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OBITUARIES

John Claudus (J.C.) Stephens

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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.

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OBITUARIES

Hubert James Gray

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July 24, 1943 – May 3, 2024
BELLEVUE – Hubert James Gray, 80, laid down his working tools on May 3, 2024 in Bellevue.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 8 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A service to celebrate Hubert’s life will be at 1 p.m. on May 9 at the Methodist Church in Bellevue. Interment will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.
Hubert was born on July 24, 1943 in Fort Worth to Earnest and Hazel Gray. Hubert grew up in Roanoke where he met his former wife Sandra Savage, and together they raised three daughters in Justin.
Hubert went on to meet and fall in love with Elizabeth Orton in Bellevue, who he wedded on March 11, 1994 in Bowie. Together the two built a joyful life full of grandchildren, adventure, travel and sweet humor.
Hubert worked as a carpenter for several decades and was an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses, having a positive impact on countless peoples life’s.
Hubert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, later becoming a member of the Methodist Church of Bellevue. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge #668 in Roanoke, where he was initiated as an Enter Apprentice on March 28, 1972, passing to the degree as a Fellowcraft on May 2, 1972. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 15, 1972.
Hubert was a kind and gentle man who always put his family first. He was a jokester who’s contagious laughter and warm smile lit up every room he entered.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Hazel Gray; daughter, Sherri Fitzgerald; son, Robert Orton; grandsons, Michael Orton, Christopher Orton and James Huber and sons-in-law, Dennis McLaughlin and Chuck Sword.
Hubert’s legacy continues through his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Trinda Mulkey and husband Scott, Justin and Juli Seale and husband Rick, Blue Mound; sons, Billy Orton and wife Misty, Bellevue, Harry Orton and wife Sunie, Colorado Springs, CO and Eddie Orton and wife Evelin, Bellevue; daughter-in-law, Martha Tompkins, Van Buren, AK; brothers, Milborn Gray and wife Clay, Roanoke, Earl Gray and wife Linda, Justin and Dearl Gray and wife Joyce, Justin; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.

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OBITUARIES

Betty J. Fuller Flinn

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August 28, 1931 – May 5, 2024
BUFFALO SPRINGS – Betty J. Fuller Flinn departed this life and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 5, 2024.
A visitation will be from 6 – 7 p.m. on May 10 at Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 11 at Buffalo Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Waller officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
Betty was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Pleasant Valley to Charlie and Bill Evans Fuller of Buffalo Springs. She graduated high school in Bellevue and resided most of her life in Buffalo Springs. She attended some of her school days at Midway School and also served as a teacher’s aide at Midway for several years.
Betty had deep roots in Clay County. Betty was a Clay County Pioneer Association Duchess and always enjoyed the Pioneer Reunion festivities. She received the honor, along with her husband Harry, as being the oldest married couple for three years. She also was recognized as the Oldest Native Daughter in 2023. Betty actively served her community in many ways. She was president of the Buffalo Springs Cemetery Association for a number of years. She also was a member of Buffalo Springs Rock Church and loved attending services there.
Betty was a loyal and dedicated wife and mother. She was extremely dedicated to her children and she spent her life making their needs a priority. Betty also was a talented seamstress and actively sewed all her adult life making clothes, especially western shirts, for her friends and family. Betty was known for her acts of service, her love of family, her deeds of kindness and her generous spirit. Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Betty married Harry Joseph Flinn of Bellevue on Dec. 26, 1949. He preceded her in death on Aug. 4, 2021.
They had four children: Charles Ray Flinn (deceased) and wife Sheron Clemmons Flinn, Gilmer, TX, Pamela Kay Flinn, Buffalo Springs, Roger Thomas Flinn and wife Melba Akin Flinn, Bluegrove and Clarence Lawton Flinn and wife Angel Cooper Flinn, Wills Point. Betty also is survived by her brother, Gerald Fuller and wife Patsy Davis Fuller, Wichita Falls and Pat Dunn, Bowie; nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Home of Henrietta.

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OBITUARIES

James Wilson Atkinson

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October 11, 1944 – May 6, 2024
NOCONA – James Wilson Atkinson, 79, died on May 6, 2024.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on May 10 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
He was born in Seminole, OK on Oct. 11, 1944 to John and Georgiana Atkinson. He attended 19 schools and graduated early from Altus, OK high school. His first job was in a grocery store and he quickly worked up to manager. This experience was the basis for his bookkeeping knowledge that served him well as an entrepreneur. Throughout his career he owned a barber shop, a cafe, a gunshop and a grocery store, among many other things. He was the mayor of Healton, OK, got his pilot’s license and developed Nocona Hills.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Georgiana Atkinson and wife, Margie.
He’s survived by his brother, Martin Atkinson; two nieces and one nephew.
In lieu of flowers, send contributions in his honor to Nocona Hills Owners Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.

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