OBITUARIES
Billy James “Jimmy” Avery
March 25, 1942 – April 26, 2024
ODESSA – Billy James “Jimmy” Avery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on May 3 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie, with Pastor and family friend Doyle Wade officiating. Burial will follow at Salona Cemetery in Bowie. Pallbearers will be John Coffey, Tim Green, Mark Jackson, Chad McCracken, Larry Overstreet and Kurt Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Joe McCracken, Louie Jackson, Gary Odle, Terrell Hill and Kevin Bryan.
Jimmy was born in Bowie to LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery on March 25, 1942. He graduated from Bowie High School, where he played on the football team making all district and all area his senior year. He then went to play football at Cameron University.
On Aug. 3, 1963 Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Elizabeth Overstreet Avery. This began a love story that would last 61 years. Together they began a remarkable life and raised two beautiful girls, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring. He had an amazing career at Shell Oil where he retired after 30 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisher, loved his western movies and never missed a Texas Longhorn football game. His true passion in life though was his family and most knew him as their beloved “Poppa.” His family was his pride and joy and he would have done anything for them. Poppa had the natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and always leave you with a laugh. He knew how to have fun and be the life of the party. Jimmy Avery was a hard-working man whose life was dedicated to his loving family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LR and Elsie (Johnson) Avery and sister, Colleen Hunt.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his children, Kimberly Avery and Kelly Haring, all of Odessa; nephew, Lanny Hunt, Wichita Falls and cousins, Mike Avery, Longview, TX and Terry Tucker, Fort Worth. He was a proud Poppa to Ashley Bryan and husband Kevin, Fort Worth and one great-grandchild, Conner James Bryan, named after his beloved Poppa.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
April 13, 1959 – September 29, 2026
BOWIE – Lee Roy Hargrove Jr., 67, died on Sept. 29, 2026.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10 at the First Free Will Baptist Church, 505 Strong St. in Bowie.
He was born on April 13, 1959.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LeeRoy Hargrove Sr. and Joyce Hargrove and brother, Charles.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Cheryl Burns, Jennifer Hargrove, and Joshua Hargove; six grandchildren; brothers, John Hargrove and George Hargrove; sisters, Linda Hargrove and Sandra Owens and many beloved cousins as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
March 27, 1938 – October 3, 2026
BOWIE – Mary Sue Walters Liggett, 88, died on Oct. 3, 2026.
A graveside service included a visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born on March 27, 1938 to Loyd Francis and Vera Lee Walters in Bells. On Feb. 3, 1971 she married the love of her life, Finnis Charles Liggett.
She graduated from Bells High School in 1957. She earned an associate degree from Cooke County College and later completed her bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She retired from McKinney Independent School District and she taught business administration for 30-plus years.
She served as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Bells and taught Girls in Action.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Betty Walters White; and brothers, Loyd Price Walters and Bennie Walters.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Liggett; five nieces; four nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and many cherished friends.
Arrangements under the direction of White Family Funeral Home.
August 5, 1973 – September 29
NOCONA – Kari Ann Reid, 53, died on Sept. 29, 2026.
A visitation was from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Oct. 2 at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Kurt Simmons officiating. Interment followed in Nocona Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tanner Reid, Tyler Reid, Jeff Skinner, Gerald Ramsey, Jerry Henry, Clint Mahin, Garrett Combs, and Randy Ritchie.
Reid was born on Aug. 5, 1973 in Nocona to Tommy and Patsy Ann Huff Skinner. She worked at Skinner Tank Trucks doing record keeping and later being a co-owner.
She married the love of her life Harry Don Reid on Sept. 5, 1992 in Nocona.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Harry Don Reid, Nocona; sons, Tanner Reid, Nocona and Tyler Reid, Nocona; and a granddaughter.
Memorial donations may be made to The Carpenter’s Shop, 400 Boston, Nocona or Lucky Paws Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 595, Nocona.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home in Nocona.
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