OBITUARIES
Mary LaVell Mitchell
October 2, 1928 – December 23, 2021
BRIDGEPORT – The family of Mary LaVell Mitchell, 93, is deeply saddened to report her passing on Dec. 23, 2021 at her home of 48 years in Bridgeport, TX with daughters at her side.
A funeral service for Mary will be at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Cates Street Church of Christ in Bridgeport, officiated by brother Scott Strother. The burial will follow in Bridgeport’s Eastside Cemetery. The visitation also will be at 1 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the church.
Mary was born on Oct. 2, 1928, in Jack County to Archie Thomas and Ettie Reed Hicks. She attended school in Rocky Point and later at Bowie High School. On Dec. 21, 1945, just a few months after the end of World War II, she married returning veteran, Herbert Aubrey Mitchell in Montague County. He was known to friends, colleagues and co-workers as H.A. or just Mitch.
In the next few years, her husband took jobs as a bulldozer operator on-road and dam projects and the family lived in 14 different towns in Texas. During this time, her son, Thomas and daughters, Jan and Doris were born before eventually settling in Bridgeport. Nearly two decades later, her son, Joe and daughter, Dee Ann were born. In March of 1972, H.A. was killed in a fiery oil field accident, leaving Mary to raise their two small children. To make ends meet she went to work for the Bridgeport Independent School District and retired after 20 years.
All who knew her attested to the fact she was a shining example of honesty, integrity and virtue. She was an accomplished seamstress, who made countless quilts for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She once made matching shirts for her husband and children before a vacation trip so all could be easily spotted.
She also was an outstanding cook, especially cakes and pies. She was an active member of Cates Street Church of Christ and was a founding member of the Wise County Quilt Guild.
She remained alert and vivacious, even attending and actively participating in a Thanksgiving Day gathering in Bowie with her extended family. She succumbed after a brief illness.
She is preceded in death by her siblings, Elizabeth Hicks, Rotha May Hicks, Sadie Tage, Janie Ford, Florine Deweber and Archie Thomas Hicks, Jr.
She is survived by her children, Thomas Mitchell and wife, Jo, Las Vegas, Jan Graham and husband, Jim, Bridgeport, Doris Casey and husband, Dave, Copper Canyon, Joe Mitchell, Austin and Dee Ann Mitchell, Conroe; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cates Street Church of Christ, 1406 E. Cates Street, Bridgeport, TX 76426, Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, 604 N Trinity St, Decatur, TX 76234, and CASA of Wise County, 300 E. Pecan St, Decatur, TX 76234.
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December 27, 1965 – August 12, 2026
NOCONA – Daniel Forrest Barrett, 60, died on Aug. 12, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born Dec. 27, 1965, in Spring Branch to James Harry Barrett and Opal Laverne Henderson. He played football at Northwestern and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked mostly as a stock broker.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Barrett.
He is survived by his three children, Reagan, Dylan and Connor; two grandchildren; sister, Sherri Lynn Watson; two nieces; one nephew and siblings, Jesse, Rich and Cheryl.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
July 24, 1960 – August 12, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – David Duke, 66, died on Aug. 12, 2026 in Wichita Falls, TX.
There was a visitation from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the Abundant Life Church officiated by Pastor James Messer.
Interment followed in Terral Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Harris, Randy Croxton, Wiley Vanover, Zak Weaver, Bradley Lawrence and Ross Atteberry. Honorary pallbearers were David Morrison and the Red River Dozer Crew.
He was born on July 24, 1960 in Bowie to Harvey and Marjorie Romine Duke. He was a dozer operator mainly for Red River Dozer. He grew up in Terral, OK where he graduated high school. He married Micheal Heathington on Nov. 26, 1994 in Spanish Fort.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Micheal Duke; children, Leslie Halt, Kendra Grottie and Kyle Duke; sisters, Delores Weatherly and Sharon Westbrook; brothers, Ricky Duke and Ronnie Duke, and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Point Cemetery Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
June 12, 1981 – August 2, 2026
DALLAS – Timothy Tompkins, 45, died on Aug. 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX.
There was a memorial service on at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Sparkman officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
He was born on June 12, 1981 to Sam and Paula Tompkins in Wichita Falls. He was a driver, worked the oil industry for several years, wroked as a ranch manager and carpenter. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church. He married Christy Marie Harris on Sept. 24, 2005 in Nocona.
He is survived by his wife, Christy Tompkins, Nocona; parents, Sam and Paula Tompkins, Spanish Fort; sister, Amanda York, Wichita Falls; children, Samantha Dawn Tompkins, Stephenville, Brock Wilson Tompkins, Frisco, Deagan Brodie Tompkins, Spanish Fort, Lillian Marie “Lili” Tompkins, Spanish Fort and three nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church, P.O. Box 330, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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