OBITUARIES
Flo Dell Elaine Armstrong
November 28, 1935 – July 29, 2024
NOCONA – Flo Dell Elaine Armstrong, 88, died July 29, 2024 in Nocona.
A celebration of life was at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 2 at First Baptist Church of Nocona. The family welcomed friends preceding the service at 9:30 a.m. in the FBC sanctuary. Interment followed at Longbranch Cemetery in Nocona. Pastor Dave Woodbury officiated.
She was born on Nov. 28, 1935 to William “Bill” and Katie Roper in Nocona, where she grew up attending both Prairie Valley and Nocona schools. She met her husband Don Armstrong at Nocona High School, and they were married on Nov. 8, 1953. She worked several positions from civil service with the army to a think tank in Washington, DC.
The couple welcomed a daughter on Dec. 8, 1968 while living in Houston, and in 1973 chose to leave the corporate world and return to Nocona. They purchased Painter’s Grocery Store and in 1981 built a large, modern supermarket on Highway 82, Armstrong’s Finer Foods, now Market Place. They operated the business for 32 years. In 1986 the couple welcomed a son into the family, who later joined them in the operation of the business. They retired and sold their business in January 2006.
She was an original member of the Nocona General Hospital auxiliary and a life-long member of the Thursday Literary Club. She and Don worked with stained glass, creating and installing the windows at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. The couple were actively involved in churches wherever they lived, teaching Sunday School, serving on various committees and participating in the choir.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Don; sister, Loella Clayton and two nephews.
She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Hamilton; son, David Armstrong; three granddaughters; four great-grandchildren; one niece and three great-nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to contribute to the Nocona General Hospital Foundation, 100 Park Road, Nocona, TX.
Arrangement entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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