OBITUARIES
Ruth Ellen Applin
Feb 11, 2026
Ruth Ellen Applin was born on March 27, 1939, and went to her heavenly home on February 11, 2026, at the Rising Star Nursing Center. Ruth was a graduate of Cross Plains High School and Howard Payne University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
Ruth had a deep and abiding faith in God and a profound love for...
Eddie Joe Strickland
Feb 6, 2026
Eddie Joe Strickland passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, surrounded by the love and legacy of a life defined by hard work, sacrifice, and family. He was a man of strength, integrity, and unwavering dedication to those he loved.
Eddie was born to Thomas Henry Strickland and Ollie L Zirkle Strickland. He was preceded in death by his parents; his...
Johnny Frank Owen
Feb 3, 2026
Johnny Frank Owen, age 74, of Rising Star, Texas, peacefully left this world on February 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on October 10, 1951, in Gorman, Texas, he was the cherished son of L.T. Owen and Josie Hogan-Owen. After graduating from Rising Star High School, Johnny attended Cisco Junior College, where he pursued his passions.
A...
Lela Ann Higginbottom
Feb 2, 2026
Lela Ann Higginbottom, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Abilene, Texas, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at
Ann was born in Gorman, Texas on April 16, 1940. She was the seventh child of Bernice and Owen Mangum, Sr. Ann grew up in the Kokomo community and Carbon, Texas. She was the valedictorian of...
Jimmy Dwight McCowen
Jan 2, 2026
Jimmy Dwight McCowen, 74, of May, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Brownwood, Texas. Born on August 21, 1951, in Gorman, Texas, he was the son of James Vincent McCowen and Ida Hubbard-McCowen. Jimmy was a devoted husband, married for 55 wonderful years to Pam (Anderson) McCowen, who has been by his side through it all.
Jimmy graduated...
Wanda Fae Walker
Nov 29, 2025
Wanda Fae Walker, 82, of Cross Plains, passed away on November 29, 2025, in Comanche, Texas, at Legacy Estate Long Term Care after a long period of illness, during which she was lovingly cared for by her family at home.
Wanda was born in Hereford, Texas, and grew up in Texline, Texas. She met her husband, Glenard “Skeet” Walker, in Texline...
Robert Dixon Koenig
Nov 24, 2025
Robert “Dick” Koenig, a beloved patriarch and pillar of the community, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday November 24th, 2025 at his home in Burkett, Texas, surrounded by generations of his loved ones.
He was born to loving parents Alfred John and Cora Belle Koenig on January 7, 1936 in Coleman, Texas. Dick was a bright student...
Sarah Frances Chamberlain
Nov 15, 2025
We are saddened to announce the passing of Sarah Frances Chamberlain, who left us on November 15, 2025, at the age of 83. Sarah was born on May 4, 1942, in Call, Texas, to William Roland Dodson and Maudie Lee (Wilson) Dodson.
She married her beloved husband, Charles E. "Red" Chamberlain, on October 18, 1958, in Kirbyville, Texas. Throughout her life,...
Henry Allen Ring Jr.
Nov 1, 2025
Henry Allen Ring Jr was born in Abilene on March 19th, 1942, to Elna LaVerle Barnard and Henry Allen Ring Sr, Henry passed on November 1st, 2025, at 10:52am, at Avir at Baird nursing and rehab. Henry was raised in the Cross Plains and Cottonwood area by his grandparents, George Madison Barnard and Ina Eutychus Gattis Barnard. He grew up...
Marlene Sanders
Oct 26, 2025
Marlene Chambers Sanders, 88, of Cross Plains, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Marlene was born on August 9, 1937, in Rodessa, LA to Viola Fay (Sneed) Chambers and Van Everett Chambers. She was the oldest of six siblings. She married the love of her life, Andrew Newton Sanders, in Hobbs, NM August 14, 1954.
In 1972,...
LaJuaina June Haynes
Oct 21, 2025
LaJuaina June Haynes, 76, of Cross Plains, Texas, passed away on October 21, 2025.
She was born on August 8, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Frank Hamm and Laura (Van Meter) Mullins. LaJuaina married her beloved husband, Tom Haynes, on June 5, 1987, in Saginaw, Texas, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love and adventure. LaJuaina had...
Mamie Frances Webb
Oct 18, 2025
In Loving Memory
Mamie Francis Webb passed away at her residence in Tuscola, Texas on October 18, 2025, with family members by her side, in accordance with her wishes. She departed this life, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and inspiration to all who knew her.
Mamie was born to the late A.B. and Edna Foster December 7, 1939, in Eastland,...
Robert Eugene Ford
Oct 15, 2025
**In Loving Memory of Robert Eugene "Rocky" Ford**
Robert Eugene “Rocky” Ford, aged 83, of Cross Plains, Texas, was called home to be with Jesus on October 15, 2025. His love lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Born on January 4, 1942, in Merkel, Texas, to LE Buddy Ford and Mattie Ruth Hickam-Ford, Robert led a life marked...
Jean McWilliams
Oct 13, 2025
Jean Bonner McWilliams, age 83, of Cross Plains, Tx, passed away on October 13,2025. Born on August 31, 1942 in Brownwood, Tx Jean was raised on Cutbirth Ranch, now UF Ranch, along with sister, Jane, where she attended and graduated from Cross Plains High School in 1960.
She attended McMurry University before travelling with her daughter, Terry Jane, where they spent...
Cindy Lou Meyer
Oct 2, 2025
Cindy Lou Meyer, age 65, of Cross Plains, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2025, in Abilene, Texas. Born on July 16, 1960, in Eastland, Texas, Cindy was a beloved daughter to Bob Roady and Sally Hicks-Roady.
She spent her life surrounded by family and friends, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.Cindy's warm...
Allen Barnett
Sep 30, 2025
Allen Barnett, age 69, of Cross Plains, TX, passed away on September 30, 2025. He was born August 30, 1956, in Midland, Texas, to R.L. Barnett and Billy (Rohus) Barnett.
Allen was a hardworking man who devoted his life to caring for his family. He will be remembered for so many things including his dedication, his love of riding motorcycles, his...
Gary Eugene Collinsworth
Sep 24, 2025
Gary Eugene Collinswroth, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 24, 2025 in Rising Star, Tx.
Gary was born on Sept. 18, 1946, to Hilrey Thomas Collinsworth and Mamie Ruth (Joy) Collinsworth in Oakland, California. Gary enjoyed spending his days fishing, hunting, and strumming his guitar, often serenading friends and family with his favorite tunes. He had a...
Tommie Don Harris
Sep 14, 2025
Tommie Don Harris, age 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 14th in Stephenville, TX. Don was born on November 2,1943 to Tommie Jay and Lora Faye (Odom) Harris. Don graduated from Cross Plains HS in 1962 and then earned a degree in Animal Science from Texas Tech University. He was a proud Red Raider.
Don married Virginia McIntosh of Baird...
Paulette Jane Foster
Sep 12, 2025
Paulette Jane Hubnik Foster
February 11, 1945 - September 12, 2025
Paulette Jane Hubnik Foster, 80, of Cross Plains, Texas, peacefully passed away with her husband and dear friend Pauline by her side, on September 12, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born February 11, 1945, in Crosbyton, Texas, she was the beloved daughter of Paul Hubnik Jr. and Mallie Jane...
Earl Wright
Aug 14, 2025
Earl Morgan Wright
September 2, 1950 – August 14, 2025
Earl Morgan Wright, 74, of Rising Star, Texas, formerly of San Diego, California, passed away tragically on August 14, 2025. Born and raised in San Diego to Earl and Planet Wright, Earl lived a life devoted to family, faith, and service to others.
Earl was married to the love of his life, Sandra...
