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DALE VINCENT ODOM Dale Vincent Odom, age 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on July 19, 2026. Born on February 4, 1934, in Lake Preston, South Dakota, Dale was raised in Osceola, South Dakota, where he learned the values of hard work and determination from an early age. Growing up on a family farm, he spent his childhood plowing fields, tending horses, and even riding horseback to school—experiences that shaped the strong work ethic and independent spirit he ca

ROBERT STACY TIDWELL Robert Stacy Tidwell of De Kalb, Texas, passed away on July 20, 2026, in Texarkana, Arkansas, at the age of 69. Stacy was born on January 31, 1957, to Bobby Joe and Wanda Payne Tidwell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Joe and Wanda Payne Tidwell; his beloved wife, Mitzi Tidwell; and his brother, Joe Stanley Tidwell. Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Alex Hart and wife, Cattlin, of Simms, Texas; his sister, LaJuan Garrett and

LAVOICE GARRETT EVANS WRIGHT Lavoice Garrett Evans Wright, age 89, of Orem, Utah, passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 16th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Lavoice was born on December 15, 1936, in New Boston, Texas, to Rufus Clay and Virginia Hill Garrett. She was raised in Bowie County and graduated from Hooks High School in 1954, where she excelled in volleyball and basketball and was crowned Homecoming Queen. On July 13, 1954, she married the love of h

SANDRA JEAN FOSTER Sandra Jean Foster, age 52, of Fouke, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sandra was born on July 24, 1973, in Texarkana, Texas, to James Daniels and Leanne Stephens Huggins. She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, fiancée, and friend whose kind heart and caring spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Leanne Stephens Huggins; her grandfather, Wiston Daniels; her gr

CHARLES EDWARD HILLIS Charles Edward Hillis, 82, of Simms, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Charles was born on July 8, 1944, in Malta, Texas, to Clifford and Mabel Talley Hillis. Affectionately known as “Uncle Fat”, he was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful pastor, and friend to many. On May 30, 1964, Charles married Toney Morris. Together they shared more than 62 years of marriage, building a life centered on fai

SARA LYNN SMITH WOOD Sara Lynn Smith Wood, 90, of Newnan, Georgia passed away peacefully Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Brookdale Senior Living in Newnan where she was a resident 7 years. She was born August 30, 1935 in Tyler, Texas to the late Isaac B. Smith and Anna Lola Gay Smith of Avery, Texas. Sara grew up in Spring Hill, Texas and was a 1953 graduate of DeKalb, TX High School. Further, she is a 1956 graduate of the Registered Nursing Program at Texas Christian University in

DOUGLAS KEITH HALL Douglas Keith Hall, 65, of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026, in Plano, Texas. Doug was born on March 6, 1961, in Dallas, Texas, to Cecil and Mary Pinkham Hall. From an early age, he demonstrated a deep faith and commitment to serving others. At just 11 years old, he received his Baptist minister’s license and began his journey as an evangelist, sharing God’s Word with compassion and conviction throughout his life. Professionally, Doug de

Monica Gwen Green, age 69, of Simms, Texas, passed away on July 8, 2026. She was born on July 19, 1956, in Naples, Texas, to Wayne and Glenda Oliver. She married Kelly Green on July 7, 1975. Together, they made a life in Simms with their two boys centered around family and the love of country life. Monica loved her grandchildren, her garden, and growing all kinds of plants. She especially loved canning and cooking the things she grew. She is preceded in death by her parents,

Augusta O. ‘Gussie’ Cowan, age 85 of Simms, Texas passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2026 in a local nursing facility. Ms. Cowan was born August 25, 1940 to Jimmie Lee and Tee Gaines in Boxelder, Texas. She was a Homemaker, Texarkana Gazette Courier, Print Shop Owner and lover of all animal kind. She is preceded in death by her parents, Husband, Billy Gene Cowan, a brother, Douglas Gaines and a niece, Dawn Gaines. ‘Gussie’ is lovingly remembered by her brother, Donald Gaines

Robert Lee Hooks, age 82 of New Boston, Texas passed away at his home on Sunday., July 5. 2026. Mr. Hooks was born January 31, 1944 to Matthew and Mattie Lee Hooks in Foreman, Arkansas. He was retired from Red River Army Depot where he was a Fork Lift Operator. Mr. Hooks was also a United States Navy and United States Air Force Veteran and is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Andrea Hooks, brother, Chester Hooks and grandmother, Georgia Compton. Mr. Hooks is lovin

By Connie Pinkham Several times in scripture a council is spoken of. The Sanhedrin in our New Testament was the Jewish council made up of chief priests, scribes, and elders. This council handled the religious governance of the Jewish population. That council was involved in the trials of Jesus. (Matthew 26:57 ff) Acts 15 tells about a council meeting in Jerusalem. The apostles met with leaders of the Christian community to resolve some disputes about Gentile believers expe

By Pam Kumpe Across from the shelter, a weathered van sat with both side doors rolled open. A black dog stood at the entrance like a faithful guard, though his open mouth and wagging tail made him look more like he was welcoming visitors than warning them away. Inside, a short, stocky older man covered in faded tattoos looked up at me. “Hi, I’m Pam.” I smiled. “Would you like a cold Gatorade?” He shook his head. “Nah. I don’t drink those sports drinks.” I held one up, beads o

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com Bowie County leaders have taken the first step in the direction of what they see is the most viable way to protect our most valuable resource, as they have approved a resolution to join with other counties across Texas to form a Regional Water Conservation District. At last Monday’s meeting of the Bowie County Commissioners Court, the county leaders approved a resolution that will see the county join with neighboring counties to ask t

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com A chance visitor at the office last week spurred a conversation with an old friend and it was nice to just sit and talk for a few minutes with someone else who truly cares about the community of Bowie County. People are so busy these days just trying to keep paddling that it is a rare thing to have a few minutes in the still to just sit and talk, but it was definitely a surprise pleasure for yours truly when my buddy Tommy Crouch came

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com The day is fast approaching for the annual Glow Walk in New Boston, scheduled for September 19, 2026. A plethora of fundraising activities are underway for this year’s event, and organizer Stephanie Hawkins says that this is again a year “where every story matters.” One of those fundraising activities is labeled Pie for a Purpose, and it is exactly as it sounds. A long list of volunteer contestants has signed up and the donation jar t

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com A 6th grade student at Hooks Junior High has made it her mission this year to make the world a better place with simple acts of kindness. Katelyn McElroy was crowned earlier this year as Young Miss Hooks and she has decided to use her platform as a member of the Miss Hooks court to help her community and bring it together by simply being kind. Katelyn says, “When I became Young Miss Hooks, I wanted to do something to help people by sp

“No new supply agreements, reservation capacities or participation contracts have been made beyond those already existing with the Member Entities.” By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com With the organized opposition to the construction of proposed AI data centers in Bowie County, much has been said about where the water will come from to supply the water thirsty cooling towers that come with them. Opposition leaders have raised the issue of water consumption and water

By Rylee Freeman Welcoming an exchange student into the family can create lifelong relationships while introducing new cultures to both the student and the host family. Foreign Links Around the Globe (FLAG) was founded by former Brazilian exchange student Mazi Cunha and his American host mother. Local coordinator Laura Shaw recruits host families willing to welcome an exchange student during the school year and treat them as part of the family. Shaw ma

By Kenny Mitchell kenny@westbowiepost.com In these dog days of summer, many are in the middle of preparing for another school year, and that is surely the case for the folks at Plentiful Harvest in New Boston as the efforts are in full swing for their 9th annual Back to School Bash. This year’s event is set for Saturday, August 1, from 11 a.m. til 2 p.m. at the church, located at 500 N. Merrill. As always, the much anticipated event will bring the community together to provid

By Allyson Pebsworth allyson@westbowiepost.com There’s no crying in baseball, a quote most people are familiar with. However for some people it’s more than just a quote the way playing ball is more than just a game, regardless of age. Harper Hankins, daughter of Jacey and Michael, has been playing ball since she was 5 years old, starting with t-ball and quickly jumping up to play on teams with kids much older than herself. Watching the Women's College World Series with her m