OBITUARIES
David Roy Rainey
July 10, 1938 – July 7, 2023
BOWIE – David Roy Rainey, 84, went home to be with Jesus on July 7, 2023 at home surrounded by his family.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service was at 10 a.m. on July 11 at Bible Baptist Church in Bowie with Rob Avara as the officiant. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
David was born July 10, 1938 in Fort Worth to J.C. and Bertha (Beaver) Rainey. He graduated from Carter Riverside High School in 1956 and married Shirley Feaster on Oct. 3, 1957. In his younger years he won the Fort Worth Soap Box Derby and went on to compete in the finals hosted in Ohio.
David served 26 years with the Haltom City Fire Department educating elementary school students during fire prevention week. He was heavily involved in the building of fire trucks with his best friend and comrade Robert Avara, aka Avery, and together they taught fire school at Texas A&M for many years. He also was involved in the design and building of the old fire station #3, later retiring as fire chief.
David was always working on his days off mowing a field on his tractor, pouring and finishing concrete slabs, helping his neighbors or building something. He loved his family, riding motorcycles, hunting, working in his workshop, camping and singing southern gospel music with the family.
He is preceded in death by his wife of more than 55 years, Shirley J. Rainey; parents, Jay and Bertha Rainey; brother, Charles Rainey and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
David is survived by his daughter, Laura Rainey Sproles and husband Charles, Bowie; son, David P. Rainey and wife Susie, Bowie; grandsons, Jason Rainey and wife Brooke, North Richland Hills and Bryan Rainey and wife Sissy, Poolville; granddaughters, Christina Karr and husband Scott, Bowie and Emily Reeves, Keene, TX; great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Ella, Thomas, Ronnie, Colton, Samuel, Josh and Abby; sisters-in-law, Joyce Rainey, Hurst and Betty Feaster Fisher, Garland; brother-in-law, Buddy Feaster and wife Debra, Keller and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank Susie Rainey for the many hours dedicated to his care for the past nine months.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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