OBITUARIES
Frankie “Renabelle” Garrett
May 16, 1941 – February 18, 2024
SUNSET – Frankie “Renabelle” Garrett, 82, was called home to be with the Lord on Feb. 18, 2024.
A funeral service for Renabelle will be at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie, with family visitation from 1 – 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery.
Renabelle was born May 16, 1941 in Sunset, to Sallie Eula and James Frank Whitaker. She attended Sunset School and graduated from Bowie High School in 1959. She married Billy Gene Garrett on June 20, 1959 and was married for 64 wonderful years.
She worked as a truck driver, bus driver and as a medication aide for more than 30 years. After retirement she enjoyed farm life, loved to fish and tag along with her daughter Kathy to watch all of her grandchildren’s sporting events. Renabelle never met a stranger and loved every kid that came around as her own.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Sallie Eula and James Frank Whitaker; sisters, Maureen Elrod, Leatrice Baker and Irene Houston and brothers, Pack Whitaker, Charlie Whitaker, Wayne Whitaker, Leland Whitaker, Morgan Whitaker and a newborn brother.
Renabelle is survived by her husband, Gene Garrett; two daughters, Kathy Whatley and husband Robert, Sunset and Betty Sanders, Bowie; eight grandchildren, Sallie Gilliam and Justin, Quanah, Bailey Yerby and Zane, Greeley, CO, Gabby Whatley, Bowie, AJ Whatley, Stephenville, Cruz Whatley, Sunset, Christian Whatley, Sunset, Holly Fenoglio and Tony, Nocona and Dakota Gantt and Jeremy, Blooming Grove and six great-grandchildren, Whitten and Sterling Gilliam, Alayne Yerby, Emory Cauthen and Dax and Lynnox Gantt.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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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