OBITUARIES
Jeffrey Evan Taylor
April 4, 1979 – March 9, 2024
SUNSET – Jeffrey Evan Taylor, 44, died March 9, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on March 16 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. on March 17 at Crossroads Church in Decatur. A burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
He was born April 4, 1979 in Houston to Raymond and Judy Taylor. He graduated from Spring Woods High School in 1997 where he participated in football and baseball. In 2001 he graduated with honors from Southwestern University in Georgetown with a degree in business and a minor in music. While at Southwestern University, he was on the baseball team. On Sept. 27, 2003 he married Sara Taylor in Wichita Falls.
He played drums in a worship band for many years and was a regular participant in various church worship bands where he played multiple instruments. He was a member of Dallas band, Air Review, whose work was featured by Apple, the International Olympic Committee and Netflix, among others. He worked at Irving Bible Church for 14 years where he served as technical director. His time there included managing a music studio where he worked on numerous albums and recordings for local and national artists, including some grammy-nominated projects.
In 2018, he opened his own audio, video and lighting production company, Taylor Pro Audio, which worked with churches, businesses and events throughout Texas and surrounding states. He also acted as the operations manager for Petra Coatings, an epoxy coatings company.
He is survived by his wife, Sara (Litteken) Taylor; son, Callum Taylor; daughter, Evan Taylor; parents, Raymond and Judy Taylor, Alvord; brothers, Jason Taylor, Piedmont, OK and Travis Taylor, Alvord and their families.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Jenny’s Hope at Wise County Christian Counseling.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
June 13, 1991 – May 13, 2024
SAINT JO – Dakota Lee Newton, 32, died on May 13, 2024.
A celebration of life will be at a later date.
He was born on June 13, 1991 in Gainesville to Michael James Newton and Terra Lynn Womack.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Danny Newton, Milfred and Betty Hellinger and Shirley Randolph and one uncle.
He is survived by his parents; grandmother, Linda Milam; brothers and sister, Colby Calabrese, Joshua Calabrese, Brody Dillon Newton, Raven Newton and Julie Newton; three aunts and numerous cousins.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo.
April 29, 1958 – May 3, 2024
SAINT JO – Richard Glen Grusendorf, 66, died May 3, 2024.
He was born on April 29, 1958 in Houston to Durwood Glen Grusendorf and Marianne Osborne.
He is survived by three brothers; one sister; one daughter and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo.
April 22, 1932 – May 15, 2024
NOCONA – Gloria Ethel Painter, 92, died on May 15, 2024 in the Pecan Tree Manor in Gainesville after a brief illness.
A visitation will be at 1 p.m. on May 19 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jerry Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Nocona Cemetery.
She was born to Hubert and Ruby Malone Painter on April 22, 1932 in Wichita Falls. She grew up most of her childhood in Wichita Falls and moved to Nocona during middle school. She graduated from Nocona High School in May 1949 and attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood. She married Paul Bagby Smith in July 1950 and the young couple made their homes in the Kerrville area, Nocona and Bowie. The couple divorced in 1957 and she moved back to Nocona.
She went to work for the Nocona Telephone Company and married Bob Kafer in 1958. The couple made their homes in Wichita Falls, Waurika and Lubbock. During those years, she worked in a variety of office jobs. They divorced after 13 years of marriage and Painter moved back to Nocona where she went to work for the Nocona Boot Company.
She later married Bill Wade and the couple made their home in Alvord. She worked on the family farm helping run the watermelon stand and worked in a ceramic business in Alvord. She also worked many years for the Wise County Tax Office in Decatur. She finished up her major work life with the Denton State School where she worked for nearly 20 years.
After a divorce and retirement she moved back to Nocona where she helped care for elderly patients with a variety of tasks. Painter cared for many children in Bethel Baptist Church as a nursery worker and was active in the Carpenter’s Shop.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Ruby Painter; an infant brother; brother, Jerry Painter; sister, Lucia Johnson; son, Joe Bob and daughter, Jena Lesa.
She is survived by her son, Jerry Smith, Valley Mills; daughter, Jane Tettleton, Arlington; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, the Nocona Senior Citizen’s Center or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
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