December 2022

GUN BARREL CITY–A zoning change was granted for 119 The Lee Way during the Gun Barrel City Council meeting Dec. 20. 

Courtesy Photo
Mabank CTE auto students Junior Joseph Vallejo (from left), Sophomore Michael Greenhaw and Sophomore Parker Armstrong work on an engine. 

Funeral services for Willie Wheeler, 77 were held Dec. 27, 2022, at the Eubank Memorial Chapel Rev. Gordon Hudson officiating. Burial followed at Goshen Cemetery under direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home of Mabank. 
Willie was born Oct. 14, 1945, in Athens and passed away Dec. 20, 2022 in Dallas. 
Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Willie J. Wheeler and Ara Staines and brothers Larry Wheeler, Johnny Wheeler and Royce Wheeler. 

Karla Linebaugh, 70 of Kemp, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Dec. 21, 2022. Karla was born Aug. 7, 1952, in Dallas, to Harold Penny and Alive Berniece Wright.
Karla was employed by Wal-Mart for 27 years, she held various different positions while at Wal-Mart but, was always known for her good work ethic.
Karla was proceeded in death by her parents and her brothers Harold Duane Penny and Roy Penny.

Kendelyn Jane (Walker) Prokop, born June 15, 1940 passed away Dec. 19, 2022. 
She was both an hourly worker and a business-owning, entrepreneur. In her lifetime, she was most proud of her upholstery shop where she employed her gift for interior design with flare and confidence.  

Courtesy Photos/RJH Photos
The Eustace Lady Bulldogs and the Eustace Bulldogs fall in their matchups with the Scurry-Rosser Lady Wildcats and Wildcats Dec. 20 at home. The Lady Bulldogs fall 39-27 and sit at 9-8 overall and 2-1 in district play. The Bulldogs fall 55-40 to Scurry-Rosser and are 2-13 overall and 0-1 in district play. 

Monitor Photo/Denise York
Matt Smith (center) teaches daughters Delta (left) and Georgia a lifelong lesson as he shows them how to place the wreaths to honor and remember local veterans.

KERENS–Kerens ISD trustees voted Dec. 12 to approve resolutions conditionally approving two proposed agreements to limit appraised property values related to certain school taxes for two separate wind and solar projects planned within the district.
Both agreements would limit such values as applied to school district maintenance and operations taxes for Navarro County Wind and Gaia Solar. The agreements fall under the Texas Economic Development Act, which is Chapter 313 of the state tax code and which is set to expire Dec. 31.

William ‘Robert’ Webster of Tool and Monticello, Ark., joined his parents Nov. 9, 2022. He was born Jan. 21, 1977 and adopted by William Bruce and Francis Webster. 
He leaves behind his son Jacob Webster, sister Suzy Moreno, nephew Anthony, as well as brothers Mike Hatcher and Dallas Gibson. 
Robert had many, many friends. Robert was just beginning a new life with his devoted girlfriend Teddi Moon. Robert is the great love of her life and she was his. 

HENDERSON COUNTY–Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted Dec. 20 to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Athens for the Crimes Against Children Task Force, the fifth entity in the county to join the task force.