Darlene Yvonne Nolen was born Dec. 19, 1956, in Kaufman to James Edward Nolen and Shirley Henderson Nolen. She passed away peacefully Feb. 20, 2026, after a brief illness surrounded by family and friends. 
She was truly loved by all who knew her. Darlene went to school in Athens at the local high school after moving from Dallas. 
She met her future husband, Lynn, at the skating rink in Athens and that’s where they decided that they liked each other and to start dating. 

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Kemp’s Jayda Oster (in white) dribbles the ball during the District 12-4A match between Kemp and Mabank, held at Panther Stadium Feb. 28. The Lady Jackets of Kemp complete their regular season by hosting Quinlan Ford March 4 then traveling to Community High School March 7.

Charles Seabourne, fondly known as Poppy, was born June 19, 1937, and died peacefully with family by his side Feb. 18, 2026, at the age of 88. 
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, teacher, coach, Sunday school teacher and friend and lived a life full of love for family, nature and his church. 
Charles lived in Eustace most of his life. As past students described, he was a favorite teacher and coach, with storytelling and problem-solving skills that would impact their lives for years to come. 

Courtesy Photo/Kerens Secondary
Congratulations to the Kerens Bobcats boys' basketball team, which won a UIL Bi-District championship Feb. 24 by beating Marlin, 54-44, at Navarro College in Corsicana. Next up, Kerens faces rival Cayuga in the Area round Friday, Feb. 27 in Cross Roads. And after beating Athens and seizing a spot in the UIL playoffs, the Mabank Panthers boys' hoops team fought hard but fell 58-50 in their first-round Bi-District playoff game Feb. 24 versus Longview Pine Tree at the University of Texas at Tyler.