OBITUARIES
Norma Jean Taylor
January 10, 1929 – May 31, 2021
WICHITA FALLS – Norma Jean Taylor, 92, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on May 31, 2021 in Wichita Falls, TX after a long and blessed life.
A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on June 10 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. Her sons, Jeff and Joe Taylor, will offer a brief eulogy and message of encouragement from God’s Word. The Rev. Mike Henson, her longtime friend and pastor, will also assist with the graveside service. Details for this service will be entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Jean was born on Jan. 10, 1929 to Louise and Herbert Rogers. She married Jeff Taylor on Aug. 20, 1952 in Bowie. She deeply loved the Lord, her family, and her friends. She loved watching her kids live out their lives, whether it was in sports, music, academics or in their careers and families. She loved learning to play the organ and piano. She loved eating at the local Dairy Queen with dear friends. She was a cheerful and joyful lady to be around.
She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, Bowie, and sang in the choir for many years, as well as volunteered for many committees and ministries there. She was active in Sunday School, the community and in the lives of those around her. She deeply loved the town of Bowie that she called home for so long.
Jean was preceded in death by her mother, Louise; father, Herbert; husband, Jeff; daughter, Vickie and her son, Danny; grandson, Donny Hill and great-grandson, Cory Hill.
Jean is survived by her children, Jeff and Wilma, Irvine, CA, Joe and Julie, Reno, NV, Julie and Jim Johnson, Wichita Falls; sister, Elizabeth Faulkner, Casa Grande, AZ; 10 grandchildren, David and Bonnie, Michelle, Daniel, Micah and Nikki, Emily and Jared, Cal and Sarah, Samuel, Luke and Mallori, Hannah and Joey and Grace; four great-grandchildren, Jamie, Anna, Jack and Walker; six great-great-grandchildren and a host of other family members, loved ones and friends.
In her personal Bible is a marked verse that says: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25). We are confident this is now realized by Jean in heaven with her Lord.
The family offers a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who loved, aided and supported Jean throughout her long and fulfilling life. Each of you are deeply cherished. The family’s grief is made so much lighter because of each of you who loved Jean. May our great God be with you all.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that any donations be made in Jean Taylor’s name, to the Music Ministry at First Baptist Church, 306 Cooper Street, Bowie, TX 76230.
(940) 872-9993 www.thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com
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
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
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.
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS2 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS3 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint