OBITUARIES

Marita Wilson Nichols

Published

4 years ago

02/02/2021

April 21, 1950 – January 20, 2021
FLINT, TX – Marita Wilson Nichols went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 30 surrounded by loved ones.
A private funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Feb. 3 at Cathedral in the Pines in Tyler with Eric Barton of Bethel Bible Downtown, officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Lowrance, Andy Thomason, Billy Lee, Gary Adams, Lee Adams, Bobby Ford, Glenn Ford, James Ford, Jay Coker, Danny Joe Nichols and Thomas Nichols.
Marita was born April 21, 1950 in Henrietta to Raymond L. and Marie Wilson. She grew up in Bowie where she attended Bowie schools and First Baptist Church as a child. She enjoyed school and loved all of the activities she participated in during high school, especially cheerleading with her best friends.
On May 30, 1970 Marita married her high school sweetheart Dean O Nichols (Don). They lived in Denton and moved to Rome, Georgia after Don graduated from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Law enforcement academy in Bethesda, MD. His occupation led them to many towns throughout the years; forever friends were made in Savannah, Georgia; Beaumont, San Antonio, DFW and Birmingham (Pelham) Alabama, before they retired in Flint.
While living in Alabama, Marita worked for Allen-Bradley as an administrative associate for more than 15 years where her multi-tasking skills came in handy as she worked with many engineers. She will be remembered by co-workers as “the office mom.”
When she and Don moved back to Texas to enjoy retirement, she found her new church family as a member of Green Acres Baptist Church for 15 years. She loved going to church and she loved church music.
Marita was mom to two daughters, Lisa Lowrance and Lori Thomason but she was also a beloved “mom” to their friends. Everyone was always welcome in the “Nichols” home where snacks were handy, and laughter was abundant.
Marita will be remembered for her smile and laughter as well as her easy-going nature. She was an amazing cook, decorated the most creative birthday cakes, and sewed special costumes and outfits for her kiddos.
She was always present and welcoming. She had a special bond with her two sisters and whenever they visited, there was a lot of laughter. Most of all, Marita will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family and friends.
Marita Nichols was preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Marie Wilson, Bowie; mother-in-law, Sophia Nichols, Bowie and sister, Beverly Ford, Corsicana.
She is survived by her husband, Don; daughter, Lisa Lowrance and husband, Michael; daughter, Lori Thomason and husband, Andy; granddaughter, Sophie Rose Morros; grandson, Adam Thomason; sister, Gloria Hamilton; brother-in-law, Bobby Ford; brother-in-law, Danny Joe Nichols; brother-in-law, Thomas Nichols and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful staff at Meadow Lake Senior Living; you have become family over these last three years. Your kindness and caregiving have been such a blessing. We appreciate the care provided by Solaris Hospice in taking such great care of our loved one. We would also like to thank Luanne Harms of the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County for her guidance and direction over the years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Tyler, Solaris Hospice or the charity of your choice.
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7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy.
Tyler, Texas
903-581-2008

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

2 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.