OBITUARIES
Verna Mae Brashear
March 29, 1935 – January 8, 2022
BOWIE – Verna Mae Brashear, 86, passed away, Jan. 8, 2022, in Fort Worth, TX.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Bowie. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 13, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Verna was born on March 29, 1935, to Albert Sidney Johnson and Cora Mae (Pillow) Johnson in Mount Vernon, TX. She always said she was lucky number seven of 10 children growing up in a big family with ties to history in Fort Worth and raised in Henrietta.
She graduated from Henrietta High School in 1953 where she later met Bobbie Brashear, Sr. at a rodeo dance, and they married 3 months later in Henrietta on Sept. 4, 1954. They moved to Houston while Bob attended Rice University where they begin their lives and 62-year history. They lived in Bowie for the rest of their lives raising three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Verna Mae spent many years as a rancher’s wife raising her kids acting as a leader in parent teacher association, Cub Scouts and Camp Fire girls, as well as participating as a field census enumerator. Verna Mae was then inspired to go to college and became an educator. She graduated from Midwestern State University receiving a bachelor degree in education in 1972.
She had a lifelong passion both for teaching and learning and taught in the Bowie Independent School District for 28 years. She started her career teaching at South Ward spending most of her time in third grade and finishing as a sixth-grade math teacher. She always said both grades were so impressionable and loved both the creativity and working with numbers. She always advocated for furthering your education. Texas history was her favorite subject to teach.
She had many creative passions including quilting, crocheting, collecting and dealing in western art and cooking for her family. She also spent many years feeding the Brashear Brother ranch hands and crisscrossing the state as a basketball coach’s wife.
Verna Mae was involved in several quilting guilds. She had quilting blocks selected as part of fundraising efforts for 9/11 families as well as a block in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s “Common Threads of Texas” exhibition at the 1997 State Fair.
She was well known for making her signature chocolate chip cookies for coaches, teachers, athletes and students. She also had an annual tradition of crocheting custom ornaments for her students, grandkids and great-grandkid’s classes and storytime kids at the library.
The family was her life. Verna Mae’s pride in her family was extraordinary. She was very proud and loved watching her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids over the years participating in all their endeavors such as sports, band, rodeo, one-act play, and most importantly their academics.
She was very civic-minded and loved her community and giving back. An avid supporter of the Bowie education system and the community as a whole, she contributed to “The Bowie Knife Project” along with her husband, Bob as well as the Bowie Education Foundation and the Bowie Mission. Contributions to Rice University’s higher education scholarship program were also an important priority.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobbie Brashear, Sr.; parents, Albert Sidney and Cora Mae (Pillow) Johnson; and siblings, Calvin, Hollis, Bobby, Buddy, Victor, and Bill Johnson, Joann Bachman, Katherine Nunez; and grandson, Matthew Brashear.
Verna Mae Johnson is survived by her children Bobbie Brashear, Jr., Jan Browning and husband Kevin, and Lance Brashear, all of Bowie; grandchildren, Jennifer Glover and husband Lyal Glover, Northlake; Tiffany and Clay Egenbacher, Vashti; Brandon and Jana Brashear, Snyder; Casey and Chelsea Brashear, Burleson; Chance Browning, Washington D.C.; Julia Hilker, Wichita Falls; Mikaela Neubauer, Arlington; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Stryker, Maverick and Marli Brashear, Cy and Tess Egenbacher, Stormy Brashear, and Claire and Ava Frederiksen and brother, Sidney Johnson, Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.
Paid publication
(940) 872-9993 www.thewhitefamilyfuneralhome.com
May 27, 1948 – July 14, 2024
MONTAGUE – John Riley Russell, 76, died July 14, 2024 following several battles with cancer.
At John’s request, there will be no formal service. There will be a casual family visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. John desired to be cremated, his ashes joined with Gerry’s in time and to be spread over his home place in Montague.
John was born in West Columbia, TX to Carl and Pauline Teague Russell on May 27, 1948. He was welcomed to the family by his big sister, Lynda.
The family moved to Bowie so that Carl could start Russell’s Department Store in 1951. John graduated from Bowie High School in 1966; he excelled in basketball under Coach Gayno Shelton’s guidance. John continued his education at Midwestern University where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
After marrying Gerry Galloway in 1968, John worked for General Dynamics, which later became Lockheed Martin. At that company he became a world traveler. He loved traveling, but his favorite place was at home with his wife and his beautiful daughter, Brandy Michelle, who was born in 1970.
After retiring in 2004, John and Gerry moved to Montague to live out their lives. They were blessed with two fantastic grandsons, Jax Riley Williams and Kaz Russell Williams. John took great pride in that both boys were named after him.
John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gerry Russell; his daughter, Brandy and her wonderful husband, Paul Williams and two grandsons, Jax and Kaz Williams. He also leaves behind his loving sister, Lynda Neeld and her daughters, Holly Bullock and Shawna Tomlin.
Expressions of sympathy to John’s family are appreciated, but please do not bother with flowers or memorials; instead, do something nice for a family member, friend or stranger; pet a pooch and think of John. Also, he would stress to all young people to stay away from tobacco products.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
May 27, 1941 – May 27, 1941
NOCONA – Raymond “Salty” Hudson Sr., 83, died on July 10, 2024.
A visitation was from 7 to 8 p.m. on July 12 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on July 13 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Donald Cheshier officiating. Interment will follow at Eagle Point Cemetery.
He was born on May 27, 1941 in Sentinel, OK to Henry and Eula McLaughlin Hudson. They later moved to Lubbock where he grew up. He married Doris May Partridge on Aug. 16, 1960 in Montague and together they had three children.
He worked for Justin Leathergoods for 23 years then Nocona Belt Company for more than 25 years until he retired with Bell Supply. He coached little league baseball where he started the teams for Justin Leathergoods. He also was involved in the Nocona Indians Booster Club for a number of years. Hudson also worked for R.B. Stout Furniture store where he did odd jobs, delivered and did repairs on appliances. He was a lifetime member of Shady Grove Community Church for more than 60 years where he served as treasurer and deacon.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Doris; sons, Ray and Kenny; daughter, Carmella; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild and eight step-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers make donations to Eagle Point Cemetery Association or Shady Grove Church, c/o Doris Hudson, 108 Jackson, Nocona, TX 76255.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home Nocona.
July 25,1958 – July 7, 2024
MONTAGUE – James “Jim” Edward Price Jr., 65, died on July 7, 2024 at home.
A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on July 17 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, with Pastor Gregg Shaw officiating.
He was born on July 25,1958 in Bridgeport where he lived most of his life. He worked at Gifford Hill and Hanson as a heavy diesel mechanic which he retired from after 45 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Barbara Price; sister, Rheeanna Gage and two grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Liz Price, Montague; son, Cody Price; daughter, Courtney Waldrip, Bowie; sister, Susie Rankin, Fort Worth; six grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Legend Bank for the Colby Price Scholarship and RheeAnna Gage Scholarship to help the upcoming senior class.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS8 months agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS1 year agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS12 months agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS1 year ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS1 year agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint