OBITUARIES

Dudley Raymond Sparkman

Published

3 years ago

08/08/2023

August 23, 1942 – July 30, 2023
DYE MOUND – Dudley Raymond Sparkman, 80, died on July 25, 2023 in Gainesville.
Visitation was at 1 p.m. just prior to the 2 p.m. funeral service on Aug. 2 at First Baptist Church Saint Jo, 402 N Broad St. Interment followed at Dye Mound Cemetery.
He was born on Aug. 23, 1942, to Urial Sylvanus Sparkman and Mabel Edith Park Sparkman in Denton and grew up in a rural community called Cooper Creek in Denton County. Sparkman graduated from Denton High School where he was active in the FFA.
He briefly attended North Texas State University and then served in the Army National Guard for six years. He received training as a diesel mechanic and briefly worked for a John Deere dealer in Denton. Sparkman worked as a farmer his entire life. He met and married Raima Jo Davidson on August 22, 1966 in Denton County. They had two children, Gwen and Michael. Dudley was a devoted father and church member, serving as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon for decades, first at Gribble Springs Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Saint Jo since 1985.
He was preceded in death by his parents U.S. Sparkman and Mabel Sparkman and brother-in-law Sydney Hammons.
Dudley is survived by his wife Raima, daughter Gwen, son-in-law Anthony Williams, son Michael and daughter-in-law Trisha, grandchildren Lexie, McKenna, Tristan, Ava, and Delilah, brother Dan (and wife Becky), sisters Ruth Ann, Jane, Lucille (and husband David) and Cecile and a large number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials or donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Saint Jo.

OBITUARIES

Steven Douglas Drury

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

John Wayne Shelton

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.

OBITUARIES

Weldon Ray Duff

Published

6 days ago

07/15/2026

bowienews

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.