Courtesy Photo
Kayla Gonzales is the Kerens Area Chamber of Commerce’s female Student of the Year, with the presentation set Jan. 30.
Courtesy Photo
Isaiah Carter is the Kerens Area Chamber of Commerce’s male Student of the Year, to be awarded at Stockton Hall.
After a courageous battle with cancer, Thomas Allen Wolford, 61, of Burleson received the gift of being welcomed Home by his Lord and Savior on Christmas Day.
Thomas was a fiercely independent man and a hard worker throughout his life. From a young age, he had a deep love for the outdoors—especially fishing—so much so that he was once known to skip school just to be at the lake. Nature was his refuge, and one of his greatest joys in life was simply sitting on the porch, smoking and quietly watching the world go by.
Wilma Adams Peterson, 94, of Crowley passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
Born Nov. 8, 1931, in Windom, Wilma was a daughter of the late Herman Henry Adams and the late Temperance Etta Early Adams.
Wilma was a strong believer in the Lord Jesus Christ all her life. She worked at Pro Line Cap Company for more than 30 years.
She lived in Mabank for more than 30 years and lived in Crowley for the last ten years. She loved her dogs Chico Jack, Killer, and Beau. She was a Dallas Cowboys fan, win or lose. She was happiest when spending time with her grandchildren.
The Monitor/Carla Gray
Second grade teacher Lisa Cupples (right) leads the grade level with the theme “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas,” during the Christmas parade.
The Monitor/Carla Gray
Mabank Independent School District hosts its annual Christmas Tea for faculty and staff Dec. 17, 2025. Superintendent Dr. Russell Marshall (right) shows his holiday spirit with kindness to the Grinch.
Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Malakoff guard Dailynn Jackson (right) goes up against a Grand Saline defender during her team’s Dec. 19 District 15-3A game.
Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Aniyah Bivins of Malakoff goes in for a steal versus Grand Saline, one moment that helped her team secure a 44-41 victory.
The Monitor/Carla Gray
Home Instead Service Coordinator Kayla Gonzales (from left), Home Instead Caregiver Kim Seay and Mabank’s Senior Center at the Ballpark Director Gail Sturdevant bring in donated gifts for senior citizens. Home Instead had Christmas trees with gift tags on them all around the Mabank area. The gift tags placed had items listed on them that seniors in the area could use. Thanks to community support, these items were delivered to seniors in the area Dec. 11.
The Monitor/Carla Gray
Doug Compton plays “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes before volunteers lay wreaths on graves during the Wreaths Across America event Dec. 13. The seven wreaths behind Compton represent the six branches of our country’s military plus one for POWs and those missing in action.
Gerald Don Phariss passed away Dec. 18, 2025, at the age of 86, in Mabank. Gerald was born Sept. 16, 1939, at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, to parents Alex and Sarah Phariss.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Gregory Don Phariss, sister Carol Sue Carroll and her husband Jimmy Carroll and grandparents Granny B Butler and Frank.
He is survived by his wife Emma Phariss, daughter Barbara Galofaro and her husband Ricky, granddaughter (Angel) Melissa Galofaro Knight and her husband Cory, grandson Matthew Galofaro, great-granddaughter Audrie Knight and sister Louetta Schwab.
Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Eustace junior Madyson Borden (center) blocks out both Winona players flanking her in the lane while playing at home Dec. 16.
Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Eustace freshman Addisen Rummel glides toward the basket far ahead of the pack during her team’s Dec. 16 District opener.
