OBITUARIES

Johnnie Howard Schmitz

Published

6 months ago

10/21/2025

November 8, 1942 – October 19, 2025
BOWIE – Johnnie Howard Schmitz, 83, passed away on Oct. 19, 2025.
A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 at Montague County Cowboy Church, 1600 FM 455, Montague with Pastor Joe Caballero officiating.
Johnnie was born Nov. 8, 1942, in Durant, OK, to the late Thelma Imogene (Jean) and William (Pat) Schmitz. He attended Carrigan Elementary, Reagan Jr. High and Wichita Falls High School.
Johnnie was a founding member of the Montague County Cowboy Church and physically helped to build the church. It was said of him, “He truly understood the meaning of church membership.” Additional church projects included the Christ Can Food Bank. The Boys and Girls Club of Wichita Falls and Northwest Texas Field and Stream Association also benefitted from his support.
His work history was varied. He served in the U.S. Navy, active and reserve duty (1960 – 1966); during that time he was initiated as a Trusty Shellback into the “Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep.” Later in life he was a merchant seaman, grocer for Safeway Foods, cabinet maker and correctional officer for the Texas Prison System.
Johnnie was preceded in death by wife, Betty Craddock Schmitz, Bowie; parents; brother, William (Bill) Schmitz; sister, Barbara Kay Hollis; and beloved grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard A. Clark, Wichita Falls.
He is survived by daughters, Tina Leann Field, Bowie and Lisa Joell and husband Larry Dockall, Waco; son, Johnny Wayne and wife Ashley Schmitz, Mobile, AL; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; brother, Clark and wife, Lisa; sisters, Joyce Schmitz, Wiletta Langston and sister-in-law, Mary Schmitz-Henderson, all of Wichita Falls.
His passing is mourned by devoted friend, Crystie Riley. May his light continue to shine in the memories of those who knew and loved him.
A special thank you is sent to Moriah Hale of Angels Care Home Health, Bowie, for the excellent care and compassion given during Johnnie’s home care.
Arrangements entrusted to White Family Funeral Home of Bowie. Condolences may be sent to the family at whitefamilyfuneralhome@hotmail.com. For those desiring, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Christ Can Food Bank, C/O Montague County Cowboy Church or The Boys and Girls Club of Wichita Falls, TX.
Paid publication

OBITUARIES

Teresa Naomi Adams

Published

1 week ago

04/22/2026

bowienews

November 11, 1964 – April 18, 2026
BOWIE – Teresa Naomi Adams, 61, died on April 18, 2026.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on April 27 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on April 28 at the New Covenant Family Church in Bowie with the Rev. Paul Moore officiating. The burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 11, 1964 in Exeter, CA and attended school in Bowie. She dedicated many years of her life to her career as a certified nursing assistant.
She is preceded in death by her father, Jim Pike and grandparents.
She is survived by her children, Shawn Holt, Bowie and Amber Holt, Wichita, KS; mother, Alice Pike, Bowie; five grandchildren; brothers, David Pike, Bowie, Jimmy “Dewey” Pike, Bowie and Johnny Holt, Sherman; sister, Melissa Diannitto-Smith AR; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

OBITUARIES

Frances Marie Baker

Published

1 week ago

04/22/2026

bowienews

January 8, 1934 – April 11, 2026
DECATUR – Frances Marie Baker, 92 died on April 11, 2026 in Decatur, TX.
There was a graveside service at 2 p.m. on April 20 at the Spanish Fort Cemetery officiated by her family.
She was born on January 8, 1934 in Spanish Fort to Charlie Lloyd and Detolia Cain Williams. She worked most of her life as a telephone operator in Nocona. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister, Bonnie York.
She is survived by her daughter, Beth Hudson, Brock; three grandsons; three great grandchildren and a niece.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation at the AMDF website.

OBITUARIES

Flora Faye Ridinger

Published

1 week ago

04/22/2026

bowienews

August 20, 1931 – April 15, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Flora Faye Ridinger, 94, died on April 15, 2026, in Nocona, TX.
The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on April 19 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
A funeral service took place at 2 p.m. on April 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
The burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
She was born Aug. 20, 1931 in Jester, OK to Howard and Laura (Nippert) Griffin. She lived in Bowie until 1992, when she married Herbert Ridinger. She worked at Walmart as a door greeter until she was 85 years old.
She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Bowie, until moving to Wichita Falls and joining the Western Hills Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; stepmother; first husband, Charles Davis; a special friend; second husband, Hebert Ridinger; fiancé, John Bowers; brother, Will Griffin and a stepson.
She is survived by her son, Michael Davis; daughter, Debbie Jones; sister, Frances Morelock; three stepchildren; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; six step grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; a stepsister, and numerous niece and nephews.