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OBITUARIES

Margaret Kate Reed

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September 12, 1932 – April 2021
STRATFORD – Margaret Kate VanVacter, 89, passed away on April 18, 2021.
Interment will be at 10 a.m. on April 22 at the Stratford Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Rinne officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 21 at the funeral home.
Margaret Kate VanVacter was born in Magnum, OK on Sept. 12, 1932 to Leon and Eugenia VanVacter. They moved to Bowie when she was two years old.
Margaret attended school in the little town of Stoneburg where she was co-valedictorian of the eighth grade. She changed schools to Bowie at the beginning of her junior year and was the valedictorian of her high school class. During these high school years, she was introduced to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs-Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs by her mother who attended the maids and matrons club of Bowie. She was active in volleyball and debating which both won district her senior year—this was as far as they went at this time. Margaret was a member of Alpha Chi, National Honor Society and Los Caballeros Riding Club. She attended Texas Women’s University one year and transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton the following year. She graduated from UNT in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in education. During her college years, she was Rodeo Queen of the Bowie Pioneer Days Celebration.
She taught school for 11 years. She met Bill, her husband while teaching her first year in Spearman. She taught the next two years at Dumas and then moved to Stratford after she and Bill married. She taught the remainder of her 11 years at Stratford.
William Glenn “Bill” Reed Jr. and Margaret Kate VanVacter were married in Clayton, NM on May 19, 1956. They had two sons William R. “Ricky” Reed and Donal L. “Don” Reed. They formed a partnership together named Bill Reed and Sons on Dec. 1, 1982. Bill Reed and Sons was awarded several awards such as Farmer of the Year from Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2002, and Farmer of the Year 2013 KGNC and Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. They also formed Reed Inc., and Butte Lake Ranch. She kept records and accounts for the multiple farm and ranch enterprises that the family owns and operates. She even raised baby bottle calves in the backyard. She felt that a life in agriculture is a great legacy to pass down through the generations. Margaret enjoyed hosting the family holiday gatherings for her children and grandchildren. Where her infamous ice cream cake was often requested. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their sporting events, rodeos and stock shows. She enjoyed going to Texas Tech University football and basketball games.
Margaret served her community in various roles. Throughout her life she was a member of several boards, clubs and councils. She was a member of the Stratford Independent School District school board for five terms and was the first woman elected to be a member of that board. She was a member of the Sherman County Hospital District where she served as Board President. She was a member of the Education Endowment Board from origination until 2010. Margaret was a member of The Stratford Area Foundation Board. She was a member of the Top of Texas Girlstown Endowment Board at the time Girlstown became part of Boys Ranch. She served as the President of the Sherman County Library Board. She was also a member of the board that started Lollipop Day Care in Stratford. Margaret was also a Cub Scout leader for six years. She was a SCOT Board member and taught the Pricilla Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church of Stratford.
Margaret was a Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Life Member, a member of TFWC Historical Foundation for 10 years and helped restore the financial stability of the 30,000 square foot TFWC Clubhouse in Austin, TX. Margaret was to be receiving her 50th-year membership pin for TFWC. She was awarded the Outstanding Club Woman of the Top of Texas District where she also served two terms as President. She was a member of the Prospectus Study Club for 53 years. The Sherman County history book titled God Grass and Grit Volume one was published by Prospectus Study Club while Margaret was President.
She won several awards during her lifetime. Margaret was the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority girl of the year for two years. She was awarded the Sherman County Conservation Homemaker in 2004, the Region I Conservation Homemaker in 2005 and the 2000 Distinguished Service Award from the Women’s Forum of Amarillo. She was one of the seven panhandle women to receive the 2000 Distinguished Service Award.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Eugenia VanVacter; husband, Bill Reed; brother, Leighton VanVacter and son Ricky Reed.
She is survived by her son, Don and wife, ViAnn, Stratford; daughter-in-law, D’Lynn, Stratford; grandsons, Adam, Stratford, Brad and wife, Rachael, Sunray, Brent and wife, Alexa, Stratford; granddaughter, Katelyn Salcido and husband, Cesar, Stratford; great-grandchildren, Brayson, Aubrey, Brexlann, Raegan, Brynlee, Kollin and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Lollipop Junction, PO Box 411, Stratford, TX 79084 or Sherman County Area Foundation, PO Box 48, Stratford, TX 79084 or Sherman County Library, 1719 Main Street, Stratford, TX 79084.
Arrangements are entrusted to Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.
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BEESON ~ MORRISON
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1015 S Dumas Ave| Dumas, TX | 806-935-4646

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OBITUARIES

Hubert James Gray

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July 24, 1943 – May 3, 2024
BELLEVUE – Hubert James Gray, 80, laid down his working tools on May 3, 2024 in Bellevue.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 8 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A service to celebrate Hubert’s life will be at 1 p.m. on May 9 at the Methodist Church in Bellevue. Interment will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.
Hubert was born on July 24, 1943 in Fort Worth to Earnest and Hazel Gray. Hubert grew up in Roanoke where he met his former wife Sandra Savage, and together they raised three daughters in Justin.
Hubert went on to meet and fall in love with Elizabeth Orton in Bellevue, who he wedded on March 11, 1994 in Bowie. Together the two built a joyful life full of grandchildren, adventure, travel and sweet humor.
Hubert worked as a carpenter for several decades and was an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses, having a positive impact on countless peoples life’s.
Hubert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, later becoming a member of the Methodist Church of Bellevue. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge #668 in Roanoke, where he was initiated as an Enter Apprentice on March 28, 1972, passing to the degree as a Fellowcraft on May 2, 1972. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 15, 1972.
Hubert was a kind and gentle man who always put his family first. He was a jokester who’s contagious laughter and warm smile lit up every room he entered.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Hazel Gray; daughter, Sherri Fitzgerald; son, Robert Orton; grandsons, Michael Orton, Christopher Orton and James Huber and sons-in-law, Dennis McLaughlin and Chuck Sword.
Hubert’s legacy continues through his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Trinda Mulkey and husband Scott, Justin and Juli Seale and husband Rick, Blue Mound; sons, Billy Orton and wife Misty, Bellevue, Harry Orton and wife Sunie, Colorado Springs, CO and Eddie Orton and wife Evelin, Bellevue; daughter-in-law, Martha Tompkins, Van Buren, AK; brothers, Milborn Gray and wife Clay, Roanoke, Earl Gray and wife Linda, Justin and Dearl Gray and wife Joyce, Justin; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Betty J. Fuller Flinn

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August 28, 1931 – May 5, 2024
BUFFALO SPRINGS – Betty J. Fuller Flinn departed this life and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 5, 2024.
A visitation will be from 6 – 7 p.m. on May 10 at Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 11 at Buffalo Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Waller officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
Betty was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Pleasant Valley to Charlie and Bill Evans Fuller of Buffalo Springs. She graduated high school in Bellevue and resided most of her life in Buffalo Springs. She attended some of her school days at Midway School and also served as a teacher’s aide at Midway for several years.
Betty had deep roots in Clay County. Betty was a Clay County Pioneer Association Duchess and always enjoyed the Pioneer Reunion festivities. She received the honor, along with her husband Harry, as being the oldest married couple for three years. She also was recognized as the Oldest Native Daughter in 2023. Betty actively served her community in many ways. She was president of the Buffalo Springs Cemetery Association for a number of years. She also was a member of Buffalo Springs Rock Church and loved attending services there.
Betty was a loyal and dedicated wife and mother. She was extremely dedicated to her children and she spent her life making their needs a priority. Betty also was a talented seamstress and actively sewed all her adult life making clothes, especially western shirts, for her friends and family. Betty was known for her acts of service, her love of family, her deeds of kindness and her generous spirit. Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Betty married Harry Joseph Flinn of Bellevue on Dec. 26, 1949. He preceded her in death on Aug. 4, 2021.
They had four children: Charles Ray Flinn (deceased) and wife Sheron Clemmons Flinn, Gilmer, TX, Pamela Kay Flinn, Buffalo Springs, Roger Thomas Flinn and wife Melba Akin Flinn, Bluegrove and Clarence Lawton Flinn and wife Angel Cooper Flinn, Wills Point. Betty also is survived by her brother, Gerald Fuller and wife Patsy Davis Fuller, Wichita Falls and Pat Dunn, Bowie; nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Home of Henrietta.

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OBITUARIES

James Wilson Atkinson

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October 11, 1944 – May 6, 2024
NOCONA – James Wilson Atkinson, 79, died on May 6, 2024.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on May 10 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
He was born in Seminole, OK on Oct. 11, 1944 to John and Georgiana Atkinson. He attended 19 schools and graduated early from Altus, OK high school. His first job was in a grocery store and he quickly worked up to manager. This experience was the basis for his bookkeeping knowledge that served him well as an entrepreneur. Throughout his career he owned a barber shop, a cafe, a gunshop and a grocery store, among many other things. He was the mayor of Healton, OK, got his pilot’s license and developed Nocona Hills.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Georgiana Atkinson and wife, Margie.
He’s survived by his brother, Martin Atkinson; two nieces and one nephew.
In lieu of flowers, send contributions in his honor to Nocona Hills Owners Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

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