OBITUARIES
Jerry Glynn Shofner
August 26, 1935 – February 14, 2022
SAINT JO – Jerry Glynn Shofner, 86, died on Feb. 14, 2022 in Saint Jo, TX.
A private family service will take place on a later date.
Shofner was born on Aug. 26, 1935, in Wichita Falls to Charles Harlon and Laura Kathryn (Cooper) Shofner and grew up in Capps Corner. After graduating from high school in Saint Jo, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went off to boot camp. After three years as a Marine, he transferred and enlisted in the United States Navy. During the Vietnam War, he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS America and was aboard the USS Forrestal during the devastating flight deck fire. Shofner served several tours overseas in Morocco (Where daughters, Deborah and Sonya were born), Brazil and Puerto Rico. Chief Shofner then ‘endured’ back-to-back tours in Key West during the last 60s and early 70s serving as a lead yeoman on the flagstaff at the Truman Annex. Final orders sent him to Cecil Field in Jacksonville, where his final daughter, Patricia, was born.
Shofner retired as a Senior Chief out of Attack Squadron 174 with just over 24 years of service to his country. He and his family stayed in Jacksonville for several more years where he continued to work at Cecil Field as a civilian. He later moved back to Saint Jo and ran the local hardware store and met Margaret. They were together for 33 years.
He was preceded in death by parents, Charles and Laura Shofner; first wife: Blanche Shofner; daughter, D’Ann and twin brother, Don.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughters, Deborah Carmean, Sonya Van Gheem and Patricia Jelenek; step-children, Marie Broyles, Kenneth Haynes, and David Haynes; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in his memory.
Arrangements are entrusted by the Scott Funeral Home in Saint Jo.
OBITUARIES
Maggie Killen
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
OBITUARIES
Sammy Joe Mitchell
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
OBITUARIES
Lesli Jan Phipps
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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