The Pioneer Reunion and Queen presentation will take place at 2:30 p.m. on June 23rd in the Bowie High School Commons Area. The court will be lead by Pioneer Queen Carla Whitaker and Duchesses Lois Neese and Betty Falsone. Pioneer Queen Carla Klein Whitaker was born July 15, 1945 in Wichita Falls and raised on a Clay County farm. She was the last of 12 children born to Carl and Clyde Marie Perkins Klein, Henrietta. At a young age she was taught to work hard. Thus she had perfected the saying “Some people have to work for a living.” Carla graduated from Henrietta High School in 1963 and shortly thereafter went to work as an office manager for Leon Bell Plumbing. Later she worked for Clay County as a deputy tax collector, an auditor and an executive assistant to four commissioners. After retiring from Clay County she worked for Olney Savings and Loan and Cross Timbers Veterinary Hospital in Bowie. Today, she is a seasonal employee of Stix and Stones and Whitecotton’s Greenhouse. On June 15, 1967 she married William Bryan Whitaker and moved to Bowie. Until 1999 together with Bryant’s brother James and Wanda Wheelis they owned and operated Pac-A-Sac grocery stores in Bowie, Bellevue, Chico, Alvord and Saint Jo. Their oldest son, Scott and his wife, Kathryn, live in Austin with their six children, Will, John Paul, Anna-Laura, Clare, Luke and Gianna. Their second son, Cory and his wife, Jennifer, live in Richardson with their three children, Alex, Hudson and Evelyn. Carla is a member of the hospital auxiliary, Red River Master Gardners, TEEA, FFA Alumni and St. Jerome’s Catholic Church. She is an avid gardener and can be seen around the area helping with landscaping projects. Also she loves traveling with Agape Tours from Wichita Falls. She is often seen with a camera in hand and has taken numerous photos for friends and school classmates. Being a grandmother by far is her greatest love as all grandmothers know. Carla said she is very humble and honored for this recognition and would like to say “thanks” to everyone for selecting her. Duchess Betty West Falsone was born and raised in Falls County, TX. She is one of five siblings born to Buford and Betty West. Joe and Betty Falsone were married in 1965 and later moved to Bowie in 1969. Joe is currently a vice president for Legend Bank and Betty is retired. After moving to Bowie, Betty worked for Tomlinson’s. Later they purchased the Wishing Well and then she opened and operated Sarah’s Secret until she retired. Betty is a very active member of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Bowie. She is often seen baking and delivering food to friends and family in Bowie and the surrounding areas. Her daughter, Frances Weihing lives in Flower Mound with her husband, John and son, Matthew, who is currently attending Texas A&M University. Their granddaughter, Sarah Cowan is a teacher and lives in Ingleside with her husband, Kevin. One of Betty’s fondest memories of Jim Bowie Days is Frances winning the Tiny Tot Queen contest in 1971. Betty says “thank you” for the honor of being a duchess and she is very proud to represent the City of Bowie. Duchess Lois Neese was born July 31, 1941 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta Canada. She lived there until 1962 and moved to the USA when she married Alton D. Neese, a member of the United States Air Force. They have lived in California, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee and Newfoundland. Lois always stayed statewide to raise their two sons, Russell and mark, while her husband had two tours in South East Asia in the late 1960s and TDY trips to England, Greece and Germany. Alton retired from the Air Force in 1975 and Lois retired in 2004 as secretary-treasurer of Timberline International. In 2004 she and Alton moved to Sunset, to live near their son Mark. He and his wife, Tammy, have a son, Brock, who will be a freshman at Bowie High School. Their oldest son, Russell, and his wife, Sue, live in Springdale, AK with their two children, Olivia and Troy. Their youngest daughter, Samantha, is a student at the University of Arkansas. She has spent several summers with Lois and Alton in Bowie, where she often attended Jim Bowie Days. Jim Bowie Days Pioneer Court B D ys C Thursday, June 15, 2017 15 Welome to Jim Bowie Days! Offerring Cuts • Colors Perms • Highlights Schedule Your Appointment Today! US DURING JIM BOWIE DAYS! 1524 Hwy. 59 Bowie, Texas 76230 940-872-3261 COME SEE Lisa West-Owner/Stylist Mollie McDonald - Stylist Patty Deweber - Stylist Loren Rhoades - Stylist Destiny Clary - Stylist Diane Romine - Stylist Welcome to Jim Bowie Days! Hwy 59 South • 940-872-5131 204 Roach Street • Bowie • 940-872-7071 & Boots and and at the star travel center 7 * 940-872-6564 (10:00 pm on weekends) Hours Extend Seasonally Jeans & Faith in Healthcare Where professional care meets local convenience. www.fchtexas.com Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm The Faith Community Health System, is transforming the future of healthcare by focusing on you. Early Bird Specials Men’s * Ladies’ * Children’s Western Apparel Dress & Work Boots Gifts * Accessories Fire Retardant Workwear Discover more about us at fchtexas.com RHC “ ” RHC Bowie Jacksboro The star travel center 7 * 940-872-8800 Armadillo Grill at the Steaks * Barbecue * Burgers * Much More! DAILY! DELICIOUS SPECIALS DAILY! (10:00 pm on weekends) - Hours Extend Seasonally 2606 FM 174 • Bowie, Texas We hope you enjoy the various activities this week. This year along with manning the roping chutes, MCCC will be serving concession at the Community Center and manning the various gates. While you are in the area, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:30 AM. 1600 FM 455 • Montague, TX 76251• 940-894-2090 www.montaguecountycowboychurch.org Jim Bowie Days Fans! W Welcome Open 6:00 am - 9:00 pm