Reagan Gilbert (Iola ISD, age 16) Parents: Jess and Kendra Gilbert MCFA Projects: Swine; Food Consumer Science (Food Prep) Hobbies/Clubs: North Zulch 4-H (President); Iola FFA; 2021 MCFA Ambassador; Iola volleyball and track; hobbies include volleyball, working and training pigs, attending livestock shows, taking pictures of sunsets and hanging out with family, friends Morgan Brooke Huff (Madisonville ISD, age 17) Parents: Jill and Chad Huff MCFA Projects: Senior Photography (Reserve Champion for Animal/Pet; Second in People and Third in Western/Fair) Hobbies/Clubs: FFA (since 2017); Cheerleading (since 2017); NHS (since 2018); Beta Club (since 2018); Hobbies include hanging out with friends and family, playing with her dog and riding around on her four-wheeler Taylor Barrett (Madisonville ISD, age 17) Parents: Kenny and Keri Barrett MCFA Projects: Two purebred heifers and a steer; Three Ag Mechanics projects; Three Photography pictures Hobbies/Clubs: FFA; 4-H; Texas FFA Foundation Ambassador; Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador; Children of the Republic of Texas; National Beta Club; NHS; First United Methodist Church Youth; After School Kids (ASK) Program; Hobbies include hunting, fishing, taking pictures, welding, woodworking, being with her animals and drawing on occasion Carlie Stubblefield (Madisonville ISD, age 17) Parents: Jon and Stacy Stubblefield MCFA Projects: Swine Hobbies/Clubs: FFA; Dig Club; Showing Pigs and Longhorns; Quiz Bowl (4H, FFA); Ag Issues (FFA); Chapter Conducting (FFA); tutoring and helping kids with fair projects Lizeth Arjon (Madisonville ISD, age 17) Parents: Rigoberto and Maria Arjon Hobbies/Clubs: Soccer and tennis; Beta Club; 4-H; Hobbies include photography, traveling, listening to music and spending time with friends and family Cheyenne Brockman (North Zulch ISD, age 14) Parents: Stephen and Mitzie Brockman MCFA Projects: Rabbits Hobbies/Clubs: FFA; Volleyball, basketball, track and cross country; She loves the outdoors, fishing, hunting, working on her farm and taking care of animals; She loves school and learning new things Madison Murphy (North Zulch ISD, age 18) Parents: Rodney and Heidi Murphy MCFA Projects: Carrot cake and blackberry jelly; Pig, heifer, steer Hobbies/Clubs: 4-H; NHS; Book Club; Yearbook; Student Council; Bethel Lutheran Church Youth Group; Student-Athlete; Enjoys playing volleyball, basketball, softball, track; Hobbies include hunting, fishing, spending time with family, friends Emily Morgan Whitesides (Madisonville ISD, age 15) Parents: Gene and Michaelle Whitesides MCFA Projects: Ag Mechanics (Grill Guard) Hobbies/Clubs: FFA; FCCLA; NHS; Student Council; Beta Club; Hobbies include riding and working horses, taking care of household and farm animals, reading, drawing, hanging with friends and studying Correction: In the March 17 edition of the Madisonville Meteor, the Madison County Fair Association Queen Candidate biographies were published next to incorrect photos of the candidates themselves. We sincerely apologize to our readers for this confusion, but specifically apologize to the MCFA and its queen candidates for this inexcusable blunder..

The Bedias Civic Association will host a community Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m. Area children ages 9 years and younger are invited to participate in the festivities. Please go to the association Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BediasCivicClubAssoc, for more information.

Eddie Leon Holmes was born on November 14, 1936, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Roscoe and Dixie Folsom Holmes. Brother Holmes completed his mortal sojourn March 12, 2021, in College Station, Texas, surrounded by his wife and sons at the age of 84. When he was a High School kid he got a job with a crop dusting operation as truck driver and flagman, working long hours during the summer to earn more money than any of his friends! During winter he worked the soda fountain at the local drug store. The day after graduation from High School he and five of his buddies joined the United States Air Force together and got a writeup in the local newspaper. From Air Force testing he was found to have an aptitude for electronics, so was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi, for training. Upon graduating Eddie was assigned to McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California, to keep airborne radar working. With his career underway the time was right to marry his Junior High and High School sweetheart, a girl named Bobbie Oreen Taylor. That sweet union took place on May 4, 1956, and has lasted almost 65 years! At age 40 the couple embraced The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On July 21, 1978, Bobbie & Eddie were Sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Los Angeles Temple! After honorable discharge from the Air Force, Brother Holmes attended Lamar University while Bobbie wrote commercials and show promotions for KPAC-TV and typed his class papers at night. Their first son was born, Eddie graduated with a baccalaureate degree in Electrical Engineering, went to work for Texas Instruments. Later he worked in the AeroSpace industry, eventually founding his own company in Traffic Control. Known for his extraordinary work ethic, he brought great enthusiasm to any project he approached including beekeeping, raising earthworms and rabbits. He developed a peach orchard, and owned two motorcycle shops. As the self-proclaimed King of BBQ, his favorite activity was cooking for friends and family gatherings. He will be remembered for his dry humor and his willingness to serve the people around him. Eddie Leon Holmes is survived by his wife, Bobbie, their two sons, Anthony Edward Holmes and Andrew Leon Holmes, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of kindness, comfort, food, and prayers received from everyone during his final illness and passing.

Both Madisonville soccer squads concluded their seasons with lopsided 7-0 victories over New Waverly at MHS Friday night and honored the program’s nine seniors in the process. The six seniors honored on the men’s side included Jesus Zavala, Jose Garnica, Antonio Vazquez, Diego Torres, Ryan Kinsey and Julian Bastardo.

CAMPBELL ATKINS Madisonville’s Jer’Tavius Brown signed his letter of intent to continue his football career at Sterling College in Kansas March 17 at the MHS competition gym in the presence of friends, family and coaches..

The Madisonville softball team defeated Anderson-Shiro 14-1 in their final non-league matchup on the road March 16 before falling 26-14 in their district opener at Mexia Friday. The Lady Mustangs hosted LaVega in their first home district matchup Tuesday and will travel to Robinson Friday.

The Madisonville baseball team split a pair of non-district matchups last week with a loss on the road at Bellville March 16 and a victory over Palestine at MHS Friday. The Mustangs opened district play in Robinson Friday and will host China Spring Monday.