OBITUARIES
Mary Ellen Cooper
July 26, 1941 – November 16, 2022
JACKSBORO – Mary Ellen Cooper, 81, Jacksboro, passed away Nov. 16, 2022 at Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Bowie, with family by her side.
A visitation will be at 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Coker Funeral Home in Jacksboro. A funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of Davis Funeral Home of Henrietta. Private family burial will take place at a later time.
Mary Ellen was born July 26, 1941, in Portales, NM to Nathaniel and Leona (Ring) Lea. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1959. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life, Monty Ray Cooper, and they married Dec. 8, 1962, at the First Christian Church in Lubbock.
Once they started their life together, they moved to Brownfield and lived there until July, 1980. Mary Ellen worked for the City of Brownfield and perused her passion for sewing in the “Sew it with Cotton” contests in the west Texas area for many years.
Monty and Mary Ellen moved to Jacksboro in July of 1980 and have lived here ever since. They were both active members of the Memorial Christian Church. Mary Ellen had served as a board member, taught Sunday school for many years and found great joy in singing in the choir on Sunday mornings. She was also a long-time member of Christian Women’s Fellowship.
Mary Ellen retired after 17 years of service from TXU on July 26, 2006. In her retirement she continued to sew pageant dresses for her granddaughter Lindsey, numerous Halloween costumes for the other grandchildren and was able to attended many events and functions supporting her eight grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother, doting Mams, and a beautiful friend to many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lewis Lea, sister Nelda Blevins and grandson Brock Cooper.
Mary Ellen is survived by her loving husband, Monty, Jacksboro; son Curtis Cooper and wife Lindy, Cross Plains, daughter Valerie Crafton and husband Shane, Henrietta, daughter Stephanie Lander and husband Kevin, Shady Shores; grandsons Dusty Cooper and wife Katie, Franklin, Tyler Crafton, Wichita Falls, Ryan Crafton, Wichita Falls, Cooper Lander, Shady Shores; granddaughters Lindsey Hoff and husband Kirkland, Dean, Emma Lander and Faith Lander, Shady Shores; four great-grandchildren, a sister Shirley Stults, Archer City and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the love and care Mary Ellen received from Beyond Faith Hospice of Wichita Falls.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Jacksboro Parish or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Paid publication
February 9, 1968 – July 4, 2026
BOWIE – Steven Douglas Drury, 58 died on July 4, 2026.
A private celebration of life for the family was on July 10.
He was an entrepreneur and created his business Drill Rig Depot.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Drury; four children, Sydney, Ben, Bailey and Josie; six grandchildren; parents, Don and Lois Drury; and brothers, David, Danny and Christopher.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
December 22, 1959 – July 1, 2026
SUNSET – John Wayne Shelton, 66, died on July 1, 2026.
There was a celebration of life for him from 5 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Nocona Brewery.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1959 to Wade and Thelma Shelton in Nocona. He worked in the oilfield most of his life. He married Stephanie Burleson on Dec. 13, 1984 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his children, Jared Shelton, Bowie and Stacia Lorenz, Tennessee; sister, Serina Thomas, Bowie; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
March 3, 1962 – July 6, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Weldon Ray Duff, 64, died on July 6, 2026.
There was a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 at Jerry Woods Chapel in Nocona. A graveside service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Ringgold Cemetery with Richard Allen officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Bonham, Jimmy Smith, Hatch Womack, Lynn Bugsy Allen, Blake Allen, Marlin Franklin, Joe Barnhill and Butch Matthews.
Duff was born on March 3, 1962 in Henrietta to Benjamin Franklin Duff Jr. and Myra Durham Duff. He worked as a machinist and was known as a “Jack-Of-All-Trades.”
Duff was a member of Bowie Masonic Lodge 578. He married Jowana Bussey on Aug. 8, 1980 in Ringgold.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Jowana Duff, Ringgold; daughter, Jessica Lierly, Collinsville; sister, Becky Case, Stoneburg; brother, Benjamin Franklin Duff III, Lonegrove, OK and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 440 Cypress Ave., Wichita Falls or Ringgold Cemetery Association, 1108 Hanson Rd., Ringgold.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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