OBITUARIES
Shirley Carrol (Phillips) Porter
July 30, 1941 – September 16, 2021
BOWIE – Shirley Carrol (Phillips) Porter, 80, died on Sept. 16, 2021.
A memorial service will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Tales ‘N’ Trails meeting room.
Porter was born on July 30, 1941, in Nocona to David Scott Phillips and Jewel (Tucker) Phillips. In 1959, she graduated from Nocona High School. Porter attended North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas. She married Wayne Willis Porter on May 28, 1961 in Nocona.
She received a bachelor of arts in education in 1963 from Sam Houston State Teacher’s College, now Sam Houston State University. In 1967, she received certification for special education from Texas Woman’s University. In 1993, she received a master of education with a focus on gifted education from Texas Woman’s University. Porter taught first grade in Florida, third grade in North Carolina and special education in Bowie. She took a break from teaching in 1982 to open the Bent Tree Bookstore in downtown Bowie, which also was the first store in Bowie to provide teaching supplies in the area.
After selling the bookstore in 1984, she returned to teaching in Nocona, where she taught seventh and eighth grade English, reading, gifted education, creative writing and one-act play, before retiring in 2001. She also had a passion for writing and published in professional journals and enjoyed writing stories for children and young adults including two books, “The Red Brick House” and “Red River Dust.”
Porter is survived by her husband, Wayne; sons, Weston Wayne Porter and Bradley Wayne Porter; siblings, Sandra Elizabeth (Phillips) Reynolds and Danny Scott Phillips; two grandsons and numerous niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Arrangements entrusted by Hillier Funeral Home.
July 15, 1958 – October 30, 2026
BOWIE – Russell Kelvin Reed, 68, passed away on Oct. 30, 2026 surrounded by his children.
A memorial service will take place on at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie.
Russell was born July 15, 1958 in Bowie to Leon and Doris Reed. Throughout his life, he worked in the oilfield and as an ironworker, taking pride in hard work and a job well done. Russell carried a gentle, hippie soul through everything he did. He believed in peace, lived with a free spirit, and brought warmth, humor and a genuine love for people wherever he went.
Deep in his heart, he loved the Lord and found joy in serving Jesus Christ and sharing His grace with others. Above all, he cherished the time he spent surrounded by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Martin; and best friends, Kevin Matlock and Steve Henry.
Russell is survived by his children, Jesse Reed, Brittney Simpson and husband Dale, Shane Everitt, and Aimee Goodwyn and husband Danell; a treasury of precious grandchildren who brought so much light to his life; Cindy Reed, the mother of his children; siblings, Steve Reed and wife Jane, Tommy Reed and wife Cathy, Debbie Del Rio and husband Jose, and Scott Reed and wife Ann; and an extended circle of family and friends who loved him dearly.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
July 10, 1996 – October 30, 2026
NOCONA – Nelson Taylor Haynes, 30, died on Oct. 30, 2026.
A visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
The graveside service will be held on November 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He was born on July 10, 1996 to James and Amanda Haynes in Nocona.
He was the son of James and Amanda Haynes; brother to Sidney and Courtney Haynes; stepbrother to Cassidy and Connor Cartridge; nephew to aunts and uncles; and a cousin and an uncle.
March 15, 1938 – November 1, 2026
NOCONA – Norma Jean Oldham, 88, died on Nov. 1, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
She was born March 15, 1938 in Lewisville to Roland and Alice Heath.
She was the beloved wife of James Oldham and they were married 44 years.
Oldham worked for more than 25 years at Nocona Belt Company.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Royce and Ernest Heath.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Moore, Saint Jo; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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