OBITUARIES
John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens
January 30, 1936 – June 2, 2023
SAINT JO – John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2023 at the age of 87 after a brief illness.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 4 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on June 5 at the Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie, with David Hall and Jon Page as the officiants. Pallbearers were Charles Stephens, Michael E. Stephens, Michael D. Stephens, Cameron Turner, Liam Turner and Fred Bost. Burial followed at Greenbrier Cemetery near Nocona.
J.C. was born Jan. 30, 1936 near Capps Corner (Montague County) to Charles Harmon Stephens and Zela Marguerite Walters Stephens. He graduated from Capps Corner High School and went to work in the oil field. Later he worked building the B-58 for Convair. He also served as a Warrant Office for Saginaw. He finished 36 years at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth where he retired. J.C. returned to where his family started in Saint Jo, revisiting many friends and igniting new relationships. He was a member of Freemasonry.
He married Beverly Denton on June 17, 1957 in Bowie and they had two sons, Charles and Michael. Family was important to J.C. He enjoyed family outings and reunions. He always was willing to help family and friends. For many years he would help his father move houses on his weekends off. Being mechanically minded, he could operate and repair any machine or vehicle. This aptitude swayed some family and friends in their career choices.
J. C. and Beverly enjoyed camping in Colorado and other places in the States. He earned his Private Pilot’s license and had several airplanes through the years which he enjoyed. He wanted his family to enjoy planes and ensured that Beverly and the boys were able to earn their licenses. They attended many airshows and eventually joined the Commemorative Air Force where he marshaled at air shows. Beverly also became a leader in the Women’s Pilots organization, the “99’s.”
He enjoyed his church family. J.C. had a strong faith in the Lord and was willing to witness to others. He finished the vision his parents had in donating property to their church home. After a life of hard work and servant attitude the Lord has surely welcomed him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Zela Stephens; brothers, Ace and Benny Stephens and sister, Betty Brady.
J.C. is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Charles Stephens and wife Shirley; son, Michael Stephens; grandson, Michael D. Stephens; granddaughters, Stacy Snyder and Terri Turner; five great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Frances Jean Richey
December 13, 1939 – November 2, 2026
CHICO – Frances Jean Richey, 86, went to be with our Lord on Nov. 2, 2026.
A memorial service is at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 at New Hope Fellowship Church in Chico. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. at the church.
Frances was born on Dec. 13, 1939 to William Lester and Lulu Elizabeth (Williams) Trotter in Jolly.
She was united in marriage to Bobby Carroll Richey on Jan. 10, 1959, in Bowie; they were together for 60 beautiful years before his passing in 2019.
Frances earned her bachelors degree in education from Texas Woman’s University and devoted many years as an elementary school teacher. Teaching was more than a career; it was an opportunity to share her kindness, encouragement and love with others.
Her faith was also a treasured part of her life, and she was a devoted founding member of New Hope Fellowship Church in Chico. Frances was a patriotic American, a very proud Texan and a long-time Texas Ranger fan, attending games since 1972.
Frances leaves behind a legacy of love, faith and the many lives she touched along the way. Frances was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and friend to many who will miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Darrell Trotter, Lenora Trotter, Nell Jones, Louise Wood, and Odis Harold Trotter; son-in-law, Glenn Reed and her godchild, Clint Cox.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Pamela Reed, Paula Remily and her husband, Steve, Doug Richey and Donnie Richey, all Chico; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Margie Turnbow and Elaine Scruggs, Bowie and Carroll Trotter and his wife, Susan, Wichita Falls; sisters-in-law, Janet Myers and her husband, Bill, Leander and Anna Hand and her husband, Jimmy, Chico; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to New Hope Fellowship Church at P.O. Box 526 or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Penny Lynn Thomas
April 28, 1966 – October 28, 2026
NOCONA – Penny Lynn Thomas, 60, died on Oct. 28, 2026. A celebration of life honoring her will be held at a later date.
She was born on April 28, 1966, Penny was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend whose greatest joy in life was her family.
Thomas was preceded in death by her father, Delmar Thomas; mother, Sharon Shoemake and beloved dog, Lady.
She is survived by her sons, Joshua Roper and Cody Roper; Terry Don Shoemaker; sister, Kim Ward and Linda Dean; five grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
OBITUARIES
Angela Gayle Throckmorton
November 12, 1957 – November 7, 2026
TERRAL – Angela Gayle Throckmorton, 68, died on Nov. 7, 2026.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A graveside service took place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born Nov. 12, 1957 in Terral, OK to Wayne and Margie Louise (Martin) Jackson. She graduated from Terral High School and went on to have a lifelong career as a certified nurse assistant working for Bellmire Healthcare and Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Bowie for 35 years.
Throckmorton married Lloyd Throckmorton on May 12, 2012 in Terral.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Throckmorton is survived by her husband, Lloyd Throckmorton, Terral; daughter, Tiffany Lyons, Temple; three stepchildren; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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