winkles, Prospect; brothers, George Sparkman, and wife, Jeannie, Gainesville and Bob Sparkman and wife, Freida, Levelland; sisters, Nancy Bagoly and husband, Alex, Spencerport, N.Y., Virginia Newton and husband, Paul, Wichita Falls and Sally “Nelda” Marshall, Post Oak; grandchildren, Kandace “K.K.” Spivey and fiancé, Scott Akridge, Steven Miles and wife, Charissa, Kayla Gage and husband, Dustin, Crystal Lockridge and husband, Jayson, Danny Mack Whitaker and wife, Chelsea, Casey Throneberry and husband, Jessie, Cecil Dudley Sparkman, III “C.D.,” Daniel Spivey and wife, Nicole, Justin Fraley and wife, Kori, and Joey Fraley and wife, Maegen; 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Clay County Junior Livestock Association, P.O. Box 91, Henrietta, TX 76365, the Joy Volunteer Fire Department, 910 FM173, Henrietta, TX 76365 or the Joy Baptist Church Youth Program, 8805 Old Joy Shannon Rd., Henrietta, TX.
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Henrietta, TX
(940) 538-4395
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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