OBITUARIES
Nelda Virginia Howard
August 28, 1949 – March 14, 2024
NOCONA – Nelda Virginia Howard, 74, died March 14, 2024.
Visitation was from 5 -7 p.m. on March 17 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at 2 p.m. on March 18 at Valley View Baptist Church in Spanish Fort, officiated by Pastor Cameron Whitley. Interment followed at Liberty Chapel Cemetery in Montague County.
She was born Aug. 28, 1949 in Hondo, TX to Bill and Bernice Brown, and lived in Devine, TX for the duration of her childhood. She graduated from Devine High School in 1967. Pursuing career opportunities, she moved to San Antonio, where in 1969 she met Steven Thad Howard, and the two married on April 14, 1970. They then moved to Fort Leonard Wood, MO and in early 1972, they returned to Spanish Fort.
While living in Spanish Fort, she was an active Valley View Baptist Church leader and Sunday school teacher. She also was president of the Prairie Valley 4-H and a Texas Foster Care and Adoptive Services certified foster parent. She returned to Devine from 1990-1992, where she received treatment for and overcame stage four ovarian cancer. After returning from Devine in 1992, her family has since called Nocona home.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bill Brown, Mike Brown, Roy Brown, Dusty Brown and Bob Brown.
She is survived by her husband, Steve Howard, Nocona; children, Heath Howard, Krum, Heather Porter, Elk City, OK, Hank Howard, Nocona and Hannah Whitley, Humble, TX; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and siblings, Milton Brown, Karen Kohlleppel, Dana Palmquist, Mark Brown and Gaye Matthews.
Memorial donations may be made to Valley View Baptist Church, 6159 Hwy 103, Nocona, TX 76255.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
July 5, 1946 – May 8, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Sharon Blevins, 79, died on May 8, 2026.
There was a visitation at 12:30 p.m. on May 11 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona, followed by a chapel service at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Eric Bayer officiating. Interment followed in Ringgold Cemetery.
She was born on July 5, 1946 in Jacksboro to Truman and Anna May Hazelton McCallister. She worked mostly as a nurse all of her life. She was also a member of First Baptist Church in Ryan, OK. She married the love of her life, Joe Blevins on June 22, 1963 in Jack County. Together they raised five sons and contributed to their community.
She preceded in death by her husband, Joe; parents; sons, Stacy Lynn Blevins and Larry Sean Blevins; a granddaughter; sister, Ouida and brother, Rex McCallister.
She is survived by her sons, Brad Blevins, Antelope, Nile Blevins, Nocona, Lance Blevins, Hastings, OK, 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Ryan First Baptist Church Angel Ministries, P.O. Box 159, Ryan, OK 73565.
October 3, 1936 – May 2, 2026
NOCONA – Roy Edward Gilleland, 89, died on May 2, 2026 in Nocona, TX.
There will be no formal service. A special mass will be at a later date and his ashes will be buried by his parents at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wichita Falls.
He was born on Oct. 3, 1936 to Roy Lee and Tacoma (Poirot) Gilleland in Scotland, TX. He was an Eagle Scout, Scout Master, devout Catholic, member of Knights of Columbus and life member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union.
He was preceded in death by sister, Patsy and two brothers, Johnny and Jimmy.
He is survived by daughter, Lauren Bristow; son, Justin Gilleland; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and his wife, Connie Jo.
October 10, 1937 – May 7, 2026
BOWIE – Frankie Lee Engledow, 88, died on May 7, 2026.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
She was born in Shawnee, OK on Oct. 10, 1937 to Burnis H. and Katie Mae (Rice) Marler. She worked as a waitress at the Travel Inn, Hager Slack Co. and later was a secretary for W.R. Grace Oil Company in the 70s.
She is preceded in death by her son, Bryan Scott Coggin.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald Engledow, Bowie; son, Bobby Coggin, Bowie; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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