OBITUARIES

Vicki Sue Chappell

Published

3 years ago

02/15/2022

May 13, 1959 – January 31, 2022
FORT WORTH – Vicki Sue Chappell, 62, went to her heavenly home on Jan. 31, 2022, with her family by her side in Fort Worth, TX . A family visitation took place from 5 – 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A memorial service took place at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2022, at Freedom Life Church, in Bowie. Vicki was born on May 13, 1959, to Voyd V. and Othie Sue (O’Neal) Henry in Fort Worth. Vicki married the love of her life, Lowell Wayne Chappell, on August 12, 1978, in Hurst. She spent 43 wonderful years married to the man of her dreams, making memories and showing everyone what a Christian marriage truly was, caring for Lowell in every way until the very end. Vicki received her associate degree in early childhood development and deaf education from Tyler Junior College. She worked for Bowie Independent School District in the beginning as a sign language interrupter and later worked in the library for intermediate and junior high students where her love for reading and literature influenced many of her students’ futures. Vicki always loved to read and would spend hours getting lost in a story. She would say it was the best way to experience everything from the warmth and comfort of home. Vicki retired from the school many years ago after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome. She was very passionate about sharing and educating others about this autoimmune disorder. Vicki’s love of animals started at an early age. She was always surrounded by them and even had a favorite horse Joker who she would talk about riding around the Hurst, Euless and Bedford area while Lowell would be riding motorcycles when it was still mostly grass and land. She shared her love of animals with her husband, Lowell and children Sarah and Justin Chappell when they lived in Sunset until they moved to Bowie in 2011. Vicki’s beloved great dane, Stella, began her love for this breed of dog. She and Lowell later welcomed fraternal twins Frankie and Gracie who she saw on Facebook and instantly knew she would welcome them into their home. Later they rescued sweet Waylon, whom they found on a rescue site. She always referred to him as their gentle giant. They felt their family of danes was complete until she found a female who was the sister to her beloved Stella, who had passed away a few years before. So, Dottie Gale would join and complete their great dane family of four. These sweet animals would become her passion for life along with her beautiful family. Vicki had an amazing singing voice and most in her later years were not aware of it. She performed in her high school choir at Trinity High School in Euless. She later shared her love for music and singing with her daughter Sarah. She would spend many hours coaching her daughter on vocal lines and helping with a celebration at Bowie High School. It was a passion they shared even on those last days in the hospital. Sarah sang “Amazing Grace” to her mother in those last moments of her life. It was one of Vicki’s favorite hymns and sang it so beautifully in church. Vicki was loved by her daughter, Sarah and son, Justin and later welcomed her another daughter, Heather when Justin married in 2006, but considered her family when they met in 1996. She was the mom who would do anything for her children, and later, her grandchildren. You could always find her in the school parking lot with a book in hand late at night waiting on one of her kids to get home from a school event. Excited to hear about all the details. She was a very active mom and was always eager to sign up to help no matter the cause. She has many extended children who she adopted over the years that she considered her own. She welcomed into the world all four of her beautiful grandchildren. Sydney Erin was born in February 2000 and gave her the beloved of “Nana.” She and Sydney shared a special, unbreakable bond from the start. Vicki was greeted at heaven’s gate by her cherished Sydney who had recently been taken home to heaven on Sept. 3, 2021. Vicki has missed her every day since. Hinson Lowell was born in August 2010 to Justin and Heather Chappell and six weeks later, she welcomed granddaughter, Lauren Claire in September. She thought her nest was complete until she welcomed her last grandchild, Harrison Sawyer “Hurricane” in July 2017. She adored her grandchildren and would often be seen on TikTok making silly videos with the girls or playing some new game the boys had her try. They were her world and she made sure they knew how much they were loved every day. Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, V.V. and Sue Henry; brother, Ronnie Henry; granddaughter, Sydney Chappell and her beloved great dane, Stella. Vicki is survived by her husband, Lowell Chappell; daughter, Sarah Chappell; son, Justin Chappell and wife, Heather; parents-in-marriage, Johnny and Fran Chappell; brother, Michael Henry and wife, Dee Ann Wichita Falls; sisters-in-law, Janiel Henry, San Antonio and Shelia Duggan and husband, Jim Haslet; grandchildren, Lauren Claire, Hinson Lowell and Harrison Sawyer along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made to The Bowie Animal Shelter in honor of her and the unfailing love she had for all animals.
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1418 Highway 59 N. Bowie, Texas
(940)-872-9993 www.TheWhiteFamilyFuneralHome.com

OBITUARIES

William Donald Cleveland

Published

2 days ago

11/22/2024

bowienews

October 4, 1948 – November 20, 2024
BOWIE – William Donald Cleveland was born Oct. 4, 1948 in Bowie to Donald Dean and Betty Isabella Cleveland. He died Nov. 20, 2024 at age 76 at his home in Bowie.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 23 at First Baptist Church of Alvord with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Alvord Cemetery.
One of his treasures in life was growing up in Post Oak with his sister, Marsha, having the advantage of their Papaw Cleveland living with them and sharing his love, wisdom and love for the Lord. His mentor and pastor Tom Urrey, “Tinker” held a special place in his heart and life as well.
He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1967. He then went to Howard Payne on a track scholarship, graduated from Midwestern University with a bachelor of arts in English, attended Southwestern Theological Seminary and later worked toward a masters degree in psychology at Midwestern University.
He began his career while attending Howard Payne as youth minister at First Baptist Llano, TX. He then became youth minister at Southwest Baptist Church in Jacksboro,while attending Seminary. Next, he was youth minister at Sunnyside Baptist in Wichita Falls, then on to First Baptist Childress as music and youth minister. He then established Cleveland Electric in Bowie while serving several churches part time.
In 1994, he began his ministry at First Baptist Alvord and served as pastor for 28 years. He was instrumental in overseeing the building of a new sanctuary in 2009 along with many members who did most of the work themselves. His one request was that the building have a cornerstone that had the name “Jesus” inscribed and built into the building. His wish was that no man take the glory except God. God used Bill to lead many people to Christ through his preaching, counseling, hospital visits, vacation bible schools, bible studies, youth mission trips and ski trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Betty Cleveland, Sara Bayard and Andrea Wood.
Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Paula; his “little” sister and “big” brother Marsha and Mike Robinson, Jacksboro; children, Shawn Cleveland and wife Stephanie, Plano; Shanna Cleveland, Boston, MA; grandchildren, Claire, Christopher and Cole Cleveland. Also, Barry and Rhonda Clark, Kent and Pam Wood; grandchildren, Melissa and Zeke Dorr, Macie and Cody Rollins, Kregg and Jordan Wood, Kyle and Lorraine Wood and great-grandchildren, Clark and Nicholas Dorr, Callie and Sadie Rollins, Hallie and Cooper Wood and Grayson Wood.
Memorial contributions should be made to the First Baptist Church Alvord building fund.
His request was to have the word Tetelestai on his headstone, meaning, “It is finished.”
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Gloria Kay Bell

Published

5 days ago

11/19/2024

bowienews

October 23, 1946 – November 15, 2024
Little River-Academy, TX – Gloria Kay Bell, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 15, 2024.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Bowie with the Rev. Lavern Janssen and the Rev. Mark DeYoung officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Stoneburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gloria was born on Oct. 23, 1946 in Bowie to Russell and Linda (Roth) Johnson. She married the love of her life, Ronnie Bell on July 5, 1969 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, where she also was baptized and confirmed. Ronnie and Gloria shared 55 happy years together.
Gloria loved little children and her family. She loved to sing, participating in school choirs and also church choirs where she attended worship. She also loved to paint, selling several paintings and having her artwork displayed in galleries. People from all over are still enjoying her talent.
She retired from First Financial Bank of Abilene where she worked in several different departments which kept her on her toes, but she loved her job and working with the public.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Ronnie Bell, Little River-Academy, TX; son, Brian Bell and wife Shanna, Wagoner, OK; daughter, Lori Johnson and husband Brandon, Winchester, KY; brother, Steven Johnson and wife Joslon, Nocona; sister, Doria Counts and husband James, Graham; grandchildren, Hailey Bell and Hayden Bell and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Rhonda Duncan Ford

Published

5 days ago

11/19/2024

bowienews

August 15, 1951 – November 15, 2024
NOCONA – Rhonda Duncan Ford, 73, died Nov. 15, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A graveside service will be at noon Nov. 21 at the Joy Cemetery, 8830 Old Joy Shannon Rd, Henrietta, TX 76365, with Bro. Rex Cobb officiating
She was born on Aug. 15, 1951, to J.M. and June Duncan in Amarillo. She attended Vernon Regional Junior College obtaining her nursing license as a licensed vocational nurse. She worked for many years at nursing homes around Bowie. In the 90’s she went to work for Dr. Len Dingler in Nocona and the Nocona General Hospital for a while. She married Bobby Ford on Aug. 10, 1979.
She is preceded in death by her parents, J.M Duncan and June Duncan; her husband of 41 years, Bobby Lee Ford; sister, Gail Schenk; daughter, Teresa Quillen nd newborn son, Floyd Alan Ford.
She is survived by children, Kenneth Ford, David Ford, Clarissa Fletcher and Amie Mankhambira; one son-in-law; 14 grandchildren; sisters, Jamie Baack, Mica Duncan Thomas and Sharla Gallion; one sister-in-law and many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.