OBITUARIES
Doris June “DJ” Rater
June 27, 1937 – March 27, 2024
SUNSET – Doris June “DJ” Rater, 86, died March 27, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 28 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on March 29 at the Old Country Church in Bowie. Burial followed at Smyrna Cemetery.
DJ was born June 27, 1937 in Post Oak to Eva Corine Hufhines and D.L. Rater. He was a graduate of Bowie High School in 1955. He went on to Tarleton State College for one year before going into the Army in 1956 and serving two years in Germany.
In 1958, he returned home and married Lona Faye Wade. Three years later, their daughter Donna Lynn was born. DJ graduated from North Texas State University in 1962 while working in the Fort Worth Stockyards. He began teaching at Gainesville State Training School before moving to Forestburg and teaching fifth and sixth grade. After retiring from education, he began a successful fertilizer business. He also was a long-time farmer and rancher.
He is preceded in death by his parents, D.L. and Eva Rater and two infant daughters, Laurie Gayle Rater and Vickie Dale Rater.
DJ is survived by his wife, Lona Rater; daughter, Donna Singletary and husband Mark; grandsons, Brian Rater and wife Christi, Shane Hunt and wife Erica, and Joe Singletary and wife Laura; brother, Lon Rater; great-grandchildren, Slaton, Kellen, Cora, Josie, Hattie, Niesca, Carlos, Layla and Joe’L; brother in-law, Gorden Wade and wife Genell; sister in-law, Dee Vieth and husband Frank; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a lifetime’s worth of close friends.
Every day spent with family and friends was the best day ever as DJ would say.
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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