OBITUARIES
Steven Lynn Gibbs
January 14, 1956 – June 7, 2022
CONROE – Steven Lynn Gibbs, 66, passed away peacefully at home with family on June 7, 2022 in Conroe, TX.
A celebration of life will be take place at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Montgomery at 11 a.m. on June 17, 2022. A reception will be from 12:30-4 p.m. at the Montgomery Community Center, 14420 Liberty St., Montgomery.
Born in Gainesville on Jan. 14, 1956, Steve’s family moved to Bowie in 1960 where they lived throughout his school years. Steve was a gifted athlete in all sports and lettered four years in basketball, football and track at Bowie High School where he graduated in 1974. Steve was inducted into the Bowie High School Hall of Honor in 2016.
Steve moved to Conroe in 1979, and married the love of his life Brenda on Oct. 25, 1980 in Hillsboro. Steve was Brenda’s “knight in shining armor.” They shared a wonderful life together, married for 42 years plus four years of love in college before they married.
He was an avid fan of sports, he loved animals, the outdoors, the water and boating. He loved music, especially blues and classic rock. Steve loved his alone time, and he loved his family and friends. He was a gentle giant and had an eye for beauty.
He was a successful business owner and retired in May, 2021.
He is preceded in death by his father, Albert Clark Gibbs; mother, Evelyn Mae Mauldin Gibbs; sister, Donna Sue Gibbs; father and mother- in- law, Rayford and Evelyn Allen of Hillsboro and brother- in- law, Troy Allen, Hillsboro.
He is survived by wife, Brenda Allen Gibbs, Conroe; brother Mike Gibbs and wife Mary, Richmond, MO; brother-in-law, Tommy Allen, Hillsboro; brother Tracy Allen and wife Janell, Hillsboro and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the SPCA, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. You may leave written condolences to his family at www.shmfh.com.
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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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