OBITUARIES
Donna Willard
March 28, 1946 – September 2, 2024
HEWITT – Donna Willard, 78, passed away at her home on Sept. 2 , 2024.
Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 7 at Smith Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 7 at Quanah Memorial Park.
Donna Sharon Hopper was born March 28, 1946 to Herman Charles and Lois (Conway) Hopper in Quanah. She married Jimmy Ray Willard in Quanah on Dec. 4, 1964.
Donna was a skilled woodworker who enjoyed building and also was a “42 guru.” She jogged daily and enjoyed visiting Red River, NM. She especially loved the holidays when all the family would come together.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Merwyn Hopper.
Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Ray Willard, Waco; children, Darren Willard, Mission, KS and Eric Willard and Ashley, Rockdale, TX; grandchildren, Mason Willard, Waxahachie and Brody Willard, Rockdale; brother, Michael Hopper and sister, Sherry Thomas, Midlothian.
The family suggests memorials be made to your local Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home of Quanah.
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OBITUARIES
Lena “Sue” (Chilton) Murray
NEWPORT – Lena “Sue” (Chilton) Murray, age 95, left this earth for her Heavenly home on Nov. 28, 2024 in Bowie.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the First Baptist Church of Newport, with Pastor Tommy John Mayo officiating. Burial will follow at Newport Cemetery in Newport.
Sue was born Nov. 22, 1929 to John Hubert “Hub” and Lena Aetha (Little) Chilton in Lamesa, TX. She graduated from Lamesa High School and earned a full scholarship in music to Sam Houston State University. She later transferred to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where she earned an associate’s degree.
Sue then married Glenn Murray, and the couple enjoyed 62 years together until his passing. She was a devoted Christian, wife and mother and enjoyed being a Sunday School teacher for several churches throughout many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert Holland Murray; husband, Glenn Murray; sister, Betty Jo Johnson and brother, “Son” Chilton.
Sue is survived by her son, Ben Murray and wife Cindi, Newport; daughter, Ann Beardslee and husband Bill, Rockwall; brother-in-law, John Murray, Lake Whitney, TX; step grandchildren, Canda and Steve Henry; step great-grandchildren, Garrett Morris and Samantha Henry; step great-great-grandchildren, Rylan and Lilly Morris and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Kay Lynn Dawson
September 24, 1953 – November 27, 2024
BOWIE – Kay Lynn Dawson, 71, died Nov. 27, 2024.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie. A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Lighthouse Assembly of God in Bowie, with Pastor Justin Harris and Kenny Bingham as the officiants. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born Sept. 24, 1953 in Bowie to Hollis and Dorothy Franklin. She graduated from Permian High School in Odessa in 1973 and went on to attend Baylor University. Soon after she met and married Alex “Butch” Dawson on July 14,1978. She was a seamstress and worked at a bridal shop in Odessa, making wedding dresses for many years. She also worked as executive director at Servants for the Poor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex “Butch” Dawson; parents, Hollis and Dorothy Franklin; two nephews; one aunt and one cousin.
She is survived by her sons, Monty Dawson and Jason Dawson; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; sisters, Norma Smith, Martha Wood and Cathy Potter; brother, Carl Franklin and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
OBITUARIES
Johnny Bruce Coker
August 27, 1944 – November 29, 2024
HURST – Johnny Bruce Coker, 80, died Nov. 29, 2024 in Burleson.
A funeral service was at 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona officiated by Pastor Rick Tarpley. Interment followed in Nocona Cemetery.
He was born Aug. 27, 1944 in Belcherville to Lester Coker and Wynne Ritchie Coker. He worked for Delta Airlines for 33 years as a senior customer service agent. He was a veteran and patriot having served in the U.S. Army. He married Kim Sewell on Aug. 14, 1977 in Nocona at the Presbyterian Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbara Coker Kimray.
He is survived by his wife, Kim Coker, Hurst; son, Christopher Coker, Bedford; one sister-in-law and one nephew.
Memorial donations may be made to crazyhorsememorial.org/, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, 1321 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76102 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.
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