OBITUARIES
Joyce Faye Cox Bennett
May 9, 1946 – March 3, 2024
DECATUR – Joyce Faye Cox Bennett, 77, passed away March 3, 2024 in Plano.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. March 6 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. A service will be at 10 a.m. March 7 at First Baptist Church in Alvord with Bro. Bill Cleveland officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Pallbearers are Hayden Bennett, Caleb Bennett, Slate Souther, Austin Souther, Tee Weeks, Rex Hoskins, Randy Hamilton, Kenny Batchelor and Charles Steadham. Honorary pallbearers are Ken Dodson, Dan Harvey and Don Singleton.
Joyce was born May 9, 1946 in Bowie to Hubert Jackson and Odessa (Cornelison) Cox. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1964. She married James Leroy Bennett on March 19, 1966 in Bowie. Together they raised their only child, Jackson Deroy Bennett, who was born May 4, 1970. James, a Decatur police officer, preceded Joyce in death on April 3, 1980, when he was killed in the line of duty.
Joyce was a police dispatcher for many years and then became a hairstylist, working the last 28 years at Patti’s Hair Parlor in Decatur. Joyce enjoyed going to the casino, karaoke and attending every event that her grandsons were involved in.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Bennett; brother, Raymond Cox and brother-in-law, James Parker.
Survivors include her spouse, David Souther, Decatur; son, Deroy Bennett and wife Kristi, Decatur; grandsons, Hayden Bennett, New Castle, OK and Caleb Bennett and fiancée Gracie Isham, Decatur; David’s children, Tommy Souther and wife Angie, Keller and Danny Souther and wife Kellye, Alvord and grandchildren, Sloane Morman and husband Ethan, Haslet, Slate Souther, Denver, CO, Austin Souther, Alvord and Shay Souther, Keller; brother, Gary Cox and wife Nancy, Alvord; sister, Phyllis Simmons and husband Cary, Alvord and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials can be made to Jenny’s Hope, c/o Wise County Christian Counseling Center, 1650 FM 51 South, Ste. 400, Decatur, TX 76234.
Paid publication
July 15, 1958 – October 30, 2026
BOWIE – Russell Kelvin Reed, 68, passed away on Oct. 30, 2026 surrounded by his children.
A memorial service will take place on at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie.
Russell was born July 15, 1958 in Bowie to Leon and Doris Reed. Throughout his life, he worked in the oilfield and as an ironworker, taking pride in hard work and a job well done. Russell carried a gentle, hippie soul through everything he did. He believed in peace, lived with a free spirit, and brought warmth, humor and a genuine love for people wherever he went.
Deep in his heart, he loved the Lord and found joy in serving Jesus Christ and sharing His grace with others. Above all, he cherished the time he spent surrounded by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Martin; and best friends, Kevin Matlock and Steve Henry.
Russell is survived by his children, Jesse Reed, Brittney Simpson and husband Dale, Shane Everitt, and Aimee Goodwyn and husband Danell; a treasury of precious grandchildren who brought so much light to his life; Cindy Reed, the mother of his children; siblings, Steve Reed and wife Jane, Tommy Reed and wife Cathy, Debbie Del Rio and husband Jose, and Scott Reed and wife Ann; and an extended circle of family and friends who loved him dearly.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
July 10, 1996 – October 30, 2026
NOCONA – Nelson Taylor Haynes, 30, died on Oct. 30, 2026.
A visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
The graveside service will be held on November 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He was born on July 10, 1996 to James and Amanda Haynes in Nocona.
He was the son of James and Amanda Haynes; brother to Sidney and Courtney Haynes; stepbrother to Cassidy and Connor Cartridge; nephew to aunts and uncles; and a cousin and an uncle.
March 15, 1938 – November 1, 2026
NOCONA – Norma Jean Oldham, 88, died on Nov. 1, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
She was born March 15, 1938 in Lewisville to Roland and Alice Heath.
She was the beloved wife of James Oldham and they were married 44 years.
Oldham worked for more than 25 years at Nocona Belt Company.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Royce and Ernest Heath.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Moore, Saint Jo; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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